Community volunteer roles in deritend, west midlands
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner is a legal charity committed to alleviating poverty and helping citizens create a fairer and more just society, by providing free, community based legal advice on issues affecting the day-to-day lives of people living in North Wales.
They are seeking a new Treasurer, with suitable accounting and finance experience as well as energy and enthusiasm, to provide board level insight and scrutiny of financial plans, processes and decision making.
The post holder will inspect and authorise fortnightly payments, review and approve the organisations financial statements, and oversee financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. Previous governance experience is not required, and a full induction and training will be provided.
The board meets 4-6 times a year, usually remotely in the evening, with one annual in-person away day in North Wales. The total estimated time commitment required for the role is approximately 5 hours per month.
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For more Trustee and Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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.
Youth meetings take place on Wednesday evenings. Ideal candidates would be asked to commit to attending at least two weeks in every month.
Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/12/2025
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
HiDDEN are looking for an inspiring, forward-thinking Independent Chair to lead our growing network of heritage organisations into an exciting new chapter.
Job Description
HiDDEN is a dynamic and supportive network that champions Greater Manchester’s rare, overlooked, and underrepresented heritage.
This voluntary leadership role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic, mission-driven network that champions the hidden stories of Greater Manchester — stories that deserve to be uncovered, celebrated, and preserved. As Chair, you will bring strategic vision, support strong governance, and act as a key advocate for the network at both regional and national levels. You’ll play a vital role in steering our growth, deepening our impact, and ensuring that inclusion, integrity, and collaboration remain at the heart of everything we do.
Key Responsibilities
- Governance and Oversight Ensure alignment with HiDDEN’s purpose, vision, and values.
- Oversee the adherence to the HiDDEN Code of Conduct.
- Facilitate the annual review of the members’ agreement and the Code of Practice.
- Meeting Facilitation Chair bi-monthly HiDDEN planning meetings, fostering inclusive and balanced discussions. Guide decision-making processes to achieve majority consensus in line with network objectives.
- Strategic Leadership Lead the development and refinement of HiDDEN’s strategic initiatives. Advocate for the network’s sustainability, identifying opportunities for growth and impact.
- Collaborate closely with Manchester Histories, the identified organisation for project management, to ensure effective implementation of strategies and initiatives.
- External Representation and Advocacy Represent HiDDEN at national and regional conferences, events, and within the heritage sector.
- Act as an ambassador for HiDDEN, promoting its mission and objectives to external stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders.
- Conflict Resolution Mediate disputes within the network, ensuring fair and transparent resolutions.
- Provide impartial guidance and support to members to maintain positive relationships.
- Evaluation and Reporting Report on network activities and outcomes at planning meetings to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Lead the process for reviewing and adjusting network goals and strategies based on the needs of the network
Person Specification
Experience:
- You may have gained experience in leadership, governance, or planning through a variety of paths — including study, early career roles, volunteering, activism, or community engagement.
- A background in the heritage, cultural, or nonprofit sectors is helpful but not essential. We value lived experience and insight into the challenges and opportunities facing small or underrepresented organisations.
- Skills and Attributes: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to facilitate inclusive discussions and achieve consensus.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to act impartially and mediate conflicts.
- Passion for heritage and a commitment to HiDDEN’s values of inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and environmental responsibility.
- Commitment: Willingness to commit 1-2 days per month, including participation in bi-monthly planning meetings.
- Enthusiasm for working with a network of small to medium organisations to achieve shared goals.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
General Trustee Ad
The Bike Project’s mission is simple – we refurbish unwanted bikes and donate them to refugees and people seeking asylum, giving them freedom and independence whilst they rebuild their lives.
“I’m really grateful because life is not only about surviving. It’s about joyfulness. I feel more freedom and independent in my life, and independent from government now.” Bike Recipient
Most people seeking asylum are banned from working and forced to many live off an allowance of £8.86 per day and those lucky enough to get refugee status still face high unemployment and isolation. Having a bike links people to essential services, including foodbanks and legal advice, as well as the local community.
The Bike Project has proved that a bike can make a difference. Not only is a bike a practical tool for tackling poverty, those who receive bikes from us report they are more connected in their community, happier and healthier as a result.
