Operations volunteer volunteer roles

Whether you have a few hours or days to spare, volunteering can be extremely rewarding. From learning new skills to meeting new people we are looking for people who have are fun motivated to learn some new skills.

We are looking for people to cover all areas of our shops including:

- Working on the till
- Sorting and steaming donations
- Styling and merchandising the shop floor
- Listing items on eBay, Vinted and other digital platforms

Our shops are a large source of income for The Fertility Foundation and the heart of our shops is the volunteers that give up their time to help run the shops. The Fertility Foundation uses the income to provide grants for couples and individuals in the UK to help them start a family.

We are looking for volunteers for our Waltham Cross shop.

TASKS

To welcome, assist and serve our customers in a warm and friendly way providing a good standard of customer service. To ensure Gift Aid is explained clearly and promoted to all our donors and thanking them for their valuable contribution. To promote public understanding of our work and the importance of raising funds, promoting our charity events and activities to the public. Help sort, steam, hang and display our donated stock and rotate the stock following the manager’s guidelines. Dealing with customer purchases, confidently process the cash handling and accurate operation of the till.

SKILLS & QUALITIES

 Be a Honest, trustworthy and respectful with an enthusiastic positive attitude. Have good communication and numeracy skills. to be a reliable, commited, dependable and flexible. Able to work as part of a team as well as under your own initiative.

ABOUT THE FERTILITY FOUNDATION

The Fertility Foundation aims to continue being the leading patient charity across the UK in the provision of IVF funding and support network for those facing fertility challenges at all stages of their journey, providing authoritative information as well as practical and emotional support.

Around 1 in 7 couples today have trouble conceiving, which equates to 3.5 million people in the UK. The prospect of facing any kind of fertility problem is very distressing to live with and many people believe that no one else really understands. For many struggling to conceive being denied access to NHS funding means their hopes of starting a family can seem impossible. We aim to help them navigate this journey through introductions to our support network, assistance with dealing the CCG’s, working on their behalf with clinics and ultimately providing funding.

We understand the assistance needed on an individual’s journey is as unique as they are. We setup The Fertility Foundation based on our overwhelming desire to help as many people as we can to either start or extend their family.

TO APPLY

Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and personal specification below before applying. 

Could you raise SSAFA’s profile in your local area? You just need patience and the ability to get on with a wide range of people and age groups, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be he role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Publicity Coordinator?

Publicity Coordinators work with other branch volunteers to develop a Publicity Plan to raise awareness of SSAFA that reaches potential beneficiaries, volunteers, and funders.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our beneficiaries come from all walks of life and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us. We need to recruit volunteers that reflect our local communities and raise money to fund our work. Could you spare a few hours a week to help us raise awareness?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about building awareness so beneficiaries know who we are and how they can benefit from and access support, promoting volunteer opportunities and encourage people to raise finds and celebrate success. This means that on occasions, you might need to be present at events. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can conduct the administration part of this role form home.

What would you be doing?

• Working with other branch volunteers to develop a publicity plan.
• Publicising SSAFA events.
• Work with Marketing/PR staff at central office to develop case studies of clients and volunteers and ensure that SSAFA branding and messaging are consistent.
• Develop and maintain networks with local press, TV and radio outlets through providing press releases, interviews, case studies etc.
• Working with the Digital Team at Central Office to develop and maintain a local on-line presence for the branch via a website and social media channels.
• Keeping a stock of SSAFA publicity materials and distributing them
• Liaising with PR staff at central office or on-call in the event of a PR/press situation.
• Supporting local and national campaigns to recruit new volunteers.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA including all sections of the community in awareness raising
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - communication and marketing workshops.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team as well as Marketing and Communication Teams based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with good communication skills
• Good written and spoken English.
• Confident to deal with the public, potential clients, volunteers, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues – face-to-face, by phone, email or via social media
• Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Reliable attitude
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely in line with SSADA policies.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to meetings and events.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative).

Is a criminal record check required? No

Would you like to help end food poverty and tackle climate change and CO2 emissions in Greater Manchester, whilst at the same time gaining valuable CV-enhancing experience and skills?

What we offer you

Induction, training and support from the staff of FareShare and its parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

Practical experience and transferable skills in warehousing and food redistribution.

Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses up to £5.80 for travel and up to £3 for lunch, upon completion of a 4 hour shift. (We can also provide you with lunch if you don't bring your own).

A reference after 2 months with us.

