Volunteer Officer Volunteer Roles in Manchester

At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We are seeking a passionate and skilled strategic Fundraising Lead to play a crucial role in helping us secure the necessary funds to sustain and expand our work in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.

Please see below for the key responsibilities of the role:

• To lead on the development and implementation of an income generation plan which supports the charity’s strategic priority of being ‘Financially Sustainable’

• Research and identity local trust and statutory funders of Samaritans services and costs, drafting and submitting applications

• Monitor progress of applications, including reporting back to funders about project outcomes and progress

• Liaise with the Regional Fundraising Officer/Samaritans Central Office Fundraising Team to avoid duplication of approaches to the same funder 

• Research and identify potential community funders such as local businesses and organisations, networking to secure one off donations or regular income

• Arrange local fundraising collections, including booking venues

• If required, recruit and manage new fundraising support volunteers

• Work with the Outreach/Publicity Team to raise awareness of Chesterfield Samaritans

• Attend Board and/or Operations Team meetings where required, reporting on progress and escalating risks

• Comply with national fundraising regulations and Samaritans Fundraising Policies and Procedures

Overview - This is a Senior Leadership team role.

The Deputy Chief Leader (DCL) role varies on each expedition. The DCL will work closely with
the expedition’s Chief Leader to take a prominent role in planning and training before & during
expedition, and in post expedition reporting.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre-expedition training events. 

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.

Summary

The Sussex Area of the Ramblers has two Countryside Officers, one for East Sussex and one for West Sussex. The primary activity in the role is to act on behalf of members where a reported planning development is likely to have an adverse impact on the walking environment in the Sussex countryside.

Description

The Ramblers, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2025, is the only charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain’s most popular and least-known walking places. We’re committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers. We lead the way, and the walks, for a vibrant community united by the joys of walking, helping everyone get more out of their walks. 

The role of East Sussex Area Countryside Officer involves reviewing planning applications published by Local Authorities and lodging objections on behalf of Sussex Ramblers if an application is likely to have an adverse impact on the Sussex countryside and the places where people walk. Objections may be expressed in writing through a response to the planning process, but could also involve site visits and on occasions attendance at public hearings or meetings with representatives of Local Authorities or with other stakeholders such as Parish Councils and environmental and wildlife organisations.

The role holder will work closely with other Ramblers volunteers such as the East Sussex Area Footpath Officer, the West Sussex Area Countryside Officer and Local Footpath Wardens in East Sussex and where necessary will seek advice and guidance from Ramblers' Central Office. Other main contacts include the Local Authorities, Parish/Town Councils, the South Downs National Park Authority and the East Sussex Local Access Forum. The role holder will be a member of the Area leadership team (Area Council). You will need to be a member of the Ramblers.

Support Through Court offers practical and emotional support to people going through the civil courts with no legal aid so that litigants in person are comfortable with the process and can represent themselves to the best of their ability. Our volunteers proved support face to face, on the phone, and online to people dealing with divorce, eviction, access to children and many other challenges. We believe that no one should have to face court alone.

Our current Chair, Caroline Artis is standing down at the end of May and we are looking to recruit a replacement. The new Chair will lead an established board of 9 trustees with a wide range of skills and experience, and work with our Chief Executive and leadership team.

We are looking for a Chair who has skills and experience in leading teams, focusing on strategic goals, communicating with stakeholders, and championing the values of an organisation. While we would expect the Chair to be committed to the values of Support Through Court we do not require applicants to have any experience or qualifications in law or the legal system. We value diversity in our trustees and encourage applications from all walks of life.

Our Chair will work closely with our Chief Executive and other trustees to achieve our strategic objectives. Our board meets five times a year and has three sub-committees dealing with service, audit and risk, and fundraising, each with its own chair. In addition to chairing full board meetings, the Chair will be responsible for appraising the work of the Chief Executive and acting as an ambassador for Support Through Court at various events.

Being a trustee and Chair of Support Through Court is hard work and needs real commitment but it is inspiring and fulfilling to be part of this team.

For further information visit our web site.

