Volunteer Roles

Join our team of 600+ volunteers at Hestia. Volunteers are at the heart of everything that we do at Hestia, alongside the people we support.

We make a difference every day, helping people to live a life beyond crisis. The time you give as a volunteer will support more than 18,500 adults and children across London and southeast. We couldn’t do it without our volunteers.

Volunteering at Hestia is a vital part of our organisation with individuals from all walks of life sharing their experience, expertise, and knowledge. Get involved today with opportunities to learn, develop, and make a difference!

What you will be doing

• To help with the day to day running of the Children & Family Service
• To assist organising and facilitating activities and outings with the Children and Family Worker
• To use a range of skills and tools to make sessions interesting and fun for a range of ages
• To create timetables, posters, maps and instructions for residents
• To offer general admin help: typing, taking meeting minutes, filing and scanning documents
• To develop positive relationships with the children and women
• To gather ideas, suggestions from families, plan, collaborate and create a timetable of activities and sessions. To involve women and children in the planning and designing of activities
• To support in providing or purchasing resources for activities

The skills you need

• Experience working with children/childcare/play-work experience - gained formally or informally
• Willingness to learn about domestic abuse and its impact on children and women
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to work with women and children as a family unit

What's in it for you

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

Howami Limited

Howami is an immersive menstrual wellness app for teens.

Howami addresses the growing mental health risks for young women, low menstrual literacy, and persistent period stigma. The World Health Organization’s 2023 Menstrual Health report highlights the global need for improved menstrual literacy and awareness. This report emphasizes the importance of education about menstruation and creating positive norms. Our innovation leverages advanced gaming technology for therapeutic outcomes, aiming to counteract the negative effects of social media by promoting embodiment and self-awareness.

Howami is an innovative mobile application designed to help young menstruating individuals engage with their menstrual cycle and emotions through the use of advanced game design technology, CGI visuals, and a fluid, gesture-controlled interface. Our mission is to combat the mental health crisis affecting young women, a crisis exacerbated by unhealthy social media usage, lack of menstrual literacy, and persistent period stigma. Our app provides a safe, healthy, and non-exploitative platform tailored to the needs of young people.

Grant Writing Expert

Role Description: We currently have one of our founders on this within Howami. However we would love to invite someone onboard to support this process. Specific history in writing applications, and knowledge of the NHS would be an advantage. You would be working alongside Dan, who has already completed a few applications like 'Women in Innovation' with innovate UK, and 'Enterprising Women' with Set Squared, but there are some extremely exciting but very in-depth deadlines ahead we would be so grateful for help with.
Thank You so much for your time and helping birth this essential work in the world.

Volunteer 4-6 hours per week for 1-2 months remotely.

Citizen Coaching and Counselling

Placement Counsellor Volunteer 2024-5

We are seeking up to 8 x Volunteer placement counsellors to start in October 2024 to join our team of 50 therapists and volunteers in Birmingham. Based at Zellig Building next to the Custard Factory in Digbeth B9 4AT.

Apllication checklist when applying you need to include 3 things;

1. CV upload- even if basic, we are interested in what you did prior to studying to be a cousnellor

2. Covering letter

3. Completion of the questions, presented online as your application progresses

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KEY DATES

Applications close Friday 2nd August 2024 at 5pm

Notification of interview day by email Monday 5th August 2024

Attend an interview day on Thursday 29th August 2024 (in person) either 10-1pm or 1-4pm

Induction day for successful candidates is on Thursday 3rd October 2024 10-4pm.

Application & Selection Process

Volunteer Counsellors and Counsellors in training can apply by completing our application form (and other attachments) and sending it back to us.

We operate a policy of non-­discrimination.

Applicants will need to:

• Be in the second year of their Level 4 or 5 Qualification or on a Master’s level or specialist course for children and young people counselling or already qualified but looking to restart cousnelling after a break from the profession
• Complete our application form (and attachments) and return to us as instructed.

Following application there is a selection process. Successful applicants will be asked to:

• Attend an interview day on Thursday 29th August 2024 (in person) either 10-1pm or 1-4pm
• This will include a short group exercise, interview, a piece of written work and a psychometric profile.
• The recruitment panel for the interview will comprise of 2-­‐3 people one of which will be the Clinical Lead / Chief Executive Officer.
• Supply copies of any certificates or diplomas they have already completed which relate to their counselling and bring ID

Following the interview selected applicants will be 

Be asked to complete an induction day training on Thursday 3rd October 2024 10-4pm.

• Provide a DBS We can provide one if you do not currently have a portable one.
• Be offered a placement subject to satisfactory completion of the induction process
• Placements are completed in 10-2 or 2-5pm slots Monday to Friday. 
• Placement counselling sessions are delivered in person, face to face at our Zellig based Counselling Centre. We do not allow placement counsellors to work online. 

