Activity volunteer volunteer roles in colchester, essex

Role Purpose

The Volunteer PR Officer will help raise awareness of the organisation’s mission, activities, and achievements by creating and sharing engaging stories. They will manage relationships with the media, support communication campaigns, and strengthen the organisation’s public image.

Key Responsibilities

• Media Relations
  • Draft and distribute press releases, articles, and media briefings.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with journalists, bloggers, and local media outlets.
  • Respond to media enquiries promptly and professionally.
• Content Creation
  • Write engaging content for newsletters, blogs, and social media platforms.
  • Support the design of promotional materials (posters, flyers, campaigns).
  • Capture and share stories that showcase the impact of the organisation’s work.
•  
• Campaigns & Events
  • Assist with the planning and promotion of fundraising and awareness campaigns.
  • Promote events through traditional and digital channels.
  • Represent the organisation at community events and networking opportunities.
• Brand & Reputation
  • Ensure all communications are consistent with the organisation’s tone, values, and branding.
  • Monitor media coverage and share highlights with the team.
  • Support crisis communication when needed.

Skills & Qualities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident in networking and building relationships.
• Creative and able to generate new ideas for campaigns.
• Familiar with social media and digital communication tools.
• Organised, reliable, and able to work independently.

Commitment

• Flexible hours (approx. 3–6 hours per week, depending on campaigns and events).
• Willingness to attend occasional meetings and events.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Gain valuable PR and communications experience.
• Develop professional skills and expand your network.
• Contribute to a cause that makes a real difference.
• Be part of a passionate, supportive volunteer team.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sport. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to sports clubs, sporting venues and facilities and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a sporting world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing
1. Talks to sports and physical activity providers to support and encourage them to consider the needs of blind and partially sighted people by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local leisure centres, sporting venues and sports clubs.
2. Delivering talks to raise awareness of existing sporting and physical activity opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.
3. Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service.

What you’ll gain from the role
1. A chance to give something back in an area you are passionate about.
2. A chance to make a difference with a sense of achievement.
3. A chance to build a strong community of sports people with sight loss.
4. A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, increasing your confidence and skills to talk to groups of people with impact, with an opportunity to develop your role into delivering independently over time.
5. Opportunity to explore different roles within our organisation including our internal recruitment vacancies

In return for donating your time we will support you with:
1. A rewarding role
2. A great Induction and Training, in particular training in public speaking and story telling will be given.
3. A supportive Manager
4. Regular catch-ups
5. Expenses
6. An opportunity to connect with other volunteers

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• This role requires 1 reference.

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

• This role is reserved for blind and partially sighted applicants

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• You’ll ideally have 1. Lived experience in playing, spectating, or delivering sport or physical activity sessions as a blind or partially sighted person. 2. Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sports and physical activity. 3. Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your sporting story, or a willingness to try with our support. 4. Have effective communication skills. 5. An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people

An accredited museum and award winning visitor attraction, Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a charity and the largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe.

We are a centre for volunteering and, with the assistance of over 100 volunteers, we deliver an extensive programme of educational and fundraising events each year designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of visitors including historians, aviation enthusiasts, school parties and families. 

We also open to the public most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

We are looking for people who can our meet, greet and provide information to our visitors, all wrapped up in a friendly welcome to the site. This will also include taking care of our small retail outlet.

You will become familiar with our shop and our range of gifts and gradually build up your knowledge of our museum and exhibitions.

Are you... 

• Friendly and confident when talking to people of all ages and backgrounds
• Able to build strong relationships with staff and other volunteers
• Happy working in a small but busy team
• Willing to learn the operation of a simple till system
• Willing to find out more about our displays and exhibitions
• Happy to undertake other ad-hoc roles

This could be the perfect role for you! 

What are Serving Community Teams?     

Volunteers are the lifeblood of SSAFA. SSAFA has developed Serving Community Teams for volunteers to support serving personnel their families in the UK and overseas.     

