Volunteer Roles

Volunteer with us! - New Volunteer Oppportunity in Acorns Children's Hospice Superstore - opening in Tewkesbury!

At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, so most of the care that we provide is funded through fundraising and through our shops.

To help us to continue to provide the care that we do, we are looking for fun and enthusiastic volunteers to join us in our brand new Tewkesbury superstore shop. Our shops are exciting and dynamic, with no two days being the same. From our walk-in customers, to receiving donations, and everything in between.

As a Shop Volunteer with us, you will be:

• Engaging with customers
• Accepting and sorting donated stock
• Pricing donations for sale
• Working on the till

Our shops are open Monday to Saturday (some open on Sundays too) 9am to 5pm.  You can volunteer the hours that suit you, but it would be great if you could support in the shop for at least 3 hours a week.

Why Volunteer at Acorns?

• To help a local charity and make a difference in your local community
• Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
• Enhance your CV by learning new skills and gaining experience
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• Access to free online courses
• Retail discounts
• Invites to social events and participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards

Full training will be provided

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

Responsibilities: 

• Oversee developing and implementing HR policies in line with organisational objectives.

• Support, develop and guide the HR team in achieving monthly targets and deliverables.

• Provide end-to-end leadership and support with all people-related activities within the organisation, such as recruitment, retention, well-being, and engagement.

• Serve as a link between management and staff by handling questions, escalating enquiries, and resolving work-related queries.

• Manage a team of HR Managers and Officers

• Produce reports and surveys for C-Level Executives and Trustees.

This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.

You will have:

• At least six months experience in an HR managerial position or over 3 years of experience in an HR role.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Though we do not require you to be a native English speaker, you must be Fluent in English.

• Ability to work within organisational targets.

• IT Literacy, including Google Suite and Microsoft Office. 

• An understanding of HR-related processes and legislation (such as The Equality Act 2010)

• A CIPD qualification would be advantageous but is not essential depending on relevant experience.

You would be perfect for the role if you are:

• A passionate, people-focused individual not afraid of being ambitious to drive a team and the organisation towards success.
• A creative individual ready to ideate projects to benefit the team and wider organisation.
• A self-starter that can work just as well on their own and within a team.
• An individual who can commit to the organisation and understand the work that comes with being part of an early start non-profit
• Based in the UK. We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Benefits:

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

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

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

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

Our Governance and Advisory Volunteers are key to the running of the Trust. There are four main roles here: Our Trustees, our Council, our National Advisory Groups and our Regional Advisory Groups.

We’re looking for people in these roles who bring expertise and experience. the different groups draw from people with a wide range of background.

You’ll have the opportunity to guide policy and practise within the Trust, guiding the people who ensure the sustainability of the waterways on a daily basis.

You’ll get to volunteer alongside a fantastic network of others from across the team.

Location coverage: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Derby, Derbyshire, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Newark, Northampton, Northamptonshire

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

We are looking to appoint a person who is able to lead the fundraising efforts of our organization.

Key accountabilities:

• Bidding/applying for funding 
• Sponsorship 
• Generating funding to support the operations of the organization 
• To set fundraising targets 
• To build a strong department and develop fundraising policy 
• Team managment 

Requirements 

• To have experience in senior management 
• To have experience in fundraising
• To have experience in the charity sector 
• To be competent with the use of IT, emails, online systems 
• To be able to support a team of fundraising volunteers

United Nations CSO, Centre for Big Synergy, seeks experienced education sector leaders for an SDGs educational initiative

What will you be doing?

The mission of the project is to ensure "No one is left behind'', including the youngest in the society, to fulfil the UN's 2030 Agenda.

CBS is looking for experienced professionals with a wealth of knowledge and wide network within UK schools, academies and colleges. These advisors could be current and recent head teachers, educational trust leaders (CEO/senior management), governors and trustees, local authority leaders (education), and school/college business leaders and relevant senior-level professionals. This UK initiative is part of concurrent initiatives in over fifty other counties across the world.

Specific requirements include;

• Advice on efficient routes to roll out the educational program across UK institutions (state-funded and independent)
• Provide bird's eye view of challenges and opportunities to ensure maximum participation and inclusion of children and young people in the program
• Offer guidance on practical aspects of implementing the program; schedule, convenience, funding etc.
• Facilitate introductions and referrals to schools and colleges (state-funded and independent), MATs and local authorities

• Voluntary Work– out of pocket expenses paid
• 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months
• Based in person in Greenwich

South East London Mind is excited to be recruiting for Connecting Communities volunteers based in person at our site in Greenwich.

Our Connecting Communities service is essential to ensuring that people experiencing poor mental health are supported to gain access to local services within the community. Our Connecting Communities volunteers will be pivotal in researching what services are available within the community and helping to raise awareness of the support that South East London Mind can provide by networking with other organisations within the Greenwich borough. Our volunteers will be a listening ear to people experiencing a difficult time and will be able to signpost them to services to gain the support they need.

Connecting Communities Volunteers can volunteer Monday to Friday between the hours of 10:00-16:00.

We ask that our Connecting Communities Volunteers commit to at least 3 hours a week for a minimum of 6 months. We will accept candidates that can commit to volunteering for 3-4 hours every fortnight for a minimum of 6 months

Essential Skills:

• Good listening and communication skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good IT skills to include: Microsoft Office applications, outlook, ability to navigate websites with ease, and ability to complete online forms
• A patient and compassionate approach, along with the ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner

Benefits:

• Regular training and development opportunities
• Ongoing supervision and support
• An opportunity to be part of a team
• An opportunity to help people within the local community
• Volunteering Week celebrations
• In depth induction training which includes active listening skills, administration skills, mental health awareness, and EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

South East London Mind is committed to the value of diversity, equity of opportunity and elimination of discrimination in all forms. We are passionate about providing the best opportunities for the people we support.

How to apply:
Read the Role Description and Person Specification attached. Download and complete an application form and send back to us.

For an informal chat about this role please call to speak to Rebekah on 0208 8853 8407

We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem. 

About the volunteer role

To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:

• Stock preparation volunteer
• Volunteer shop sales assistant
• Volunteer stock generation assistant
• Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
• Housekeeping volunteer

Key tasks

There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
• Receiving donated items from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
• Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
• Processing sales and serving at the till
• Signing up gift aid donors
• Stock rotation
• Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock

About you

• Passionate about customer servise 
• Good communication skills 
• Friendly and helpful
• Respectful of others and their diversity

Experience & skills you will gain

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Retail experience 
• Stock organisation
• Selling skills 
• Customer service skills 

Our Commitment

We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Foundations is generating and championing actionable evidence that improves services to support family relationships. Could you lead this work as their new Chair?

Location: London

Time commitment: 1-2 days per month

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 19th August

Who we are.

Foundations was formed in December 2022 when The Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) and What Works for Children’s Social Care (WWCSC) formally merged, bringing together two sister organisations with a shared mission to use high-quality evidence to improve the lives of vulnerable children.

Foundations reflects the best of the two previous charities and focuses on providing support at the earliest possible stage, remaining deeply rooted in children’s social care practice. By bringing together the talents of both organisations, they have created a unified new team focused on delivering an exciting new strategy.

Over the next five years, Foundations will prioritise five major themes, with an eye always on generating actionable findings that can shape and improve services. These five areas are:

• Supporting parenting
• Strengthening family networks
• Domestic abuse
• Relationships for care experienced people and the service and practice models that underpin all of this
• Service and practice models

This strategy means that Foundations will make long-term investments to find out what works in these fields, focusing on depth over breadth.

Who we are looking for.

The Chair is central to Foundations’s work. They will lead the Board and Chief Executive to ensure Foundations is a high-impact charity, able to generate and champion actionable evidence that improves services to support family relationships for the most vulnerable children.

Foundations need a chair adept at forming and maintaining positive connections and networks in support of the work. The new Chair will be equally at home in conversation with families and frontline services as with the media, funders, or government.

The Chair needs to nurture a light-process, high-impact culture for an organisation increasingly focused and determined to generate actionable evidence about what works.

Foundations’s Chair will:

• Ensure the charity delivers the strategy that Trustees are committed to and that there is continuity in delivering a high-performance culture.
• Lead Trustees in holding the executive team to account for the charity’s mission, providing support and challenge.
• Act as a spokesperson and ambassador – representing Foundations where needed in meetings with central government officials and Ministers, chairing events and developing relationships with people who can help us achieve our impact.
• Review objectives and key results for the Chief Executive, providing coaching support, feeding back on their performance and leading on Chief Executive recruitment if there is a vacancy.
• Facilitate Trustees to actively participate, share divergent views and reach decisions as part of the organisation’s governance. Ensure that the business of Board committees is performed well by respective committee chairs.
• Chair meetings of the Board so they are conducted efficiently and effectively, ensuring that the charity is properly governed.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its duties to ensure the sound financial health of the charity and that the Board’s performance is best serving the impact Foundations is working to achieve.

The new Chair will have:

• Deep interest and personal commitment to improving the quality of foundational relationships for the most vulnerable children.
• Knowledge of the political and policy context of early intervention and children’s social care.
• Extensive experience successfully leading an organisation in a relevant field, with the ability to share this experience as a coach and mentor.
• Act as a prominent and credible public voice for a field of social policy or research and a persuasive champion for causes.
•  Experience of contributing to a high-performing board and organisational governance, recognising the boundary between the role of trustees and an executive team.
• Understanding of the financial, structural, and people dimensions of leading an organisation and a commitment to a culture of excellent performance.
• Familiarity with What Works Centres and a commitment to high-quality impact evaluations, and the important role of Randomised Controlled Trials.
• Ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders across a wide range of organisations, including government, to secure sustainable funding.
• Demonstrable experience of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 19th August

Easy, you'll provide much needed help for our weekly sessions. This could be welcoming people, setting up session rooms, serving refreshments, playing games and quizzes, supporting people to attend, chatting to people, and making sure they feel comfortable, bits of everything. All the time you will be supported by BCF staff and encouraged to make new friendly relationships with the people we support. We run different sessions Monday to Friday allowing this volunteering to fit around other commitments you may have. 

Job Title: Volunteer Group Assistant 

Location: Bracknell and Wokingham 

Commitment: Once a month, in-person 

Organisation: Support U is a leading LGBTQ+ resource and support service based in the Thames Valley Area. 

Overview: 

We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to assist in the organisation and facilitation of our monthly groups in Bracknell and Wokingham, as well as Pride stalls. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about community engagement and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. 

Key Responsibilities: 

- Support Group Coordination: Assist in setting up and managing the logistics of the running sessions, including registration, warm-ups, and cool-downs. 

- Pride Stalls Coordination: Assist in setting up and managing the logistics of our pride stall, including set-up, participant engagement and break-down. 

- Participant Engagement: Welcome new participants, provide guidance, and ensure everyone feels included and supported during the run. 

- Safety Monitoring: Ensure the safety of all participants by monitoring the event, keeping an eye on the attendees, and being prepared to respond to any incidents or emergencies and report them. 

- Motivation and Encouragement: Foster a positive and motivating environment by being welcoming and friendly. 

- Administrative Support: Assist with basic administrative tasks such as maintaining attendance records, distributing materials, and collecting feedback from participants. 

Qualifications: 

- Passion for LGBTQ+ community support: Enthusiastic about making the world a safes space for LGBTQ+ community 

- Strong Interpersonal Skills: Friendly, approachable, and able to engage with a diverse group of participants. 

- Dependability: Reliable and punctual, with a commitment to attending the monthly sessions. 

- Basic First Aid Knowledge: Preferred but not required. Training will be provided if necessary. 

- Team Player: Able to work collaboratively with other volunteers and group leaders. 

- Local Knowledge: Familiarity with the Bracknell and Wokingham areas is beneficial but not essential. 

Benefits: 

- Community Impact: Make a positive difference in the local community by celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. 

- Networking: Meet new people, make new friends, and connect with like-minded individuals. 

- Skill Development: Gain valuable experience in event coordination, leadership, and community engagement. 

We look forward to welcoming you to our team! 

Join us in making a difference, one step at a time! 

Bristol Hospitality Network works to end the destitution of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. We are looking for Trustees who are passionate about social justice.

What will you be doing?

We want individuals who are passionate about social justice and believe in the right of displaced and persecuted peoples to seek asylum in the UK. Your sense of fairness and empathy is much more important than any professional background you have. In fact, if you are keen to learn and support our staff team in a particular area of our work, we are happy to support you in developing new skills and an understanding of the asylum system in the UK.

