Volunteer roles in south ayrshire

Role title – Treasurer
Hours – 1–2 days per month plus quarterly Board meetings
Location – Remote with some London Board meetings
Salary – Voluntary role
Travel requirement – Occasional
Contract type – Voluntary
Accountable to – Chair of Trustees, working closely with CEO and Board of Trustees
Start date – October 2025

About the Stephen Dodgson Charitable Trust

The Stephen Dodgson Charitable Trust was established in 2015 to celebrate and support the music and legacy of British composer Stephen Dodgson (1924–2013). Stephen Dodgson had a long, distinguished and multifaceted career as a composer, Professor at the Royal College of Music and Radio 3 broadcaster. His musical voice could be both playful and deeply evocative, and he was much loved as a mentor to younger generations of musicians that worked with and taught. Particularly renowned for classical guitar compositions, he wrote widely for multiple idioms including chamber, orchestral, choral, solo voice and operatic works and has been recorded by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Roberts piano trio, Karolos, Magnard and Perpetuo ensembles, and singers Ailish Tynan, Katie Bray, James Gilchrist, Marcus Farnsworth and Roderick Williams.

The Trust awards grants to musicians, ensembles, festivals, educational institutions and arts organisations that perform, record or promote Dodgson’s music in line with the Trust’s charitable aims. The Trust responds to external grant applications and we also curate our own artistic and commemorative projects. A small, dedicated Board of Trustees works closely with the Trust CEO to guide and support the organisation’s work, ensuring funds are used thoughtfully and make a lasting, meaningful difference to the classical music community.

Recent projects also include a beautiful centenary book, a collection of essays and fond reminiscences about Stephen Dodgson – the man and the musician – which came out in 2024.

About the Role

The Trust is looking for a Treasurer to join our Board and take the lead in overseeing the charity’s finances. This is a key role, offering the chance to make a direct impact on the Trust’s ability to support musicians and projects with confidence and transparency.

The Treasurer is responsible for both strategic oversight and hands-on financial management — from preparing budgets and reports to supporting the Chair, CEO and fellow Trustees in financial planning and risk management. This rewarding role will help many interesting and worthwhile projects come to fruition and includes plenty of opportunities to enjoy attending concerts and other similar events. (Recent events include two epic concerts featuring major Dodgson works at St John’s Smith Square, the opening night of this year’s Barnes Music Festival and a Snape Maltings performance of Dodgson’s four-act opera Margaret Catchpole.)

This role would suit someone with financial management skills or similar, and a fair knowledge of and interest in classical music, arts funding, and charitable work more generally. A good communicator who enjoys working collaboratively with others and is enthusiastic about the opportunity to promote music and musicians – especially young musicians ­ will thrive in this role.

Key Responsibilities

As a Trustee

• Help guide the Trust’s overall strategy and governance
• Ensure the charity’s funds are managed responsibly and in line with our objectives
• Contribute to grant-making decisions and long-term planning
• Act in the best interests of the Trust and support our mission and values
• Represent the Trust at sponsored performances and events

As Treasurer

• Maintain an overview of the Trust’s financial health
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations: bookkeeping, invoice payments, bank statement reconciliations
• Prepare quarterly bank account reconciliations and financial outlooks for the Board
• Ensure compliance with charity law and financial regulations, including annual reports to the Charity Commission
• Advise on budgeting, cashflow, reserves, and investment planning 
• Monitor financial risks and ensure appropriate policies and controls are in place
• Apply at least once a year to HMRC to claim Gift Aid on donations made to the Trust
• Keep Charity Commission and HMRC records up to date
• Work closely with the CEO in aligning financial decisions with impact and priorities, and maintaining contact with ongoing projects

Supporting the Chair

• Assist the Chair in providing leadership and direction for the Board, and enabling the Board to fulfil their responsibilities
• Ensure that the Trust pursues our objects as defined in our governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations
• Support the Chair in enabling well-rounded and strategic discussions among Trustees
• Work in partnership with the Chair and Trustees to support the CEO and freelance staff, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation

What the Trust Is Looking For

Essential:

• Financial management experience, ideally within or alongside the charity or arts sector
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain finance clearly to others
• Familiarity with accounting software (e.g. Excel, Googlesheets, Xero or similar)
• A sound understanding of financial governance and reporting requirements

Desirable:

• An interest in classical music or the wider arts
• Experience working with or advising a charity, arts organisation, or funding body
• A collaborative, thoughtful, and supportive approach

Time Commitment

• Attend 3–4 Board meetings per year (virtual or in-person, London)
• Ongoing oversight of financial matters (1–2 days per month)
• Occasional availability for guidance or working groups between meetings
• Optional attendance at concerts, festivals and other Dodgson celebrations.

