Remote Volunteer Roles

Eco-Stylist

We are a go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands.

The fashion industry has a massive sustainability problem: less than 5% of clothing makers earn a living wage, 60% of clothes are made from fossil fuel based fabrics like polyester, and because of fast fashion, half of new clothes end up in a landfill in less than one year. Sustainable fashion brands are challenging these problems but “it’s hard to find sustainable brands and trust them.”

Eco-Stylist is the trusted go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands. Our Certified brands are different: 78% of our brands are making progress on living wages, with 61% already ensuring most of their clothing makers earn a living wage. 92% of our brands use a majority of more sustainable fabrics like hemp, tencel, and organic cotton. 0% of our brands are fast fashion.

We have a brand directory of 100+ certified brands, a marketplace of 1,400+ items, and a blog with shopping guides and educational content.

Blog Writer

Role Description

The Blog / Content Writer writes and publishes blog articles on a bi-weekly cadence. The ideal candidate loves writing and is seeking to build an online portfolio of their work. Topics include sustainable/ethical fashion, fashion, sustainable living, and sustainability research.

Prior experience not required but must have strong interests in sustainability, fashion, and gaining writing experience. Looking for entrepreneurial candidates who are extremely driven and self-motivated.

Benefits: includes mentoring. At the end of your 3-6 month role we will assist you in your next career steps: informational interviews, jobs, letters of recommendation, grad school applications, etc.

Eco-Stylist is a growing startup and social enterprise, with a mission to make sustainable fashion the norm.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week remotely

Duration of Volunteer Role

3-5 months

 Role Description:

We are seeking volunteers anywhere in the UK to help out with Study Group sessions for young Refugees or young people seeking asylum. We have continued to keep study group online as it enables community members from across and outside of London to get help and support with homework.

The Study Group sessions are delivered weekly on Zoom, every Tuesday from 5.30-6.30 pm. 

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:

The role of a Study Group volunteer can include:  

• Providing learners with homework support; preferably 1:1 in Zoom breakout rooms (may be extended to 1 volunteer to 2 young people in busy sessions). 

• Promoting other online learning. ie. Reading an extract of an e-book together/ playing games to learn English/ completing a quiz on a topic of interest. 
• Providing social and emotional support to young people. Many of the young people that attend will be quite isolated at this time and will therefore benefit from the social element of Study Group. 
• Supporting young people with a range of technical issues relating to their laptop/phone/ zoom. 
• Staying for debrief after each session to feedback on what you covered with the Young Person in your breakout room. This offers a space to learn and share resources/ ideas for future weeks with other volunteers. 

Benefits of volunteering with CARAS:

Study Group Volunteers will have the opportunity to:  

• Attend CARAS induction training which covers Safeguarding 
• The opportunity to further professional development through attending other free training opportunities CARAS distribute regularly 
• A safe and supportive space to improve your mentoring/teaching skills 

• Gain first-hand experience of some of the issues young Refugee and Asylum Seeking people face and contribute to making London a better place for them to be 
• Receive support and feedback on teaching from the Project Coordinator through supervision meetings  
• Obtain a work reference after three months of weekly (or six months of fortnightly) volunteering.  
• Be part of the wider CARAS team and join in other activities with volunteers.  

All training and Study Group sessions are delivered online, so you won’t need to travel to the CARAS office in London. No prior experience of online teaching is required, but you will need a laptop or desktop PC with a good microphone and internet connection. You will be required to share your screen on your laptop but all basic Zoom functions can be taught upon induction. 

About the organisation:

CARAS is a registered charity working with people in south London and beyond who have an asylum or refugee background. Our values are: 

• Kindness. CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents and interests.   
• Justice. CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all of our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.   
• Empowerment. CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.   
• ‘With’ not ‘for’. CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.   

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older; 
• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds; 
• To be reliable and punctual; 
• Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English; 
• Currently resident in the UK; 
• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; 
• Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role 
• To be able to attend at least 2 sessions every month 
• To have a quiet confidential space from which to participate and to provide your own device and microphone with access to zoom 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses, coaches and empowers unemployed women for success at their job interview. After visiting Smart Works, 63% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in 11 centres across the UK. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 35,000 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre. More information about who we are can be found on our website.