Benefits for Volunteers

• Placements counsellors can get up to a £500 contribution to their supervision costs by seeing 10 clients in the year. This can be spent with any of the 15 independent supervisors working at our centre.
• Counsellors are assigned clients according to their level of experience and specialisms (following client assessment and careful consideration by our senior counsellors and Clinical Lead).
• The opportunity to accrue counselling, supervision and training hours that will count towards course requirements as well as BACP
• Supportive consultation with the Clinical Lead (see above).
• Annual appraisal
• Our best efforts to proper integration into the team
• Access to extra training as required
• Induction into relevant office procedures
• Honest professional references, should they be required
• To attend team meetings
• Potential opportunities for paid work once qualified.
• Although, not guaranteed, many of our volunteers have gone on to become accredited counsellors who are paid employees or sessional workers at the end of their placement.

Counsellors are required:

• To work within our policies and procedures and BACP
• To maintain a caseload of 2-5 clients a week.This can increase as you progress.
• See clients aged 18+ (unless on a Young People’s qualification) for short term (6 sessions) and longer-term counselling (over 6 sessions).
• To have regular supervision with a supervisor approved by us, agreed by your course provider and financed by yourself- see above for details of accessing free supervision.
• To rebook client sessions. If you need to cancel sessions with clients, unless you are unwell, you will be expected to remake these appointments
• To maintain client details and notes on our system.
• To meet regularly with the Clinical Lead.
• To report any client risk to the clinical lead or in his/her absence, CEO Martin Hogg on mobile
• If something goes wrong with your placement or you are unhappy with any aspect of Volunteering inform us at the earliest ocassion
• To attend casework supervision sessions as per requirements.
• To keep to time commitments as far as is reasonable and to inform the office of any impending lateness or sickness
• To ensure that counselling sessions are booked within our timeline
• Upon leaving the organisation, all counsellors should seek to ‘wind down’ their caseload, reaching planned endings with as many clients as possible. Any others should be transferred to another counsellor in a sensitive and professional

Applications close Friday 2nd August 2024 at 5pm

No agencies or advertisers please.

Application Instructions

Please read the vacancy information to ensure you can attend the interview dates and the induction date if successful.
Placements are only available  in person (not online) on Monday to Friday 10-5pm for your first 50 hours. 

Please note you need to supply CV, covering letter and a completed 'volunteer applicant questions' word document.

The board is now looking to appoint a new trustee to join us and help steer the sport through to the LA28 Paralympic Games and beyond. This follows the departure of our longest-serving board member at the end of her third term, and the current GFC chair stepping into her role of senior independent director. This new appointee will have responsibility at board level for matters relating to finance and governance.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

Trustee - Neurotastic Board

Neorotastic Board is a new charity, particularly interested in Trustees with a professional background in public health, medical or children’s literature. It is also looking for experience in governance, quality assurance and risk management.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement 

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)
• Willingness to learn (full training provided)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

About Upendo Tena Initiative

Upendo Tena Initiative was set up in 2019 and officially registered as a National NGO in Kenya in 2023. We aim to enhance gender equality, to combat child exploitation and to raise awareness of mental health and well-being throughout Kenya, whilst supporting children to understand and access their fundamental human rights. Gender-based violence, inequality, trafficking & exploitation, harmful cultural practices, poor mental health, and a lack of trauma-informed support, continue to be significant concerns facing children and young people.

Our innovative hands-on workshop programme is delivered in a variety of settings across Kenya, including in both primary and secondary schools, in children’s rescue centres and in provisions for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Our workshop sessions are tailored to the particular needs of the community/group of children and young people. We have adapted our programme to specifically meet the needs of those with additional needs and/or disabilities to ensure that our programme is accessible. We also adapt our topics and area of focus depending on the identified gaps and needs that arise in individual counties and communities.

We currently work with children and young people from the age of 8 – 21, or up to the age of 25 for young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

You can read more about our work on our website.

Additionally, our LinkedIn and social media platform can be found: @upendotena

Role description:

As an NGO we are able to reach numerous children, young people and communities each year through our bespoke workshop programmes, thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. As a small NGO, we are hoping to build a network of fundraising volunteers, where each volunteer can put their individual expertise to use and can also develop new skills and experience.

The fundraising remit is quite wide and so we can be flexible regarding how volunteers would like to provide support. Our fundraising volunteers can have the exciting and varied role of helping plan and deliver local fundraising events to raise the vital funds needed to expand the reach of our workshop programmes. There is also the opportunity for fundraising volunteers to develop fundraising strategies and take a lead on grant proposals and applying for funding, if this is an area of interest. We welcome any knowledge of the fundraising sector within our team!

What are some of the things we are looking support with?

· Planning fundraising events and activities such as; cake sales, summer/winter fetes, quizzes, raffles, clothes swaps, car boot sales, disco’s/parties, sporting activities (e.g sponsored bike rides or marathons), games nights, auctions etc. Any ideas you have would be very much encouraged and appreciated.

· Contacting businesses and organisations that may be willing to donate (monetary, physical or systems based donations).

· Contacting nurseries, schools, colleges or other businesses and organisations to raise awareness of the work of Upendo Tena Initiative and ask them if they would be interested in hosting/partaking in fundraising activities for us.

