Digital Champion Volunteer Volunteer Roles in Belfast

ABOUT US

Our vision is to empower people through innovative technologies to take action and help eliminate global social injustices. We are Spring ACT – Action. Compassion. Technology. –  an award-winning, Swiss-based global non-profit organisation run by a dedicated and diverse team, based on our values of empowerment, curiosity, inclusiveness, impact, integrity, compassion, and fun. We developed and launched “Sophia” – the world’s first chatbot empowering survivors of domestic violence to gather potential evidence and seek help 24/7, in every country in the world, anonymously and without leaving a digital trace. Since our launch, over 23,000 people have chatted to Sophia and we have been recognised by the President of Switzerland with the Swiss Future Prize and other global impact awards. In implementing our vision, we always seek to connect and work together with those affected by global social injustices by understanding their needs and engaging them in the creation of solutions. Together we can make a real difference and great global impact.

Our aim is to ensure that we can offer long-term, active support to survivors of domestic violence and individuals fighting other global injustices. We are looking for you to join our international team of 80 ACTivists (volunteers) and help amplify our voices to ensure that people everywhere have the tools needed to help end global injustices. 

This is where you come in! 
 

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

We’re looking for someone who can help us:

• Create the UX / UI of our new mobile app designed to fight the imposter syndrome and everyday sexism.

• Improve the user experience of existing products: 

  • Chatbot Sophia empowering survivors of domestic violence 

  • Sophia’s Digital Safe feature assisting in potential evidence gathering

  • Dots: the SDG-based alternative legal aid app

ABOUT THE ROLE

Over the next six months for approximately 3 hours a week you will join our team and:

• Design Expertise: Lead the design of intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for web and mobile applications designed to create impact and empower individuals, ensuring accessibility, responsiveness, and a seamless user experience.

• Prototyping and Wireframing: Develop wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs.

• Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with developers, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure design vision is effectively translated into functional solutions.

• Project Management: Manage design projects from concept to completion, including setting timelines, prioritising tasks, and ensuring deliverables meet quality standards.

• User Research: Conduct user research, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing, to understand user needs and preferences, and translate insights into design improvements.

• User-Centred Design Advocacy: Champion the importance of user-centred design principles within the organisation, educating and guiding team members on best practices.

• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that all designs meet accessibility standards and cater to a diverse user base, considering various needs and contexts.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilise data and analytics to inform design decisions, and continuously measure and optimise user experience based on key performance indicators.

ABOUT YOU

• Dedicated to helping eliminate global social injustices and creating impact.

• Can commit to volunteering 3 hours a week for a minimum of six months.

• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment of a young start-up.

• Enjoy being part of an international and dedicated team.

• At least four year experience in:

  • UX / UI Design 

  • UX / UI Research

• Experience coordinating UX / UI processes across different teams independently

• Strong organisational skills and don’t lose sight of the bigger picture even in a dynamic and constant process of change.

• Experience in the non-profit sector is an asset.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN US

• Join a highly motivated team of like-minded individuals from around the world

• Help implement impactful new technologies assisting people in vulnerable situations and empowering people to take action.

• Get the opportunity to work on a crucial part of our young and fast growing organisation

• Join a value-based organisation striving to make a real impact

• Engage in meaningful and impactful work

2024/25 is a pivotal time in the Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) charity’s development as it moves into its 21st Anniversary year - exciting times ahead! The charity is seeking to fill a number of new Trustee roles on its Board.

MHF is a small multi-award winning, family-centred charity, delivering both in-person and virtual interventions and experiences in the UK - these moments-in-time are called Muscle Dreams, designed specifically for children & young people (8-28yrs) with the muscle wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

MHF’s impact is felt by beneficiaries and their families across the UK – from improved confidence, greater self-esteem, and an increased sense of hopefulness to a powerful shared identity that connects families, giving a platform to share knowledge, memories and establish lasting friendships.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We have a number of exciting opportunities to bring your skills, talents, energy and experience in making a difference. We are looking for Trustees who have a passion to take the charity forward, to grow impact, to leave a personal legacy and to feel the sense of personal fulfilment from the time they volunteer.

Being an impactful trustee requires more than just an understanding of the role description - in today’s new world, ensuring compliance is essential but not enough.

AS A TRUSTEE, YOU WILL

• Have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Contribute to the governance of our small, well respected, national charity
• Have strategic responsibility for a specific skill area
• Act as an advocate/champion in promoting the charity's work across your network
• Receive induction, support and training
• Bring your lived experience, in using and further developing your skills for the benefit of others
• Be a part of the team that will help the charity achieve its overarching 657 Muscle Dream mission

REQUIREMENTS + KEY CRITERIA

Commitment to the charity’s values, bags of enthusiasm, an understanding and passion for our work, great comms skills and a real desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable community. You may have experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions, but this is not essential.

MAIN BOARD MEETINGS + EXPENSES

Trustee Board meetings take place virtually and also in-person every quarter. They are usually 2-3hrs. Over and above this time commitment, trustees on average, depending on their role, may give additional time in being directly involved in occasional ad projects – MHF Trustees ‘own’ a ‘bucket’, in other words, an area of responsibility like HR, Fundraising, Safeguarding, Marketing, Finance, Digital, Risk or Campaign Management that allows an individual to bring their skills, experience and talents to the charity. Reasonable expenses will be covered.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR – PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Absolute belief in the cause
• Excellent communicators with great listening, responding and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to both empower and challenge supportively.
• Strong commitment to equality, and an understanding of disability and how for example this may impact on the quality of life and life choices for disabled people and their families.
• Commitment and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee.
• Commitment to the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• Strong desire to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable beneficiary community.
• Understanding of the context/environment in which the charity works - it is estimated that some 96% of MHF's beneficiaries are those with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most severe variant of muscular dystrophy - it is life limiting.
• Understanding the importance of ensuring public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Collaborative working (part of a team), using sound independent judgement and collective decision making.
• The capacity to grasp issues outside ones personal experience.
• The ability to think creatively both in terms of high level strategy and development.
• Commitment to equality and diversity with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL YOU MAKE?

To provide strategic leadership in line with the organisation’s objectives. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills, passion and experience to ensure that the charity achieves its objectives – as a Trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders and act as an ambassador. It's a key role.

AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUR UNIQUE SELF

As an MHF Trustee, this is an exciting opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity in reaching its overarching goal to deliver 657 Muscle Dream interventions, that's one experience for every muscle in the human body, cherished moments-in-time that truly changes lives and give hope.

IN RETURN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT

• You will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Be part of a team all supporting the charity and rowing in the same direction
• Contribute to the governance of a national charity, that's worked tirelessly over the past 20 years
• Have your voice heard and listened to
• Attend events, meet beneficiaries & families and directly witness the impact of the charity’s work
• Have strategic responsibility for a skill area such as: HR, Fundraising, Corporate Partnerships etc
• Network with other like-minded individuals with common values
• Receive induction, support and training
• And much more…

INCLUSION - PROUD OF OUR BOARD DIVERSITY

Our greatest strength as a board and as an charity is in our community's diversity. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with diverse skills and experiences that reflect the diversity of our beneficiaries and welcome applications from first time Trustees. Please contact us at < chair @ musclehelp (dot) com > to discuss the role or any ways we may be able to support you through our recruitment process. We look forward to hearing from you.