If you are new to being a Trustee, we will give you plenty of support and training and there are plenty of resources we can point you to too. 

Our Trustees meet all together 4 times a year (either virtually or in person) for Trustees’ meetings, plus we have an annual general meeting every year.

Our Trustees also take part in sub-groups such as the Finance sub-group, and some take on a governance responsibility like Chair, Treasurer or Secretary, or support an area of work such as hosting or advice or communications etc.

What are we looking for?

Your skills, knowledge and attributes are valuable whatever your background — professional or otherwise. Let us know where your interests lie and what you feel you can bring of yourself to our team. 

We do currently have vacancies for particular Trustee roles such as Company Secretary and we would particularly be thrilled if anyone wanted to support our corporate governance and fundraising workstreams.

What difference will you make?

We estimate there are 100 destitute asylum seekers living in Bristol, caught in the loopholes of the system – unable to work and unable to claim benefits. Without an income, these individuals can’t find accommodation. This is an opportunity for the Trustee to join an organisation which extends solidarity to people seeking asylum and experiencing destitution through accommodation and creative community involvement. By joining us as a Trustee, you will help BHN continue its work in benefit of all its members.

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

We are looking to appoint a volunteer Executive Officer who is committed to supporting the progress and efficiency of our organization. Working closely with the CEO the Executive Officer will carry out various taskings of high importance. The Executive Officer will also focus on directing change in areas of the organization to improve performance and increase productivity as required, further the Executive Officer will help draft general policies and assist in the operational functions of the organization as required. The Executive Officer’s role will be to ensure the organization is working effectively and progressing, and where necessary taking action to address issues or providing operational support where needed.

This role will report directly to the CEO and COO. 

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

What we need!

Youth Advantage UK is seeking a Volunteer to provide support to the HR department. The role reports into the HR Manager and operates on a rotational basis every 6 months to allow  our volunteers to continuously develop. The areas included in the rotation are: 

·    Recruitment

·    Volunteer Relations

·    Learning and Development

·    Administration

We are looking for volunteers who ideally are passionate about Human Resources. We require all volunteers to have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well in a team.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment
Assist with preparing recruitment job packs

Advertising volunteering roles on job boards

Shortlisting candidates

Arranging interviews

Conducting identification checks

Preparing conditional offer letters and sending to candidates

Volunteer Relations

Checking in with new volunteers

Arranging access to systems for new starters

Assisting with making contact with volunteers that are absent

Responding to volunteers queries

Learning and Development

Arranging set training sessions with volunteers

Arranging new training sessions with volunteers

Finding topics that is relevant to the organisation that can increase development

Finding and distributing information on free webinars

Administration

Maintain and update employee records

Setting up templates for the teams to use

Drafting contracts to be issued

Support the HR department with day-to-day administrative tasks..

Assist with HR projects and initiatives as assigned.

Requirement for the role:

• Excellent writing and communication skills.

• IT literacy with own equipment (laptop and phone)

• Ability to work well in a team.

• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.

• Passionate for personal development

• Previous volunteering experience or experience in any kind of start up

• Right to volunteer in the UK

We are lookinfgfor Tin Coordinator in Ledbury 

Tin Coordinators are responsible for placing, collecting and replacing collection tins in their local area. This involves going into local businesses (e.g. shops, restaurants, bars) that already have our collection tins approximately every six months to check if the tin is full and replacing it with a new one. Additionally, we would like you to continually be on the look out for new venues who may be willing to have a tin. You know your local area best so are perfectly placed to find new venues! 

How much time will it take?

Being a Collection Tin Coordinator is a flexible role and requires relatively low commitment. You can place tins whilst out and about walking, socialising, and running your regular errands. Each tin can stay at a location for at least six months before it will need replacing, and you will only be asked to work with tins in your local area so there is no travelling time. 

Am I right for the job? 

Responsible? There are forms to be filled in and procedures to be followed when handling money 

Trustworthy? The money collected needs to be safely brought back to Acorns 

Confident? You must be prepared to go into all sorts of establishments to request tin placements 

Friendly? You will be representing Acorns in the local community 

 Why volunteer at Acorns?

 To help a local charity 

To make a difference in your local community 

To connect with likeminded people and make new friends 

Boost your CV

 Opportunities to progress to other roles 

All training will be provided