Advice volunteer roles in haywards heath, england

This is an exciting opportunity to get involved as a Learning Trustee in an engaging, decision making role in a charity that inspires and empowers young disabled adults to live fulfilling, independent lives – promoting personal development through the arts.

About the Orpheus Centre

The Orpheus Centre is a charity and college which supports young disabled adults aged 18-25 to learn essential life skills, gain formal qualifications and prepare for future employment.

There are currently 66 students with 21 living on site in Godstone, Surrey. Students come from across the UK and all have a love of the arts.

Started by lyricist and musician Sir Richard Stilgoe, the organisation offers learning, care and development opportunities at the college and in the wider community, working with professional artists, businesses and other charities.

The overall aim is to equip the students with the skills they need to live as independently as possible and to pursue their chosen careers.

Our core values are to be Joyful, Bold, Inclusive, Resilient and Determined. These values are the foundations for all our work and are what the organisation stands for.

Why should you apply?

Orpheus is a vibrant Independent Specialist college for young disabled adults who have a passion for the arts and a desire to live independently. Orpheus believes that disabled people should have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.

The Board of Trustees are looking for a new Trustee who is passionate about our vision to empower and equip young disabled people with the skills and confidence they need in order to live independent and fulfilling lives in the community.

Time commitment

The time commitment is between 10 and 15 days per annum, including four Board meetings including the AGM (mainly in person), four committee meetings (mainly virtual), one or two awaydays and ad-hoc attendance.

What will you be doing?

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Orpheus, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and with legal and regulatory guidelines.

The role of the Learning and Care Committee Co-Chair includes but also goes beyond the role of other Trustees. So in addition to your duties as a Trustee, you will take a leadership role in ensuring that the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the Orpheus Centre in relation to Learning and Care. You will also work closely with the Chief Executive, Principal and Head of Care to support them in achieving the aims of the Orpheus Centre in the areas of Learning and Care, and will act as the channel of communication between the committee and the Board.

You will lead the committee, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for good governance, and will work in partnership with the Principal and Head of Care, helping them to achieve the department’s aims.

Your responsibilities will include:

• providing effective scrutiny, challenge and questioning related to curriculum and learner progress;
• supporting the learning management team with quality activities, including annual trustee learning walks and quarterly deep dive activity;
• ensuring that you undertake a thorough induction programme;
• leading the Learning and Care Committee, including chairing committee meetings effectively;
• monitoring progress in implementing decisions taken at committee meetings and keeping in close touch with the work of the Learning and Care Departments in general – while always respecting the boundary between the respective roles of executives and non-executives; 
• acting as a spokesperson for Orpheus when requested and as appropriate;
• providing a written and oral update of the last committee meeting at each Board meeting;
• assessing and monitoring risks relevant to the Learning and Care functions of the Orpheus Centre;

and

• monitoring and scrutinising performance data within the Learning and Care Departments.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following:

• A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements.
• A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the person specification. Please note that the covering letter is an important part of your application.
• Contact details of two professional referees together with a brief statement of their relationship to you and over what period of time they have known you; referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

International Communities Organisation (ICO) is a global, neutral and independent international not for profit organisation working for the protection and empowerment of minority rights in divided and conflict affected settings.

The Communications & Public Engagement Volunteer will play a vital role in building and growing ICO's public profile. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with a peace and minority-rights focused NGO, contributing to meaningful projects which increase the visibility of our work.

The ideal candidate will have experience in working to grow online and public presences, and enthusiasm for supporting the organisation's goals.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of campaigns and applications for awards about ICO's work.
• Write press releases for ICO's programmes and projects 
• Support the creation of online materials and digital content on ICO's work for community outreach.
• Grow engagement, followers and audiences to ICO's work.
• Coordination of ICO's online public presence across multiple platforms (social media and website).
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of activities and outcomes.
• Collaborate with team members on various projects to enhance public engagement.

Skills

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with an emphasis on public relations and communications.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in using standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Confidence with coordinating messaging and organisational image across multiple online platforms, i.e. website, social media.
• A genuine interest wishing to make a positive impact in the community.
• Previous experience related to publicity, press and profile building.

This volunteer position is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of publicity while gaining practical experience working with a peace and minority-rights NGO.

Work Location: Remote