Volunteer volunteer roles in Cumbria or North west

A great opportunity to play a role at an exciting stage of LRC’s growth!In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system - after initial configuration, we now need a volunteer to help operationalise and is used optimally to achieve LRC’s goals.

In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system using CiviPlus, a CRM system specific to the not-for-profit sector. We already have a technical volunteer who has helped with initial system configuration and can provide ongoing technical support.

The Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) is a charity with a mission to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public and healthcare professionals about ticks and Lyme disease. 

The charity has grown significantly over the past couple of years, and is now looking for volunteers to help with its next phase of evolution. 

Would you like to become an Ambassador for knus? We've introduced our new arm-chairing volunteer position.

If you're interested arm-chair volunteering (our most flexible, low commitment role) and applying to volunteer at knus, simply read through the information on this page and apply.

• Are you over 18 and living in the UK? You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.
• Do you have a mobile phone or laptop? You can do this role whether you are, whether it be on a sofa or on a plane.
• How much time can you give? As much as you want to do. We are flexible and like to work around you.
• Do you like to learn? We provide training for all volunteers that join us. You'll have access to our courses to help you advance your knowledge and certificates to add to your CV.

How does it work?

In 2025 we launched our arm chair volunteering initiative to help us spread the word about our service and to give people the opportunity to take part in surveys and projects to help us deliver the best mental health support to the UK public.

We'd like to embrace what you love doing, whether that be sharing on socials, proof reading, surveys, sharing experiences or getting involved in our fabulous projects.

Important information:

In order to volunteer for knus as an ambassador, you will need to complete a brief application form and a ID check. A DBS is not required for this role, however, if you wish to progress to another role you may need a disclosure. We do this to ensure of service remains a safe place to volunteer for all. Please do not worry about this, we will help you as much as we can.

Training is provided by us and our training partners. You will be required to attend this training using online conferencing software such as zoom or teams.

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 £22.60.

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

Do you have green fingers and a few hours to spare? We are looking for an enthusiastic Volunteer Gardener to help maintain our Community Garden, ensuring it remains a safe, welcoming, and beautiful space for everyone to enjoy. What you’ll be doing: --General gardening: weeding, planting, pruning, and watering. --Maintaining flower beds and containers. --Helping to grow herbs or vegetables. What we are looking for: --A passion for gardening (previous experience is helpful but not essential). --Reliable and friendly team player. --Physically able to carry out light gardening tasks. What’s in it for you? --Get outside, stay active, and meet new people. --Improve your horticultural skills. --Make a real difference in the local community. --Access to an accredited online learning platform for professional development Time commitment: Flexible, ideally 4 - 16 hours a week

Shop Volunteering Opportunities

Skipton

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

 

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop will be open Monday - Sunday (times tbc)

Location: Shelter, 91 Caroline Square, Skipton, BD23 1DA

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager / Assistant Manager

 

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role   

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter…

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop, or contact us at Shelter Volunteering

Admin Manager/Lead – VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 4 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Transforming men’s mental wellbeing through action, challenge, and real‑world connection

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one that speaks the language men actually respond to: doing, belonging, challenge, and shared purpose. We’re not clinical. We’re not corporate. We’re not another “sit in a circle and talk about your feelings” model. We create experiences that help men grow, connect, and rebuild confidence from the inside out.

And now, we’re looking for an Admin Manager/Lead to build the operational backbone that keeps this national movement running smoothly.

Why This Role Matters

Behind every programme, every challenge, and every breakthrough moment for a man in our community, there’s a huge amount of organisation happening quietly in the background.

Your work will ensure that the charity runs efficiently, that volunteers and programme leads have what they need, and that our systems support — rather than slow down — the mission. You’ll be the person who brings clarity, structure, and calm to a fast‑growing movement.

This is a founding role. You will help build the administrative systems and processes that will support men across the UK for years to come.

