Volunteer Support Staff Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

Are you passionate about changing the way we treat animals? Do you want to help reduce environmental damage? Do you want to inspire people to enjoy healthy vegan food that both looks good and tastes great? 

The Vegan Society aims to make veganism more accessible. We help people to adopt a vegan lifestyle by supporting individuals, policy and decision-makers, caterers, manufacturers, healthcare professionals and the media. 

Why do we need you? 

When people follow a vegan diet, they often eat more fruit and vegetables and enjoy meals higher in fibre and lower in saturated fat. Well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages, which is a message supported by the British Dietetic Association. Vegan Society resources are created to help people to learn more about replacing animal foods with healthy plant foods. They have been developed with the help of our registered Dietitians Andrea Rymer and Emily Angus (McKee). Our dietitians are looking for support with a project to create a menu booklet for vegan meals served in prison. 

What does the role involve? 

Nutritional analysis of a four-week menu cycle including macro and micronutrient data and supporting with the design of a simple and easy-to-read menu from excel spreadsheet data of recipes and ingredients for batch cooking. 

What training and support is available? 

This role will come with an induction session and a regular point of contact. However, the work will be carried out remotely, and the volunteer will be expected to work independently. We are therefore looking for someone who already has the necessary skills and will not require any training apart from being shown The Vegan Society website and resources. Regular check-ins with the Dietetics team will take place. 

What skills would be useful for this role? 

• Nutritional analysis (preferably Nutritics but not limited to)
• Access to a nutritional analysis software with UK food databases 
• Attention to detail 
• A strong understanding of how to identify reliable sources of information 
• The ability to work independently 

What does my availability need to be? 

This is a six-month fixed term role. We ask for volunteers to commit to four hours a week, although this may vary from week to week. Volunteering can be done outside traditional working hours and in any time zone. However, staff support will only be available between 9am and 5pm UK time and monthly check-ins will take place during this time. We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of six months to make the best use of recruitment and induction time and to get the best out of their volunteering experience. 

Who does this role report to? 

Andrea Rymer, Emily Angus (McKee) our Dietitians.

Job description
Fantastic opportunity to make an impactful difference in women and girls lives by leading our social media department and content for the charity's social media platforms, monitoring performance and establishing and/or maintaining active social media accounts, in addition to researching and creating creative content for different social media channels.

What will you be doing?

• Creating and managing social media posts across all social media platforms e.g. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube,TikTok, and X.
• Develop new, engaging informative content to educate, raise awareness and prevention, increase interest, attract supporters and encourage ambassadors.
• Working in conjunction with the Operations Manager, be responsible for posting original, high-quality content (three times per week) to improve our brand presence, grab the attention of our target audience and drive engagement.
• Assist with creating our new social media strategy 

What are we looking for?

• Commitment and passion to advocate and fight to end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking
• Clear understanding of social media platforms
• Innovative and creative leader
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and a positive can-do attitude.
• Knowledge of marketing is also desirable.

Skills, experience and qualities needed

• Creative Skills
• Canva Experience
• Commercial Awareness
• Creating Calendar
• Customer Service
• IT Skills
• Marketing and PR
• Research
• Team Working
• Written Communication Skills

- Up to 5 hours per week (remote)
- We request a minimum commitment of 1 year volunteering.

What difference will you make?

Joining our team will give you the opportunity to:

• Contribute to a good cause that makes a real difference to lives
• Make a lasting impact in lives and communities
• Provide education and information on a topic where the silence needs to be broken
• Be a voice for women and girls who cannot speak
• Use and share your skills and gain new skills and experience
• Be part of a friendly team of people

Please note that we will request references.

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

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role 

As a Regional Fundraising Volunteer, you will support Rethink Mental Illness in generating income, raising awareness, and building community engagement through local fundraising initiatives. The role will involve event planning and support, and public engagement to help achieve regional fundraising goals. 

You will play a major part in bringing to life regional fundraising activities in line with our “Rethink in the Community" concept and increase regional awareness to generate much needed additional income and amplify the impact of the work Rethink Mental Illness do.

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. 

Regional locations

Our Fundraising Team works across the following regions: North East & Yorkshire, North West, North East of England, Midlands, London, South East, South West. Whilst this is a home based role, you will occasionally attend events within your region.

