Training support volunteer volunteer roles in atherstone, warwickshire

Could you volunteer in your local PDSA charity shop and help us raise vital funds to treat pets in need?

PDSA is a charity with 48 pet hospitals that supports pets and people in need. All of our charity shops need an amazing team of volunteers to make them a success and we need you now more than ever.

By becoming a charity shop volunteer with PDSA you will:

• Gain retail experience
• Develop new skills and boost your CV
• Meet new people
• Support your local community
• Donate your current skills and knowledge
• Have fun
• Be part of a friendly team

Charity Shop Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each shop and even a few hours a week will make a difference.

On the shop floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing

We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket.

We’re looking for people who are 18 years of age or over that enjoy working as part of a team and making a difference.

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our shops or to apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic Independent Visitor volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people.

Our Staffordshire Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Lichfield.

• Are you passionate about wanting to help young people?
• Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month?
• Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment?

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you.

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park.  We will match you with a child you share common interests with.

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided.

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer:

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her.
• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people.
• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake.
• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals.
• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together.  

 *names have been changed
 

The Application

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime
• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person
• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process

Our values are to be Compassionate, Open and Bold.  If this sounds like you, please click the apply button.  Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call or email and we will be happy to help.​

Could you support your local PDSA shop - and help us care for the pets of people in need?

Every PDSA shop needs an amazing team of volunteers to make it a success and we’re on the lookout for people to join us.

Our shops raise funds to support our pet 48 hospitals and increase awareness of the work we do to get the nation PetWise. 

There are many different ways you can help and even a couple of hours a week will make a difference.

As a Volunteer Customer Service Assistant in one of our shops, you will be the face of PDSA. You will make sure that our customers receive a warm welcome and help us to achieve our ambition of delivering the best customer service of any UK charity. You will also be helping us to exceed our income targets.

What skills do I need?

• Are you a team player?
• Do you enjoy building relationships with people?
• Will you go the extra mile when it comes to customer service?

If the answer is yes, we’d love to hear from you. We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket. 

We can offer you the chance to:

• Develop fantastic retail skills for your CV
• Work flexible hours that suit you.
• Make new friends.
• Gain a qualification (if you meet the requirements)

We’re looking for people who are:

• Friendly
• Enjoy working as part of a team and with the public.
• Want to develop customer service skills.
• At least 18 years old.

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our stores or by applying online, we’d love to hear from you!

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. 

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.

To apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA

Volunteer Fundraising Events Helper

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about the role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our Fundraising Event Helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

What can you expect to be doing

● Help set up and/or man stalls at events

● Help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

● Help at fundraising events such as Quiz nights, cake sales and dances

● Promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. By being the link between members of the public and Cats Protection, the money you collect will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens

We’re looking for someone with

● A friendly, outgoing outlook

● An affinity with people

● Willingness to be part of a team

● A passion for feline welfare

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.  

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Fundraising Volunteer

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

This collections volunteer role involves managing all static collection tins within your local area including identifying opportunities to place a collection tin, emptying the tin and banking the money.

There is no minimum time commitment, but the role requires a level of regular commitment to ensure that tasks are completed.

Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Our amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering support, security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.

By volunteering at Canine Partners, you contribute to something incredibly special - ‘transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs’

By volunteering you will:

• Be a valued member of our Charity
• Can work with dogs without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
• Be able to meet like-minded people
• Gain practical experience in the field of canine care and welfare.

‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs’

What we require from you

• Age 18 or over
• Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
• Polite, confident and personable manner
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent record keeping skills

Support and Training

• Public Liability Insurance
• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a talk.
• Volunteer clothing and ID badge
• Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
• Guidance on cash handling
• Income monitoring sheet provided
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

We are looking for a Campaigns Volunteer to raise awareness and campaign so that decision-makers know about and can address the needs of everyone affected by MND. 

“I love being a campaigns volunteer for the MND Association, it means I can give something back to the MND Community, who along with the Association provide a lot of support for people like me” - Ian Lev   

What is campaigning?

These are some of the things you could do as a Campaigns Volunteer! Our team will be here to support you in whatever you’re doing. 

• Sharing the MND Association’s campaigns on social media. 
• Contacting local councillors to improve services for people living with and affected by MND in your area. 
• Talking to MPs and other decision-makers about what MND is and why it’s important that people have access to high quality health and care services. 
• Working with MND Association staff to identify issues and gather evidence for campaigns. 
• Help to change laws to improve the lives of people living with and affected by MND. 

This role will suit you if:

• You want to make a positive difference for people living with and affected by MND. 
• You’re interested in learning and improving your campaigning skills. 
• You’re a good communicator. No matter where your interest lies, be it writing e-mails or talking to people, sharing stories or providing us with feedback, you have so much to offer! 
• You are computer literate and have access to email and the internet, or someone who can help you with this. 
• Willing to work autonomously but also link up with others when needed. 

‘Campaigning really works! It’s not as hard as it may sound – just be yourself and you’ll be making a positive difference for people living with and affected by MND.’ - Judith Rice 

What’s in it for you?

• A chance to make a difference to the lives of those living with and affected by MND.
• Get access to a range of training events where you can develop campaigning skills and network with other Campaigns Volunteers. 
• Join a friendly and dedicated team. 
• Exclusive early access to our campaign plans and developments in our campaigning. 
• Opportunity to connect with, learn and share with other Campaign Volunteers in our Facebook group!

How flexible is the role? 

The time required is flexible, but we would hope Campaigns Volunteers would commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per week.

We do understand that this role may need to fit around your family, studies, caring or other commitments. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic Independent Visitor volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people.

Our Staffordshire Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Swadlincote.

• Are you passionate about wanting to help young people?
• Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month?
• Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment?

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you.

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park.  We will match you with a child you share common interests with.

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided.

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer:

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her.
• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people.
• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake.
• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals.
• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together.  

 *names have been changed
 

The Application

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime
• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person
• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process

Our values are to be Compassionate, Open and Bold.  If this sounds like you, please click the apply button.  Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call or email and we will be happy to help.​

BuDS’ visionary aim is to abolish disability by building a world which is Fair4All, free of the barriers which disable people.We are on an exciting journey to become a national charity, expanding our reach and impact across England. By 2025-26, this transformation will be complete, marked by a name change to ‘BuDS Disability Service’ and a shift to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status.

The role of Co-Secretary will be pivotal for the charity as it moves forward. We have decided to recruit Co-Secretaries because we recognise that the role will be easier to manage if divided between two individuals. The Co-Secretaries will be Trustees of BuDS and will need to embody our values and ethos. 

What Does the Role Entail?

The role of Co-Secretary is expected to involve a time commitment of around 2.5-3 hours per week, a combined total of 5-6 hours between the two post-holders. BuDS works remotely and flexibly using Microsoft Teams, so much of the work can be done at your own pace at times which suit you best. Meetings are kept to a minimum as all the Trustees are busy people.

Working closely with the Co-Chairs and Co-Treasurers, and split between the two CoSecretaries, the four key responsibilities will be:

1.The running of the Trustee Board & its meetings

2.Arranging the Annual General Meeting and curating the Annual Report

3.Liaison with the Charity Commission

4.Supporting the move to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation

What Experience & Skills Are Needed?

These are the skills and experience we think are needed for this role, divided between the two Co-Secretaries. We are keen to develop people’s knowledge and skills through training and mentoring.

Essential:

Experience and knowledge of supporting meetings and decision-making

Can use Microsoft Office 365 applications for remote working

A flexible, positive, problem-solving and organised approach to tasks

Commitment to the social model of disability

Lived experience as a disabled person Lives in England

Desirable:

Understanding of charity governance and the role of charity secretary.

Knowledge about Charitable Incorporated Organisations

Volunteer Fundraising Events Helper

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about the role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our Fundraising Event Helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

What can you expect to be doing

● Help set up and/or man stalls at events

● Help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

● Help at fundraising events such as Quiz nights, cake sales and dances

● Promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. By being the link between members of the public and Cats Protection, the money you collect will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens

We’re looking for someone with

● A friendly, outgoing outlook

● An affinity with people

● Willingness to be part of a team

● A passion for feline welfare

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.  

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

EDI Volunteer Role  - EDI Activity Group Member 

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, volunteers, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Join us today so that together we can stop MS.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team. As a volunteer you will play a crucial part in helping us deliver our EDI work. By attending four monthly meetings you will provide advice, feedback, guidance and personal opinion on our work. You will act as a bridge between our EDI activity group and our EDI reference group.

The EDI reference group is a group of people affected by MS who helped develop our EDI strategy and now help support our work towards its delivery. The EDI activity group is a staff group who have responsibility and accountability for the delivery of our EDI strategy.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of our work. We work with volunteers, professionals and people with lived experience of MS to guide and direct our approach to EDI.

This role is a home-based role, which will require attending four online monthly meetings, and up to an hour of pre-reading before each one. One of these meetings will be between 12-5pm.

What the role involves 

• Attending four monthly, online meetings
• Reading documents and preparing any feedback in advance
• Providing constructive and honest feedback on our ways of working, processes and future initiatives
• Representing the MS community with lived experience
• Taking comprehensive meeting notes, to share information between the EDI reference and activity groups
• Regular 1:1 catch ups with our EDI programme manager 

 What you need for this role

•  Confidence to speak and input into meetings 
• Experience of attending and reporting in meetings
• Passion for the MS Society and for EDI in our work
• Good IT skills
• Awareness of EDI in a broader context – provide challenge outside of lived experience 

 What you may gain from this role 

• Understanding of how we work
• Working in a professional environment
• Board room experience 
• References 
• Training 
• Improve understanding of EDI in corporate environment 

 In order to volunteer in this role, you will need to undertake:

Must do training  Role specific training  Data protection eLearningInduction with your volunteer Manager Cyber Security training 
EDI training 

Sources of support:

We will ensure that whist volunteering with us you will have access to all the support you need to feel comfortable, confident with what you are doing, and able to achieve the most impact though your time with us.

