Activities Support Volunteer Volunteer Roles

About Pain Concern

Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work.  

All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results 

Role Purpose

Pain Concern is looking for volunteers to help moderate the charity’s online community on the Health Unlocked platform. Our forum provides peer support and a learning environment for people living with chronic pain and those who care for them. Forum moderators follow Health Unlocked guidance, creating a great culture and setting the tone for the forum.

As a volunteer moderator you will help to ensure that our online community is maintained as a safe, supportive and fun environment. You will gather information on what issues are important to forum users. You will help to monitor and moderate user-generated content. By joining us you will join a fast-growing and respected service.

Previous experience or training is not necessary. We are looking for a willingness to learn and a commitment to help. Knowledge of chronic pain while useful, is not essential. Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check and complete a 1hr Safeguarding online course.

What you would be doing

· Welcoming new members to the community

· Overseeing posts to the forum

· Ensure that posts conform to the community guidelines

· Signpost members to helpful resources

· Share cases with your supervisor and team members

· Help to gather information and feedback for statistics and report purpose

Is this role right for me?

We are looking for an individual who possesses some, or all of the experiences, skills and qualities listed below:

• Access to a computer, or other device, and internet (if volunteering from your own location)

• An empathetic and non-judgemental manner

• Excellent written communication skills

• Knowledge of chronic pain

• Ability to commit to at least 6 months of volunteering 

We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the East Finchley area of North London for a Volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener?

Are you looking to help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community? Could you organise and source activities that align with our service-user’s interests, which include comedy and writing poetry?

Can you commit to learning Creative Support’s Safeguarding Procedure and be able to implement this if needed?

We are looking for a reliable, friendly, outgoing and supportive person who can join us as a Volunteer Befriender.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.

Suggested time commitment: 2 hours a week.

Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.
We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our Fundraising Event Helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

What can you expect to be doing?

• Help set up and/or man stalls at events
• Help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• Help at fundraising events such as Quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• Promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

A bit more information about this role and the team...

What the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. By being the link between members of the public and Cats Protection, the money you collect will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens.

We're looking for someone with

• A friendly, outgoing outlook
• An affinity with people
• Willingness to be part of a team
• A passion for feline welfare

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.  

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

The Men in Sheds Project: Is a project specifically for men aged 50+. It provides a well equipped workshop space where men can work together on a range of practical activities. We currently have ‘sheds’ in Blidworth and Worksop. The project aims to:

- encourage men to be more socially active

- give members an outlet for their skills and the opportunity to learn new skills

- provide a break amongst friends for older men who are carers

- give retired men the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the local community

- provide access to information and other local services Members are encouraged to take ownership of their ’shed’.

What impact does this role have? This role helps combat social isolation for men over the age of 50.

What activities might you be involved in?

• To unlock the shed and get it ready for use, heating, check for unsafe items of machines etc.

• Supervising workshop sessions, alongside another volunteer.

• Collect or oversee the payment of subscriptions, ensure that members book in on the attendance register

• Assist members if needed with projects, lifting etc.

• Agree with members in advance on the price of projects that members make

• Take payment for items when finished, issue a receipt and record the sale

• Encourage work that could be done to members, orders, seasonal items etc.

• Meet and greet visitors, ensure they comply with all safety requirements and to sign in

• Meet and greet potential new members, show them around the shed and briefly describe the aims and function of the shed. Arrange a meeting with a shed leader for induction if interested. Ensure they comply with all safety requirements and to sign in

• (With one other Volunteer or member) Count and record subscriptions & tea fund at the end of the day and put away in the safe 

• You will be supported by a staff member from the Men in Sheds Team 

• To check that everything is switched off, the ‘Red Button’ is pressed and to lock up at the end of the day

• Reporting any concerns to the Shed leader

What are we looking for?

➢ Friendly personality and approachable manner

➢ Ability to use own initiative to work alone, or as part of a team

➢ Understanding of the workshop environment and/ or working with power tools

➢ Appreciation of the need to follow health and safety guidelines

o Ensure members follow the shed’s General Safety Rules

o Ensure that all members work in a safe manner

o Ensure machines are not used inappropriately

o Ensure members wear the correct PPE equipment as per the H&S notices,

o To wear PPE equipment yourself, if you don’t use PPE and injure yourself, you could be negligent, the shed will not accept any responsibility for your injury. This should also be pointed out to members

o Ensure there is no smoking in the shed, only in the outside designated smoking area

o Stop other members from carrying out unsafe practices or report it to a Shed Leader immediately

o Actively contribute to keeping the shed clean and tidy

➢ Expected levels of conduct include:

o Treat members and fellow volunteers in a friendly and supportive approachable manner

o Not use rude, offensive, threatening or abusive behaviour, language or gestures

o If anybody is deemed under the influence they will be asked to leave the shed and not to return until sober

o Report any incidents or breach of any of the above to the Shed Leader in confidence

o Report any complaints about the project / charity in line with Age UK Notts’ Compliments and Complaints procedure

➢ Be able to cover a session either weekly or to provide cover on an ‘as needed’ basis.