In April 2022, Smart Works launched a new Three-Year Plan that will see the charity double the number of women helped annually from 5,000 to 10,000 women a year. To achieve this, we will grow our existing centres and open new centres in areas of need. We are well on the way to achieving our goals. 

About This Role

An opportunity for a young person, with little or no previous Board experience, is now available to join our Group Board as a Young Person Trustee. Smart Works is led by a Group Board of passionate and dedicated Trustees, as well as the Trustees of six local Boards across the country, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Smart Works. The position has been created in the interests of reflecting our own client base (data tells us that young women aged 16-24 are the most challenged when it comes to finding employment), as well as our responsibility to train the next generation of Trustees for our sector.

“Over the last 10 years, Smart Works has grown from an unerring passion to support unemployed women into work, into a dynamic and successful charity transforming the lives of women and communities across the UK,” says Smart Works Chair Julietta Dexter. “New members of the Board will have a key role to play in ensuring that Smart Works continues to deliver our ambitious targets for growth, whilst ensuring that we meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. We look forward to welcoming a young voice to our discussions: the role of Trustee is hugely rewarding, challenging and enjoyable in equal measure.”

For more information on the Trustee position, please find the full role profile attached.

How to Apply

Please apply via our website.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview after 20th September. The process will be led by the Nominations Committee. There will be a shortlisting process followed by two rounds of interviews with formal approval to take place at the Board meeting in October. 

References and a Basic DBS check will be taken up prior to appointment. 

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of female unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works. Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching the Charity's needs with the skills and experience of candidates. These decisions are made irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. 

At Smart Works we will apply suitable measures to keep your information secure in accordance with our Privacy Policy (a current version of which is available on our website)

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses, coaches and empowers unemployed women for success at their job interview. After visiting Smart Works, 63% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in 11 centres across the UK. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 35,000 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre. More information about who we are can be found on our website.

In April 2022, Smart Works launched a new Three-Year Plan that will see the charity double the number of women helped annually from 5,000 to 10,000 women a year. To achieve this, we will grow our existing centres and open new centres in areas of need. We are well on the way to achieving our goals. 

About This Role

We are seeking up to 3 new trustees to join our Group Board. Smart Works is led by a Group Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Smart Works. We also work closely with our 6 local Boards across the country. 

“Over the last 10 years, Smart Works has grown from an unerring passion to support unemployed women into work, into a dynamic and successful charity transforming the lives of women and communities across the UK,” says Smart Works Chair Julietta Dexter. “New members of the Board will have a key role to play in ensuring that Smart Works continues to deliver our ambitious targets for growth, whilst ensuring that we meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. The role of trustee is hugely rewarding, challenging and enjoyable in equal measure.” 

Our current skills audit illustrates that we are particularly looking for candidates with expert skills in the fields of commercial property, fundraising and employment support (for example, organisations that regularly refer to Smart Works). By drawing on their expertise, the successful candidates will be able to advise Smart Works as it looks to develop and expand in these areas.

For more information on the Trustee position, please find the full role profile attached.

How to Apply

Please apply via our website.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview after 20th September. The process will be led by the Nominations Committee. There will be a shortlisting process followed by two rounds of interviews with formal approval to take place at the Board meeting in October. 

References and a Basic DBS check will be taken up prior to appointment. 

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of female unemployment as we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works. Smart Works promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching the Charity's needs with the skills and experience of candidates. These decisions are made irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. 

At Smart Works we will apply suitable measures to keep your information secure in accordance with our Privacy Policy (a current version of which is available on our website)

Trustee Role

 The Developers Club Foundation is seeking dedicated individuals to join our existing Board of Trustees, which consists of 6 individuals. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to supporting the housing and professional development of young adults at risk of long-term youth homelessness. We believe that providing quality accommodation and mentorship can be life-changing for generations to come.

 Role Description:

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of The Developers Club Foundation. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective governance and financial stability of the organisation, as well as overseeing the implementation of our charitable initiatives.

 Key Responsibilities:

- Attend fortnightly board meetings and contribute actively to discussions during the setup phase. Meetings will transition to quarterly once the setup phase is complete.

- Provide guidance and oversight on the organisation's strategic direction.

- Review and approve budgets, financial reports, and fundraising plans.

- Support the fundraising efforts of the organisation.

