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Northern Dog Volunteer Recruitment Officer
Location: Home based, supporting northern region’s (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands, with travel outside these areas occasionally)
Salary Band: £26,000 to £27,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)
Job Type: Part-time (3 to 4 days per week), with flexibility required for regular evening / overnight stays and weekend work
Reports To: Head of Dog Supply & Canine Support Services
Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.
We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.
We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.
We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our Canine Services Department, and to be responsible for the recruitment, training and development of dog supply volunteers.
Responsibilities of the Role:
Recruitment of Volunteers (puppy socialisers, holiday cover, and fosterers)
- To liaise with volunteering team regarding current recruitment areas and support on the ground recruitment activities in the relevant regions, involving volunteers and dogs where appropriate
- To manage the process of dog volunteer recruitment
- To oversee that necessary checks have been completed to assess prospective new dog volunteers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments, when required
- Inform stakeholders when a dog volunteer is signed off and ready to have an MDD living with them
- Achieve monthly targets as set by the Head of Dog Supply and Canine Services
Training of Volunteers:
- Deliver effective training by organising dog handling classes before volunteers receive their Medical Detection Dog
- Oversee the online training pathway for all dog volunteers
- Ensure all dog volunteers have received and read the training manual, addressing any questions they may have
- Be the first point of contact for all dog volunteers during the application and training process
- Link volunteers with appropriate buddies prior to placement of a puppy/dog
Other:
- To manage the Puppy Socialisers Facebook page, delivering key training messages via this platform.
- Update the Harlequin CRM and Assemble database promptly to maintain accurate and up to date records of all dog volunteers, e.g. what training they have received etc.
- Support the Dog Training and Partnership Instructor in matching and allocating dog volunteers with MDD puppies
- Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area
- Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
- Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager to ensure the successful running of the charity
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience in planning and coordinating volunteer recruitment events and recruiting volunteers
- Previous experience delivering training sessions
- Strong ability to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of audiences
- Confidence in using social media to promote volunteer recruitment
- Basic knowledge of GDPR
- Ability to deliver volunteer training, including assessing individual learning styles and adapting approaches while following structured programmes
- Strong teaching and instructional skills
- Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload effectively for self and others
- Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and their families, volunteers, professional partners, members of the public, media, managers and colleagues
- High level of IT literacy and report writing skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Desirable
- Understanding of training assistance dogs
- Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in dog training
- Basic understanding of practical dog training theories
- Knowledge of laws related to dogs
- Understanding of dog and human psychology
- Awareness of health and safety implications in dog and volunteer handling
- Understanding of ADUK and ADI regulations
Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:
- Hold a full UK Driving Licence
- Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
- Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Work some evenings and weekends with the possibility of spending nights away
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.
We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Thank you!
Location: Remote (based in England, Scotland and Wales with occasional travel).
Salary: £25,360 - £28,665 pro rata (£20,288 - £22,932 actual)
Hours of work: 28 hours a week (4 days)
Contract type: Permanent
Why work for Kids Matter?
- Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
- Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
- Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
- Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.
About us
Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities. Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.
Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.
We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.
About the role
The Support & Training Coordinator role involves:
- Managing onboarding processes for new facilitators attending training, ensuring clear communication of expectations and timelines, including safeguarding checks
- Supporting the Support Coaches by coordinating essential ongoing facilitator engagement: including group calls, follow up sessions, communication touchpoints and additional resources
- Coordinating the logistics of monthly facilitator training sessions, including placing orders, liaising with suppliers, monitoring stock levels and order numbers, and overseeing communications and systems
- Developing and maintaining systems that monitor and support the full facilitator journey — from onboarding through to ongoing support
About you
Do you have strong organisational and administrative skills? Can you work confidently with systems, databases, and digital tools? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?
Then we would love to hear from you!
Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.
How to Apply
You can apply for the Support & Training Coordinator position by completing a copy of our online application form.
The deadline for applications is 13th July at 9am. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.
We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.