An understanding of warehousing and logistics, and the importance of food surplus and recycling initiatives.

As a sustainability charity, we take surplus food that's donated to us and redistribute it to people in need. The front line initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities who, in turn, help people who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents perfectly good food going to landfill, where it would otherwise contribute to climate warming. 

We need helping hands in our busy warehouse to receive and catalogue supplies, to load and unload vans, and to prepare orders for delivery. In return we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience to boost your CV if you are seeking work. If you're not looking for employment, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to the work of FareShare, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is correctly sorted, labelled and organised into orders placed by our charities and community groups.

It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity.

b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing and customer service.

c) Wanting to help their community and/or help tackle global warming.

d) Wanting to make new friends.

e) Wanting to keep busy and/or physically fit.

Our volunteer opportunities are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am - 12:30pm and 12:30 - 4:30pm. Volunteers are typically involved for one day a week.

What will I be doing?

Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient surplus food in a warehouse, and preparing orders for delivery. You may also be assisting customers when they pick up their orders.

Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.

Sorting and unpacking deliveries, categorising and recording food.

Assembling food orders placed by charities and community groups.

Assisting our Community Food Members with their food order collections. 

Maintaining health and safety and food hygiene standards. 

Helping with cleaning and other tasks identified by warehouse staff.

Person Specification: 

Must be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.

Have a good command of English in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 

Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record quantities and types of food donated.

Able to work in a manner that respects Health and Safety standards.

Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.

Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.

Must be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

We are located in our brand new depot at Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us.
This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Job Title: Personal Assistant                                                                         

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Personal Assistant to support daily coordination, scheduling, and communication tasks across departments. This remote volunteer opportunity is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and looking to gain experience in nonprofit administration while contributing to a meaningful community-driven programme. 

Position Overview:
The Personal Assistant will be responsible for organising meetings, managing calendars, supporting internal communications, and assisting in day-to-day administrative operations. This role plays a vital part in ensuring smooth coordination between teams, and offers autonomy, flexibility, and mentorship opportunities for someone looking to develop or apply their administrative and organisational skills in the Third Sector.

Key Responsibilities:

Administrative Support & Coordination:

• Manage meeting schedules, appointments, and internal calendars.

• Organise virtual events, staff briefings, and team check-ins.

• Support in planning and executing internal conferences or training sessions.

Data & System Management:

• Maintain and update internal databases and contact lists.

• Implement and uphold procedures and administrative systems.

Staff Liaison & Communication:

• Act as a point of contact between managers and teams.

• Assist in internal communications and task follow-ups.

General Administrative Tasks:

• Contribute to internal meetings with updates and suggestions.

• Provide ad hoc administrative support to leadership and teams as needed.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• No specific degree required, but relevant administrative or office support experience is preferred.

Experience:

• Prior experience as an administrative or personal assistant is an advantage.

• Familiarity with coordinating meetings, managing data, or supporting organisational logistics.

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication.

• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.

• Proactive, professional, and able to work independently or collaboratively.

• Strong team player with attention to detail.

Benefits:

• Gain valuable administrative and coordination experience in the nonprofit sector.

• Receive support and mentorship to build confidence and skills.

• Work flexibly in a fully remote setup with a collaborative team.

• Build your network within a mission-driven cultural organisation.

• Reimbursement of local travel expenses (if in-person support is required for specific events).

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

About the Role

As an Ecommerce Cleaner Volunteer, you’ll play a key part in helping us maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our team. Your contribution will help ensure our ecommerce operations run smoothly and our donated goods are processed in a hygienic and organised space.

Duties and Responsibilities

Your typical tasks may include:

• Dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors and surfaces
• Cleaning windows and mirrors
• Wiping down counters, shelves, and loose furniture
• Scrubbing and sanitising toilets, sinks, and kitchen areas
• Emptying bins and disposing of rubbish appropriately
• Keeping supply cupboards clean and tidy
• Following health and safety guidelines and Scope’s internal policies

You’ll be supported by our friendly team and given all the tools and guidance you need to succeed in the role.

What We’re Looking For

• A friendly and reliable attitude
• An eye for detail and cleanliness
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Willingness to follow hygiene and safety procedures

No previous experience is required—just your time, enthusiasm, and a commitment to helping Scope make a difference.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Be part of a positive and welcoming team
• Gain valuable experience and transferable skills
• Help raise funds to support disabled people and their families
• Flexible shifts to fit around your availability

About the role

The County Lead Volunteer is a key volunteer role within local Scouting with responsibility for providing outstanding leadership and support for the Districts within the County. The primary focus for the County Lead Volunteer is to ensure that Scouting is able to reach every young person in the County; open to all regardless of faith, colour or social background, because we believe Scouting has the ability to change lives. This is achieved by leading the team of District Lead Volunteers, and other County volunteers as well as working with the Growth & Communities Teams (employed staff) to provide enough places to meet the demand for Scouting, and by ensuring that every youth member has access to a high-quality balanced programme that is challenging, relevant and rewarding.

Key tasks

• Ensure that every Squirrel Drey, Beaver Scout Colony, Cub Scout Pack, Scout Troop, Explorer Scout Unit and Scout Network within the County is able to deliver a high-quality programme which is challenging, relevant and rewarding for every young person.
• Provide proactive line management, including coaching, mentoring and guidance to District Lead Volunteers as well as other adult volunteers in the County who directly report to you including setting objectives for their work, holding regular one-to-one meetings and reviews.
• Build and maintain a sense of County team by holding regular team meetings with the District Lead Volunteers, County Chair, County team Members and other appropriate volunteers within
  your County team to collaborate and provide peer support.
• Lead a safe, open and transparent culture around keeping young people and adults safe through our Yellow Card and key policies.
  Ensure the timely recruitment and appointment of new District Lead Volunteers where required and ensuring that interim arrangements are put in place for any vacant posts.
• Together with the District Lead Volunteers, agree the priorities for the County and produce a plan to deliver these to meet The Scout Association’s vision and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that an effective volunteering culture is encouraged and District Lead Volunteers and Group Lead Volunteers feel supported to deal with challenging issues, including complaints in a timely manner.
• Ensure that the County has an adequate team of supported and appropriate adults working effectively together and with others to meet the Scouting needs of the area.
• Ensure that problems within the County are resolved so that excellent Scouting is provided to young people in the County.
• Act as an ex-officio trustee as a member of the County Trustee Board, and an ex-officio member of the Council of The Scout Association.
• Play an active part within the Regional Team by joining short MS Teams calls and in person meetings led by the Regional Lead Volunteer and twice yearly by Team England for all County Lead Volunteers to contribute to the development of Scouting within England as part of the Headquarters team.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the Kew Society, a leading community-based charity in South West London, by becoming our new Chair. The Society is run entirely by volunteers for the benefit of everyone who lives in, works in or visits Kew.

You will lead our great team, set the strategic direction of the charity, chair meetings…and  lay the foundations for the next 125 years! This includes delivering our strategy to "broaden and deepen" the Society's membership so that it becomes more representative in respect to age and ethnicity of the local community.

Completely apolitical, the Kew Society works on behalf of our members to influence decision-makers about issues, such as environmental, that could have a positive or negative impact on our local area. We also run events to help connect our community.

Role Overview:

The Chair will ensure that the board functions effectively, maintains high standards of governance, and that the charity's mission and goals are achieved.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Board Leadership:

   • Lead the board in setting and implementing the charity’s culture, direction, and strategy.

   • Ensure the board operates inclusively and effectively.

   • Chair board meetings, ensuring decisions are made and actions are followed up.

2. Strategic Direction:

   • Guide the development and implementation of the charity’s strategic plan.

   • Ensure the charity’s activities align with its mission and goals.

3. Oversight and Accountability:

   • Monitor the charity’s activities and ensure high standards of governance.

   • Hold staff members accountable and support their professional development.

   • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (this includes Charity Commission and companies House requirements).

4. Close Supervision:

   • Ensure that all members of staff have adequate line management and supervision (not necessarily by the Chair as this may be allocated to another trustee).

   • Act as the primary point of communication between the board and the staff.

5. Direct Involvement:

   • Take a hands-on approach to day-to-day operations, as necessary.

   • Assist in tasks typically handled by additional staff due to the charity’s limited resources.

6. Enhanced Communication:

   • Ensure clear and consistent messaging between the board and the staff member.

7. Financial Oversight:

   • Oversee the charity’s finances, possibly taking on some treasurer responsibilities (currently the board has an appointed treasurer and an honorary accountant).

   • Ensure the charity operates within its financial means.

8. Volunteer Coordination:

   • Recruit and manage volunteers to support the charity’s activities as and when appropriate..

9. Policy Development:

   • Ensure the development, implementation and review of policies to ensure effective and legal operation of the charity.

