Impact And Development Intern Volunteer Roles in Birmingham
Lived Experience Sight Loss Trustee - Focus Birmingham – Empowering Lives and Shaping the Future
Focus Birmingham’s (Focus) Trustees are all volunteers, playing an essential role in overseeing the charity’s activities in partnership with the Board of Trustees. The CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) manage the day-to-day running of the charity, but it is the Board of Trustees that holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the charity continues to grow and delivers on its vision.
The purpose of this trustee role is to bring a ‘lived experience’ perspective to help shape the future of our organisation. You will ensure our services reflect the diverse needs of the people we support and help us advance our mission of improving lives by creating opportunities for people with care and support needs. This role will help them feel empowered to live life to the full and unlock their potential.
Key Responsibilities
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Co-production Strategy: Ensure the development and implementation of a co-production strategy in collaboration with the Board and Senior Leadership Team that promotes meaningful involvement of the people we support in decision-making processes.
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Engagement and Participation: Ensure that the Board and Senior Leadership Team champion the active engagement of the people we support in all aspects of the organisation, including programme design, service development, and policy formulation.
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Advisory Groups: Support the Senior Leadership Team in establishing and maintaining advisory groups or panels made up of the people we support, their families, and carers, ensuring their voices are heard, and their perspectives are considered.
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Training and Capacity Building: Provide advice on the development of a learning and development strategy that equips staff and volunteers with the skills to provide person-centred care.
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Feedback Mechanisms: Work with the Board and Senior Leadership Team to implement effective feedback mechanisms, surveys, and evaluation tools to gather input from individuals with care and support needs on the charity’s activities.
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Advocacy: Advocate for the rights and autonomy of the people we support both within Focus Birmingham and in the wider community. Raise awareness of the importance of co-production.
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Policy and Governance: Review, provide advice, and contribute to the development of policies and governance structures that ensure the people we support have a genuine and influential role in the organisation.
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Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate with fellow Trustees, staff, and volunteers to embed co-production principles across the organisation. Provide guidance and mentorship to staff involved in co-production activities.
What Difference You Will Make and What You Will Achieve
This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact by ensuring that individuals with care and support needs are at the forefront of decision-making:
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Networking: Build connections with disability advocates, self-advocacy groups, and stakeholders.
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Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in not-for-profit governance and co-production practices.
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Personal Satisfaction: Contribute to a cause that empowers individuals with care and support needs, helping them exercise their agency and unlock their potential.
How to Apply
If you are committed to empowering individuals with care and support needs and promoting their active participation in shaping Focus Birmingham’s future, we invite you to apply for this trustee role. Your lived experience and expertise in co-production will be instrumental in helping us achieve our mission of improving lives by creating opportunities for people with care and support needs, so they can live life to the full and reach their full potential.
To apply, please submit a completed application form via CharityJob.
Additional details about the role can be found in the attached recruitment pack. If you require any reasonable adjustment to support your application for this role, please contact Focus Birmingham via the details in the recruitment pack.
Closing Date for Applications: 30th March 2025
We exist to make lives better
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!
Help Shape the Future of Wellbeing Through Acts of Kindness: Research Volunteer Opportunity
Do Me A Favour Buddy is seeking volunteers for an exciting research study exploring how personalised acts of kindness impact wellbeing, happiness, and sense of purpose.
About the Study
We're conducting an 8-week research project to understand how targeted acts of kindness affect both givers and receivers. Our research aims to gather evidence on how personalised kindness activities might improve mental wellbeing, reduce feelings of loneliness, and enhance life satisfaction.
What's Involved
- Complete an initial onboarding survey about your personality traits, preferences, and wellbeing
- Participate in our 8-week programme
- Receive personalised suggestions for simple acts of kindness
- Track your experiences and feelings
- Complete brief weekly check-ins
- Share your feedback through a final survey
- Participate in follow-up assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months to help us understand long-term effects
Time Commitment
- 8 weeks for the main study period
- Approximately 10-15 minutes per day during active participation
- Weekly check-ins (about 5-10 minutes each)
- Brief follow-up surveys at 3, 6, and 12 months post-study (about 15 minutes each)
Who Can Apply
We're looking for participants who are:
- Age 18 or older
- Willing to commit to the full 8-week programme
- Able to participate in follow-up assessments over the course of a year
- Interested in exploring how kindness might impact wellbeing
- Comfortable using a mobile app for daily interactions
- Open to providing honest feedback about their experiences
Benefits of Participating
- Be part of groundbreaking research on wellbeing
- Gain personal insights about your happiness and mental wellbeing patterns
- Potentially experience positive changes in your own life satisfaction
- Help develop an evidence-based approach that could benefit thousands
- Receive a comprehensive report of the study findings
About Do Me A Favour Buddy
Founded after a transformative experience with the power of targeted kindness, we're developing data-driven approaches to improve wellbeing through simple, personalised acts. Our work has already engaged 15,000 followers and validation from King's College London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts 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!
About Vibes in Care (ViC)
Vibes in Care CIC is a newly forming Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) dedicated to amplifying the voices of children and young people who are care-experienced or at risk. By harnessing insights from lived experience, we develop training, workshops, and advocacy initiatives that reshape professional practices within the care sector.
- Founded on Lived Experience: We believe that those who have gone through the care system have the clearest insights into how to improve it.
- Innovative Training & Workshops: Our programmes empower professionals - such as social workers, educators, and youth workers - to bring about lasting change in how care is delivered.
- Collaborative Culture: Partnership is at the heart of ViC. We work closely with local authorities, youth organisations, and sector specialists to co-create solutions.
Why We Need You
We are seeking Trustees who share our passion for transforming the care experience. Whether you have direct care experience (e.g., have been in care yourself), professional experience in the sector, or simply a deep commitment to improving outcomes for care-experienced children and young people, your voice and leadership are invaluable at this pivotal stage of our growth.
The Role
- Steer Strategic Vision: Help shape and refine ViC’s long-term plans, ensuring that lived experience remains at the core of every decision.
- Champion Good Governance: Oversee compliance with charity regulations, manage financial health, and set policies that maintain transparency and integrity.
- Advocate for Care-Experienced Children and Young People: Act as an ambassador, raising awareness about ViC’s mission and the importance of centring care-experienced voices.
- Support Growth & Partnerships: Contribute insights on fundraising, partnership-building, and community engagement to help ViC expand its reach and impact.
What We’re Looking For
- Care Experience (Highly Valued): We particularly encourage applications from individuals who have first-hand insights into the care system.
- Dedication to Social Impact: A genuine desire to improve day-to-day experiences and long-term outcomes for care-experienced children and young people.
- Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work well in a team, valuing diverse perspectives and open dialogue.
- Integrity & Oversight: Commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and acting in the best interests of ViC’s beneficiaries.
- Strategic Thinking: Capable of understanding big-picture objectives, assessing organisational risks, and spotting growth opportunities.
Skills & Experience (Desirable)
- Professional or Personal Care Experience: Lived experience, in social care work, child protection, or related fields.
- Finance/Accounting: Competent in budget oversight, financial planning, or grant management.
- Legal & Compliance: Familiarity with UK charity regulations or basic legal frameworks.
- HR & Governance: Ability to guide policy setting, recruitment, and staff/volunteer support.
- Fundraising & Communications: Skill in securing resources and raising organisational visibility.
What’s In It For You?
- A Real Chance to Influence: Your perspective will be integral in shaping how ViC evolves.
- Professional Development: Gain governance experience, hone leadership skills, and build your professional network.
- Impact & Legacy: Contribute directly to improving practices that affect some of society’s most vulnerable young people.
- Flexible & Supportive Environment: We meet quarterly, with much of our collaboration happening remotely, so you can fit your responsibilities around other commitments.
Time Commitment
- Board Meetings: Held four times per year (virtually or in person).
- Preparation & Engagement: A few hours each quarter to review papers and stay updated on organisational developments.
- Additional Involvement: Optional sub-committees or working groups on areas like safeguarding, finance, and training delivery.
Application Process
- CV & Cover Letter: Apply via CharityJob outlining your relevant experience (especially care experience), why you’re passionate about our cause, and how you hope to contribute as a Trustee.
- Informal Interview: We’ll invite shortlisted candidates for a conversation with our Director (Founder) to explore mutual fit and answer any questions.
- Appointment: Successful applicants will be welcomed onto the board, pending usual referencing and compliance checks.
Join us in creating meaningful change for care-experienced children and young people. Your lived insight, passion, and dedication could transform how professionals approach care and, ultimately, transform futures. We look forward to hearing from you!
Empowering professionals with innovative practices to enhance support for young people in care or at risk.
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: Volunteer Painter/Decorator
Location: 201-206 Alcester Street, Digbeth, B12 0NQ, Birmingham, UK
Organisation: Better Pathways
About Us: Better Pathways is a leading organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges and disabilities. Our mission is to create a supportive environment that fosters personal growth and development. As part of our ongoing efforts to improve our facilities and create a welcoming space for our participants, we are seeking a skilled Volunteer Painter/Decorator to join our team.
Role Overview: We are looking for a dedicated Volunteer Painter/Decorator to help enhance our facilities. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, a passion for creating beautiful spaces, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. This role is crucial in helping us maintain a positive and inviting environment for our participants and staff.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare surfaces for painting, including sanding, filling, and priming as needed.
- Apply paint, varnish, wallpaper, and other finishes to various surfaces.
- Select and mix paints to achieve the desired colour and finish.
- Ensure all work is completed to a high standard with attention to detail.
- Maintain a clean and organised work area, ensuring all tools and materials are used safely.
- Collaborate with staff to prioritise and plan decorating projects.
- Assist with minor repairs and maintenance tasks as needed.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in painting and decorating.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- A positive attitude and a passion for improving community spaces.
What We Offer:
- The opportunity to make a significant impact on the environment of a leading community organisation.
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Opportunities to develop your skills and gain valuable experience.
- Flexible volunteer hours to suit your schedule.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.