Support volunteer volunteer roles in scotland, edinburgh

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working towards being fully operational, over the next year Living Reasons will be looking to expand its reach and part of that journey is to recruit volunteers to ensure the organisation can be carried out and that individual volunteer needs are accounted for.

This role will be a really important aspect of the organisation’s success. We are looking for multiple volunteer co-ordinators, each focusing on different aspects of the organisation or part of the journey for our volunteers, whether it is recruitment, development, personalised support, equity building, events, community building and other areas that you may feel would benefit the volunteer team or the organisations supporters/uses.

To be successful in this role, all you need to be is passionate about the organisation’s goals and reasons for existing, and a creative mindset. The rest we can build together as a team.

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

Join a small charity with a big heart and help shape our future.

Barefoot and Free is a grassroots UK-based charity funding respite breaks for families with neurodivergent children or children affected by trauma. We're growing from the ground up and we’re looking for passionate, creative Volunteer Fundraising Champions to grow with us.

This is more than a stepping stone role. It’s a real opportunity to be part of something long term that's meaningful, mission-driven, and deeply rewarding. You'll play a key role in shaping a small charity with huge potential and your efforts will directly impact the lives of families who truly need support.

Why Join Us?

Grassroots charity work is full of heart but it’s not without its challenges. We don’t have huge budgets, so we need fundraisers who can think outside the box, raise funds rather than spend funds and inspire others to get behind the cause.

But the rewards? They’re immense:

• You’ll see the direct results of your work as we grow together.

• You’ll gain invaluable experience for your CV and future roles in the third sector.

• You’ll be part of a close-knit team where your ideas and efforts are truly valued and supported.

Your Role

As a Volunteer Fundraising Champion, you’ll help us raise the funds we need to provide life-changing breaks for families. You’ll be the creative spark and the friendly face behind fundraising efforts that make a real difference.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, organise and deliver creative fundraising activities (raffles, online quizzes, challenge events, etc.)

• Engage and support individual fundraisers (e.g. sponsored runners, event hosts)

• Act as a key contact for fundraising volunteers providing encouragement, advice, and practical support

• Develop and maintain a central fundraising tracker (Excel or similar)

• Log all fundraising activity, targets, and deadlines

• Collaborate with our social media volunteer to promote campaigns

• Support recruitment and onboarding of new fundraising volunteers

What You’ll Bring

• Clear, friendly written and verbal communication

• Creativity and confidence in engaging with people online and offline

• Strong organisation and time management skills

• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently

• A genuine passion for our mission and grassroots charity work

• Experience in fundraising or event planning is helpful but not essential, heart and drive matter more

Time Commitment

• Flexible and remote

• Around 2 to 5 hours per week

• We’ll work around your availability this role can fit around your life, studies, job, or family

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in fundraising, event planning and project coordination

• Something impressive and meaningful for your CV or portfolio

• Real-world charity sector experience

• Friendly support and mentoring from a passionate team

• A strong sense of purpose, knowing your efforts directly support families in need

• References available on request

How to Apply

Please send a recent CV along with a short note about yourself, including any relevant fundraising or event planning experience (formal or informal!).

We can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully welcome you to the Barefoot and Free family.

Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss.
You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more.

What you’ll be doing
• Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events.
• Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business. Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events.

In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting. We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Event

Key requirements

• This role requires one reference.

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people. • An empathetic and professional manner. • The ability to take the supportive and helpful role.

