Learning support volunteers volunteer jobs in Whitley bay, tyne and wear

Team: Community Fundraising & Retail

Location: Homebased with regular nationwide travel    

Work pattern: 35 hours per week 

Salary: Up to £75,884.23 per annum

Contract: Permanent   

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.  

Will you join us and make life better for cats?  

Responsibilities of our Associate Director of Community & Retail   

• This role leads the strategic development of Cats Protection’s community, events, retail and e-commerce functions, all of which are undergoing significant transformation. It is responsible for delivering the vision of maximising grassroots community engagement while improving retail profitability, customer experience and overall value. 

• The successful candidate will ensure these income-generating activities strengthen regional presence, align closely with service delivery teams and increase visibility in areas where the charity is less established. The role is accountable for realising both the financial and brand value of these activities, ensuring they work effectively together. 

• As a senior position within the Marketing and Income Generation (MIG) Leadership Team, the role works closely with the MIG Director and peers to drive high performance, collaboration and excellence across the directorate. It also leads and supports cross-directorate initiatives to improve impact, integration and organisational outcomes for Cats Protection. 

About the Community & Retail team:  

• We run a diverse portfolio of third party challenge events, mass participation events, a DIY fundraising programme and a sizeable community based income generation programme spanning both on and offline presence,

• We have a large network of versatile charity shops covering England, Wales and Scotland and a growing and diversifying ecommerce operation

What we’re looking for:

• Significant experience of the range of community fundraising disciplines and/or charity retail and trading 

• Experience of working as part of a senior leadership team and a thorough understanding of how to develop strong and effective collaboration with a range of stakeholders 

• Significant team management experience of large teams and ability to inspire and develop staff to achieve ambitious targets and overcome challenges 

• A tenacious, confident and capable leader, able to deliver ambitious targets and work effectively 

• Thorough understanding of strategy, planning, risk management and dependency planning 

• Appreciative of Cats Protection’s vision, mission and values 

What we can offer you:  

• range of health benefits  

• 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service  

• Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing  

• and much more, which you can learn about   

Interested? Here’s how to apply:  

• Application closing date: 26th May 2026  

• Virtual interview date: 15th & 19th June 2026 

• Second stage in person interview (location TBC): 7th July 2026 

Please email  if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey  

Global Programs Events and Project Coordinator

Job Overall goal: Support the delivery of global events and the creation of a range of content, ensuring both align with the charity’s objectives, including activities designed for a global audience.

Job Location: Remote working, with the ability to attend on-site meetings in Milton Keynes (MK19) ideally once a month.

Hours: This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Overview
The Maclellan Giving Together Foundation (MGTF) is a UK Christian charity connected to the longstanding international Maclellan Foundation, who describe their focus as: “establishing and strengthening the local church, promoting discipleship and leadership development, sparking community transformation, promoting the power of prayer, advocating for generosity, and increasing access to Scripture”. Based in the UK, MGTF rolls out key global initiatives that focus on equipping local Christian ministries and releasing local resources to foster sustainable Kingdom growth. These include Learning Communities, retreats, collaborative giving evenings and other resources.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone highly organised, eager to learn event production management, with a specialist interest in content creation for web, print, design, or moving image. They should be detail-oriented, quality-focused, and passionate about seeing the Kingdom flourish globally.

Job summary
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive individual to join our team. This role focuses on supporting the administration and delivery of events, ensuring smooth coordination, logistics, and a high-quality participant experience. It also includes stakeholder management, maintaining clear communication and strong relationships with attendees, partners, and internal teams. In addition, the role contributes to content development (both print and digital), and supports the contextualisation and translation of resources for global audiences.

Key Responsibilities:
Event Planning and Support

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of event logistics.
• Liaise with stakeholders, including vendors, venues, and service providers, to ensure high-quality event delivery.
• Manage delegate booking systems, taking ownership for providing prompt and professional support to attendees and stakeholders via phone, messaging and email, and delivering excellent delegate care throughout events.
• Maintain and regularly update registration systems and databases, ensuring high levels of accuracy and data integrity.
• Provide on-site event support, including set-up and liaising with AV and logistics teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Support campaign and project planning, including tracking content-related budgets for approval.
• Maintain and update event timelines and the global content calendar, ensuring progress is accurately reflected.
• Assist in the planning and delivery of special event elements (e.g. consultancy clinics).
• Monitor and track project costs, ensuring value for money.
• Process and input event-related receipts and expenses, supporting accurate and timely monthly accounting.
• Use initiative to flag any risks to project delivery, supporting timely resolution.
• Support wider projects across programmes and charity operations as required.

Communication & Content Delivery

• Assist in the creation of event materials, including digital resources, workbooks, email campaigns, websites, and related content.
• Provide administrative and practical support to event personnel in global locations as they deliver our programs.
• Assist in repurposing content into multiple formats to support wider reach and usability.
• Support the preparation and distribution of monthly comms emails.
• Assist with proofreading and formatting event content.
• Support the development and maintenance of an online training portal for specific programs.
• Follow established brand guidelines to maintain consistency in tone, messaging, and visual identity across all content.

Cultural Adaptation & Coordination

• Assist with the localisation of content to ensure materials are culturally appropriate, assisting communication with translators and stakeholders to help adapt resources for different cultural contexts.

Evaluation & Reporting

• Assist in tracking the performance of content and programs through data collection, feedback, and engagement analytics to support evaluation of effectiveness.
• Support the preparation of content and project reports, including metrics and evidence required for various audiences.
•  

General & Organisational

• Actively contribute to team meetings, planning sessions, and creative brainstorming.
• Occasional evening and weekend work and travel may be required for event support.
• Any other duties as required.

Occupational Requirement
The candidate must have an active Christian faith. By virtue of the job’s involvement in faith-sensitive work under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, the post-holder must be an active Christian with a genuine personal faith in Jesus, grounded in Scripture and reflected in their everyday life.

Experience (Essential):

• Have experience in a church/charity or professional environment.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to the Foundation’s mission, with an understanding of the Church scene.
• A genuine passion for advancing the gospel through the global Church, with a commitment to supporting both Christian givers and churches and charities.
• The ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• High attention to detail and accurate.
• Highly administrative and customer service focused.
• Demonstrated creativity and the ability to translate ideas visually, demonstrated via portfolios, academic work, or volunteer projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Professional in appearance and a desire to constantly improve and grow.
• Willingness to be flexible in working hours with occasional travel and overnight stays.

Experience (Desirable but not required):

• Some experience supporting events.
• Administrative and customer service experience.
• Some experience producing content creation across print and digital formats.
• Additional language.
• Experience using design software e.g. Adobe and Canva.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience (Essential). We welcome applications from graduates who are eager to learn and develop in the role.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with content creation software, CRM systems, and email marketing software (Desirable).

Benefits

• This is a full-time position (Monday-Friday)
• Start as soon as possible.
• This role is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent subject to performance and business needs.
• Salary £27K-£30k depending on previous experience.
• Holiday entitlement is 20 days pro rata, per annum (plus bank and statutory holidays and 3 days Christmas closing).
• Pension contributions via auto-enrolment to NEST.
• Faith-based culture: Supportive Christian workplace with prayer, devotions, and spiritual development.

About The Role
Behind every research breakthrough, there is a process that makes it possible.
A conversation that helps shape an idea. A fair and thoughtful review. A decision that backs the right work at the right time.
As a Research Grants Officer, you will be part of that process.
You will help run a research funding programme that is not only efficient, but fair, inclusive and supportive. Working closely with the Research Grants Manager and colleagues across the Research and Influencing directorate, you will manage funding rounds and support a portfolio of active research projects.
You will be there from the very first question a researcher asks, through to the moment funding decisions are made, and beyond. Along the way, you will help create a positive experience for everyone involved, from early career researchers to leading experts, and the volunteers who bring lived experience into the process.
It is detailed work. But it is work that makes a real difference.
What you will do
You will be at the centre of the grants process, helping to keep things running smoothly and making sure people feel supported at every step. No two days will look exactly the same, but your focus will always be the same, helping great research happen.
In this role, you will:

- Manage grant applications from start to finish, making sure each stage runs smoothly and on time
- Be a friendly and reliable point of contact for applicants, answering questions and helping them submit strong proposals
- Coordinate peer review and lay review, bringing together expert insight and lived experience to inform funding decisions
- Prepare papers for funding panels, attend meetings and capture clear, accurate notes of what is discussed and agreed
- Share outcomes with applicants in a clear, respectful and timely way
- Support the management of funded projects, helping track progress and making sure reporting is up to date
- Build relationships with researchers, clinicians and volunteers, helping them feel valued and encouraging them to stay involved

Alongside this, you will look for ways to improve how we work. That might mean updating guidance for applicants, spotting trends in our data, or helping to shape a process that is simpler, fairer and more accessible.
You will also be part of the wider team, supporting events, responding to enquiries and stepping in to help colleagues when it matters.
About you

- You have experience in, or a strong interest in, science, health or policy, and are curious about dementia research and the difference it can make
- You build positive relationships with a wide range of people, including senior researchers, and enjoy working with others
- You communicate clearly and confidently, whether you are writing, speaking or explaining something complex in a simple way
- You are organised and reliable, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage your time well
- You take initiative and are comfortable working independently, while knowing when to ask for input or support
- You work well as part of a team and are willing to step in and help when deadlines approach
- You care about inclusion and want to make sure the way you work is open, respectful and accessible to others

We know that people do not always apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If this role interests you but you are not sure you tick every box, we would still encourage you to apply.
This position is offered on a fixed-term contract/secondment basis until June 2027.
Interviews for this role are provisionally scheduled to take place during the week commencing 1st June 2026.

About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.

Behind every moment of support we give someone living with dementia, there's infrastructure that has to work.

What does it take to keep a charity like ours running? What sits behind every support call answered, every research database accessed, every fundraising campaign delivered? Infrastructure. And the people who build, protect and evolve it.

As a Senior Infrastructure Engineer, you'll play a central role in shaping, operating and maintaining our predominantly Microsoft cloud environment — keeping it strong, secure and ready for what comes next. Reporting to the Infrastructure Services Manager, you'll support, maintain and enhance our enterprise infrastructure across Azure cloud, Microsoft 365, identity, endpoint, network and core platform services.

You'll lead on complex incidents, drive root-cause analysis, and bring the kind of calm, expert thinking that keeps services running and colleagues confident. This is a hands-on, cloud-first role with real scope to influence how we design, govern and optimise cloud services and our infrastructure for the long term.

This role would particularly suit someone who has moved beyond traditional, on-prem infrastructure into operational Azure and Microsoft 365 engineering and is confident owning cloud platforms end to end.

This is a 12 month fixed term contract.

About you:

You're an experienced infrastructure professional who brings both depth of technical knowledge and the mindset of a trusted colleague. You understand that the work you do has real consequences for real people, and that motivates you to get things right. You're equally comfortable diving into a complex incident at pace and stepping back to think about how we build more resilient, secure and cost-effective cloud services over time.

You take security seriously, communicate with clarity across technical and non-technical audiences, and you thrive in environments where collaboration and accountability go hand in hand. You're someone who keeps learning, shares what you know, and makes the team around you better.

You'll have:

- Proven, demonstrable experience in Microsoft cloud technologies, including in-depth hands-on Azure experience (cloud platforms, virtual compute, storage, networking and the governance principles that keep it all accountable).
- Experience administering and optimising Microsoft 365 services, including identity, security and collaboration tooling.
- A grounding in enterprise infrastructure — servers, directory services, hybrid identity — and the hands-on experience to back it up.
- Experience managing and supporting Disaster Recovery services to address continuity of vital business functions.
- A security-first mindset, with practical knowledge of MFA, conditional access, privileged access management and vulnerability remediation.
- Proven networking foundations across WAN, VPN, firewalling and secure remote access.
- The discipline to work within ITSM frameworks and the rigour to maintain accurate configuration and asset data.
- Experience working alongside a Managed Service Provider as part of an augmented team, including managing service quality and accountability.
- A track record of producing documentation that works for diverse audiences — runbooks, procedures, service improvement write-ups.
- Genuine curiosity about the infrastructure landscape and a commitment to staying sharp as it evolves.

What you'll focus on:

- Owning, evolving and maintaining our hybrid (predominantly Microsoft cloud platform) infrastructure — secure, stable and performing, day in, day out, and under pressure when it counts.
- Owning complex incidents from first response through to root-cause analysis and lasting fixes.
- Working shoulder-to-shoulder with our Security team to embed good practice across everything we build and run.
- Helping us get more from what we have — through cost optimisation, service rationalisation and smarter configuration.
- Being a dependable partner to suppliers and managed service providers, holding them to the standard our users deserve.
- Championing modern identity protection across the organisation.
- Bringing energy and expertise to a team that genuinely wants to do good work together.

The infrastructure you build here will help us reach more people living with dementia, more quickly, more reliably. If you're ready to bring your infrastructure skills and wider technology expertise to a role with real purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Important Dates

- Application deadline is 23:59 on Sunday 31st May 2026
- Interviews begin week commencing: 8th June 2026

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.