Volunteer Roles

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

Ready for an adventure? Dive into the heart of Quilombo UK by exploring our website and videos! Explore the values that guide our mission, values, and the impactful work we do to make a difference in our community.

Join us in leading positive change!

The HR Assistant will be assisting in responding to candidates’ applications, updating Quilombo UK policies and documentation, induction of new members and organising interviews. The candidate should have organisational and communication skills, but further guidance will be given by other members if needed.  The HR assistant will be working closely with the HR Admin Assistants. The candidate will have further possibilities to develop their skill sets through tasks given.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set

Main Responsibilities

•  Updating Quilombo UK policies and documentation
• Assisting in recruitment
• Assisting in interviewing new members
•  Assisting in induction of new members

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• Written and verbal communication skills
• Office based skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Team Working skills.
• Being structured and organised
• Working in adherence with the organisation's key objectives and business plan.
• Has the ability to create relationships with and show respect to different types of people. 
• Professionalism & Confidentiality

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

Training and Support Available:

• Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Assistance will be given in writing documentation and policies. 
• Recruitment
•  Interviewing 
•  Inductions

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Who we are: 

We are the charity that steps forward in the moments that matter, to save lives and keep communities safe. We are a market leader in the provision of workplace training, first aid supplies and event and ambulance services. We have cadet units across Greater Manchester looking for adult volunteers to join so we can grow and expand our youth offering!

What are we looking for: 

We are looking for an organised leader with an interest in youth work, first aid and community development.

What would you be doing as a volunteer?

St John Ambulance needs YOU! We have an amazing cadet units in Greater Manchester that is ready to expand and open to more young people in our area and we need volunteers like you! 

Being a youth leader is an amazing opportunity for adults aged 18+ to teach valuable lifesaving skills to young people aged 10 – 17 in your area! Volunteering at least two hours per week could make a massive difference to these cadets now and have a real impact on your community.

But it's not all about what you'll give - you will learn a lot too!

As the cadets develop, so will you. You’ll gain communication, listening and presentation skills and grow in confidence. You’ll also have the chance to learn First Aid and take on more advanced roles with training, all while being fully supported by the rest of your team.

Under your leadership, young volunteers will develop their potential, they will learn vital first-aid skills that they can deliver at events and activities around the community. They will gain confidence, make friends and engage in community and social change.

If you’d like to know more or would like to try a taster experience of what it’s like as a volunteer in our Youth Teams just like to chat with someone who does, please get in touch by registering below!

Zumba is an upbeat and lively dance that will put a smile on everyone’s face. Are you qualified to deliver a Zumba class and would like to give back to the community?

We are recruiting for a volunteer to bring some positive energy, fun and demonstrate the health benefits of Zumba for the children and women across our refuges.

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and set up a weekly Zumba class
• Inspire and motivate women and children to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a fun and safe space for individuals to express themselves through Zumba
• Encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of Zumba

The skills you need

• Qualified to teach Zumba
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

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

Meditation can give us a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our emotional wellbeing and overall health. Do you have experience in delivering meditation sessions and would like to give back your time to support people in crisis?

We are recruiting for a volunteer to run weekly online meditation sessions.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate a weekly meditation session, one to one or in a small group over video call
• Plan each session and identify any items needed for the Meditation sessions
• Lead on the logistics and set up of the session alongside the staff team
• Inspire and motivate people using the services to attend
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience delivering Meditation group sessions
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

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

Volunteer Position

Job Title:  Convener of the Stationing Advisory Committee

Do you want to make a difference and contribute to The Methodist Church? Are you a keen and experienced individual who is interested in supporting the work we do within the stationing process? 

The primary function of the Stationing Advisory Committee is to receive and consider applications from ministers who wish to serve in roles other than Circuit, District and Connexional Team appointments, and to make recommendations to the Stationing Committee.

About the role of the Convener of the SAC

There are nine main elements to the role:

