Community services volunteers volunteer roles in thatcham, west berkshire

Women's Aid Luton is seeking a visionary and dedicated Chair of the Board to lead and support the transformation and growth of our small yet impactful charity.

Women’s Aid Luton supports over 800 of society's most vulnerable women and children each year, helping them escape horrific abuse and violence. We provide a safe haven across our five refuges in Luton, operate a helpline, and offer bespoke assistance for families. Our services include access to legal advice, mental health support, employment assistance, and resettlement aid.

One of our refuges is dedicated to women from South Asian communities, with staff who speak Punjabi, Bengali, and Urdu. We also have a refuge for single women with complex support needs, such as mental health issues and drug and alcohol dependencies, often stemming from the trauma of domestic violence and abuse.

In addition to our direct support services, we focus on prevention and intervention by working with schools to raise awareness of domestic abuse. We are committed to disrupting exploitative and abusive relationships to prevent loss of life and reduce the long-term economic and social costs to society. Our services contribute to creating a safer, more compassionate community, supporting women and children from diverse socio-economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, including those with complex needs.

With the current challenges facing our sector, we are focused on creating financial sustainability and resilience within the organisation, focusing on a robust funding strategy and a dynamic response to risk.

Our current Chair will come to the end of their term next year, and therefore we’re seeking a new Chair to support the charity in delivering our vital work.

The Chair of Trustees is a pivotal role within our organisation. Your leadership and dedication will be instrumental in ensuring we not only maintain but also expand our vital support and services for those in need. By guiding our strategic vision and fostering a culture of compassion and excellence, you will directly impact the lives of countless vulnerable women and children, helping them rebuild their lives and find hope for the future. Your commitment will drive our mission forward, creating lasting change and a safer, more supportive community for all.

What are we looking for?

EXPERIENCE

• An understanding and passion for the violence against women and girls sector
• Significant experience as a non-executive
• An understanding of UK charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level
• An ability to network with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Sensitivity and discretion in dealing with staff and service user issues.
• Significant experience and success in leading groups of people in either a professional or voluntary capacity to achieve results.
• Experience of chairing meetings.
• Significant experience of managing, motivating, and developing people.
• Strong experience of developing, deploying, and evaluating strategic plans with a view to maximising impact and benefit.
• Experience of financial management and a broad understanding of charity finance issues

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional leadership skills; able to cultivate effective collaboration but also comfortable in taking responsibility for difficult choices.
•  Effective strategic communicator: able to articulate Women’s Aid Luton’s vision and engage and inspire others both within the organisation and externally.
• Highly effective relationship and alliance building abilities.
• Sound judgement with high capacity for self-reflection.
• Capacity to support both Board and Executive development.
• An ability to work within the realistic expectations and limitations for the Charity

ATTRIBUTES

• Dynamic leadership style that guides and inspires the Board and Executive to fulfil their respective responsibilities.
• A strong personal commitment to improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal skills.
• A strong personal commitment to Women’s aid Luton’s vision and mission replace with: Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

The initial appointment is for a three-year term but can be extended for one further term for a maximum of six years. 

 “Joining Women’s Aid in Luton as a Board member has enabled me to use my professional expertise in a way that gives back to the community. I know that all the energy and time I give is helping to strengthen the organisation and ultimately the women and children it seeks to support. Joining the Board has been immensely rewarding and I highly recommend it as a valuable way to volunteer your time for a good cause.” – current Board Trustee at Women’s Aid in Luton.

Due to the sensitive nature of this role, we will be considering female volunteers only for this post in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010, pursuant to schedule 9 part 1). Applicants will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We actively encourage applications from women from a variety of backgrounds, and with a range of skills and experiences. We are particularly interested to hear from women from Black, Asian and minoritised communities and women who have personal experience of domestic abuse.

If you have some time, energy and interest in the domestic abuse sector and believe you can make a difference to Women’s Aid Luton, we would love to hear from you.

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation was established as an educational charity in 2003. Our aim is to develop spiritual awareness and to support people of all faiths, and none, by delivering a range of training programmes that allow open-hearted adults to serve their chosen communities through Ministry, Spiritual Counselling and in supporting life’s transitions. Our interfaith ministers bring unconditional love and radical commitment to members of the public through ceremony, ritual, spiritual counselling, and other methods of support.

We are seeking new trustees, with a focus on marketing and/or legal experience, with a commitment to the vision and purpose of the organisation to join our board. Trustees are appointed for a term of 4 years and are essential to the progress and growth of our organisation.