Closing date for applications: 6th April 2025

The Chair of Trustees provides strategic leadership and direction to the Board, ensuring the effective governance of the charity. In this role, you will guide the organisation in its mission to help adults learn to read, ensuring that it operates efficiently and sustainably while delivering a profound impact on individuals’ lives.

You will lead the Board and work closely with the CEO to advance the charity’s vision that every adult who wants to learn to read, can.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and Governance:

• Lead the Board of Trustees in providing strategic oversight and effective governance, ensuring compliance with the charity’s constitution, legal, and regulatory obligations
• Ensure the charity stays true to its mission of helping adults learn to read and that all activities align with its vision, values, and strategic objectives
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and accountability within the Board

Board Management:

• Chair Trustee meetings, setting agendas in partnership with the CEO or senior staff to ensure discussions focus on the charity’s priorities
• Encourage open, respectful debate and collective decision-making among Trustees, ensuring clarity of outcomes and actions
• Oversee the recruitment, induction, and development of Trustees, ensuring the Board is diverse, skilled, and effective in fulfilling its responsibilities
• Monitor and assess the performance of the Board, supporting Trustees to carry out their duties

Support to Senior Staff:

• Function as the primary link between the Board and the CEO, offering guidance,support, and constructive challenge
• Conduct regular appraisals and set objectives for the CEO, ensuring they have the resources and backing to succeed
• Serve as a sounding board for major decisions and initiatives, especially those that advance the charity’s literacy goals

Advocacy and Representation:

• Function as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work to external stakeholders, including funders, partners and the public
• Represent the charity at public events, campaigns, and meetings to raise awareness about adult literacy challenges and successes

Risk and Compliance:

• Ensure the charity has effective policies and systems for financial management, safeguarding and risk mitigation
• Oversee the preparation of statutory reports, ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies
• Safeguard the charity’s reputation and ensure its activities comply with all relevant laws and its governing documents

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with Trustees and staff to monitor progress against strategic goals,adapting plans as necessary to meet evolving challenges and opportunities

Do you have a skill in identifying and capturing data and trends? Help and assist our teams to undertake, manage and monitor our energy & Water consumption : Helping with meter reads, electricity, gas and water, plotting meter locations on what3words, assisting with meter upgrades (mainly electricity) allowing access and meeting EDF.

Our Waterside Specialists help maintain the sustainability of the waterways by giving higher levels of skills through their volunteering.

Volunteering with the Trust takes on many guises and welcomes people with specialist skills in a wide range of areas from practical to surveying, indoors and out. These skills may include working alongside existing specialists within the Trust or bringing skills that we don’t currently have within our team?

Shout out for help with eCommerce

Barking Mad Goodies is our online shop to support our rescue work in Romania. Can you help us build it up?  Are you a Shopify/eCommerce specialist?  Asides from our superb, branded grain free dog food (which we are so proud of!), we are expanding our range of dog treats and sundries as fast as we can. Running the rescue takes all our time and energy which means we so need help with building our shop.

We are looking for volunteer help with someone familiar with Shopify who can help us jazz up our shop, build our customer base through email marketing and social media, help craft google ads and more,  thus helping us help more dogs in need. This role may involve three or four hours max to start, but once things are in place, probably one or two.

All profits from the shop go back to our dog rescue.

Candidates should have proven experience in eCommerce, email marketing and Google Ads 

Reasonable expenses with prior agreement covered, but there shouldn't be any, we hope! We have 500 dogs to feed daily. 

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

Grant & Partnership Researcher

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Tafara Wellness Initiative is a nonprofit dedicated to providing trauma-informed care to women and children in Africa. Our mission is to support healing, resilience, and empowerment in underserved communities. By delivering evidence-based therapy and wellness services, we aim to create safe and nurturing environments where individuals and families can thrive. Through research, partnerships, and advocacy, we strive to maximise our impact and bring meaningful change to those who need it most.

Role Summary: We are looking for a detail-oriented volunteer Grant & Partnership Researcher to support our efforts in identifying funding opportunities and potential partnerships. Your research will help us expand our network, secure resources, and strengthen our impact.

