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 UK Reads
UK Reads is the UK-based charity of the global non-profit World Literacy Foundation, which works to eradicate illiteracy and promote equitable access to education worldwide. In the UK, we focus on closing the literacy gap for children from underserved communities, ensuring that every child has access to the literacy support they need to thrive academically and personally.
We deliver high-impact literacy programmes, distribute free books, and partner with schools, libraries, and community organisations to foster a lifelong love of reading.
About the Pen Pal Project
The Pen Pal Project empowers children aged 7–16 to become confident communicators by engaging them in creative, meaningful letter writing. UK pupils are matched with peers in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to exchange letters over six structured sessions throughout the academic year.
The project supports pupils in:
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Developing core literacy skills (reading, writing, sentence structure, vocabulary)
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Strengthening confidence, empathy, and communication through storytelling
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Learning about different cultures, family structures, traditions, and daily life in another part of the world
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Practising both written and spoken English in an encouraging, low-pressure environment
Each school cohort follows a themed session plan exploring topics such as identity, youth culture, food, heritage, health, and hobbies.
Sessions are delivered by trained volunteers, with support from teachers and UK Reads staff.
Role Overview
As a Writing Session Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in supporting literacy, creativity, and inclusion in schools. You’ll work directly with students to help them explore personal expression, read incoming pen pal letters, and craft thoughtful responses.
This role is ideal for someone passionate about education, communication, cultural exchange, and making a difference at a grassroots level.
Responsibilities
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Facilitate six themed writing sessions at a primary or secondary school in London (sessions take place during school hours)
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Create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere where all students feel safe to write and express themselves
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Support pupils with varied literacy levels, including those with special educational needs (SEND), English as an additional language (EAL), or lower confidence in reading/writing
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Guide pupils in reading and responding to letters received from international pen pals
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Encourage vocabulary development, sentence structure, and narrative skills using the provided facilitator resources
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Use creativity and cultural awareness to promote engagement and curiosity
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Complete light administrative tasks (~1 hour per session), including:
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Reviewing students’ letters for safeguarding
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Submitting short post-session reflections or feedback forms
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Attend a short online training session and stay in communication with the UK Reads team
Time Commitment
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Approx. 6-8 hours/month over the academic year
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Each session includes:
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~1 hour in-school delivery time
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~1 hour admin/reflection time
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Plus training, planning, and communication time as needed
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Sessions are typically spaced two per academic term (six total)
Volunteers are matched with one school and are expected to complete the full six-session cycle to ensure continuity and build rapport with pupils.
Who We're Looking For
We welcome volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. You don’t need formal teaching experience — just commitment, empathy, and a passion for helping young people thrive.
Essential:
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Strong spoken and written English
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Comfortable working with children and young people in a school setting
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Reliable, organised, and able to follow session plans
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Open-minded, culturally sensitive, and adaptable to different learning styles
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Able to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions over the academic year (during school hours)
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Based in London or able to travel to schools across the city
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Willing to complete a DBS check and safeguarding training
Desirable (but not required):
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Experience in education, youth work, creative writing, literacy support, or mentoring
What You’ll Gain
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A highly rewarding volunteer experience with visible impact on young learners
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Full training and a ready-to-use facilitation guide
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Support from a dedicated project coordinator throughout your placement
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Reimbursement of reasonable travel costs
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A reference upon successful completion
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The opportunity to be part of a meaningful international exchange project
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Connection to a network of volunteers and educators working toward literacy equity
Safeguarding & Inclusion
We are committed to child protection, safeguarding, and inclusive learning environments. All letters are reviewed by facilitators before being exchanged. Volunteers must complete a DBS check and basic safeguarding training before beginning their placement.
We value lived experience and encourage applications from those who reflect the communities we serve, including volunteers from Black, African, Caribbean, and diaspora backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
We are looking for volunteers who can commit for a minimum of 10 weeks, with adaptable profiles and who have the enthusiasm and energy we need to provide support in various areas across the organisation.
In this generalist role, you will find yourself responsible for a variety of tasks; helping to ensure that both our programme activities and day-to-day operations run smoothly. Second Tree works in a transparent way, in a challenging and changeable situation in the field; therefore, an ability to learn quickly and be open to feedback is vital.
The possible tasks included below are not exhaustive or rigidly defined; an exact role profile is dependent on the skill set of individual applicants. An average day might see you talking to students in a camp to tell them about a new class, or supporting in the writing of a grant proposal. Tasks could loosely fall within 4 key areas:
Programmes:
- Supporting programme coordinators in maintaining the day to day running of their activities with the Youth Wellbeing or Adult Education Programmes
- Supporting our children’s teachers or workshop facilitators in the planning or delivery of classes or excursions outside of camps
- Communicating key messages about our programmes to our students in camps or urban areas
Admin, Finance & Logistics:
- Supporting the management in liaising with external partners
- Maintaining organisation wide financial processes
- Coordinating the arrival and housing of incoming volunteer
Fundraising:
- Supporting the planning and implementation of Second Tree’s fundraising initiatives, such as campaigns
- Organising and maintaining regular communications with Second Tree’s donors (newsletters, thank you letters)
- Supporting in the identification of relevant grants
- Supporting in grant writing activities
Digital communication:
- Contributing to the written/visual content of Second Tree’s social media output
- Developing social media strategies to expand our reach and impact
- Producing regular reports on performance
- Website maintenance
Skills desired:
While there are no experience or skill-specific applicant requirements for this position, candidates must:
- Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed on the agreed timeframe
- Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way possible
- Have a strong sense of humour, being able to make fun of yourself is key
- Care for people; the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern
- Instil the values above in the people that work with you
- Have keen problem-solving abilities, and a good understanding of what questions to ask, and when
- Communicate in English, both written and orally
- Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload
We offer:
- Accommodation in a shared house
- Transportation to/from work
- After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, small monthly expenses refund
In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.
NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.
Non Charity Employer
11 - 20
We challenge the biases that make us see refugees as “the other”. We change the way society perceives refugees, and refugees perceive society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Join the board of the national charity dedicated to supporting disabled children, young people and their families.
Trustee
Employer – Kids
Location – London (Meetings in Person)
Salary - Voluntary (Reasonable expenses reimbursed)
Hours - Approx. 1 day per month
Trustees also take part in at least one committee—such as the Finance and Audit Committee, Services and Safeguarding Committee, or People, Culture and Governance Committee—which typically meet online up to four times a year
Who we are:
Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of kids have all kinds of opportunities.
Founded in 1970, we have grown into a national organisation supporting over 22,000 children, young people and families each year across England.
We are on an ambitious journey to reach at least 120,000 disabled children, young people and their families each year by 2027. Our vision is bold yet achievable: a society where disabled children, young people and their families enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
Now in the fourth year of an ambitious five-year strategy, we’re pursuing four bold goals:
- Support – Delivering impactful, sustainable services
- Innovate – Designing new models to transform lives
- Speak Up – Empowering young people to be agents of change
- Sustain – Building the financial and structural strength to grow
The Role
As our next Trustee, you’ll play a vital leadership role in bringing our vision to life. Working closely with our Chair, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight, guide our governance, and help scale our impact.
Time Commitment
This role is about more than simply being available—it’s about being genuinely engaged. We're hoping to find someone who feels inspired to make this a meaningful part of their journey. It may be your primary board or leadership role, given the depth of involvement, but it also offers the opportunity to contribute in a truly rewarding way.
Who You Are
We’re looking for four passionate individuals who bring compassion, curiosity, and credibility. People who value respectful dialogue, champion inclusion, and lead with integrity.
You’ll bring your unique perspective to enhance our culture—not just fit into it. You’ll contribute to a dynamic board that balances strategic scrutiny, inclusive leadership, and good governance with genuine care and collaboration.
You don’t need to have all the answers, but you should bring:
- Experience in governance or senior leadership
- A passion for disability rights, equity, and inclusion
- A commitment to empowering diverse voices
- A collaborative spirit and systems-thinking mindset
We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of disability, those from underrepresented communities, and individuals who reflect the diversity of the families and children we serve.
Our Culture
At Kids, we celebrate what makes each of us unique. Our culture is rooted in care, collaboration, creativity, and professionalism. We actively listen and strive to ensure everyone we work with feels heard, respected, and included.
We are committed to breaking down systemic barriers, including racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of injustice. This is an ongoing journey, and we’re dedicated to learning and growing together.
We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need information in an alternative format or adjustments at any stage, please contact us —we’d love to hear how we can support you.
In Closing
You’ll be joining a brilliant team of Trustees, a passionate leadership team, and an organisation ready for change. Together, we’ll help build a world where disabled children and young people are celebrated for who they are and supported to reach their full potential.
This isn’t just a role. It’s a chance to reimagine what’s possible.
Join us. Lead with us. Grow with us.
For more information about this role, please visit our careers page
Application & Recruitment Process
- Closing date: 30th September 2025
- Online Interview and Face-to-Face meeting: October 2025
- If you’re inspired to join our Board, please complete our online application and upload an up-to-date CV, with a 2-page limit on an A4 document. Shortlisted candidates will have the chance to showcase their strengths and discuss important topics alongside our leadership team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.