Organisational purpose:

To benefit the public by the education of mature adults in:
• the core principles of the world’s religions, faiths, and spiritual traditions;
• principles and methods of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making;
• and the practice of non-denominational spiritual and pastoral service in the community.

Our Vision

is a world in which humanity awakens into an inclusive global spirituality that encompasses us all in the field of love and life.

Our Mission

is to work towards evolving consciousness in the world, by facilitating open-hearted people to awaken to inner leadership and their capacity for forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace-making.

Ideally, you will have experience working in a not-for-profit organisation and will be passionate about spiritual life and faith-freedom. We would particularly love to hear from anyone with experience of Human Resources, Adult Education, Financial Management, Fundraising, Legal, and IT.

Formal trustee meetings take place with senior staff quarterly, and we hold up to nine trustee-only meetings annually. To ensure our work is collaborative, we also have an annual two-day gathering of trustees and the wider leadership team. All trustees are volunteers, with expenses available for travel to and from meetings and other incidental expenses where applicable. Please note that meetings are currently being held via Zoom.

We have a strong commitment to diversity and aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with on our Board of Trustees. We welcome all candidates irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, culture, religion, age, responsibilities for dependants, physical/mental disability (“protected characteristics” as per the Equality Act 2010), economic status or offending background.

We welcome both OneSpirit ministers and candidates who are not OneSpirit ministers.  However, we expect all candidates to adhere to OneSpirit’s code of ethics.

About Us

My Black Dog is a charity that offers anonymous, peer to peer mental health support through our web-chat service. We are committed to making a positive impact on mental health in the UK as we tackle an epidemic that millions of people face.

We were founded on the motto "talk to someone who gets it". We want to connect people who share lived experiences to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental space where everybody understands how it feels to experience mental health struggles.

Position Overview

Our web-chat service is run by our Volunteer Pack, each of whom have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. In addition, each shift has a 'Leader' and a 'Mentor'. These are Volunteers who carry out specific roles during the shift and, together, ensure its success:

• Leaders - Managers of the shift. There to ensure the shift runs as it should. They support and guide Volunteers through chats and follow safeguarding processes when an alert is raised. They escalate safeguarding alerts to the shift’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (a trained professional). They also complete a 'Shift Handover' document once the shift is completed.
• Mentors - There to support and guide Volunteers through chats. Will take over from the Leader if there are safeguarding issues that need the Leader's attention and/or if the Leader needs a break.

As My Black Dog looks to expand our opening hours, we are looking to recruit additional Leaders who can run shifts and provide cover when necessary.

Leaders will be assigned a shift based on your availability and preference. The expectation is that Leaders and Mentors will form a ‘pair’ and, together, will do one shift at the same time each week. This is to provide stability, predictability and to encourage community-building between Volunteers. Shifts are usually 3 hours long. We may ask you to cover another shift when we are short, but you will never do more than 6 hours per week.

Training will be provided and you will be supported on shift by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will manage all safeguarding issues.

The work you will do as Leaders will ensure we provide the best possible service to our Guests. You will also be helping our Volunteer Pack to do what we do best: helping those in need by speaking to someone who 'gets it'.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for people who have experienced their own journey with mental health and are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our Leaders:

• Are strongly committed to helping others
• Have experienced mental health issues in order to relate to those seeking help
• Are collaborative and enjoy working with others
• Are encouraging and supportive
• Are organised and can monitor several things at once
• Can remain calm and focused during busy times and when safeguarding alerts are raised
• Are 18 years and over 
• Can commit the time to a regular weekly shift

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are available to run a shift on the following days/hours:

• Monday to Sunday, 5pm-7pm
• Thursday to Saturday, 7pm-10pm

Role Responsibilities

1. Supervise and support Volunteers whilst on shift with general enquiries, positive feedback and signposting.
2. Assist with general volunteering enquiries whilst on shift. Provide time for guidance, instruction and de-briefing for Volunteers if required.
3. Follow Leaders processes including unexpected absence reporting, Volunteer check-in and check-out, and completing Shift Handovers.
4. Monitor web-chat conversations and ensure all chats are tagged.
5. Maintain ability to listen, remain calm and provide intervention if necessary.
6. Be able to have difficult and often complex conversations about mental health, including Guests experiencing crisis and first-stage intervention support.
7. Work alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when safeguarding risks are identified.
8. Exercise discretion in handling confidential situations and information, conveying sensitive information in a timely manner to necessary individuals.
9. Provide written follow up of shifts via handover, ensuring all necessary information is handed over at the end of the shift.
10. Adhere to all standards, policies and procedures of My Black Dog.