A Serving Community Team is run by a small team of volunteers on or near a British Armed Forces base which provide emotional, practical and financial support to the serving community. Our Fundraising Volunteers help support local fundraising activities to raise awareness and vital funds for SSAFA. You could be helping at fayres, quizzes or raffles, or lending a hand at a stall at a unit Families Day.

Why we want you

Serving Community Teams (SCTs) offer financial, practical and emotional support to serving personnel and their families at military bases both in the UK and overseas. Each SCT consists of a group of dedicated volunteers working together to raise SSAFA’s profile, ensuring those who need support receive it. Fundraising Volunteers are a support role within the team, helping to raise awareness of SSAFA at fundraising events throughout the year. If you enjoy meeting people while lending a hand at fundraising events, we would love to hear from you. You could be helping at fayres, running quizzes or raffles, cheering at sporting events or having a stall at a unit’s Families Day. Depending on the size of the SCT, you may be supported by a Events and Fundraising Coordinator.

What you will be doing

• Being part of a team helping host events, run stalls, attend fayres and working together to ensure they run well.
• Promoting events, putting up posters and spreading the word.
• Helping to set-up or pack away afterwards.
• Promoting the work of SSAFA and the SCT, highlighting case studies, good news stories and best practice to the Events and Fundraising Coordinator.
• Being an ambassador for SSAFA, building positive relationships with all stakeholders.

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable with effective communication skills.
• Ability to travel to community venues and set up for events (out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with SSAFA policy).
• Confident to chatting to people.
• Basic IT skills to be able to communicate online and access eLearning courses.
• Non-judgemental approach in alignment with SSAFA’s values and standards.
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.
• We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA is committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

What's in it for you

• Give back to the serving community.
• Support people in your local serving community using your skills, knowledge and life experience.
• Gain experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Receive support and friendship from your local SCT and the wider SSAFA community.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

Requirements     

Volunteers need to be a minimum of 18 years old.   

Time commitment     

Depending on the needs of the team, this role would suit someone who would like to volunteer 2-4 hours a month. There will be times when attendance is required for a team meeting which may be in person or virtually.    

Support     

Full training is provided for this role, with some e-learning modules online. You will also be supported by your SCT chair and Serving Community Support Team.     

SSAFA Values     

For SSAFA, our values of commitment, compassion, integrity and understanding underpin everything we do, and we ask that all volunteers are equally committed to them.     

After making an application     

Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive updates to the email address you provided in your application. Sometimes the emails we send go into junk folders, so do keep an eye out in the days following your application.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Obuyisi bw’Omu Initiative 

Obuyisi bw’Omu Initiative empowers underserved communities in Uganda—particularly women, youth, and children—through grassroots action, advocacy, and partnerships. It addresses key challenges including limited mental health support, poor water and sanitation, barriers to quality education, and the impacts of climate change. Programs create safe spaces for mental health awareness, improve clean water access and hygiene, and provide educational resources and mentorship to promote inclusive learning. Climate action efforts involve tree planting, conservation, and sustainable practices. By fostering community ownership and engaging volunteers, Obuyisi bw’Omu drives practical, sustainable solutions that enhance well-being and resilience for lasting positive change.

Project Manager

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Obuyisi Bw'omu Initiative is seeking a dedicated Project Management Volunteer to support the planning, coordination, and delivery of our programs in Mental Health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Health), Quality Education, and Climate Resilience. This is a remote/virtual volunteer role. The volunteer will play a key role in ensuring that all projects are well-structured, delivered on time, and aligned with our mission to create sustainable impact in the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities Program Planning & Coordination: Develop project workplans, timelines, and activity schedules across all thematic areas (Mental Health, WASH, Education, Climate Resilience). Project Monitoring: Track progress of ongoing programs, identify gaps or risks, and recommend solutions. Documentation & Reporting: Maintain project records, compile activity reports, and prepare brief updates for internal and external stakeholders. Stakeholder Communication: Liaise virtually with partners, community representatives, and team members to ensure effective collaboration. Resource Management Support: Assist in organizing project resources, including digital tools, volunteers, and partner contributions. Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to lessons learned and best practices to strengthen program delivery and organizational impact. Support Grant/Proposal Inputs (if applicable): Provide project information and frameworks that can be used in donor proposals or reports.