· Researching for any upcoming grants or funding opportunities that Upendo Tena Initiative may be eligible to apply for.

· Supporting with the applications for relevant grants and funding opportunities.

· Providing the treasurer with information on funds raised from fundraising events etc.

· Promoting the work and values of Upendo Tena Initiative.

· Following both internal and external policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for any fundraising events.

What are the benefits?

· A chance to be part of a small start up NGO with the opportunity to shape the direction of the fundraising team.

· Join a vibrant and passionate team.

· Meet new people and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers.

· Develop new skills and expand your knowledge.

· Regular 1:1’s and support from one of our Board Members.

· Training opportunities.

What are we looking for in a Fundraising Volunteer?

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

· Team player.

· Willingness to learn.

· Openness, honesty and transparency.

· Experience or interest in organising events and/or applying for funding opportunities.

· Strong admin, IT and organisational skills.

· Confident and able to work on one’s own initiative but within an agreed brief as part of a team.

· Reliable and dependable.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement 

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)
• Willingness to lean (training provided)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

Lewisham Primary Care Recovery Service (PCRS) provides a drug and alcohol treatment recovery-orientated service, offering medication assisted treatment alongside psychosocial interventions for people living in Lewisham.

This volunteer role recognises the benefits of peer support for people wanting to make changes to their substance use. Peer support involves people drawing on shared personal experience to provide knowledge, social interaction, emotional assistance, or practical help.

As part of this new project, a buddying and escorting system, and telephone check-in service will be set up.  The project will work closely with Lewisham Experts by Experience Network.

Volunteer Buddies will draw on their own experience, and the skills and insight gained by that lived experience, to relate, communicate, engage and support assigned service users.

There will be a training package that will precede starting the role.

Details of the role:

· Offering peer support through being ‘buddied’ with one or two people at any one time.  For example by:

- Providing one-to-one support for people facing disadvantage, to better understand own needs and the community support services available to them.

- Supporting to re-integrate into the community, for example by helping to research and access activities

- Accompanying to appointments or activities (following relevant policies and procedures)

- Speaking with people via the telephone check-in service

· Generally speaking positively about recovery with service users and supporting them

· Signposting to other activity / support the service and partners offer

· Liaising with staff and service users to gain feedback about the service which helps inform decisions and support

· Complying with Humankind policies and procedures, including service and local Safeguarding Procedures, General Data Protection Requirements and Health & Safety

Location: Depending on the aspects of the role you wish to be involved with the location may vary, but it will be based at our site in Forrest Hill.

Timings:  The timings will be flexible and we aim to work around volunteers’ availability, we just ask that you are able to be consistent.

Training: This role will involve specific training, and volunteers will be asked to complete some online training modules, as well as having access to a wide range of other training via our platform, Learningkind;

We would love you to bring to this role:

· Lived experience of disadvantage which may include both personal and/or as family and/or careers

· Knowledge and/or experience of using support services, including recovery support, support for family and carers

· Good self-awareness in relation to own recovery and emotional and psychological wellbeing

· Experience of providing one-to-one or peer support to people, either paid or voluntary

· Ability to work well with others, building relationships and listening to different points of view

· Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to empathise

· Willingness to learn new skills, knowledge, and practices.

· Basic IT skills – we can help you to build on these

· Willingness to attend and complete relevant training

· To take part in supervisions and reflective practice with supervisor

What volunteers can expect from us:

· Full training in line with the role description

· Regular supervision and support

· Induction and access to online and face to face training

· To feel part of a team and the wider Humankind organisation

· Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey

· Opportunities to progress and experience other areas of Humankind's work in the region

We are a small, friendly, experienced board seeking additional trustees who bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, who broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. Our trustees play a vital role in ensuring that Power to Connect achieves its core purpose. They oversee the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring effective management and alignment with our vision.

We are particularly interested in candidates with the following experience, though we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to support our work:

- Charity fundraising experience

- Outreach and communications experience

- Business Development Experience

- Charity management or governance experience, either through a previous trustee role or as a senior leader in a relevant charity

DUTIES

- Help set Power to Connects purpose, vision, goals and activities.

- Provide creative and innovative ideas and input into forward planning.

- Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

- Provide oversight and scrutiny of financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

- Identify, monitor, and control key risks.

- Stay informed about changes in the operating environment.

- Contribute to regular reviews of the charity’s governance.

- Attend monthly board calls, prepared to contribute to discussions.

- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect the charity’s interests, excluding personal or third-party interests.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

- Passion for our cause

- Willingness and ability to understand and accept responsibilities and liabilities as trustees

- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good judgment, and work effectively as a board member.

- Effective communication skills and active participation in discussions

- Strong personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

- Strong networking capabilities that benefit the charity

- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities with all stakeholders, including staff and volunteers

- Personal gravitas and ability to influence

- Willingness to devote necessary time and effort to fulfil the role effectively

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.