Research project volunteer volunteer roles

Yemaya Surf

We create space and opportunity for Dominicans, especially Black & Indigenous women and girls, to reclaim their right to the ocean through surfing, cultural reconnection, and climate justice.

The north coast of the Dominican Republic is home to world-renowned waves and surf beaches. It is also home to a long and painful history of colonialism, exclusion, and ecological disruption. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in what is now Puerto Plata—where Cabarete, the island’s surf capital, is located. More than 500 years later, that legacy continues to shape who has access to the ocean, whose knowledge is valued, and who benefits from its economic, cultural, and healing power.

In Cabarete today, surfing is dominated by foreigners and men. Despite living near the sea, Black Dominican women and girls are largely excluded from ocean sports, environmental decision-making, and leadership opportunities. Of the 30+ surf instructors at Playa Encuentro, only three are women—and just one is a local Dominican. While the Dominican government has branded Cabarete as the country’s “Capital of Surf,” local communities face barriers at every level: surfboards and lessons are priced for tourists, beachfront access is restricted by private developments, and the sport’s culture often feels unwelcoming or unsafe for women and people of color.

This disparity is not coincidental—it is systemic. Tourism and coastal development in the Dominican Republic have prioritized profit over people, often displacing low-income communities from their ancestral shorelines. Surf beach entrances are illegally closed to favor tourists. One surf lesson can cost up to $65 USD, with board rentals priced at $20 per hour—far beyond what most Dominicans can afford. Gender norms, racism, and cultural stigma further prevent Afro-Dominican and Indigenous women and girls from feeling safe, confident, or supported in ocean spaces. At the same time, climate change is wreaking havoc across the country. Hurricanes and heavy rains regularly displace entire coastal neighborhoods, while government inaction and deforestation by foreign-owned corporations exacerbate the crisis. The burden of climate adaptation falls on local communities, especially low-income women, who are often excluded from climate conversations, planning, and resources.

Yemaya Surf exists to shift this reality.

Yemaya Surf integrates sports, cultural healing, and climate action to produce long-term, structural change in who has access to coastal spaces and who shapes environmental solutions. We prioritize community-led environmental care, Afro-Indigenous spiritual practices, and environmental stewardship.

Yemaya Surf's Theory of Change

We believe that when Black Dominican women and girls reclaim the ocean through surfing and ancestral wisdom, they heal, empower themselves, and challenge systemic exclusion. By centering their leadership in surf culture and coastal stewardship, we transform the sea from a site of historical marginalization into a space of liberation, climate justice, and collective power.

Yemaya Surf’s activities include:

• Delivering surf lessons and climate education workshops
• Leading reforestation projects and sponsoring local surfers
• Hosting community events and workshops to promote environmental stewardship and climate justice
• Building partnerships with local organizations and communities to advance our mission and goals

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Yemaya Surf! We’re deeply grateful you’d consider sharing your time and talents to empower women and girls through surf and climate justice.

Why Your Role Matters: Every hour you give helps us:

��‍♀️ Teach lifesaving surf skills to local girls who’ve never had access. �� Amplify climate justice in coastal communities. ✨ Build a movement where every girl and woman feels welcome in the waves.

We’re a small but mighty team, and volunteers like you are the heartbeat of our work. Whether you’re editing videos, researching grants, or helping at events, your contribution ripples far beyond the beach.

Fundraising & Grants Assistant

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Role: Help secure financial resources through grants, sponsorships, and donor outreach while setting up efficient fundraising tools. Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Systems Setup:

• Assist in finalizing GiveButter fundraising platform setup (e.g., campaign pages, donor management features).

• Integrate GiveButter with SquareSpace website (e.g., embed donation buttons, ensure seamless donor experience).

• Test donation workflows to troubleshoot issues (e.g., receipt automation, data tracking).

Grants & Sponsorships:

• Research and compile grant opportunities (gender equity, sports, climate justice).

• Draft templated outreach to surf/environmental brands (e.g., sponsorship proposals via email/LinkedIn).

Donor & Merchandise Support:

• Help manage recurring donation campaigns (e.g., thank-you emails, impact updates).

• Support merchandise sales (SquareSpace store setup, inventory tracking, promo ideas).

Reporting & Improvement:

• Generate simple donor reports (GiveButter analytics) to track progress.

• Suggest improvements for donor engagement (e.g., referral rewards, campaign ideas).

Skills Needed:

• Basic tech savvy (comfort with platforms like GiveButter, SquareSpace, or Canva).

• Attention to detail (for error-free donation workflows).

  • Interest in nonprofit fundraising or CRM tools.