What you will be doing as a Regional Fundraising Volunteer: 

• Support and assist in organising and participating in local fundraising events.

• Help with event logistics, set-up, and participant engagement to ensure smooth delivery. 

• Take part in local initiatives acquiring donors and do it yourself fundraisers. 

• Increase awareness of the organisation’s work by helping to promote regional fundraising activity. 

• Represent the organisation at schools, community groups, and public events, delivering presentations to inspire support. 

• Communicate with supporters via phone, email, and face-to-face interactions. 

• Attend and contribute to meetings with the fundraising team and supporters to share updates and ideas. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?

You will have good knowledge of your local community and be passionate about making a difference to those severely affected by mental illness. You will also have:

• The ability to organise events and activities

• The ability to inspire and motivate others

• Good communication skills

• Creative ideas to promote diverse fundraising activities 

• Dedication to our cause 

Who are we? 

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”     

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.     

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion   

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.   

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation   

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.   

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.  

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising events organisers have the exciting and varied role of helping plan and deliver local fundraising events to raise the vital funds needed to help our feline friends. Our fundraising events organisers use their passion for cats and people to plan cake sales, barn dances, quiz nights and everything in between.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Planning fundraising events and activities like cake sales, quiz nights and barn dances in Mid-Sussex RH15, RH16, RH17, BN6, BN45.
• Providing the treasurer with information on funds raised from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

A bit more information about this role and the team

• This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
• There may be opportunities for your activities to be fully remote and/or admin based if you'd prefer.
• You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
• We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds through events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good organisational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
• Knowledge of your local community

Time expectation

Our fundraising events organisers usually spend two to three hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer.

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.

Are you an experienced HR professional looking to make a meaningful impact? We are seeking a dedicated and efficient Human Resources Manager to support our charity in developing and managing our HR strategy, policies and processes.

About Us

Emerge Worldwide's work involves raising awareness surrounding some of the key issues that lead to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, and its destructive consequences. The work focuses on prevention of the issues, victim identification and support through advocacy, public support and empowerment of communities.

We make an impactful difference in the lives of children, young people, women and professionals as well as organisations and businesses through education and support. There has been a 10% increase in sexual exploitation and sex trafficking against children, and 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry are female. 

How you can help

It is a great opening to gain valuable experience in the human trafficking sector through Emerge Worldwide. As HR Manager, you will crucially ensure ethical, professional and effective management of volunteers and staff is maintained.

The positive impact of the HR Manager role ensures that the organisation can better serve its mission to combat sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an individual with the passion and drive for Human Resources, who will play a key role in shaping our HR policies, supporting our team, and ensuring a positive and effective work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention of volunteers and staff
• Develop HR policies and procedures aligned with best practices
• Manage performance management and Development
• Provide guidance on employment law and HR compliance
• Foster a positive and productive organisational culture
• Deliver on training and development initiatives

Who We’re Looking For

• Proven HR experience (manager level desirable)
• Knowledge of HR policies, employment law, and best practices
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Passion for charitable work and making a difference in people’s lives for a great cause

Time Commitment

Up to 5 hours per week

What you will gain:

• Make a real difference in people’s lives and gain valuable experience in a charitable organisation
• Be part of bringing positive change to women & girls lives, and our communities
• Work with a passionate and supportive team
• Utilise your HR experience and skills in an organisation advocating for a great cause

We are a welcoming team, dedicated to creating a positive and engaging volunteer experience where you’ll feel valued, inspired, and empowered to bring your ideas to life.

If you're interested in using your HR skills for a great mission, we'd love to hear from you!

Before you apply

The recruitment process includes an interview, and we will request references and a DBS on successful appointment.

The Crisis London Volunteer Fundraising Group consists of a small team of volunteers raising awareness and money for Crisis' vital services and work towards ending homelessness. The current focus of the group is preparing for and implementing the Walk to End Homelessness fundraising event, recreating an original walk held in London which led to the formation of Crisis in 1967. By joining the group you'll contribute towards inspiring local people to fundraise for Crisis while honing your skills in event management and logistics.

How will I be ending homelessness?