Please note: An Enhanced DBS Certificate is required for this role. If you do not have one, My Black Dog will arrange the DBS Check for you.

www.myblackdog.co

Position Overview:
The Programme Coordinator provides critical administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth operation of the employability and skills development programme. As the first point of contact for participants, this role focuses on managing inquiries, maintaining records, coordinating schedules, and facilitating seamless communication between participants, trainers, and stakeholders. The Programme Coordinator plays a vital role in ensuring participants feel supported and programme activities are delivered efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Participant Engagement & Support:

   • Serve as the primary contact for participants, responding to inquiries via phone, email, or in person, and providing guidance on programme logistics, enrollment, and resources.

   • Manage participant registration, onboarding, and attendance tracking for workshops, training sessions, and events.

2. Administrative Coordination:

   • Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant records, including personal details, progress updates, and post-programme employment outcomes, ensuring compliance with data protection policies.

   • Schedule and coordinate meetings, training sessions, and stakeholder events, including room bookings, material preparation, and calendar management.

3. Documentation & Reporting:

   • Prepare and distribute programme-related materials, such as handbooks, training agendas, and certificates of completion.

   • Assist in compiling data for reports on participant engagement, attendance, and feedback to support programme evaluation.

4. Logistics & Communication:

   • Manage programme logistics, including training materials, technology setups, and participant resources.

   • Draft and send routine communications (e.g., reminders, updates) to participants, trainers, and partners.

5. Compliance & Record-Keeping:

   • Ensure all participant files and programme documentation adhere to organisational policies and grant requirements.

   • Support audit processes by maintaining organised participant consent forms, evaluations, and feedback records.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A high school diploma is required; an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in administration, communications, social sciences, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience:

  • 1–2 years in administrative support, customer service, or programme coordination, preferably in education, non-profits, or workforce development.

  • Experience managing high-volume inquiries and maintaining detailed records.

• Skills:

  • Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks in a fast-paced environment.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a customer-service-oriented approach.

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

  • Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data entry and reporting.

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.

Are you looking to volunteer your time and knowledge to support Age UK Oxfordshire who are seeking Trustees with specific skills to work closely as part of their Board.

Age UK Oxfordshire are an independent local charity supporting older people to maintain their independence and live life to the full, focusing most resource on reaching those older people who face a struggle, whether through low income, poor health or loneliness.  They are striving for a world where every older person and unpaid carer is seen, heard, included, and valued.

Trustees play a vital role as Board members, ensuring the organisation has solid plans in place to achieve their aims and that funding is being used positively to do this.  They are looking for enthusiastic individuals who will work in partnership with fellow Trustees, CEO and the Leadership team to ensure that Age UK Oxfordshire delivers on their vision, mission, and values.

Specific areas of focus for the board:

Given the needs of the charity and the skills of the current board members, they are looking for experience in HR, Governance, Adult Social Care and Lived experience is always welcomed.

They value and are actively seeking to increase diversity on their board in order to bring broader perspectives, achieve stronger community representation, inform sound decision-making, and help them serve more effectively and inclusively.

Could this be the ideal role for me?

To be considered for this role, you will require the following skills and competencies:

• Commitment to the organisation. 
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An understanding and knowledge of good governance.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.

What's in it for you

• Volunteering experience
• Interaction with leadership teams and board activity
• Working with different sets of people
• Annual strategic away day with Trustees and Leadership Team

Currently trustee meetings are held quarterly and alternate holding meetings virtually and in person in Abingdon. The meetings last about 2.5 hours. In addition, there are up to two away days a year and an AGM. Papers typically require about two hours reading per meeting.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law. 

These unremunerated roles are open to all.  To apply for these exceptional opportunities, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the Charisma website.

If you would like to have an initial discussion with Sandra Smith, Associate Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment, prior to submitting your application, please get in touch via the Charisma website.

Closing date for applications: 10th August 2025

Interview date: TBC 

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team. 

About the role

Our Peer Mentors are at the forefront of our Youth Services delivery, tackling head on the issues that young people are facing everyday. As a Peer Mentor, you will engage with young people who reach out to Youth4Youth for support, taking time to coach and guide them through the difficulties that they are facing. This exciting opportunity, targeted at individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 25, provides young people with the space to directly impact and transform the lives of young people, significantly improving their overall wellbeing.