Key Responsibilities:

-Conduct research on grant opportunities, donors, and potential funding sources.

-Identify and assess partnership opportunities with organisations aligned with our mission.

-Maintain an organised database of funding leads and partnership contacts.

-Provide summaries and recommendations based on research findings.

-Support the grant writing team with relevant background information.

Skills & Qualifications:

-Strong research and analytical skills.

-Ability to evaluate funding opportunities and partnership potential.

-Experience in nonprofit fundraising or development is a plus.

-Organised, detail-oriented, and able to work independently.

-Proficiency in using online databases and research tools.

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

In addition to Level 3 course it is expected volunteer will attend training twice per month at a training base in East Lancashire.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/05/2025

Make a lasting impact on future generations and your community, by becoming a governor for your local college.

Peridot Partners have partnered with the Department of Education to revolutionise the education governance sector, by appointing 137 new governors to college boards across England.

Education governors come from all backgrounds and sectors with either professional or lived experience that can help the board to make their decisions. A passion for education and future generations is a must, but you don’t need to have any experience in the education sector to become a governor.

Being an education governor or trustee is a rewarding and fulfilling venture for any of us. You don’t need to be a Chief Executive, a senior leader or even an educationalist to join the ever-growing pool of people who regularly attend board and committee meetings to influence and impact the quality of education delivered by our schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. 

As an education governor, you will draw on the professional experience of your working career and your own life experiences to support and challenge the strategic direction of the organisation. You will reflect on the lessons that you have learnt through education, work and life to ask questions and understand how decisions being made on an operational level will and could impact the students and their potential for achievement.

Peridot Partners and the Department of Education are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can see the available opportunities and register your interest. 

About Us

Youth Advantage UK is a charitable organization that uses a research-led approach to inform policy work and projects
that aim to promote and further the human rights of young people aged 11 to 25 across the United Kingdom.

Overview

We are looking to recruit a Specialist Fundraising Trainer who is able to grow and develop our fundraising team, supporting the organisation to get the funding it needs to operate and be successful.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide training sessions to new fundraising volunteers
• To teach others how to complete grant applications
• To equip volunteers with the skills and knowledge to carry out fundraising for the organisation
• To support the development of skills and knowledge within the fundraising team aiming to support those who have non or limited experience in fundraising

​Requirements

• To have at least 3 years in charity fundraising
• To have the ability to guide and support others
• To have good spoken communication skills
• To be able to deliver training sessions to groups
• To be able to use remote working systems
• To be familiar with grant fundraising and sponsorship

What We Offer

• An opportunity to make an impact in our mission-driven organization.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Professional development opportunities.

We are looking for a Digital Advertising and Commerce Specialist Volunteer to join our team and help us enhance our online visibility, drive more donations, and raise awareness for our wildlife and welfare initiatives. This volunteer position is perfect for someone with a passion for digital marketing and a desire to contribute to a meaningful cause.

As a volunteer, you will help manage and optimise our Google Ads campaigns, Google Merchant account, and Facebook Commerce presence. Your efforts will directly contribute to increasing traffic to our website, improving conversion rates, and supporting our fundraising efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Google Ad Grants & Google Ads: Optimise Google Ads campaigns within the Google Ad Grants programme. Ensure the campaigns are aligned with our goals and meet Google’s guidelines for non-profits.
• Google Merchant Center: Maintain our Google Merchant Center account, manage product feeds, and optimise for visibility in Google Shopping.
• Facebook Commerce: Optimise Facebook Commerce to expand our reach and engage with potential donors and supporters through Facebook’s e-commerce platform.
• Digital Advertising Strategy: Develop a digital advertising strategy across Google Ads, Google Merchant, and Facebook Commerce. This will include keyword research, ad copywriting, audience targeting, and more.
• Campaign Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimise all digital advertising campaigns for improved performance, clicks, conversions, and ROI.
• Collaboration: Work with our communications and fundraising teams to identify key initiatives and align digital marketing efforts with our charitable goals.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience with Google Ad Grants & Google Ads – Knowledge of managing Google Ads campaigns and experience with the Google Ad Grants platform (preferred).
• Google Merchant Center & Facebook Commerce – Understanding of managing product feeds in Google Merchant Center and running Facebook Commerce shop.
• Digital Advertising Knowledge – A good understanding of digital advertising practices including keyword research, ad targeting, and performance optimization.
• Passion for Wildlife & Animal Welfare – A genuine passion for our cause and a desire to make a tangible impact on animal welfare and conservation efforts.
• Proactive & Self-Motivated – Ability to work independently and take initiative in a remote work environment.
• Excellent Communication Skills – Strong written and verbal communication skills to craft compelling ad copy and collaborate with the team.

Trustee - International House London (English Language Teaching or Legal Background preferred)

International House Trust Ltd (trading as International House London, (IH London), a registered UK charity is seeking passionate and dedicated new Trustees to join their Board and help drive the mission of delivering high-quality language and communication training that unlocks human potential. As a global leader in language teaching, teacher training, and trainer development, IH London is committed to creating meaningful change in the world by fostering effective communication.

We are particularly committed to creating an inclusive environment and are actively seeking applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals from underrepresented communities, to ensure that our Board truly reflects the communities we serve. Your unique perspective and expertise will help us expand our impact and create lasting change.

Vision: Do you want to be part of an ambitious, forward-thinking organization that brings people together and acts as a force for positive change? If so, we want to hear from you!

Location: Remote

Report to: Chair of Board of Trustees

Time commitment: Quarterly Board and Committee Meetings (normally remote), ad hoc issues etc.

Remuneration: This is an unpaid voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed

Responsibilities: As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of IH London.

Key responsibilities include:

• Contributing to the strategic and long-term direction of IH London
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and aligning resources with objectives
• Protecting and promoting the reputation of IH London and acting in the best interests of the charity
• Ensuring financial stability, sustainability, and effective risk management

Person Specification:

We are looking for candidates who can bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to provide oversight at a senior level to join our strong and committed Trustee Board including:

Proven leadership skills - You will display a record of leadership and a proven track record of working at strategic and senior levels, with an ability to provide sound governance and oversight alongside objective, independent judgment.

Strategic thinking ability - You will demonstrate a proven ability to think strategically, analyse complex concepts and actively contribute to the strategic direction setting of IH London, both over the long and short term.

Communication skills - Demonstrable effective written and oral communication skills, the ability to influence others and to advocate on behalf of IH London.

Specific Expertise: We are actively seeking for candidates with specific expertise in the following areas:

• ELT Expertise: Experience in English Language Teaching to offer strategic oversight on language training programs.
• Legal Expertise: Legal qualification ideally with experience in commercial law to provide legal advice and guidance.

Application process:

If you are interested in joining the Board of one of the world’s most respected English Language educational brands, please submit a CV and a brief covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how your skills can contribute to our success.

Applications should be sent by 5pm 21st March 2025.

The selection process for shortlisted candidates will include an online conversation with the Chief Executive and a meeting with a group of Trustees.

Join the Wave of Change

Are you ready to inspire and guide efforts to restore and protect our ocean? Surfers Against Sewage is seeking a dynamic and daring leader to take the helm as our Chair of the Board.

As we enter a new strategic plan period for 2025-2028, we are driven by our values of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, and purposeful. We are a vibrant and diverse community of Ocean Activists, taking action where we surf, swim, and play.

Our mission is to connect the stories, evidence, and data of our community to those in power to demand systemic change. As a strong advocate and skilled networker, you will amplify our voice, build influential relationships, and mobilize support to advance our cause.

We are ambitious and seek nothing short of an end to pollution and the restoration of our seas and wild waters. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to push the boundaries of what we might achieve and help keep SAS at the forefront of environmental activism. We sound the alarm and lead the fight to stop polluters, always.

If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer position as Chair of the Board of Trustees,  please visit our website job opportunities page to download the Recruitment Pack.