What You’ll Lead

As our Admin Manager/Lead, you will:

• Build simple, effective administrative systems that keep the charity running smoothly

• Manage inboxes, documents, schedules, and internal communications

• Create and maintain clear processes that support volunteers and programme leads

• Keep information organised, accessible, and up to date

• Support onboarding processes and ensure volunteers have what they need

• Work closely with leadership to streamline operations as we grow

• Help build a movement that changes the way men experience wellbeing in this country

This role is remote, flexible, and designed for someone who wants to make a real impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Naturally organised and enjoy bringing order to busy environments

• Someone who loves creating simple systems that make life easier for everyone

• Reliable, detail‑focused, and comfortable managing multiple tasks

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Excited by the idea of shaping a national movement from its earliest days

You do not need charity experience. You do not need formal admin qualifications. You just need heart, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is creating a new narrative for men in the UK — one built on strength, connection, and growth. Your work will directly support the delivery of programmes such as:

• Our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme

• Our Life Coaching Programme

• Future activity‑based wellbeing programmes and challenges

You’ll be helping to build a movement that gives men the tools, confidence, and community they’ve been missing.

If you want to help build something bold, needed, and genuinely life‑changing…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help build the administrative foundation at the heart of MINDSET.

Learning & Development Lead – VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 4 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Transforming men’s mental wellbeing through action, challenge, and real‑world connection

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one that speaks the language men actually respond to: doing, belonging, challenge, and shared purpose. We’re not clinical. We’re not corporate. We’re not another “sit in a circle and talk about your feelings” model. We create experiences that help men grow, connect, and rebuild confidence from the inside out.

And now, we’re looking for a Learning & Development Lead to shape the knowledge, skills, and growth pathways that will power this national movement.

Why This Role Matters

Every programme we run — every breakthrough moment, every challenge completed, every man who reconnects with his confidence — depends on one thing: meaningful learning experiences.

Your work will shape how our volunteers, coaches, and programme participants learn, grow, and develop. You’ll be the architect behind the training, resources, and development frameworks that help our people thrive.

This is a founding role. You will build the learning culture and infrastructure that will support men across the UK for years to come.

What You’ll Lead

As our Learning & Development Lead, you will:

• Design and build MINDSET’s learning and development framework from the ground up

• Create simple, engaging training pathways for volunteers, coaches, and programme facilitators

• Develop resources, guides, and learning materials that support confidence, clarity, and growth

• Shape a learning culture rooted in belonging, purpose, and real‑world action

• Work closely with programme leads to understand training needs and build solutions

• Support the development of future programmes, challenges, and wellbeing experiences

• Help build a movement that changes the way men experience personal growth in this country

This role is remote, flexible, and designed for someone who wants to make a real impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Someone who loves designing learning experiences that actually work in the real world

• Organised, creative, and able to turn ideas into simple, practical training materials

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Excited by the idea of shaping a national movement from its earliest days

• A believer that learning should feel empowering, not overwhelming

You do not need charity experience. You do need heart, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is creating a new narrative for men in the UK — one built on strength, connection, and growth. Your work will directly support the delivery of programmes such as:

• Our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme

• Our Life Coaching Programme

• Future activity‑based wellbeing programmes and challenges

You’ll be helping to build a movement that gives men the tools, confidence, and community they’ve been missing.

If you want to help build something bold, needed, and genuinely life‑changing…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the learning culture at the heart of MINDSET.

Graphic Designer (MINDSET Charity) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Very Flexible 

Help shape the visual identity of a national movement for men’s wellbeing

MINDSET is building a bold new movement for men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth in the UK — rooted in action, challenge, brotherhood, and real‑world transformation. To bring this mission to life, we urgently need a talented Graphic Designer who can help us create powerful, professional visuals that will put MINDSET firmly on the map.

This is a role for someone who wants their creativity to matter — someone who wants to design work that directly supports men across the UK.

Why This Role Matters

Our programmes, campaigns, and recruitment efforts rely on clear, compelling, and consistent design. Your work will help us:

• Reach men who need support

• Build trust with partners and communities

• Strengthen our national identity

• Communicate our mission with clarity and dignity

Every banner, post, booklet, and graphic you create will help us change lives.

