Volunteer roles in brentwood

REMIX is a new youth social mobility charity start-up on a mission to "remix young lives" from disadvantaged backgrounds across London. We aim to guide, mentor, and inspire young people through positive role modelling, comprehensive personal development, and vital employability skills. We have our logo, but we need your creative expertise to bring our brand to life with an impactful, youth-friendly identity.

This is an incredible opportunity to apply your design skills to a meaningful social cause, helping us create a visual language that will attract young people to our programmes, inspire people to volunteer with us, and excite supporters to donate.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

We need a creative, and detail-oriented designer who understands how to connect with a youth audience through visuals. We have a logo already but need to create a positive youth brand around it.

In this vital set-up phase, you will be instrumental in:

• Developing a Brand Styling Guide: Collaborating with our team to build a comprehensive visual identity guide. This includes defining our brand colours, typography, imagery style (including photography and illustration direction), logo usage, and overall design principles to ensure a cohesive, youthful and impactful look.

• Designing Core Communication Materials: Creating templates and initial designs for:

  • Social media posts: Engaging graphics for Instagram.

  • Information booklets: Designing layouts for programme information, volunteer guides, or impact reports.

  • Presentation templates: Creating professional and appealing templates for pitches to funders and partners.

• Ensuring Brand Consistency: Helping to apply the new brand identity across all our communications, ensuring everything we produce feels distinctly REMIX.

• Visual Storytelling: Translating REMIX's mission and impact into compelling visual narratives that resonate with our audiences.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• The unique chance to define the visual brand of a brand-new charity, directly shaping how we are perceived by thousands.

• An incredible opportunity to apply your design expertise to a profound social cause, seeing your work directly attract young people, inspire volunteers, and secure vital support.

• High levels of creative input and ownership in a dynamic start-up environment.

• Collaboration with a passionate and strategic Board of Trustees and the founding team.

• The deep satisfaction of knowing your designs will help "remix young lives" and build a brighter future for London.

This is a voluntary role to help us establish our core brand identity and initial materials. We are flexible and can work around your availability, including the hours you can support us with. We're also ok if you're only able to support us with only one of these items.

READY TO DESIGN A BRIGHTER FUTURE WITH REMIX?

If you are a talented and passionate graphic designer eager to leave your creative mark on a transformative cause, we'd love to hear from you.

Help us design the visual identity that will inspire and empower us to "remix young lives" across London!

REMIX

EMPOWER. INSPIRE. TRANSFORM.

Location: Remote (with weekly virtual check-in)
Time Commitment: 2–3 hours per week
Reports to: Charity Operational Director
Contract: Volunteer (unpaid)

Help Us Grow by Using Your Research Skills for Good

Are you an avid reader, a natural researcher, or someone who enjoys deep dives into information online? Would you like to use those skills to support a grassroots environmental charity?

Willowbrook Farm Charity is looking for a dedicated Volunteer Funds & Partnerships Researcher to help us identify potential grant opportunities and partnerships that align with our mission:
Nurturing Sustainable and Equitable Communities through education, biodiversity, and sustainable farming.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conducting deep online research to identify grant providers, CSR programmes, and funding opportunities that align with our values

• Reading and analysing funder guidelines to assess eligibility, fit, and application requirements

• Creating clear summaries and recommendations based on your findings

• Identifying potential partnerships with organisations, trusts, or foundations that share our ethos

• Meeting with the Director once a week (remotely) to discuss research progress and priorities

This Role Is Ideal For Someone Who:

• Loves researching and reading in-depth content

• Has excellent comprehension and analysis skills

• Can spot opportunities that match specific criteria

• Is detail-oriented, thorough, and curious

• Enjoys working independently with a purpose

• Wants to support sustainability, inclusion, biodiversity, and ethical living

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to contribute directly to the growth and sustainability of a values-led charity

• Experience in nonprofit research and funding development

• A flexible role that fits around your schedule (just 2–3 hours a week)

• Weekly contact and support from our friendly team

• A reference or LinkedIn endorsement after 4+ months of contribution

• The satisfaction of helping secure funding for meaningful, community-based work

The Impact You'll Have

As a Volunteer Funds & Partnerships Researcher, you will play a critical behind-the-scenes role in helping Willowbrook Farm Charity grow and thrive. Your research will directly contribute to:

• Identifying funding that sustains our projects – Your work will uncover grant opportunities that help us deliver hands-on environmental education, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable living.

• Ensuring we apply only to relevant opportunities – By carefully reading funder criteria and guidelines, you’ll save our small team time and resources, allowing us to focus our energy on the best-aligned funders.

• Laying the foundation for long-term partnerships – Your research may open doors to strategic partnerships with trusts, foundations, and organisations that share our values.

• Strengthening our resilience – In our post-pandemic rebuilding phase, every successful grant or partnership helps us remain independent, community-driven, and inclusive.

• Turning curiosity into change – Your love of reading and research will translate into tangible impact, helping create a fairer, greener future for the communities we serve.

You won’t just be gathering data—you’ll be helping connect people, values, and resources, shaping the future of a small charity with a big vision.

About Willowbrook Farm Charity

Based in Oxfordshire, we provide hands-on environmental education, promote sustainable living, and support inclusive access to nature. We work with people from all walks of life—especially those facing barriers to green spaces—and believe in building a fairer, greener future through practical, grassroots action.

We are seeking a new trustee with legal (and ideally, public policy) expertise to help strengthen our governance, advise on risk, and support our influence in law and policymaking spaces.

You’ll support our work to improve legal protections for LGBT+ people, guide strategic decisions on risk and compliance, and help Galop navigate legal landscapes around advocacy, safeguarding, and survivors’ rights.

Key Responsibilities

Fulfil the core duties of a charity trustee. For more information on these responsibilities please download the attached job description. 

Person Specification

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of LGBT+ issues and communities

• A demonstrable commitment to Galop’s vision, mission, and values, including anti-racism and diversity and inclusion

• Good independent judgement

• Commitment to work effectively as a member of a team

• Consensus building skills

• Tact and diplomacy

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

What We’re Looking For

We are keen to hear from:

• Practicing or former lawyers (especially equality, public, human rights, family, safeguarding, or charity law).

• Policy professionals with experience in government, advocacy, or regulatory sectors.

• Individuals who bring insight into legal systems, public sector strategy, or policy reform.

You don’t need to have been a trustee before. What matters is your commitment to our values and your ability to think strategically, challenge constructively, and act in the best interests of the charity.

Terms of Appointment

Appointments are for an initial term of three years, renewable for up to two further terms of three years.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary role and there is no remuneration. Reasonable expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed in line with the organisation’s expenses policy.

Location

Generally, meetings are held remotely online, with an annual Board Strategy Day being held in London.

Time Commitment

There are currently 4 formal Board meetings per year and more regular sub-committee meetings. The board meetings currently take place on Zoom on a Wednesday evening for approximately 2.5 hours. Sub-committee dates and times are flexible.

Other time commitments will include ongoing liaison with the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive and other senior staff, as well as attendance at other meetings, such as interview panels and events as required. We anticipate the overall time commitment being approximately 3-4 days per month for the first 12-18 months, settling to 2 days per month after that.

How to apply

This post is only available to applicants from the LGBTQ+ community as permitted under the Equality Act 2010 as a Genuine Occupational Requirement.

To apply, please complete the application form by 23:59 on Sunday 31st August 2025. 

We are seeking a new trustee with Direct Services safeguarding expertise to help strengthen our governance, advise on risk, and support our Services teams.

You’ll support our work to improve the lives and safety of LGBT+ people experiencing violence and abuse, guide strategic decisions on risk and compliance, advise on service user complaints – including participating in complaints panels, and help Galop navigate best practice on advocacy, safeguarding, and survivors’ rights.

Key Responsibilities

Fulfil the core duties of a charity trustee. For more information on these responsibilities please download the attached job description. 

Person Specification

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of LGBT+ issues and communities

• A demonstrable commitment to Galop’s vision, mission, and values, including anti-racism and diversity and inclusion

• Good independent judgement

• Commitment to work effectively as a member of a team

• Consensus building skills

• Tact and diplomacy

• Good communication and interpersonal skills

We are keen to hear from:

• Designated Safeguarding Leads in organisations providing direct services to adults and young people.

• Individuals with qualifications in Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDR) or similar.

• Individuals who bring expertise in statutory safeguarding thresholds, safeguarding best practice, Charity Commission standards or survivor engagement

You don’t need to have been a trustee before. What matters is your commitment to our values and your ability to think strategically, challenge constructively, and act in the best interests of the charity.

Terms of Appointment

Appointments are for an initial term of three years, renewable for up to two further terms of three years.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary role and there is no remuneration. Reasonable expenses incurred in the role will be reimbursed in line with the organisation’s expenses policy.

Location

Generally, meetings are held remotely online, with an annual Board Strategy Day being held in London.

