Volunteer Roles

We are currently recruiting a Social Media Manager to join our team of volunteers! Please be aware this is an unpaid role, and must be available in person Saturdays 1-6pm.

The Trans Legal Clinic is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice in the UK. At its core, the Trans Legal Clinic is a human rights practice because Trans+ rights are human rights and without the influence of trans+ and non-binary people many of the human rights which are enjoyed by our cisgendered counterparts would cease to exist as we know them today. The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans+ people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender.

The Social Media Manager will oversee the clinic’s online presence and engages with the clinic’s community across various social media platforms. The Social Media Manager will develop and implement social media strategies to raise awareness, drive engagement, and support the clinic’s mission. They will respond to the CEO and COO and be responsible for the Communications Coordinator and Content Coordinator.

Knowledge of social media analytics and high levels of experience and skill with Canva is required.

The ideal candidate will be able to effectively: 

Oversee content creation and communications​
Engage with the clinic’s audience on social media, responding to comments, messages, and enquiries in a timely and professional manner​
Promote events, tracking performance and adjusting strategies as needed​
Ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and branding across all social media channels, maintaining the clinic’s reputation and identity​
Monitor social media metrics and analytics to track performance, identify trends, and measure the impact of social media efforts, providing regular reports and insights to management

What can you expect to be doing?

• Volunteering alongside colleagues including the Branch Coordinator, Cat Welfare team, Branch Development Manager and Vet team to ensure that CP cat care policies, procedures and standards are applied in branch
• Support fosterers to follow Cats Protection cat welfare policies and procedures
• Acting as the main point of contact within the branch for cat welfare and ensuring that welfare updates are shared and implemented effectively
• Supporting the branch by ensuring that accurate and up to date records of all cats helped are maintained, using specified Cats Protection systems
• Attending relevant Cats Protection volunteer training sessions and encouraging other volunteers to do likewise
• With the other volunteers, recruit, induct and support all branch fosterers and cat care volunteers using Cats Protection processes
• Represent the branch at relevant meetings
• Play an active part in the branch committee, being part of the branch team leading on cat adoption information and updates
• Collaborating with the Cats Protection Cat Adoption Team Leader to ensure the highest standards of cat care are applied in line with Cats Protection policy and procedures

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have over 250 branches across the UK, all of which help our feline friends in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and staff, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

What can you expect to be doing?

• 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

Are you an experienced and qualified nutritionist and would like to inspire others by sharing your knowledge? We are looking for a Nutrition and Exercise Volunteer to share with others their knowledge of how to make healthy meals on a budget and simple exercises. Having a healthy diet has shown to have positive effects on mental health and can reduce inflammation as well as alter neurotransmitters to reduce symptoms of depression.

What you will be doing

• Providing nutritional advise on how to prepare quick healthy meals on a budget
• Answering nutrition-based questions and promoting the benefits of eating healthily
• Providing quick and easy exercise sessions to a small group of people

The skills you need

• Qualified nutritionist/ relevant fitness qualification
• 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

Based within Richmond Park, the Holly Lodge Centre is looking for a new Fundraising Trustee to help develop and diversify funding streams and support the Centre’s educational work with special needs and main stream schoolchildren and young people. 

The Holly Lodge Centre is a small local charity, hidden away in the heart of Richmond Park. Whilst small it is mighty, with over 8,000 local children and adults visiting each year to learn about the wildlife and heritage of Richmond Park. The Centre specialises in working with children and adults with disabilities, providing bespoke sessions devised to meet their needs and allowing them to get up close to nature.  

A nature trail, opened by Sir David Attenborough, is only one of the many features of this amazing education facility. A pharmacy, a Victorian classroom and more modern classroom – together with an outdoor classroom – help us give children an exhilarating and different experience. Watch the video on our website and all will become clear! 

The charity was formed 30 years ago and is at the start of a new three year strategy.  We currently have five employees and over 70 committed and reliable volunteers.

We are looking for a new fundraising Trustee who is not afraid to be hands-on, to join with us in our passion for the Centre and to be determined to do the very best for our beneficiary groups.

We would welcome applications from talented individuals who have experience at Board level in charities or other private organisations, to join our team.

For more information or to arrange a visit please contact Holly Lodge Centre Manager Alex Sharp or Jaime Walsh 

To apply please send a CV and Cover letter.

The closing date for applications is 19th July 2024 

Charity Trustee - Finance Specialist

Intelligent, influential, and focused trustee wanted for game-changing yet embracing charity.