- Act as an ambassador for the organisation and promote its mission and values.

Skills and Experience:

We are looking for individuals with a passion for social impact and a commitment to our cause. Ideal candidates will have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

- Housing or homelessness support

- Fundraising and financial management

- Legal or governance

- Marketing and communications

- Youth development

 Application Process:

To apply for the role of Trustee, please submit your CV along with a supporting statement outlining your interest in the position and what expertise you can bring to the table. 

By joining our Board of Trustees, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young adults at risk of homelessness. We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our team.

 Please note that The Developers Club Foundation is yet to receive official charity status, and an application will be submitted once suitable additional Trustees have been appointed. Thank you for your support.

About Interventions Alliance 

Interventions Alliance is the Justice and Social Care division of Seetec, delivering tailored support to Participants across a range of contracts including CFO Activity Hubs, Accommodation and Personal Wellbeing. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to build a better future, regardless of their past choices or the challenges they face.

We give equal importance to delivering services focused on prevention as those aiding rehabilitation, providing our Participants with the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Ultimately, our aim is to equip individuals with the necessary skills needed to desist from offending and successfully reintegrate into their local communities.

Role Description

Our Resettlement Support Volunteers play a key role by supporting staff to deliver positive impact through projects that address a range of needs of the participants we work with (predominantly men over the age of 18 years). Our Volunteers help minimise a person’s risk of reoffending and support them on their journey of creating healthier relationships by assisting them to access vital services and engage with their local community, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed and create an overall positive lifestyle change. 

Volunteers act as positive role models who inspire, empower and guide participants to achieve actions agreed on the initial action plan. They offer personalised support to help improve participants’ lives, equipping those they are supporting with the skills they need to succeed and to prevent individuals from becoming trapped in a cycle of criminality.

This is a rewarding role, with many positive outcomes for the participants you will be matched with. In return for your volunteering efforts we offer extensive training, paid expenses, and high level of support and supervision from a Volunteer Coordinator. 

We ask for a minimum of 6 months commitment following completion of vetting and training and a minimum of 1 hour volunteering per week during office hours. Our volunteers must understand the need for reliability, that they value punctuality and have good communication skills. Due to the nature of the role, some volunteering may take place during evenings and weekends. The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.

To apply please visit our website Volunteering | Interventions Alliance and register with My Impact to complete your application in the relevant region.

As part of a Volunteer Mentors role, your key responsibilities will be to: 

• Spend time with the participant assisting in agreed activities, for example: 
  - Providing practical and emotional support 
  - Encourage engagement with appointments 
  - Support filling in forms 
  - Helping Participants access resources to enable them to achieve their goals
• Assist with public protection by reporting any issues related to the participant behaviour
• Engage in regular supervision sessions with the volunteer coordinator
• Complete feedback notes after each support session within 48 hours
• Safeguarding to be reported immediately
• Actively promote Interventions Alliance values within the work conducted with Participants
• Lone working – use the lone working system to adhere to safety procedures
• Work in a non-discriminatory manner and promote diversity & equality 
• Maintaining professional boundaries
• Attend team meetings and participate in ongoing training activities
• Encourage Participants compliance with probation appointments and licence conditions

Person Specification

In order to provide a high-quality support service, we are looking for individuals that have the following essential skills and abilities:

• Ability to listen effectively and communicate with others
• Ability to keep commitments and/or appointments
• Ability to use own initiative to identify and access relevant resources
• Share information appropriately within boundaries of confidentiality
• Capacity to understand and work within necessary guidance to ensure both yourself and the participant understand your professional relationship.
• Ability to demonstrate positive behaviour providing a good role model to Participants through pro-social modelling
• Be non-judgmental, open minded and self-aware
• Knowledge of basic IT skills
• Ability to encourage and allow people to make their own choices and decisions

Other essential attributes include:

• Ability to listen effectively and communicate with others
• Ability to keep commitments and/or appointments
• Ability to use own initiative to identify and access relevant resources
• Share information appropriately within boundaries of confidentiality
• Capacity to understand and work within necessary guidance to ensure both yourself and the participant understand your professional relationship.
• Ability to demonstrate positive behaviour providing a good role model to participants through pro-social modelling.
• Be non-judgmental, open minded and self-aware
• Knowledge of basic IT skills
• Ability to encourage and allow people to make their own choices and decisions

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

The Trustee Board is crucial to the successful running of the Home-Start Southwark. The Board, in partnership with the CEO and senior executive team, ensures that the organisation operates effectively, setting its strategic vision and supporting the delivery of business plans and key objectives. The Treasurer role is to oversee the charity’s financial and risk management processes; monitor the charity’s income, outgoings and cash-flow forecasting; and maintain a strategic overview of the organisation’s financial resources.