1. As each minister e-mails for an appointment, e-mail them back with a suggested time for an appointment. Keep a note of the time offered, to ensure not to offer that time to anyone else, unless it is not accepted. If a Panel is full, offer a date for a later panel. Attach the appropriate background information form and ask them to fill it in and return it, sending a copy to their District Chair, Circuit Superintendent, and the Warden of the MDO, as appropriate.
2. About ten days before each panel meeting write to the District Chairs and the Circuit Superintendents of those coming to request any information from them helpful to the panel. Write also, where relevant, to the Warden of the MDO. Send out the timetable for the day to panel members, including the Zoom link. Email each minister coming to the panel reminding them of the time and date, also including the Zoom link, and telling them the names of panel members as they have the right to object to any members being present.
3. A few days before the panel, send the forms and comments received to the Panel members.
4. Be a member of the Panel.
5. Following the Panel, receive the notes taken by the designated note-taker for proof reading and possible editing, add the relevant top (name, Circuit, year of travel, panel members, date of panel) and bottom (permission recommended). Send the reports to the Panel members for their comments. Once they have been agreed, send them to the minister, and copy them to the District Chair and, where relevant, the Superintendent and the Warden of the MDO.  Send all of the reports to the Panel Chair and to the designated administrator at Methodist Church House, for them to store centrally. Keep an electronic copy of the report in a file. The administrator will update the Table of Permissions.
6. In June, send the Table of Permissions to the District Chairs and the Warden of the MDO, asking them to check for any inaccuracies, and ask the administrator to update the table as necessary. Also send a request asking District Chairs to encourage suitable people to consider being Panel members, including a role description and an application form. Take up references as necessary, and arrange an interview with the applicant and the Chair of the Stationing Advisory Committee.
7. In July, agree dates for the following Connexional Year with the Chair of the Stationing Advisory Committee. Write to all panel members asking if they are still willing to serve and for their available dates for the next year. Draw up a rota and send it to the Panel members.
8. Be a member of the Stationing Advisory Committee.
9. Prepare a brief summary of each report for the Stationing Advisory Committee meetings and present it to the Committee. Liaise with the designated administrator over the distribution of papers to the Committee members.

About You

We are looking for an experienced, committed person who has transferable skills. This individual will:

• Be a member in good standing of the Methodist Church in Britain
• Have previous administrative experience.
• Have an awareness of the variety of contexts that exist within the Methodist Church in Great Britain.
• Have a good knowledge of the stationing process of the Methodist church.
• Have a good knowledge of the constitutional and organisational arrangements of the Methodist Church.
• Have the ability to think strategically and connect vision, aims and strategies through theological reflection.
• Be a person who works well with others as well as individually, and is able to exercises sound judgement in decision making.
• Have the ability to engage diplomatically on sensitive issues

We advise you to review the candidate pack, the role description and person specification ahead of completing and submitting your online expression of interest form. The candidate pack includes some useful information about our processes. 

Please note that where appropriate, successful nominees will be asked to undertake further checks, including references and a DBS check.

If you have questions about the role or require reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

Indicative Recruitment Timetable:

Closing date: 31 July 2024, 23:59pm

Provisional appointment start date: 1 September 2024

This is a voluntary unpaid position; however, some additional expenses can be agreed.

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

Ready for an adventure? Dive into the heart of Quilombo UK by exploring our website and videos! Explore the values that guide our mission, values, and the impactful work we do to make a difference in our community.

Join us in leading positive change!

The objective of the role is:

• Finding scripts and other source materials.
• Maintain a clear and comprehensive system for content files and archives
• Assist in production-related tasks as needed
• Approving major production changes, Coordinating work, managing whole edits and producing ideas for content.
• Monitoring post-production processes to ensure accurate completion of details
• Conducting meetings with staff to discuss production progress and check-ins to ensure production objectives goals are met
• Coordinating the activities of writers, directors, managers, actors, and other personnel throughout the production process

Skills and Attributes:

• Demonstrate experience with Adobe Premier
• Demonstrate some video production experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of tasks
• Focused, organised and able to prioritise and execute tasks independently
• Show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Be a strong team player
• Well organized, pro-active, self-starter and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Good time-management skills
• BS degree in film studies, cinematography or related field.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Are you a qualified Self-Defence Instructor and would like to teach others how to protect themselves? The ability to defend yourself increases your self-esteem and boosts confidence as well as keeps you emotionally and physically fit.

What you will be doing

• Planning weekly 1:1 or small group sessions
• Encouraging others to get involved
• Teaching the art of self defence and how to safely protect yourself

The skills you need

• Qualified Self-defence instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation.
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

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

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health, safety and social distancing measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Do you love Bollywood dance? Would you like to inspire others to find their rhythm and get moving? If so, we have the perfect role for you! Through dance you will be helping others to boost their mood, releases endorphins and get active whilst socialising! Dance and movement have many positive benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and allows us to express ourselves and let loose!
We are recruiting for a volunteer to facilitate a group for mothers and their children to come together and have fun each week!

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and set up a weekly dance class
• Inspire and motivate individuals to participate in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a safe space for individuals to express themselves
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Experience in teaching dance classes desirable but not essential

What's in it for you

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

MUSLIM VOLUNTEER MENTOR

Can you offer your support to a young person via mentoring?