A powerful campaigning organisation, Brain Tumour Research is the leading voice of the brain tumour community in the UK. Unique and much needed, we are the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Our work focuses on campaigning to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence, across the UK.

Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.  All of us at Brain Tumour Research are passionate about finding a cure for this devastating disease.    We are now looking to strengthen and complement our Board with the addition of a finance focussed Trustee to Chair the Investment and Finance & Risk sub-committee meetings.

The desired trustee should have the skills and experience to oversee the financial management and strategy of a charity. They will be responsible for ensuring that the charity's funds are used effectively and ethically, in line with its mission and vision and help set and monitor the charity's budget, financial policies, risk management, and investment decisions. The desired trustee will work closely with the CEO, the Director of Finance & Operations, and other trustees to ensure transparency and accountability in the charity's financial affairs. The ideal person will have a strong background in accounting, finance, or business, and ideally some knowledge of the charity sector and the regulatory framework that governs it.

The Board of Trustees plays a key role in the growth of the charity, setting the overall strategic direction and providing scrutiny to our processes and decisions as well as ensuring standards of governance are upheld.    This role is pro-bono with board meetings held three times a year in Milton Keynes and Sub-Committees held three times a year online. You will also be expected to attend the annual Board away day in person and be a member of the Investment and Finance Sub-Committees. In addition, Trustees are given the opportunity to work together through participation at our annual members and research workshops as well as receptions at our Research Centres and parliamentary events.   

Closing Date: Sunday 28th July 2024

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Are you a wiz with social media and love cats? We are seeking someone to join our Social Media team, working online from home, on a flexible hours job-share basis, to maintain and grow the Cat Chat charity Facebook page, to raise awareness of cat rescue and adoption across the UK and Ireland...

Job Outline
To maintain, post to and develop Cat Chat’s Facebook Page. As well as posting content provided to you by other team members, you will also be required to initiate, create and share other relevant, interesting content, including all appropriate tagging. Your aims will be to promote cat adoption and cat welfare, to grow our page and maximise engagement, boost our organic reach and to raise awareness of our Charity. The post-holder will need to maintain regular engagement with those who comment on our posts; join and engage with relevant Facebook groups; engage with supporters and influencers, and monitor page performance via the insights & activity logs.

Requirements
Professional experience in Social Media, specifically in managing a Facebook Page (for an organisation or business). Our ideal candidate has the ability to create graphics for social media, or at the very least is able to crop/size/optimize images for the web. A good command of English and the ability to communicate effectively with the public. You will need to be able to work on your own initiative, to schedule and compile posts, as well as to work as part of our friendly team. Some knowledge of cat or animal rescue / adoption would be an advantage.

Time Commitment
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The number of posts required may vary, but at least one post per day is the aim. The postholder will need to log into the Cat Chat Facebook Administrator's mailbox on each of their days, to check for new post requests and correspondence.

Are you passionate about supporting migrant women trapped in the immigration and criminal justice systems?

Are social justice, respect for all and addressing inequalities intrinsic to your core values and beliefs? 

Hibiscus enables marginalised migrant women trapped in the immigration and criminal justice systems to rebuild their lives. The women we work with are amongst the most vulnerable in society; many are survivors of gender-based violence, including trafficking, domestic abuse, forced marriage and sexual violence. 

For over 38-years, Hibiscus has established an unrivalled record of delivering high-impact support and advocacy services to migrant women. 

Trustees 

London/ Hybrid 

Unremunerated – Reasonable expenses and training paid 

Time commitment – 4 board meetings and 4 sub-committee meetings per year. (Time commitment approx. 1-2 days per month)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Hibiscus. We are seeking to find committed, engaged and reliable Trustees to work in partnership with the Chair, Board, our CEO and our senior team as we deliver our new five-year strategy.

To work alongside our new Chair, we are seeking candidates who will bring skills and experience in one or more areas of non-executive governance and management e.g. finance, strategic communications, fundraising, inclusion and campaigning. This is not an exhaustive list and if you feel you can bring other skills that would help the Board, then please apply.

Hibiscus was founded to support Black and minoritised women in prison. Today we continue to strive to be a proactively anti-racist organisation with an anti- racism strategy that informs our operational delivery. This means we centre the migrant women we work with and their experiences in every aspect of our work.