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for Trustees to manage the affairs of the Coventry and District Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. As a trustee of a branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals.

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary dependent on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties such as the role of chairman, treasurer or secretary.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Coventry and District Branch

The Coventry and District Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee

● Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.

● Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.

● Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).

● In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.

● Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.

● Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.

● Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.

● In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with experience and skills in any area.

Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential.

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

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

● We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.

● Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

● The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

● The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

● A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

● Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

● Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

● Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

● Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

● References will also be required.

Tafara Wellness Initiative

We are dedicated to empowering women and children in African communities to overcome mental health challenges and cultivate resilience and joy through providing free counselling.

Africa has a serious mental health issue that has to be addressed right away as the continent has the highest suicide rate in the world, estimated at 11.2 per 100,000 people, despite a moderate reduction over the past ten years (far above the global average of 9.0 per 100,000). Part of the mental health emergency is due to the AIDS epidemic, widespread poverty, and a lack of mental health resources and infrastructure. Providing mental health is essential for sustainable development as it enables individuals to pursue education, maintain employment and contribute positively to their communities. For women and children specifically, better mental health can lead to improved family dynamics, increased school attendance, and greater economic participation.

The Tafara Wellness Initiative looks to address the mental health crisis and build more resilient and thriving communities in Africa through:

• Ensuring women and children in Africa have access to timely, appropriate and tailored psychological and mental wellness programs that enable them to thrive.
• Expanding communal support and awareness for mental health and eliminate stigmas around mental health in African communities

Content Writer

Role Description

-Develop and write clear, engaging, and informative content related to mental health, counseling, and personal development. -Research and stay updated on the latest trends and topics in mental health and wellness to ensure content is relevant and accurate. -Collaborate with counselors and therapists to create content that aligns with our services and supports our clients’ needs. -Produce content for our website, blog, social media channels, email campaigns, and other marketing materials. -Edit and proofread content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. -Optimize content for SEO to improve online visibility and reach. -Participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute ideas for new content topics and strategies. -Monitor and analyze content performance metrics to refine content strategy and enhance engagement.

Volunteer 4-6 hours per week for 6+ months remotely.

Erase Meso, a UK-based charity dedicated to raising funds for mesothelioma research, is seeking a skilled and experienced Grant Writer to join our team on a freelance basis. The successful candidate will work closely with our team to identify, research, and apply for relevant grants to support our mission.

Responsibilities:
- Research and identify potential grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government entities.
- Develop and write compelling grant proposals and applications.
- Collaborate with the team to gather necessary information and documentation for applications.
- Manage the grant application process, including deadlines, submissions, and follow-up communications.
- Maintain a detailed database of all grant opportunities and application statuses.

Qualifications:
- Proven experience in grant writing, preferably within the non-profit or healthcare sectors.
- Excellent written communication and research skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Familiarity with mesothelioma or cancer research funding is a plus.

How to Apply:
Please submit your CV, detailing your relevant experience, and examples of successful grant applications you have written.

About Erase Meso:
Erase Meso is dedicated to raising critical funds for mesothelioma research, a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Our mission is to improve treatment options and find a cure for this devastating disease.

Tafara Wellness Initiative

We are dedicated to empowering women and children in African communities to overcome mental health challenges and cultivate resilience and joy through providing free counselling.

Africa has a serious mental health issue that has to be addressed right away as the continent has the highest suicide rate in the world, estimated at 11.2 per 100,000 people, despite a moderate reduction over the past ten years (far above the global average of 9.0 per 100,000). Part of the mental health emergency is due to the AIDS epidemic, widespread poverty, and a lack of mental health resources and infrastructure. Providing mental health is essential for sustainable development as it enables individuals to pursue education, maintain employment and contribute positively to their communities. For women and children specifically, better mental health can lead to improved family dynamics, increased school attendance, and greater economic participation.