Time Commitment

There are currently 4 formal Board meetings per year and more regular sub-committee meetings. The board meetings currently take place on Zoom on a Wednesday evening for approximately 2.5 hours. Sub-committee dates and times are flexible.

Other time commitments will include ongoing liaison with the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive and other senior staff, as well as attendance at other meetings, such as interview panels and events as required. We anticipate the overall time commitment being approximately 3-4 days per month for the first 12-18 months, settling to 2 days per month after that.

How to apply

This post is only available to applicants from the LGBTQ+ community as permitted under the Equality Act 2010 as a Genuine Occupational Requirement.

To apply, please complete the application form by 23:59 on Sunday 31st August 2025. 

REF-223 211

Do you enjoy walking, meeting others and having a good chat? If so, we have the perfect volunteering role for you!

Join our team and inspire others to exercise through a weekly walk. You will create an opportunity for people to support each other, provide that additional boost to exercise and go for a walk even when they may not be feeling the motivation.

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and facilitate weekly walks in local parks to the service alongside other volunteers
• Meet with the walking group weekly
• Hold conversations with people attending the group, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation

The skills you need

• Inspire and motivate people to attend the walking group
• Ability to identify, manage any possible risks that may arise during the walking group. Training will be provided
• Willing and able to go on a weekly walk lasting approximately 60-90 minutes
• Good communication skills
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Are looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

Join our choir as a Guitarist Volunteer, contributing your musical talents to enhance our rehearsals and performances! Your role will support in creating a lively atmosphere, allowing our choir to deliver unforgettable performances! Sessions take place every Thursday from 3-4pm, if you are available and would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!

What you will be doing

• Accompany choir members during rehearsals and performances with live guitar music.
• Collaborate with choir members to select appropriate songs.
• Engage with other volunteers and service users, creating a positive and supportive environment.

The skills you need

• Experience in playing the guitar, either personally, professionally.
• Experience with a variety of music genres
• Strong communication and collaborative skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Are you passionate about fitness and the positive impact it can have on others? Do you hold a fitness qualification and interested in volunteering your time to support people in crisis? If so, we have the perfect role for you!

We know that exercise releases happy endorphins that support us to improve our mood. It also helps reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, provides an opportunity to connect with others and build friendships. Volunteering with us at Hestia, will mean you will play a vital role in supporting people’s overall wellbeing!

We are recruiting volunteers to coordinate and facilitate fitness and general wellbeing sessions online!

What you will be doing

• Design session plans which will enable group members to increase fitness and their general well-being
• Able to recognise the needs of beginners and mixed age/ability groups
• Ensure that everyone taking part has completed a health and wellbeing form, which includes referring those with existing health issues to their GP
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified Fitness Instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Willing to participate in supervision and to liaise with Hestia staff as required

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Join the pack. Lend a hand. Change lives. Join your local fundraising group as a volunteer.

Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity where you can meet new people and raise funds that will change lives?  Join a Guide Dogs group near you for fun, fundraising and four-legged friends.

Did you know it costs £102,000 to raise, train, and support a guide dog from birth to retirement.

We have a range of roles from being a group member, to taking on a lead role such as Group Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, Treasurer, Merchandise Coordinator or Collection Box Coordinator.

Why become a fundraising volunteer:

As well as making a huge difference to people’s lives, volunteering with your local Guide Dogs fundraising group is a great way to spend some of your free time and give back.

• Inspire people to support Guide Dogs and make a difference to someone with sight loss.
• Have fun finding new events and places to volunteer at.
• You’ll meet lots of special dogs – from young puppies in training to incredible guide dogs in partnership.
• You’ll empower others to get involved with Guide Dogs.
• You’ll learn new skills and we’ll provide all the training you need for your role.
• You can take on as much or as little as you want, and you can fit the role around your other commitments.

Who you are:

We appreciate our volunteers’ passion and energy, but we also value your unique skills, perspectives and personalities.

• Inspire others: Do you have lots of ideas that could motivate others? We need more inspirational volunteer leaders and fundraisers who can bring their energy and unique perspective to our local fundraising groups.

• Bring your skills: Could you help organise a calendar of events, take care of ordering merchandise, or count the funds raised by your local team? We need more volunteer treasurers, secretaries, and merchandise coordinators to support our fundraising groups.

• Help take Guide Dogs into your community: Are you well connected or do you love going to new places and meeting new people? We need more volunteer fundraisers to help at our events and spread the word about our work.

Training and pre-agreed expenses available.

Visit our webiste to see what roles are available where you live. 

If you have space in your home and heart, for a guide dog mum who will be bringing the next generation of guide dogs in the world, then this could be the role for you! A role where you can care and nurture for a guide dog mum and plenty of little puppies when they arrive. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Providing a loving home for a guide dog mum who will be at least 12 months old, for around six years whilst they are in the breeding programme (with the option to re-home after this, once the guide dog mum retires at around 7 years-old.) 
• Giving a guide dog mum the care and support that our canine companions need, like feeding and grooming.
• Creating a safe environment for the guide dog mum when they are giving birth within your home and helping with the birth of future guide dogs, which usually happens once a year. (You don’t need any previous experience of breeding or having dogs – we have expert staff who will help you!) 
• Providing care and support for the newborn puppies for at least 6 weeks while they are still in the nest, including socialising them to the new sounds and first-time experiences in your home.

Can I care for a guide dog mum? 

If you want to care for a guide dog mum, here's what we ideally look for:

• A loving home with a secure garden.
• Access to a car, to support with any appointments needed for the guide dog mum.
• Live within an hour’s drive of the National Centre in Leamington Spa.

Guide dog mums can happily live with other dogs or children, however we wouldn’t place them with a male dog that has not been neutered. To determine whether you are suitable, we will conduct a home visit as part of the application process. 

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
• The satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding experience of bringing the next generation of guide dogs in the world and caring for their mum.
• Our volunteers have access to our bespoke training techniques to implement with their guide dog mum a great bonus for any dog owners! 
• The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support

Our volunteers also receive lots of support from their volunteer managers to help them implement the training modules, as well as managing the birth of new-born puppies. If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to the litter or your volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs or any specialist breeding equipment.  All you may need to buy is a bed and grooming equipment.

Minimum age of volunteer: 18.

Are you a dog lover with room in your home to look after a dog during evenings and weekends? This could be the perfect role for you!

As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll provide a loving temporary home to a dog in training, typically for a period of 12 to 20 weeks, as they begin their journey to become a guide dog. You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.

What you’ll be doing:

In this rewarding role, your support for a guide dog in training will include:

• Doing the school run for your dog in training! This will typically involve dropping them off and picking them up at an agreed time Monday to Friday at one of our regional centres or community teams, however, some sites may vary. There are some locations where we will be able to collect and return the training dog from your home. 
• Caring for your dog in your home such as feeding, grooming, free running and playing, following the advice of our expert staff.
• Helping your dog keep up with their training by reinforcing the techniques at home from our first-class training programme.
• Making sure your dog is not left alone for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. If you’re planning on going on holiday, let us know at your initial phone call so we can plan alternative cover for your future life changer.

Can I foster a dog?

If you’re hoping to foster a guide dog in training, here’s what we ideally look for:

• Being close to one of our regional centres or community teams so that your dog can get to their training. 
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in your home if you rent your home.
• A safe and secure area outside for the dog to go to the toilet.

However, we try to be flexible – for example, you’ll still be able to foster a dog if you live in London, even if you don’t have access to outside space. 

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
• The satisfaction in knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of seeing your dog learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• An insight into our bespoke world-class training programme so that your dog’s training stays consistent at home, which can also help you train your own dogs or advance in a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support

You’ll attend a training workshop to understand the basics of our bespoke training techniques so you can confidently support your dog’s training at home. You’ll also receive ongoing guidance from your volunteer manager. If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your initial phone call along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, dog food costs and other materials needed for your dog’s training.

Minimum age for volunteer is 18.

We also have a respite fosterer role available in some areas, where a dog would stay with you full time before moving on to the next stage of its journey.

Please check out our website to see what roles are available where you live.

Volunteer Chief Executive Officer: Lead the Launch of SUNSHINE Charity and Transform Lives Across the UK

Are you a visionary leader with the drive to build something extraordinary from the ground up?

SUNSHINE Charity is a brand-new UK organisation dedicated to combating loneliness and social isolation—and we’re seeking a founding Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our mission with passion, purpose, and strategic clarity.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a charity that will bring light, connection, and confidence to individuals who need it most. As our volunteer CEO, you’ll be the driving force behind our launch, growth, and long-term impact.

What You’ll Be Leading

You’ll take the helm of SUNSHINE’s development, overseeing:

• Strategic Planning & Vision Setting Define and refine our organisational strategy, ensuring alignment with our mission and long-term goals.

