Voluntary Volunteer Roles

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.

Refugee Support Devon aims to create a community where refugees can achieve their full potential and be treated as equal members of society. We support refugees and their families by providing the protection they need, aiding in their successful settlement within the local community, and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and respect.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Trustees at Refugee Support Devon. As Chair, you will have a unique chance to champion the charity’s mission to support and empower refugees and asylum seekers as they rebuild their lives.

What will you be doing?

The Chair leads the board of trustees, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the manager. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Time Commitment is estimated as equivalent to 2-4 days per month.

What are we looking for? 

• Experience of being a trustee or a CEO. (You do not need to have been a Chair before) 
• A keen sense of strategic purpose. 
• An inclusive leadership style: able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. 
• The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. 
• An understanding of issues facing refugees and asylum seekers. 
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 
• Be responsive. As a small charity, things sometimes ‘come up’ that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to. It is very helpful to have a Chair who is available and responsive.

What difference will you make?

"RSD has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Exeter and across the county for over 20 years and has built a community of committed, dedicated staff, volunteers and community supporters. We are all proud of the essential work that we continue to deliver, to support some of the most vulnerable in our community. A new Chair would bring fresh perspectives to the Board’s strategy." - Current RSD Chair, Jenny Longford

How to Apply

Reach Volunteering are supporting Refugee Support Devon with their Board recruitment. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills would add value to the board. 

About Us 

Aston-Mansfield has held a special place in the community of Newham and East London since 1884. In the past 140 years we have grown, merged, evolved; however, our vision to see more children, young people and families in our community leading happy healthy lives, realising their potential and unlocking their ambition is unwavering.

Using an integrated and community focused approach we make long-lasting change, offering opportunity, community and inspiration to children, young people and families in Newham and East London. We do this through our programmes for children and young people, our community heath and wellbeing work, and our community centres. 

About The Role 

The Chair the Board of Aston Mansfield provides independent and inclusive leadership to the executive team and Trustees to ensure we continue serving our community as our community evolves. This is an exciting time for our charity, having come to the end of a major strategic project, we are looking for inspiriting leadership to support our refocus on our services. We have a professional, knowledgeable, and committed board of trustees, and are continuously striving to ensure our board of trustees reflects the demographics of Newham and neighbouring communities, and the lived experience of our communities. Our next Chair will continually support the development of our board as well as guide the strategic direction of Aston-Mansfield.

Requirements/Person Specification

• Local knowledge of the communities we support
• Knowledge of how charities operate, including charity governance, securing funding, developing income streams, theory of change
• Leadership experience to facilitate conversation on complex issues, provide support and guidance to the executive team, and develop current and future trustees

How To Apply

Eastside People is supporting Aston-Mansfield in the recruitment for this role. To apply please submit your CV and covering letter. This role is open to current Trustees and external applicants. 

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why are you interested in a Chair role, and why with Aston-Mansfield? 
• How can you contribute to Aston-Mansfield as our Chair? 

Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the role description and person specification.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is Monday 14th October with online shortlisting interviews taking place that week. Competency-based interviews will take place with Eastside People throughout the live recruitment period and until Wednesday 16th October.

Eastside People are fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and work with our clients to ensure that we recruit inclusively, seeking to address the underrepresentation of some groups of people in leadership teams. 

Job Title: Casual Education Officer 

Location: RHS Garden Wisley

Salary: £13.50 per hour

Hours:   Casual hours, 6 hour shifts, a minimum of 3 days a month

Contract: Casual Contract

Overview of the Role: 

We are looking to recruit a Casual Education Officer to join our supportive and friendly team. As a Casual Education Officer you will be supporting the delivery of our engaging Education programme for school children, teachers and others with an interest in horticulture and the environment.

To work for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to join a thriving charity, whose mission is to be there for everyone on their lifelong adventure with gardening. Everything we do is built on the transformational power of gardening – and the benefits it brings to people, places and our planet.

