Volunteer Roles in East Midlands

Role title: Bookkeeper 

Location: Remote 

Job type: Volunteer

Time Commitment: TBA

Length of Placement: Ongoing

What will you be doing:

As a Volunteer Bookkeeper, you will be at the heart of our financial operations, ensuring our charity runs smoothly and efficiently. You will be responsible for managing day-to-day financial transactions, maintaining accurate records, and supporting financial reporting in line with charity finance regulations. Your role will help us maintain financial transparency and accountability, ensuring that every pound is used effectively to support individuals affected by Long Covid.

What are we looking for:

We are looking for a meticulous and experienced bookkeeper who understands the unique financial needs of charities and non-profits. You should be confident in handling financial transactions, keeping detailed records, and ensuring compliance with charity finance regulations.

The ideal candidate will be:

 Highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to work independently.

 Skilled in bookkeeping software (ideally Xero) and familiar with accounting principles.

 Experienced in charity finance, including Gift Aid processing and fund accounting.

 Passionate about making a difference, aligned with our mission, and committed to integrity and professionalism.

What difference will you make:

Your role as a Volunteer Bookkeeper will directly contribute to the financial sustainability of our charity, ensuring we can continue to support those living with Long Covid. By maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance, you will help us allocate funds where they are needed most. Your work will enable us to grow, reach more people, and advocate for better support and awareness of Long Covid.

Your contribution will bring financial clarity and security to our organisation, helping us remain resilient and effective in our mission. With your expertise, we can continue to provide vital services and create lasting change for those affected.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Record-Keeping

 Maintain and update financial records in Xero accounting software.

 Ensure all income and expenditure are recorded accurately and categorised correctly.

Bank Reconciliation & Transactions

 Process and reconcile bank transactions, donations, grants, and fundraising income.

 Manage expense claims and ensure appropriate authorisation processes are followed.

Payroll & Payments

 Process payments to staff, freelancers, and suppliers in a timely manner.

 Ensure payroll records are correctly maintained (liaising with payroll providers if applicable).

Financial Reporting & Compliance

 Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts, financial reports, and budget tracking.

 Prepare financial data for trustee meetings and annual reporting.

 Support compliance with charity finance regulations, including Gift Aid, VAT (if applicable), and fund accounting principles.

Liaison & Support

 Work closely with the Treasurer and relevant stakeholders to provide financial insights.

 Assist in the preparation of financial documents for audits or external reviews.

Application Process:

Long Covid Support works in partnership with Nexilis HR, a third-party HR and recruitment provider, who will be handling this recruitment process on their behalf. 

Please submit a cover letter and CV, demonstrating how you meet the criteria. 

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We actively encourage applications from all individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of Long Covid.

Join us in making a real difference. As a Volunteer Bookkeeper, your skills will help us remain financially strong and continue providing vital support to those affected by Long Covid. If you’re looking for a flexible role where your expertise can have a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Purpose:

As a Fundraising Trustee, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering the fundraising strategy of Animal Action Greece. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and the executive team, you will provide strategic oversight, advice, and support to enhance our income generation activities and ensure financial sustainability.

About the charity:

As a small charity, we operate in two countries, in two languages but work as one team, one organisation and with one purpose – seeking to improve animal welfare in Greece. Animal Action Greece is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with Company number 881216 and charity number 233574. Our registered office is at 51 Borough High Street, SE1 1NB, London, UK.

Animal Action Greece operates in Greece through its civil non-profit company (A.M.K.E.) with a distinctive name «Animal Action Hellas AMKE» which is registered at the general business register (G.E.MI) under Number 160831407000, with a registered office of D. Falireos 43, Neo Faliro 18547, Athens, Greece. In Greek, our name is «Δράση για τα Ζώα στην Ελλάδα A.M.K.E» / «Drási gia ta Zóa stin Elláda A.M.K.E».

Since 1959, Animal Action Greece has been dedicated to the prevention and relief of cruelty and suffering amongst animals in Greece. Our vision is for Greece to become a nation where people care about the quality of animals’ lives. As the longest-serving national animal welfare charity in Greece, we have transformed thousands of animals’ lives—but our work is far from over. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and promote long-term change in attitudes towards animal welfare at every level of Greek society.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership on fundraising, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of a sustainable fundraising strategy, covering individual giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, major donors, and digital campaigns.
• Advise on innovative fundraising approaches and opportunities to diversify revenue streams.
• Assist in building relationships with key donors, funders, and stakeholders to secure long-term support.
• Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations and best practices.
• Advocate for the charity’s work, leveraging personal and professional networks to raise awareness and secure funding opportunities.
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising performance, providing recommendations for improvement.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Proven experience in fundraising, business development, or income generation, preferably in the non-profit sector.
• Understanding of different fundraising methods, including digital fundraising, major giving, and grant applications.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify and maximize fundraising opportunities.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Passionate about animal welfare and committed to the mission of Animal Action Greece.
• Willingness to contribute time, expertise, and contacts to support the charity’s growth.