Ability to work sensitively and confidentially with men from a variety of backgrounds.

➢ Willingness to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

We are looking for volunteers who can regularly commit to at least one session per week.

• The Worksop Shed: Open Monday - Wednesday: 9am - 2pm and we are looking for volunteers on all days.
• The Blidworth Shed: Open Tuesday 9am - 2pm & Thursday 9am - 1pm and will soon be opening on a Wednesday (9am until 2pm), and we are looking for volunteers on a Wednesday and a Thursday.

Days to be agreed with the shed.

Please note that this volunteer role is aimed at the older male population who attends the shed and applicants must have been a member of the shed for at least 3 months.

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

“The World Scout Jamboree is one of the largest outdoor education events for youth on the planet! Tens of thousands of Scouts from all over the world come together to camp outdoors and join in fun activities where they make new friends, learn about other cultures, and develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime" - World Organisation of the Scout Movement website 

We are looking for a motivated and dynamic UK Contingent Leader to define, organise and deliver this fantastic event, working in partnership with UK Headquarters staff and other senior volunteers, utilising the learnings of past UK Contingents. You will recruit and (directly and indirectly) manage a contingent of adult volunteers and young people to participate in this fantastic event. As well as the Jamboree itself, you will be responsible for helping develop the UK Contingent experience and working closely with UK Headquarters staff to create and manage the event budget.

Being UK Contingent Leader for our contingent to the 26th World Scout Jamboree will be an experience like no other. Working alongside staff and other senior volunteers, you'll help set the direction for the UK Contingent and form a team of high-performing volunteers around you. You'll deliver an unforgettable and life-changing experience to the thousands of young people and adults who attend the Jamboree - as well as delivering projects that help the UK Contingent make a wider difference to the Scouts' entire membership.

Give Back to Children in Your Community with The Kids Network

Are you looking to donate your skills, give back to your community, or find a meaningful way to use your time? The Kids Network offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of children while practicing your skills and connecting with others.

If you already have experience in mentoring, education, psychology, or related fields, The Kids Network provides an ideal platform to use and donate your skills. By becoming a mentor, you can actively practice your learned skills and see the direct impact of your efforts on the children in your local community and provide support to those who need it most.

Why Choose The Kids Network?

• Active Skill Application: Our programme allows you to apply your expertise in real-world settings, enhancing your practical experience.
• Structured Support: We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring you can make the most of your skills.
• Proven Impact: With 100% of children reporting increased wellbeing, you’ll see tangible impact from your mentoring.

Impact on Mentees

• Building Confidence: Help children in your community develop self-assurance and resilience.
• Creating Opportunities: Provide guidance that helps young people navigate their challenges and seize opportunities.
• Strengthening Community: Contribute to the overall wellbeing of your community, fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Connection

• Personal Fulfilment: Experience the joy and satisfaction of making a positive impact on a child’s life.
• Meaningful Relationships: Form a strong bond with your mentee, providing guidance and support through fun and engaging activities.
• Community Engagement: Participate in mentor meet-ups and group activities, connecting with other mentors and mentees.

Your Role as a Mentor

As a mentor, you will hold weekly one-on-one sessions of 1-3 hours for the duration of 12 months. You will help build confidence, resilience, and help your mentee manage feelings through a series of fun experiences and activities. Whether you’re playing games or discussing goals, you’ll be making a difference in a child’s life by developing the tools for a positive future.

Join Us Today

Whether you're wanting to use your expertise, eager to give back and make an impact, or looking for purpose and connection, The Kids Network offers a meaningful way to contribute. Volunteer with us and become part of a community dedicated to fostering positive futures for children and mentors alike.

For more information and to apply, visit The Kids Network website

Our fundraising and engagement team at Teddington RNLI lifeboat station are a successful, motivated and very welcoming group who work brilliantly together as well as closely with the crew and water safety teams at Teddington.

The current fundraising lead is looking for someone to work alongside her and/ or take the lead on specific events and projects - it's all very open to discussion and we are very flexible. Current events range from comedy nights to duck races to station open days and chip suppers but the team are always looking for new ideas and are keen to develop what they do.

