Communications Volunteer Roles in Manchester, Greater Manchester

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

We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our social media team to help raise awareness of chronic pain and the work of Pain Concern to reach more people in need of the support we offer.

What you would be doing

• Help develop social media campaigns and day-to-day activities;

• Manage presence in social networking across all platforms;

• Prepare graphics for sharing across channels

• Monitor the impact of social media campaigns; Analyse, review and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize the charity’s reach.

• Scheduling and posting social media content 

• Capture and report on monthly data from across all social media platforms

Is this role right for me?

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

• Excellent communication skills

• Good knowledge and understanding of social media platforms

• Knowledge of marketing

• Strong IT skills and knowledge of MS Office

• Attention to detail

• Knowledge of / interest in pain and long-term conditions 

Availability and location

• Minimum 2-4 hours per week

• Volunteer from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS or from your own location

Benefits to you

• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team

• Meet new people

• Build on your employability skills

• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you

• A job reference after 3 months of volunteering.

• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community

• On-site car parking

• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy

How do I apply?

For more information, please visit our website

Positively UK is recruiting new Trustees

Positively UK is a registered UK charity providing peer-led support, advocacy, and information to everyone living with HIV. We help people manage all aspects of their diagnosis, care, and life with HIV. We are a peer lead peer run charity and 90% of our staff are living with HIV. Our vision is a society where people with HIV live happy, healthy, and stigma-free lives. Our mission is to empower and support people living with HIV with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to live fulfilling lives and reduce the stigma surrounding HIV. Positively UK’s Board of Trustees consists of eight members whose experiences range from lived experience and HIV activism to academic, financial, and clinical backgrounds. 

We are now looking for three new Trustees to join the Board. Ideally, the new board members will have experience in one of the following areas: legal, finance, fundraising, marketing. We are looking for people committed to use their networks to advance Positively UK’s mission and vision. 

Trustee Role Description 

A Trustee shares the responsibility for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. 

Trustees advise, govern, oversee policy and direction, and assist with the leadership and general promotion of Positively UK to support the organisation’s mission and needs. 

Primary responsibilities 

• Ensuring the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with Positively UK’s constitution 
• Upholding the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity. Determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning. 
• Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries, and future beneficiaries at all times. 
• Promoting and developing the charity for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society. 
• Maintaining sound financial management of the charity’s resources 
• Ensuring the expenditure is in line with the organisation’s objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies. 
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources, acting as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds as requested. 
• Interviewing, appointing and performance monitoring of senior staff. 

Expectations 

• Attend and participate in meetings on a regular basis, and at special events as able. 
• Participate on a standing committee of the board, and serve on ad-hoc committees as necessary. 
• Be alert to community concerns that can be addressed by Positively UK’s mission, objectives, and programmes. 
• Help communicate and promote Positively UK’s activities widely 
• Be familiar with Positively UK’s finances and financial needs. 
• Understand Positively UK’s policies and procedures. 

Length of term 

• Two years, which may be renewed indefinitely. Proposal and approval are ratified at the Annual General Meeting in November. 

Meetings and time commitment 

• The Board of Trustees meets every two months (online or at Positively UK’s offices). The November meeting is combined with the Annual General Meeting. 
• Trustees are asked to attend additional meetings as representatives of Positively UK as they are determined. 

Accountability 

Trustees (individually) and the Board (collectively) are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity. They are accountable to a variety of stakeholders, including service users, members, the Charity Commission, and Companies House. 

Help Close By is a charity which uses technology to fight poverty - connecting people with vital support in their area. Founded in Birmingham in 2020 to coordinate relief efforts during the pandemic, we've developed with focus on identifying people in need, supporting them and connecting them to services that will make a lasting change to their lives. Our next step is to roll out our app national-wide, and to encourage change with the reporting of real-time mapping and statistics.

Our Secretary of the Board of Trustees will support the organisation as it develops, ensuring oversight and scrutiny of vital decisions. Tasks will include keeping minutes, managing communication between the board and volunteer teams, and preparing all necessary documentation for the Charity Commission.

About us – the Irene Taylor Trust: Creating Music. Transforming Futures.