Ideal candidates are those who are able to commit to regular volunteering activity of at least 2 hours per week (on average) and who are able to comfortably communicate via written e-mail and other remote chat functionalities.

Responsibilities:

Your core responsibilities as a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth include:

• Building strong, professional relationships with young people seeking mentoring support.
• Demonstrating commitment to the charity by regular volunteer engagement to maintain ongoing communication with young people (which includes responding to young people within an agreed and reasonable time frame).
• Providing light support, advice and guidance to young people in relation to the troubles that they are facing, in line with the resources provided to you by the charity.
• Maintaining professional boundaries with young people and not seeking to offer support beyond your capability that may put a young person at risk.
• Maintaining regular contact with your Youth4Youth supervisor, with the expectation that you will meet at least once per month for a supervision session that involves reflective practice and a focus on your development as a mentor.
• Providing support as part of our Peer Mentor network to colleagues across the Charity who are also directly supporting young people.
• Maintaining compliance with all policies. Most importantly this means maintaining the right level of confidentiality around your conversations with young people and recognising your safeguarding responsibilities in raising concerns as they arise to keep young people safe.

Peer Mentors are also actively encouraged to get involved in fundraising, outreach and social media activities where they feel comfortable and able to.

Skills 

• Strong written communication skills, such as being able to effectively compose a written e-mail in response to a young person.
• Ability to build strong, professional relationships and maintain trust between yourself and a young person, such as through active listening and adapting to the individual needs of different young people.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy to others.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment and recognise when you may need support yourself.
• Proficient in the use of IT tools, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Skills development for you:

As a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth, you will be required to take part and graduate our Youth Services Academy. This program requires an upfront commitment of 10 - 13 hours of training prior to taking on the role of communicating with young people. This investment in you not only equips you with the understanding of what it takes to be a successful peer mentor, and the skills that you will need, but also is an investment in you. This training will provide you with core soft skills that are transferrable to many opportunities, whether that's in everyday life for you, your education setting or your place of work. All Mentors graduating from the Youth Services Academy will be provided with an electronic certificate to demonstrate your successful completion of the program, which can be shared with potential employers.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process:

Unlike other roles at Youth4Youth, the hiring process has been simplified for peer mentors, recognising the demographic of individuals that we are seeking to fill these positions. To put you at ease, the hiring process includes:

• An initial application, stating your reasons for wishing to become a Peer Mentor
• A remote interview conducted via Microsoft Teams

Successful candidates at this stage will be invited into the final stage of the recruitment process which includes:

• Satisfactory references being received (these do not need to be employment references)
• A satisfactory DBS check being received
• Successful completion of the Youth Services Academy

We are looking for enthusiastic people to join our trustee committee and help shape and deliver animal welfare in the East and South East London areas.
 

The RSPCA East London and Havering Branch aims to align its core objectives with those of the National RSPCA — specifically: to rescue, rehabilitate, rehome, and protect animals.

The RSPCA East London and Havering Branch CIO (the "Branch") is seeking to appoint new Trustees to join the Branch Trustee Committee. This is an exciting time for the Branch as we aim to grow and enhance our services across East and South East London.

What does the Branch do?

Our Branch covers postcodes within East and South East London (those beginning with E or RM). We operate boarding facilities where we care for, rehabilitate, and rehome cats rescued by RSPCA Inspectors.

We are an independent charity, working in partnership with the National RSPCA, a separate charity. Together, we deliver the RSPCA's mission — focused on frontline animal welfare and community engagement.

As an independent branch, we fundraise and manage our resources independently to deliver animal welfare services. We receive some financial support and guidance on best practices from the National RSPCA to ensure we comply with Charity Commission regulations.

Future Plans

In the coming years, our plans include:

· Developing and executing plans for sustainable income growth 

· Building out our volunteer and supporter network

These plans are continuously reviewed and developed by the Branch Trustees to ensure we focus our efforts on helping as many animals as possible.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds with experience or skills in any of the following areas:

· Accounting

· Marketing and Communications (including social media, PR, websites)

· Fundraising (including corporate fundraising, trust fund and grant applications)

· Local community and supporter engagement

· Charity growth and development

· Veterinary or animal welfare

· Volunteer management

Alongside relevant experience, we’re looking for people who are committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and share our passion for animal welfare. You should be a creative, innovative team player, bring a fresh perspective, and be able to turn ideas into action.