Deadline: Deadline: 22nd September
 

Location: Remote with travel across England/Wales
Contract: Fixed-term project (Length TBC)
Hours: Part-time

Salary: Volunteer
Reporting to: Peer Support Lead

About Long Covid Support

Long Covid Support is a registered charity committed to advocating for and supporting individuals living with Long Covid. Our work includes peer support, awareness campaigns, and partnership building to address the ongoing needs of people with Long Covid across the UK.

Role Overview

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Project Manager to establish two in-person peer support networks for individuals with Long Covid in underserved communities in England and Wales. This is a dynamic and collaborative role, ideal for someone with strong project management skills and a passion for community-based health support.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research and Scoping

• Identify and scope two target areas with high prevalence and need for Long Covid support.
• Collaborate with the Peer Support Lead, local contacts, and established community groups.
• Conduct visits, assess existing support networks, and engage through social media.
• Evaluate suitability of community spaces in partnership with our community space provider.

2. Assessment of Resources and Gaps

• Map existing services, networks, and links to the charity’s current support offerings.
• Identify service gaps and opportunities where peer support groups could add value.

3. Implementation and Support

• Set up two local peer support groups using identified community spaces.
• Recruit and train volunteer facilitators to run group sessions.
• Connect with expert services for supplementary support at group meetings.

4. Evaluation and Reporting

• Use appropriate evaluation tools to measure impact and effectiveness.
• Produce a comprehensive project summary with findings, learnings, and recommendations for future initiatives.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience managing short to medium-term projects.
• Background in peer support or community health initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity with evaluation tools and reporting processes.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Long Covid or experience working in long-term health conditions.
• Existing network or experience working in England/Wales health or community sectors.

Expedition medical teams are devised for each of our expeditions on a thorough assessment of medical requirements, considering a range of factors including but not limited to the environment, client group and access to local facilities/services. Our medical teams consist of fully qualified medical professionals and may include doctors and other healthcare professionals, such as nurses or paramedic, with appropriate specialist experience. Our expeditions include both Senior and standard medics. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work 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. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

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.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

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

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• 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 – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• 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 additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• 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 with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

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: 18

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? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

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

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

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

Why Join Us?

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

But the rewards? They’re immense:

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

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

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

Your Role

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

Key Responsibilities:

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

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

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

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

• Log all fundraising activity, targets, and deadlines

• Collaborate with our social media volunteer to promote campaigns

• Support recruitment and onboarding of new fundraising volunteers

What You’ll Bring

• Clear, friendly written and verbal communication

• Creativity and confidence in engaging with people online and offline

• Strong organisation and time management skills

• Self-motivation and the ability to work independently

• A genuine passion for our mission and grassroots charity work

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

Time Commitment

• Flexible and remote

• Around 2 to 5 hours per week

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

What You’ll Gain

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

• Something impressive and meaningful for your CV or portfolio

• Real-world charity sector experience

• Friendly support and mentoring from a passionate team

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

• References available on request

How to Apply

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

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

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working closely with the Grants Managers and under the Head of Fundraising and other members of the senior Volunteer Grant Team, the Grants Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer) will research, write grants, maintain, and coordinate fundraising efforts for AHO, with a target of a £5m yearly income by the end of 2030.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The role of Grants Coordinator (Unpaid Volunteer) will research, maintain and coordinate

• Research, write and manage a pipeline of trusts and foundations, aid grants and public sector tenders and contracts that offer unrestricted and programmatic funding.
• Initiate new and manage existing relationships with trusts and other grant-making bodies through emails, calls, meetings, and attendance at events.
• Organise and lead regular fundraising meetings with the Head of Fundraising and the senior team.
• Write and lead on applications, bringing together information and expertise from colleagues as necessary.
• Lead and manage the reporting process to existing funders, bringing together input from colleagues as necessary.
• Attend and assist with public-facing events organised by AHO or others when necessary.
• Work with the senior team to write compelling concept notes and presentations for new areas of work.
• Work with staff and Volunteers across AHO to produce compelling and successful fundraising bids.
• Closely monitor deadlines for applications and reporting, proactively and confidently liaising with relevant staff for timely and high-quality submissions.
• Identify new opportunities for unrestricted and project funding from a range of sources, including trusts, grants and charitable foundations; European, national and local government; individual supporters; and commercial opportunities. 
• Develop and maintain general content and resources in line with branding, such as presentations and texts for staff to reference and share with potential funders.
• Contribute to quarterly Board papers through pipeline updates and the CEO's report.
• Contribute on an ad hoc basis to any other reasonable activity as requested by senior staff.
• Very occasional travel to Africa and other Diaspora for work with our sister organisation, AHO EU and to regions in England where colleagues are based.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Competencies

