Volunteer Roles in Cleveland

A bit about this role

We need Fundraising Volunteers to help in and around Medway. The postcode areas we are active in are ME1, ME2, ME3, ME4, ME5, ME6, ME7, ME8.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help. 

Our Volunteer led branches operate within local communities nationwide and rely on funds donated by generous members of the public to continue to help cats and kittens in need of new homes, supporting owners with neutering, managing trap, neuter and return programmes and educating people about cat welfare. 

Our fundraising volunteers are part of a passionate team that help raise funds to help cats. They help plan and deliver exciting and varied fundraising events, which can be anything from craft fairs, cake sales, sponsored abseils – and anything in between!

What can you expect to be doing?

• Helping organise fundraising events in your local area 
• Championing our cause and making a better life for cats
• Getting involved with new and exciting fundraising ideas 
• Engaging communities, spreading awareness and starting conversations
• Promoting National fundraising initiatives where appropriate

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and help raise funds that will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication skills
• Responsible to handle money
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Confidence in speaking to members of the public
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation 

Our fundraising volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role. You can offer your time flexibly, seasonally or remotely and it can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

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.

Our mission is to help and support homeless and vulnerably housed people in and around the London Borough of Merton. We operate a twice-weekly Drop-in, currently welcoming 50-60 individuals each day, while our Winter Night Shelter provides a warm, dry place to sleep every night during the coldest nights of the year – this winter from 4 December until 10 March 2024.

Our current Secretary is retiring, having completed the maximum of nine years in the role. We’re now looking for an enthusiastic and committed volunteer for the role which covers the following positions:

1. Company secretary
2. Secretary to the Trustees

The current incumbent fulfils both roles but we would consider splitting the responsibilities if two complementary applications were received.

The Company Secretary & Secretary is a volunteer with an active role in the work of the organisation. The Faith in Action Merton Homelessness Project (FIAMHP) Board of Trustees, Company Secretary & Secretary, together with senior staff, form the Management Committee of the Charity.

Company Secretary’s responsibilities:

The Company Secretary keeps the organisation legal by:

• Working with Trustees to ensure that the Charity complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law, employment law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensuring that the Trustees are aware of the requirement to comply with relevant codes such as the Code of Conduct for Charity Trustees and the Charities Governance Code, and that these are adhered to.

• Ensuring that the Articles of Association reflect the current work of the Charity, liaising with the Charity Commission and Companies House as appropriate if an update is needed.

• Liaison with Treasurer as needed.

• Filing annual Confirmation Statements and other Company Returns including the annual Trustees Report & Accounts with Companies House and the Charity Commission by the due dates.

• Advising Companies House and the Charity Commission of changes to Company and Charity details by the due dates – this includes Trustee appointments and resignations.

• Maintaining the statutory records.

• Monitoring the composition of the Trustee board, and liaising with the Chair and other Trustees to ensure that new Trustees are recruited as necessary, so that all roles needed are covered. Organising new Trustee applications and interviews, and obtaining references.

• Organising and running the Annual General Meeting, and any other General Meetings required.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

Secretary’s duties

The job of the FIAMHP Secretary is to assist the Trustees in the smooth running of the organisation by:

• Organising Management Committee meetings in consultation with the Chair and other Trustees: setting meeting dates and venues; producing meeting agendas, receiving and sending out meeting notices and papers, checking that meetings are quorate, taking meeting minutes, liaising with the Chair and other Trustees as necessary; sending out draft minutes.

• Assist with liaison between Trustees, Staff and Volunteers as needed.

• Awareness of the work of the organisation and the needs of its guests and service users.

• Ensuring that decisions and actions of the Board of Trustees are accurately recorded and implemented.

• Maintaining an appropriate and secure filing system so that all Trustee papers are retained and accessible.

• Assisting with Business Plan development and the Trustees’ Annual Report as required.

• Ensuring that Policies and Risk Register are filed and accessible to all who need access.

• Tracking progress with implementation of the organisation’s Business Plan.

• Ensuring that any correspondence for Trustees is brought to the attention of the Board.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

The Company Secretary and Secretary must have:

● Commitment to the Charity and its work.

● Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a Company Secretary

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Company Secretary and Secretary

● Strategic vision

● Good independent judgement

● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

For more information about either post, please contact Bernie McAlister, Chair of Trustees.