10. Annual Review:

    • Lead the board in reviewing its structure, effectiveness, delegations, and key policies annually.

Person Specification:

• Leadership Skills: Proven experience in leadership roles, preferably within the charity sector.

• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and guide the charity’s direction.

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial management and oversight.

• Commitment: Dedication to the charity’s mission and values.

• IT competency: Able to use cloud-based systems (currently Google Drive)

We are looking for a Program Coordinator for our Scouts Program based in Ioannina, for a minimum commitment of 6 months.

In this role, you’ll be coordinating the daily planning and delivery of activities for young refugees in two refugee camps: Katsikas and Agia Eleni.

The program consists of English language classes, educational workshops and excursions outside of the camp. The program engages around 50 children at each site, between the ages of 8 and 17, the majority of whom are from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

For this role:

Initially, you will work closely with the outgoing Program Coordinator to learn how the program functions. This may last a few weeks and may include preparing and delivering sessions in line with your skills, supporting teachers, and helping organise weekend excursions. This gives us a chance to see your capacities and conduct a thorough handover. 

Role Description:

You will…

• Coordinate, delegate, and manage a team of 4-5 volunteers in the daily operations of the Scouts Program
• Develop current programming in coordination with the Programs Manager and project team member
• Assess impact and effectiveness of the program in line with its objectives
• Plan and deliver effective educational and outdoor activities, within a theme-based, modular curriculum
• Ensure a high quality of program implementation, with the ability to provide behaviour management and safeguarding training to new volunteers
• Directly supervise and support project team to ensure effective inductions and transfer of key skills/knowledge take place between short term team members
• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders
• Represent Second Tree in relevant external meetings with international actors (UNHCR, IOM, ASB, Intersos, TDH) or local authorities (municipality, army, police, etc)
• Capture and compile relevant M&E on the program
• Conduct interviews with volunteer candidates

Skills:

You are able to. . .

• Oversee the delivery of program activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks
• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe
• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way
• Have a strong sense of humor, 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
• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met
• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged
• Communicate in English, both written and orally
• Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload

Knowledge:

You understand…

• What is required to work and effectively communicate in complex and volatile contexts
• Essential background of the refugee crisis and its impact
• Essential behaviour management techniques which can be employed effectively with children and young people
• Your own personal leadership skills/profile and how to effectively manage a team

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.

Job Title: Admin Assistant                                                                               

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote 

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
Solta o Jogo is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a dedicated Admin Assistant to support the day-to-day coordination and administrative operations behind this exciting and community-driven programme.

Position Overview:
The Admin Assistant will play a vital role in supporting communication, event coordination, documentation, and volunteer tracking. This position is perfect for someone looking to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit administration, event logistics, and team coordination. The role offers flexibility, skill development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Coordination Support

• Schedule and manage logistics for project events, workshops, and community showcases.

• Track bookings, rehearsals, and venue use to ensure a smooth timeline.

• Support RSVP management and communication for performances and activities.

Data & Documentation Management

• Maintain and organise project records such as attendance sheets, registration forms, and feedback.

• Ensure digital files are properly stored and accessible for all team members.

• Assist in compiling reports and summaries post-events.

Communication & Liaison

• Serve as a contact point for public and internal queries related to the project.

• Help coordinate communication between departments involved in the project (HR, Marketing, PR, Finance).

• Communicate with facilitators, artists, and partners to confirm details and provide logistical support.

Resource & Inventory Support

• Track inventory of promotional and event materials.

• Assist in coordinating procurement and delivery of materials for activities and performances.

Volunteer Coordination

• Monitor onboarding progress of volunteers engaged in Solta o Jogo.

• Assist with preparing and maintaining volunteer schedules.

• Provide administrative support during volunteer briefings and training.

General Administrative Duties

• Take meeting minutes and circulate action items.

• Help draft internal updates, task lists, and team reminders.

• Provide general clerical support as needed.

Required Qualifications:

Education:
No specific degree required, but experience in administration, event coordination, or office support is desirable.

Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word and Excel).

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Attention to detail and ability to multitask efficiently.

• Friendly, professional, and proactive attitude.

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with remote teams.

Benefits:

• Gain practical experience in nonprofit administration and cultural event coordination.

• Work flexibly with a remote, supportive team.

• Contribute to a vibrant, meaningful community project.

• Receive mentoring and transferable skill development.

• Local travel reimbursement for any in-person events or meetings (if applicable).

Equality Statement:

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life, preventing it from being burned, chipped, or dumped in landfill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm.
We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). The site is served well by buses, and we have free parking onsite, as well as secure storage racks for pushbikes.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people? 

We are offering 1 young person aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 11 months with the French Red Cross (Croix Rouge) in Montrouge. The programme will run from September 2025 – August 2026 (subject to visas). 

You will join the head office communication department of Croix-Rouge insertion, a programme funded by the French Red Cross that enables destitute young people, homeless people and long-term jobseekers to re-connect to the labour market, through civic participation. An intermediate to fluent level of written and spoken French is essential for this role and you will have the opportunity to further develop your written skills in French and gain experience in communicating across a range of channels, as well as developing your conversational French through lessons provided by Croix Rouge. 

On your arrival in France, you will take part in a 3 days on-arrival seminar in Paris, where you will get to know your national coordinators and other European volunteers. You will also have the opportunity to discover the beautiful city of Paris before leaving for your placement role! Your role involves volunteering for a maximum of 35 hours per week, including French lessons and a personal project. 

This is a great opportunity to get involved in key projects and find out what you are interested in. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement! 

Typical tasks may involve: 

• Activities at Headquarters: 

• Manage and update the association's web pages and social media accounts (including SEO improvements) 

• Create, update, and adapt various materials (posters, flyers, brochures, catalogues, activity reports, videos, presentations, etc.) 

• Monitor and share news related to Croix-Rouge insertion activities 

• Participate in the organisation of national events (General Assembly, seminars, partner meetings, etc.) 

• Support the creation of Activity Reports and ensure deadlines are met 

• Contribute to discussions and working groups to deepen the Croix-Rouge insertion project and improve communication practices 

• Provide logistical support for organising the General Assembly 

• Facilitate the flow of information between headquarters and the local offices 

• Activities on the Ground (Croix-Rouge Insertion Local Agencies - Bondy and Bobigny): 

• Assist the agencies in the development, daily operations, or sustainability of their actions related to Access to Rights, Prison-Justice, Mobility, Digital Inclusion, and Basic Skills for RSA beneficiaries 

• Support the sharing and learning of skills between teams to fully experience the support process, especially in the development of theatre improvisation workshops for beneficiaries 

• Assist in communicating on the ground to change the perception of the public interest, which is still often stigmatised in priority urban areas 

We’re looking for the following qualities: 

• Someone sensitive to the association's social and environmental dimension 

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail 

• Creative with good interpersonal skills

• Interest in office automation tools, graphic design software and animation tools (Adobe Suite, Canva, etc.) 

• Interest in digital media (social networks) 

• Ability to analyse, summarise and write in French

Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role. This role requires someone with intermediate to fluent levels of spoken and written French. Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates. 

We are keen to hear from individuals especially those who do not normally get the chance to volunteer overseas, who are passionate and motivated about working in the humanitarian sector and international volunteering but who also understand that these types of placements require adaptability and resilience. We are especially interested in applications from those who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, are carers or are care experienced, have accessed free school meals, are refugees or asylum seekers and those with disabilities or additional needs. 

About Us

My Black Dog is a charity that offers anonymous, peer to peer mental health support through our web-chat service. We are committed to making a positive impact on mental health in the UK as we tackle an epidemic that millions of people face.

We were founded on the motto "talk to someone who gets it". We want to connect people who share lived experiences to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental space where everybody understands how it feels to experience mental health struggles.

Position Overview

Our web-chat service is run by our Volunteer Pack, each of whom have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. In addition, each shift has a 'Leader' and a 'Mentor'. These are Volunteers who carry out specific roles during the shift and, together, ensure its success:

• Leaders - Managers of the shift. There to ensure the shift runs as it should. They support and guide Volunteers through chats and follow safeguarding processes when an alert is raised. They escalate safeguarding alerts to the shift’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (a trained professional). They also complete a 'Shift Handover' document once the shift is completed.
• Mentors - There to support and guide Volunteers through chats. Will take over from the Leader if there are safeguarding issues that need the Leader's attention and/or if the Leader needs a break.

As My Black Dog looks to expand our opening hours, we are looking to recruit additional Leaders who can run shifts and provide cover when necessary.

Leaders will be assigned a shift based on your availability and preference. The expectation is that Leaders and Mentors will form a ‘pair’ and, together, will do one shift at the same time each week. This is to provide stability, predictability and to encourage community-building between Volunteers. Shifts are usually 3 hours long. We may ask you to cover another shift when we are short, but you will never do more than 6 hours per week.

Training will be provided and you will be supported on shift by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will manage all safeguarding issues.

The work you will do as Leaders will ensure we provide the best possible service to our Guests. You will also be helping our Volunteer Pack to do what we do best: helping those in need by speaking to someone who 'gets it'.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for people who have experienced their own journey with mental health and are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our Leaders:

• Are strongly committed to helping others
• Have experienced mental health issues in order to relate to those seeking help
• Are collaborative and enjoy working with others
• Are encouraging and supportive
• Are organised and can monitor several things at once
• Can remain calm and focused during busy times and when safeguarding alerts are raised
• Are 18 years and over 
• Can commit the time to a regular weekly shift

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are available to run a shift on the following days/hours:

• Monday to Sunday, 5pm-7pm
• Thursday to Saturday, 7pm-10pm

Role Responsibilities

1. Supervise and support Volunteers whilst on shift with general enquiries, positive feedback and signposting.
2. Assist with general volunteering enquiries whilst on shift. Provide time for guidance, instruction and de-briefing for Volunteers if required.
3. Follow Leaders processes including unexpected absence reporting, Volunteer check-in and check-out, and completing Shift Handovers.
4. Monitor web-chat conversations and ensure all chats are tagged.
5. Maintain ability to listen, remain calm and provide intervention if necessary.
6. Be able to have difficult and often complex conversations about mental health, including Guests experiencing crisis and first-stage intervention support.
7. Work alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when safeguarding risks are identified.
8. Exercise discretion in handling confidential situations and information, conveying sensitive information in a timely manner to necessary individuals.
9. Provide written follow up of shifts via handover, ensuring all necessary information is handed over at the end of the shift.
10. Adhere to all standards, policies and procedures of My Black Dog.

Please note: An Enhanced DBS Certificate is required for this role. If you do not have one, My Black Dog will arrange the DBS Check for you.

www.myblackdog.co

Do you want to share our passion for helping people to resolve their problems, and develop your leadership and strategic skills as a Board member in the process? Then we'd love to hear from you. Last year our team helped 6000 clients with over 93000 issues and demand is growing. 

Who are we?

We are part of the national Citizens Advice UK brand network, with a dedicated operational team of 40 staff and volunteers offering confidential advice to our community online, over the phone, and in person, free of charge. 

We are currently seeking a Trustee Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees to continue to deliver on our purpose and mission as a charity.

The role of a Trustee Treasurer

The Treasurer is a key Board member who is responsible for overseeing the Charity’s finances, and ensuring that fellow trustees can be confident that the Charity’s finances are used in the correct fashion and that the financial position of the organisation is secure. There is more detail about this on our website, including a Role Description, but in particular, alongside the general duties of a trustee, the role of Treasurer specifically involves

• Overseeing financial governance and strategy

• Working with our charity Finance Officer to ensure financial transparency; to develop and monitor realistic budgets and cash flow: and to maintain the charity’s financial sustainability

• Present financial data in an accessible format, and provide advice and guidance on financial matters, including risk, to the Board

• ensure that the organisation has an appropriate reserves policy 

• Lead our finance subcommittee

Who are we looking for?

You don’t need specific financial qualifications to be a Trustee Treasurer, but we are looking for someone with

• A strong background in finance

• a good understanding of the principles of sound financial management and strategic planning (essential)

• some knowledge or experience of charity finances, fundraising, financial consequences and pension schemes (useful)

• good numeracy skills to understand accounts

• an ability to explain complex financial information in an accessible way

What is in it for you?

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a team with diverse experiences, opinions. and ideas to ensure that we make a positive difference to the communities we serve.

A personal testimonial below from our current Treasurer provides a great insight into the role;

“I learned so much in the first short months of my tenure as a Trustee it was very gratifying that I soon felt that I was contributing in a positive sense, not just to the activities of the Board but through them to the many clients who were benefiting directly from the support of the brilliant management , support workers and advisors working for the charity.

One of the most rewarding aspects is being part of a team of people jointly addressing a thorny problem, often from differing angles, utilising their full set of skills to arrive at a satisfactory resolution.

If you are in the process of building a career, finding a charity whose values you share, and supporting them as a Trustee Treasurer is an excellent opportunity to develop skills and expertise that can benefit you further along the line and to do something good for your community at the same time.”