Volunteer accounts assistant jobs in Harrogate, north yorkshire

Communications Assistant

• 15 hours per week at £15.00 an hour (Actual salary £11,700 - FTE £27,300)
• Hours may be worked flexibly over a minimum of 3 days a week
• Home based with occasional prearranged in person meetings

The Communications Assistant will provide hands-on support to the Communications Manager in the ideation, creation and delivery of our regular external communications. This includes helping to grow our social media following, creating and scheduling content, sourcing and designing images, providing copywriting support, and responding to comments across our channels. The role will also involve drafting and scheduling newsletters and providing administrative support with our databases.

This is a 15‑hour‑per‑week role, with the potential to grow in the future. Ideally, we are looking for someone who can spread their hours across the week to support consistent content delivery, but we are open to discussing alternative working patterns for the right candidate.

The successful candidate will have experience in a communications, marketing or social media role. They will be proficient in Adobe Illustrator and have basic video editing and/or animation skills. Strong copywriting skills and the ability to adapt tone of voice for different channels are essential, as is confidence using Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms.

We are a busy remote team, and this role offers plenty of scope to work autonomously and flexibly. You’ll gain experience across a wide range of areas and develop your skills in a supportive, hands‑on environment, with opportunities to contribute to the creative direction of our communications.

Closing date: 19th April 2026

Interviews: 29th April 2026

Reporting to the Shop Manager, you will lead a team of volunteers to raise funds to invest in achieving the charity’s goal to save lives in Yorkshire and portray the charity as a professional, credible brand which acts with integrity. You will also provide excellent customer service, ensuring volunteers, donors and customers know how their contribution is helping the people of Yorkshire. 

You will need to be committed to creating a welcoming professional atmosphere and demonstrating the values of Yorkshire Cancer Research. You will also be a passionate and enthusiastic ambassador for the charity and its work. 

For further details please refer to the role profile. 

The charity is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website. 

The Head Gardener role offers a unique opportunity to work in a historic and peaceful environment. You will be part of a dedicated team, working closely with colleagues to create and maintain the Palace's beautiful gardens. This role provides a chance to showcase your gardening expertise and leadership skills in a supportive and flexible work setting.

The Head Gardener has overall responsibility for the presentation, management, maintenance, upkeep and agreed development of Bishopthorpe Palace Gardens and line management of the garden staff engaged as employees and volunteers.

This post gives an excellent opportunity to work in a small, friendly, environment, in unusual and pleasant surroundings. Colleagues at Bishopthorpe Palace work as a small and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods with flexibility and good humour. The person appointed will relate directly to the Archbishop, Chief of Staff, Palace and Events Manager and Palace Warden. Working closely with the Assistant Gardener, casual staff and volunteers working in the grounds.

MAIN DUTIES

Responsible for the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace, ensuring that the appearance of the entire garden site is kept to the best standard at all times including:

• Planning and balance of year-round needs of garden/estate.
• Designing the winter and summer annual bedding and arranging the
  purchase and cultivation of the plants.
• Maintaining paths, perimeter and riverbank vegetation
• Hands-on weeding, pruning, dead-heading, plant division and replanting
  where necessary throughout the grounds.
• Directing and assisting in the care, cultivation and maintenance of all
  plants, seasonal planting, borders, shrubs, trees, lawns and ponds.
• Management of wildlife in the grounds.
• Management of the pond.
• Planting of seeds and bulbs and caring for them during the winter.
• Ensure the safety of paths and the grounds during the winter, including
  clearing snow and salting paths
• Hands-on working with the garden team to achieve autumn leaf clearance
  and appropriate disposal.
• Hands-on working with the garden team to ensure all lawns and hedges
  are kept trimmed to the required standard.
• Irrigating all garden pots/planters and ornamental areas, including lawns,
  to ensure good growing conditions.
• Propagation of garden plant material for use in the garden and plant sales at garden events.

• Monitoring and control of weeds and algae in gravel paths, paving, ponds and borders and taking appropriate action.

Responsible for the management of the Palace woodland including:

• the use of chainsaws to fell and crosscut timber.
• monitoring existing trees and re-planting when necessary to ensure the continuation of a safe and healthy woodland.
  

Develop and implement a garden risk management control plan which includes, but is not limited to, the inspection and periodic pruning of trees

Responsible for the purchase, storage, handling and application of pesticides and weed killers used throughout the Palace grounds adhering to current Health and Safety legislation.

Ensuring the garden bothy, garden tool and machinery sheds, potting shed and greenhouse are all kept in a tidy, safe and well-presented manner

Manage the garden budget in conjunction with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager including:

• Production of an annual budget for expenditure relating to the maintenance and management of the grounds of Bishopthorpe Palace.
• Submitting requests and invoices for expenditure within the agreed budget for Bishopthorpe Palace garden.
• Agreeing expenditure items with the Palace and Events Manager and Accounts Manager in advance.
• Preparation of a schedule of maintenance and replacement for all machinery and tools including annual servicing.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DUTIES

• Attendance at Bishopthorpe Palace H&S meetings.
• Ensure all garden works are in full compliance with Health and Safety at Work and COSHH regulations.
• Ensure all chain saw and garden chemical licences remain current and comply with Health & Safety legislation.
• In consultation with the Palace & Events Manager and Palace Warden ensuring the safety of garden users by regular checks on trees, access areas, steps and paths and reporting or repairing any hazards.
• Responsible for monitoring all personal protection equipment used in the department to ensure expiry dates for critical safety equipment are adhered here.
• Responsible for maintenance of machinery and tools, including annual servicing.
  

LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for the line management of the Assistant Gardener.
• Responsible for the line management of casual and volunteer garden staff.
• Overseeing, directing and training garden staff when they are working in the garden.
• Assist the Palace manager with the sourcing, management and supervision of contractors working within the Palace grounds and woodland.
• Assist with the interviewing and appointment of future garden staff.

OTHER DUTIES

• Attendance of regular Bishopthorpe Palace Operation meetings to update on site work by other departments.
• Attendance of management training courses and in-house training and briefing courses when requested.
• Lead on internal and external communications for the Gardening team, including attending office meetings, including the huddle.
• Liaising with the wider Bishopthorpe Palace Estates team to enable maintenance and restoration work via garden areas and agreeing making-good costs for the garden.
• Liaising with the Hospitality team to enable smooth running of their events in both the Palace building and garden
• Dealing with garden enquiries and giving guided tours of the garden.
• Setting up garden open days and attending all garden events at Bishopthorpe Palace as requested by the Palace and Events Manager, to help with stewarding, event presentation and security.
• Helping with the security of the Palace when required, including:
  • Dealing with alarms - subject to their home location
  • Locking external gates
  • Making the Palace and grounds secure.
  • To help with various duties around the Palace as agreed with the Palace and Events Manager.