 Your staff contact is here to support you, answer any questions you might have about what you’ll be doing, your learning and where you can get more information.

 The Supporter Care Team is your point of contact for queries to other MS Society departments. They can signpost you to the right person:

Additional information about our volunteering programme:

  When you volunteer with us, you join our powerful community of people

living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers.

 Our shared commitments help keep our volunteering programme enjoyable, meaningful and safe for everyone.   

We’re looking for a volunteer researcher to help us collect and analyse data, submit Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and use open-source tools to find new information. As a key member of our editorial team, you will have the chance to contribute to our investigations and feature articles.

Key information

Contract: Voluntary

Hours: Two to seven hours per week (part-time, flexible)

Location: Remote, with the option to work from our office: Two Queens, 2 Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QW

Applications closing date: Thursday 29 May, 4pm

Any questions? If you have any questions please email info (at) leicester.news

We particularly encourage applications from women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people from working-class backgrounds.

Role responsibilities

• Work with the editorial team to identify and prioritise investigative topics.
• Conduct thorough background research and gather relevant data to support investigations and features.
• Participate in weekly editorial meetings to discuss research progress, share findings, and contribute to brainstorming sessions for future articles and special projects.
• Engage with external experts, sources, and community members to gather diverse perspectives and enrich the Gazette's coverage.
• Stay updated on industry trends, journalistic standards, and best practices to continuously improve the quality and relevance of the Gazette's content.
• Support the editorial team in the fact-checking process by verifying information and providing constructive feedback on submitted articles.
• Contribute to the general strategic development of the Leicester Gazette as a worker member.

About you

Essential

• Proven ability to conduct thorough research, fact-checking, and data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.

Desirable

• Experience in a newsroom or journalistic environment.
• Experience in or enthusiasm for democratic and inclusive ways of working.

What we offer

Although you'll join us as a volunteer, there are many benefits to being part of our team:

• Remote working
• Office space
• Mentorship
• Training opportunities
• Free resources and tools
• Team socials
• Worker membership

… and more!

About the Leicester Gazette

The Leicester Gazette is a local, independent newspaper, free to access for all online and soon in print.

We are a member-funded, community-owned news outlet about Leicestershire. We're building on a movement of co-operative media pioneered by West Highlands Free Press, the Bristol Cable, Norwich Radical, Manchester Meteor, the Ferret, and Exeter Observer.

Our mission is to hold those in power accountable, push for change, and amplify the voices of marginalised communities while finding real solutions to the challenges we face.

We publish investigations, news features and human interest stories that go beyond the headlines. Our journalism is fact-based and rigorous, and we prize good writing over clickbait and sensationalism.

Local journalism has been devastated in recent years, with thousands of reporters laid off and newsrooms being stripped of their worth, leaving communities plagued by a jungle of ads and stories that have nothing to do with local issues. The Leicester Gazette is our revolution against a broken industry.

Anti-oppression and liberation

We are committed to creating a progressive, supportive workplace and community. We’d like the way we work to actively challenge the power structures that reproduce inequality and injustice, and consciously choose to work in ways that are liberatory, or anti-oppressive.

We embrace and value the lived experiences of women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people from working-class backgrounds.

Do you enjoy organising things and making this happen?

Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?

Yes? We’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for admin volunteers to help with our daily operations.  We have a variety of ways you can get involved:

• Responding to client requests and enquiries
• Fundrasing and partnership management
• Managing and updating company databases
• Keeping track of partnership enquiries
• Maintaining internal, volunteer, and client records
• Drafting and mailing client correspondence and newsletters
• Organising events, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements
• Providing administrative support to other departments or projects as needed
• Performing other duties as agreed in advance

We’ve designed our volunteering programme to be flexible and adaptive to you.  All volunteering is 100% remote and you’re supported fully by our team.  You control what you do and how many hours per week you want to volunteer.  Some roles may require an Enhanced DBS check. If your application is successful, we will ask for a donation towards the cost of your enhanced DBS check if it's required for your role. This cost is £20.60.

Here’s some further information on what’s needed:

Are you over 18 and living in the UK?

You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.  You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.

Do you have a laptop?

A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.

How much time can you give?

A minimum of 2 hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.

Training

We provide CPD accredited training with 3 short courses needing to be completed prior starting your volunteer role.  After, you’ll have access to over 90 CPD accredited courses should you want to study further.

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.

What is a Branch Fundraiser?

As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

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

SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.

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

This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.

What would you be doing?

• Be part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
• Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g., handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
• Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
• Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

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

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

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

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - fundraising workshops.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, fundraising guidance, and marketing materials
• Local Fundraising Coordinator
• Fundraising Manager (per region)
• Access to the Fundraising and Marketing teams based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people
• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events.

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

Minimum Age: 16

Please note: If you are under 18 you are not allowed by law to volunteer at a street collection, raffle or an event serving alcohol. If you are under 16, please contact us, you will need to volunteer with a parent or adult responsible for your safety.

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

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

Is a criminal record check required? No