Volunteer Roles

Chair

Type: Voluntary Position

Location: Falkirk

Closing Date: Friday 16th August

Falkirk and District Association for Mental Health, known locally as Falkirk’s Mental Health Association or FDAMH for those facing mental health challenges in the community, promotes positive wellbeing through a range of services, training, and education. They assist individuals on their unique journey of recovery, focusing on self-discovery and personal growth.

As advocates for change, FDAMH works tirelessly to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, prevent deterioration in wellbeing, and provide essential support, education, and training. The team at FDAMH is diverse, bringing together a wide range of skills, experiences, and backgrounds, all united by a shared commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Their services, including one-to-one support, groupwork, and training, are available to individuals aged 13 and above across Falkirk and its district areas. Through a holistic approach, FDAMH ensures tailored support is provided at the right time, empowering individuals on their journey to recovery and wellbeing.

FDAMH is currently seeking a new Chair to join their Board at an exciting time of growth and development, coinciding with the development of their new Strategic Plan for the next three years. This role presents a significant opportunity to contribute to shape the future of the organisation.

The Role of Chair:

The Chair will hold the Board and Senior Leadership Team accountable for FDAMH’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees. They will ensure each trustee fulfils their governance responsibilities effectively, supporting and occasionally challenging the Chief Executive Officer to ensure effective compliance and operations of the organisation. The Chair will be a strong and visible ambassador of the charity, working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team.

The ideal candidate will have senior strategic leadership experience within an organisation, preferably in the third sector, with a proven track record of success. Experience in charity governance and with Boards of Trustees is essential. You will demonstrate a strong passion for and commitment to FDAMH’s mission and objectives, possessing the personal gravitas to lead a significant charity within the local community. Strong leadership, motivational, and collaborative skills are crucial, alongside excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities. A broad understanding of the third sector and its current challenges is also required.

We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds who possess the necessary skills and attributes for the role of Chair. Board meetings are bi-monthly, typically held on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm.

How to Apply:

Please contatc us to request an information pack, full job description and person specification.

Closing Date: Midday, Friday 16th August

This search is being conducted exclusively for FDAMH by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.

About Us

With Jesus. With each other. To the edges.

We are passionate about God’s mission and eager to see more and more people become followers of Jesus. For 225 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed across the globe. Often in ways we could not have anticipated. 

Founded by William Wilberforce and other members of the Clapham Sect group of activists in 1799, today CMS supports hundreds of people and partners in mission working together across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. We also train UK Christians for creative, ground-breaking mission in Britain. 

Context

With mission no longer being a “West to the rest” endeavour, and as Christianity has flourished in parts of the majority world, we have undertaken a prayerful review of our organisation, in order to discern our mission call for this generation.

We have rediscovered and been re-inspired by the pioneering spirit of our founders. We believe our calling for this time is to the “edges”: to the edges of society, the edges of church and to the edges of our comfort zones. To that end, we have been aligning our organisation and focus to play a catalytic role in facilitating movements of mission to and from these edges.

The Role

Taking a listening and reflective approach, as Chair you will draw out the diverse skills and wisdom among our trustees, ensure excellence in our governance, support the executive leadership in delivering our refreshed vision and play a role in strengthening our links with the Global Anglican Communion.

If you share our passion for following Jesus and making disciples at the edges, bring experience at board level, a highly relational approach and a global perspective, we would love to hear from you.

For more information see the job pack attached. Closing date 14 August.

Do you care about young people and believe in the power of youth work to help shape the future of young lives?

TPP are proud to be partnering with the National Youth Agency (NYA) in the search for two Trustees.

We’re ideally looking for candidates with the following skillsets (no prior trustee experience required):

• A Qualified Financial Management/Accountant – (view to Chairing the Finance and Governance Committee)
• Marketing & Communications

The NYA is the national professional, statutory and regulatory body responsible for qualifications, quality and standards for youth work.  Their mission is to transform the lives of young people in England and beyond through the power of youth work.  They offer guidance, support, advice, training and standards for youth workers and youth work organisations.

The NYA are looking for two candidates who fully support their vision of a world where every young person can access youth work.  They particularly welcome applications from candidates who will help the NYA better reflect the diversity of the youth sector.

By joining their Board you’ll get:

• The opportunity to contribute to the success of a national charity
• The chance to use your strategic knowledge to make a lasting impact
• The chance to meet and work with people outside of your sector
• Full commitment to any Board development required.
• Full induction.
• Reimbursement of any travel costs.

It’s an exciting time to join the NYA as they celebrate their 60th anniversary and embark on a new 5-year strategy to continue being a highly effective, impactful and sustainable organisation for the next 60 years. 

Time Commitment

Estimated 1.5 days a month.

The NYA Trustee Board meets 4 x per year (1-2 times in person, otherwise meetings are held virtually).   There is an annual staff and trustee strategy day scheduled for 22nd November 2024 which would be highly beneficial for the new trustees to attend if available.

Nb.  The Trustee is subject to the provision of all child protection legislation and all policies governing staff that work with children and adults at risk.

To apply for this role, please either reply to this advert putting NYA in the title, with an updated version of your CV or contact Lisa Ross,  Matt Adams or Lenrick Greaves via the TPP Recruitment website.

In the first instance you will be sent an information pack with details about the role and recruitment process, but the team are on hand to answers any questions that you may have about the role, so please do get in touch if you would like a confidential discussion.

The closing date for applications Friday 9th August 5.00pm. 

Unwaste.io is a UK based social enterprise using data to create a circular economy for plastic. Our cloud platform, Wastebase, collects data about single-use plastic waste found in the environment. We encourage individuals, communities and NGOs to use our free Wastebase app to collect evidence about the plastic waste they find in their area. We want producers to take responsibility for where their waste ends up. Our data can help them do that.

We’re looking for a UK-based volunteer who can help connect with community organisations in the UK and encourage more people to use Wastebase to support their activities. If you like being out and about, talking to people who want to improve their community and you are interested in improving the environment, this might be the role for you.

Regular tasks

We’ll support you to understand our aims and audience and encourage you to bring your own ideas and creativity to what we do. Regular tasks will involve:

• identifying and engaging with community organisations involved in local clean ups, waste or litter campaigning or plastic free advocacy through Facebook, instagram and TikTok, supported by our Social Media Manager

• joining local clean ups in person to demonstrate the Wastebase app and get people excited about using it

• joining meetings remotely to give demos or presentations about Wastebase, supported by our comms lead

• distributing posters for community groups to use in their local displays

Essential requirements

• willingness and confidence to get out and talk to local groups in person

• access to own car or ability to travel independently with the local area (up to a day trip - we don’t expect you to make extended or overnight trips)

• confidence in public speaking (remote or in person) and engaging people on a personal level

• confidence in using digital tools to make presentations or demos (for example, Google Meet, Google Slides)

• experience in using social media to connect with people or organisations

Desirable requirements

• knowledge of or interest in plastic reduction, waste management or the circular economy

• desire to create positive impact on the environment 

• previous experience of working with a community organisation in an engagement or marketing role

Expenses

Unwaste.io will reimburse reasonable travel expenses (including fuel). This could include train travel to meet a community group, for example, plus lunch if out for a whole day. These must be agreed in advance.

Working schedule

We expect our volunteers to join regular weekly check ins - these are usually about 30 mins at an agreed time. Outside of this, we expect you to manage your own time and complete tasks in a way that suits both your schedule and the requirements of the role. This is likely to include some time at the weekends (to join clean ups) or in the evenings.

We are always available to answer questions and offer support and encourage all of our team to ask for help whenever they need it. If you are joining clean ups and events, we will support you to do this safely. 

Training and support

We’ll provide you with appropriate training on our app and data management platform, as well as the collaboration tools we use. We’ll also support you to develop your knowledge of plastics and the circular economy, and to build your skills around community engagement (writing, presentation, identifying contacts for example). You'll be supported by our Partnerships and Comms lead and will work alongside our Social Media Manager and Data Volunteer.

If you wish to use this role as a basis for a personal study project or portfolio project, we will be happy to provide you with additional access to our data and digital tools.

Future opportunities

This is an unpaid role and we can’t guarantee any future employment with Unwaste.io. However, your experience as a volunteer would be very valuable if you chose to apply for any future roles with us. We always encourage our volunteers to apply for relevant roles if they come up.

Statutory Duties

1. To ensure the organisation complies with its governing document - sometimes known as a trust deed, constitution, or articles of association.

2. To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.

3. To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how 'charitable' and 'worthwhile' those activities are.

4. To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

5. To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

6. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

7. To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.

8. To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the properinvestment of the organisation's funds.

External Relations

1. Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity.

2. Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders.

3. Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.

4. Represent the charity at external functions, meetings, and events.

5. Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.6. Introduce the charity to potential supporters and foster new relationships.

Efficiency and Effectiveness

1. Effectively and efficiently, impartiality and objectivity are brought to decision-making processes.

2. Engage and support that all decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.

3. Foster and maintain relationships between the Trustees.4. Work closely with all trustees and the senior leadership team to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of all trustees.

5. Ensure accountability that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Relationship with the Chief Executive and the Wider Executive Team

1. Foster an open and transparent working relationship with the Executive Team – CEO,Head of Operations and Head of Finance. Embed clear lines of communication to ensure the Chair and Board work together.

2. Ensure you develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which trustee can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.

3. Liaise with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs

4. Support the Chair conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Chief Executive in consultation with all other Trustees.

As well as the various statutory duties, any trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the board make good decisions.

The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive. Trustees will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

About Us: HavenWeb is a newly established organisation dedicated to empower people to grow their own food while building community. As we embark on our first year of operations, we are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Accountant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing organization and gain valuable experience in the nonprofit sector.

Role Overview: The Volunteer Accountant will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and compliance of HavenWeb. This position involves managing our financial records, filing annual accounts, and setting up our payroll system. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of accounting principles and a passion for helping a nascent organisation thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and file annual accounts by the September 2024 deadline.
• Assist in setting up and implementing a payroll system.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records.
• Support the creation of financial reports and statements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and standards.
• Collaborate with the team to improve financial processes and controls.

Qualifications:

• Relevant accounting qualifications or working towards them.
• Experience with filing annual accounts.
• Knowledge of payroll systems and procedures.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Commitment: This is a volunteer position with a flexible schedule. We estimate that the role will require approximately 1 hour per week.

Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit accounting.
• Contribute to the growth and success of a new organisation.
• Build your resume with valuable skills and experience.
• Be part of a passionate and supportive team.

Join us in making a difference at HavenWeb!

Kangaroos is entering a phase of strategic development; we want to serve all of our community who wish to access our services.We are looking for a Treasurer to join our team to support this development.

Kangaroos is a registered charity, based in mid Sussex, providing a range of fun, social and recreational activities, clubs and outings in the local community for children, teenagers and adults with severe learning disabilities, additional physical, sensory and medical needs and extreme behavioural difficulties. We provide a lifelong service - our oldest member is 43!

We believe that people living with a learning and/or physical disability or a long-term illness should have the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others. We are the only non-specialist regular provider for children and adults with complex needs in mid-Sussex.

The treasurer will oversee the monitoring of the organisation’s finances on behalf of the whole board of trustees, to report regularly on them to the board, and to make sure that money and property are properly managed.

We have 4 board meetings a year plus a strategic away day. The CEO is supported by a part time Finance Director and so the Treasurer's role is to provide oversight and leadership and take the lead on advising the Board of their financial responsibility.

This is an exciting time to be joining Kangaroos to help shape the future strategy.

One Million Mentors is a community based mentoring program that empowers young people to become the best version of themselves: building relationships - free of assumption and judgement - where they benefit from another’s experience and perspective and can think bigger, find their own answers and take the next meaningful step into their future.

This 2024, we are in need of volunteers to help our young people in Cardiff and Newport. We recruit, train and deploy volunteer mentors, matching them with mentees and providing high quality support to both so that they are well prepared and can have an effective and impactful mentoring relationship. Our mentoring is one to one, for young people aged 14-25 years old, for 1 hour, once a month, for up to a year.
 

What will  Mentors receive? 

• Access to our platform’s mentor resources and online training to help you in your mentoring journey 

• To support and create connections in your local community 

• A certificate when attending our online Mentor Induction Workshops (optional) 

• Develop skills in guidance, listening and empathy
   

​Requirements:

• We ask our volunteers to sign up to our platform  and complete some mandatory online training.

• Mentors to have 5 years experience, 2 years experience post graduate or retired / on a career break.

You can mentor your mentee in - person, online or hybrid formats across Cardiff and Newport.
 

How to apply: Click 'Apply' to be directed to our website so you can sign up and become a mentor today! 

Could you volunteer in your local PDSA charity shop and help us raise vital funds to treat pets in need?

PDSA is a charity with 48 pet hospitals that supports pets and people in need. All of our charity shops need an amazing team of volunteers to make them a success and we need you now more than ever.

By becoming a charity shop volunteer with PDSA you will:

• Gain retail experience
• Develop new skills and boost your CV
• Meet new people
• Support your local community
• Donate your current skills and knowledge
• Have fun
• Be part of a friendly team

Charity Shop Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each shop and even a few hours a week will make a difference.

On the shop floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing

We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket.

We’re looking for people who are 18 years of age or over that enjoy working as part of a team and making a difference.

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our shops or to apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.

Do you love pets? Would you like to be part of an amazing team caring for pets and helping them find their “furever” home? Then pet foster caring might be for you.

Every year thousands of pets find themselves in our Blue Cross Rehoming Centres. They get all the love of our Centre teams but it's not like being in a real home. Our foster carers open their homes and hearts to pets who really do need a home environment.