What You’ll Design

We urgently need a designer who can create a range of high‑impact digital and print materials, including:

• Roller Banners for events, outreach, and public visibility

• Social Media Posts for campaigns, recruitment, and programme promotion

• Print Materials such as flyers, leaflets, and business stationery

• Digital Assets for our website, online programmes, and volunteer recruitment

• Guide Booklets for our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme and other initiatives

You’ll be helping to build a cohesive, professional visual identity for a charity that is growing fast.

What You’ll Do

As our Graphic Designer, you will:

• Create clean, modern, impactful designs that reflect MINDSET’s mission

• Work with the Head of Marketing & Communications to deliver campaign visuals

• Produce both digital and print‑ready artwork

• Ensure brand consistency across all materials

• Bring creativity, clarity, and emotional resonance to every design

• Help shape the visual identity of a national movement

This role is remote, flexible, and ideal for someone who wants to make a meaningful contribution in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Skilled in graphic design (Canva, Adobe, or similar tools)

• Able to produce polished, professional designs quickly and reliably

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Someone who enjoys turning ideas into visuals that inspire action

• Excited by the idea of helping build a national charity from the ground up

You do not need charity experience. You do not need formal qualifications. You simply need creativity, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

If you want your design skills to make a real difference…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help build the visual identity of MINDSET.

​

Head of Marketing & Communications (MINDSET Charity) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 3 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Lead the voice, story, and national presence of a movement transforming men’s lives

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one built on action, challenge, brotherhood, and real‑world transformation. We’re here to change the narrative for men, and we need a powerful, strategic communicator to help take this mission nationwide.

This is your chance to shape the public face of a charity that is ready to grow, ready to be seen, and ready to make a real difference.

Why This Role Matters

MINDSET’s programmes change men’s lives — but the country won’t feel that impact unless our story is told boldly, clearly, and consistently.

As Head of Marketing & Communications, you will be the architect of how MINDSET shows up in the world. Your leadership will help us:

• Reach men who need us

• Inspire volunteers to join us

• Build trust with partners and communities

• Establish MINDSET as a national voice for men’s wellbeing

This is a founding leadership role — you will help define the brand, tone, and public presence of MINDSET from the ground up.

What You’ll Lead

As our Head of Marketing & Communications, you will:

• Shape and lead MINDSET’s national marketing and communications strategy

• Build a strong, consistent brand identity across all platforms

• Manage and grow our social media presence with purpose and clarity

• Create compelling content that inspires men, volunteers, and supporters

• Oversee messaging for campaigns, programmes, events, and recruitment

• Support fundraising and partnership communications

• Guide a small team of volunteers (designers, social media leads, content creators) as the charity grows

• Ensure everything we publish reflects our mission, values, and tone

This role is remote, flexible, and ideal for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A natural storyteller who understands how to move people

• Strategic, creative, and confident shaping a brand from scratch

• Experienced in marketing, communications, social media, or content creation

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Excited by the idea of helping build a national movement

• Someone who loves turning ideas into campaigns that resonate

You do not need charity experience. You simply need experience and clarity, creativity, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is redefining what men’s wellbeing can look like in the UK. We’re building a movement that helps men grow through:

• Challenge

• Accountability

• Brotherhood

• Purpose

• Real‑world action

Your work will ensure that this message reaches the men who need it most — and that MINDSET becomes a recognised, trusted, national presence.

If you want to help put MINDSET on the map across the UK…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the voice of a movement built to change men’s lives.

Head of Programmes (MINDSET Charity) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 4 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Overseeing the programmes that change men’s lives across the UK

MINDSET is building a bold new movement for men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth in the UK — one rooted in action, challenge, brotherhood, and real‑world transformation. We create experiences that help men rebuild confidence, find purpose, and grow into stronger versions of themselves.

Our programmes are the engine of that transformation — and now we’re seeking a Head of Programmes to guide, shape, and elevate them.

Why This Role Matters

Every breakthrough moment a man experiences in MINDSET — the shift in confidence, the sense of belonging, the spark of purpose — begins inside a programme that has been thoughtfully designed, well‑run, and grounded in our mission.