Meetings usually happen once a month at the lifeboat station and last about 1.5 hours. We would estimate the commitment, time wise, being around 3-6 hours a week. Some weeks there might be very little to nothing, the week of an event it might well be more like 12 hours, but it really is flexible - we want people to be able to volunteer around existing commitments. 

No particular experience is necessary, but strong people skills are important, as are communication skills. Some experience in event management or fundraising would help, but really, this can be taught and learnt - it's much more important to us to find someone who is keen to join us, happy to muck in with everything from manning a duck race in the rain to booking venues for an event, to brainstorming event ideas over a cup of tea. 

If you'd like to apply, or just come along to a meeting to see what you think, join us for an event as a one off or have an informal chat about the role contact Hannah via this ad.

Thank you for your support

We’re recruiting a Treasurer to provide strategic leadership over our continued financial growth to support our ambitious new strategy to be launched in 2025.

We’re seeking a Treasurer to join our board of trustees and work with our CEO to ensure the financial stability and growth of Camcycle. You will be a committed and enthusiastic supporter of cycling in and around Cambridge and a member of Camcycle. This does not mean you need to cycle very far, very often or indeed at all, but rather that you understand the benefits large-scale everyday cycling can have for our society and environment. (If you are not currently a member you can join in advance of submitting your trustee nomination form).

Ideally, you will have a formal accountancy qualification and/or practical experience with charity finances. You will also understand the dynamics of a small high-performance organisation, and be able to work with a variety of stakeholders including staff, other trustees, volunteers, members, donors and other partners. Our Treasurer will not be expected to get involved in day-to-day financial operations.

If you would like to learn more about the role of Treasurer or express interest in the position please get in touch. We will arrange a conversation with our CEO, Chair of the Board or Chair of our Finance Subcommittee to discuss the role.

Who we are and what we do

Camcycle (Cambridge Cycling Campaign) is a high-profile and influential local charity working for more, better and safer cycling, for all ages and abilities, in and around the Cambridge region, where half the population cycles at least once a week. We are democratic and member-led, with over 1,700 members and many volunteers.

Our funding is derived from membership subscriptions, donations, grants from grant-making bodies, corporate partnerships, advertising and merchandise sales. We have five permanent members of staff, periodic interns and freelancers and many active volunteers including our board of trustees. In 2025/2026 we expect to complete our transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Our Finance Subcommittee of trustees and staff oversees the financial processes and operations of the organisation. Our CEO and Finance Assistant run our day-to-day finances and we have plans to add a Finance Director or similar role to the team in the near future.

Camcycle’s work includes:

• Responding to planning applications and public consultations.
• Organising events including our Cambridge Festival of Cycling, the Reach Ride with 1,000 participants, stalls at community events, workplace information sessions and campaigning meetings.
• Publication of print and digital cycling advocacy materials including leaflets for students, our quarterly magazine and blogs and social media posts.
• Making representations to the media and public bodies such as the council in the interest of a wide diversity of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities who are cycling for general transport purposes in the greater Cambridge region.

Read more about our work and our finances in our latest annual reviews and find out more about becoming a Camcycle trustee.

Our values

Camcycle is: Inclusive, Informed and Influential

Our work is: Positive, Practical and Professional

Could you use your social media, marketing and communications experience to raise the profile of a small charity? Help us to increase our social media presence and engagement, generate greatr content and help promote existing activities.

Our charity delivers a range of awareness campaigns and support services to patients, relatives, partners and carers who have been affected by a poorly understood pain condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). We are looking for 2 experienced social media and communications volunteers who are able to develop posts and campaigns from design to inception, create fresh and engaging content, increase engagement and to increase awareness of the charity and of the condition we represent.

Even though we are a small organisation we have big ideas and would like to draw on your experience in the communications world to help the charity deliver engaging content and communications to help us spread our aims and message to all our audience.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Engagement: Help increase engagement, improve the number of followers/likes, create & execute a content calendar
• Content Creation: Produce fresh, branded and engaging content for our social media channels 
• Graphics: Prepare graphics and text for sharing across channels 
• Strategy: Help develop a social media strategy
• Engage with our followers and encourage interaction 
• Manage and maintain social media channels on a regular basis
• Support charity campaigns, marketing, events and fundraising activities by promoting them on our social media feeds
• Use your creative skills to devise strategies to engage, grow, and widen our target audiences
• Develop publicity materials and communication techniques for social media to raise awareness of our chronic condition 

You will be working with a small team of volunteers who will provide an overview of our existing social media content, our brand and how we have approached our social media content to date. 

