123 Area fundraising manager volunteer roles

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for volunteers to support Bristol Animal Rescue Centre within our Facilities team – helping care for our site and the future of its animals.

In this multifaceted role, you’ll be undertaking a wide range of duties, from driving animals in need to medical/rehabilitation specialists, to helping us ensure our site is health and safety compliant, and to helping us maintain the site with our maintenance crew. 

On one day, for example, you might be transferring animals from our Clinic or Animal  Rehoming Centre to other rescues we partner with in the South West. You might be involved in transporting dogs, cats, and small animals (such as ferrets and rabbits) to and from veterinary practices in Bristol. Then, on a different day, you may be helping with the testing of our emergency lighting, looking after our facilities and helping to collect supplies. 

Every effort makes a difference, and our volunteers are such a support to our team, making a vital difference to the lives and outcomes of the animals in our care. At our charity, you’ll be volunteering as part of a team of passionate, dedicated people committed to making a difference in animal welfare.

What would I be doing as a Volunteer Driver and Site Support Assistant? 

• Transferring sick and injured wildlife and domestic animals to a local vet practice or wildlife centre, e.g. in Taunton or Wiltshire. You would be driving the Bristol A.R.C. van, which is specially equipped for transporting animals 
• Helping the Maintenance Team with various aspects of building maintenance and facilities at Bristol Animal Rescue Centre. This might include painting, drain and  gutter maintenance, changing locks, for instance 
• Assisting in Health and Safety duties, helping to ensure the site remains a safe place to work and volunteer
• Generally keeping the Charity site clean and tidy, and supporting with weeding /  gardening 
• Other ad-hoc driving duties on a needs-basis, for example collecting and dropping off  donations

What’s important for me to know? 

Part of your shift might involve transferring animals, and this will take priority when necessary. Therefore, we are looking for volunteers who have a full, clean driving licence for this role. In addition, we would ask that as a volunteer, you can: 

• adhere to our protocols, procedures and policies as set out in your training and  guidance 
• manage time well and transfer animals in a timely manner (to the best of your ability) 
• ensure that appropriate footwear and PPE is worn when directed and as necessary
• update us with any changes to your driving license or driver status 

How often would I volunteer?

Shifts are weekly, at the same time each time.

We have morning or afternoon shifts available, on any weekday (Mon-Fri) – at the following times:

Morning – 09:00-12:00
Afternoon – 12:00-17:00

Saying this, we can offer some flexibility on times. Please let us know your availability, or any preferred shift times, when you apply for the role – thank you.

What skills and attributes might I ideally need for this role? 

Experience, enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved are always a great help, and we would like to hear in particular (with some specific examples, if you can) about your: 

• Driving licence and its ability to enable you to drive B category vehicles (Transit Van)
• Understanding of health and safety, and its importance 
• Experience in any aspects of site or building maintenance; and general ‘DIY’ 
• Communication skills and ability to follow and carry out instructions 
• Confidence driving longer distances, and your feelings about using a utility vehicle
• Interest in animal welfare 
• Motivations for volunteering 

What might I get out of volunteering with Bristol A.R.C.? 

• The opportunity to volunteer with Bristol’s oldest and largest Animal Rescue Centre 
• Training and guidance to help you become a volunteer. This will include general  information, as well as specifics about the role 
• Ongoing support from your designated Volunteer Supervisor – the Facilities and  Health and Safety Manager, as well as the Volunteer Coordinator 
• The chance to learn about the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of an animal welfare  organisation 
• Opportunities to see other animal sites and centres, and meet like-minded people 
• We hope you would find it rewarding to directly contribute to animals’ rehabilitation through undertaking transfer journeys 
• The potential to gain new skills, and make new peers and friends through your  volunteering 

I haven’t had much experience. Can I still apply? 

Knowledge of building maintenance or health and safety is desirable, yet we welcome applications from anyone. If you are not particularly experienced, we would be pleased to hear about any other relevant skills or qualities you feel you could bring to the role. 

The one thing that you will need, is a clean driving licence and the willingness to drive a Transit-sized vehicle.

What else might I need to consider before I apply? 