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who live or work in the areas we cover (E or RM postcodes), or who can travel to London for Branch meetings and fundraising activities.

What can we offer in return?

We offer all Trustees:

· Support from both the RSPCA team

· A platform to utilise your skills and experience to shape the charity and directly impact local animal welfare

· An opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones while making a real difference

· A chance to expand your professional and personal network by working with like-minded people

Practical Considerations

Please note:

· You must be based in London or can have regular access to London to join our fundraising activities

· You must be aged 18 or over and a UK tax resident to join the Trustee Committee

· You must be a member of our Branch before you are eligible to be co-opted or elected as a Trustee

· Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year

· Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed

· Trustees must sign a Declaration of Willingness to Act and confirm they are not disqualified from being a Trustee (more information is available on the Charity Commission website)

What difference will you make?

As a Trustee, you will:

· Help shape the strategy and direction of the Branch

· Contribute your unique skills and experience to decision-making

· Work as part of a collaborative and motivated team

· Develop your own skills or pass them on to others

Together, we can make a significant impact on animal welfare in our community.

Please include also a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role and detailing your relevant skills, knowledge, experience, and motivation.

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

There will be an interview and welcome events, which will be held after the application deadline.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 20/06/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 01/11/2025

Closing date for these opportunities is: Tuesday 1st July 2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Youth Helper work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By support our Youht Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 20/06/2025

There will be an interview and welcome events, which will be held after the application deadline.

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Unify Giving is an innovative charitable technology platform that connects donors directly with verified individuals in need. Our mobile app enables anyone to donate directly to beneficiariesm ensuring 100% of donations reach recipients while preserving their dignity and choice. We partner with established charities who verify legitimate need.

Following our successful Newport pilot, we're expanding across the UK to help more individuals experiencing hidden homelessness and other forms of vulnerability.

Role Overview

As a Charity Liaison Officer volunteer, you'll be at the heart of our mission to bridge the gap between donors and those in need. This purpose-driven role focuses on establishing and nurturing partnerships with charitable organisations across the UK, enabling more vulnerable individuals to receive direct support through our platform.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while gaining valuable experience in the charity tech sector. You'll represent Unify Giving to potential charity partners, help onboard new beneficiaries, and ensure our existing partners are up-to-date with platform developments that can enhance their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with charity partners who can verify and support potential beneficiaries.
• Partnership Outreach: Identify and approach suitable charitable organisations working with homeless individuals and other vulnerable populations.
• Onboarding Support: Guide charity partners through the process of bringing verified beneficiaries onto the Unify Giving platform.
• Training & Education: Provide training to charity staff on how to use the Unify Giving platform effectively.
• Impact Communication: Gather and share success stories (while maintaining privacy) to demonstrate the effectiveness of our direct giving model.
• Platform Ambassador: Keep charity partners informed about new features and improvements to the Unify Giving platform.
• Feedback Collection: Gather insights from charity partners to help us continuously improve our service.

What We're Looking For

• Passion for addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to explain technology in accessible, non-technical terms
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Experience in the charity sector, social work, or community engagement (desirable but not essential)
• Understanding of homelessness issues and challenges in the UK (desirable)
• Reliable access to transportation for partner visits when needed
• Comfortable using digital platforms and mobile applications

Time Commitment

We're looking for volunteers who can commit to approximately 5-10 hours per week, with flexibility around your schedule. This can include:

• Virtual meetings with potential and existing charity partners
• Occasional in-person visits to charities in your region (dependent on distance/ travel expenses covered)
• Regular check-ins with the Unify Giving team

What You'll Gain

• Make a direct impact on addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Develop professional skills in partnership building, communication, and the charity tech sector
• Gain insight into innovative solutions to social problems
• Be part of a passionate, mission-driven team
• Receive training and support from Unify Giving
• Opportunity to build your professional network across the charity sector
• Letter of recommendation upon successful completion of a 3-month volunteer period

Locations

We're particularly seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• London
• Newport
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Brighton & Hove
• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• Other major UK cities (please specify your location when applying)

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of homelessness or other forms of social exclusion.

Unify Giving connects those who want to help with those who need support, ensuring direct impact while preserving dignity and choice.

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Purpose

Young Carers’ Crew is a registered charity (number 1176778) and runs a group which meets to provide emotional and practical support to Young Carers through recreational activities. We give support to local children and young people, who perform a caring role supporting another member of their household. 