We believe that creating original music collaboratively can have a powerful impact on people’s lives, bringing them new confidence, important transferable skills and raised aspirations for the future. Our programmes Music in Prisons, Sounding Out and Making Tracks support people of all ages in prisons, previously imprisoned people rebuilding their lives on release, and young people experiencing challenging circumstances in the community. We have a measurable impact on recidivism, helping people into training and jobs, and on enhancing wellbeing. We work with around 600 participants each year. The quality of our work was recently recognised by the Royal Philharmonic Society with their ‘Gamechanger’ award.

About you – who we’re looking for to join our board

We are looking for Trustees to join our welcoming and productive Trustee Board - in particular, we are looking for a Finance Trustee/ Treasurer to take a lead on overseeing our finances (c £500k and in good order). 

We are also starting succession planning for the Chair role, so please get in touch if this would be of interest to you and you have experience and skills in leading others. This is an exciting time to join the team, as we look ahead to celebrating 30 years of the Irene Taylor Trust in 2025. 

At the Irene Taylor Trust, we understand that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and help us better serve the communities we aim to uplift. We actively encourage applications from individuals who bring a wealth of different experiences, particularly those from Black, Asian, and other global majority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities and neurodiverse individuals. We are also eager to hear from those who may not have previous trustee or board membership experience but are passionate about making a difference. Your voice is valuable. We are open to applications from people with a criminal conviction (and could help you to check your eligibility under the Charity Commission rules). We will deliver an induction and support working collectively as team. 

Our terms of office are three-years, renewable up to twice. The time commitment for Trustees includes attending quarterly meetings (in-person in London or online), attending our project performances when possible, and supporting the office team on emerging issues in your areas of skills and interest.

Finance Trustee role details

We are looking for someone with a skill for numbers to take the lead at the Trustee Board concerning keeping our finances in good order, meeting financial governance requirements and thinking strategically. This role is formally referred to as the Treasurer. We have a Fundraising and Finance Committee which you would also join alongside our Vice Chair, who is an investment professional; this meeting is also attended by the office staff responsible for our fundraising and finances; you would chair this committee. You would also have occasional involvement with the office team in approving larger payments or verifying financial aspects of reports for funders.

This role would suit someone with the following particular skills and attributes:

· Knowledge of charity finances and the Charity Commission's requirements, or the willingness to develop this knowledge.

· An accountancy qualification and/or good financial management experience

· The ability to provide, communicate and explain financial information and advice to members of the Trustee Board and other stakeholders.

· A collaborative approach to working with others

Young Enterprise’s Team Programme is an enterprise journey for students who have mild to moderate learning difficulties. Designed to aid young people’s transition from education into independent living and employment, the programme develops confidence and life skills through working as a team to set up and run an enterprise.

This hands-on and highly impactful role involves mentoring and encouraging students with learning disabilities to face the challenges of running a business, and learn critical life skills, in a safe space.

Team Programme Volunteers are primarily based within schools/ colleges supporting a group of students with learning disabilities. They will volunteer alongside school staff to ensure the young people are able to flourish. Young people particularly value volunteers who can attend in person as this support their learning and development of social skills.

The time commitment can be variable depending on the particular needs of the group. At most this will involve around one hour per week, attending weekly company meetings throughout the school academic year, however in some cases may be less frequent than this.

What you will be doing

• Coaching, mentoring, and positively supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism through their business adventure
• Attending regular company meetings within the school environment
• Liaising closely with the lead teacher to achieve the best outcomes for young people

The skills you need

• Patient, encouraging and open-minded
• Open to learning new things, to challenge and in turn be challenged
• Comfortable in the presence of young people with learning disabilities (but no specific experience is necessary)
• Able to commit to attending regular face to face student company meetings within a school . Continuity for this group of young people is particularly important
• Able to communicate clearly and directly with young people with learning disabilities, who may also have communication difficulties
• A creative thinker, able to support young people experiencing additional barriers to overcome challenges

What's in it for you

• Satisfaction of supporting young people to grow in confidence, learn new skills and achieve their potential
• Develop your professional skills in mentoring, facilitation and communication
• Volunteering alongside a group of young people will challenge you to think differently and approach problems from a new perspective

An exciting opportunity to volunteer flexibly from home for Shout - a 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. We are looking for empathetic volunteers to join our amazing online community. 

You’ll benefit from:
∙ Vocational development: develop digital mental health skills and experience recognised by universities and colleges and relevant to many professions
∙ Personal development: learn communication, active listening, problem solving skills and crisis management skills
∙ Supporting people who are struggling to cope: help those who have no-one
else to talk to and who really need ‘in the moment’ support
∙ Being part of a pioneering global community: connect with both UK and New Zealand volunteers via a digital hub

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

As a Fundraising Volunteer, you will work with the fundraising team lead to raise funds for Roots Academy. The funds will be used to support Roots Academy’s work – providing free, essential Islamic education to university students across the UK and beyond.

Key tasks

• Using your connections and communication skills, raise awareness of Roots Academy’s work, and ask for donations in an effort to raise money to support our education programmes.
• This may include but is not limited to:

○ Networking, attending or hosting events

○ Reaching out to contacts, mosques, and community centres

○ Arranging and attending collections

○ Online fundraising through Launchgood, Justgiving or other online platforms

○ Other ways of fundraising e.g. bake sales, bucket collections, challenges etc.

What we’re looking for

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong understanding of the Muslim community
• Passionate about Islamic education

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 40+ dedicated volunteers from across the country.
• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform.
• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.
• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position.

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy.

Are you the next Active Humber trustee?
Support us to encourage people across the Humber to benefit from an active lifestyle

We are currently looking for two trustees to join our Board to work with us to create a happier, healthier and stronger community across the Humber.  To achieve our goals, we need a board of trustees who are as diverse as the people we are trying to reach.

Active Humber is a registered charity and is one of 43 nationwide Active Partnerships who are funded by Sport England to improve lives through physical activity and sport. 

Our vision is that the Humber is a place where everyone, everyday is physically active.

Our mission is to get the most physically inactive to be active.

Our role is to help people think differently about physical inactivity.

What is it like to be a Board Member at Active Humber? 
The Board at Active Humber is integral to what we are trying to achieve in the Humber.  If you join us as a trustee you will help to lead Active Humber to achieve their mission and purpose - you might ask questions to challenge us to think differently, make suggestions to move things forward, or act as a sounding board for ideas.  To learn more about Active Humber and what we have achieved and what we are hoping to achieve, please visit our website

What we’re looking for:
We’re seeking individuals who are enthusiastic about our vision and have the time and skills to contribute to the board. You don’t need previous board experience, and we particularly welcome individuals with experience in areas such as:

• Health and social care
• Environmental sustainability matters
• An understanding of equality and inclusivity
• An ability to articulate the voice of communities that are less likely to take part in physical activity (e.g. those over 55, those living with a disability or a long-term health condition, minority ethnic groups).

Application Process
The full application pack for the trustee role is available on our website, please read this fully to support you in making a decision about whether to apply. 

We would suggest an informal chat with our CEO, David Gent or our Chair, Richard Smith as the first step in your application, or perhaps an informal visit to an Active Humber Board sub-committee meeting.  Please email us and we would be happy to arrange this.

If you then wish to go ahead and apply, please send the following information:

1. A covering letter explaining why you are interested in being an Active Humber trustee, and how your skills and experience meet the criteria set out in the role and person specification.
2. A copy of your current CV

The closing date is 22nd November 2024.

If you have any queries about the role or the application process, please do not hesitate to email HR who will be happy to help.

The purpose of the helpline is to provide comfort and support to service users experiencing difficulty in managing their condition – be that physical, mental or emotional support. The Helpline Volunteer role is key to delivering this mission as the primary call handler for service users. 

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of people? Join our team as a Helpline Volunteer and support the launch of our groundbreaking pilot helpline service! Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund for one year, you'll play a pivotal role in bringing to life the charity’s ambitious new pilot helpline service - the first of its kind across the UK.

Working alongside a dedicated team to drive forward our mission and make a real impact in the Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) community, you will be involved with a great charity team in a position where they will be able to help establish a new service that will greatly help many people across England. 