Desirable:

• Experience working at a trustee or board level.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations and governance.
• Established networks within philanthropy, corporate giving, or grant-making bodies.
• Experience in marketing, communications, or public relations related to fundraising.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to make a significant impact on animal welfare in Greece.
• A collaborative and passionate team dedicated to driving change.
• The chance to use your skills and expertise to develop and grow a respected charity.
• The ability to expand your professional network and gain board-level experience.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer will be second in charge of the organization and will support the management of other executives through directly overseeing the c level team and by overseeing the general operations of the organization to ensure it runs smoothly. They will also carry out tasks to support the CEO and contribute effectively towards the development of the organization. 

Key responsibilities:

• To oversee other c level executives

• To oversee and manage the general operations of the organization 

• To carry out tasks as delegated by the Chief Executive Officer 

• To provide senior leadership resilience, supporting the CEO and other c level officers ensuring the organizations runs smoothly

• Contribute to the organization's strategic planning and development

Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively with others

• Capable of contributing to the development of the organization

• Excellent management skills

• Previous experience in c level or director level positions

• Experience in the charity sector

• Ability to manage a large workload through the use of task systems and IT

About YAUK

We are a not-for-profit organisation passionate about improving the lives of young people across the UK and believe that every young person should have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or circumstances.

Our work involves using up-and-coming research and advocacy to address issues affecting young people, such as climate change, unemployment and skills training, and inclusion and diversity. We are firmly committed to improving young people's lives and believe that our unique and successful approach to achieving our vision will change lives for the better.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Responsibilities

• To manage strategy, policy and the vision of the Research & Policy Department 

• To guide and support more junior management to achieve success in their roles 

• To have overall responsibility for all of our research and research ethics 

• To oversee and develop departmental procedure and process

• To align the department with its objective and goals

• To be lead the department and oversee all of its volunteers and functions 

​You will need

• Management experience 

• Research experience and have completed a postgraduate course of study

• Research ethics

• Planning skills 

• Research report writing experience 

• Ability to create and manage policy

Benefits

• This is a UK based 100% Fully remote and flexible role 

• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

 Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations. 

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

Software engineers are responsible for ensuring best practice across development projects and working collaboratively with the Development Team and wider stakeholders. The role involves communication with other Youth4Youth team members; supporting others; developing solutions; working with a team on work items and producing development documentation.

Responsibilities 

• Work with IT Project Managers to ensure work items are forecasted, estimated, and tracked effectively. 
• Promote best practices such as adhering to the project's software development lifecycle requirements. 
• Completing development work items as part of project delivery. Documenting creation of components. 
• Reporting key updates and results to the IT Director. 
• Identify opportunities for new solutions and improvements in Youth4Youth’s IT infrastructure and operations. 
• Ensure software development best practices are upheld, documentation such as data diagrams are created, and relevant testing is completed.
• Willingness to advise on the direction of development through clear reasoning and justification.
• Collaborating with UI/UX Designers to deliver on website design.

Skills 

• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about Youth4Youth’s IT systems and processes. 
• Passion for website and software development and how it can create value for Youth4Youth’s operations. 
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and AWS.
• Experience working with APIs for software development. 
• Keen on solving problems and building solutions. 
• Open to learning new technologies for Youth4Youth IT projects. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Organisational skills and the ability to ensure set tasks are delivered on time. 
• Ability to plan and manage time effectively. 
• Experience working collaboratively and supporting others in a team. 
• Strong IT skills and proficient use of Microsoft applications. 
• Software engineering, programming, website development and software development understanding. 
• Experience with JavaScript, CSS and HTML. 
• Familiarity with frameworks and libraries such as React and AngularJS. 
• Understanding of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD).
• Understanding of version control systems such as Git. 
• Experience with using a headless CMS.
• Understanding of relevant software engineering and security by design principles such as the Software Development Lifecycle and OWASP.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Teenage Helpline has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Angor is looking for a volunteer trustee to act as our Treasurer! Can you donate time and skills?  We are looking for someone with accounting or bookkeeping qualifications and ideally who has experience as a treasurer to help the charity run smoothly and grow healthily.

What will you be doing?

 As a Trustee with Treasury focus, you will liaise with trustees and relevant contracted staff,  to oversee the financial viability of the charity, make fellow trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data to them. As Treasurer to the Charity, you will also become a Trustee. Trustees are expected to understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and understand their role as a Trustee.  As a small charity, there will be times when trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.  We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. The role will also be responsible for:

· Ongoing reporting of Angor’s financial position at Trustee meetings;

· Helping the Board to understand trends and pressures and how Angor is using funds to support its vision and objectives;

· Ensuring expenditure is in line with grant criteria and any restricted funds;

· Monitoring levels of restricted and unrestricted funds;

· Ensuring proper record keeping;

· Ensuring effective financial procedures/controls are in place and appraising the financial viability of plans/proposals/grant applications;

· Updating trustees on the latest changes in charity and financial law, and best practice;

· Making payments, receiving and recording all money including fundraising and Gift Aid;

· Recording and monitor all expenses;

· Preparing the annual accounts and financial reports for Board and the accountants;

· Arranging an annual independent examination of accounts;

· Acting as a joint signatory for cheques, invoices, contracts and other relevant documentation;

· Managing the bank accounts including on-line banking function;

· Attending monthly board meetings and AGM.

You will also play a vital role in developing our overall vision and ensuring the ongoing good governance of the charity.

What qualities and skills are we looking for?

· Strategic vision and forward planning;

· An eye for detail and methodical way of thinking;

· Independent judgement;

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a team;

· Knowledge of the responsibilities of a trustee, or willingness to learn;

· Knowledge of basic book keeping and financial management;

· Knowledge of charity financial and fundraising practices, or willingness to learn;

· The ability to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences;

· Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.

What is the time commitment for the role?

Much of the work of the treasurer can be done at any time, though there will be occasional deadlines for reports, payments and events. Board meetings are currently monthly but this may move to bi-monthly over the coming months.

What is the selection process?

To apply please send a brief note explaining your interest and suitability for this role with a curriculum vitae (CV) to the Board Secretary by 5pm on 18th March 2025. 

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

Trustees wanted to help fight liver disease

The British Liver Trust is a small charity with big ambitions. Liver disease deserves the profile and awareness of the other big killer diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.  And we want you to help us. 

As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in providing governance and guidance to ensure we are delivering for people with liver disease and liver cancer. You will be involved in setting the strategic direction of our organisation, as well as holding the senior management team to account.  As part of team of trustees you will work closely with the charity’s senior management team, playing an active role advising and mentoring as required.

We are looking for two people to join our board of trustees.

If you are an HR specialist and/or someone who has lived experience of adult liver disease, we want to hear from you.

We also want to broaden the diversity of our Board, especially our ethnic diversity.

Your commitment would involve attending four board meetings a year, usually virtually, and you may be asked to join a sub-committee of the board relevant to your knowledge, skills and experience. You may be asked to support the team in other ways from time to time for example in a coaching or mentoring role, or attending events.

The British Liver Trust is committed to improving equality, diversity, and inclusion across the organisation and to building a Board with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views, so that our leadership reflects the population at large and the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who have personal experience of liver disease. Please tell us if there may be any barriers to your engagement with us and we will actively work with you to remove these.

If you have the skills, knowledge and experience required, please ask for a pack from our Office Manager, Helen Westhead.  If you would like an informal chat with our Chief Executive; Pamela Healy, Helen can arrange this if you will contact her using the main office contact details, with your availability.

Thank you for your interest in joining British Liver Trust.

We will review applications as they are received, with interviews expected to take place within April.

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

The Community Support/Reach Out volunteer will be volunteering remotely, providing online support and guidance to visitors of The Forward Trust Website communicating in real time using web chat.

The Reach Out Service sits within our Recovery Support Department and is aimed at offering friendly and confidential listening support and assistance. The role involves utilising your communication skills to establish rapport with individuals seeking drug and alcohol help and or to talk about their mental health or other varied life challenges. You will be supporting people who are seeking help for drugs and alcohol help for themselves or from family members concerned for their loved one.
Training is provided to all volunteers to support them with their volunteering role and enable them to further their skills and experience with our client group.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Time Commitment: We recommend that volunteers can commit to an average of 3 hours online per week for a minimum period of six months.

Service Delivery

- Be available for the duration of the shift to answer web-chat/calls as they happen.
- Engage with individuals in a friendly and empathetic manner.
- Gain an understanding of the individual needs and sign post to appropriate organisations for further support or explore specialist services as required.
- Link individuals into Forward Trusts community drug and alcohol services when required and link individuals into drug and alcohol help in other geographical areas where Forward Trust does not have a service.
- Report any Safeguarding concerns to shift supervisor and follow safeguarding procedures as appropriate.
- Respond to offline messages at the beginning of each shift.
- Debrief with and ask for support and guidance from Reach Out Coordinator regarding any concerns arising from web chat conversations.
- Provide handover to supervisor and/or next volunteers covering the shift prior to logging off
- To book shifts in a timely fashion and inform the Reach Out Coordinator of any need to cancel a shift at the earliest opportunity.
- Engage with support and supervision offered by placement supervisor.

CHECKS REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE

- 2 References (this may be from a keyworker, volunteer supervisor, tutor or sponsor if you are not able to provide a work reference)
- Enhanced DBS Check

 Perks and Benefits
TRAINING & INDUCTION

Induction training will be provided to the volunteer and will include the following E-Learning (Data Protection/GDPR/PECR, Safeguarding – Knowledge and Health & Safety – Knowledge).

A full induction to your team including placement specific policies and procedures. Additional volunteer training will be discussed and offered according to the need of the volunteer in placement.

 Skills You'll Need
Below is a list of the qualities that we are looking for from volunteers:

- If in recovery, to be 12 months abstinence from all mood altering substances.
- Must be over 18 years of age.
- Ability to use computers and IT equipment.
- To have good verbal and written communication skills.
- To have a clear understanding and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
- To have a clear understanding of how to set and maintain boundaries.
- To have the ability to reflect and receive feedback.
- To be reliable, flexible and committed.
- To treat individuals with respect and dignity.
- To have the ability to follow instructions.
- To be committed to own learning and development.