Community development volunteer volunteer roles in mildmay ward, greater london

Volunteer Charity Manager / Director: Lead SUNSHINE. Transform Lives.

We're incredibly excited to be launching SUNSHINE, a brand-new start-up charity in London with a heartfelt mission: to combat loneliness by bringing people together, spreading joy, and building community spirit! Through grassroots activities and programmes, we'll foster connections, enhance well-being, and help transform lives for the better.

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for igniting change and building something extraordinary from the ground up?

Do you have the strategic mind and practical drive to steer a brand-new charity towards monumental impact?

As the Volunteer Charity Manager / Director for SUNSHINE, you won't just manage tasks; you'll breathe life into our mission, direct our journey, and personally shape the future of connection and joy across London!

We're searching for an exceptional individual to lead SUNSHINE's initial phase. This is a unique opportunity to project manage our launch, direct core operations, and oversee essential administrative duties, ensuring we're efficient, impactful, and ready to scale. You'll be instrumental in developing our framework, coordinating our dedicated volunteers, and ensuring every facet of SUNSHINE is geared towards combating loneliness and fostering genuine community spirit. Imagine the profound satisfaction of knowing your leadership is directly enabling friendships to bloom, wellbeing to flourish, and lives to be truly transformed.

If you're ready to channel your leadership, project management expertise, and passion into a cause that brightens an entire city, step forward and become the driving force behind SUNSHINE. Your vision can truly change the world.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately cats can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

• Going out to scan cats; own transport is needed

• Delivering donated food to stray cats being fed by households, if required

• Providing a quarterly update report to the local volunteer committee

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Responding to enquiries from the public about lost and found cats
• Keeping up to date records of lost and founds cats
• Matching cats that are reported lost with those reported found
• Advertising lost and found cats
• Providing help and information to owners about their lost cats

Time expectation 

Our lost and found volunteers usually spend between 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Job Title: Programme Manager                                                                

Reports To: Programme Director

Location: Hybrid

Employment Type: Full - Time
 

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is an exciting cultural competition and community festival celebrating Brazilian traditions through Capoeira, music, dance, and acrobatics. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, this event offers free taster classes, performances, and a vibrant Brazilian arts & products fair—engaging local communities and encouraging cross-cultural learning.

We are looking for a Programme Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the event. This hybrid volunteering role requires a commitment of 12 hours per week for 6 months. It is best suited for someone based near Kingston, as travel expenses will be reimbursed. This is a great opportunity to lead a high-profile community initiative that has previously been praised by local councillors, Kingston University, and the Brazilian Consulate in London.

Position Overview:
The Programme Manager oversees the strategic delivery of a multi-project programme focused on enhancing employability and skills development for target populations. This role ensures alignment with organisational and community goals, driving initiatives that reduce skills gaps, improve workforce readiness, and foster partnerships with employers and training providers. Reporting to the Programme Director, the Programme Manager manages a team of project specialists and coordinators, ensuring seamless execution of programme activities and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme Leadership:

   • Lead the end-to-end employability and skills development programme delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

   • Mentor and manage project specialists and coordinators, assigning tasks tied to programme milestones such as training workshops, employer partnerships, and participant assessments.

2. Stakeholder Collaboration:

   • Build and maintain relationships with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organisations to align programme outcomes with labour market needs.

   • Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring their requirements (e.g., hiring criteria, certification standards) are integrated into programme design.

3. Programme Design & Delivery:

   • Oversee the development of training curricula, mentorship initiatives, and job placement strategies tailored to diverse participant groups (e.g., youth, career changers).

   • Monitor participant progress and employment outcomes, using data to refine programme effectiveness.

4. Risk & Compliance Management:

   • Identify barriers to participant success (e.g., accessibility, resource gaps) and escalate systemic challenges to the Programme Manager with actionable solutions.

1. Reporting & Communication:

   • Track and report on key metrics such as participant engagement, skill acquisition rates, and post-programme employment status.

   • Prepare updates for senior leadership and stakeholders to demonstrate programme impact.

2. Process Improvement:

   • Implement feedback loops with participants and partners to continuously enhance programme quality.

   • Promote best practices in adult education, vocational training, and equity-focused initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Human Resources, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • 3–5 years managing employability, workforce development, or adult education programmes.

  • Proven experience leading teams and collaborating with cross-sector stakeholders.

• Skills:

  • Strong understanding of labour market trends and barriers to employment.

  • Ability to design inclusive, participant-centric programmes.

  • Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, CRM systems) and project management software.

  • Exceptional communication skills for engaging diverse audiences.

• Certifications: Certifications in programme management (e.g., PgMP), career coaching, or adult education are advantageous.

Position Overview:
The Programme Specialist is critical in supporting the delivery of a high-impact employability and skills development programme. Working under the guidance of the Programme Lead, this position focuses on coordinating projects, managing participant engagement, and ensuring the smooth execution of training initiatives, mentorship activities, and job placement efforts. The Programme Specialist directly empowers individuals to achieve workforce readiness and sustainable employment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Coordination:

   • Assist in managing day-to-day activities of the programme, including onboarding, skills assessments, and skills development of participants.

   • Track progress against programme milestones (e.g., participant enrollment and completion rates) and flag delays to the Programme Lead.

2. Participant Support:

   • Serve as a primary point of contact for participants, addressing inquiries and providing guidance on programme resources, training modules, and job search tools.

   • Maintain accurate participant records, including attendance, skill assessments, and post-program outcomes.

3. Stakeholder Engagement:

   • Support the Programme Lead in building relationships with internal stakeholders.

4. Data Management & Reporting:

   • Collect and analyse data on participant progress, employment outcomes, and programme effectiveness using CRM systems or databases.

   • Prepare regular reports for the Programme Lead to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact to funders/stakeholders.

5. Logistics & Compliance:

   • Manage programme materials, including training resources, digital platforms, and participant handbooks.

   • Ensure compliance with programme guidelines, confidentiality policies, and grant reporting requirements.

1. Continuous Improvement:

   • Gather feedback from participants and partners to identify opportunities to enhance programme delivery.

   • Support the implementation of new tools or processes to improve efficiency and participant satisfaction.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Education, Human Resources, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • 1–3 years in programme coordination, workforce development, adult education, or a similar role.

  • Experience working with diverse populations, including youth, underserved communities, or career changers.

• Skills:

  • Strong organisational and multitasking abilities, with attention to detail.

  • Proficiency in Google products (Forms, Sheets, Docs, Slides) and familiarity with CRM tools.

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for engaging participants and stakeholders.

  • Basic data analysis and reporting capabilities.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

Join us in leading positive change!

Quilombo UK is looking for an experienced Research Assistant, who would love to join a growing organisation.

The Research Assistant role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to: 

• Gain experience in the Third Sector. 

• Develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Since its creation, Quilombo UK has collected a great amount of information, evidence and items through projects, fundraisers, events etc.

• We are looking for a team member to find published materials related to Quilombo UK key objectives and interests, especially cultural and racial diversity, and stereotypes in UK communities. The materials include all types of evidence, articles, journals, newspaper columns, local and global news stories. 

• The researcher will help to collect information that can be used as an evidence base to help inform future activities, and also in exhibitions, workshops, and community events. 

• We are looking for a self-starter who can source, collect, and share relevant materials independently. You will also be working closely with our Professional Development Programme participants in relevant areas such as Marketing and PR.

• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• You will need to have good written skills and be able to explain concepts and projects concisely and accurately. 

• You will be self-starting and willing to research the various projects that we have carried out and catalogue all the evidence collected.

• You will need to have good communication and team-working skills as you will be working closely with Marketing & PR and other members.

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Be computer literate - a good understanding of Microsoft Word is essential and Excel skills are beneficial although support from other members will be provided if necessary.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments 

• Be a strong team player.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

• Can work without much supervision.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be part of our Governance team. The Data Protection Consultant will be responsible for overseeing the clinic's use of data and legal obligations under GDPR, maintaining high standards throughout. They will respond to the Governance and Compliance Manager.