Young Carers’ Crew is a small grassroots community group. We are hoping to bring in more people with diverse skills and experience to build sustainability.  

We are looking for Volunteer Trustees with a range of skills, to help steer and direct the organisation. 

The Board of Trustees takes on the ultimate legal and financial responsibility for all the activities of the organisation. They maintain an overview of policy and strategic direction rather than being involved in day-to-day operations. This position will not have any regular contact with the children or the volunteers running the Group activities. 

Role Description 

Volunteer Trustee for Young Carers’ Crew 

Volunteering is an unpaid position. Appropriate out-of-pocket expenses will be re-imbursed.

Location: Most tasks will be home-based.  Meetings will be held in and around Hitchin, Herts.

Hours: Up to 2.5 hours per month for Board meetings. Additional time for position is estimated to be 3 to 4 hours per month.

Reports to: Chair of Board of Trustees for Young Carers’ Crew

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirement: Appointment to these posts is subject to an up-to-date, satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with a check against the barred lists for children and adults.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking to fill these specific positions which are currently available:

• HR lead
• Safeguarding lead
• Fundraising
• Website Development

It is anticipated that the successful applicants will help to define the details of the position.

For all positions the following will be expected:

• Attend Board meetings as arranged. 
• Work as flexibly as may be required, also to carry out any other reasonable duties that may be required from time to time. 

The broad role of the Board of Trustees is summarised below:

• Be committed to the vision, mission and values of the organisation.
• Provide strategic direction, including agreeing and monitoring strategic plans.
• Keep informed of the activities of the organisation and the wider issues that affect its work.
• Ensuring that the work of the organisation is monitored and evaluated.
• Maintain that the organisation complies with its governing documents, e.g. constitution.
• Ensure the organisation complies with current Safeguarding Guidelines and Core Standards set out in the Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2013
• Ensure the organisation operates within the law.
• Safeguard the organisation in making efficient use of resources, in particular that all monies are applied to its objectives, agreed plans and budgets.
• Mitigate and manage the risks to the organisation, volunteers and service users.
• To be accountable to membership, funders and other stakeholders.

Person Specification

Please note all items are essential:

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.

• Ability to work effectively, both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Impartiality and fairness.
• Understanding of and commitment to the organisation’s mission & values.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and well-being of children and young people.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes equality of opportunity and respect for diversity.
• Commitment to continuing learning and training.

Experience

No experience is necessary for a general position on the Board of Trustees, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help the organisation grow and support the young carers.

For more specific positions; it would be highly desirable that you bring some experience in the charity sector, social care or in business development. 

So, for example, we would welcome someone with experience of working in a safeguarding role with young people specifically or from an HR background or someone who can help us raise money for the charity. .

Selection Process 

To ensure equal opportunities in recruitment, we request that all applicants complete the application form provided. A shortlist will be created and suitable applicants will be invited to interview.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

The role of Software Tester is responsible for the testing of Youth4Youth’s technology solutions. The role involves communication with other Youth4Youth team members; creating test plans; creating test cases; running tests and analysing results to produce reports. The tester will be supporting a website and chat system.

Responsibilities 

• • Conduct functional, acceptance, end-to-end, and regression tests to ensure software quality and performance.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product design and development teams to develop comprehensive user experiences across mobile, web, and app platforms.
  • Regularly liaise with the wider team to ensure that test plans align with user requirements and core charity objectives.
  • Analyse test results and write detailed reports, communicating findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Identify areas for improvement and work proactively to enhance software functionality.
  • Stay up to date with technological innovations and new testing tools.

Skills 

• • Enthusiasm for learning about Youth4Youth’s users and processes.
  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills to engage with team members and clients.
  • Strong written communication with attention to detail.
  • Design and spatial skills for usability assessment.
  • Adaptable mindset to handle changing tasks and technologies.
  • Willingness to stay updated with new software applications and techniques.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and AWS.
  • Experience working with APIs.
  • Keen problem-solving and solution-building abilities.
  • Openness to learning new technologies.
  • Strong verbal and written communication.
  • Organisational skills to deliver tasks on time and manage effectively.
  • Collaborative experience and team support.
  • Proficient IT skills, especially with Microsoft applications.
  • Understanding of software engineering, programming, and development.
  • Experience with JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and frameworks like React and AngularJS.
  • Knowledge of continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) and version control systems like Git.


 

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Chair for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation.