Research project volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Manchester

Description

Youth Advantage UK (YAUK) is seeking a Volunteer Senior Researcher. The successful candidates will be allocated to lead one of our teams that either conducts, supports or progresses our short term or long term research projects. They should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

Responsibilities:

• To lead a small team of volunteers in conducting research or developing research

• To provide oversight of a number of tasks at once while providing support on specific issues as they arise

• To provide guidance to the team

• To work with management and the team to coordinate research projects and planning

• To provide advice and guidance to more junior team members

• To conduct or oversee research projects 

• To ensure of ethical standards at all times and monitor task progress to ensure of compliance

•    Requirements:

•    Experience of leading a small team in a charity or research or policy setting
•    Knowledge of issues affecting children and young people in the UK.
•    Knowledge of a range of research methods
•    Experience of writing or contributing to research or briefings and other policy documents.
•    Excellent writing and speaking skills.
•    IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
•    Ability to work well independently and in a team.
•    Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
•    Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.

Benefits
•    Gain valuable experience in influencing research projects
•    Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
•    Flexible volunteering hours.

About YAUK

We are a not-for-profit organisation passionate about improving the lives of young people across the UK and believe that every young person should have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or circumstances.

Our work involves using up-and-coming research and advocacy to address issues affecting young people, such as climate change, unemployment and skills training, and inclusion and diversity. We are firmly committed to improving young people's lives and believe that our unique and successful approach to achieving our vision will change lives for the better.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

Responsibilities may include

• To complete research tasks in line with timelines and agreed deadlines

• To help plan, write, edit and proofread reports, literature reviews and related writings

• To work alongside others in managing a workload, and actively communication 

• To analyse and interpret research data (mainly qualitative, secondary data analysis)

• To support and be accountable to the senior researcher 

• To assist in the design and planning of projects and research work

• To follow ethical guidelines

Requirements: 

• To have knowledge on children’s human rights in the UK and other related areas

• To have experience as a Research Assistant or Researcher or equivalent role in related areas

• Experience in qualitative research methods and secondary data analysis, quantitative experience a plus

• To be able to work well as part of a team and independently

​Benefits

• This is a UK based 100% fully remote and flexible role

• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations. 

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Description

Youth Advantage UK (YAUK) is seeking a Volunteer Senior FOI Researcher. The successful candidates will be allocated to lead our FOI Team which supports our research projects nationally and locally by submitting and progressing Freedom of Information Requests. They should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee a small team in drafting, submitting and following up FOI requests in addition to supporting the research projects that require such data.

• Ensuring of ethical compliance and high ethical standards

• Coordinating the needs of various research teams with regards to FOI requests as support is required

• Drafting FOI requests: Write precise, legally compliant requests that maximize the chance of disclosure.

• Tracking submissions: Maintain a log of requests, deadlines, and responses to ensure timely follow-up.

• Analyzing responses: Review disclosed information, assess its reliability, and extract insights relevant to the research project.

• Appeals and reviews: Prepare internal review requests or appeals to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if disclosure is refused.

• Collaboration: Work with other teams to align FOI requests with broader research goals.

• Reporting findings: Summarize obtained information and provide the data for progress by specific research teams

Requirements:

• Knowledge of FOI legislation: Understanding of Freedom of Information requests and proven experience in submitting them.

• Communication skills: Excellent writing and speaking skills, with the ability to explain complex findings clearly.

• IT literacy: Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite for drafting, tracking, and reporting.

• Collaboration and independence: Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

• Leadership: Experience of leading a small team, fostering motivation and accountability.

• Attention to detail: Strong organizational skills and accuracy in drafting requests and analyzing responses.

• Time management: Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines effectively.

Benefits
•    Gain valuable experience in influencing research projects
•    Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
•    Flexible volunteering hours.

Donation Research Assistant (Volunteer)

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) was founded in 2009 and aims to provide protection and improve the welfare of animals in need. Our first project is based in Borneo, where we provide a lifeline to thousands of dogs and cats every year in need of veterinary care and support. Our companion animal programmes have since developed in other countries, including Romania and Penang Island, as well as support programmes to help other species.

We are currently looking for Donation Research Volunteers to help support our Online Retail Team. This role will enable us to continue raising vital funds for our animals in need by helping to identify potential sources for donations of goods for our monthly online auctions and other fundraising platforms. 

Tasks will include:

• Researching suitable businesses to reach out to for potential donations.

• Develop relationships with donors, providing regular communication and support when needed. 

• Record and track donations received for our monthly online auctions.

• Collaborate with the team to identify best fundraising options. 

Ideally you will;

• Have experience or an interest in a research role, particularly within the charity sector.

• Be familiar with Google Workspace or willingness to learn.

• Have the ability to work independently and use your own initiative.

• Offer 1-3 hours per week (hours can be fully flexible)

What we can offer you;

• Full training and support from our Retail Manager.

• An opportunity to build your CV skills and develop your experience.

• A chance to help increase the awareness of the great work we do at IAPWA.

• A fully flexible role that can fit around your schedule via remote working.

If you would like further details about the role, please don't hesitate to reach out via the Apply button.

FOI Researcher (Voluntary)

Location: Remote

Commitment: Flexible, part-time volunteer role

Organisation: Youth Advantage UK

About the Role

Youth Advantage UK is seeking passionate and detail-oriented volunteers to join our team as Freedom of Information (FOI) Researchers. In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting our advocacy and research projects by drafting, submitting, and tracking FOI requests to public bodies across the UK. The data you help uncover will directly inform our campaigns, reports, and youth-focused initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft clear, accurate, and effective FOI requests tailored to specific project needs

• Submit FOI requests to relevant public authorities and track their progress

• Follow up on outstanding requests to ensure timely responses

• Review and interpret data received from FOI responses

• Collaborate with project leads to integrate findings into reports and campaigns

• Maintain accurate records of requests, correspondence, and outcomes

What We’re Looking For

• Familiarity with the UK Freedom of Information Act and FOI request procedures

• Strong written communication and research skills

• Ability to interpret and summarise data clearly

• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple requests simultaneously

• A commitment to transparency, accountability, and youth empowerment

• Previous experience with FOI requests (desirable but not essential)

What You’ll Gain

• Experience in legal research, public accountability, and data analysis

• Insight into public sector transparency and youth advocacy work

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your schedule

• A chance to make a tangible impact on youth-focused projects

We’re looking for detail-orientated, proactive people who’d like to use their research or writing skills to help strengthen our funding applications and impact reporting.

As a Research and Bid Support Volunteer, you’ll help identify funding opportunities, gather data and evidence, and support the preparation of grant proposals. You’ll also assist with compiling feedback and monitoring information that helps us demonstrate the difference our work makes.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys research, analysis and writing and wants to gain experience in how charities develop projects and secure funding.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Researching grant opportunities that align with our programmes and priorities
• Helping gather data, statistics and community evidence to support funding applications
• Reviewing funder guidelines and eligibility criteria
• Assisting with drafting or formatting sections of funding proposals
• Collecting quotes, case studies and outcomes to demonstrate impact
• Supporting report preparation and data organisation for monitoring and evaluation

Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For

• Strong written and research skills
• Attention to detail and ability to analyse information clearly
• Organised and methodical approach to work
• Confidence using digital tools and online databases
• Interest in community development, funding or project design
• Discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information

What You’ll Gain

• Experience contributing to real funding applications and impact reporting
• Insight into charity fundraising, project development and evaluation
• Opportunities to build research, analysis and writing skills
• The satisfaction of supporting projects that bring lasting community benefits

About Us

We are a community-led charity tackling poverty at its root by empowering people and communities to overcome barriers and build sustainable futures.

Our programmes support children, young people, adults and families through education, employability, wellbeing and social inclusion activities that promote confidence, connection and opportunity.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults involved in our work.

Safeguarding training will be provided for all volunteers and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required for this role.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support participation wherever possible.

                      While gaining invaluable experience, practice your passion within real-life scenarios. 

Join a group who aspire to think big, have fun, and create work that stands out. We’re looking for a passionate dedicated individual to join our team, who will play a key role in the growth of our brand messages and visions. The ideal candidate will assist us to conduct research and gather information on various projects.

Responsibilities
Conduct relevant research, gather information on various projects
Write research reports
Working closely with the communications team

Requirements
Good attention to detail.
Strong verbal, written and organisational skills.
Self-starter, dedicated and willing to learn. 
Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

Please note the role is a voluntary position and could be entirely remote. Any incurred reasonable expenses will be paid.
 
ABOUT TESYouth
TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.

Do you have what it takes to be the new lead for our Lay Advisory Group?

Kidney Research UK’s Lay Advisory Group are currently looking for a new lead. In this vital and rewarding role, you would help ensure that people affected by kidney disease influence all aspects of our work. As lead of the Lay Advisory Group, you would have a key role within the charity championing the involvement of patients to transform kidney health and presenting patient views at our trustee board meetings.

The Lay Advisory Group helps drive and strengthen patient and public involvement (PPI) within Kidney Research UK and provides opportunities to influence change externally to help transform kidney health. This is a senior volunteer role and will provide effective leadership for the Lay Advisory Group and its work.

After leading the group for five successful years, the current lead is stepping down, so we are looking to appoint a new lead. 

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for user experience researchers to participate in our community-led working group who are growing support of the project. There is opportunity to lead on projects exploring how architects, ecologists, community researchers, political campaigners, fundraisers and communications professions come together to create community infrastructure.  Online meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?

Strong experience in qualitative/quantitative user research, research plan design/execution, data analysis, and synthesizing actionable insights. 

Proven ability to build rapport and engage diverse communities. Excellent collaborative spirit for multidisciplinary teamwork.

Genuine passion for community-led projects, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development.

By leading research projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local community. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

We’re looking for four fundraising project volunteers, over the age of 18 years old.

You’ll be volunteering a few hours per week, but we are flexible depending on your availability.

We have a variety of projects that the potential volunteer(s) can support us with. We will work with successful candidates to understand their skills and interests.

The volunteers will:

• Volunteer on projects that will assist our fundraising team to find new supporters, help promote our fundraising campaigns or ensuring that our supporters have a fantastic experience. 
• Either support us with research or administrative based tasks. We hope to find a couple of volunteers to help with each area. Our fundraising volunteering team will develop a plan of volunteering tasks for each individual that joins us.  
• Be flexible to support a number of our regional fundraising teams, depending on our priorities at the time. This will give our volunteers a broader range of experience and insights into different areas of fundraising.

Community researchers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park ensure our community-owned park is inclusive and welcoming for all.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for community researchers specialised to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on on a listening project to ensure often underrepresented voices in conservation and environmental projects are heard and centred. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Inclusivity Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While your experienced research skills are crucial, we also value your ability to engage with the community and build partnerships. Experience in conducting community-based research or working with community organisations is important. A strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively will be invaluable in ensuring your research findings are relevant and impactful. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your research expertise will be vital in shaping our new biodiverse park. By conducting listening research on community needs, and potential park uses, you'll help us create a sustainable and inclusive space. Your findings will inform our design, programming, and outreach efforts, ensuring the park meets the needs of our community and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

Role summary

The Lay Advisory Group helps drive and strengthen patient and public involvement (PPI) within Kidney Research UK and provides opportunities to influence change externally to help transform kidney health. This is a senior volunteer role and will provide effective leadership for the Lay Advisory Group and its work.

After leading the group for five successful years, the current lead is stepping down, so we are looking to appoint a new lead. You can find out more about the group and meet the current members here.

What does the group do?

• Attend and input into group meetings every other month 

• Act as a charity ambassador at events 

• Engage with the charity to advise on projects such as policy, marketing or communications. 

What is the role of the lead? 

• Chair the group meetings every other month 

• Actively lead the work of the Lay Advisory Group focusing on developing a variety of ways to strengthen the patient voice across the charity 

• Work alongside the patient involvement team to identify external PPI opportunities 

• Develop interaction with the board of trustees by sitting as a permanent observer at trustee meetings.

The Stroke Association - Fundraising Project Volunteer

Our Regional Fundraising Team work closely with individuals, groups, and organisations who are raising money for us or have the potential to raise funds. This can be through our campaigns, active challenges, partnerships or through their own ideas. Fundraising is important to our charity as our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the generosity of supporters. In this role you will help with projects that will help us find new fundraising supporters, help with promoting our campaigns or be involved with ensuring our supporters have a fantastic experience

What the role involves:

As a fundraising project volunteer, there are a wide range of activities that you might be involved with. When you enquire about volunteering, we will find out about your interests and skills to find the right projects for you to support us with. Tasks may vary throughout the year. They include:

• Researching organisations and community groups that may be able to support the charity financially.
• Promoting our fundraising campaigns in communities to encourage them to get involved.
• Helping ensure our supporters have a great experience by thanking them, wishing them good luck or sharing charity updates. This could be through cards, emails or phone calls.
• General administrative tasks on word or excel.
• Support with our events in person if they are near to you. This could involve meeting fundraisers, cheering along our runners or talking about the charity.

Who the role might suit:

• To be an effective fundraising project volunteer you will need a methodical approach to work and be able to follow agreed systems and processes.
• Our fundraising project volunteers need to be thorough with a good eye for detail, and able to use office equipment and relevant computer software.
• Some of the tasks involved will need you to be someone who can communicate effectively in writing, over the phone and in person.
• You will have ongoing support from our staff but will spend much of your time working on your own so you will need to be someone who is comfortable working without direct supervision.

What the role can offer you personally:

• Being a fundraising project volunteer means you will gain practical experience of working in a busy team, supporting our ongoing work and on a variety of projects that make a real difference to people’s lives. 
• The role provides an opportunity to learn new keyboard and IT skills and use various software and database packages.
• Fundraising project volunteers also find it helps them develop new skills with a well-respected charity which can improve their CV and employability.
• You would be able to see how your support has made an impact by seeing the amount of money raised or hearing feedback from our supporters.

Training for this role:

We provide all of our volunteers with training, so they feel confident in the role and give the best possible support to stroke survivors.

Essential training for the role will include some modules on our learn system, such as GDPR, safeguarding and information security. Other training may be required depending on the tasks you complete. We will confirm this as part of your induction.

We also offer a range of optional training courses to support you in your role and to support your knowledge of the Stroke Association.

We also offer ongoing support and expenses where appropriate.

Where and when you would volunteer:

The role is a remote volunteering role that you will complete from home at a time that suits you. There may be times when we invite you along to virtual meetings, but times would be discussed.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, an Access NI check or membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is not required for this role.

Our vision is for there to be fewer strokes, and for people affected by stroke to get the help they need to live the best life they can.

Our core purpose is to be the trusted voice of stroke survivors and their families. We want to drive better outcomes in stroke prevention, treatment and lifelong support for everyone affected by stroke.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Choice International is a UK based not-for-profit international development organisation that seeks to address inequality issues both overseas and within the UK. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion via researching, developing and implementing development projects for disabled people and other disadvantaged communities in the UK and overseas.

In view of upcoming development projects, we are seeking applications for a Project Development & Marketing Volunteer to work from our office in East London. There is opportunity for working from home after the first month.

This is an exciting position that offers plenty of scope to make a real difference in support of equality and diversity. We are currently delivering disability sports projects and events in India and in London.

The role is to assist the organisation with the development of national and international programmes for disability and equality rights and other related projects through research, administration and writing proposals, emails and reports.

The main responsibilities will be:

• To research potential partnerships and assist in the development of project proposals
• To research funding opportunities and assist in the development of grant proposals
• To assist in the organisation and management of Choice International activities and events
• To represent Choice International at conferences, exhibitions and seminars, as necessary
• To support other administrative tasks, as necessary.

Applicants should have a positive, can-do attitude, be reliable and trustworthy. If you are passionate about equality diversity and international development and keen to gain valuable, hands-on experience, then we would like to hear from you.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position. However, depending on funding available we may be able to contribute to the cost of travel from your home to the office.

Please note due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all applicants hence only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.