Alongside our core Bike Donations Programme, we support refugee women to learn to cycle through our Pedal Power Programme; provide ongoing support with bike maintenance through our Repair or Replace Programme; and offer the opportunity for connection and friendship through our volunteer-matching Bike Buddy Programme.
As a number of trustees are coming to the end of their terms later this year, we are looking for new trustees to join this dynamic group, including a new Treasurer (see separate advert and application).
You will be joining a highly committed group of trustees who give their time, expertise and contacts to support the charity. Our trustees are critical in enabling us to thrive. You will work together with your fellow trustees and the wider staff team to set our strategic direction and improve our work with refugees. At the heart of everything we do is the real and instant impact a bike makes to the lives of those who have been through so much. You will be part of us achieving that.
Priority Experience Areas
We are particularly seeking those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas:
1. Lived experience of the UK asylum process
2. Digital and marketing
3. Fundraising
4. Charity operations including specifically within the refugee sector
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and we're especially keen to hear from individuals who bring diverse perspectives, including those with lived experience of the asylum process, women, people of the global majority, and people with disabilities.
For an informal conversation about the role, please get in touch.
No agencies please.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***
Department: Health and Wellbeing
Role Location: Supporting people remotely, in their own homes across the city and county.
Role Support: You will be supported by the Companion Service Team
What is the purpose of this role?
To provide personalised digital/IT support to older people
What impact does this role have?
Supports older people to gain or improve technical skills and to become digitally included. This inclusivity results in reduced loneliness and isolation and helps older people lead more healthy and independent lives.
What activities might you be involved in?
The purpose of this role is to provide personalised digital/IT support to older people to gain or improve technical skills and to become digitally included. This may include but is not limited to supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.
What are we looking for?
· Individuals with an interest in the wellbeing of older people and who are committed to volunteering
· IT literate with good digital skills and who are confident using different Apple and Android devices (including smart phones and tablets, laptops, and smart speakers).
· Individuals who can work with learners with different levels of knowledge and skill and to be able to demonstrate empathy when needed.
· Excellent interpersonal skills.
· Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly.
· Ability to travel to visits either by car or public transport.
When would you be needed to volunteer?
Volunteering will be on an ad hoc basis to meet the needs of the older person that you are supporting in line with your availability.
What training will you be given?
You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role which will include a thorough departmental induction.
What can you gain from this opportunity?
· The chance to make a difference to an older person’s life
· Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one
· The opportunity to learn new skills
· Experience to add to your CV
· The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends
· Reimbursement of travel expenses as defined in the Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook
Additional Information
Please note an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring check) is required for this role which will be undertaken by the Charity at no cost to the volunteer, after being offered the role.
***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Access Academia
Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK.
Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!
What is a Volunteership?
A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.
Volunteership: Events & Programmes Coordinator
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student
Requirements:
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Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
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Strong interest in event planning, programme coordination, and nonprofit work.
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Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
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Prior experience in event planning or project coordination is a plus, but not required.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.
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A passion for contributing to social impact and supporting charitable initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities:
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Event Planning & Execution:
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Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of monthly charity events. This is a minimum of 1 online event per month.
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Work closely with team members to ensure events are organized efficiently, within budget, and aligned with the charity’s mission.
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Help with logistics, setup, and support during events.
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Manage guest lists, invitations, and event communications.
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Annual Research Programme Coordination:
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Support the coordination of the charity’s annual research programme. This is currently an annual programme, the Social Justice Research Fellowship, running in 2025 from June 2nd - August 8th.
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Assist in organizing logistics, outreach, and scheduling for research participants.
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Ensure that resources and materials are available for programme participants.
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Track the progress of the programme and report on key milestones.
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Contribute to planing and logistical initiatives surrounding expanding the provisions of research programmes, including brainstorming and coordination for potential new programmes.
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Collaboration & Teamwork:
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Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure smooth event and programme execution.
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Participate in regular team meetings, contributing ideas and insights.
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Provide feedback and suggestions for improving the efficiency of events and programmes.
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Participate in Outreach & Marketing meetings and follow direction provided from Senior Staff.
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Post-Event & Programme Reporting:
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Help in post-event evaluations, collecting feedback from participants, and reporting on outcomes.
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Assist in maintaining and updating event and programme documentation for future reference.
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What You’ll Gain:
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Hands-on experience in event management and programme coordination.
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Networking opportunities with peers, university departments and professors, and other charitiable groups.
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Opportunities to develop key skills in project management, communication, and teamwork.
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A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.
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Certificate of participation of the volunteership.
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LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer with us!
At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, so most of the care that we provide is funded through fundraising and through our shops.
We are looking for volunteers to join our Christmas Fayre in Wylde Green Church to help with the sales of craft items and running of the tombola.
Event date Saturday 29th November.
Volunteer opportunities on the day;
- Tombola
- Craft Stall Sales.
Volunteers will be covering the hours of 10.00-16.00 (any hours between these times is fine and times are role dependent)
Why Volunteer at Acorns?
- To help a local charity and make a difference in your local community
- Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
- Enhance your CV by learning new skills and gaining experience
- Opportunities to progress to other roles
- Access to free online courses
- Invites to social events and participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards
- Please apply if you'd like to be apart of this fun filled event! - Refreshments will be provided.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT PAID WORK
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteering for Sense
Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales. Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.
What your role will involve
There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:
- Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
- Receiving donated goods from members of the public
- Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
- Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
- Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
- Processing sales and serving on the till
- Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
- Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
- Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
- Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone
Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:
- Motivated and hardworking
- Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
- A team player
- Friendly and helpful
- Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
- Respectful of others and their diversity
- Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.
What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?
- A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
- Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
- A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
- The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
- The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
- The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
- Access to Sense discounts and advice, including cashback and discounts on hight street brands, as well as 10% off at Sense charity shops.
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
Help children as Trustee of an innovative, enterprising Tees Valley Charity that is increasingly supporting children in care through fostering and a planned residential provision. Join an agency that transforms children's lives.
What will you be doing?
You will join us at an exciting time as we pursue growth of fostering and residential services, as well as growth of our early help offer.
You will work across the Charity and the subsidiary fostering company (which we will amalgamate back into the parent Charity).
You will have a particular focus on helping the fostering agency drive growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver excellent care for children and support for foster parents. You will provide support and challenge to the management team.
You’ll contribute 2 to 6 hours a month. The Charity board meets every 8 weeks (shifting to quarterly after September) and the fostering board meets every 8 weeks.
You’ll join a Charity that’s brought £millions of investment into Tees Valley and that helps over 1000 local people a year. We’ve been runners up at the national Charity Governance Awards and ‘community’ winners at the Hartlepool Business Awards.
We are looking for experienced professionals who share our values and want to help.
What are we looking for?
At this time we are specifically looking for Trustees with some of these areas of skills or experience:
Business development
Safeguarding management
Fostering or children's residential care or childrens social work management
Financial management
What difference will you make?
We want to help children and family members heal from trauma, primarily through helping them develop a network of nurturing, loving and appropriately challenging relationships with people in their close and wider communities. Any small surplus we make from helping children in care will be diverted into work to help families stay together and thrive. You will join a team that strives to make this difference. You will help ensure the Charity keeps a strong focus on children and young peoples needs whilst being sustainability and ensuring the agency manages the risks associated with growth and investment in new services.
Before you apply
After expressing an interest through the site, we'd welcome an initial conversation with our CEO and/or Chair. After that, we usually take applications to the Board for consideration. This is usually quite a quick process.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit a Group Coordinator for our Solihull and District group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.
In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 5 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the Solihull and District area to carry out this role.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss. You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more. What you’ll be doing • Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events. • Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business. Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events. In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting. We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss. We would particularly like to recruit support volunteers within the Downpatrick area (last Wednesday of every month) What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people. • An empathetic and professional manner. • The ability to take the supportive and helpful role.
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Particularly looking for Volunteers in Downpatrick area - Last Wednesday of Every month
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Pain Concern
Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work.
All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life changing results
Role purpose
We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our social media team to help raise awareness of chronic pain and the work of Pain Concern to reach more people in need of the support we offer.
What you would be doing
• Help develop social media campaigns and day-to-day activities;
• Manage presence in social networking across all platforms;
• Prepare graphics for sharing across channels
• Monitor the impact of social media campaigns; Analyse, review and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize the charity’s reach.
• Scheduling and posting social media content
• Capture and report on monthly data from across all social media platforms
Is this role right for me?
We are looking for an individual who possesses some or all of the below experiences, skills and qualities.
• Excellent communication skills
• Good knowledge and understanding of social media platforms
• Knowledge of marketing
• Strong IT skills and knowledge of MS Office
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of / interest in pain and long-term conditions
Availability and location
• Minimum 2-4 hours per week
• Volunteer from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS or from your own location
Benefits to you
• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team
• Meet new people
• Build on your employability skills
• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you
• A job reference after 3 months of volunteering.
• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community
• On-site car parking
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy
How do I apply?
For more information, please visit our website
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Be part of something special and volunteer at MS Walk Birmingham. Join an incredible team of volunteers who will be helping to make MS Walk 2025 bigger and better than ever.
The 2025 event will have around 200 participants who will be walking through Birmingham on either the 1km, 5km, 10km or 15km route.
Together these participants will be hoping to raise over £30,000 for the MS Society to help support the MS Community.
There are various roles available on the day from making some noise and encouraging our walkers, to looking after the route and handing out medals at the finish.
Join our team of MS Walk volunteers and support everyone who is walking, rolling and strolling to stop MS.
You'll be required on Saturday 14th June 2025 for one day and there are various times throughout the day. Shifts will be from 2-6 hours depending on role and location.
There are no specific skills required just enthusiasm and a can-do attitude.’
Closing date Wednesday 11th June 2025
Lead the Board of the Martin James Foundation, the global network of charitable organiastions working with a shared vision in which children grow up and thrive in safe and loving families.
Applications close on: Monday 14th July 2025
Location: Global (with head office in Birmingham B17 9NJ)
Time commitment: Equivalent of 2 days per month
About the Martin James Foundation
The Martin James Foundation (MJF) is a global network of charitable organisations working with a shared vision of a world in which children grow up and thrive in safe and loving families.
Through our work, we strive to bring an end to institutional care for children, including orphanages, by engaging in family strengthening work and gatekeeping to prevent family separation, reunification and reintegration of children back into their families and communities when possible and facilitating family-based alternative care when it is necessary.
The Foundation is comprised of the following:
- MJF Global – utilises technical and financial resources generated by the Foundation to invest in partner organisations that support children and families in various countries, contributing to the global efforts in deinstitutionalising care practices.
- Key Assets – independent, non-profit fostering agencies in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand delivering charitable services for children, families and communities.
About the role
The Martin James Foundation is currently seeking a new Chair as our founding, current Chair comes to the end of their term later this year. This is an exciting time for the Foundation as we continue to deliver on our new strategy.
We are looking for an individual who will contribute to guiding the charity on its mission to support children and families around the world.
The Martin James Foundation strives to enable a diverse range of participation and contributions, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. People with lived experience of alternative care, and from people outside of the UK are encouraged to apply.
Who we are looking for
We seek someone:
- Ideally with experience in a leadership capacity within the provision of global development and/or in children’s protection, social care or care reform.
- Experienced on Boards and will work to lead our board to ensure good governance and strategic innovation.
- With excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic tact. You’ll develop a strong working relationship with our Chief Executive and maintain connections with key stakeholders globally.
- A collaborative leader who can bring people together, foster a team environment, and work in partnership with our board and team to drive our ambitious strategy.
- Local or national government engagement experience, such as securing and delivering contracts or lobbying for policy change is highly desirable.
- The availability to prepare for and attend quarterly board meetings, quarterly sub-committee meetings and monthly CEO catch-ups.
- UK, or amenable to attend meetings within GMT working hours, and amenable to attending one face-to-face meeting per annum.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close on Monday 14th July 2025.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteering for Sense
Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales. Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.
What your role will involve
There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:
- Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
- Receiving donated goods from members of the public
- Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
- Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
- Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
- Processing sales and serving on the till
- Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
- Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
- Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
- Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone
Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:
- Motivated and hardworking
- Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
- A team player
- Friendly and helpful
- Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
- Respectful of others and their diversity
- Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.
What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?
- A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
- Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
- A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
- The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
- The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
- The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
- Access to Sense discounts and advice, including cashback and discounts on hight street brands, as well as 10% off at Sense charity shops.
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.