Perks:

• Hands-on experience with fundraising tech (resume booster).
• Direct impact on Yemaya’s financial growth.
• Experience with an International Nonprofit Organization
• Free surf lessons (if and when in the Dominican Republic)

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 months

Becoming a Trustee is really rewarding, enabling you to give back to the community, as well as a great way to develop your strategic and leadership skills, put existing experience to use and a fantastic opportunity to learn new things from others. As a member of our Trustee Board, you will share responsibility for deciding how Citizens Advice K&C is run. Our Trustee roles are performed on a voluntary basis.

Strategy: you will work together with our other trustees to set our strategic direction and, with our management team, to deliver the business plan to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients, the targets set out by our funders and our charitable objectives.

Oversight: you will develop and maintain an awareness of how Citizens Advice Kensington & Chelsea operates and set performance targets to monitor the service we deliver to our clients and our financial position

Governance: you will become a trustee and director of Citizens Advice Kensington and Chelsea and attend and actively participate in our quarterly board meetings

Risk & Compliance: you’ll work with our other Trustees and team to ensure that we meet our legal and regulatory requirements

Advocacy: you’ll act as an advocate for our clients and support our core missions of advice and advocacy

Salary: This is a voluntary role

Job description

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

Quilombo UK is looking for Legal Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole.

Quilombo UK is looking to recruit a Legal Assistant who helps organization in various legal matters.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. This will further help you to develop your professional development programme (PDP). Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• We are looking for an experienced lawyer to assist the organisation in overlooking projects, ensuring they are compliant with relevant and up to date legislation and regulations.
• The legal assistant will be responsible for making sure all contracts, legislations and documents are treated within correct legal standards. They are to make sure that all activities are being performed in line with contracts and the law.
• The Legal Assistant will work closely with the HR department in overlooking the volunteer forms, legislations and documents. They should also assist the different departments within the organisation(Marketing, Funding, HR, Finance) in upholding the legal requirements needed to run the tasks that they do.
• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• Well-organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Excellent researching skills
• Reading and report writing skills
• You will need to be an experienced lawyer or have a good legal understanding.
• You will be respectful of the confidentiality of the organisation.
• You will need to help deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organisation.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management & communication skills.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Can work without much supervision

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday to Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Legal Secretary: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Najimudu Empowerment Initiative

Najimudu Empowerment Initiative empowers communities through climate-resilient health solutions, civic education, and sustainable development programs.

Najimudu Empowerment Initiative addresses the dual challenge of climate change and social justice by advocating for climate-resilient communities and equitable access to health and environmental resources. Climate change disproportionately affects marginalized populations—women, youth, and persons with disabilities—who often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, food insecurity, and health crises caused by extreme weather events.

We work at the grassroots level to bridge these gaps through climate education, policy advocacy, and community-driven solutions. Our programs include tree-planting initiatives to combat deforestation, sustainable menstrual hygiene campaigns to reduce plastic waste, and health camps that integrate climate adaptation strategies. By empowering underserved communities with knowledge, resources, and a platform to influence policies, we promote climate justice and equitable sustainability.

Najimudu Empowerment Initiative addresses climate change and social justice by integrating climate resilience into public health and community-driven sustainability efforts. We provide climate-adaptive healthcare interventions through free health camps, educating communities on climate-related health risks while promoting sustainable water management and heatwave response strategies. Our eco-friendly initiatives include tree-planting projects to combat deforestation and sustainable menstrual hygiene programs to reduce plastic waste and ensure menstrual equity. Through civic education and advocacy, we empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities to demand climate justice and influence policies that promote equitable resource allocation. Additionally, we establish community-led technical working groups and provide training on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable livelihoods to enhance long-term resilience. By combining direct interventions, policy advocacy, and grassroots mobilization, we ensure that vulnerable communities are not only protected from climate change but also actively shape solutions for a sustainable future.

Fundraising Officer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Role Description: Identify and research potential donors, partners, and funding opportunities.

• Develop and submit compelling grant proposals and fundraising applications.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing and prospective donors.
• Plan and coordinate fundraising campaigns, appeals, and events.
• Maintain accurate donor records and generate timely reports.
• Collaborate with program and communications teams to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

TWO DIFFERENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE!

About Us – Bigger Than Us

Bigger Than Us is a bold and heart-led initiative that supports early-stage nonprofit and social enterprise founders, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, through immersive in-person intensives and residencies. We create spaces for mission-driven leaders to grow their organisations, connect with like-minded changemakers, and sustain themselves while doing purpose-led work.

We believe building a better world shouldn’t come at the cost of your well-being. That’s why our programs focus on strategy and sustainability as well as wellness, leadership development, and community building.

