Action for blind people administrator support jobs

You’re passionate about supporting volunteers and creating a positive experience for those who give their time to make a difference.  You thrive in a role that brings people together and ensures they are set up for success.

As Operations Volunteering Experience Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that volunteers in operations-based roles feel valued, prepared, and supported throughout their journey. Working closely with internal teams, you’ll coordinate recruitment, training, and engagement efforts that enhance the volunteer experience and contribute to the smooth running of essential services.

You’ll oversee the flow of volunteers into operations-based roles, ensuring they are matched effectively to support Guide Dogs’ canine, children, and adult services. Working in collaboration with service and volunteering colleagues, you’ll support planning and resource allocation to ensure volunteer programmes align with national and local needs.

By ensuring volunteers receive comprehensive training and induction, you’ll help them build confidence in their roles. You’ll coordinate face-to-face and virtual induction sessions, facilitate ongoing training opportunities, and provide regular communication to ensure volunteers remain engaged and informed.

A key part of your role will involve monitoring and evaluating the volunteer journey, gathering feedback and insights to improve processes and experiences. You’ll manage volunteer data and compliance, ensuring records are accurate and up to date. Additionally, you’ll support the recognition and celebration of volunteers, helping to coordinate award events and initiatives that highlight the incredible contributions of those who give their time.

To excel in this role, you’ll have experience managing and supporting volunteers, ensuring they have a positive and rewarding experience. You’ll be confident in advising on best practices and processes, with the ability to build strong relationships across different teams.  You'll need to be adaptable, self-motivated, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider team, using technology to stay connected.

Experience with volunteer management systems, CRM databases (such as Salesforce), and Microsoft Office will be beneficial. A strong understanding of GDPR, safeguarding principles, and best practices in equality, diversity, and inclusion is also essential.

Strong organisation and communication skills will be key, as well as the ability to problem-solve and handle enquiries efficiently. Whether facilitating training, providing advice, or coordinating new volunteer initiatives, you’ll bring a solutions-focused approach to ensure volunteers feel engaged, valued, and equipped for success.

No two people with sight loss are the same, and none of our people are either. So, we are proud to offer a range of person-centred benefits that can support each member of staff in ways that really mean something to them – and show them how much they mean to us. We offer a flexible benefits package, discounts and cashback scheme, a generous holiday allowance and matched contributory pension scheme to care for our people.

This role will be based from our Reading site a minimum of 3-days per week with the remainder of the week working from home, there will be an occasional requirement to travel to our Cardiff site. This is a full time position working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.

About Us

Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via our careers website.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.

As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.If you want to know more about the teams who work at Guide Dogs, you can find it on our Careers Page.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.

If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.

Every day is different at Guide Dogs. And no person with sight loss is the same. We work side by side, on our sites and in the community, in schools and on our streets, supporting people to live the life they choose. Our staff therefore also work in different ways to support the delivery of our life changing work.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.

At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.

Deafblind UK supports people who have both sight and hearing loss. You’ll be welcomed into our big family of clinical, operational and administrative staff who are all passionate about making life better for our members. Working for Deafblind UK is flexible and friendly. We support a healthy work-life balance and from the moment you join us, you will be fully supported by the wider team. You will also get a generous annual leave allowance and access to our Westfield Health Cash Plan.

We are looking to recruit a full-time officer to join our Charitable Services team delivering employability support for individuals with a sight and hearing loss across Greater London.

We are seeking a good self-motivated planner with experience of employment services who can develop our delivery of the service across London, helping people to identify and reach their chosen goals. You will have a good track record of delivering support in one to one situations and also in group settings, both face to face and online.  You'll also need to be an effective networker who can create and maintain relationships with a wide range of partner organisations.

The people we support have varying degrees of sensory loss, from the mild to the more profound.  We are committed to respecting and celebrating the unique personalities and aspirations of each individual as we work with them to identify the most empowering bespoke action plan for them. 

Please note that prior experience of working with people with sensory loss is helpful but not essential for this role, as all relevant training will be provided.

Contact us for further details of the job role on 0800 132 320.

The Company

We support people who have combined sight and hearing loss which affects their access to information, mobility, and communication. We help them to live with their condition and to build their confidence and independence.