As Head of Programmes, you will oversee the development, delivery, and evolution of the programmes that make this impact possible. Your leadership will ensure that every man who joins MINDSET encounters something meaningful, structured, and genuinely life‑changing.

This is a founding leadership role — you will help define the programme identity of MINDSET for years to come.

What You’ll Lead

As our Head of Programmes, you will:

• Oversee all MINDSET programmes, ensuring quality, consistency, and impact

• Manage and support programme leads, facilitators, and volunteers

• Shape the structure, flow, and delivery of our flagship programmes, including:

  • The 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme

  • The Life Coaching Programme

  • Future activity‑based wellbeing programmes and national challenges

• Develop simple, effective systems for programme delivery and evaluation

• Ensure programmes remain safe, inclusive, and aligned with MINDSET’s mission

• Innovate new programme ideas that help men grow, connect, and thrive

• Work closely with the CEO and leadership team to scale programmes nationally

This role is remote, flexible, and ideal for someone who wants to make a deep, lasting impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Organised, strategic, and able to see the bigger picture

• Confident leading people and guiding programme teams

• Someone who loves turning ideas into structured, meaningful experiences

• Excited by the idea of shaping a national movement from its earliest stages

You do not need formal qualifications. You do not need clinical or therapeutic training. You simply need heart, clarity, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is redefining what men’s wellbeing can look like in the UK. We’re building a movement that helps men grow through:

• Challenge

• Accountability

• Brotherhood

• Purpose

• Real‑world action

Your leadership will ensure that every programme we deliver is powerful, safe, and transformative.

If you want to help shape the programmes that change men’s lives…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help build the programme backbone of MINDSET.

Head of Volunteering - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 4 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Transforming men’s mental wellbeing through action, challenge, and real‑world connection

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one that speaks the language men actually respond to: doing, belonging, challenge, and shared purpose. We’re not clinical. We’re not corporate. We’re not another “sit in a circle and talk about your feelings” model. We create experiences that help men grow, connect, and rebuild confidence from the inside out.

And now, we’re looking for a Head of Volunteering to help build the people‑power behind this national movement.

Why This Role Matters

Every programme, every challenge, every breakthrough moment for a man in our community depends on one thing: volunteers who care. Your leadership will shape the culture, structure, and heartbeat of the entire volunteer team. You will be the person who ensures that every volunteer feels valued, supported, and part of something meaningful.

This is a founding role — you will help build the volunteer framework that will support men across the UK for years to come.

What You’ll Lead

As our Head of Volunteering, you will:

• Build and lead MINDSET’s volunteer programme from the ground up

• Shape a warm, energetic, stigma‑free volunteer culture rooted in belonging and purpose

• Recruit, onboard, and support volunteers across the UK

• Create simple, clear processes that help volunteers thrive

• Ensure volunteers feel connected, appreciated, and part of the mission

• Work closely with programme leads to match volunteers to the right roles

• Help build a movement that changes the way men experience wellbeing in this country

This role is remote, flexible, and designed for someone who wants to make a real impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A natural people‑person who loves bringing out the best in others

• Organised, reliable, and able to build simple systems that work

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Someone who believes volunteers deserve dignity, clarity, and appreciation

• Excited by the idea of helping shape a national movement from its earliest days

You do not need charity experience. You do not need qualifications. You just need heart, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is creating a new narrative for men in the UK — one built on strength, connection, and growth. Your leadership will directly support the delivery of programmes such as:

• Our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme

• Our Life Coaching Programme

• Future activity‑based wellbeing programmes and challenges

You’ll be helping to build a movement that gives men the tools, confidence, and community they’ve been missing.

If you want to help build something bold, needed, and genuinely life‑changing…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the volunteer community at the heart of MINDSET.

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic volunteer to join our Communications and Marketing team of volunteer professionals.

We are looking to appoint someone who has 7 or more years of professional experience in either Communications and Marketing and who has some experience of leading or / and managing a team in a Communications and Marketing environment.

Reports to: Head of Communications & Marketing 

Core duties and responsibilities

• To take part in department wide management and leadership activities
• To provide practical assistance to the Head of Department
• To support the planning of department activities
• To take on line management roles as assigned
• To provide effective supervision and guidance to other volunteers as delegated
• To work with the Head of Department to support progress and performance in relation to departmental activities to be undertaken
• To oversee departmental tasks
• To provide support and additional capacity with regards to progress of departmental relevant tasks

Requirements

• At least 7 or more years of relevant experience.
• Some experience (ideally 2 or more years) of managing or leading a team.
• To have some understanding of managing volunteers.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• IT literacy with own equipment (laptop and phone)
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.
• Previous volunteering experience or experience in any kind of start up desirable
• Right to volunteer in the UK

Benefits

• This is a UK-based, 100% fully remote and flexible role.
• Supportive team and management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.
• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights, and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-registered charity on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make more informed choices in the management of public resources.

ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation, and improve lives in Africa.

At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.

We now have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer Senior AI Agent Architect to join ADC and help build a live prototype of MajiGuard AI.

Main purpose of job:

To lead the technical design and hands-on development of MajiGuard AI, an agentic AI prototype that helps ADC identify underused WASH resources, structure recovery and reallocation cases, and verify that recovered value reaches facility upgrades and operations and maintenance.

Division: Technology / AI Innovation

Department: Product & Engineering

Position reports to: Head of AI Innovation

Direct reports for the position: Volunteer AI engineers, developers and technical contributors

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end architecture of MajiGuard AI, including the selection and integration of models, agent workflows, orchestration tools, retrieval systems, data structures and human-in-the-loop controls appropriate for a live prototype.

• Translate ADC’s operational goals into practical AI workflows, especially for identifying underused WASH resources, standardising evidence and case preparation, supporting recovery and reallocation decisions, and verifying delivery of value to facility improvements and ongoing operations and maintenance.

• Build and iterate a live prototype using pragmatic, cost-effective tooling, with strong attention to reliability, traceability, security, maintainability and ease of future scaling.

• Design structured inputs, prompts, evaluation criteria and decision logic so that outputs are useful to non-technical ADC teams working across programmes, research, partnerships and leadership.

• Establish a technical roadmap for the prototype, including architecture choices, milestone planning, testing priorities, deployment options and documentation for future funders, partners and developers.

• Work closely with ADC leadership to shape the product vision and ensure the prototype aligns with ADC’s wider governance and public service innovation model.

• Advise on suitable approaches for data governance, privacy, model risk, hallucination control, auditability and responsible AI use in the context of public-resource management and service delivery.

• Define and monitor prototype success metrics, including usefulness, accuracy, turnaround time, workflow fit, and operational learning that can strengthen grant applications, partnerships and future product development.

• Support the transition from local experimentation to a live prototype environment, including basic cloud or hosted deployment thinking, version control practices and engineering handover readiness.

• Mentor and coordinate other volunteer technical contributors where relevant, helping ADC build a small but high-quality AI capability around MajiGuard AI.

Knowledge, skills, and experience:

Essential

• 8+ years of relevant experience in AI, machine learning, applied NLP, intelligent automation, agentic systems, or modern software engineering for production-grade data or AI products

• Strong hands-on experience designing and building AI systems, including LLM-based applications, retrieval-augmented generation, agent workflows, orchestration frameworks, evaluation pipelines and API integrations

• Experience taking ideas from concept or prototype stage into a usable live product, pilot or production-like environment

• Excellent technical judgement on model selection, system design trade-offs, latency, reliability, observability and cost-conscious engineering

• Strong programming ability, ideally including Python and modern backend tooling, with the ability to work across architecture, implementation and troubleshooting

• Experience designing structured workflows where AI outputs must be reviewable, auditable and useful for operational decision-making
• Ability to simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and translate mission goals into practical product choices
• Interest in using AI to strengthen public service delivery, accountability, governance, resource allocation, or adjacent social impact problems
• Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
• Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment
• A committed team player with good communication skills
• Available to volunteer at least 8-12 hours a week

Desirable

• Experience with agentic AI products involving workflow automation, task routing, multi-step reasoning, document intelligence or evidence-based case management
• Experience with cloud deployment, containerisation, CI/CD, databases, vector stores, authentication and production monitoring for AI systems
• Experience working on civic tech, govtech, development, WASH, infrastructure, audit, compliance or public-finance-related products
• Experience working in an early-stage start-up or mission-driven organisation and comfortable operating with ambiguity
• Experience mentoring engineers or leading small technical teams across different locations and time zones

What ADC Offers You

This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:

• A chance to play a foundational role in shaping MajiGuard AI from concept into a live prototype with real strategic relevance to ADC’s mission
• An opportunity to apply advanced AI and product-building skills to a meaningful public-interest challenge connected to WASH, accountability and service delivery in Africa
• An opportunity to work with a diverse global team and contribute to an organisation seeking systemic social change
• Professional learning, leadership and portfolio-building opportunities through high-ownership work
• Work reference provided

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitment(at)africandevelopmentchoices(dot)org.

Head of Marketing & Communications (Volunteer Role)

SUNSHINE Charity – Ending Loneliness for Londoners and Beyond

Do you believe no one should feel alone?

At SUNSHINE Charity, we’re a grassroots, volunteer‑powered start‑up building something bold, hopeful, and deeply human — a movement to end loneliness for Londoners and, one day, far beyond. We’re at the very beginning of our journey, and what we build now will shape everything that comes next.

To share our mission with the world — to reach the people who need us and the people who want to help — we need someone extraordinary.

We need you!!!

Why This Role Matters

Loneliness is silent, but its impact is loud. It affects mental health, physical wellbeing, confidence, and hope. Every day, thousands of people in our city feel invisible — and SUNSHINE exists to change that.

But people can only reach out for help if they know we’re here. Volunteers can only join us if they feel inspired. Supporters can only believe in us if they understand our story.

As our Head of Marketing & Communications, you will be the voice that carries SUNSHINE into the world. You will shape how people see us, feel about us, and connect with us.

Your words will help someone feel less alone.

What You’ll Lead

This is not just a role — it’s a chance to build something meaningful from the ground up.

You will:

• Develop and lead SUNSHINE’s marketing and communications strategy across all channels.

• Build our brand identity, ensuring it reflects warmth, hope, and human connection.

• Create compelling content — stories, campaigns, social media, newsletters, and more.

• Grow our online presence, building a community of supporters, volunteers, and partners.

• Shape our messaging, ensuring clarity, consistency, and emotional impact.

• Support service and fundraising teams with communications that amplify their work.

• Monitor engagement and continuously improve, ensuring our voice reaches the people who need it most.

This is a role for someone who believes storytelling can change hearts — and change lives.

Who You Are

You’re someone who:

• Loves crafting messages that move people.

• Believes deeply in kindness, connection, and purpose.

• Has experience in marketing, communications, digital media, branding, or storytelling.

• Thrives in start‑up environments where creativity and initiative matter.

• Wants to build something that will grow long after the first foundations are laid.

• Is motivated by purpose — by the chance to make a difference that truly matters.

Most importantly, you’re someone who wants to help people feel seen, heard, and understood.

Why Join SUNSHINE?

Because this is your chance to:

• Shape the voice and brand of a brand‑new charity.

• Build campaigns that inspire people to take action.

• Work alongside passionate, hopeful, determined people.

• Know that your work directly helps end loneliness.

• Be part of something bigger than all of us.

Your campaigns will help someone discover support. Your storytelling will help someone feel understood. Your leadership will help someone feel less alone.

We Need You — Now

We are at the beginning of our journey, and communication will be the lifeline that helps us grow. If you’ve ever wanted to use your skills to create real, lasting change, this is the moment.

If your heart is saying “yes,” then you have a heart of gold — and we want to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you. We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life.

Come help us bring SUNSHINE into the lives of those who need it most.

Together, we can end loneliness.

Together, we can bring the sunshine back.