If you have any questions, please refer to our recruitment FAQs document. If you would like any application and interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We exist to reduce the impact of poverty on children in need across the UK.
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!
JOB TITLE: Retail Manager
LOCATION: Alderley Edge
DATE WRITTEN: May 2026
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Retail Area Manager
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
To manage an Age UK Cheshire Charity Shop located in the Cheshire area, ensuring efficient and effective management of colleagues, volunteers, premises, sales, and stock to provide a high-quality retail service in relation to agreed performance targets.
To achieve the maximum potential of funds for Age UK Cheshire by achieving charity retail standards and community engagement.
To ensure all appropriate standards of security and health and safety are met. To organise and manage the day-to-day operations of the store including effective communication with the Head of Retail and reporting of relevant data.
Main Duties:
1. To ensure that the Age UK Cheshire Charity Shop achieves required standards of performance and agreed sales targets:
§ Maximisation of sales through stock rotation, correct pricing, brand awareness and merchandising, to use the full potential of the stock available to you.
§ To gain Gift Aid on eligible donations to Age UK Cheshire to maximise funds for the charity in line with HMRC guidelines. This includes signing up new donors to the scheme and selling stock accordingly.
§ Responsible for managing, training, and developing the Assistant Retail Manager to achieve pre-set objectives.
§ Support, train, and coordinate the work of volunteers in the shop as required.
§ Working with the Assistant Retail Manager to ensure that the shop complies with all the relevant legislation, trading standards and health and safety.
§ Ensuring stock from donors is correctly received and stored within the shop. Working with the Area Retail Manager to make certain of timely collections and suitable deliveries to merchandise appropriately and safely.
§ Administrative systems and working practices to include daily and weekly sales reports, charity log and financial information.
§ Identify stock which can maximise income when sold via e-commerce, auctions, or other sales opportunities.
§ To plan and prioritise special promotions, seasonal adjustments, and sale events.
§ Ensuring professional signage throughout the shop; to be clear and on brand.
§ Engage with the Retail Operations Manager regularly to create a cohesive working relationship with the wider retail team in order to gain support and advice
2. Maintain a high level of commercial awareness by staying informed of sales trends, stock position and local competition.
3. To work as a member of the wider retail team to ensure that all shops across the region are covered appropriately. Have a flexible approach to days worked and location, to provide support to other colleagues and providing holiday cover for the Assistant Retail Manager.
4. To participate in recruitment, induction, training and deployment of colleagues and volunteers. To work with other organisations when necessary to ensure compliance with all legislation and good practice.
5. To develop and manage “designated volunteers” through appropriate training and development, to ensure that they can take responsibility for the running of the shop in the absence of paid colleagues, including holiday cover if necessary.
6. Implement the highest standards of customer care and service.
7. To maximise income by participating in fundraising and trading opportunities.
8. To take responsibility for the shop to implement shop procedures, as follows: -
§ To act as a key holder at an assigned location
§ To prepare the shop for opening by the correct time
§ To close the shop at the correct time and ensuring the shop is secure before leaving
§ To assist in the acquisition of donations including furniture and to liaise with the Area Retail Manager on collection and delivery procedures
§ To sort, prepare and price stock to in line with charity retail processes.
§ To present stock in the sales area to the agreed standard
§ To recruit, train, organise, supervise, and care for the welfare of colleagues and volunteer helpers
§ To reconcile the cash register, banking and to work to Age UK Cheshire’s financial policies and procedures
§ To complete paperwork as necessary, to include use of information technology on computerised systems
§ To carry out Age UK Cheshire’s policy on Health and Safety of colleagues and customers, including all manual handling policies and procedures for goods and furniture, emergency and accident procedures, trading standard policy, refunds and exchange policy.
9. To use initiative to ensure any issues in the shop are resolved quickly and effectively. To follow the correct reporting procedure to inform the Health & Safety Manager of any problems or concerns.
10. To understand and achieve daily/weekly/monthly/annual targets which will be reviewed regularly with the job holder. To undertake performance related reviews with Assistant Retail Managers as required.
11. To be a role model for Age UK’s mission statement and values and to understand how the role of a Retail Manager complements this.
12. To undertake such duties as may from time to time be reasonably requested by management within the flexible definition of the post.
AGE UK CHESHIRE
RETAIL MANAGER - PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria:
- strong communicator with the ability to deliver team messages, deal with customer issues and resolve problems with firmness and fairness.
- ability to understand and interpret financial information in order to manage shop performance outcomes.
- good administrative and organisational skills with the ability to undertake banking tasks, keep basic records and organise resources in a busy environment.
- the ability to recognise stock potential in order to generate income and the importance of attractive presentation.
- supervisory experience with the ability to motivate, inspire and lead a team.
- IT literate
- ability to travel freely between shops (ideally full driving licence and use of a properly insured vehicle during work hours).
Desirable Criteria:
- basic knowledge of Health & Safety and Fire regulations and ability to identify potential risks to include items that sold under Health & Safety regulations.
- proven retail experience
- experience of working with volunteers.
- general understanding/empathy with the aims of the organisation.
Processing stock deliveries will regularly involve carrying and moving heavy stock. You will also be on your feet for long periods of time. On occasions you may be required to work on your own within the shop.
AGE UK CHESHIRE
RETAIL MANAGER - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The organisation currently operates 9 charity shops and has ambitious plans to open more charity shops which all help to provide funds for the charity to deliver its services for older people in Cheshire, as well as being a location to promote Age UK Cheshire services.
All Age UK Cheshire shops sell unwanted household and personal goods donated by the public and other commercial companies. The success of the shops is dependent upon achieving a regular adequate supply of donations. Age UK Cheshire shops have established a reputation for selling good quality items, well presented and at reasonable prices.
The shop staffing structure is supported by volunteer helpers. They do not receive any payment other than the reimbursement of their exact travel costs from their home to the shop.
The shops are all expected to trade profitably. Their function is to provide income to the organisation. Each shop is given a weekly sales target to achieve to produce a targeted net profit once rents and other costs have been deducted.
Each shop has a mixture of staff and volunteers covering a 6- or 7-day working period. The Retail Manager will be supported by an Assistant Retail Manager working flexibly to provide cover at the shop. At times you might be asked to cover other shops depending on staffing issues, so flexibility is a must. Volunteer support is key to the success of the operation and development of “designated volunteers” who can take responsibility for the shop, during some periods of staff absence.
Location: Shop Base – Alderley Edge. You may be required to cover other shops on an ad hoc basis.
Hours: 36.25 hours per week, worked over 5 days Monday to Sunday. Hours are required to be flexible to ensure that the shop is staffed appropriately. There may be a requirement to travel between shops. In exceptional circumstances you may be required to work 6 days per week. The role will require working over the Christmas period and potentially all bank holidays.
Salary: £25452.03 per annum (£13.50 per hour). Overtime payments can be paid for exceptional circumstances where additional days have been worked.
Pension: Age UK Cheshire has an automatic enrolment workplace pension scheme in place for eligible employees.
Leave: 25 days’ leave per annum (plus Bank Holidays) rising after 5 years’ continuous service by one day per year (pro rata) to a maximum of 30 days’ leave after 10 years.
Contract: All new staff are subject to a three-month probationary period. 4 weeks’ notice is required to terminate employment by either side i.e., the employee or Age UK Cheshire. During the probationary period, one week’s notice is required by either side.
Health Care: All staff will automatically join the Age UK Cheshire’s Health Care Cash Plan and will be entitled to receive healthcare benefits.
Criminal Disclosure: Basic DBS Check applicable for this post.
Age UK Cheshire is a Mindful Employer and positive actions will be taken to ensure that people will not be excluded from working for Age UK Cheshire because of their age, race, ethnicity, faith, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental health.
Registered charity no. 1091608
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.