Deafblindness affects everyone in different ways. Some people might have mild sight and hearing loss whereas others can’t see or hear anything. It can be isolating and lonely and can lead to mental health issues - but it’s far more common than many people realise. Around 450,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss in the UK.

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Weekdays

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Office based in central London with regular independent travel across Greater London required.

Application Instructions

To apply please provide a CV and one page cover letter demonstrating your previous experience and suitability. AI generated letters will be overlooked.

This is an exciting senior policy role in our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The development of a UK-wide child poverty strategy in government means this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to influence to influence policy makers to adopt our evidence-based policy solutions to child poverty.

We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing evidence-based policy positions to support CPAG’s influencing and campaigns work. You will have knowledge of political processes and how external organisations can effect change. You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues. You will enjoy working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions, working closely with colleagues across the organisation as well as externally.

The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the development and implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, sharing analysis and expertise as part of the DWP’s review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of the green paper on the changes to disability benefits, and the white paper on employment.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Senior Policy and Research Officer job pack.

Closing date for applications: Monday 7 July (midnight)

Interviews will be held in London on Monday 14 July

KEY INFORMATION

Location: Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, full time

Start date: September 2025 (we are happy to work with you and your notice period)

Duration: Permanent

Salary: £33,220 - £38,370 per annum if based in London. £30,645 -£35,795 per annum if based in Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle or Bristol. Salary banding is dependent on the skills and experience criteria detailed below. £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance. Salaries are reviewed annually in August.

Applications will close 9am, 21st July.

Interviews will be taking place w/c 28th July 2025.

ABOUT UPREACH

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

upReach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2. 

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. 

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.

ROLE SUMMARY

This is a great opportunity for a motivated and ambitious fundraiser with experience in trusts, foundations and/or corporate fundraising to join upReach as we deliver our three-year strategy (2024–2027). The successful candidate will contribute to the growth of upReach through the development and stewardship of relationships with trusts, foundations, and corporate partners, and by helping secure five and six figure grants and gifts.

Reporting to the Senior Fundraising Manager, this role will manage a portfolio of funders and help the wider team to meet income targets. You will work collaboratively across the organisation including the delivery and impact teams, finance, partnerships, and  Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Working with stakeholders (internal and external)

• Develop and maintain positive, mutually beneficial relationships with key external contacts, including funders and volunteers.

• Champion and model a culture of outstanding relationship management. 

• Make the fundraising ‘ask’ as and when appropriate.

• Respond promptly to requests for information and action from supporters. 

• Report and disseminate the key issues to emerge from supporter feedback.

Fundraising

• Independently manage a portfolio of charitable trusts & foundations, and corporate supporters, giving at the five and six figure level. Steward these relationships delivering the highest levels of donor care. 

• Research and identify potential new funding opportunities to build the team’s pipeline. 

• Lead on the cultivation of your own pipeline of new funders, working creatively to find opportunities to engage organisations with our work. 

• Develop compelling, comprehensive funding proposals for trusts & foundations and companies, to renew existing partnerships and secure funding from new organisations. 

• Work closely with colleagues in the Data & Impact and Programmes team to prepare and write donor reports and other impact communications. 

• Contribute to the smooth delivery of philanthropic corporate partnerships including employee engagement, staff fundraising activities and volunteering.

• Prepare and thoroughly brief senior colleagues ahead of meetings with potential and existing funders. 

Financial

• Contribute to team fundraising income target (circa £2m) in line with the overarching strategy.

• Help track progress against income targets and report on performance regularly to the fundraising team.

• Contribute to the management of budgets and assist in preparing forecasts and annual plans.

• Flag risks or opportunities that may affect income generation to senior team members.

Team Support and Collaboration

• Manage team members on our graduate programme (rotatees) on fundraising projects as required.

• Play a proactive role in facilitating a positive, collaborative and high-performing fundraising team culture.

• Attend and contribute to regular team meetings and planning sessions.

• Work with teams across the organisation to ensure fundraising plans align with organisational needs and priorities.

Systems and Processes

• Maintain accurate and up to date records on the CRM to enable effective donor, supporter, supplier and volunteer relationship management. 

• Comply with the organisation’s data protection obligations, charity law and other legal requirements.