• Programme Oversight Guide the design and delivery of our first services—community hubs, befriending schemes, and workshops—ensuring they meet beneficiary needs and reflect our values.

• Team Leadership & Culture Building Inspire and coordinate cross-functional volunteer teams (HR, Marketing, Programme Development, etc.), fostering a collaborative and purpose-driven culture.

• Governance & Stakeholder Engagement Work closely with the Board of Trustees, ensuring strong governance, transparency, and accountability. Represent SUNSHINE to external partners, funders, and the public.

• Operational Development Establish foundational systems, processes, and policies to support sustainable growth and service delivery.

• Impact & Innovation Monitor progress, evaluate outcomes, and champion continuous improvement across all areas of the charity.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a dynamic, values-led leader with:

• Proven experience in senior leadership, ideally within the charity, social impact, or community sector.

• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.

• Strong understanding of governance, operations, and programme development.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and mobilise diverse teams.

• A deep commitment to tackling loneliness and building inclusive, connected communities.

• Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive mindset in navigating startup challenges.

What We Offer

• The chance to be the founding CEO of a vital new UK charity.

• A meaningful leadership role that directly enables life-changing services.

• A platform to shape a legacy of compassion, connection, and community.

• Flexibility to work remotely and manage your hours around existing commitments.

• A supportive, passionate team that values innovation, empathy, and impact.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 11th August 2025, before 5pm

If you're ready to lead SUNSHINE into its brightest chapter, we’d be honoured to hear from you.

Let’s build a future where no one feels alone.

Join the Board of Trustees at SUNSHINE Charity: Help Us Combat Loneliness!

Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in people's lives? Do you have the vision and expertise to help steer a brand-new UK charity dedicated to fighting loneliness and social isolation?

SUNSHINE Charity is launching, and we're building our inaugural Board of Trustees. This is a unique and incredibly rewarding opportunity to shape our strategic direction, ensure robust governance, and help us bring sunshine, connection, and confidence to individuals experiencing social isolation across the UK.

We are seeking dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join us at SUNSHINE as a TRUSTEE.

We are particularly looking for the following roles;

1. Treasurer (Board of Trustees)

• Role: To oversee the charity's financial health, ensure sound financial management, budgeting, reporting, and compliance with charity accounting regulations. You'll be instrumental in establishing our financial processes.

• Skills: Strong financial acumen, accounting qualifications (desirable but not essential), experience with financial management, attention to detail, and a commitment to transparency.

2. Secretary (Board of Trustees)

• Role: To ensure the charity operates legally and ethically, maintaining accurate records, managing board meeting logistics, and overseeing compliance with the Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies.

• Skills: Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, strong administrative capabilities, understanding of legal compliance (especially GDPR and charity law), and good communication.

3. Trustees (General)

• Role: To contribute to the overall governance, strategic planning, and oversight of SUNSHINE Charity. We are particularly interested in individuals with expertise in:

  • Charity Law & Governance

  • Fundraising & Income Generation

  • Marketing & Communications

  • Programme Development & Impact Measurement (especially in social welfare/mental health)

  • Human Resources & Volunteer Management

  • Safeguarding

• Skills: Strategic thinking, a willingness to contribute actively to discussions, a commitment to our beneficiaries, strong communication, and a genuine passion for our cause.

What You'll Bring to the Board:

• A passion for combating loneliness and fostering community connection.

• A strategic mindset and the ability to contribute to high-level decision-making.

• A commitment to good governance, financial prudence, and ethical conduct.

• The ability to dedicate time for board meetings (e.g., quarterly, plus sub-committee work) and preparation.

• Relevant professional experience or expertise that aligns with one of the key areas listed above.

• A willingness to work collaboratively within a new, dynamic team.

What We Offer You:

• The incredible opportunity to be a founding member of a vital new UK charity.

• The chance to directly impact the lives of individuals experiencing social isolation.

• A rewarding and stimulating experience at a strategic level.

• An opportunity to expand your network and work with a dedicated team.

• The satisfaction of creating a lasting positive legacy within your community.

All Trustee roles are voluntary, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.

If you're ready to use your skills and experience to help shape a brighter future for those affected by loneliness, we want to hear from you!

CLOSING DATE: Friday 8th August 2025, at 5pm

Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you! 

As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

What you'll be doing:

• Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
• Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her. 
• Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
• Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
• Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
• Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

You'll ideally have:

• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home. 
• A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

What you'll get:

• The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
• The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:

• Food manners
• Greeting new visitors
• Being home alone
• Settling in new environments

You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques. 

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.

Minimum age of applicant: 18.