This includes consciously recruiting to attract talent from Black and minoritised communities and those with lived experience of the immigration and justice systems, and/or gender-based violence. We offer support, reasonable adjustments and encourage open and inclusive dialogue from the start of any employee, volunteer and service user's journey with Hibiscus. 

For further information, to view the appointment brief and to apply please click on the 'apply' button above to be redirected to the Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable 

Deadline for applications:  Wednesday 17th July 2024 

Interviews with Hibiscus: 5th and 6th August 2024 

Meetings with Hibiscus’ stakeholders: w/c 12th August 2024 

Volunteers - Early Intervention

Thames Valley Partnership trading as Hope After Harm is a charity that provides support to people impacted by the criminal justice system and this includes some areas of early intervention. Within the charity the Young People Mentor project provides a support structure for vulnerable young people, the project is a carefully managed, risk-assessed process, where communication, can be opened up between someone who has been harmed or who has caused harm. 

We are looking to recruit volunteer mentors to work with young people across the Thames Valley area (Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire) including specific areas of Milton Keynes, Oxford, Maidenhead, and Slough.

This would ideally suit people who are interested in supporting vulnerable young people through engaging with them, offering support and guidance in;

· Low self-esteem

· Social Isolation

· Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships

· Involved or at risk of becoming involved in the Criminal Justice System

· Poor school attendance, exclusion, or at risk of exclusion

A volunteer will require their own transport, be able to commit to meeting weekly with the young person during school hours, and be available by telephone. A mobile phone and any necessary equipment will be provided.

Full induction and training will be provided, all volunteering is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and references. We reimburse expenses incurred whilst volunteering.

Our next induction day will be held on Wednesday 10th of July from 10.00 to 15.00, Venue Haddenham Conference Room, Haddenham Council Hall, HP17 8EE (A lite lunch will be provided)

We host a range of groups across Suffolk from Stay & Play, infant massage and Special Education Needs,  to groups for Military families, cooking workshops and pre- and post-natal support. Group volunteers play a key role in the running of these sessions, providing additional support to the attending families and helping with group-based activities. 

No experience is needed as full training is provided.

A bit about this role

Across the UK, many cats are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose-built pens in their gardens. They provide vital hands-on care and accommodation to stray or abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need. Our fosterers carry out this role with support from their local branch or centre.

Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats, who have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round-the-clock care to newborns to give them the best start in life.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care
• Cleaning and looking after the cats’ environment and equipment
• Feeding, grooming and administering medication
• Spending time enriching the cats’ experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking
• Maintaining high standards of animal welfare

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new, loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• A dedicated suitable spare room in your house or space in your garden for a purpose-built pen – you can read more about this here
• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs
• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards
• Good interpersonal skills
• Patience, commitment and empathy
• Willingness to be part of a team

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend one and a half hours per day on average (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care. In order to help you feel confident in your fosterer role we ask that prior to looking after your first foster cat you complete some online cat welfare learning modules.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Thank you for joining us and sharing in this commitment and for everything you will do during your time with Cats Protection.

You will make weekly contact via telephone or video call for up to 1-hour, providing emotional support and a listening ear, perhaps sharing your own experiences, to help families navigate through a challenging time.

 Telephone support is a great way to give back even when your time is limited. Telephone and virtual support can suit full time work as well as company volunteering opportunities. It is flexible and can fit in around your other regular commitments allowing you the chance to get involved and give back to your community at a time that suits you and the family you are supporting.

No experience is needed as full training is provided.

 Home-Visiting volunteers are an essential part of the Home-Start in Suffolk service – providing emotional and practical support to a family, in the family’s own home, once a week.

As a volunteer, you will be carefully matched with a family, then introduced by one of our experienced staff team.  A unique support package will be devised based on the needs of the family and a day and time for each weekly visit will be agreed to suit both you and the family.

You will build a trusting professional friendship with the family, offering emotional support, guidance and practical help during your visits, sharing your own experiences, with the ultimate goal to empower families with the confidence and skills to cope alone once support ends, creating a legacy of a long term difference.

No experience is needed as full training is provided.

We are looking for experienced volunteers to support with sessions teaching about sewing and designing, touching on things such as pattern cuttings and sewing techniques.

Hestia provides mental health support across 17 London boroughs and in Kent. Last year, Hestia supported more than 6,000 people across our mental health services.

What you will be doing

• To prepare sewing sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their sewing skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities
• Sharing skills for designing such as pattern cutting and sewing techniques.

The skills you need

• Good communications skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Maintain discretion and judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information

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, 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.