•   Experience in awarding, managing or applying for grants.
•   Experience in awarding, managing or applying for grants.
•   Strong knowledge of UK, EU, and US legislation, accounting requirements and good practice relating to grant awarding and reporting.
•   Experience in using a CRM system or database.
•   Experience in efficiently managing and delivering grant-funded projects and programmes in low settings
•   Ability to work unsupervised, a motivated self-starter, with robust problem-solving, administrative, and multi-tasking skills and is good at follow-through.
•   Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to assimilate and digest large volumes of information.
•   Strong attention to detail and strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage workload effectively and to work with changing priorities and time pressures.
•   Ability to occasionally adjust working hours to fit with multiple time zones as required.
•   Strong written and communication skills.  You will be able to present information in a compelling way through proposals, memos and PowerPoint presentations. 
•   Ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
•   Desire to contribute to new ideas and ways of working to develop improved models, processes and use of technology in grant-making.
•   Outstanding partnership management skills, with the ability to support and establish highly collaborative internal and external partnerships.
•   Experience with databases/grant-management systems is desirable but not necessary.
•   Financial and budget management skills are desirable but not necessary.
•   Ability in English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili, and Chinese is desirable but not necessary.

Role description

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

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

KEY REQUIREMENTS

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

Overview

In partnership with a second, and possibly third Leader, you will lead a Fire (Group) of 8-12 Young
Explorers. As the Adventure Leader you will be responsible for the adventurous activities of the
Fire during the expedition programme, within the parameters set by the Chief Leader, and where applicable the Senior Adventure Leader.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Able and passionate about leading, inspiring, and facilitating sessions with young people.
• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre-expedition training events. 

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. 

This role provides a telephone listening and support service to bereaved carers’ and family members whose relatives died under the care of The Hospice of St Francis. Last year our Bereavement Support Line volunteers made over 1,000 calls.

We are looking for additional volunteers to support this service.  Do you have strong listening skills?  Are you reflective, self-aware, adaptive with basic IT skills?  We'd love to hear from you. 

The role will be ome based and you will receive full training and ongoing support.

Come and join London's Hopscotch Women's Centre's Board of Trustees in the roles we have available, including specialities:

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

HUMAN RESOURCES

WOMEN'S SERVICES

We meet 4 times a year and help shape the strategy and aims to further the mission of Hopscotch Women's Centre, supporting ethnically minoritised women facing abuse, poverty, mental health issues, unemployment and insecure immigration status. We also have a Homecare service, which is our admired social enterprise and a part of our charity.

Do look at the attached Job Descriptions and let us know if you have any questions - our CEO is on hand to have a chat. Thanks!

This role provides a telephone listening and support service to bereaved carers’ and family members whose relatives died under the care of The Hospice of St Francis. Last year our Bereavement Support Line volunteers made over 1,000 calls.

We are looking for additional volunteers to support this service.  Do you have strong listening skills?  Are you reflective, self-aware, adaptive with basic IT skills?  We'd love to hear from you. 

The role will be ome based and you will receive full training and ongoing support.

Overview

This is a Senior Leadership team role.

The Base Camp Manager has responsibility for many of the logistical aspects of the expedition,
including equipment, food, and managing the environmental impact at base camp. You will need to be ready to turn your hand to a range of tasks, acting as the ‘fixer’ for the expedition and supporting the expedition team with all aspects of expedition life.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre-expedition training events. 

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.

This role provides a telephone listening and support service to bereaved carers’ and family members whose relatives died under the care of The Hospice of St Francis. Last year our Bereavement Support Line volunteers made over 1,000 calls.

We are looking for additional volunteers to support this service.  Do you have strong listening skills?  Are you reflective, self-aware, adaptive with basic IT skills?  We'd love to hear from you. 

The role will be ome based and you will receive full training and ongoing support.

Overview

In partnership with a second, and possibly third Leader, you will lead a Fire (Group) of 8-12 Young Explorers. The Knowledge Leader should combine science and creative activities to help Young Explorers better understand the unique wilderness they explore, and develop curiosity for the future. To achieve this, it is the responsibility of the Senior Knowledge Leader, Knowledge Leaders and the collaboration of all leaders to design and deliver a programme of inspirational, educational projects.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Able and passionate about leading, inspiring, and facilitating sessions with young people.
• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre-expedition training events. 

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.