Role description

As a key member of the Volunteer Grant Team, the Grants Manager (Unpaid Volunteer) will assist the Head of Fundraising (Unpaid Volunteer) in grant writing, planning and implementing a portfolio of impactful programmes.  The postholder is responsible for managing a diverse grant portfolio, providing high-level programme support, financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation, technical expertise, and capacity-building support to our global health and social care projects.  This role will involve working closely with the Senior Programmes and Grants Managers to ensure that AHO makes progress towards its Vision. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To develop and manage a potfolio of grants, including institutional and internal grants.  This includes assessing the competencies of Volunteer Grant Teams and creating organisational plans with grant writers.
• To support the new and ongoing development of grant writers through capacity building and providing networking opportunities.
• To support the Volunteer Grant Team in their applications to institutional funders, trusts and foundations, providing input and advice as requested.
• To ensure grant-management requirements and external funding are met successfully.
• To work closely with grant teams and individuals responsibly to source narratives of individual and community transformation to support the development of donor relationships and communication. 
• To provide good care to grant writers, maintain regular but appropriate contact and safeguard their interests
• To undertake monitoring, evaluation and conducting grants and project assessments for international and UK-based projects
• To source new, innovative projects in line with AHO's funding criteria
• To assist in raising the standards of AHO Safeguarding with grants and project portfolios.
• To update the database and to analyse data from reports and write up recommendations for senior management and/or board consideration.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 3 years' experience working in a charity or foundation with a focus on health and international development
• Experience in submitting successful funding proposals to institutional donors, trusts, and foundations
• Strong track record of successful management of all reporting requirements associated with grants.
• Good project management skills, with experience delivering or grant-managing projects internationally; able to work on multiple tasks and to prioritise these to meet deadlines
• Affinity to health and understanding of African culture as a power for health development in Africa. 
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work on one's initiative
• Basic budgeting and financial management experience, able to understand the link between finance and operations
• Ability to work cross-organisationally with multiple stakeholders in the realisation of shared goals
• Confident communicator and convenor, particularly in written grants, reports, external communications, presentations and with people whose first language is not English
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships to achieve objectives with international partners
• Written and oral fluency in English is required
• Fluency in a second language (in addition to English) is required preferably Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese and Swahili.

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available at colleges England.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you

Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What you’ll do

As part of a governing board, you’ll:

• Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
• Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
• Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
• Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• HR, People & Culture
• Strategy, Transformation & Operations
• Technology, AI & Digital
• Legal, Governance & Compliance
• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:

• Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or remote)
• Reading papers and preparing questions
• Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you’ll be needed
Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. 

What’s in it for you?

· Enhance your board-level and governance experience

· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

· Expand your professional network

·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact

· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team here at Youth4Youth to drive positive change in all things volunteer engagement. As an entirely volunteer run organisation, positive engagement with volunteers is absolutely fundamental in allowing Youth4Youth to achieve its mission. It is so fundamental that one of our overarching strategic goals is to ensure that all volunteers have a positive and meaningful volunteering experience when working with us. The Volunteer Experience Director will play a critical role in setting strategy and executing solutions to improve the overall volunteer experience. 

Responsibilities 

Short term objectives:

• Define the volunteering proposition for the Charity, helping new and existing volunteers to understand the impact of working with Youth4Youth
• Manage a project to understand gaps in volunteer engagement and experience, generating recommendations back to the ELT
• Develop a volunteer experience strategy that improves engagement and the overall volunteering experience of all involved with Youth4Youth

Overall objectives and responsibilities:

• Lead a team of volunteers who are involved in supporting a positive volunteering experience with the charity
• Develop and execute a volunteer experience strategy that seeks to attract, engage and retain high-quality volunteers into all teams across the charity
• Partner effectively with the broader charity leadership team to understand engagement challenges and implement solutions to close engagement gaps
• Report to the CEO and the Board of Trustees on any strategic progress made around improving volunteer engagement

Skills 

• Ability to manage complex projects, including the direct and indirect management and coordination of people resources
• Ability to understand complex problems and articulate solutions in a clear, concise and understandable manner
• Demonstrable blue-sky thinking that encourages the implementation of new solutions that may not have been considered before
• Ability to influence both with and without authority to drive positive and meaningful change at all levels and across all departments

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Social Media Analyst Volunteer

Team:                      Marketing

Location:                Either remote working or from our offices in Leeds

Time commitment:  1-2 days a month

_________________________________________________________________________

About Candlelighters

Candlelighters provides financial, emotional and practical support to families affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire. We support around 150 new families each year and our work ensure the whole family unit is supported in these extraordinary circumstances.

We support children and their families from diagnosis and throughout their journey, including financial support, practical help in hospital, much needed breaks, as well as emotional and well-being support at our Family Support Centre (The Square) and in local communities across Yorkshire. 

Purpose of the Role

At Candlelighters we utilise social media to increase awareness of the charity and childhood cancer. We use it to attract new supporters, and encourage existing supporters to actively take part in activities to make a difference for children with cancer and their families – whether that be donating, fundraising or volunteering. We would love a volunteer to help analyse the effectiveness of our social media each month to help us continue to improve the effectiveness of our social media marketing.

Key Activities

-Download data from each social media channel to produce a report on key metrics such as reach, engagement, and followers.

·Identify trends in performance by comparing monthly and annual results.

·Identify types of posts that have performed well or not.

·Make recommendations for future posts and strategies.

Volunteer Requirements

·Experience of social media analytics.

·Ability to use Microsoft word, excel and outlook.

·Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

·Knowledge or experience of marketing.

·Good working knowledge of social media.

·The ability to use their own laptop for the work.

Support and Benefits

You will receive:

· Thorough induction & training to give you the confidence to perform your role well and to the best of your ability

· Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters

· Ongoing support from the Fundraising and HR teams

· The opportunity to meet lots of new, friendly people

· The opportunity to expose yourself to new experiences

· Mileage (reimbursed at HMRC rate) and other reasonable expenses reimbursed, in accordance with our Expense Policy

· Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role

· Satisfaction in knowing you are making a valuable contribution to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer

· We can be a reference once you’ve volunteered for three months

· Access to the MINDFUL EMPLOYER+ 24/7 mental health hotline

· Charity Worker Discount card

· Access to The Company Shop

About the Role

At Living Reasons, we want to change the face of fundraising and entertainment events. We’re not interested in repeating outdated models — instead, we want to create immersive, innovative, and accessible experiences that engage supporters in brand new ways.

The Events & Entertainments Lead will play a key role in making this vision a reality. You’ll oversee events and entertainment coordinators working on specific projects, ensuring events are well-planned, properly funded, safe, and accessible to all. At the same time, you’ll work with the wider team to design bold, creative, and inclusive experiences — from accessibility-led escape rooms to sensory events, to interactive challenges inspired by shows like The Traitors.

This role is about big thinking, imagination, and leadership. It’s perfect for someone who wants to push boundaries and reimagine what fundraising and entertainment events can look like.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and support Events & Entertainments Coordinators delivering specific projects.

• Ensure all events are effectively planned and funded, including managing:

  • Health & Safety requirements

  • Insurance needs

  • Accessibility and inclusivity considerations

• Work with the wider Events, Entertainments & Challenges team to design new, engaging opportunities for supporters.

• Develop immersive, creative experiences that break the mould of traditional fundraising events.

• Build and lead a team of creative volunteers, supporting them to contribute ideas and take ownership of projects.

• Help ensure events raise vital funds to support Living Reasons’ work, while also being enjoyable, inclusive, and meaningful for all participants.

What We’re Looking For

• A creative thinker who sees beyond traditional event formats.

• Strong organisational and planning skills.

• Ability to lead and inspire a team of coordinators and volunteers.

• Confidence in problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

• A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in every project.

• Enthusiasm for fundraising and creating unique supporter experiences.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to develop and showcase leadership, event management, and creative design skills.

• Experience in building and leading a team of passionate volunteers.

• The opportunity to test bold ideas and bring innovative events to life.

• The knowledge that your creativity is directly supporting meaningful change.

• A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are valued.

Interested?
If you’re excited about reimagining events and entertainment, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your ideas, your energy, and your creativity — and let’s design the future of events together.

Volunteer Project Lead – Role Overview

Living Reasons is a forward-thinking organisation committed to creating meaningful change through innovative, self-contained projects that connect and support people.

We are looking for Volunteer Project Leads to guide and oversee specific projects that match their skills, interests, and passions.

What You’ll Do

As a Project Lead, you will:

• Plan, organise, and coordinate activities within your project.

• Support volunteers and service users to engage meaningfully.

• Ensure your project links smoothly with other Living Reasons projects.

• Share ideas and feedback to help shape our wider work.

• Be a positive voice for inclusion, accessibility, and change.

Skills We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be an experienced project manager – we’ll support you. What matters most is that you have:

• Strong planning and organisational skills

• The ability to communicate clearly and work with others

• A passion for making a difference in people’s lives

• Flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills

• Commitment to our mission of equity, accessibility, and empowerment

Current Project Opportunities

You can apply to lead one of our existing projects, including:

• Integrated Technology Project

• App Development Projects

• Employment Union Project

• Volunteering Union Project

• Corporate Disputes Project

• Adaptations & Equipment Projects

• Reasonable Adjustments Project

• Grant Allocation Project

• Equity For All Project

• Online Peer Support Project

• Helpline Peer Support Project

• Motivation & Engagement Project

• Education Projects

• Employability & Accessibility Projects (including UC/PIP integration and engagement)

Your Ideas Matter

We are revolutionary in our approach and believe in building projects that truly matter to people. If you have an idea for a new project, you are encouraged to suggest it — whether during your volunteer application, your interview, or while volunteering with us. If it aligns with our mission, we’ll work with you to bring it to life.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to develop leadership and coordination skills

• Experience in running meaningful community projects

• The opportunity to make a real and lasting difference

• Support from Living Reasons and fellow volunteers

• A flexible and inclusive environment that values your input

�� Interested?
We’d love to hear from you. Tell us which project excites you most — or share your own idea — and let’s make change happen together.

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

 We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Barefoot and Free is a grassroots charity that supports families of neurodivergent children and children affected by trauma. We offer fully funded staycations and nature-based respite breaks for families and parent carers who are often at breaking point.

We’re a small, warm team not a large wealthy organisation and we care deeply about what we do. There are no airs and graces here, just real people doing our best to help families who need a break. Right now, we need someone with the skills and experience to help us bring in more funding to meet the growing need.

We’re looking for someone experienced and independent.
This is not a start out training opportunity. You’ll be working alongside an existing bid writer and need to come in ready to get stuck in with little to no guidance, it will test your resiliance and give you some amazing challenges. We’re looking for someone who knows how to write strong, successful bids and is comfortable finding opportunities, matching them to our projects, and managing the process from start to finish including rreporting/funding feedback, we are giving you alot of exciting responsibility so if you wish to progress and move to the next step and meet some personal goals this is for you. 

What are we looking for?

• 2+ years of experience with writing successful bids, copywriting, research or similar
• Excellent written English (grammar, clarity, tone) a clear communicator who can work independently and enjoy networking.
• Ability to understand and match funders’ priorities
• Skilled at summarising and restructuring complex content
• Experience in bid writing, copywriting, research, or professional writing (or willing to learn how to use your professional writing skills in this area)
• Self-motivated, organised, and collaborative, confident and able to work without close supervision
• Commitment of at least 3–4 hours per week 
• UK-based only (but remote role, so open to any applicants within the UK)

• Meet funding dealines and reporting deadlines

• Maintain the funding database and outcomes

• Someone who genuinely cares about the work we do and wants to help us keep doing it.

Please note: We do not provide references for volunteers who have been with us for less than six months.

What difference will you make?

By securing funding through successful bids, you will be supporting Barefoot and Free towards building a more sustainable and resilient organisation. Your input will be instrumental in establishing long-term sustainability, ensuring that our vulnerable families are supported over time. Families are often stretched to the limit with carer roles, supporting vulnerable children and young people without breaks or respite, by securing suitable funding you will be supporting them and the long-term sustainability of the organisation's efforts with the ultimate goal of profoundly improving the quality of life for our families.

We rely entirely on grants and donations. Every successful bid helps keep the doors open for families who often have nowhere else to turn.

Perks of volunteering with us:

• Flexibility to work around your life

• Take the lead on bids from start to finish

• Join a genuinely warm, down-to-earth team where your input is truly valued and felt

• Be part of something that directly supports struggling families in a very real way

• A rewarding role where your skills will have a direct and lasting impact

• Achieve some personal goals and a chance to build your portfolio with meaningful, purpose-driven work

If you’re looking to be part of something real, something with heart, and you’ve got the experience to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you today.

Before you apply:  Please, check out our website to understand our work and send your application with a CV and cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will, unfortunately, not be considered. We'd love to hear from the real you not the AI you. Thank you 

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees as Vice Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that
supports families across Suffolk. As Vice Chair, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and wider Board to
help shape our strategic direction, support strong governance and ensure we continue to meet the needs of
families in our communities.

We are specifically looking for someone with charity governance experience. You will bring a solid
understanding of how effective boards operate and feel confident supporting other trustees, offering
constructive challenge and helping to ensure the charity meets its legal and strategic responsibilities.
This Vice Chair role is part of our wider trustee recruitment and we welcome applicants who bring any of the
following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Interested?
We would love to hear from you. more information and a candidate pack can be found on our website.

Closing date: This is an open and rolling recruitment
Interviews: Held as applications are received
 

Helping in our shops is a great way to help CHAS and, as well as helping us raise money to fund our vital services, you'll be part of a really great team of volunteers. You'll be meeting new people, using your skills or learning something new, and making sure our customers get a great welcome and all the assistance they need.

It's always great to see our volunteers chatting to customers and telling them about CHAS - and there's so much more to this role too: you could be sorting donations, getting stock ready for the shop floor, wielding a steamer or a duster, processing Gift Aid, operating the till (we will show you how), merchandising and displaying stock - you'll never have a dull moment.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift each week, which is about four hours (but we're also happy to chat about more flexible times). No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest please tell us, it may come in useful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.

Why we want you

As a Charity Shop Volunteer, you will play an important role in helping raise vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. There's never a dull moment in our shops and in Kinross you'll be working in a busy team, both in the stock room - sorting and preparing stock - and on our shop floors, providing great customer service.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming and assisting customers and serving at them at the till
• Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
• Merchandising and displaying stock
• Accepting, sorting and preparing donations for sale
• Housekeeping on the shop floor and in the stock room

The skills you need

• A real aptitude for team working
• Good communication skills and attention to detail
• A good understanding of what makes excellent customer service
• The ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately

What's in it for you

• Getting involved in your local community and making a difference to CHAS families
• Meeting new people
• Making the most of your existing skills or possibly learning some new ones too (maybe adding to your CV)
• Full training and on-going and support. Plus a range of accredited online courses if you're interested in personal development.

We take children on voyages as readers and writers. Volunteer with us to join the adventure!  

Who are Literacy Pirates?   

Through our term-long after-school programmes, we develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of children aged 9-13 who are falling behind in school and have fewer opportunities in their personal lives, so that they can succeed at school and beyond.  

Children join us on our Virtual Ship once a week to practise their reading and writing. By welcoming them into our joyful spaces, publishing their work in the real world, and celebrating everything they do, we develop their literacy, confidence and perseverance.  

What does a Volunteer do?  

As a Volunteer Crewmate, your role is to join our online sessions and help children practise their reading and writing in small groups by providing constant encouragement, positivity and celebration of their achievements.

Sessions are led and managed by staff, which means your time is solely focused on supporting the children in breakout rooms.

You will:  

• Receive full training.

• Gain experience working with children and leading small groups online.

• Develop your communication, leadership, problem-solving and digital skills.

• Take part in games and have fun. 

• Be invited to virtual celebration events with the children to see the difference that you’ve made.  

We offer employment references, for volunteers who have fulfilled their commitment of 12 sessions with us. 

What are we looking for?  

We ask volunteers to give just three hours per month, although you are welcome to volunteer as frequently as you like!  

Sessions run every weekday during term time from 3:45 to 6:15 p.m. and you will have the flexibility to select which sessions you would like to attend. Please note, we do not run sessions during half terms or the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. 

No experience is required to become a volunteer – just a desire to help children develop their reading and writing skills! Full training is provided.  

All we ask is that you:  

• Are aged 16+ 

• Must be a UK resident  

• Complete a criminal background check (we cover the cost of this)  

• Have access to a laptop or desktop computer with a working webcam and microphone (mobile devices are unsuitable for this role)