Terms and conditions: Voluntary roles, expenses paid 

Closing date: This advert will close on 7th October 2024
 

SEED Madagascar is looking for two new Trustees to work on its Board of Trustees and with the Managing Director and his team.  One role is to be the Vice Chair to support our Chair across her role, and the second role is to bring fundraising expertise to support SEED in its vital work in Madagascar. 

SEED is growing and rising to the challenges that the country and its people are facing, and these Trustees will play an important role in SEED’s development.

SEED delivers impactful projects with communities in the southeast of Madagascar in the fields of community health, sustainable livelihoods, conservation and school infrastructure.  More recently SEED has responded to the famine affecting many families in the areas it works with emergency food distribution.

The new Trustees will bring experience of working at a senior level in the not-for-profit sector. The Vice Chair will bring governance experience, and the fundraising trustee will have experience of fundraising in organsiations of a similar size. We are looking for a passion for, and understanding of, international development, along with strong people skills and a good grasp of strategic planning. 

Please see our Candidate Pack for full details of the role and the recruitment process.

Terms and conditions: Voluntary roles, expenses paid 

Closing date: This advert will close on 7th October 2024
 

SEED Madagascar is looking for two new Trustees to work on its Board of Trustees and with the Managing Director and his team.  One role is to be the Vice Chair to support our Chair across her role, and the second role is to bring fundraising expertise to support SEED in its vital work in Madagascar. 

SEED is growing and rising to the challenges that the country and its people are facing, and these Trustees will play an important role in SEED’s development.

SEED delivers impactful projects with communities in the southeast of Madagascar in the fields of community health, sustainable livelihoods, conservation and school infrastructure.  More recently SEED has responded to the famine affecting many families in the areas it works with emergency food distribution.

The new Trustees will bring experience of working at a senior level in the not-for-profit sector. The Vice Chair will bring governance experience, and the fundraising trustee will have experience of fundraising in organsiations of a similar size. We are looking for a passion for, and understanding of, international development, along with strong people skills and a good grasp of strategic planning. 

Please see our Candidate Pack for full details of the role and the recruitment process.

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) charity are seeking new Trustees to join our Board to support the important work of enabling generalist frontline teams improve care for people nearing the end of life. We are seeking in particular, new Trustees who have business development, finance, charity or fundraising expertise or experience, who might be interested in this area, as well as others interested in social care, education or palliative or end of life care.

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Centre recently celebrated 25 years of work improving end of life care given by generalist frontline teams. GSF is the leading provider of training in end of life care for generalist front line staff across health and social care. We have trained and accredited thousands of teams, influenced national policy and practice and GSF has improved the care for many millions of people and their families.

Much has been achieved but there is still more to do ... We have a bold and exciting vision to ensure that everyone experiences Gold Standard end of life care. We want to see a big increase in the number of people that are trained, and we want to influence policy to make Gold Standard end of life care a requirement. We have recently become a CIO charity and as we enter a new chapter of our story, we are seeking new trustees to help us to achieve our vision and contribute to our strategic purpose. 

Could you help us achieve these goals? We are a small team and value the contribution of our trustees, partners, associates and professional reference groups. Trustees will typically attend 4-6 online board meetings a year, along with other communications and support between meetings, plus occasional strategy away days. 

For full details, read more on the Gov (dot) UK website.

We are looking for people with the same shared values and commitment to improving end of life care in our country. We need experienced and passionate trustees to help our excellent team to meet our vision. We are particularly interested in:

• Finance Fundraising Business management, especially in the charity or training sectors
• Marketing/communications
• Health and/or social care provision
• Palliative/End of Life Care/GSF in practice
• Senior board level/charity experience
• Integrated care systems/local authorities
• Health & Care Policy

Please email Keri Thomas, Sue Richards, or Julie Armstrong-Wilson if you’re interested in having an informal chat. More information on GSF can be found on our website

Our partner helps individuals and communities rebuild their own lives after the trauma of war. Currently working in Ukraine, Rwanda and Lebanon, they provide tools, training, education and other support.

They require an Independent Examination of their accounts for the financial year 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023, in preparation for submission to the Charity Commission.

They are seeking a suitably qualified volunteer able to undertake IEs for organisations with an income over £250k, in line with Charity Commission guidelines and the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, and they are ideally looking for someone who has undertaken an Independent Examination previously.

The accounts have been produced on Xero, where all transactions have been recorded. There are some supporting documents contained within Google sheets, which are ready for review.

It is estimated that the work can be undertaken within 1 week and the examination needs to be completed before the end of October.