And we couldn’t do this without our people. We’re proud of the knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas that each one of our team members brings. From working across our social media channels, to volunteering in the RHS Gardens, from serving customers in our garden centres to running national marketing campaigns, we believe that every member of the RHS team should have the opportunity to make a difference.  Our careers portal here provides a comprehensive overview of what we offer, the teams that work at the RHS and our great benefits.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

The RHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all personnel to share in this commitment. We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

We may review applications as soon as we receive then so if you see a vacancy that you are interested in, please apply straight away as the vacancy will be closed as soon as we hire the right candidate. If you require any additional support with making your application, please contact Sharon Ellis please ensure to include the job title or job reference number REQ (found at the top of the advert) when emailing.

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.

Oxfam's Porthmadog Shop is looking for Volunteers to help Oxfam’s fight to support the world’s most vulnerable communities.

We’re looking for volunteers who can give 4-8 hours (or more!) of their time in the shop each week, and we’re excited to welcome brand new volunteers to our stores!

Right now, we're looking for volunteers to help out on Monday mornings and Fridays, but we have spaces across the week!

Location: 10 Lombard Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9AP

Become a volunteer!

We like to give volunteers an opportunity to try a range of areas before they find something that suits them. You might become a Shop Volunteer, Bookshop Volunteer or Music Shop Volunteer. Or, you might find yourself in a more specialist role such as a Social Media Volunteer, Online Shop Volunteer, Admin/Finance Support Volunteer, or even a Lead Volunteer.

Whatever your skills or interests, there’s something for everyone…

Why be a volunteer?

Your time will make a huge difference. We estimate one four-hour shift will, on average, provide enough income to enable Oxfam to provide life-saving handwashing facilities for 81 people.

Volunteering also has a positive impact on wellbeing, with an incredible 7 in 10 volunteers saying that their charitable actions were beneficial for their mental health.

Benefits of becoming a Volunteer:

· Gain genuine experience working in a retail environment.

· Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience, and develop your CV.

· Great way to meet new people & be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.

· Be part of a fantastic team and make a positive change to the world.

· Opportunity to utilise and develop your transferable skills.

Volunteering with Oxfam will give you the skills, confidence and experience you need to build your CV and boost your employability. Problem solving, communication, working with others and familiarity with the workplace are universally valued by employers.

No experience is necessary as full training and an induction will be given. You don't need to be computer literate to join our team; there are volunteer opportunities for all. All we ask is that you’re happy to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

We can be flexible around parenting, caring, health, employment, education, and any other commitments you have.

Tempted? Apply now!

Oxfam covers expenses incurred in line with Oxfam’s Volunteer Expenses Policy, including local, reasonable travel expenses and lunch (for volunteering 5 hours +).’

· We take the welfare of volunteers and everyone we work with very seriously. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, abuse of power, or any sexual misconduct within the workplace.

· Oxfam do not accept applications from anyone on the Sex Offenders list. We may inquire about unspent convictions relevant to the role and you may be required to submit to PVG/DBS check (at no expense to you).

· *NB: due to the current capacity of some shops, it may be that you will be placed on a waiting list and/or, if you are under 18, until a shop has enough staff and/or volunteers DBS cleared. The Shop Manager will discuss this with you.

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

Salary: Unremunerated (travel expenses will be reimbursed)
Reporting To: Chair of Help Musicians
Location: London, with occasional attendance of meetings outside London required
Contract and hours: A 14-day time commitment per year is expected, which includes attendance at the charity’s AGM, 4 Board meetings a year (including a two-day event) and further meetings and events, some of which will be held outside London

About Us 

Help Musicians and sister charity Music Minds Matter are powered by a love of music, which is why they empower and support those who create it and make it happen.

For over 100 years, Help Musicians has been working hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians across the UK. In a precarious profession often filled with ups and downs, opportunities are hard-won whilst challenges come along all too easily, with unsteady income and physical and mental health concerns common issues. Help Musicians offers a broad range of help to support music creators in times of crisis and opportunity — ensuring musicians across the UK can achieve their creative potential and sustain a career in music.