Joining a group of dedicated, passionate, empowered volunteer fundraisers to help raise the funds needed for our vital services. You will use your communications, events, and teamwork skills to deliver local fundraising events and collections in aid of Crisis.

The monies raised by your Fundraising Group will help fund services such as one to one support in finding a home or a job, helping people achieve learning goals, or supporting our Christmas events where we offer hot meals, access to essential services, and an introduction to our year-round services to leave homelessness behind for good.   

You will be inspired by our vision to end homelessness, and in turn will inspire others to act. As well as raising vital funds you will be helping us to influence your community and their beliefs, challenging the stigma around homelessness.  We need people who genuinely believe that if society works together, we can end homelessness. 

What will I gain?

• Fundraising in your local community is fun, a good way to meet people and gives a great sense of achievement.  
• You'll have lots of opportunities to learn about the causes and effects of homelessness and how to engage others in the conversation to end homelessness.  
• Fundraising and networking experience for a national organisation.  
• The opportunity to share your existing or develop new skills in a friendly and supportive environment. 
• Support from your Fundraising Group Lead to help you achieve your fundraising goals. 
• Being part of a wide network of staff, volunteers and supporters all working together to end homelessness 
• A reference for volunteering at a national organisation

What will I be doing?

• Attend regular Fundraising Group meetings to work collaboratively with the Fundraising Group lead and other members.  
• Use your skills and knowledge to play an active role in making fundraising events and activities happen.  
• Representing Crisis in your community, using your own networks to raise awareness of what needs to be done to end homelessness. This includes sharing our broader activities such as our campaigns.
• Represent Crisis by attending fundraising and engagement events organised by others. 
• Ensure group activities comply with relevant fundraising regulations and Crisis policies and procedures; including ensuring monies raised are accounted for in line with agreed financial processes.  

Who are we looking for?

• A strong team member, with a proactive positive approach to working as part of a group 
• Willing to actively participate in group meetings, contribute ideas and be active in helping to make fundraising events happen 
• Interest and experience in organising events (desirable) 
• Good communication skills, confident talking to new people and representing Crisis 
• Good organisational skills and reliability 
• Non-judgemental, patient, and friendly 
• An understanding of the importance of adhering to policies and processes. Including confidentiality, data protection principles and maintaining boundaries 
• A commitment to completing any training (including e-learning) required for the role 
• You will need access to a computer and broadband/data to undertake this volunteering role

Additional information

To provide a safe, welcoming environment for everyone we provide volunteers with a code of conduct (how we work together). This will be found within your volunteer policy sign off document. We ask all volunteers to read our policy document and always comply with those policies.

Reasonable out of pocket expenses for lunch and travel (where appropriate) will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy.

We strive to ensure that our services are welcoming, remain relevant and are fully accessible to everyone that we help and support. We are keen to receive applications from volunteers from diverse and other marginalised communities as this helps us ensure the best experience for those that we are here to help. This includes those with lived experience of homelessness.

Applicants will be contacted after 25th March 2025.

Role Description

Come join our team working to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q4 by Best Companies as the 8th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

Many of our service users don’t use English as their first language and rely on high quality translation to understand information. Therefore, we are looking for volunteers who can accurately translate English text into any of the languages below:

Bengali, Arabic, Amharic, Albanian, Vietnamese, Tigrinya, Punjabi and Urdu. - But if you do speak and write in another language do get in touch. 

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Hold a translating or interpreting qualification or to hold a degree (in any subject) and be fluent in speaking and writing in English, and one or more of the languages above

•Have excellent command of English and other language(s)

•Have grammatical accuracy

•Have excellent proof-reading skills including IT skills

•Have use of own computer

•Be willing to have a basic DBS check

•Have the willingness to learn about human trafficking issues

•Have the ability to maintain confidentiality

To apply please complete an application form on our website.

Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures. Your support will help a young man to reconnect with his community, friends and loved ones, go into education, training and employment, and give a person a sense of hope for the future.

Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 in custody who have 6 months left of their prison sentence, and then 'through the gate' into their own community for up to 12 months. The Education, Training & Employment (ETE) team supports our mentees in custody to break down barriers to employability. Post-release, this continues by supporting mentees to gain meaningful and career changing roles in sector specific industries such as Construction, Engineering, Catering & Hospitality or the Self-Employment route. 

The ETE team are looking to build a team of volunteers to work with mentees in the community and to shape the existing ETE service in the Thames Valley area. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can commit for up to 12 months and give a few hours a week to support men to change their life by being inspirational role models, helping with goal setting and supporting their mentee to access ETE opportunities and ultimately gain meaningful employment. Mentoring sessions will be 1:1, take place weekly and can be done remotely by telephone or online. These sessions will last approximately one hour, but some time should also be given to liaising with Trailblazers staff and researching relevant opportunities. 

Induction training is provided, out of pocket expenses covered, a mobile phone is provided to protect your identity, a Trailblazers T-shirt and lanyard are provided, DBS costs are covered, as well as regular reflective practice sessions to support you within your role. 

We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men. 

Trailblazers are looking for Volunteer Mentors who are:

• Empathetic with a positive outlook and manner.
• Able to help others without judgement or discrimination.
• Excellent communicators with a sense of humour.
• Well organised, can prioritise and multi-task.
• Reliable and able to commit to the role for up to 12 months providing weekly ETE sessions remotely either by telephone or via Zoom / MS Team digital platforms.
• Have skills and experience in supporting those who are disadvantaged into education, training and employment (ETE).
• Able to work independently with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload with minimal supervision taking a flexible and creative approach to the demands of the post.
• Able to demonstrate sensitivity to other cultures, working with people from other backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities.

We are honoured to be supporting the wonderful Crohn's and Colitis UK to recruit three new Trustees to join their board.
 

THE CHARITY

We’re the UK’s leading charity for Crohn’s and Colitis. Right now, over 500,000 people in the UK are living with a lifelong condition that can profoundly affect their quality of life. And because of the stigma surrounding their conditions, thousands are suffering in silence. But we are here to support and champion a better future. Our vision is for improved lives for people with Crohn’s and Colitis today, and in the long term, a world free from Crohn’s and Colitis altogether.

Our community look to the charity to help them navigate their way through complex health issues and support their needs wherever they live, whatever their background and whoever they are. This is our job - whether it’s lobbying for health leaders, providing vital information, or reducing the stigma around the conditions, we’re here for them
 

TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITY

The charity are looking to appoint three Trustees and have identified the following skill areas of interest;

• HR experience - Ideally leading HR strategy, ensuring legal compliance, delivering L&D strategy, pay & reward frameworks and fostering a positive work culture
• Policy, Influencing & Public Affairs experience - ideally working in policy, influencing and/or public affairs. We would also welcome media partnerships and media campaigns experience
• Fundraising strategy and implementation experience - Ideally at Fundraising Director level or have undertaken this role prior to moving to a broader role. Ideally you will have an understanding of a broad range of income generation with experience of leading supporter engagement strategies and successfully increasing reach

The charity are looking to improve the diversity on their Board, including ethnicity, socio-economic and applicants who have connections to underserved communities. They would also welcome applicants from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, or the north of England. Most Trustees on the Board already have first-hand lived experience of Crohn’s and Colitis so new applicants for the role will not be required to have this experience.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensuring that the charity complies with its constitution, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, works to fulfil its charitable objects and applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance.
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the charity.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient management and administration of the charity.
• Ensuring the financial stability of the charity.
• Ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
• Employing and being responsible for the organisation’s staff
• Using any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions.
• Promoting the charity among their own contacts.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• An empathetic interest in the work of the charity, its strategic objectives and the cause.
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity, and the ability to attend relevant events when helpful or necessary.
• Good inter-personal and relationship building abilities, working collaboratively both internally with colleagues and ensuring contribution from colleagues into discussions, and externally with a range of stakeholders.
• Diplomatic, with the ability to negotiate, influence and convince through personal credibility.
• Values diversity and difference and operates with integrity and openness.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level.
• Experience of external representation, building new connections and managing a range of senior stakeholders across different sectors, including service users.
• Successful track record of leading the formulation and delivery of an organisational strategy.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• The ability to provide leadership to and motivate staff and volunteers, bringing people together.
• Good understanding of governance issues.

HOW TO APPLY

Valued Recruitment is working exclusively with Crohn’s & Colitis UK to recruit for their Trustee Board. We are an ethical recruitment company, intent on hiring inclusively and transparently.

To apply, we welcome a CV and a 2 page (maximum) covering letter addressing your motivation for applying and your experience that is relevant to the role.

Accessibility is incredibly important to us at Valued Recruitment and at Crohn’s & Colitis UK. If you would like any accessibility amendments or support throughout the application and interview stage, please don’t hesitate to let us know. No question or request is too big or too small. We want this process to be comfortable and enjoyable and a chance for you to bring your best self to the process.

Closing date for applications: 5pm, Monday 31st March
Meeting with Chief Executive: Wednesday 30th April
Interview with Board Chair and Trustee panel: Wednesday 7th May

Fundraising and Events Officer Role

Description and Person Specification

About Pain Concern

Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work. All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results.

Purpose of Volunteer Role

Pain Concern could not exist without our volunteers. We are looking for someone with an interest in chronic pain to help raise funds for Pain Concern by coordinating fundraising events. 

What would you be doing:

• Maintain communications those fundraising in aid of Pain Concern and provide support

• With support from the Fundraising Team, Fundraising Steering Group and your fellow volunteers, help to plan and deliver events and activities to raise funds and awareness

• Send out fundraising packs

• Liaise with Media Team for publicising fundraisers and events

• Maintain a list of fundraising opportunities such as walks and marathons

• Help develop and maintain the fundraising section of Pain Concern’s website

• Research opportunities to promote community fundraising

• Develop links with local businesses

• Research and organise local fundraising events

• Recruit community fundraisers to support events in their area

• Attend events organised by our fundraisers as the ‘face’ of Pain Concern

• Maintain a database of contact and other ad hoc admin support for the team as required 

Is this role right for me: We are looking for an individual who possesses some or all of the below experiences, skills and qualities.
• Budgeting

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

• Experience in event management

• Interest in chronic pain

• Ability to work flexibly with enthusiasm and commitment

• Strong IT skills and knowledge of MS Office 

Availability and location Minimum commitment of 6 months. Minimum 2-3 hours per week. Hybrid volunteering from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS or from your own location.

Benefits to you:

• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team

• Meet new people

• Build on your employability skills

• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you

• A job reference after 6 months of volunteering.

• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community

• On-site car parking

• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy

Trustee (Fundraising specialist)

• Voluntary position. Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed
• Hours: Up to 8 hours a month – flexible
• Location: Reading, Berkshire or home

About the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

The Berkshire MS Therapy Centre (BMSTC) supports people with MS and their families, friends and carers. We provide a range of specialist therapies and a friendly, inclusive community. Although our modern purpose-built centre is situated in Berkshire, we also welcome people living in adjoining counties and offer online services.

Role

We are seeking a Fundraising specialist to bring their skills and expertise to our Board of Trustees.

To support our MS community, the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre currently needs to raise

£650,000 every year to provide our current level of services. After launching our charity strategy in 2023, we have ambitions for the future and we need to grow our income to fulfil these plans.

To support our charity strategy, we have launched a fundraising strategy and a communications strategy. Recognising the importance of growing income, we have recently invested in fundraising.

You will play a vital role as you use your direct experience of fundraising to support our fundraising team and strengthen our Board’s expertise.

As a member of the Trustee board, you will also be involved in setting the charity's strategic direction and ensuring that it is run in a compliant and efficient manner. It is expected that trustees will attend the majority of monthly meetings and the annual AGM either in person or online.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the fundraising strategy.
• Assess the risks and threats currently facing fundraising and highlight these to the Board.
• Understand the ‘Best Practices’ of Fundraising and ensure they are followed at the charity.
• Help develop the fundraising capability within the charity.
• Advise the Board of the challenges and successes of fundraising and what this may mean for current/future plans.
• Advocate for the fundraising team at trustee meetings.
• Represent the charity with key stakeholders.
• Work with the fundraising team to access and develop new ideas.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of BMSTC's strategic plan.
• Ensure that the charity is run in a compliant and efficient manner.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Senior fundraiser experience at strategic and operational level, ideally across a number of different fundraising areas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to think strategically and plan long-term.
• Ability to work collectively with other Board and management team members.
• Computer literacy: competent using Email, Excel, Word.
• Empathy with BMSTC's mission and members.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience of charity trusteeship.
• Experience in a similar size/local charity.
• Knowledge of MS and the challenges faced by people with MS.
• Experience in marketing.
• Good communication skills and experience of team working.