Volunteer Role: Administrative Assistant

Location: Remote (with occasional Zoom check-ins)
Time Commitment: 4–6 hours/week (flexible)

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a detail-oriented and highly organised Administrative Assistant volunteer to support the smooth running of our July Intensive and general operations. You’ll work closely with the founder and the partnerships lead to help coordinate logistics, manage communications, and keep everything on track behind the scenes.

Key Responsibilities

• Help manage participant and speaker communication (emailing, scheduling reminders, etc.)

• Track sign-ups, responses, and forms in spreadsheets or Airtable

• Support with workshop scheduling and calendar invites

• Assist with meeting notes and light project management

• General admin tasks as needed to support program delivery

We’d Love to Hear From You If:

• You’re reliable, proactive, and love getting things organised

• You enjoy supporting a small but passionate team

• You’re familiar with Google Drive, Calendars, and can pick up tools like Airtable quickly

• You care about social justice, equity, or nonprofit work

• Bonus: You’ve worked in admin or operations before (not required!)

Volunteer Role: Community Outreach Lead

Location: Remote
Time Commitment: 3-6 hours/week (flexible, but some daytime availability is helpful)

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a creative, people-loving Community Outreach Lead volunteer to help us expand our reach. You’ll be responsible for finding and connecting with early-stage nonprofit founders who would benefit from the Bigger Than Us Intensive. This is a great role if you enjoy relationship building and believe deeply in equity and representation in the social impact space.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify mission-aligned founders, organisations, and networks

• Reach out to prospective participants via email or LinkedIn

• Support follow-ups and manage a simple outreach tracker

• Help build and maintain relationships with community partners

• Share ideas for how we can reach and engage diverse communities

We’d Love to Hear From You If:

• You’re a great communicator and feel confident reaching out to new people

• You’re passionate about equity, justice, and supporting underrepresented founders

• You’re organised and consistent with follow-ups

• You enjoy storytelling and can convey the spirit of our work warmly and clearly

• Bonus: You’ve worked in community outreach, partnerships, or engagement before

What You’ll Get From Volunteering With Us

• A chance to work closely with a visionary founder, building a growing movement

• Mentorship and experience in nonprofit management, program delivery, and/or partnerships

• Impact—you’ll be helping early-stage founders access something transformative

• A supportive and values-led environment where your voice matters

We look forward to receiving your application!

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Trustees manage the affairs of our local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. 

We are the Surrey East Branch of the RSPCA, and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. 

Main activities: 

• To be familiar with and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA. 

• To be familiar with our branch rules and follow them at all times. 

• To work with your fellow trustees and branch officers to jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of our branch and the RSPCA. 

• To ensure the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, work with national RSPCA staff to meet the standard as soon as practicable. 

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch support specialist (BSS), to write, adopt, monitor and review a branch development plan setting out the short and long-term aims of our branch. 

• To actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting, and regional conference. 

• To be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives. 

• To attend the trustee training course. 

• To actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. 

• To welcome new trustees and volunteers to the branch. 

About the RSPCA

We’re proud to be the oldest welfare charity in existence

• We were the first to introduce a law to protect animals and we work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering. 

• Through our campaigns we raise standards of care and awareness of issues for the animals who have no voice. We push for laws to be changed, improving the welfare of animals on farms, in research labs, in the wild, in paddocks or in our homes. 

• Through investigations and prosecutions, we stand up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - we will not tolerate animal abuse. 

• Our highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty at every level and are working hard to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty. 

• We believe every animal has the right to be counted as an individual. Animals can rely on us to rescue them when they need us most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

What are we looking for? 

• Most people aged 18 or over are eligible to become a trustee. You will need to become a member of the RSPCA. Good interpersonal skills are important. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital. 

• Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, and awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential. 

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. 

• In addition to our standard declaration of willingness, trustees also need to complete a declaration from the Charity Commission and read their guidance for individuals on who can’t be a trustee or senior manager of a charity. 

What can we offer you? 

• It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. 

• You will have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals. 

• New RSPCA trustees are provided with a document “Trustees handbook” and asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. 

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch. 

• Volunteer at the heart of the local community. 

Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports, and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society.

Role Overview

As a Pre-Production Assistant, you will support the Video Production Manager and team in all stages of video production, focusing primarily on the pre-production phase. Your role will be crucial in ensuring that our video projects are well-planned and executed smoothly. You will be involved in tasks ranging from script writing to stage setting, ensuring that all necessary preparations are in place for successful video production.

Main Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Video Production Manager to develop and refine scripts for various video projects, conducting research to gather relevant information and insights to inform script content.

• Assist in planning and setting up stages for video shoots, including arranging props, lighting, and other necessary equipment, and coordinate with the production team to ensure all stage elements are in place.

• Work with the Video Production Manager to create detailed production schedules and timelines, and coordinate with cast, crew, and other stakeholders to ensure everyone is informed of shoot dates and times.

• Assist in identifying and securing suitable locations for video shoots, conducting site visits to assess the suitability of locations and addressing any logistical considerations.

• Organize and manage all pre-production materials and resources, including scripts, shot lists, and production notes, ensuring all necessary permits and permissions are obtained for filming locations.

• Act as a point of contact between the pre-production team and other departments, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration, and provide regular updates to the Video Production Manager on the progress of pre-production tasks.

Essential

• Working Knowledge of pre- production

• Good interpersonal skills with ability to get on with people at all levels.

• Strong organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

• Creativity and attention to detail in script writing and stage setting.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.

• Basic IT understanding

• Experience in camera set-ups for live events /ob-doc /scripted content

• Appropriate DIT practices for media management 

• Working knowledge of audio production and basic audio set-ups for live events and recorded audio. 

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments

• Strong team player

• Working knowledge of file codecs and wrappers

• Digital Asset Management (Utilising enterprise versions of Google Drive etc).

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate

• Working Knowledge of Pre production Video Production Editing Platforms: After Effects, Da Vinci Resolve

• 3-5 + years of production in broadcast and film

• Understanding of broadcast acquisition standards for file deliveries

When needed:

Willing to volunteer at least 12 hours a week, for a duration of 16 weeks as part of a Personal Development Program (PDP).

Production roles are hyrbid therefore proximity to London is beneficial as trips to Kingston will need to be made, with reasonable travel expenses paid. 

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. 

Become our Trustee Tresurer and chair our Finance Committee.We need a Trustees with energy, enthusiasm and commitment to help accelerate our influcence on wildlife and nature recovery issues in the country and beyond.

With a refreshed 3-year strategy (23-26), “A Wilder Herefordshire, More Nature Everywhere” we’re working hard to recover nature at scale through deeper collaborations, working with local community organisations and networks to develop a clear plan for nature’s recovery. We are also working with neighbouring Wildlife Trusts, river partnerships and national partners such as the Woodland Trust, National Trust, and Duchy of Cornwall.

So, with lots happening, it’s an exciting if challenging time for the Trust.  Urgent action is needed to address the decline of wildlife in our beautiful county – and we need to muster all the resources and skills we can to succeed.

We are a welcoming board who support and challenge each other to do better for wildlife.

We look to recruit trustees from a range of backgrounds, life stages and skills to join us.

At this time, we wish to recruit someone to take on the role of Treasurer, and chair our Finance Committee. You would need the following skills and qualities:

· A strong commitment to wildlife conservation and the Vision of the Trust;

· Demonstrable experience of financial management;

· The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences;

· A good understanding of governance, gained either as a Trustee of another charity, a director of a company, or as a manager who has worked with Boards;

· The ability to apply clear logical thinking and creativity to developing our strategy

If you are successful, you will be welcomed and supported by a talented and committed board of trustees, a strong and experienced staff team and an active and expanding band of volunteers and by the wider Wildlife Trust movement. We hope you are inspired to apply, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Alison McLean OBE, Chair, March 2025

Trustees – Community Energy Plus

Do you want to help build a greener, fairer future for Cornwall?

Community Energy Plus is Cornwall’s energy advice charity. For over 25 years we’ve been helping people to live in warmer, healthier homes, reduce fuel poverty, and transition to a low carbon future. Our work supports some of the most vulnerable households in Cornwall with trusted advice, practical support, and community-based energy solutions.

We are seeking up to three new Trustees to strengthen and diversify our Board. You’ll be joining a small, committed team of trustees providing strategic guidance to ensure the charity remains resilient and impactful as we respond to growing demand and climate urgency.

We’re particularly keen to hear from people with experience in:

• Marketing and communications
• Fundraising and grant funding
• Housing (including housing renewal across tenures)
• Community development and engagement
• Public health, social care or the health sector
• Law (especially renewable energy/low carbon technologies)
• Climate and sustainability (energy transition focus)

But above all, if you care about social and environmental justice and want to use your skills to make a difference in Cornwall, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join us?

• Be part of Cornwall’s response to fuel poverty and the climate crisis
• Gain experience of charity governance and strategic leadership
• Share your skills and learn from others passionate about social change
• Help ensure no one is left behind in the low carbon transition

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack.