Community Group Volunteer Volunteer Roles in Manchester

Over past decades, enormous advances have been made in our understanding of MS. Research has got us to a critical point, and we can see a future where nobody needs to worry about their MS getting worse. Our Stop MS Appeal needs to raise £100 million to find treatments for everyone with MS.

Our Stop MS Champions help us reach more people and inspire them to get involved in our Stop MS Appeal by encouraging raising funds and awareness by delivering presentations, attending events and identifying new audiences to speak to. They inspire people to engage with and influence fundraisers and groups, enthuse people and make sure our community’s voice is heard.

As our Lead Stop MS Champion, you’ll motivate your team of Stop MS Champions to help reach more people and inspire them to get involved in our Stop MS Appeal.

By using your ability to motivate and support, you will oversee and lead a team of 5-10 Stop MS Champion volunteers, encouraging them to engage the people they know to raise funds and awareness, and provide reliable information and guidance.

You’ll also network to engage with and influence fundraisers and community groups, enthusing people by delivering presentations at events and finding new audiences to speak to. In this role, as well as developing your leadership, networking, influencing, communication, organisation and presentation skills, you’ll have a chance to be part of something amazing – you could help us stop MS.

Branch Trustee (General Role)
This is an exciting opportunity to be a hands-on trustee at branch level, helping to promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things. With your support and expertise, we will achieve so much!

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
•  In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Support Specialist write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
•  Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

•  Marketing communication including social media, PR, website;
•  Fundraising including corporate fundraising, trust fund and grant applications;
•  Local community and supporter relationships;
• Hands-on experience in growing charities; and/or
•  Are or have been part of the groups and communities we would like to attract.

Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

- We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
- Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
- The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
- The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
- A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee
 
You will be joining a small team of experienced trustees who will offer you all the support you need. The position is to be home based, but you need to live in the Branch Area LU1-LU7 or MK45 postcode area.
We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and depending on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Note: We are open to flexible / co-chairing arrangements. If you're interested in this option, please let us know in your application.

We’re passionate about making the countryside in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a better place for everyone to enjoy. Our vibrant team of volunteers inspire people to care for the countryside and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live.

Volunteering with us is a fantastic way to help us champion environmental issues such as the climate emergency, renewable energy, biodiversity and sustainable transport.

With your support we can do even more! As chair of our board of trustees you’ll have an essential role in the development of our charity.

Our friendly team will provide you with training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.

Why we want you

By volunteering with us you’ll be helping to find positive solutions for the issues facing the countryside and the environment. By applying your skills and experience you can make a real difference and be a central part of a friendly and passionate charity.

As chair you’ll provide leadership to our board of trustees and oversee the future direction and development of our charity. You’ll ensure the requirements of the constitution are met and that our governance complies with charity law and best practice.

We’re ideally looking for someone with leadership and charity board experience and a passion for environmental and countryside issues. Please look at our other opportunities to find one that’s right for you.

What you will be doing

• Providing strategic leadership to our charity and supporting fundraising, membership and engagement initiatives
• Ensuring our charity meets constitutional and governance requirements
• Ensuring the financial integrity and long-term sustainability of our charity
• Ensuring board and subgroup meetings and our AGM are held on a regular basis
• Building relationships and representing CPRE at community, council and partnership meetings
• Liaising with local CPREs, regional groups and national CPRE
• Supporting trustees and volunteers and identifying candidates for succession
• Safeguarding the good name and values of our charity
• Providing or arranging line management of any employees
• Advocating the work of CPRE through public speaking and media interviews
• Chairs also represent our charity by being the voting member at national CPRE

The skills you need

• A commitment to CPRE policies, brand, campaigns and initiatives
• Some previous experience in leadership, management and organisational development
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate diplomacy, impartiality, respect and confidentiality
• Previous experience of committee work- paid or voluntary
• Knowledge of environmental and countryside issues
• Knowledge of the charity sector including funding and governance
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of working with people from different backgrounds and abilities
• Be able to commit to volunteering regularly to suit your availability, including attendance at meetings
• We ask that all trustees are, or are willing to become, members of CPRE

What's in it for you

• Use your skills and experience to contribute to the success of our charity and make a positive difference to the countryside
• Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We’ll support you to develop in your volunteering role and provide you with relevant training
• We’ll give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
• The opportunity to attend CPRE's national online induction
• We provide out-of-pocket travel expenses

Closing Date: 31 January 2025

Ref 6903

Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic individual with a background in international development expertise to join our Board of Trustees. 

About Us 

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave.  We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach. 

About the role 

Trustees of Save the Children UK (SCUK) play a unique role in delivery of our mission. They are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining targets, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance, and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Executives.  

As a Trustee of SCUK, you will:

• Act in SCUK's best interests, ensuring the charity complies with its governance responsibilities, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation or regulations, and ensure the effective management of resources and of risk.
• Provide support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team to ensure the delivery of SCUK's mission and implementation of its strategic plan.
• Bring personal experience and professional expertise to the Board; contribute to key strategic debates within the organisation and to specific departmental and cross-team initiatives; and help to strengthen Board governance.
• Help ensure that SCUK continues to maintain the highest safeguarding standards in line with legislation, statutory guidance and best practice, and organisation policy and procedure.
• Ensure that safeguarding remains embedded in the culture of SCUK encouraging a safer environment for those we serve, our staff and volunteers.
• Attend quarterly Board meetings at SCUK's Head Office in Farringdon, London as well as any ad hoc Board meetings that arise.

• Represent SCUK at key functions, including fundraising and profile-raising events.

In particular, as a Trustee with expertise in international development, you will:

• Bring knowledge and experience of international development including the INGO sector.
• Bring a strong understanding of the contexts in which Save the Children works.
• Use your experience to help drive SCUK's goal to advance children's rights by working alongside and building the power of children, communities and local partners.
• Champion a focus on driving sustainable impact at scale.
• Champion SCUK's ambitions to shift power and resources to communities, local organisations and champion local leadership.
• Become a Member of the Audit & Risk Committee, which considers both external and internal audits, and advises the Board on financial control, risk management and organisational effectiveness.

 About you 

 We are seeking to recruit a Trustee who:

• Is engaged with, and excited by, SCUK's vision, mission and values.
• Will work to guarantee the highest standards of integrity and governance and help ensure statutory requirements are met.
• Has robust knowledge of international development and the INGO sector.
• A strong understanding of the contexts within which SCUK works, with an appreciation of and strong interest in international affairs.
• Has experience of working in the Global South.
• Will champion shifting the power to children, communities and local partners within SCUK's structures, and as a part of the global Save the Children Movement.
• Is able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role. Trustees are required to attend all Board meetings (four Board meetings and one or more Board calls per year) and quarterly Audit & Risk Committee meetings (you may be asked to join another Board Committee or take on another role (e.g. Whistleblowing Trustee)). Trustees may also be asked to participate in Board strategy days, telephone conferences, or travel on behalf of SCUK.
• Has an understand of, or a willingness to learn about, the duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and of the difference between governance and management functions.
• Has a demonstrable commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, and a clear understanding of power, privilege, and how this affects everyone, particularly the children and communities with which we work.

Highly desirable capabilities:

• Collaborative, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker: ability to strategically assess risks and opportunities and make informed decisions in line with the organisation's mission.
• Experience in, or an understanding of, the technology sector, digital development and innovation.
• Willingness to build and use networks to make introductions for Save the Children UK, for example to explore best practice in or facilitate fundraising, or advocacy and campaigning.
• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, corporate governance issues, especially those that might affect a large international not-for-profit organisation.

The knowledge and skills listed above represent “the ideal candidate”. Please do not be deterred from applying if you do not fulfil every highly desirable capability. We warmly welcome applications from people who have not served as Trustees before. To ensure our Board of Trustees represents the wider society we serve, we encourage applications from candidates based in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and regions of England outside London.

Terms of Appointment: 

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. We want to do what we can to remove barriers for Trustees on low incomes or with little spare. Please let us know during the application process if this could be an issue for you, so that we can explore options together. 

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of 2 years, after which Trustees can be reappointed for two further terms of 3 years each, up to a maximum of 8 years. 

Visit our website to learn more about our Board of Trustees and to explore our other current Trustee positions!

Closing Date: Friday 31st January 2025

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here.