We are looking for youth leaders and anti-racism activists to help us mentor the young people on our Activism Academy programme who are striving for racial justice across the UK. Our Activism Academy is a 6-month leadership development programme for young people interested in creating racial justice solutions.

You should be able to demonstrate a commitment to anti-racism or social justice through your past/current experience, either paid or voluntary.

As a volunteer, you would mentor 1 to 3 students for 13 weeks to help them plan and pilot a racial justice activism campaign of their creation.

Dates of commitment: February 2025 - May 2025 (exact schedule in application form)

Volunteer mentors must commit to:

• 4 x 40-minute online mentoring meetings with your mentee.
• Fill out post-session surveys and notes after each mentor session.
• Completing a 30-minute e-learning training to cover our safeguarding guidelines and how to support your mentees best.
• Provide ad-hoc support as and when your mentee needs it.
• Attend the final pitch event on the 10th of May 2025 (optional)

The deadline is 18th October 2024.

An exciting opportunity to volunteer flexibly from home for Shout - a 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. We are looking for empathetic volunteers to join our amazing online community. 

You’ll benefit from:
∙ Vocational development: develop digital mental health skills and experience recognised by universities and colleges and relevant to many professions
∙ Personal development: learn communication, active listening, problem solving skills and crisis management skills
∙ Supporting people who are struggling to cope: help those who have no-one
else to talk to and who really need ‘in the moment’ support
∙ Being part of a pioneering global community: connect with both UK and New Zealand volunteers via a digital hub

We're excited to be recruiting a brand new PR & Communications Specialist to play a vital role in amplifying the mission and activities of The Great Friendship Project, on a voluntary basis.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause, gain hands-on experience in marketing and social media management for a non-profit, and make a positive impact on the lives of young people struggling with loneliness.

Key Responsibilities:

- Media Relations & Outreach: Establish and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Craft press releases, pitch compelling stories, and secure media coverage to enhance the visibility of our organisation and its mission.

- Media Monitoring & Reporting: Track media coverage and social media interactions, monitor public perception, and prepare regular reports to evaluate the effectiveness of our PR activities. Use insights to refine strategies and enhance our communication efforts.

- Collaborative Support: Work closely with the project team and volunteers to ensure that PR efforts are aligned with upcoming events and key organisational milestones. Provide communication support to other team members as needed.

What are we looking for?

• Passionate about the project's mission and committed to making a difference in combating loneliness among young adults.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, well-organised, and able to work independently.
• Ability to analyse data and identify trends to support PR strategy
• Open to constructive feedback and eager to learn and grow in a collaborative environment

What difference will you make?

As a PR & Communications Specialist at The Great Friendship Project, your work will be crucial in amplifying our voice and mission.

The connections you make and the opportunities created will help raise awareness, ensuring that more young people experiencing loneliness can engage with our vital services.

Through your compelling storytelling and content creation, you will play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission to create a more socially connected future for young people both today and in the years to come.

Application Process: To apply for this opportunity, please click apply. You will then be contacted about your interest in the role and asked to answer a few questions about your time commitment, your interest in the role and how your skills align with the role.

The Great Friendship Project is a non-profit community project dedicated to addressing the loneliness epidemic among young adults in their 20s and 30s following the COVID-19 pandemic.

We provide regular online and offline spaces for young adults to make new friendships, build networks of support, and rediscover a sense of community in London.

Role Overview

The Fundraising & Grant Writing Volunteer will be pivotal in bolstering the organisation's efforts to secure essential funding, driving sustainable growth.

In this role, you will be responsible for identifying potential grant sources, including foundations and donors that align with our mission.

You will lead the effort in drafting compelling grant proposals, letters of enquiry, and funding requests to effectively communicate our goals and needs.

Another key aspect of your role will be building and nurturing relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners, fostering strong connections to enhance our funding opportunities.

Finally, you will conduct market research to identify emerging trends and successful fundraising strategies, ensuring we remain ahead in our efforts to secure support.

Role Requirements:

• Commitment to the organisation's purpose and a genuine wish to address the issue of loneliness among young adults.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Acute attention to detail
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Familiar with social media and various digital communication tools.
• Outstanding research skills
• Capability to operate autonomously and collaboratively, whether remotely or on-site.
• Past experience in grant writing and fundraising campaigns is desirable.

Application Process: To apply for this opportunity, please click apply. You will then be contacted about your interest in the role and asked to answer a few questions about your time commitment, your interest in the role and how your skills align with the role.

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

We need volunteers who have expertise in Legal and GDPR matters to help us manage the Branch effectively and within legal limitations. You will get new skills and experience whilst enabling us to help more animals. 

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a legal background, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our Preston & District Branch and support us with GDPR compliance.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.  As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a bi-monthly committee meeting lasting around 2 to 3 hours (virtual meetings are an option). However, the commitment may vary depending on your availability,  and if you decide to take on additional duties.Trustee do not need to live within the branch boundaries but occasional travel to Branch sites may be required from time to time.

About the National RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering. Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Preston & District Branch

Over 80% of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which are run by staff & volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The Preston & District Branch is part of a network of  140  branches, and one of only 8 in the North of England with an animal centre. We are a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area and engaging with the local community. Our mission is to provide safe homes to abandoned, neglected or abused animals, to nurse them back to health, rehabilitate them and find them their forever home.

RSPCA Preston is a well established branch with approximately 20 members of staff and 75 volunteers across 4 locations. The main activity of our branch is providing a rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming centre within the Preston area (close to JCN 31 of the M6). To continue helping animals in need we also operate 3 charity shops in Longridge, Chorley and Penwortham which bring in a regular income to keep our animal centre open. 

Take a look at our website to see a little more about the work we do.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

• Assist the Branch in ensuring that activities are GDPR compliant and reviewing and updating the Branch processing activities register.
• Support the Branch in developing and updating Branch policies, particularly the Branch privacy notice and internal data protection policy, to make sure they are compliant.
• Support the Branch when liaising with external specialist providers such as HR and health and safety specialists. 
• The Branch may occasionally enter into new leases with regards to its charity shops; so, liaising with external specialists for advice if it does not fall under your area of expertise. 
• To assist the Branch when developing new schemes, such as providing welfare assistance to those on low incomes, to ensure any new schemes are GDPR compliant.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

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

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

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

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

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

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected at our AGM.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you there is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch! 

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

Do you have 3 hours a week to have a chat with someone over a cup of tea, help them get to an appointment or run an errand, or just be there to listen when they need a friendly ear. Companion volunteers can be there for someone for exactly these things. 

The Access Project supports pupils from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities. We are looking for individuals with the willingness to coach a young person aged 16-18, online, one hour a month from January 2025 to June 2025 to support them with their skills building.

What’s involved?

•Coach a young person through our key skills building programme, designed to help them  to realise their potential and be ready for their future. These key skills include: communication, problem solving, collaboration and organisation.

•Work with a motivated and ambitious young person, during their future defining years.

•Build transferable skills, experience and knowledge through ongoing training and development as part of the role.

•Students supported by The Access Project are 50% more likely to attend top universities than their comparable peers.

No prior coaching or mentoring experience is necessary, we provide a full comprehensive training and induction programme to help you build the confidence to be the best volunteer you can be.

Interested? You’ll need to:

· Be able to spare one hour a month over the next six months to coach (starting January 2025), plus reasonable preparation time ahead of each session.

· Be prepared to undertake an enhanced DBS check (criminal records check) and provide two references (personal or professional).

How does it work?

1. Sign up on our website.

2. Sign up to any of our 2 hour training sessions over October and November. T, there are various dates so you can find one that suits you: During this session you’ll learn everything you need to know about the skills coaching, our purpose designed programme, and the support you will receive to be the best volunteer you can be.

3. You’ll complete a DBS check (criminal records check) and an online safeguarding course.

4. We’ll propose a ‘smart match’ between you and a young person who will benefit from your experience.

Key tasks include:

· Manage technical aspects of virtual events, to ensure smooth execution.

· Send pre and post event emails using our event platform, EventBrite

· Raise safeguarding concerns using internal processes and procedures

· Maintain confidentiality and follow charity policies and procedures

· Undertake relevant training

Key Objectives Include:

· Manage the technical aspects of virtual events proficiently.

· Represent Mast Cell Action professionally at all times, demonstrating strong communication skills, reliability, and adaptability in a virtual environment.

Experience/skills required:

· Ideally experience as a virtual event tech support, this is not essential as training will be provided

· Proficient with computers

· Proficiency in virtual event platforms such as EventBrite and Zoom, with the ability to troubleshoot technical issues quickly and effectively.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a remote team, demonstrating reliability, flexibility, and professionalism at all times.