Communications manager volunteer roles

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra welcomes applications from any skilled professional with expert knowledge in their field and who has a passion for the role a major arts charity can play across a socially and geographically diverse region.

‘The cultural heartbeat of the South West.’

Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England

One of the UK’s best-loved orchestras, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is a professional ensemble known for championing the role of culture in people’s lives. Based at Lighthouse, Poole, it has residencies in Bournemouth, Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton and Yeovil — and is the largest cultural provider in the South West, serving one of the biggest and most diverse regions in the UK.

Whilst the BSO already benefits from a wide range of skills on the Board of Trustees, we are looking to strengthen the team further and provide long-term succession planning in its governance.

Given BSO’s unique remit covering 10,000 square miles of the South and South West of England, the Board is seeking to appoint two Trustees to help build BSO’s presence and connections regionally and nationally. We hope that our new Trustees will help develop the Company’s links across Corporate, Civic and Community life.

Through this recruitment, BSO are looking for two individuals. The BSO is seeking a trustee with Director of Finance experience who can lead on financial matters on behalf of the Board. Experience as a chief finance officer in the business, charity or education sectors would be preferable.  They are also seeking someone who can help the company build resilience for the business in Bristol and across the South West, developing new supportive relationships centered around the fact we are currently Bristol Beacon’s Orchestra in Residence. It is hoped that at least one of the two new Trustees appointed will be Bristol based.

For further details, please download our briefing pack from our website.

Role Overview

As the Volunteer Executive Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting the CEO by managing key administrative and strategic tasks that help drive the organisation’s success. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, gaining insight into high-level decision-making and organisational strategy.

You will act as a trusted partner to the CEO, assisting with scheduling, communication, and project coordination to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. 

This role is perfect for someone who:

Enjoys taking initiative and finding creative solutions to challenges.

Has a keen eye for detail and can anticipate the needs of leadership before they arise.

Is looking for a hands-on learning experience in executive leadership, nonprofit management, or organisational strategy.

Wants to make a meaningful impact by supporting a mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities:

Act as a key point of contact and liaison between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders.

Coordinate, prepare, and follow up on meetings, ensuring the CEO is always equipped with relevant information and materials

Draft and edit correspondence, reports, and presentations to maintain a professional and impactful standard.

Undertake research and data analysis to support decision-making and strategic initiatives.

Assist with project management tasks, ensuring deadlines and objectives are met.

Support the planning and coordination of events, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.

Keep track of key actions, priorities, and goals, ensuring the CEO's time is optimised for maximum impact.

Adapt to the evolving needs of the CEO and the organization, stepping into new challenges with enthusiasm.

What We’re Looking For

Strong organizational and time-management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office / Google Suite

Ability to work independently and handle confidential information

Previous experience in executive support or administration (preferred but not required)

Passion for our mission and a commitment to supporting nonprofit work

What You’ll Gain

By joining us as a Volunteer Executive Assistant, you’ll gain more than just experience—you’ll become part of a meaningful mission while developing key professional skills. Here’s what you can expect:

- Valuable Executive-Level Experience – Gain first hand insight into the operations of a CEO and how strategic decisions are made within an organisation.

- Professional Development – Enhance your skills in executive administration, leadership, time management, and communication—great for career advancement.

- Mentorship & Networking – Work closely with an experienced CEO and connect with professionals across different sectors, expanding your career opportunities.

- Resume Booster – Having experience as an Executive Assistant to a CEO is a strong asset for future job opportunities, particularly in business, nonprofit leadership, and administration.

- Flexibility – Enjoy a volunteer role that fits around your schedule. We understand that life is busy, so we offer flexibility in working hours.

- Personal Fulfillment – Contribute to a cause you’re passionate about, knowing that your work is directly helping to drive real change.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with a CEO, gain invaluable executive experience, and contribute to a mission-driven organisation. If you’re highly organised, proactive, and eager to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in driving positive change—apply today by sending your CV and a brief cover letter

We look forward to welcoming you to the team!

Providing a confidential non-judgemental listening ear to Residents and Staff. Supporting those wishing to develop their spiritual journey from a Christian perspective. The role will be based across one of our hostels in Watford, Borehamwood, Bishop's Stortford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield or High Wycombe, 

Activities include:

• Proactively engaging with Residents and staff to build safe relationships and trust
• Offering a ‘listening ear’ to all and giving emotional support
• Sensitively discerning when to offer prayer and support from a Christian perspective, and when to use faith based language
• Be inclusive and welcoming to people of all religious faiths and none, referring people to other faith communities as appropriate
• Working alongside support staff, volunteers & local agencies
• Maintaining records of support and feeding back concerns about Resident welfare to Staff/Line Manager.
• Attend regular volunteer team meetings
• Being proactive in seeking spiritual and emotional support for your own benefit as this is a challenging role.

Additional activities could include:

• Facilitating group work for example: Retreat Programme, Bible Study, prayer or Mental Health Support.
• Welcoming new Residents by phone or in person
• Leading or helping with Chaplaincy lead events: Easter/Christmas activities, Remembrance Services
• Being an ambassador for YMCA’s mission in local Churches

Skills/Qualities/Experience:

• Be a good and active listener who can support others
• Be of a friendly, welcoming and cheerful disposition
• Self-motivated, reliable and punctual
• Sensitivity and courage to care for people experiencing a range of distressing situations including: grief, trauma, poor mental health, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts.
• A commitment to your own spiritual development
• A good understanding of the Christian faith, as well as some understanding of other faith traditions
• Ability to use both faith and non-faith based language, as appropriate
• Good communication skills in English; in person & over the phone
• A willingness to learn new things and get stuck in
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values
• Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have

Training Support:

• A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided
• A one day ‘Chaplaincy Essentials’ training, plus a menu of additional training will be made available
• Online training: Safeguarding (Adults & Young People), Fire Awareness, Manual Handling
• Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line-manager
• Team meetings and social events
• Mileage and expenses may be payable

You will need 2 x references and a DBS (we will apply for and fund this). 

Description

Would you like to volunteer in a customer facing role at RNIB's Products for Life Store in London? Could you be the welcoming face of RNIB? Do you have good communication skills and enjoy meeting and helping people? We need friendly, enthusiastic people like you to give visitors to our Products for Life Store the best possible experience when they come to us for information about our products and services or general enquiries. Products for Life Store consultations are a great way of customers finding out about the products that RNIB offers, and give customers the chance to try and view products.

The role involves welcoming customers and assisting customers to view and try products before they buy, recording purchases on the till (training will be provided) and some admin tasks such as using excel, checking stock lists and processing payments.

We are looking for volunteers with a welcoming and friendly nature, who enjoy interacting with customers and have some experience of Microsoft Office and Excel.

The Products for Life Store is a friendly and supportive team and ideally, you will have some flexibility to fit in with the needs of the Products for Life Store.

Across the UK, our 65 local branches work with disabled people to help them live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.

Our Administrator volunteers are the lynchpin our local branch activities. They act as the first point of contact, ensure useful information is circulated to other members and help us make sure we keep all the data and details we need up to date.

What the role involves

This is a varied role that each branch tends to do a bit differently, but it will involve:

• Keeping records and data up to date and taking notes at meetings

• Preparing mail-outs

• Answering enquiries

• Accessing the branch Remap Email and Portal accounts

• Booking venues for meetings

• Ensuring branch members are aware of current agreements/activities

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, and there’s an induction that covers all the areas above. You’ll also have chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us.

What you’ll need for this role

• Confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email

• Comfortable organising the administration of a group

• Able to follow Remap policies and procedures

• Able to understand and apply our risk management system

• Able to apply disability, equality, and inclusion practices

• Able to keep people’s personal details safe• Able to apply disability, equality, and inclusion practices

• Able to keep people’s personal details safe

• Willing to follow Remap policies and procedures and a commitment to our aims and values

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist and some online training.

If it works better for you, there’s a possibility this role could be done remotely.

Why volunteer

When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.

N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.

Trustee Opportunity – can you enrich our existing board of trustee volunteers in a rewarding role?

James Hirons is a registered dynamic charity focusing on providing exceptional care to our residents and their families to 'Make everyday a day worth living".  We are currently rated “good” following assessment by the Care Quality Commission.

We are looking for at least two trustees; ideally one with a legal background and one with a marketing background.  Other interested parties with different skills and knowledge are most welcome. 

James Hirons is a small but well-funded independent care home based in a pleasant area of Leamington Spa. We have been providing quality care since 1953. The Trustee team provide essential support to the Management and staff of the Home and this opportunity offers a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

All applications must meet the requirements of trustees in line with the Charity Commission requirements, and a full and detailed induction and training will be provided.

Key responsibilities 

• To play a key role in the strategic vision and direction of our charity.
• To understand legal and financial responsibilities of board members.
• To act as an enthusiastic and positive ambassador for the Home, advocating on our behalf and representing us within the local community.
• To proactively support our commitment to equality.
• To attend board meetings (normally 6 per year, held on a weekday morning) and take part in sub-committees as appropriate.
• To support, and in some cases lead, relationships with key stakeholders and partners and build network on behalf on the charity.

Person specification

• Be an effective communicator and able to work constructively in a small team.
• Have a commitment to caring, quality of care and services. 
• A knowledge and/or an understanding of what it means to be a trustee (training will be given to those who have not been on a board of trustees before)
• Experience on, or working closely with, boards or committees, is useful but not essential.

If you would like to be considered; please send your CV to:-

The Chair of the Trustees, James Hirons, 53 Lillington Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 6LD

Closing Date end June 2025

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

About Us

Bradford District and Craven Mind is a successful and independent local charity with a rich history spanning over 30 years of delivering person-focused mental health support.

The organisation helps build individual and community resilience, provides early intervention and advice, supports people in crisis and helps people to work towards recovery and sustained wellbeing through services for people of all ages. 

We are recognised as a key provider in our local Health and Care system and an active member of the Integrated Care System. Our close relationships with all our stakeholders and our emphasis on developing and maintaining effective cross-sector partnerships and collaborations, allows us to deliver a wide range of innovative services and be recognised as a trusted partner.

We are affiliated to national Mind but rely on our own resources to provide support to local communities. Our services prioritise listening to and understanding the needs of local people and are delivered in partnership across Bradford District and Craven.

Background to the role

The new Chair of the Board of Trustees will be joining us at an exciting time as we move into year two of our strategy, respond to the changes in NHS priorities and funding and adapt to the new governments priorities and approach.

You can read about what we have been achieving through our Impact Reports and Annual Reports on our website.

It is clear however there is still much more to do. We launched our new strategy in August 2024 and during 2024-2028 we will focus on delivering our four key objectives to help drive our reach and impact.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide purposeful leadership - creating a strong and sustained connection to purpose, steering strategy development and leading the Board. 
• Be a constructive partner to the CEO - building a trusting, cohesive relationship as the ‘top leadership team’, providing advice, challenge and support to architect and orchestrate the progression of the organisation and supporting infrastructure. 
• Develop a highly effective Board – creating the environment for a high performing team, evaluating and facilitating improvement of individual and collective capability and performance, supporting trustees of all experience levels to contribute to the best of their abilities.
• Facilitate and sustain good governance - ensuring delivery of the organisation's purpose in line with its governing document, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources, decision-making, accountability and proactive risk management. 
• Influence and collaborate with stakeholders - understanding the environment and systems that the organisation operates within and collaborating with others to collectively achieve the biggest positive impact. 
• Engagement and Visibility – being visible and engage well across the workforce, attending key events and maintaining communication

Person Specification

• Personally motivated to make a positive difference to others
• A strategic thinker who can see the big picture and navigate complex and contentious issues
• Able to engage and collaborate effectively with people at all levels from different backgrounds and organisations
• Has the experience and/or personal qualities necessary to bring the best out of people through a ‘coaching style’ approach to leadership
• Progressive and innovative, capable of stimulating, challenging and influencing others to contemplate and consider different solutions
• Able to facilitate others and develop effective team working, with experience of planning, preparing and chairing meetings at senior levels

Diversity and inclusion 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting BDC Mind in the recruitment of these roles. 

Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in a Word doc. format, which should indicate why you are interested in applying for the particular role and how you meet the selection criteria. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 14th July. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates are expected to have an interview with the panel at Bradford District and Craven Mind during the week beginning 28th July.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you. 

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Board of Trustees.  

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of a day a month, with more time given at busy periods of the year. There will be a requirement to attend board meetings, with some trustees also sitting on subcommittees that meet around 4 times a year. In addition, there are events to attend and occasional additional duties to support our wider work. 

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you. 

Please see the job pack attached for full details and apply via the portal by 31st July 2025.

Helping in our shops is a great way to help CHAS and, as well as helping us raise money to fund our vital services, you'll be part of a really great team of volunteers. You'll be meeting new people, using your skills or learning something new, and making sure our customers get a great welcome and all the assistance they need.

It's always great to see our volunteers chatting to customers and telling them about CHAS - and there's so much more to this role too: you could be sorting donations, getting stock ready for the shop floor, wielding a steamer or a duster, processing Gift Aid, operating the till (we will show you how), merchandising and displaying stock - you'll never have a dull moment.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift each week, which is about four hours (but we're also happy to chat about more flexible times). No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest please tell us, it may come in useful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.

Why we want you

As a Charity Shop Volunteer, you will play an important role in helping raise vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. There's never a dull moment in our shops and in Kinross you'll be working in a busy team, both in the stock room - sorting and preparing stock - and on our shop floors, providing great customer service.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming and assisting customers and serving at them at the till
• Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
• Merchandising and displaying stock
• Accepting, sorting and preparing donations for sale
• Housekeeping on the shop floor and in the stock room

The skills you need

• A real aptitude for team working
• Good communication skills and attention to detail
• A good understanding of what makes excellent customer service
• The ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately

What's in it for you

• Getting involved in your local community and making a difference to CHAS families
• Meeting new people
• Making the most of your existing skills or possibly learning some new ones too (maybe adding to your CV)
• Full training and on-going and support. Plus a range of accredited online courses if you're interested in personal development.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility.

About VoiceAbility

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility

Volunteering with VoiceAbility allows you to make a difference in your local community, allowing us to help and support everyone to have a voice that counts.  The roles we have available will challenge you, developing your communication skills, allowing you to gain professional experience that can be used in your future career, learn new things about yourself and others, meet new people, and have fun.

Volunteer Positions Available

We're recruiting for the following voluntary positions:

• Relevant Persons' Representative (RPR) Support Volunteer
• Hospital Visitor Volunteer

Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) Support Volunteers

People in care homes should have a voice to communicate their needs wishes and wants. Some people need support with this, but don’t have friends and family available to assist them.  This means they’re entitled to have support from an RPR and volunteer, who are there to make sure they get the care they deserve.  Your role as an RPR Support Volunteer is to collaborate with the VoiceAbility RPR to make sure a person’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their care. 

As an RPR Support Volunteer you might: 

• Visit people in their care home, to make sure they’re getting the right care and support
• Talk with them about their feelings, thoughts and wishes
• Raise concerns
• Keep detailed notes and records
• Make a real difference to someone’s life 

Hospital Visitor Volunteer 

Hospital Visitor volunteers visit hospital settings to ensure that people detained under the Mental Health Act are aware that they have a legal right to an IMHA qualified advocate.  The volunteers are instrumental in ensuring that clients get access to an advocate and can also support the work that advocates undertake. 

As a hospital volunteer, you might:

• hold drop-in sessions
• attend events and ward meetings at local facilities
• share information
• assist people to request advocacy support by completing a form online or calling our contact centre

Volunteering opportunities are available Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.  You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK.

Safeguarding Commitment Statement

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.

ED&I Statement

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

How to register your expression of interest

To find out more click on “Apply Now” and fill out our short expression of interest form.

About the Role

Your mission will be leading efforts in safeguarding Onja’s legal interests as it continues to grow.

Responsibilities:

• providing accurate, relevant and timely advice to management and staff on a needs basis in respect of a broad range of issues, with a particular focus on employment law and dispute resolution;
• ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations that apply to the organisation;
• managing and mitigating legal risks by designing and implementing organisational policies and procedures;
• collaborating with third parties, including external counsel and regulators, as needed; and
• designing and delivering legal training to the organisation;

Requirements:

• Twelve month commitment (this ensures sufficient time to make a truly meaningful impact) with potential to renew/extend.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent 
• Legal industry experience preferred
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Ability to work well within a team and individually.
• Professional legal qualification and/or exposure to employment law/dispute resolution would be a plus