We are a forward-thinking advice and support charity for the Trans Community. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Data Protection Consultant to consult on our data protection procedures to ensure we are compliant with all regulations relating to data privacy. The Data Protection Consultant will play a pivotal role in guiding our clinic through the data protection processes.

This senior consultancy position will involve overseeing the clinic’s data protection policies and procedures, ensuring best practices are followed, and fostering a culture of compliance. You will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategies for growth while safeguarding the clinic’s data protection.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing legal clinic through a pivotal stage of development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the clinic, ensuring it meets the highest professional standards while contributing to a meaningful cause. 

Founded in 2011 by Sophie Hayes, a British woman trafficked into sexual exploitation, Sophie Hayes Foundation’s work has always been centred around sustainable freedom. This means freedom from exploitation, slavery, and trafficking, and also the freedom to look to the future with renewed confidence, rebuilt skills, and a sense of purpose for survivors. Our mission of sustainable freedom has continued over the last 13 years, however, the forms of exploitation, as well as the landscape of support to survivors, have changed beyond recognition. To respond to this, we launched a new strategy in 2024, which set out how we will ‘meet survivors where they are and take them to where they want to be’

Sophie Hayes Foundation aims to work in a proactive and collaborative manner. The Chair plays an important part in setting the tone and bringing all stakeholders together.

Governance and Culture: As Chair, you provide appropriate leadership, oversight and support to the Board and management team on strategy, governance and risk, ensuring that we meet our obligations and responsibilities. The Trustee Board is made up of a diverse group of people, each bringing their own ideas, skills and networks to support the executive team. A new CEO joined the charity about 18 months ago. She has worked to build a strong team and achieved a great sense of community amongst staff, volunteers and programme participants. She worked closely with the Board in the development of a new strategy, is building strong relationships with donors and supporters, and continues to oversee the management of the day to day - with an eye on both long-term needs and immediate challenges.

Development: We rely on support from foundations, key donors and the public, and as Chair, you will be an important representative of the organisation, working with the CEO and other Trustees to build and maintain strong relationships.

Advocacy: Sophie Hayes Foundation is working to improve understanding of the Modern Slavery sector, enhance understanding of the issues, build recognition of the impact of our programmes and influence key decision makers. As Chair, along with other Trustees, you may be called on to assist the CEO with advocacy and to build our brand.

Commitment: We have a bold vision to increase our impact through a combination of direct programming with survivors and through advocacy to build awareness and support. You will need to have the time to contribute to our growth strategy by chairing Board meetings, supporting Committee Chairs, Board officers, and our small but mighty management team, and represent Sophie Hayes Foundation to key stakeholders.

We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria.

Job Description:

Quilombo UK is looking for a Bid Writer - Commercial Proposal Volunteer to join their team. Quilombo UK is a not for profit social enterprise that challenges people to think differently and bridge gaps between communities, with the aim of building a culturally rich society, where differences are accepted and celebrated. As chosen among 160 other organizations to work in collaboration with the Home Office on the “Building a Stronger Britain together” project, you will be joining a team, which not only supports the community but also stands up to extremism in all of its forms.

By joining Quilombo UK and QMC Capoeira School you will be supported and guided by experienced staff and volunteers, who are willing to share their skill set and will provided you with great opportunities for development in many different areas.

Ideal candidates will assist Quilombo UK in preparing funding bids that contribute to their further development. They should be well-organized, with a proactive attitude to deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organization. Candidates should be willing to volunteer at least 12 hours a week, for a duration of 16 weeks.

You will be volunteering as part of the team who are responsible for creating the bids to attract funding for our new or existing projects. The role will involve discussing project ideas and proposals with the management & project teams, searching for the right funding opportunities and preparing bids for submission.

You will work as part of an experienced team, where writing skills and experience in crafting persuasive and compelling content are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and write commercial proposals tailored to meet the specific requirements of clients and align with business objectives.
• Review and revise previously created proposals to ensure accuracy, coherence, and alignment with current business strategies.
• Collaborate closely with other team members, partners, and stakeholders to produce high-quality bid responses, compelling content, and effective key messages that align with win themes.
• Assist in establishing a comprehensive proposal development strategy.
• Propose innovative ideas for bid submissions in line with the established strategy and market demands.
• Collect, organize, and analyze all relevant information to be included in the proposals.
• Manage a detailed “bid plan” and ensure all proposals are approved and submitted before the stipulated deadlines.