FCCT are looking for volunteers to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-21 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour.

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people (primarily of Muslim faith).
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Survey Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. Identify relevant Mosques etc for the young people to attend post release and contact said religious establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run.

Being a Walk Leader involves a regular commitment as you will be taking responsibility for one of the main objectives of our group: leading a local walking group. With this in mind, these are the activities involved in being a Walk Leader: 

• Lead a local walking group, being a point of contact for the walking group participants. 
• Be able and willing to be facilitating a walking group at least once monthly
  • ​We understand that you may be working full-time and have a family life, so please consider carefully if this level of commitment is right for you,
  • You may only be able to commit to once a month; this is okay, as long as it can be the same day/time each month and this can be evenings or weekends, for example,
  • We want our Group Leaders to take ownership of this as long as it works for you and the participants who attend,
  • It is important that if for any reason you cannot make it to lead a walking group you are able to ensure there is someone able to step in for you.
• Being prepared to provide advice and guidance regarding any concerns, within the limitations outlined below (see section below on what volunteers should not do) 
• Being willing to interact with and, if needed, offer support to other Group Leaders 

Important thoughts on our volunteer roles 

MenWalkTalk has been set up to offer opportunities for men with mental health issues to come together and feel no pressure or stigma about discussing their issues with other men. 

Supporting men with mental health issues is at its core, and it may help you in your volunteering if you too have lived experience of a mental health problem, either personally or from a close relative or friend. It will also help if you have an open, non-judgemental attitude, and that you are able to adopt a positive, patient and supportive approach towards supporting people with mental health problems. 

We would like you understand that whatever role you are able to volunteer for, when representing MenWalkTalk volunteers should at all times behave in a professional, confidential and non-discriminatory manner at all times, and promote equal opportunities for all. 

What a MenWalkTalk Walk Leader should not do 

MenWalkTalk is about getting more people walking, benefiting from the physical, social and mental wellbeing benefits that come from walking and talking. 

Within their volunteer roles, MenWalkTalk Campaigners and Walk Leaders should not offer to provide individual or emergency support for people experiencing mental health problems or in crisis. There are lots of people and organisations who can help, and MenWalkTalk Campaigners and Walk Leaders will be provided with information and guidance on signposting anyone to access the necessary support. 

Similarly, unless they are qualified to do so MenWalkTalk Campaigners and Group Leaders won’t provide therapeutic or coaching advice. Again, you will be provided with information on directing anyone to the appropriate support. 

More About MenWalkTalk:

Mission

To provide support to any adult male, whether they may have experienced, or are experiencing, a mental health issue or not. To listen to them, support them, walk with them and signpost them to specialist support where appropriate.We want to raise the awareness of mental health issues that men currently face, promoting a better understanding of this area. 

Vision

“For men to feel able to speak out, feel heard, understood and supported. To promote a positive change in people’s lives through mutual support and advice”

Values

Welcoming; We understand it can be difficult, we are here for you. Approachable; We are available without judgement. Partnership; We understand there is strength in numbers and will support you to further support. Positive; We will try to find the positive in every situation.

Volunteer at GDIF 2024!

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is London's leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. It is supported by a team of 100 volunteers, being the face of the festival and gaining valuable experience. The festival runs from 23 August - 8 September 2024. 

GDIF is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to play an essential role in the festival’s delivery. Whether it's providing a friendly face to visitors or being a team leader, the experience will be yours to make your own. 

As a volunteers, you will: 

• Connect with the local community and make new friends in South East London 

• Build communication skills 

• Work alongside likeminded people interested in the arts and meet new people in the industry 

• Gain experience for your CV 

We are looking for:

• Anyone aged 18 or over

• Friendly and reliable people, with an interest in art

• Those that can give 15 hours of their time (3 or more approx. 4 hour shifts plus training), or want to commit to more! 

Job responsibilities:

Whether this is your first-time volunteering anywhere or you’re looking to add leadership experience to your CV, we have the role for you! 

• General festival volunteer: The smiling face of the festival! Helping out in a Front of House capacity, ensuring that audience members have a wonderful experience at GDIF. Duties involve collecting audience feedback, helping audiences find their way around and collecting donations to support the festival.

• Team Leader: Would you like to help coordinate a team? We are looking for confident people to help coordinate volunteer teams at this year’s festival. Team leaders will be chosen before the festival and given additional training.

• Access Champion: Passionate about accessibility? We put provision in each year to make make the festival as accessible as possible to our disabled audiences. In this role you would help broaden access to art by supporting the access team across our events. 

Support U is a leading LGBTQ+ help and support service based in Reading, servicing the Thames Valley area.

We are looking to revitalise our Trustee Board and require a new Chair of Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity to help take the charity forward and have a real impact on those we support.

What will you be doing?

1. General statutory responsibilities as a Trustee (please request candidate pack for further details).

2. Specific responsibilities as Chair of Trustees: 

· Provide leadership and ensure focus on delivering the organization’s charitable purposes for greater public benefit.

· Chair and facilitate board meetings.

· Direct board policy-making.

· Ensure implementation of meeting decisions.

· Represent the organization at functions and meetings, acting as spokesperson when appropriate.

· Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision-making.

· Plan the annual cycle of board and general meetings, such as the AGM.

· Set agendas for board and general meetings.

· Develop the board of Trustees through induction, training, appraisal, and succession planning.

· Address conflicts within the board and organization, liaising with the Chief Executive if staff are employed.

· This role is mainly office-based

Time Commitment

We have recently navigated a transitional period, which included our longstanding CEO stepping down and changes to the services we provide.

It would therefore be helpful to have someone who has slightly more time available than is typical during this interim period, as we are really looking for someone to lead the Board in deciding what direction Support U decides to move in. 

We are currently having monthly Board meetings (which are usually held online) which the Chair is expected to attend.

What are we looking for?

· Leadership skills.

· Experience of committee work.

· Tact and diplomacy.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills.

· Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.

In most circumstances, it would also be desirable for the Chair/Vice-Chair to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation and a wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks. 

What difference will you make?

As the potential Chair of Support U, you will have the opportunity to significantly enhance our ability to support LGBTQ+ individuals in Reading and Thames Valley. Your leadership will provide strategic vision, strengthen our existing services, and expand our outreach efforts. By focusing on inclusivity and accessibility, building strong partnerships, and advocating for greater awareness and inclusion of LGBTQ+ issues, you will ensure that Support U remains dedicated to its mission and is well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community. Your experience and dedication will be invaluable in driving our organisation forward and making a lasting impact.

Oxfam's West Kirby Shop is looking for Volunteers to help Oxfam’s fight to support the world’s most vulnerable communities.

We’re looking for volunteers who can give 4-8 hours (or more!) of their time in the shop each week, and we’re excited to welcome brand new volunteers to our stores!

Location: 7/7a Grange Road, West Kirby,Wirral, CH48 4DY

Become a volunteer!

We like to give volunteers an opportunity to try a range of areas before they find something that suits them. You might become a Shop Volunteer, Bookshop Volunteer or Music Shop Volunteer. Or, you might find yourself in a more specialist role such as a Social Media Volunteer, Online Shop Volunteer, Admin/Finance Support Volunteer, or even a Lead Volunteer.

Whatever your skills or interests, there’s something for everyone…

Why be a volunteer?

Your time will make a huge difference. We estimate one four-hour shift will, on average, provide enough income to enable Oxfam to provide life-saving handwashing facilities for 81 people.

Volunteering also has a positive impact on wellbeing, with an incredible 7 in 10 volunteers saying that their charitable actions were beneficial for their mental health.

Benefits of becoming a Volunteer:

• Gain genuine experience working in a retail environment.
• Travel Expenses are reimbursed.
• Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience, and develop your CV.
• Great way to meet new people & be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
• Be part of a fantastic team and make a positive change to the world.
• Opportunity to utilise and develop your transferable skills.

Volunteering with Oxfam will give you the skills, confidence and experience you need to build your CV and boost your employability. Problem solving, communication, working with others and familiarity with the workplace are universally valued by employers.

No experience is necessary as full training and an induction will be given. You don't need to be computer literate to join our team; there are volunteer opportunities for all. All we ask is that you’re happy to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

We can be flexible around parenting, caring, health, employment, education, and any other commitments you have.

Tempted? Click Apply now!

• Oxfam reimburses Volunteer expenses incurred in line with Oxfam’s Volunteer Expenses Policy: local, reasonable travel expenses, & lunch (if volunteering 5+ hours).
• We take the welfare of volunteers and everyone we work with very seriously. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, abuse of power, or any sexual misconduct within the workplace.
• Oxfam do not accept applications from anyone on the Sex Offenders list. We may inquire about unspent convictions relevant to the role and you may be required to submit to PVG/DBS check (at no expense to you).
• *NB: due to the current capacity of some shops, it may be that you will be placed on a waiting list and/or, if you are under 18, until a shop has enough staff and/or volunteers DBS cleared. The Shop Manager will discuss this with you.