First Response Volunteer – Family Support

Support families at one of the most distressing moments of their lives – all from home. 

Missing People’s specialist Family Support Service provides emotional and practical help to families and loved ones affected by someone going missing. Every day, people reach out to us in shock, fear, and uncertainty. Our First Response team are the compassionate first voice they hear. 

We’re now recruiting volunteers who can offer calm, sensitive, and reliable support during initial introduction calls, and provide short-term casework to families who need immediate guidance. If you’re someone who listens deeply, cares wholeheartedly, is confident with computer and database use and wants to make a meaningful difference, this role offers a powerful way to help. 

💬 What you’ll be doing 

Using Missing People’s secure systems and working from home, you’ll be the first point of contact for families and loved ones seeking support. 

You will: 

• Make initial introduction calls to people referred to our Family Support Service. 
• Offer empathetic, non-judgemental listening to families experiencing distress, uncertainty, or crisis. 
• Explore their situation and help them understand the support Missing People can offer. 
• Provide short-term casework (typically 1–2 weeks) to families who need immediate, practical guidance. 
• Share information about reporting processes, police liaison, and what to expect in the early stages of a disappearance. 
• Work closely with staff supervisors to ensure every family receives safe, appropriate, and timely support. 
• Be a steady, reassuring presence at a moment when people often feel overwhelmed and alone. 

🌟 Qualities and skills we’re looking for 

You don’t need previous experience – we’ll train and support you every step of the way. What matters most is your approach: 

• A warm, empathetic communicator who can listen deeply and respond sensitively whilst on the phone. 
• Patient, calm, and able to hold space for people in distress. 
• Passionate about supporting vulnerable individuals and families. 
• Confident using computers, digital platforms such as Microsoft Office, email and databases (you’ll need your own laptop/PC and Wi-Fi). 
• Dynamic and flexible, understanding that every day and every new call will be unique.  
• Able to volunteer from a quiet, confidential space at home. 
• Willing to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide references. 

At Missing People, we aim for our staff and volunteers to reflect the diversity of the communities we support. As such we actively encourage applications from people whose identities and lived experiences are currently underrepresented in the charity sector. This includes, but is not limited to, people from global majority backgrounds, people from lowincome or workingclass backgrounds, men, LGBTQ+ people, Disabled people, and people with lived experience of missing and/or exploitation.  

🎓 What you’ll gain 

Volunteering with Missing People is a chance to grow, connect, and make a real impact. 

• Comprehensive training: A 6-week online program, including self-paced learning and interactive evening sessions with fellow volunteers and Family Support staff, and a shadowing and induction period.  
• Ongoing support: Regular supervision, guidance from experienced staff, and a supportive volunteer community. 
• Purpose and connection: Join a dedicated team working together to bring missing people to safety and support those left behind. 
• Recognition: After 6 months of service, you’ll be eligible for a formal reference.

🕒 Location and availability 

• This role is fully remote. 
• Shifts will be Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm, we ask volunteers to commit to one regular weekday shift per week.  
• Minimum commitment: 6+ months. 

🔎 Selection process 

To help ensure this role is right for you, our process includes: 

• An interview with our team. 
• A digital confidence task. 

Please note: If you’re passionate about providing direct support but feel your strengths lie more in channels such as online chat, text, and WhatsApp, we’ll be recruiting for a similar volunteer role focused on digital support in the coming months. 

👉 Apply now

If you’re interested, click Apply Now to complete a short interest form.

Want to chat before applying? Email us at volunteering@missingpeople.org.uk.