Music Minds Matter, puts mental wellbeing centre stage in music. It works proactively to help prevent mental health crises, providing everybody who works in music with the early support, knowledge and tools they need, at exactly the time they need them.

About the role 

Trustees of Help Musicians are responsible for directing the affairs of the charities and ensuring they are delivering against their missions, are well – run and are acting in accordance with their charitable objectives. 

We are now searching for new Trustees to join our Board in 2025 to help us to continue to ensure that those working in music can thrive. 

Music has diversity at its heart and as a national charity, we strive to ensure our Board represents the range of individuals we are here to help. We therefore would like to encourage applications from women and people from under-represented communities.

About you 

We’re looking for dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds, who care deeply about music, our vision for the future and who have the appropriate time to commit to the organisation. 

Our Trustees play a vital role in helping to grow our impact and securing the success of the organisation for decades to come. You will therefore bring curiosity and constructive challenge to support the Executive in defining future strategy and helping to advocate for the charity within their networks and beyond. 

You will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to operate effectively within a team and to confidently contribute at board meetings. It would be helpful if you have previous experience of charity governance.

How do I apply? 

Please send your CV and response to the following questions to recruitment@​helpmusicians.​org.​uk by the deadline of Wednesday 16 October at 9am.

Please tell us:

• Why you are applying for the role of Trustee at Help Musicians and how you will help the charity achieve its diversity aims. (500 words maximum)
• What specific skills and experience will you bring to the charity which you feel is most relevant to the role of Trustee? (500 words maximum)

Interviews by the charity’s Nominations Committee are expected to take place in mid to late November 2024. Please indicate any time you are NOT available for interview to our recruitment team when emailing us your application.

What will I be doing? You will be supporting JDRF UK (soon to be Breakthrough T1D)’s Content Team with the creation of content about the research our charity funds. The Content Team creates website and social media content about type 1 diabetes, its management, and research to prevent, treat and cure it. While the wider team covers the information and support the charity provides about type 1 diabetes, your role will be specific to content related to science and research.

Suggested activities include:

• Drafting lay-friendly summaries of our research projects.
• Designing social media assets using a variety of tools.
• Writing social media copy for research-related social posts. Scheduling social media posts.
• Drafting blog posts about science and research relating to type 1 diabetes.
• Auditing and editing website content.
• Other support for the wider team as needed.

How will this benefit JDRF/Breakthrough T1D? Your support will help make our research accessible to a wide audience. This raises the profile of JDRF/Breakthrough T1D and our research, while giving people living with type 1 diabetes hope for an improved quality of life. Your work will help to raise vital funds to continue this research to improve the lives of people living with type 1, supporting our mission to develop better treatments, and work towards a future free from type 1 diabetes.

How will this benefit me? This role provides a unique and sought-after opportunity to work within the charity sector in research communications. It will give you the chance to:

• Develop new, or utilise existing, skills in explaining, simplifying and summarising scientific concepts for a lay audience.
• Gain valuable insight and experience in research communications in the third sector.
• Increase knowledge of research funding processes and grant proposals.
• Learn how to use social media scheduling and content creation tools.
• Improve skills in collaborating with team members.

When do you need me? Minimum 3.5 hours a week, starting as soon as possible. Hours will be discussed at interview.

Where is this role based? JDRF UK Head Office in Islington, London, with the possibility of home working.

What training will I receive? You’ll receive training on social media scheduling and content creation tools as well as our content management system (website platform). You will also have full support from the Research Communications Lead to write engaging and informative research content.

What are my goals? Keep up to date with new research funded by JDRF/Breakthrough T1D and prepare summaries of new research projects. Identify key aspects of the research projects of interest to people living with type 1 diabetes. Use these insights to create appropriate social media assets and copy to share the summaries on our social media platforms.

What skills and attributes do I need?

• A background in life sciences.
• An interest in and basic knowledge of healthcare.
• Good communication skills.
• IT skills.
• Accurate attention to detail.

What support is available to me? You will have a named staff contact based in the office who will lead your training in social media scheduling and content creation tools and provide ongoing support. You’ll have regular check-ins with them about your role, and the Volunteer Team will also be available to you for any support outside of the day-to-day activities of your role.

Sounds great! How do I get involved? If you’re interested in applying, you’ll need to send your CV and a covering letter highlighting your experience and knowledge of the specific skills required. Once we receive these, those shortlisted for the role will be invited for an informal interview, which will give us the opportunity to ask you a couple of questions and give you the opportunity to ask us questions too. We want to make sure that this is the right role for you and that you’ll be happy providing this support.

Refugees are people and not victims, and this is a weird job ad not a normal one. 

In Second Tree, people have always grown in the team, building skills within the organisation. It was like this when we started as four volunteers, and it is now that we are a team of 20-25 – many having been here for years – managing several projects in refugee camps in Greece and training institutions and organisations in more than 20 countries.

BUT we have been awarded the project that we’ve always dreamed of. In it we have put all our ideas on how to change the humanitarian world and refugee reception systems (yes: a very unambitious project!). So, we thought: we will need more people, with a large array of skills; people who share our objective and ethical commitment and, maybe, feel unhappy with what they are doing now?

We can offer an enormous amount of work (but for something really meaningful) for a very small salary (but the same as the CEO and all of top management).

So, if you are a disillusioned humanitarian, who is looking for a place that really cares; or you work in another sector and want to start helping, this might be for you.

YOU

We are looking for someone who has:

• Intelligence: You have changed your mind and made someone else change their mind, through rational conversations, at least once in the last two weeks.

• Honesty: There is nothing you wouldn't say, except the things you say you wouldn't say. If you mess up, you say so. If someone else messes up, you say so too.

• Engagement: When you read the Wikipedia entry for Aumann's Agreement Theorem you get excited. You don’t want to “be yourself”, and you will try to improve us.

• Ethical drive: You have decided (no matter how recently) that it’s not about what you’re good at or what you like to do, but about what is right to do.

• Sense of humour: You are ruthless. You are fine offending and being offended.

US

Second Tree was founded by a group of volunteers working together in one of the worst refugee camps in Europe. Some lived in the camp, some did not. From the beginning, we realised that making such a distinction – even with good intentions – “othered”, victimised, refugees. At the time we didn’t know that this was called community engagement, we just knew that we were building a community. 

More than 8 years later. Second Tree has kept the same ethos, and has turned it into a community engagement model, a policy, and a package of training programmes for local authorities, international institutions and civil society organisations. 

We still work in the refugee camps in Greece, our root and innovation lab, where we keep learning and develop new ideas. But now we also advocate – through writing, public speaking and advocacy – for a humanitarian world and a reception system that doesn’t see refugees as victims.

Ultimately, spreading this philosophy is what Second Tree has specialised in: having trained international institutions, local public authorities and civil society organisations in more than 20 countries. It is also the basis of the Project we are recruiting for.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The community engagement model that we have developed is called simply “Refugees Are People”, or RAP. Because, too often, in the humanitarian world and in the reception systems in Europe, refugees are not perceived and treated as people, but as victims. 

People that you need to protect, because of their vulnerability, or celebrate because of their heroism, or avoid upsetting because of the culture they are trapped into. This depiction is often used by NGOs, activists, academia, and individuals to foster support, highlight injustice and counter anti-refugee sentiment. However, despite being well-intentioned, it undermines and disempowers refugees in a similar way to how the opposite form of “othering” (perceiving refugees as invaders, thieves, etc) do. 

At Second Tree, we put significant effort into countering these victimising sentiments. It’s not easy. We all carry biases within us, and committing to this belief requires constant discussion and self-reflection.  We don’t assume people’s trauma, heroism or culture, and therefore we don’t patronise, romanticise or stereotype. Instead, we view everyone, refugees and non-refugees alike, with CARE: as Capable, Accountable, Reasonable, in one word, Equal. 

It means engaging intellectually, disagreeing, joking with refugees as you would with other people, and holding them to the same standards – not lower, not higher – as anyone else. This, the practising of joint responsibility and the same high expectations for everyone involved, is how Second Tree has managed to build strong communities. 

THE PROJECT

We’ve put into this project all of the things we’ve always wanted to do. And now that it has been approved, we have to do those amazing things! It is the continuation, but with a significant expansion in both scope and depth, of a previous project, co-funded by the European Commission. We are leading a consortium of 17 partners, plus 7 associated partners, in 11 countries, 7 municipalities, and 4 academic institutions across a 3-year timeline. 

Our community building training will provide the foundation for the creation of integration task forces in 12 territories in Europe, being the instrument through which municipalities gain relationships of trust with migrant communities. A community monitoring system developed for OSCE by a professor in our network will be implemented in the territories as a sustainability tool for the Task Forces.

There’s another component that is very exciting: the Transnational Research. One of the important features of our model is that we develop relationships with people and maintain them even after they leave Greece. We have a huge number of friends and former Second Tree students scattered across many different countries. Each of these people has seen and been able to compare the integration systems of at least two European countries, knowledge that is completely untapped by States and European institutions. 40 of them will be hired as refugee co-researchers, and will be trained by the universities in the project to interview the others. They will then analyse the data, collect that knowledge into a working paper, and present the results of their action research. By the project’s conclusion, this network of 200 refugees will be formalised into a refugee-led association in Brussels, using the findings of their research to drive advocacy and lobbying efforts for policy change at EU level.

See the roles we envisage for the project attached.

The Merchant’s House Gift Shop, located on Marlborough High Street within a beautifully preserved 17th century historic house and museum, is looking for a new shop director to help lead our small, dedicated team in this well-loved gift shop  – famed for its beautiful Christmas Room.

The Shop was established 30 years ago and is run by a subsidiary trading company (The Merchant’s House Trading Ltd) - wholly owned by The Merchant’s House Trust. The shop is a key revenue generator for the Trust’s activities, donating its profits back to the trust. It has a small number of paid staff (including the Shop Manager) as well as volunteer workers.

What we are looking for

We are seeking a volunteer Shop Director to join the small board of company directors for The Merchant’s House Trading Ltd. We are looking for an individual with relevant retail experience who can help us ensure the shop is well managed, commercially successful and supports the visitor experience in this beautiful, unique and culturally significant building. This is an unpaid position.

The Merchant’s House is embarking on an exciting new phase as we embed our new strategic plan, having opened for full visitor access for the first time in 2024. As we embark on a new phase, we need to breath fresh life into our shop and ensure it is both commercially viable and supports the overall visitor experience to the historic house.

The role

· To provide leadership and operational governance of the shop, setting objectives and targets and ensuring successful commercial performance.

· To line manage the Shop Manager and Assistant Manager.

· To work closely with the Trust to ensure that the shop is aligned to overall strategy, supporting the goals of the trust and enhancing the visitor experience to the House.

The Merchant’s House is embarking on an exciting new phase as we embed our new strategic plan, having opened for full visitor access for the first time in 2024. As the Merchant’s House looks to expand its work and programmes with improved visitor experiences, education, and events, we are seeking to enhance our board.

We are seeking two additional trustees who can bring experience in the following specific areas:

1) A trustee with practical experience and knowledge of the Museum or Heritage sector, to help guide our work to process our collections, improve interpretation and visitor experience, seek grant funding, and achieve Museum Accreditation. This Trustee will also sit on our Heritage Committee.

2) A trustee with retail or visitor services experience, to help guide direction for our gift shop, located in the ground floor of the House and a vital part of our revenue generation. As we embark on a new phase of visitor access, we need to breathe fresh life into our shop and ensure it is both commercially viable and supports the overall visitor experience to the historic house. This Trustee will also be a director of our Limited Trading Company.

Role on Trustee board:

· To oversee the strategic development and growth of the charity in line with its aims and objectives.

· To take an active lead in your agreed areas, agreeing short and long term objectives and ensuring the delivery of results.

· To be part of the Museum’s active management, working with other trustees and paid staff, running the museum as a business.

· To work effectively with other Trustees, employees and volunteers to improve the Trust’s operations and activities.