• We ask that applicants bear in mind that whilst transporting animals is an important part of this role – this does not involve socialising the animals
• This role would suit someone who is comfortable undertaking duties independently  and using their initiative, as required
• A percentage of your time volunteering would be spent around the Centre in different  areas, and this will be quite a physical role
• We hope that our volunteers will stay with us for a period of at least six months, as we think this will allow the chance to get the best out of the experience. If you wish for a shorter-term or more ad-hoc role, you may wish to consider our Fundraising or  Events Volunteer roles
• Our volunteering roles are popular, and we kindly ask that you consider the time and regularity that you can commit to the role, to ensure this is the right fit for you
• For this particular role, we welcome applications from anyone over the age of 20 years old with two years clean driving experience
• If this role doesn’t feel quite the match for you, we have a wider variety of roles that  we advertise for periodically on our website 

How do I apply to volunteer in this role? 

We are taking applications through the application form on the Bristol Animal Rescue Centre website. This is located in the volunteering vacancies section, under the role advert. 

The closing date for applications is: Wednesday 30th September.
 

What happens next, after I have made an application? 

After the closing date we will review your application and read through all the details you have shared with us. If your application is successful, we will be in touch to arrange an informal interview at our site. Following the volunteer interview we will inform you whether we would like to offer you the role.

Please note that as part of the recruitment and on-boarding process, we will ask for your driving licence details so this can be checked at the DVLA. 

Thank you very much indeed for your interest in volunteering with us.

Purpose of the role:

We are seeking a WordPress / PHP Developer to help build and maintain the core web systems that power our public platform and membership services. This is not a commercial web development role. This is about creating digital infrastructure that belongs to the community and serves long-term social impact.

About the role:

As WordPress / PHP Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the CIC’s main website and connected digital services using open-source technologies. You will help ensure our platforms are stable, secure, accessible, and capable of supporting growth in membership, education, and fundraising. Your work will directly affect how people access information, join the community, and engage with the organisation.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Formal qualifications is desirable but STRONG experience and passion beats and tops this always.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

· Develop, maintain, and improve WordPress-based websites and systems that support organisational operations, services, and growth.

· Build, customise, and extend WordPress themes and plugins using PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and related technologies.

· Ensure code is clean, secure, maintainable, and aligned with WordPress and open-source best practices.

· Integrate open-source tools and third-party platforms, including membership systems, learning platforms, data tools, and APIs.

· Support the development and maintenance of secure member portals and restricted service areas with role-based access and permissions.

· Ensure websites are responsive across devices and browsers and optimised for performance, speed, and reliability.

· Apply accessibility standards to ensure inclusive access and usability for all users.

· Implement security best practices, including updates, patching, backups, access controls, and vulnerability prevention.

· Monitor platforms and assist with regular maintenance, upgrades, and issue prevention.

· Work closely with designers, content teams, and systems leads to translate functional needs into technical solutions.

· Advise on technical feasibility and recommend improvements where systems or tools create limitations.

· Assist with troubleshooting, debugging, and resolving technical issues across WordPress environments.

· Document code, integrations, system architecture, and technical processes clearly for technical and non-technical users.

· Ensure all systems comply with data protection, GDPR principles, safeguarding requirements, and ethical data handling standards.

· Collaborate with safeguarding and digital leads to minimise risk when handling sensitive or survivor-related data.

Essential Skills and Experience

· Strong practical experience with WordPress and PHP development.

· Experience building or customising WordPress themes and plugins.

· Solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

· Experience integrating third-party tools, plugins, or APIs.

· Knowledge of WordPress security, performance optimisation, and update management.

· Ability to document technical work clearly and work collaboratively across teams.

· Understanding of GDPR principles and secure data handling.

· Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

· Equivalent professional or voluntary experience accepted.

Desirable Skills and Experience

· Experience working in non-profit, CIC, or community-led organisations.

· Familiarity with open-source or low-cost digital platforms.

· Experience building membership portals or learning platform integrations.

· Basic understanding of hosting environments or server configuration.

· Experience supporting volunteer-led or safeguarding-focused digital environments.

What This Role Offers You:

Founding role in a community-owned digital infrastructure project.

Leadership-level experience in open-source platform development.

Opportunity to build systems that directly support social change.

Experience working across digital, education and membership teams.

Direct contribution to a public-facing platform for justice and empowerment.

Priority consideration for future paid roles as the C.I.C. becomes financially sustainable.

What This Role Is Not For:

People who want to work only with proprietary or closed systems.

Anyone uncomfortable working with serious or sensitive subject matter.

Those seeking guaranteed or immediate income.

Individuals unwilling to document their work or follow shared standards.

People who prefer not to collaborate with non-technical teams.

If you believe technology should belong to the people who use it and that open-source systems can support truth, protection and collective power, this role gives you the chance to build the digital foundations of a movement.

Join the Digital Infrastructure Team and help create platforms that serve community, not corporations.