Benefits:

• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with MS.
• To develop new skills and knowledge.
• To work with a passionate and committed team of trustees and staff.
• To be part of a well-established and respected charity.

Are you interested?

If you have the skills and experience to become our Fundraising Trustee and support our local MS community, we want to hear from you!

In the first instance, please get in touch with the BMSTC Chairman, Neil Dawkins for an informal chat to find out more.

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.

About YAUK

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.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Responsibilities

• To manage strategy, policy and the vision of the Research & Policy Department 

• To guide and support more junior management to achieve success in their roles 

• To have overall responsibility for all of our research and policy work

• To oversee research ethics

• To oversee and develop departmental procedure and process

• To align the department with its objective and goals

• To be lead the department and oversee all of its volunteers and functions, this include all inital research, all long term research, ethics and policy

​You will need

• Management experience 

• Research experience

• Have completed a postgraduate course of study at PhD level

• Research ethics experiance 

• Planning skills 

• Research report writing experience 

• Ability to create and manage policy

Benefits

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

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

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

 Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations. 

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

If you want to make a difference to people living with a mental health condition then we’d love to hear from you!

About us

At The Mental Health Community we use our lived experience to build understanding and support for what it’s like to live and work alongside managing a mental health condition. 

We know that it can be difficult to get, or keep a job if your energy levels, how you’re feeling and your ability to go to a place of work every day are affected by a mental health condition like anxiety or depression. But we also know that having a sense of purpose and belonging can really help with the symptoms and impact that mental health conditions can have on you.

Our work is focused on helping people with a mental health condition who are in work or looking for work. We do this by supporting businesses to improve how they look after people, because we know that by creating inclusive and safe spaces at work we make it possible for people with mental ill health to stay in the workplace which helps keep them well and benefits the businesses too.

By joining our board you will be: 

• Making a lasting impact by helping us make more workplaces safe and inclusive for people with a mental health condition
• Shaping the future of our charity as we expand our services and reach more people who need our support
• Using your skills and experience for good by helping guide the strategic direction of our charity.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for at least 4 new trustees to join our team. Whatever your skillset, we’d love to hear from you and there are some areas where we need particular help:

· Treasurer: oversee our financial health, provide guidance on building long term financial plans to help us grow and ensure appropriate financial management.

· Marketing and Communications: strategic oversight of our marketing and communications, raising awareness of our work and reaching new audiences through digital strategies and media engagement.

· Fundraising: develop our fundraising strategy and income streams, including grant applications, corporate sponsorship and campaigns.

· Governance: guide us in operating transparently and effectively whilst maintaining high standards of governance in compliance with our governing document and charity law.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental ill health, young people aged 18-30, people of all socio-economic backgrounds, genders and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

About the role

As a board of trustees we meet remotely every 6 weeks, there may be some activity in between meetings so the estimated total time commitment is 4 hours every 6 weeks.

In addition to using your specific skills to develop how we work, all trustees share responsibility for:

· Developing our activities to help us achieve our purpose and positive impact,

· Making sure we are compliant with our governing document and the requirements of the Charity Commission, and

· Being an active member of the board to help us make good decisions

What you can expect from us

We are committed to supporting our Trustees: you can expect an induction to the organisation and trustee role plus any additional conversations and support you need to help you feel confident in your role.

Our meetings are relaxed and informal; there are no expectations of ‘business clothes’, technical jargon or having all the answers.

We welcome and support your preferences for the way we work together, how you like to receive information and how we can make it easier for you to participate actively in our discussions.

One more thing

We know that great trustees come from many backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and that’s great - we really value people who bring different perspectives and add new voices to our team.

But you might not feel you ‘check all the boxes’ as you read this advert or the role description, especially if you’ve been marginalised or excluded. We get it, and we’ve felt like that too. But we hope you’ll apply anyway because we’d love to hear from you and will take care to help you feel welcome and included.

For more information on the role please see the role description.