The Tafara Wellness Initiative looks to address the mental health crisis and build more resilient and thriving communities in Africa through:

• Ensuring women and children in Africa have access to timely, appropriate and tailored psychological and mental wellness programs that enable them to thrive.
• Expanding communal support and awareness for mental health and eliminate stigmas around mental health in African communities

Social Media Manager

Role Description:
Develop and execute a comprehensive social media strategy that aligns with the business goals and brand identity.
Manage all social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to ensure consistent branding and messaging. Create engaging content, including text posts, graphics, videos, and other multimedia formats. Monitor and respond to comments and messages across all platforms in a timely manner. Analyse social media insights and metrics to adjust strategy and improve performance.

Volunteer 4-6 hours per week for 6+ months remotely.

Family Volunteering Club creates and runs child-friendly volunteering sessions supporting a range of causes, enabling children aged 0 - 9 to participate positively in their community, building their confidence, sense of belonging and skills. We are introducing them in an age-appropriate way to societal issues, and also to the idea of volunteering from a young age, instilling a sense why it's important, fun and positive to help people and causes around them!

We began in south London and now also run programmes in Abergavenny, Stevenage and will be launching in Fenland in 2025. We are on an exciting journey of growth to create programmes in villages, towns and cities across the UK, benefiting hundreds of families every week.

We are now seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will play a crucial role in overseeing the financial administration of the charity, ensuring economic stability, and providing strategic financial guidance. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in finance and accounting who is passionate about contributing to a meaningful cause.

Branch Trustee – Finance

Do you have professional expertise in finance, ideally charity finance,   you could use to help a good cause? We are looking for volunteer trustees to help run our Branch and are particularly looking for those with a background in finance and accounts.

Overview of the Branch Trustee – Finance opportunity

We are interested in speaking to individuals with a strong understanding of finance and accounts who can volunteer their time and expertise to help us improve the welfare of animals.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch

The Suffolk Central Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Finance

• Implement and maintain sound financial systems to retain full control of branch funds.
• Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plan the branches income and expenditure so the accounts balance in the long term.   
• Provide a written financial report for each branch meeting showing the income and expenditure, since the last meeting. 
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and treasurer's report for the Branch Annual General Meeting.
• Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory on all branch cheques, if required. 
• Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and to ensure their correct use.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

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

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

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

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

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

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Finance

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

Practical considerations

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

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch!

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

Bookmark Reading Volunteers directly support children who are at risk of leaving primary school unable to read well. Struggling to read can contribute to poor educational attainment, lower literacy in adulthood and has even been linked to a lower life expectancy. You can help ignite the joy of reading and change a child’s story.

In this volunteer role, you’ll have 30-minute one-to-one reading sessions on 2 days per week. This is across 6 weeks with a child aged between 5 and 11 years old. Each session will involve reading stories and playing literacy games on our secure online platform or face-to-face. You’ll book your reading programme through Bookmark’s Volunteer Hub and select sessions on days and times that work with your commitments.   

To become a Bookmark Reading Volunteer, you should be: 

• 18 and over, and currently living in the UK.
• able to provide enthusiasm, encouragement, empathy and patience.
• free to commit to 30-minute one-to-one reading sessions on 2 days per week, across 6 weeks.
• able to provide two references for your application (for safeguarding reasons).prepared with access to a PC, laptop, Chromebook or iPad with a webcam and internet connection, and feel relatively comfortable using technology (for online reading programmes).

Volunteers tell us they find the role flexible, impactful and rewarding. More than 60% also say their own wellbeing has improved because of volunteering with Bookmark!

Bookmark pays for your DBS checks, provides online training and offers volunteers ongoing support so that you can deliver fantastic and fun reading sessions, enabling all children to discover the joy of reading. 

Bookmark are proud to offer inclusive volunteering and work to deliver a greatly accessible volunteering role. Many of our reading programmes take place online, so there’s no need to travel or access a physical location to volunteer with Bookmark. Our application process and training are all completed online, and we have a helpful team at hand to offer support with technical or access requirements. If you’d like to discuss adjustments which may be helpful, please email us and we’ll be happy to help. 

Bookmark is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. We aim to create an environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.