This might be because Centre life doesn’t suit them, maybe they need some quiet time to recuperate if they’ve been poorly or would just really benefit from being in a home environment. Fostering is hugely rewarding but it takes a special kind of person. We provide full training and ongoing support and all costs are covered. You can apply to foster any or all of the species we care for and we’ll chat through which pets might be the best fit for your home and situation. If you’re interested, just click apply and we’ll go from there

Volunteer role -Pet Foster Carer

Volunteer manager - Foster Coordinator

Where you will be based -Home

Why we want you

We know the best place for pets is in a loving home. Sometimes they can’t stay in their original home, or perhaps they are one of the many babies born in Blue Cross care. As a Blue Cross Foster Carer you’ll provide the loving home our pets need, giving care and affection to animals whilst they wait for their forever home. Our Foster Carers care for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, chinchillas, rats and degus. Some of our Foster Carers look after all species, some specialise and, with further training, can also help us to care for pets with specialist needs.

Every year we help thousands of pets. Our Pet Foster Carers ensure we do that in the best way, providing comfortable warm homes and lots of love to pets in need. We’ve been helping homeless, sick and injured pets since 1897 and with your help we can continue to do that.

What you will be doing

• Caring for Blue Cross pets and providing them with a safe environment in your own home until they can be rehomed
• Supporting pets who might be struggling to cope in a Rehoming Centre
• Transporting your foster pet to and from a Blue Cross site or vets as required
• Providing all the care they need including feeding, socialising, grooming and cleaning
• Giving observations and feedback on your foster pet including filling in assessments, diaries and feedback forms
• Sending progress updates to your manager using video or photographs some of which will be used on our website and for potential adopters

The skills you need

• Previous experience of handling and caring for pets. We can train you on any species new to you
• Time to dedicate towards socialising and caring for your foster pet
• Access to a car to undertake journeys to and from our Rehoming Centre and vets
• A safe, quiet area within your home so pets can settle in at their own pace
• Willingness to learn and follow Blue Cross procedures and undertake training provided
• The ability to provide timely and regular communication with our foster teams through phone or email
• Some IT skill would be helpful, or someone who could support you, as much of our training is completed online and we’d like you to be able to email us photos, videos and updates of your foster pet

What's in it for you

• You’ll be making a difference to pets and giving them the best chance of finding a new home
• You’ll have all the joy of a pet without the long-term commitment of pet ownership
• Blue Cross pay all expenses related to caring for your foster pet including travel costs
• You’ll gain practical skills, experience, and access to a dedicated Blue Cross ARK training programme
• You’ll join a great team of like-minded people

Disclaimer

Fostering is a flexible process, but you need to be able to volunteer for a long enough period for pets to settle in a new environment. You need to be 18 or over for this role. If you are a driver, we’ll need you to complete some basic checks, or we’ll need to do this for anyone who will be driving you and your foster pet. Some IT skill, or someone who can help you, will be needed for this role. We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to involve the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this. At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are. Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating an organisation where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcomed, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities. We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us. If you would like to talk to us about any accessibility needs that we can support with in terms of our volunteer recruitment processes, then please do get in touch. 

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.

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.

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.

Make a lasting impact on future generations and an inner London community

Based in Islington, the Central Foundation Boys School is a popular, high-performing, voluntary-aided comprehensive school for boys aged from 11 to 16, with a successful co-educational Sixth Form. The Central Foundation Schools For London supports the Boys School and appoints the majority of the governors.We are working together to appoint a new Foundation Governor to join the governing body this autumn.

The successful candidate will join a governing body comprising 18 members.  It is critical that the successful candidate has a keen interest in the school and is prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for pupils.  As well as being members of the governing body itself, members are expected to participate in one additional sub-committee: Teaching & Learning; Pay & Personnel; Finance; or Premises/Health & Safety. Members are also expected to act as a link governor for one faculty.  Link governors act as liaison between the governing body and a particular faculty, including meeting with relevant teachers and visiting the department from time to time.  In addition, there are a range of other ad hoc circumstances where governor involvement is necessary.

The governing body plays a key role in the school’s governance and is responsible for, or involved in, many significant decisions concerning the school. The governing body has 3 core functions. They:

1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of our school;
2. Hold the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of our school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
3. Oversee the financial performance of our school and make sure its money is well spent.

The successful candidate will join the governing body this autumn.  The members come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and includes members appointed by the staff of the school, parents and the Islington Local Authority.  A majority of the governors are appointed by the Central Foundation Schools of London, an Educational Charity which supports two schools in inner London, ourselves and the Central Foundation Girls School in Tower Hamlets. This appointment will be a joint appointment by the Foundation and the school governing body.

At this time, we are particularly interested in individuals who have had experience in law, human resources or are experienced at a senior leadership level in a large company, charity or public sector organisation.  We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

For more information please click 'apply via website' to be redirected to the Foundation Website

It is a very exciting time in the life of the school with an extensive building project recently completed.