Experience
We are looking for a volunteer who has experience in:

• Different types of marketing and communications media, including electronic and social media
• Writing and editing marketing content for social media platforms including Facebook, X, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn (especially TikTok and YouTube)
• Building strategies to increase social media following and /or build fundraising or awareness campaigns
• Developing a coherent brand voice for social media, from content creation to community interactions
• Using and setting up tools such as Buffer, Canva etc
• Creating and executing content calendars to help plan social media activity 

Skills Required

• Excellent written communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail 
• Creative writing and design abilities
• Good computer and digital skills
• Enthusiasm for communications and marketing and willingness to learn
• Ability to quickly understand the needs of our team / organisation / users
• Ability to transform small snippets of information into interesting and engaging stories suitable for X, Facebook, Instagram etc.
• Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and is able to work with these
• Open to feedback 
• An interest in helping Burning Nights CRPS Support achieve its aims
• Good organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to work as part of a team

What Difference You Will Make
You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we can maintain our support services and become a sustainable charity to allow us to fulfil our aims.

Benefits

You would be a part of our small, friendly and forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or about the condition. You would have a key role in developing a socoal media strategy for a small charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.
You will further develop your communication skills, gain PR and marketing experience and develop your social media skills.

This is a remote volunteering role, volunteering from your own home.

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community?

Join us as a volunteer at Marie Curie charity shops, where your efforts will directly support our mission to provide vital care for terminally ill individuals and their families.

As a Retail Volunteer, you'll be the heart and soul of our store, bringing joy to our customers and helping us create a vibrant shopping experience.

Why volunteer in one of our shops?

• Gain retail experience.
• Meet new people.
• Support your local community.
• Donate your skills and knowledge.
• Be part of a friendly team.

Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each store for two hours or more a week.

On the store floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with store housekeeping and administration, sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing items.

Do you have specific retail skills to donate? We're also looking for volunteers with skills and ideas around visual merchandising, identifying stock generation channels and raising awareness of our charity shops. Using your local knowledge, you could help to maximise the shop’s potential.

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:

• Sort through donations, find hidden gems
• Prepare items for sale
• Maintain the shop floor and provide excellent customer service to our shoppers
• Operate the till 
• Help out with basic housekeeping

Skills & Qualities:

· Friendly and cheerful manner

· Able to work well as part of a team

· Able to follow instructions

· Knowledge of popular and quality brands would be useful

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community?

Join us as a volunteer at Marie Curie charity shop in Byker, where your efforts will directly support our mission to provide vital care for terminally ill individuals and their families.

As a Retail Volunteer, you'll be the heart and soul of our store, bringing joy to our customers and helping us create a vibrant shopping experience.

Why volunteer in one of our shops?

• Gain retail experience.
• Meet new people.
• Support your local community.
• Donate your skills and knowledge.
• Be part of a friendly team.

Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each store for two hours or more a week.

On the store floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with store housekeeping and administration, sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing items.

Do you have specific retail skills to donate? We're also looking for volunteers with skills and ideas around visual merchandising, identifying stock generation channels and raising awareness of our charity shops. Using your local knowledge, you could help to maximise the shop’s potential.

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:

• Sort through donations, find hidden gems
• Prepare items for sale
• Maintain the shop floor and provide excellent customer service to our shoppers
• Operate the till 
• Help out with basic housekeeping

Young Volunteers

Please note: A signed Parent/Guardian Consent Form is required for all volunteers aged 14-17 years.

Skills & Qualities

· Friendly and cheerful manner

· Able to work well as part of a team

· Able to follow instructions

· Knowledge of popular and quality brands would be useful

Fundraising Volunteer

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Are you looking to get involved in the local community and would like to facilitate a group for people who use Hestia’s services?

There are opportunities across Hestia’s services to use your skills and talents to coordinate an activity that will bring people together, motivate and inspire people to reconnect with an old hobby or try something new for the first time. Volunteers’ provide people in our services opportunities to meet others, develop friendships and create a routine and activity to their day. Group activities could include anything from art, music, creative writing to leading a discussion and peer support group.

What you will be doing

• Work alongside staff to support people in our service or accessing one of our drop-in sessions to plan, facilitate and evaluate group activities.
• To design session plans and collaborate with people using the services to be involved in the designing and planning of the session.
• Holding conversations with people using the service, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face.
• Encourage group members to participate in a group activity.
• Opportunities to deliver activities alongside the staff team and other volunteers.
• To assist with ad hoc and administrative tasks to support the running of the group.

The skills you need

• Knowledge and experience of working with people with varying backgrounds and needs
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation.
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun