Shop assistant volunteer volunteer roles

Internationally renowned Eyam Museum in the Peak District, Derbyshire, is looking for an experienced finance professional to take on the voluntary role of Treasurer. The successful candidate will join our friendly Board of Trustees and will have oversight of the financial operations and decisions of the organisation - which includes a museum shop - to ensure that funds are managed responsibly and in accordance with priorities.

Museum finances are administered by a qualified part-time Finance Officer who oversees day-to-day payments and receipts, payroll and pension, bank reconciliations and monthly financial reports, and who will support the Treasurer in their role. We are looking for someone who has the experience to advise the other trustees on financial and treasury matters, oversee the setting of an annual budget (c.£150.000) and monitor performance against that budget, playing an active part in the decision making of the trustee body. The Treasurer will also facilitate the annual auditing of accounts.

While emphasising the skills required for these responsibilities, we particularly encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds who are likely to be underrepresented on our Board. We are ideally looking for someone living within easily commutable distance to Eyam.

Eyam Museum’s primary purpose is to tell the story of Eyam Plague (1665 – 66). It is a highly successful organisation - well run, financially secure with substantial reserves and widely respected within the sector. Visitor numbers have quickly returned to pre-COVID levels (at c. 36,000 in 2024) and the organisation is a vibrant and energising place for visitors, staff and Trustees alike. The Museum is a charity and a limited company with a retail arm which is a wholly owned subsidiary company.

The Museum is currently undertaking an ambitious Options Project looking at how best to develop our audiences, collections, retail operation and the building in which they are housed. We are working with professional consultants and received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to undertake this work. The project will complete in summer 2025. This is an exciting time to join and to help shape the Museum’s development over the next few years.

This is a voluntary role for a candidate who is willing to participate actively, using their skills and experience to help drive the museum’s vision through exceptional governance.

Further Information

We hold monthly management committee meetings which include both Trustees and key museum employees (the Museum Manager, Curator and Retail Manager). Trustee-only meetings, including the AGM, are usually appended to these Meetings. Trustees are expected to attend a proportion of these meetings in person, joining via Zoom for the remainder. The meetings are held in the evening. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. Appointments are initially for three years, renewable.

If you think you have the skills and expertise we are looking for then we would love to hear from you.

Our vision is to enable people in Kew to remain independent for as long as possible.  Our volunteers offer driving, companionship, shopping, and light gardening. We do not provide intensive support or specialised help.We work closely with individuals and organisations to support people in Kew who have difficulty getting out and about, or who would appreciate a little regular company, by providing access to reliable, neighbourly help.

KNA has a committee of Trustees, including a Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.  It is administered by a part-time salaried Director (24hrs/wk), Companionship Manager (16hrs/wk), Operations Manager (20 hours/wk) and a Communications & Marketing Assistant(3hrs/wk)  from a small office in St Luke’s House, Sandycombe Road, Kew TW9.

KNA is funded via legacies and donations, Richmond Parish Lands Charity (RPLC) as a Regularly Funded Organisation, Richmond Council's Community Independent Living Service (CILS) and by donations and fundraising events.

KNA’s current activities are:

• the provision of lifts by volunteer drivers in their own cars to those needing transport to medical appointments (e.g., GP or hospital) and to the Avenue Club in Kew

• providing volunteer companionship to isolated residents by regular visits in their homes for a chat or to play games such as chess, phone calls, accompanying them for local walks and to local cafes, cinema, theatre, cricket, etc

• assisting those in need of help with shopping and some light gardening;

• providing moments of joy to celebrate client birthdays with a card each year and a gift in milestone years

• an annual tea party for clients and thank you party for KNA's Volunteers.

Statistics

KNA has some 230 clients, and has around 50 active volunteer drivers and 30 companionship volunteers.  KNA carries out 3000- 3,500 driving, shopping, prescription pick up, gardening and companionship visits and jobs per year by KNA volunteers. 

KNA had income of £61,536 in its last reported financial year (to August 2023) and expenditure of £72,117.  It had assets of £130,926 at that date.

Purpose: 

KNA’s Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s objectives in accordance with its constitution, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Key Skills

We welcome applications from individuals with an interest in helping those needing support in our community to maintain their independence,  and are in particular looking for those with experience in:-

• Treasurer 

• Healthcare

• Older people

• Marketing & Communication

• Individual Giving and Legacies

• Experience or contacts in the voluntary sector (in Richmond), and in relevant parts of Richmond Council

Commitment

• We are looking for trustees who are prepared to do more than simply attend committee meetings (four evening meetings per year,) and our AGM

• The term of office for each Trustee is an initial two years, with annual re-election up to a maximum of six;

• Trustees receive no remuneration for their trustee duties; we can reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of carrying out duties in line with our Volunteer Expenses Policy. 

Trustee Responsibilities

• Oversee the charity’s mission statement and review the four part time members of staff performance in achieving it;

• Review and approve the charity’s financial condition and goals;

• Annually review and approve the charity’s budget;

• Approve major policies;

• Ensure management succession is properly provided;

• Ensure organisational strength and staffing are equal to the requirements of the long-range goals;

• Approve appropriate salaries, terms and conditions of service for staff;

• Put forward names of prospective trustees and fill vacancies as needed;

• Provide candid and constructive criticism and advice;

• Approve major actions of the organisation, such as expenditure on all items over authorised limits and changes in activities and services;

• Appoint independent auditors subject to approval by members;

• Review compliance with relevant laws and policies affecting the organisation

Enabling KNA's over 140 volunteers continue to make a practical difference to Kew, TW9's local community  by providing thorough trustee management.  Feeling good about providing a small amount of time that ensures KNA's legacy of the last 45 years is sustainable for future generations of people who need the kind of support a good neighbour would provide. 

Acting as the link between food donations coming in and reaching those in crisis, you’ll support the smooth running of your local food bank. You’ll be part of a team overseeing and running the replenishment order, with large volumes of stock moving from the warehouse to the Foodbank distribution centre. This is a physical role as you’ll be on your feet a lot and you must be comfortable with some heavy lifting and maintaining a clean and safe warehouse.

Why we want you

Food banks provide essential community services to people in crisis. By volunteering as a warehouse assistant, you can make a real difference to people’s lives providing vital help and support locally. This role is an essential part of how Brent foodbank operates and without it we would not be able to run all of our weekly sessions.

What you will be doing

• Fulfilling the replenishment requests from our Foodbank shop
• Lifting cardboard and plastic crates in and out of the van in line with current manual handling guidelines
• Keeping warehouse area clean and tidy at all times, ensuring relevant materials are recycled
• Following Health and Safety guidance, manual handling training and the other policies and procedures related to the running of the warehouse
• Undertaking any other duties that may be reasonably expected to fulfil the role
• If applicable, and interested, becoming one of our van drivers (optional)

The skills you need

• Punctuality and reliability
• Good communication skills
• Good sense of humour
• Strong team player
• Ability to undertake heavy lifting (in line with manual handling guidelines)

What's in it for you

• Knowledge that you a vital part of the Foodbank
• Being part of a dynamic and fun team
• Meet new people who share your passion to eradicate poverty in the community