Community volunteer roles in edinburgh

Barefoot and Free is a small UK-based charity that gifts unforgettable staycations to families with neurodivergent children or children affected by trauma.

We are seeking creative and committed Volunteer Fundraisers to help us grow our small charity.

This is a remote volunteer role ideal for someone looking to use their creative fundraising knowledge to make a meaningful impact.

Role Overview
As a Volunteer Fundraiser at Barefoot and Free, you will be reuired to come up with fun ideas to fundraise, be able to engage people to fundraise and encourage new supporters.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and execute virtual and in-person fundraising events (eg raffles, quizzes, sponsored challenges)
• Liase with fundraisng volunteers (eg sponsored runners etc)
• Ensure events run smoothly by preparing, schedules, materials and plans. 
• Act as a main point of contact for invividual fundraisers and teams
• Regukar communication to offer encouragement and guidence.
• Procatively check they have everything they need (eg fundraisng pack, marketing materials) 
• Create.design a central fundraising tracker (eg excel or similar) 
• Log all fundraising activities, targets, deadlines ad progress updates 
• Collaborate with the social media volunteers (if applicable) to amplify campaigns
• Support the recruitment of new fundraising volunteers

What You’ll Bring

• Clear friendly written and verbal communication
• Ability to confidently engage with fundraisers, donors and team members remotely
• Excellent time management and ability to co-ordinate multiple activities at once
• Structured approach to planning events and tracking fundraising progress
• Strong communication skills, self-motovated with the ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• A passion for charitable work and a willingness to contribute time and skills

Time Commitment
This is a flexible remote role. We ask for a commitment of 2 to 5 hours per week. We are happy to work around your availability.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to use your skills for a good cause

• Hands-on experience in event planning, fundraising, and project coordination, ideal for CVs, job applications, or future charity roles.

• Remote, flexible volunteering that fits around your schedule — ideal for students, parents, or professionals looking to give back.

• Experience working in the charity sector

• Portfolio development and references on request
• Being part of a friendly supportive team making a difference

To apply please send a recent C.V along with a short note about yourself & with examples of any fundraising, event planning you have carried out.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Little Village is a baby bank: a simple idea with a big impact on the lives of families living in poverty in London. Our work is vital: more than one in three children in the capital live in poverty, with profound impacts from educational disadvantage to reduced life expectancy. We invite community donations of pre-loved baby and children’s items, passing them onto families who need them and saving them from landfill. Meanwhile, our guidance and signposting service provides tailored, one-to-one support, delivered with warmth and understanding.

Families either visit a Little Village hub, or items are packed with care and delivered to their home. But it doesn’t stop there. We also connect families into a wider network of support, helping them to build and extend their own ‘village’.

Thanks to the generous donations of loved items, precious time and money, in 2023 Little Village was able to support more than 8500 children. But the demand for help still outstripped our capacity to respond week on week. This role will play a crucial part in helping us to ensure stock is where it needs to be in order to reach more children with the things they need.   

Our wonderful Finance Trustee is reaching the end of her two terms, and we’re now seeking a successor to step into her very big shoes. 

We’re looking for a qualified accountant who can: 

• Bring fresh eyes and ideas to how we do things in help us increase our effectiveness 

• Collaborate with a passionate team of board members and the charity’s SLT to make our sum of the parts even stronger 

• Provide visionary financial oversight and robust governance at Board level. 

• Work alongside our Director of Finance to safeguard the charity’s stability and ensure its resources are managed with care and foresight. 

• Champion strong policies, processes, and controls that enable transparency, accountability, and lasting impact. 

• Share our passion for tackling child poverty and supporting families. 

• You may or may not have prior Board experience (it’s not essential!). 

  We are especially keen to diversify our Board and particularly welcome applications from men and people under-represented in charity governance, including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of poverty. 

The role is primarily remote, however, you will be required to attend 3 hour quarterly board meetings, plus a strategy away day and involvement in sub committees. Please see the job pack on our website for further details.

