Volunteer volunteer roles in Stoke on trent, staffordshire

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

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

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately, thousands of cats each year are abandoned or have strayed and rely on charities like Cats Protection for help. Becoming a trap, neuter and return (TNR) volunteer is one way you can make a real difference to cats in your local area. Our TNR volunteers help reduce the number of feral cats by raising awareness of our TNR programmes, setting humane traps to safely capture cats, taking them to local vets to be neutered, and hopefully returning them back to their territory. Local TNR programmes are crucial, as feral and abandoned cats present a huge challenge for communities across the UK.

You can expect us to 

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

Do you enjoy public speaking? Do you want to share the message of who Mencap are, what we do and bust some myths to groups and corporates around learning disabilities? If the answer is yes, then our Mencap Volunteer Speaker role could be for you!

We’re looking for confident public speakers to represent Mencap by delivering Lunch and Learn talks. You’ll be fully supported with training, guidance, and a prepared presentation and script. In this role, you’ll deliver engaging sessions either in person or virtually via Teams, reaching a wide range of groups and organisations.

Frequently you'll be co-delivering these talks with people with a learning disability, so you'll hear first hand their stories and the impact you'll make.

For this role you will need access to your own laptop.

We want to spread the message of who Mencap are and the amazing work we do, so as well as attending lunch and learns requested by our current corporates, we're looking for volunteers who will as part of the role, proactively; research, reach out and contact local groups (e.g: Rotary Clubs, Women's Institutes) and share our lunch and learn presentation with them.

The role also gives you the opportunity to attend cheque presentations and act as a representative for Mencap at supporter’s fundraising activities.

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

JOB PURPOSE:

This Role Transforms Volunteer Activity Into Structured, Ethical, High-Impact Operations

At Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C., our work is powered by people. Volunteer contribution is not just support, it is community, capacity and impact. The Volunteer Operations Analyst ensures that this contribution is organised, visible and aligned with the organisation’s mission, safeguarding responsibilities and growth.

You will play a key role in connecting people, systems and structure—ensuring that volunteer engagement is consistent, well-managed and sustainable as the C.I.C grows.

This is not a purely administrative role. It is insight-driven, systems-focused and central to how the organisation operates effectively behind the scenes.

Role Summary

The Operations Analyst is responsible for measuring, analyzing, and optimizing the organization’s
internal operations to improve efficiency, accountability, and overall performance. This role focuses on operational systems development, process evaluation, workflow optimization, and organizational effectiveness, enabling leadership to make informed decisions and ensuring that the organization’s activities are structured, scalable, and effective.

While analytical skills are essential, this is not a traditional Data Analyst role. The emphasis is on understanding how systems, teams, and workflows function, and using insight to design and improve operational structures, not just analyze datasets.

The Operations Analyst does not execute or enforce tasks, but plays a critical role in diagnosing
operational challenges and recommending actionable, system-level solutions.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
Technical Skills
Strong proficiency in:

• Google Sheets / Microsoft Excel
• Data tracking and reporting tools
• Ability to organize and interpret large sets of data

Analytical Skills

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking ability
• Ability to identify patterns, trends, and inefficiencies
• Detail-oriented with a structured approach to analysis

Communication Skills

• Ability to present data in a clear, concise, and actionable format
• Strong written communication for reporting

Organizational Awareness

• Understanding of how teams and workflows interact
• Ability to think in systems, not just tasks

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOT MANDATORY):

• Background in Operations, Business Administration, or related fields
• Previous experience in Operations analysis, project tracking, or process improvement roles
• (Experience working in remote or volunteer-based organizations is an advantage)

CORE OBJECTIVES:

• Provide clear visibility into operational performance and system effectiveness
• Identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and structural gaps in workflows and processes
• Recommend practical, system-level improvements (not just data observations)
• Support leadership with structured insights that drive operational decisions
• Strengthen accountability, clarity, and scalability across the organization’s operations

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Data Tracking & Performance Monitoring

• Develop and maintain centralized tracking systems (e.g., Google Sheets, Airtable) to support operational visibility
• Monitor key operational metrics across departments, including:
  • Volunteer recruitment and onboarding timelines
  • Task completion rates across teams
  • Program and project delivery timelines
• Ensure data is accurate, relevant, and structured to inform operational decisions (not just reporting)

2. Reporting & Operational Insights

• Prepare weekly or bi-weekly operational reports for leadership
• Go beyond reporting by clearly highlighting:
  • Root causes of inefficiencies
  • System and workflow gaps
  • Operational risks
• Translate data and observations into clear, actionable, system-focused recommendations

3. Process Analysis & Workflow Design

• Document and map existing workflows across functions (HR, Programs, Operations, etc.)
• Analyze how work actually flows across teams—not just what is recorded in data
• Identify bottlenecks

✅ The Operations Analyst WILL:

❌ The Operations Analyst WILL NOT:

○ Redundant or unclear steps
○ Structural and communication gaps
● Recommend and help design improved workflows, structures, and operational systems

4. Risk Identification & Escalation
● Proactively identify and flag:
○ Process breakdowns
○ Structural inefficiencies
○ Delivery risks linked to poor workflows or unclear ownership
● Escalate findings with clear operational context and suggested solutions

5. Systems & Process Optimization
● Lead efforts in operational systems improvement, including:
○ Workflow restructuring
○ Standardization of processes and templates
○ Introduction of more efficient tracking and coordination systems
● Continuously evaluate how systems function in practice and recommend refinements

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration
● Work closely with:
○ HR Team (for recruitment and onboarding systems)
○ Team Leads (for workflow and delivery structures)
○ Operations Coordinators / Executive Assistants (for execution visibility)
● Bridge the gap between how work is designed and how it is executed

SCOPE AND BOUNDARIES FOR THE ROLE:
To ensure clarity and proper role alignment:

• Analyze workflows, systems, and operational performance
• Design and recommend process and system improvements
• Provide structured insights that inform operational decisions
• Function as a Data Analyst focused solely on datasets and reporting
• Be limited to producing reports without contributing to process improvement and system design
• Manage or supervise team members
• Enforce task completion or handle administrative coordination

WORKING RELATIONSHIP:
The Operations Analyst will:

• Report directly to the Director of Central Operations & Executive Coordination
• Support decision-making but will not replace leadership authority
• Work collaboratively across all teams while maintaining objectivity and independence

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Success in this role will be measured by:

• Quality and impact of operational insights and recommendations
• Measurable improvements in workflow efficiency and system effectiveness
• Reduction in process bottlenecks and delays
• Clarity and usability of operational tracking systems
• Contribution to scalable and well-structured operational processes

What Success Looks Like in This Role:
Within the first 60–90 days, the Operations Analyst should:

• Establish a functional and structured operations tracking system
• Deliver insight-driven reports that highlight system-level issues (not just data summaries)
• Identify and recommend improvements to at least 2–3 key operational workflows
• Provide leadership with clear visibility into how operations actually function and where improvements are needed

Additional Notes

• This is a strategic operations role, not a purely analytical or reporting position
• Ideal for individuals who are passionate about:
  • Improving how organizations function
  • Designing better systems and workflows
  • Driving efficiency through structure and clarity

Important to be clear:

• This is a volunteer role during the CIC’s build phase
• It carries real responsibility for data integrity and donor relations

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?

Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.

This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.

Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.

Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:

• Serving customers on the till
• Taking stock donations from the public
• Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
• Dressing the window displays
• Asking people to join us as a volunteer

As a Retail Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
• Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive full Training and support
• Volunteer alongside other people
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.