Other

• Continue to develop fundraising skills and knowledge, including keeping up to date with best practice and sector trends.

• Carry out additional fundraising and administrative tasks as needed to help the team.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

To be successful, it is anticipated that you will have experience working in a fundraising role within a charity or similar environment. The ideal candidate should display these skills: 

• Significant experience working in a fundraising or similar role within a charity or nonprofit setting, to include writing funding proposals and stewardship reports. 

• Knowledge of high value fundraising techniques including a clear understanding of prospecting, cultivating, securing and managing partnerships.

• Strong communication and storytelling skills, both written and oral, with the ability to turn complex ideas into concise and effective cases for support.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail 

• Able to manage a varied workload and balance conflicting priorities to meet deadlines.

• Confidence working independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment.

• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Some familiarity with data protection, GDPR and good practice in donor stewardship.

• A desire to learn, grow and develop a career in fundraising.

• A strong alignment with upReach’s mission and a passion for tackling barriers to social mobility.

If you are interested in the role but do not meet all of the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you. We’d also welcome a call to discuss the role further if that would be helpful for you. 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES 

• Motivation - Shows self-motivation to increase upReach’s impact, and develops an understanding of team strengths to provide support to the wider team where needed.

• Leadership - Takes responsibility for leading on set projects, creating a supportive environment for any others working on the project, and inspiring the wider team by keeping them informed on progress.

• Continuous improvement - Pursues this continuously, focusing on developing specific skills needed in your role, actively implementing any learnings from training, and measuring your performance.

• Planning and organising - Organising own work effectively, including scheduling, prioritising, setting and communicating realistic timeframes, and negotiating successfully when faced with multiple requests / working on collaborative tasks.

• Problem solving & decision making - Being the key problem solver within an area of responsibility, using experience to analyse problems from different angles, including getting input from others, asking questions and using data before making decisions

• Innovative - Proactively suggestions to improve the team’s current working methods, applying own knowledge and expertise to solutions

• Management (rotations)- Able to give clear instruction and lets people know what’s expected of them in collaborative work or area of leadership, and able to manage partnerships / external relationships effectively

• Commitment to social mobility - Has developed an advanced understanding of social mobility and complex concepts within the field, and can articulate upReach’s role within this to external stakeholders

• Communication - Express ideas effectively and sensitively, confidently handling challenging conversations, and leading meetings and sessions where appropriate.

Team Culture & Benefits: 

By joining the upReach team, you will be joining a team who are committed to supporting you in your career journey and fostering an inclusive culture. 

We offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working

• Statutory Holiday Entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays. This increases to 27 days 2.5 years and then to 30 days after 5 years of working with us.

• Birthday leave and volunteer leave

• Enhanced Parental Leave beyond statutory requirements for all team members. 

• 3% Pension Contribution, which increases to 5% after 5 years of working with us. 

• Cycle-to-work and tech buying schemes.

• Monthly socials

• Dedication to Staff Wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aid Training and annual wellbeing days

• Summer Hours (early Friday finishes from June to Aug)

• Personal Development Budget, activated after 6 months in the role

• The opportunity to participate in our fantastic staff networks: 

  • Disability and Inclusion Network

  • Diverse Roots Network 

  • Green Network 

  • LGBTQ+ Network

  • Mindfulness Network

  • Parents and Carers Network 

  • Socio-economic Background Network

Ready to apply?

We are committed to making our recruitment process inclusive. All applications will be blind screened, and our job packs are available in Braille, large text or another format upon request. We can provide reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment application process and on the job, and we'll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. 

Applications close on Monday, 21st July at 9 am. 

Equal Opportunities

At upReach, we are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, social background or any other protected class. We celebrate and value the diverse perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our team. We are passionate about creating a workplace that is inclusive and reflects the diversity of communities across the UK. Diversity in the workplace creates dynamic and effective organisations and we are actively working to build a more inclusive workforce by continuously improving our recruitment, retention, and development practices. We  particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities , those who are care-experienced, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, and those who are LGBTQIA+. During the application process you will be asked to fill out your diversity information, this will not effect your outcome and cannot be seen by application reviewers and interviewers. All diversity data collected is anonymous.