Closing date is 9am on Monday 13th October 2025.

If you have space in your home and heart, for a guide dog mum who will be bringing the next generation of guide dogs in the world, then this could be the role for you! A role where you can care and nurture for a guide dog mum and plenty of little puppies when they arrive. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Providing a loving home for a guide dog mum who will be at least 12 months old, for around six years whilst they are in the breeding programme (with the option to re-home after this, once the guide dog mum retires at around 7 years-old.) 
• Giving a guide dog mum the care and support that our canine companions need, like feeding and grooming.
• Creating a safe environment for the guide dog mum when they are giving birth within your home and helping with the birth of future guide dogs, which usually happens once a year. (You don’t need any previous experience of breeding or having dogs – we have expert staff who will help you!) 
• Providing care and support for the newborn puppies for at least 6 weeks while they are still in the nest, including socialising them to the new sounds and first-time experiences in your home.

Can I care for a guide dog mum? 

If you want to care for a guide dog mum, here's what we ideally look for:

• A loving home with a secure garden.
• Access to a car, to support with any appointments needed for the guide dog mum.
• Live within an hour’s drive of the National Centre in Leamington Spa.

Guide dog mums can happily live with other dogs or children, however we wouldn’t place them with a male dog that has not been neutered. To determine whether you are suitable, we will conduct a home visit as part of the application process. 

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
• The satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding experience of bringing the next generation of guide dogs in the world and caring for their mum.
• Our volunteers have access to our bespoke training techniques to implement with their guide dog mum a great bonus for any dog owners! 
• The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support

Our volunteers also receive lots of support from their volunteer managers to help them implement the training modules, as well as managing the birth of new-born puppies. If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to the litter or your volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs or any specialist breeding equipment.  All you may need to buy is a bed and grooming equipment.

Minimum age of volunteer: 18.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working to secure funding that will see us through our first year, and the role of the Social Media and Communications Co-ordinator will play a key role in this.

If you are well versed in social media, have experience or a passion for communicating with wide audiences across pretty much all social media platforms, this is a role for you.

Living Reasons, at the core of what we want to achieve, doesn't just value experience from employment but from personal experience and based on you as a person, everything else comes from the relationships built and trust given to each other and we want to learn from you, just as much as you will learn from us.

You will work with the volunteers and trustees to create engaging content that focuses on the current needs of the charity and in the first 3-6 months will be very much focused and 2 areas - fundraising and communicating the charity message and gaining support for the charity as we establish ourselves. We want to do things differently, so there are no boundaries other than legal requirements and ensuring we stick to the charity values, which, as you will see, are very much about making change and doing things differently.

Living Reasons – What we are planning, who we are and where we are now:

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

If you think you would enjoy this role, please apply, we want to hear from you!

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working to secure funding that will see us through our first year, and the role will be an important part of the organisation's growth and ability to obtain funding for specific areas of work by ensuring people who volunteer or engage with Living Reasons receive a high level of training and development.

As an organisation, Living Reasons believe that your individual skills are more important than experience. With this in mind, this role would suit someone who enjoys helping, engaging and passing on knowledge as well as researching and creating new ways of communicating with people, whether you have experience in learning and development is not important as they are skills that can be built on and are able to grow with the organisation. 

Living Reasons – What we are planning, who we are and where we are now:

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

Grace to Grow Mentorship & Training

Grace to Grow Mentorship & Training is transforming the lives of marginalized women by breaking cycles of inequality and fostering empowerment at every level. Many women face barriers such as low self-esteem, lack of resources, and limited opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and exclusion. Grace to Grow responds with leadership development, entrepreneurial training, and financial literacy programs that enable women to build businesses, secure employment, and achieve lasting independence. By prioritizing mental and emotional well-being through counseling and mindfulness practices, the organization also provides critical support for women struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma.

What makes Grace to Grow especially impactful is its holistic approach. By combining practical skills, mentorship, and emotional support, the program helps women rediscover their purpose and build resilience to navigate life’s challenges. Free to participants, the tailored curriculum equips women not only to thrive personally but also to become leaders who uplift families and transform entire communities. In doing so, Grace to Grow creates ripples of hope, dignity, and long-term social change.

Web Developer

Role Overview
The Web Developer Volunteer for Grace to Grow Mentorship and Training will be integral in enhancing our digital presence so we can reach, empower, and support even more women as they walk in their God-given purpose. Through your skills, you’ll help maintain a vibrant, informative, and welcoming online space that reflects our commitment to women’s spiritual, emotional, and physical growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, update, and maintain the Grace to Grow website, ensuring it is user-friendly, engaging, and in line with our brand and mission.
• Collaborate with the team to regularly feature mentorship stories, resources, events, and faith-based content.
• Implement features such as event registration, podcast, blog integration, resource downloads, and program applications to connect and serve women more effectively.
• Monitor and improve website performance, accessibility, and security, ensuring confidentiality and privacy for all user data.
• Optimise content for SEO and mobile responsiveness to expand our reach among women seeking support, mentorship, and growth.
• Regularly test all website features to ensure accuracy, up-to-date information, and a smooth user experience.

Skills and Qualifications

• Proficiency with web development tools (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WordPress or similar CMS).
• Creative spirit and ability to design welcoming, accessible user interfaces.
• Familiarity with faith-based nonprofits or organisations serving women is a plus.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, comfortable collaborating remotely.
• Knowledge of website analytics, security, and privacy standards.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

A Finance Assistant helps support the financial operations of the organisation. The core role typically includes assisting with bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial record-keeping, assisting with the preparation of year end, and producing a yearly review for the strategy day, along with attending monthly meetings and assisting in the updating of the board. All tasks under the guidance of a Treasurer. The purpose of the role is so the organisation can maintain accurate financial records, comply with regulations, and make informed decisions. It’s also a valuable learning opportunity for volunteers interested in finance, accounting.

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

• Inputting financial data into spreadsheets Sage and Google Sheets

• Filing and organizing invoices, receipts, and bank statements

• Assisting with bank reconciliations

• Helping to prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports

• Supporting the preparation of annual budgets and audits

• Assisting with volunteer expense claims

• Maintaining confidentiality and handling data responsibly

What do we expect from a Finance Assistant?

Essential:

• Basic understanding of finance or accounting principles

• Good IT skills, particularly Google Sheets

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Experience with accounting software (Sage is a plus)

• Commitment to the values and mission of Hidayah

How much commitment is required?

The role is flexible and can work around your current commitments.  On average it should take less than two hours per week.  A few things to note is that we ask you try to: 

• Attend the monthly meetings (held online for an average of 2 hours).

• Attend Hidayah’s Strategy Day (once a year) if the Treasurer is unable to

• Be available to catch up meetings with the treasurer and the chair of the charity.

• Work alongside the treasurer to keep accurate records, and check and respond to emails in a timely fashion. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working to secure funding that will see us through our first year, and the role will be an important part of the organisation's growth of the organisation.

This role will be overseeing the digital aspects of the organisation, including the website design and management which is currently being hosted on Squarespace and our internal communications system, which is using the Google Workspace platform. At Living Reasons, we believe that individual skills are more important that experience, in this role having an attention to detail and a creative spirit, along with the passion for Living Reasons' values and mission are all you will need, the rest is growth for both you and for the organisation.

Living Reasons – What we are planning, who we are and where we are now:

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

Grace to Grow Mentorship & Training

Grace to Grow Mentorship & Training is transforming the lives of marginalized women by breaking cycles of inequality and fostering empowerment at every level. Many women face barriers such as low self-esteem, lack of resources, and limited opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to poverty and exclusion. Grace to Grow responds with leadership development, entrepreneurial training, and financial literacy programs that enable women to build businesses, secure employment, and achieve lasting independence. By prioritizing mental and emotional well-being through counseling and mindfulness practices, the organization also provides critical support for women struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma.

What makes Grace to Grow especially impactful is its holistic approach. By combining practical skills, mentorship, and emotional support, the program helps women rediscover their purpose and build resilience to navigate life’s challenges. Free to participants, the tailored curriculum equips women not only to thrive personally but also to become leaders who uplift families and transform entire communities. In doing so, Grace to Grow creates ripples of hope, dignity, and long-term social change.

Graphic Designer

About Us
We are a social enterprise dedicated to giving women a chance to thrive in their God-given purpose. Our mission is to amplify women’s voices, challenge inequality, and drive meaningful change.

Role Overview
We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Graphic Designer to design engaging and impactful visual content for our social media platforms and campaigns. The ideal candidate is passionate about women’s rights and can translate complex ideas into compelling visuals that resonate with diverse audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design graphics, infographics, and illustrations for social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.).
• Create visually consistent templates for campaigns, reports, and awareness drives.
• Collaborate with communications and content teams to develop creative concepts for advocacy campaigns.
• Ensure all designs align with the organisation’s brand identity and messaging on women’s empowerment.
• Edit and repurpose existing content into visually appealing formats (reels, carousels, posters).
• Stay updated with social media trends, design innovations, and cultural moments relevant to gender equality.

Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience as a graphic designer, preferably in social media/digital marketing.
• Strong portfolio showcasing creative design work.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) or Canva.
• Knowledge of typography, colour theory, and visual hierarchy.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work within deadlines.
• Passion for social impact, feminism, and women’s rights advocacy is highly desirable.
• Preferred
• Experience working with Social Enterprises/NGOs/nonprofits.
• Motion graphics/video editing skills (After Effects, Premiere Pro, Canva animation).
• Understanding of inclusive design and accessibility in visuals.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on campaigns that create real impact.
• Creative freedom and a collaborative work environment.
• Flexible working options.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

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

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

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

What are we looking for?

• 2+ years of experience with writing successful bids, copywriting, research or similar
• Excellent written English (grammar, clarity, tone) a clear communicator who can work independently and enjoy networking.
• Ability to understand and match funders’ priorities
• Skilled at summarising and restructuring complex content
• Experience in bid writing, copywriting, research, or professional writing (or willing to learn how to use your professional writing skills in this area)
• Self-motivated, organised, and collaborative, confident and able to work without close supervision
• Commitment of at least 3–4 hours per week 
• UK-based only (but remote role, so open to any applicants within the UK)

• Meet funding dealines and reporting deadlines

• Maintain the funding database and outcomes

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

Please note: We do not provide references for volunteers who have been with us for less than six months.

What difference will you make?

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

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

Perks of volunteering with us:

• Flexibility to work around your life

• Take the lead on bids from start to finish

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

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

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

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

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

Before you apply:  Please, check out our website to understand our work and send your application with a CV and cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will, unfortunately, not be considered. We'd love to hear from the real you not the AI you. Thank you 

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.

We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.

Purpose of the role:

To be part of a flexible team providing empathic, caring and informed support to families, carers and others who use our services.

Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects, whether that might be issues around separation and divorce, isolation, depression, bullying and abuse, dealing with behavioural problems, etc. You can find out more about our services on our website. We are a national service with home-based call takers county wide and a call centre in Old Hatfield Hertfordshire.

Once trained volunteers sign up for a weekly 4-hour shift comprising 3 hours ‘online’ followed by a debrief session with your supervisor which can last around half to one hour.

We recruit volunteers with a range of backgrounds and experiences though we ask that volunteers have experience of parenting or working with children and young people, are good listeners and have a willingness to learn. Being remote it will be very important that you have a PC/laptop, plug in headset with microphone, good Wi-Fi and a private place to work from home. You need to be a UK resident.

Our volunteers often tell us how rewarding their time with us is.

You'll be part of a compassionate community and feel a real sense of pride for what you do. You'll meet new people, gain valuable experience, and develop your skillset. We're passionate about helping people to reach their full potential, so we'll offer you full training suitable for the role, supervision from a named member of staff, including help setting personal development goals, and opportunities to increase skills and input into practice via regular Practice Development Groups.

Our training programme is excellent and will give you the opportunity to develop the skills needed to offer empathic support and guidance to callers whatever their circumstances; all shifts are overseen by a regular shift supervisor who provides ongoing remote support.

We ask our volunteers to make a commitment of 1 year (with time off for holidays), obviously we understand that circumstances sometimes make that an impossibility but can be helpful to know at the outset that is the general expectation.

We have remote call taker training sessions that run over five sessions and is done remotely connecting you via a Microsoft Teams link. Our next training is starting in September 2025.

Module One = Tues 16th Sept

Module Two = Wed 24th Sept

Module Three = Weds 1st Oct

Module Four = Weds 8th Oct

Module Five = Wed 15th Oct

10am to 2pm

You would need to be able to attend all five sessions and be available on four occasions to listen into calls, this can be organised remotely. If you are unable to attend the training however are interested, please do apply as we run training throughout the year.

Intern Position Description

We're seeking twenty-five driven and resourceful Fundraising & Grant Writer Interns (Unpaid) to join and support our mission through strategic fundraising, grant applications, and investment.  This role is ideal for a self-starter who excels in a dynamic sales and marketing environment, striking a balance between independent work and collaboration.  You will play a key role in securing funding opportunities by supporting grant applications, refining pitch materials, and identifying potential funders and investors.

Our internships

Our internships are primarily designed for students and recent graduates seeking practical work experience to enhance their skills and career prospects.  If you are a foreign student, please check with your institution and seek legal advice to ensure compliance with the conditions of your student visa, as we don't give legal advice on student visas.

Duration:

Our internships can vary in length, ranging from six months to a year, with many lasting two years or more. Time commitment is 10-20 hours per week (flexible based on project needs).

Paid vs. Unpaid:

We only offer Unpaid internships due to financial constraints.  If you come from a low-income background or are a care leaver, please get in touch with us to discuss whether we can cover your expenses.

Intern Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Interns work under supervision and don't have full responsibilities.  You will combine studies and work to gain practical experience.

1. Grant & Funding Applications – Assist in searching, writing, editing, and submitting funding and grant proposals to secure funding.
2. Investment Opportunities – Identify and support AHO for investment programmes and funding opportunities.
3. Pitch Deck & Business Plan Enhancement – Edit and refine pitch decks, business plans, and executive summaries to make them funder and investor-ready.
4. Developing and executing marketing strategies involves researching target funders, donors, and investors; analysing market trends; and creating plans to reach potential customers. 
5. Managing marketing campaigns involves overseeing the creation of marketing materials, coordinating promotional activities, and managing budgets. 
6. Creating content involves writing website copy, blog posts, social media updates, and other marketing materials. 
7. Managing social media involves creating and scheduling posts, engaging with followers, and monitoring social media performance. 
8. Investment & Funding Sourcing – Research and identify potential investment funds and donor opportunities for AHO projects and programmes.
9. Content & Proposal Development – Tailor responses for funding applications and update existing materials to align with specific opportunities.
10. Analysing results: This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns

Training and Personal Development

We will enrol you on the following courses during your time with us:

1. Level 1: Award in Volunteering (Ofqual, Gateway Qualifications accredited)
2. Certificate in Grant Writing for Non-Profits (Training Express, CPD)
3. Graduate Certificate in Grant Writing (London School of International Business)
4. Professional Certificate in Healthcare Grant Writing, London School of Business and Administration
5. Workshops, webinars, and boot camps in fundraising and grant writing as part of your continuous professional development.

Qualifications and Experience

No prior experience in fundraising and grant writing is required, but you must possess the following to be accepted:

1. Qualification: Studying or a recent graduate in any subject at an accredited UK university or college
2. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with funders, potential donors, and investors, as well as for creating marketing materials and communicating effectively with stakeholders. 
3. Persuasion and Negotiation: The ability to influence funders, potential donors, and investors and secure deals is crucial. 
4. Creativity: Developing innovative marketing campaigns and content requires a creative approach. 
5. Interpersonal Skills: Building rapport and establishing strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders is vital. 
6. Sales and Marketing Techniques: Understanding and applying various sales and marketing techniques to achieve targets. 
7. Product Knowledge: Having a thorough understanding of the products or services being sold. 
8. Analytical skills: The ability to analyse data and track campaign performance is crucial. 
9. Adaptability: Being able to adjust to changing market conditions and customer needs
10. Organisational skills: Managing multiple tasks and campaigns requires strong organisational skills. 
11. Pitch deck: Crafting compelling business plans and pitch decks
12. Accelerator and Investment: Completing startups for accelerators or investments
13. Copywriting: Strong copywriting and business writing skills with exceptional attention to detail
14. Time Management: Effectively managing their time and workload to meet deadlines. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about fundraising, social impact, and business development.  If you're eager to apply your skills to drive meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you!

Joining this role means you'll be at the heart of providing essential support to families facing the unimaginable; caring for their child who's life will be short.

Many families in Wales are unfortunately facing this challenge alone, without support from others.

As a Practical Family Support Volunteer for Tŷ Hafan, you will assist families in need with various light tasks such as cleaning, tidying up and laundry.

Your contribution will go beyond housekeeping; it's about taking some of the pressure off and giving families the breathing space they need to spend more precious time together.

This role offers the satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive impact on families with a child with a life-shortening condition, by helping them create a tidy, clean and safe home environment that reduces their daily stress and worries.

Most importantly, you will be helping us to ensure that no family faces this challenge, alone.

Considerations:

Age requirement: 21+

Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area)

Time commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks.

Background checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting.

Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for volunteers with some skills, experience and knowledge of gardening, either as a profession or as a hobby.

Activities include:

Activities include helping families with light housekeeping tasks such as; cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and laundry, giving them the space they need to be there for their child who needs them.

We are looking for volunteers who:

•Can empathise with the families you are helping and show them kindness and respect;

•Are reliable and flexible and committed to volunteering on a longer term basis;

•Will follow our health and safety guidelines, policies and procedures and report any issues or concerns to the Family Support Volunteer Manager;

•Are respectful of the privacy, preferences and needs of the families you are supporting;

•Are polite and friendly;

•Can adapt to different situations and challenges;

•Enjoy making a difference in the lives of others

At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.

We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role. 

Training you will receive:

You will receive a comprehensive introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, to include an in-person Induction and Training Programme as well as additional e-learning.

You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team who will assist you with any queries or concerns through regular and ongoing meetings.

Other role and organisation specific training is available including both supplementary and mandatory training.

All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.

The benefits of becoming a Practical Family Support Volunteer in Family Homes:

•Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by helping them to maintain clean spaces for them to enjoy;

•Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year;

•Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others;

•Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role.

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working towards being fully operational, over the next year Living Reasons will be looking to expand its reach and part of that journey is to support people who have neurodevelopmental conditions, learning difficulties and/or disabilities through legal processes if they have faced discrimination. To do this, the organisation needs to remain knowledgeable in this area.

Living Reasons will not be giving legal advice, but will be supportive during the early stages of potential legal proceedings, which means we need an understanding of what is and is not permissible under UK law to ensure that we can help each person effectively while also not diminishing any future legal case, in fact we will be doing all we can to help build evidence in case this needs to happen in the future.

In the role of Discrimination Law Co-ordinator, you will ensure that all disputes and complaints that Living Reasons support someone are consistently meeting these requirements. This will be through templates and guideline creation and will also, at times mean going over individual cases whether this is not clear to the person engaging with the person that has the dispute.

We are not looking for a lawyer specifically, we understand that many people understand the law and may not have been able to engage with the education system to gain a degree for example or are currently in the process of learning law. We are looking for someone who is able to analyse the information in front of them and make the connections to legal precedents and back that up with case law or clear legal reasoning.

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)