Skills and Attributes:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Ability to work with Excel is an advantage; support will be provided if necessary.
• Excellent writing skills with a strong understanding of persuasive writing and narrative structure.
• Focused, organized, and able to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
• Some understanding of commercial market trends and research processes.

Perks:

• A supportive working environment providing opportunities to develop your skills and experience in commercial bid writing.
• Work alongside seasoned professionals eager to share their expertise.
• On-site training programs to help you grow your skill set.
• A casual yet professional office setting with snacks and drinks provided.

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 12 per week

Benefits: Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime
• No weekends

Experience:

• Bid writer: 1 year (preferred)

Location:

• Remote (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Job Title: Data Analyst                                                                                     

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival that celebrates Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, this event engages the local community through free performances, classes, and exhibitions.

As part of this project, we are looking for a Data Analyst who can help us measure community impact, inform decision-making, and contribute to continuous improvement across programme delivery. This is a hybrid volunteer role, ideal for someone based near Kingston (travel expenses will be reimbursed). You’ll gain valuable experience working in the non-profit sector and help shape a high-profile cultural programme that has received praise from local councillors, Kingston University, and the Brazilian Consulate in London.

Position Overview:
The Data Analyst plays a key role in supporting Quilombo UK’s community and cultural initiatives by collecting, managing, analysing, and reporting data related to engagement, outreach, and programme impact. This role is crucial to enabling data-driven decision-making across teams and enhancing the visibility of outcomes to stakeholders and funders.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Collection & Management:

• Gather, clean, and manage datasets from sources including attendance logs, feedback surveys, fundraising data, and project reports.

• Ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and organisation across internal records.

Analysis & Insight Generation:

• Identify trends and patterns to evaluate the effectiveness of “Solta o Jogo” programming.

• Support strategy development through analysis of community engagement, volunteer participation, and performance indicators.

Reporting & Visualisation:

• Build user-friendly dashboards and visuals to support internal teams and partner reporting needs.

• Present clear summaries and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work with Programme, PR, and Marketing teams to align data insights with communication strategies and outreach efforts.

• Provide data-driven inputs for programme evaluation and future planning.

Continuous Improvement:

• Support the design of outcome tracking tools, surveys, and templates.

• Suggest enhancements to reporting systems and support data-driven fundraising efforts.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or working toward a qualification in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Public Health, Social Research, or related field.

Experience:

• Experience working with spreadsheets and large datasets.

• Demonstrated ability to collect, clean, and interpret data using Excel or Google Sheets.

• (Desirable) Familiarity with tools like Power BI, SPSS, R, or Python.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Ability to translate complex data into accessible reports.

• A proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented mindset.

Benefits:

• Contribute to a nationally recognised cultural project with real community impact.

• Gain valuable experience in data analysis within the Third Sector.

• Build a portfolio of data visualisation and impact reporting work.

• Receive support and mentoring from a collaborative and diverse volunteer team.

• Reimbursement of local travel expenses.

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Laurence’s Larder is a food aid charity based in Brondesbury Park, Brent. Every week we offer food parcels, sit-down hot meals, a clothes bank, social activities, and access to a wide range of vital support services. We are non-referral and open to all. We bring people together, alleviating both loneliness and food poverty, utilising surplus food that would otherwise go to landfill.

Laurence’s Larder is seeking a new Chair of the Board — someone who can bring energy, strategic thinking, and people skills to help guide the charity into its next phase. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to lead a well-respected, fast-growing charity that’s deeply embedded in its local community.

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 600 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

Why we want you

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

What you will be doing

• Work on the till processing sales and returns
• Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
• Create stylish window displays
• Replenish stock on the shop floor
• Stock-take and other administrative tasks

The skills you need

• Friendly and helpful
• Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
• Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
• Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks

What's in it for you

• Have fun and meet new people
• Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
• Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
• Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
• Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer

Location:

2 Broadway Parade, Crouch End, Greater London, N8 9DE, United Kingdom

Minimum age: 14 years

Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK

Say Aphasia is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled volunteer grant writer to join our small but dedicated team. As a proactive member of our charity, you will help secure funding to support people living with Aphasia—a communication disability that affects over 360,000 people across the UK.

Job description:

As our Grant Writer you will be responsible for identifying appropriate grant opportunities, and managing the grant development and proposal process from research to submitting grant applications with any supporting documents.

As our grant writer, you will:

• Identify appropriate sources of funding where we fit their criteria. 

• Write appropriately tailored grant/funding bids that meet funders’ interests and requirements and to write any additional documents in support of funding bids.

• Help develop a Trusts and Foundations strategy to help create and maintain strong and diverse income that meets Say Aphasia’s funding needs.

• Create a calendar of grant deadlines and track submitted funding proposals.

• Help us develop a case for support.

• The bid writer will receive a percentage from successful funding received from their submitted applications.

If you are an experienced grant writer or you just enjoy researching and persuasive writing then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a someone who has:

• Experience of being a grant writer, project proposal writer, marketing, or nonprofit development.

• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential.

• Creative and persuasive written and spoken communication skills. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to inspire and engage diverse audiences.

• Self-motivated and highly-organised.

• Ability to work remotely.

• Ability to search online databases and other sources to identify appropriate funds.

• An understanding of how grant funding works, and the variety of requirements from different Trusts and Foundations.

• Ability to organise your own work, track and report back regularly. 

• Ideally have a good network of people, organisations and charities which can help us to support our projects.

• Determination to get the job done.

You would be working closely with the charity’s Service Manager, with regular updates and remote meetings as needed. We have an induction process that will help successful applicants to understand how our charity operates. We would like to offer the volunteer a commission on successful grant applications. 

We’re looking for volunteer fundraising/bid writers to help bring our mission to life.

Reimagining joyful spaces for solo women with invisible disabilities

We’re Seen Sisters - an intersectional feminist collective of solo women with invisible disabilities. We’re working to build joyful, connective spaces for our community, and we’re looking for volunteer fundraising/bid writers to help bring our mission to life.

Visit https://linktr.ee/seensisters and http://bit.ly/44ZMbtF to read more about our values and mission, explore one of our latest projects – a pilot Housing Community Research Report - and browse our FAQs to learn more about who we are.

This is a voluntary role for now, but we're actively seeking funding and would be happy to explore including your role in future bids.

What this volunteer role involves:

• Researching funding opportunities and helping us track them

• Writing funding applications that reflect our mission, values, and deep listening approach

• Prioritising upcoming deadlines with support from the team

• Collaborating with other fundraising partners or members where needed

You might be a good fit if you:

• Are curious, empathetic, and values-aligned

• Can meet us where we’re at and help translate our story into compelling funding language

• Believe in joy, connection, and collective care

• Have experience in grant writing, fundraising or storytelling

• Can commit about 1 day a week (ideally Monday or Thursday – flexible)

A few practicals:

• We work remotely and use a shared Drive

• Allies and those with lived experience are warmly welcomed

• We do regular check-ins on capacity, access and preferences

Are you passionate about creating a culture of welcome for refugees in the UK? Do you have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation? This could be the perfect role for you! 

STAR is a dynamic and exciting national charity which makes a huge impact on a small budget. We are looking for our new Co-Chair of Trustees. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about creating a culture of welcome in the UK for refugees ,who believes in the power of young people as changemakers and who wants to empower refugees to reach higher education to join our board of trustees. 

 The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation and be able to commit to at least 2 years in the role.

We are in particular looking for applicants who: 

• Have lived experience 
• Have HR experience 
• Have campaigns experience, in particular hybrid campaigning.
• Have charitable fundraising experience. 

 Applications from persons with lived refugee experience are highly encouraged. 

Role Description

To provide strategic oversight of:

• STAR’s compliance with its Articles of Association, policies, and law; 
• STAR’s compliance with all funding conditions and contracts;
• Whether STAR is best using its resources to meet its objectives; 
• The effective and efficient administration of STAR;
• Monitoring and reporting of financial information; 
• STAR’s funding and expenditure situation; and
• Implementation of STAR’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Safeguarding Policy in employment and service delivery.

Also to:

• Contribute actively to STAR by giving strategic direction and evaluating performance against targets
• Attend and prepare for board meetings
• Appoint board members and officers via the procedures in this policy
• Approve accounts
• Ensure that STAR and the board safeguard STAR’s values and reputation
• Provide any other assistance the board or STAR may require, as appropriate, particularly utilising any specialist skills or experience they may have.

Specific responsibilities of the Co- Chair

• Ensure the proper management of board meetings, including setting agendas in consultation with the Director, chairing meetings, facilitating discussions and decision;
• Oversee the administration and coordination of any sub-committees; 
• Monitor implementation of board and sub-committee decisions;
• Take "Chair’s action" between meetings, where an immediate decision is required;
• Serve as line-manager to the Director, and conduct regular planned supervision and appraisal;
• Represent Board as required to the public or external parties such as funders and government; and
• Keep other officers fully informed so that they can deputise if necessary
• Working alongside and in collaboration with the other STAR trustee co-chair, sharing responsibilities and ensuring excellent communicative shared working.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation
• A commitment to STAR’s values
• An awareness of issues affecting both STAR and the wider refugee sector, the ever shifting landscape of refugee policy and media coverage, or a willingness to learn and stay abreast of these current topics and new developments. 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend regular STAR meetings for at least 2 years
• Integrity and good independent judgement
• Strategic vision and an ability to stay focused on strategic objectives
• Willingness to take part in STAR discussions, contribute constructively and listen to others
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and liabilities of trustees of a charitable company
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• A commitment to the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the Equal Opportunities Policy
• Willingness to undertake training required to allow them to fulfil their duties.

Desirable 

Five years experience in one or more of:

• Working with people seeking asylum and refugees;
• Other work with the asylum/refugee/migrant sector;
• Charitable fundraising;
• Voluntary sector issues, such as trends for charities and partnership/network formation;
• Organisational development, growth or change;
• Human resources;
• Financial management/accountancy;
• IT;
• Negotiations;
• Marketing and public relations;
• Lobbying, advocacy and campaigning regarding social justice or social policy;
• Management and administration of a charity, for example as a director or trustee;
• Campaigning;
• Social Media/ Communications 

About Student Action for Refugees

STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is the national network of students building a society where refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed and can thrive. 

Set up by students at Nottingham University in 1994, STAR is creating a more understanding, just and welcoming society by: 

• empowering young people to be changemakers; 
• providing practical support and connecting local communities through volunteering and student volunteer led community projects; 
• challenging the structural barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking protection and building new lives in the UK; 
• Sharing trusted information about asylum and the lived experience of refugees to combat misinformation, hostile narratives and instead spread compassion and humanisation 

We have a small staff team who train and support the network and lead on national campaign and advocacy work, with expertise in improving access to higher education for forced migrants.

Here are just some of our highlights from last year:

• 37  STAR university student society groups, across 28  towns and cities, run by 222 STAR student leaders. 
• 262 events were organised by STAR groups to educate, campaign, and fundraise for a more welcoming UK, from art exhibitions to cookery classes and film nights.
• 1,280 refugees and people seeking asylum were supported by 413 volunteers  through 28 community projects and 25 one off volunteering events. 
• 100s of students mobilised to support calls for better treatment of refugees in the UK including standing against detention, for a fairer plan for refugees and to lift the ban on work.
• 88 UK universities now offer sanctuary scholarships for refugee students. The STAR staff team was involved in the development of many of these new scholarships and the improvement of  existing scholarships. We also ran workshops for hundreds of  university staff. 
• 15 STAR groups campaigned for Equal Access at their institutions and 4 won!
• 65 aspiring refugee students were supported by our mentoring project and we provided signposting and advice about accessing HE to over 470 people.

If you would like an informal chat before applying, please get in touch.

Deadline for applications (EXTENDED): 18th July 2025

Interviews: Rolling