                                                                                  Role Overview

The Helpline Volunteer will:

• Handle calls from service users, providing an empathetic and supportive approach at all times

• Participate and engage in all necessary training to build knowledge of DCM

• Participate and actively engage in peer-to-peer learning sessions 

• Take ownership for personal learning and development to build knowledge and skills that will enable them to support service users

• Conduct themselves in line with the expectations set out in the charity’s code of conduct, and other relevant policies 

• Work collaboratively with other volunteers, offering peer to peer support and guidance wherever possible and appropriate 

The role:

At Myelopathy dot org – we want our service users to feel listened to and supported – and therefore it is important to build and maintain trust with each and every caller. This is achieved by ensuring all of our Volunteers approach their role with empathy – and that they maintain presence by actively listening to every caller. It is also essential to maintain confidentiality in line with the guidance set out in the Helpline Volunteer Toolkit, and our Code of Conduct.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide Emotional Support: Listen in an empathetic and active way to service users, creating a safe space for them share 

• Offer Information and Resources: Provide information that could support their requirements and needs – directing them to professional support and services where appropriate 

• Maintain Confidentiality: Uphold a high standard when it comes to managing sensitive information in line with the charity’s Code of Conduct and Confidentiality Policy 

• Follow Processes: Adhere to the charity’s processes and procedures – including crisis management – seeking support from the Helpline Service Manager as needed 

• Maintain Records: keep notes and key information relating to cases as necessary to support with ongoing case management.

Person specification

Skills and Experience:

• Excellent communication skills – including actively listening without judgement, and the ability to convey information clearly 

• High levels of empathy and compassion – showing genuine concern for the well-being of service users and their circumstances

• Problem solving skills – identifying resources, advice and solutions as needed 

• Teamwork – ability to collaborate and work with others in a mutually supportive environment 

• IT skills - As this role will include inputting data and notes onto a software (which you will be fully trained on with 24/7 support access), being comfortable with this sort of work is a bonus 

Personal Qualities:

• An empathetic and resourceful individual, passionate about our cause and eager to make an impact. We are passionate about improving care for people with DCM, we want volunteers who can help add to this passion and inspire others they work with. 

• A strong team player who can support their fellow volunteers and embody the values of the charity. You may be the first contact that many people with DCM have with the charity, therefore it’s important that you and as a result the helpline reflect the values of the charity.

• Experience working with vulnerable people is beneficial but not essential

The Great Friendship Project is a non-profit community project dedicated to addressing the loneliness epidemic among young adults in their 20s and 30s following the COVID-19 pandemic.

We provide regular online and offline spaces for young adults to make new friendships, build networks of support, and rediscover a sense of community in London.

Role Overview

The Fundraising & Grant Writing Volunteer will be pivotal in bolstering the organisation's efforts to secure essential funding, driving sustainable growth.

In this role, you will be responsible for identifying potential grant sources, including foundations and donors that align with our mission.

You will lead the effort in drafting compelling grant proposals, letters of enquiry, and funding requests to effectively communicate our goals and needs.

Another key aspect of your role will be building and nurturing relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners, fostering strong connections to enhance our funding opportunities.

Finally, you will conduct market research to identify emerging trends and successful fundraising strategies, ensuring we remain ahead in our efforts to secure support.

Role Requirements:

• Commitment to the organisation's purpose and a genuine wish to address the issue of loneliness among young adults.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Acute attention to detail
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Familiar with social media and various digital communication tools.
• Outstanding research skills
• Capability to operate autonomously and collaboratively, whether remotely or on-site.
• Past experience in grant writing and fundraising campaigns is desirable.

Application Process: To apply for this opportunity, please click apply. You will then be contacted about your interest in the role and asked to answer a few questions about your time commitment, your interest in the role and how your skills align with the role.

Young Enterprise’s Team Programme is an enterprise journey for students who have mild to moderate learning difficulties. Designed to aid young people’s transition from education into independent living and employment, the programme develops confidence and life skills through working as a team to set up and run an enterprise.

This hands-on and highly impactful role involves mentoring and encouraging students with learning disabilities and other complex needs to face the challenges of running a business, and learn critical life skills, in a safe space.

Team Programme Volunteers are primarily based within schools/ colleges supporting a group of students with learning disabilities. They will volunteer alongside school staff to ensure the young people are able to flourish. Young people particularly value volunteers who can attend in person as this support their learning and development of social skills.

The time commitment can be variable depending on the particular needs of the group. At most this will involve around one hour per week, attending weekly company meetings throughout the school academic year, however in some cases may be less frequent than this.

What you will be doing

• Coaching, mentoring, and positively supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism through their business adventure
• Attending regular company meetings within the school environment
• Liaising closely with the lead teacher to achieve the best outcomes for young people

The skills you need

• Patient, encouraging and open-minded
• Open to learning new things, to challenge and in turn be challenged
• Comfortable in the presence of young people with learning disabilities (but no specific experience is necessary)
• Able to commit to attending regular face to face student company meetings within a school . Continuity for this group of young people is particularly important
• Able to communicate clearly and directly with young people with learning disabilities, who may also have communication difficulties
• A creative thinker, able to support young people experiencing additional barriers to overcome challenges

What's in it for you

• Satisfaction of supporting young people to grow in confidence, learn new skills and achieve their potential
• Develop your professional skills in mentoring, facilitation and communication
• Volunteering alongside a group of young people will challenge you to think differently and approach problems from a new perspective

Are you detail-oriented and committed to ensuring smooth volunteer onboarding processes? The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is looking for dedicated volunteers to help manage and verify our Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with new volunteers.

 Role: MOU Volunteer (Part-Time)

Requirements:

- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

- Excellent communication abilities.

- Experience with document management is a plus.

- Ability to work independently and reliably.

- Commitment to IHF’s mission and values.

- Ability to dedicate a few hours per week to this volunteer role.

What We Offer:

- An opportunity to support global education and humanitarian efforts.

- Experience in managing and verifying formal agreements.

- Personal and professional growth opportunities.

- A supportive and collaborative team environment.

Join us in ensuring that all volunteers are properly onboarded and aligned with our mission!

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Together, we can achieve great things.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to join our team as a Mascot. In this role, you will represent our brand at various events, engaging with the public and creating a positive atmosphere. The ideal candidate will possess a vibrant personality and the ability to entertain audiences of all ages while embodying the spirit of our mascot character.

Duties

• Perform as the mascot at events and community functions, bringing energy and excitement to each appearance.
• Interact with attendees, including children and families, to create memorable experiences through fun activities and friendly engagement.
• Communicate effectively with event coordinators and team members to ensure smooth operations during appearances.
• Maintain the mascot costume in good condition, ensuring it is clean and presentable for each event.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills to interact positively with both children and adults.
• A friendly and approachable personality that resonates well with the public.

Applicants need to be -

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Be at least 5’ 4” due to costume size

Volunteer opportunity for a Grant Writer to help secure funding for an environmental impact startup focused on connecting corporate sustainability goals to employee engagement.

Are you passionate about the environment and skilled in grant writing? Join The Planet Life as a Volunteer Grant Writer and use your expertise to help secure funding that will support our mission. We are seeking an experienced grant writer with a proven track record to volunteer their skills with our growing environmental impact startup. The Planet Life is a small, remote-first team based in Europe (UK & Belgium).

In terms of the role, The Planet Life is at a critical stage in its development and requires funding to expand its innovative sustainability initiatives. We are looking for a proactive, motivated individual who can curate a list of relevant grants, take ownership of the grant writing process, and collaborate closely with the founder to submit compelling applications. The role involves following up on submitted grants and ensuring all deadlines are met.

What You’ll Do:

• Research and curate a list of potential grant opportunities, especially from Innovate UK or similar sources
• Write high-quality, persuasive grant applications with input from the founder
• Manage the submission process for all grant applications
• Follow up on submitted grants and maintain communication with funding bodies
• Track and report on grant statuses, deadlines, and any feedback received
• Work closely with the team to ensure alignment between grant proposals and The Planet Life’s mission and goals

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience writing and submitting successful grants. Experience with Innovate UK is a plus but not a requirement.
• Strong research skills to identify appropriate grant opportunities
• Excellent written communication skills, with an ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively
• Self-motivated and proactive in seeking out grant opportunities and managing the process
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a remote team and communicate with the founder
• Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple deadlines
• Available to volunteer 8-10 hours per week

What's The Planet Life all about? We are on a mission to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy by supporting organisations in meeting their climate and sustainability goals more efficiently and effectively. We focus on employee engagement, empowering individuals to take meaningful action in their daily routines that contributes to corporate sustainability objectives. Through innovative programs and tools, we aim to make sustainability a core part of workplace culture.

Ready to apply your grant writing skills to a meaningful cause? Join The Planet Life and help secure funding that will enable us to drive positive environmental change.

Please note, we’re actively reviewing applications, and interviews will be held on a rolling basis. The ad may close early if a successful candidate is found.