Weekly Time Commitment

10+ hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Be the one to make the difference!

We are undergoing an exciting period of growth and have a fresh new mission to create a listening space for attendees to the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), and offer compassionate and inclusive mental health support, resources and practical support to promote wellbeing for patients.

We are looking for enthusiastic, friendly, resilient and community minded volunteers to help support our new Hospital Link Service, which operates in Colchester. 

If you would like to play your part in supporting better mental health in your community, we would love to hear from you.

The role: 

Mid and North East Essex (MNEE) Mind work effectively in partnership with local commissioners to offer non-clinical person-centred support to people who are experiencing emotional distress. 

The service will be open between 2pm and 9.30pm, 7 days per week, and we are looking for volunteers who are flexible and available during the service hours, be that for a couple of hours or more.

About Us:

We are a local charity, working within the local area who believes no one should face a mental health problem alone.  “Our mission is to support and empower people experiencing an emotional or mental health condition by building on their personal hopes and aspirations.  This is achieved by identifying and responding to community needs in order to deliver an effective and efficient system or community base services.”

Our staff have worked together on a set of values that are most important to us and our service users. These values underpin the way we do everything at Mid and North East Essex Mind and we are really proud of that.

• Listening - We listen to the needs of our wider community and each other – actively engaging, learning and sharing every day
• Co-Producing - We believe that the people affected by a service are best placed to help design it and reach collective outcomes together
• Trusted - We build trust in our communities by consistently delivering high quality services and being honest in everything we do
• Inclusive - We develop inclusive services and support that respect the diversity and dignity of everyone in our communities
• Innovative - We explore new ideas and ways of working to build a culture that embraces innovation, excellence and creative solutions
• Supportive - We foster a culture of empathy, respect and open communication to support our communities and each other

If you share our values and identify with MNEE Mind mission statement, please apply.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, collaborating with our communities and partners to drive innovation and better decision-making. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to try to ensure we better represent our communities.

Join us in creating an environment where everyone feels supported, respected, and valued. Let’s build a community that thrives on inclusivity and mutual respect.

About the Role

At Living Reasons, we want to change the face of fundraising and entertainment events. We’re not interested in repeating outdated models — instead, we want to create immersive, innovative, and accessible experiences that engage supporters in brand new ways.

The Events & Entertainments Lead will play a key role in making this vision a reality. You’ll oversee events and entertainment coordinators working on specific projects, ensuring events are well-planned, properly funded, safe, and accessible to all. At the same time, you’ll work with the wider team to design bold, creative, and inclusive experiences — from accessibility-led escape rooms to sensory events, to interactive challenges inspired by shows like The Traitors.

This role is about big thinking, imagination, and leadership. It’s perfect for someone who wants to push boundaries and reimagine what fundraising and entertainment events can look like.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and support Events & Entertainments Coordinators delivering specific projects.

• Ensure all events are effectively planned and funded, including managing:

  • Health & Safety requirements

  • Insurance needs

  • Accessibility and inclusivity considerations

• Work with the wider Events, Entertainments & Challenges team to design new, engaging opportunities for supporters.

• Develop immersive, creative experiences that break the mould of traditional fundraising events.

• Build and lead a team of creative volunteers, supporting them to contribute ideas and take ownership of projects.

• Help ensure events raise vital funds to support Living Reasons’ work, while also being enjoyable, inclusive, and meaningful for all participants.

What We’re Looking For

• A creative thinker who sees beyond traditional event formats.

• Strong organisational and planning skills.

• Ability to lead and inspire a team of coordinators and volunteers.

• Confidence in problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

• A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in every project.

• Enthusiasm for fundraising and creating unique supporter experiences.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to develop and showcase leadership, event management, and creative design skills.

• Experience in building and leading a team of passionate volunteers.

• The opportunity to test bold ideas and bring innovative events to life.

• The knowledge that your creativity is directly supporting meaningful change.

• A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are valued.

Interested?
If you’re excited about reimagining events and entertainment, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your ideas, your energy, and your creativity — and let’s design the future of events together.

UKuhamba

Ukuhamba produces lightweight, custom-made, and affordable prosthetics using 3D printing technology to improve the lives of amputees living with disabilities, restoring their independence and dignity.

Ukuhamba aims to address several social and environmental challenges such as:

• Limited access to prosthetic devices: Many individuals in Africa, particularly in rural areas, lack access to prosthetic devices due to high costs, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of trained personnel.
• Social stigma associated with disability: People with disabilities, especially amputees, often face social exclusion, stigma, and discrimination, which can lead to feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and depression.
• Economic burden of disability:The lack of access to prosthetic devices can result in significant economic burdens on individuals and communities, limiting their ability to participate in education, employment, and community activities.
• Environmental impact of prosthetic production: Traditional prosthetic production methods can have a significant environmental impact, which Ukuhamba aims to mitigate by using recycled materials, such as plastic water bottles, in their 3D printing process.

Ukuhamba addresses social and environmental challenges in several ways:

• Increasing accessibility to prosthetics: They provide affordable, custom-made prosthetic limbs to individuals with physical disabilities, particularly in South Africa where access to these devices is limited. Currently, only about 30.5% of individuals in need have access to prosthetics.
• Reducing stigma associated with disability: By infusing fashion into their prosthetic designs, Ukuhamba aims to empower users to proudly showcase their prosthetics, challenging societal stigmas surrounding disability.
• Environmental sustainability: Ukuhamba utilizes recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, in their 3D printing process, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendliness.
• Empowering individuals with disabilities: Their prosthetic solutions enable individuals to regain independence, mobility, and dignity, allowing them to participate more fully in daily life activities and contribute to their communities.
• Promoting inclusivity: By providing low-cost prosthetics, Ukuhamba bridges the gap for underprivileged individuals who cannot afford these devices, fostering greater inclusivity and social equality.

Graphic Designer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

-Develop creative concepts and visual designs based on project requirements. -Create graphics, illustrations, layouts, and visual assets for websites, social media, advertisements, brochures, packaging, and other marketing materials. -Collaborate with marketing, product, and content teams to ensure cohesive messaging and brand consistency. -Use design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.). -Revise and iterate on designs based on feedback and direction from stakeholders. -Stay updated on design trends and emerging technologies to keep creative work fresh and relevant.

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

Could you use your social media, marketing and communications experience to raise the profile of a small charity? Help us to increase our social media presence and engagement, generate greatr content and help promote existing activities.

Our charity delivers a range of awareness campaigns and support services to patients, relatives, partners and carers who have been affected by a poorly understood pain condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). We are looking for 4 experienced social media and communications volunteers who are able to develop posts including graphics and campaigns from inception to design, create fresh and engaging content, increase engagement and to increase awareness of the charity and of the condition we represent.

Even though we are a small organisation we have big ideas and would like to draw on your experience in the communications world to help the charity deliver engaging content and communications to help us spread our aims and message to all our audience.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Engagement: Help increase engagement, improve the number of followers/likes, create & execute a content calendar
• Content Creation: Produce fresh, branded and engaging content for our social media channels 
• Graphics: Prepare graphics and text for sharing across channels 
• Engage with our followers and encourage interaction 
• Manage and maintain social media channels on a regular basis
• Support charity campaigns, marketing, events and fundraising activities by promoting them on our social media feeds
• Use your creative skills to support strategies to engage, grow, and widen our target audiences
• Develop publicity materials and communication techniques for social media to raise awareness of our chronic condition 

You will be with a small team of volunteers who will provide an overview of our existing social media content, our brand and how we have approached our social media content to date. 

Experience
We are looking for a volunteer who has experience in:

• Different types of marketing and communications media, including electronic and social media
• Writing and editing marketing content for social media platforms including Facebook, X, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn (especially TikTok, Instagram Reels & posts and YouTube)
• Building strategies to increase social media following and /or build fundraising or awareness campaigns
• Developing a coherent brand voice for social media, from content creation to community interactions
• Using and setting up tools such as Buffer, Canva etc
• Creating and executing content calendars to help plan social media activity 

Skills Required

• Excellent written communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail 
• Creative writing and design abilities
• Good computer and digital skills
• Enthusiasm for communications and marketing and willingness to learn
• Ability to quickly understand the needs of our team / organisation / users
• Ability to transform small snippets of information into interesting and engaging stories suitable for X, Facebook, Instagram etc.
• Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and is able to work with these
• Open to feedback 
• An interest in helping Burning Nights CRPS Support achieve its aims
• Good organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to work as part of a team

What Difference You Will Make
You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we can maintain our support services and become a sustainable charity to allow us to fulfil our aims.

Benefits

You would be a part of our small, friendly and forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or about the condition. You would have a key role in developing a socoal media strategy for a small charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.
You will further develop your communication skills, gain PR and marketing experience and develop your social media skills.

This is a remote volunteering role, volunteering from your own home.

Join the Brotherhood: Your Compassion Can Build a Legacy!

Imagine a world where every man feels strong enough to be vulnerable. Where asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but an act of profound courage. At MINDSET Charity, we're not just imagining it – we're building it, and we need you to make it real.

The silence surrounding men's struggles is a crisis that breaks hearts and costs lives. Sadly, suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. Behind every statistic is a man, a son, a father, a friend, battling alone. MINDSET is here to change that. We're a brand new start-up charity, forging a brotherhood to inform, guide, and support men, empowering their mental well-being and self-improvement through vital services, events, and a powerful community.

This is your chance to be at the very beginning of something extraordinary. We're not just looking for volunteers; we're seeking pioneers with a burning desire to create a lasting impact. We need your heart, your skills, and your unwavering belief to help us get set up and launched, providing much-needed services to men in need across the UK.

Your passion, right now, can lay the foundation for a future where no man walks his journey alone.

Roll Up Your Sleeves: Shape Our Future!

We also have a crucial hands-on volunteer role available, where your skills will directly contribute to our setup and launch!

Graphic Designer: Volunteer Opportunity

At MINDSET you will bring our mission to life visually, creating compelling materials that resonate deeply.

As a brand new start-up, our visual identity is crucial – it's the first impression, the feeling we evoke, and the clarity of our call to action. We need a designer who can translate our passion, empathy, and impact into visuals that resonate deeply and inspire action.

This pivotal Volunteer Graphic Designer role is for someone who understands that design is more than aesthetics; it's communication that cuts through the noise. You will be instrumental in crafting our visual voice, creating materials that not only look incredible but also carry the weight of our mission, touching hearts and opening minds.

Imagine the profound impact: Your designs will be the visual handshake for men seeking support, the engaging invitation for potential volunteers, and the professional face that attracts vital partnerships. Every leaflet, social media post, and website graphic you create will directly contribute to building awareness, fostering connection, and ensuring Mindset's message reaches those who need it most.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brand Identity Development & Application: Work with the team to refine and consistently apply Mindset's visual brand guidelines across all platforms and materials.

• Marketing & Campaign Graphics: Design impactful visuals for social media posts, online campaigns, digital adverts, and promotional banners that tell our story and encourage engagement.

• Website & Digital Assets: Create compelling graphics, icons, and layouts for our website, ensuring it is visually appealing, user-friendly, and reflective of our brand.

• Print Materials: Design brochures, leaflets, posters, and other print collateral for events, outreach, and fundraising activities.

• Workshop & Resource Design: Develop clear, engaging, and professional layouts for workshop materials, guides, and self-help resources.

• Event & Fundraising Collateral: Create visuals for event signage, fundraising appeals, and partnership presentations.

• Visual Storytelling: Translate complex messages about mental health and self-improvement into accessible, empathetic, and inspiring visual narratives.

Are you ready to be a part of this incredible journey? We are building a charity, and we need your help and support.

Reach out today and tell us how you want to make a difference. Email your CV and a heartfelt message about why you're drawn to Mindset Charity.

Together, we can build a stronger Mindset. Together, we can save lives.

MINDSET Charity

Empowering Men Through Mental Wellbeing and Personal Growth

About Us 

Suicide Awareness Prevention UK (SAPUK) is a dedicated, non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC), established in 2016, focused on providing support to individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Our goal is to guide people from distress toward hope, helping them regain the strength to live their lives to the fullest.

Overview
 We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Fundraising Volunteer to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to support our mission. This position requires excellent communication skills, a strong ability to build relationships, and a commitment to achieving fundraising goals. The Fundraiser will engage with various stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and community members, to promote our cause and secure financial support.

Duties

• Develop and execute fundraising campaigns that align with the organisation's objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors through effective communication and engagement strategies.
• Utilise software tools such as Raiser's Edge for tracking donations, managing donor information, and reporting on fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create promotional materials that highlight fundraising initiatives.
• Organise fundraising events, including planning logistics, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring successful execution.
• Conduct outreach efforts to engage the community and raise awareness about the organisation's mission.
• Provide exceptional customer service to donors and stakeholders, addressing inquiries and fostering positive relationships.
• Monitor market trends in fundraising to identify new opportunities for growth and engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in fundraising or a related field is preferred.
• Strong skills in relationship management and public relations.
• Proficiency in using software tools such as Raiser's Edge or similar fundraising platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also being self-motivated.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• A passion for the organisation's mission and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: Up to £1.00 per year

Expected hours: No less than 2 per week

Benefits:

• Work from home

Experience:

• Fundraising: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

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.

What are Serving Community Teams?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of SSAFA. SSAFA has developed Serving Community Teams for volunteers to support serving personnel their families in the UK and overseas.

A Serving Community Team is run by a small team of volunteers on or near a British Armed Forces base, to provide emotional, practical and financial support to the serving community. Our volunteer Administration Coordinators are an integral part of the team supporting the volunteers to host meetings, events and support beneficiaries in their local community.

Why we want you

There is a SSAFA presence throughout the serving community, both in the UK and overseas. In many areas SSAFA has Serving Community Teams which offer financial, practical, and emotional support to serving personnel and their families. Each team consists of a group of dedicated volunteers who make this possible. That’s where your skills come in. Could you spare some time to provide excellent administration support to the team of volunteers on a regular basis? The Administration Coordinator keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. This is a key role involving organising and recording team meetings, supporting with general planning, and helping with events administration.

What you will be doing

• Providing administrative support for Serving Community Team meetings - at least four per year, held either in person or online. This includes sending invites and recording minutes.
• Working with the Chair and wider volunteer team to create an annual plan of activity based on local need.
• Supporting members of the team with general administration tasks. For example, helping with fundraising events, local engagement and publicity events.
• Responding to general enquiries to the SCT where needed.

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable with good written and communication skills.
• Empathy regarding the needs and challenges of the serving community.
• Good IT and administration skills.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach.
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.
• We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA is committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others.
• Give back to the Armed Forces community.
• Become part of the SSAFA community and build networks across the serving community and local area.
• Gain experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression! 

Requirements

Volunteers need to be a minimum of 18 years old.

Time commitment

Depending on the needs of the team, this role would suit someone who would like to volunteer a couple of hours a week.  There will be times when attendance is required for a team meeting which may be in person or virtually.

Support

Full training is provided for this role, with some e-learning modules online and a live Teams webinar. You will also be supported by your SCT chair and Serving Community Support Team. 

SSAFA Values

For SSAFA, our values of; commitment, compassion, integrity and understanding underpin everything we do, and we ask that all volunteers are equally committed to them.

After making an application

Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive updates to the email address you provided in your application. Sometimes the emails we send go into junk folders, so do keep an eye out in the days following your application.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Volunteering for Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

Due to the nature of the role, we require all applicants to be aged 16 or over. You must have a UK address to volunteer with Sense.

What your role will involve

You’ll get the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service, helping create a wonderful shopping experience.
• Receiving donated items from the public, thanking them for their support.
• Sorting, steaming and preparing donations for sale.
• Helping to display stock in eye-catching and exciting ways.
• Keeping the shop floor clean, safe and tidy.
• Talking to customers about Sense and the work we do. 

When you’re ready, we’ll provide you with additional training to:

• Serve customers on the till in a warm and friendly way.
• Put sales through the till, packing them and thanking the customer for shopping with us.
• Talk to customers about Gift Aid and other fundraising initiatives.

If you’re interested in taking on additional responsibilities, you can train to become a Key Volunteer, helping the shop manager by:

• Helping supervise the shop and other volunteers.
• Supporting the shop manager to make sure customers have a great experience.
• Opening and closing the shop when needed.
• Cashing up at the end of the day. 

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs.
• Calm, kind and have a friendly personality.
• A team player who enjoys working with others.
• Enthusiastic, motivated and someone with a positive attitude.
• Respectful of others. 

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Barefoot and Free is a grassroots charity that supports families of neurodivergent children and children affected by trauma. We offer fully funded staycations and nature-based respite breaks for families and parent carers who are often at breaking point.

We’re a small, warm team not a large wealthy organisation and we care deeply about what we do. There are no airs and graces here, just real people doing our best to help families who need a break. Right now, we need someone with the skills and experience to help us bring in more funding to meet the growing need.

We’re looking for someone experienced and independent.
This is not a start out training opportunity. You’ll be working alongside an existing bid writer and need to come in ready to get stuck in with little to no guidance, it will test your resiliance and give you some amazing challenges. We’re looking for someone who knows how to write strong, successful bids and is comfortable finding opportunities, matching them to our projects, and managing the process from start to finish, we are giving you alot of exciting responsibility so if you wish to progress and move to the next step and meet some personal goals this is for you. 

What are we looking for?

• Solid experience writing successful funding bids, ideally in the charity or non-profit sector

• Someone self-motivated, confident, and able to work without close supervision

• A clear communicator who can work independently and enjoy networking.

• Someone who genuinely cares about the work we do and wants to help us keep doing it

• Meet funding dealines and reporting deadlines

• Help along with our team to maintain the funding database and outcomes

What difference will you make?

By securing funding through successful bids, you will be supporting Barefoot and Free towards building a more sustainable and resilient organisation. Your input will be instrumental in establishing long-term sustainability, ensuring that our vulnerable families are supported over time. Families are often stretched to the limit with carer roles, supporting vulnerable children and young people without breaks or respite, by securing suitable funding you will be supporting them and the long-term sustainability of the organisation's efforts with the ultimate goal of profoundly improving the quality of life for our families.

We rely entirely on grants and donations. Every successful bid helps keep the doors open for families who often have nowhere else to turn.

Perks of volunteering with us:

• Flexibility to work around your life, take the lead on bids from start to finish

• Join a genuinely warm, down-to-earth team where your input is truly valued and felt

• Be part of something that directly supports struggling families in a very real way

• A rewarding role where your skills will have a direct and lasting impact

• Achieve some personal goals and a chance to build your portfolio with meaningful, purpose-driven work

If you’re looking to be part of something real, something with heart, and you’ve got the experience to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you today.