Childhood volunteer roles

‍Role Overview

250 million children under 5 years old across the Global South miss out on the care, play and stimulation they need during the most important years of their lives. Governments increasingly recognise the importance of early childhood development, but many struggle to find approaches that are affordable, scalable, and sustainable.

Lively Minds believes the solution is hiding in plain sight: parents.

For almost twenty years we have worked alongside governments and communities to develop and test a parent-powered approach that enables families, regardless of their income or level of education, to give children the best possible start in life. We have shown that this approach can be successfully integrated into government systems and delivered at scale. In Ghana alone, our model has been adopted nationally, reaching more than 700,000 children and supporting over 130,000 parents. Independent research found participating children made developmental gains equivalent to an additional year of schooling.

Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now entering an exciting new phase.

Rather than operating as a traditional programme delivery organization, Lively Minds has evolved into a specialist technical assistance partner. We work alongside governments to design, test, and scale parent-powered early childhood development within national education systems, building the capability, evidence, and implementation approaches that enable governments to lead sustainable, long-term change.

Today we support governments in Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the Gambia, with partnerships in development in Togo and Senegal. Our ambition is to help many more governments transform early childhood development over the coming decade.

This is an opportunity to help shape not only the future of Lively Minds but also how governments across the Global South deliver early childhood development for generations to come.

We are looking for a finance trustee who shares that ambition and can help ensure we have the financial stewardship, strategic judgment, and governance needed to achieve it.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional finance trustee role

Lively Minds is at an important strategic inflection point. As we expand our technical assistance model across multiple countries, we are asking new questions about organisational sustainability, financial resilience, growth, risk, and investment. We are looking for someone who enjoys helping ambitious organisations navigate those questions.

As finance trustee, you will bring independent judgment, financial expertise, and constructive challenge to the Board. You will help ensure we remain financially strong while enabling the organisation to pursue ambitious goals responsibly.

Working closely with the chair, CEO, COO, and finance director and chairing the finance & audit committee, you will help the board make confident, well-informed decisions about the organisation's future.

You will join a board that believes its role is to help the organisation realise its potential. That means asking difficult questions, opening doors, sharing expertise, encouraging innovation and supporting the executive team to succeed, while respecting the principle that the Board governs and management manages.‍

Key Responsibilities

As Finance Trustee you will help the Board to

Provide financial stewardship

• Act as a trusted sounding board to the FinanceDirector
• Help strengthen financial reporting and governance where appropriate
• Share expertise and experience that builds organisational capability
• Chair the Finance & Audit Committee and oversee the charity's financial health and long-term sustainability
• Review financial performance, budgets and forecasts
• Oversee the annual audit and approval of statutory accounts
• Monitor reserves, financial controls and risk management
• Ensure resources are used effectively and deliver value for money

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Strengthen strategic decision-making

• Bring financial insight to discussions on strategy, growth and organisational development
• Help assess the financialimplications of major strategic decisions and investments
• Support the Board in balancing ambition with affordability and risk
• Contribute to discussions on the long-term financial model needed to support international growth

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Support organisational capability

• Act as a trusted sounding board to the FinanceDirector
• Help strengthen financial reporting and governance where appropriate
• Share expertise and experience that builds organisational capability

Contribute as a Trustee

Like all trustees, you will contribute to the overall leadership and governance of Lively Minds, participating fully in board discussions on strategy, organisational performance, risk, people, and governance. We also expect trustees to champion the organisation actively, using their networks, credibility, and relationships to open doors, support fundraising, strengthen partnerships, and increase Lively Minds' visibility in the spaces where it matters most. The Board governs rigorously and champions energetically; we are looking for trustees who are ready to do both.

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Candidate Profile

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who combines strong financial expertise with strategic curiosity and a commitment to our mission.

You will probably have:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent)
• Senior financial leadership experience
• Excellent financial and commercial judgement
• Experience of financial planning, audit, controls and risk management
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge while building positive relationships
• An understanding of good governance and the respective roles of trustees and management
• The ability to think strategically beyond finance alone

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Charities or social purpose organisations
• International development
• Technical assistance or advisory organisations
• Scale-ups
• Institutional funding or grant finance
• Working with governments or public sector organisations

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is excited by our mission and motivated by the opportunity to help build an organisation capable of transforming early childhood development at scale.

Time commitment

The expected commitment is approximately one to two days per month.

This includes:

• Four Board meetings each year
• Four Finance & Audit Committee meetings each year
• Preparation for meetings
• Participation in the annual budget and audit cycle
• Occasional advice and support between meetings

Meetings are primarily held remotely, with occasional in-person meetings.

The role is voluntary and unpaid, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We believe stronger boards are built through diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived or professional experience in the countries and regions where we work, and from groups currently underrepresented on charity boards.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible and will make reasonable adjustments wherever needed

Application Instruction

Why become a trustee at Lively Mind

‍ If  are motivated by using your financial expertise to help governments transform the lives of millions of children, we would love to hear from you.

 Please send:

• Your CV (or short professional biography)
• A covering letter explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of Lively Minds and what you would bring to the role.

Timeline:

Closing Date: 15 August 2026

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NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood) provides emotional support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse; including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.

We offer empathy, validation, normalisation, understanding and care to our callers. We also assist survivors in finding longer term or local support, utilising common coping and grounding mechanisms, as well as signposting to other services who may be able to provide additional support.

Our service is vital as many survivors of childhood abuse continue to be negatively impacted by their experiences into adulthood – from complex post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and depression amongst other challenges.

It doesn’t have to be this way – this is the chance for you to change someone’s life for the better. We are seeking empathetic and resilient Volunteer Call Handlers to join our friendly team in Stockport.

Volunteer Call Handlers answer calls to NAPAC’s primary survivor support service – the telephone support line, so being confident speaking on the telephone is essential.

Due to the nature of the role, we require our volunteers to be above the age of 21.

Our volunteers at NAPAC are part of a unique, welcoming team where they receive 1:1 support from those around them. Volunteers will receive a 5-week training course (4×3-hour sessions plus a shadowing week).

Volunteer recruitment is ongoing with courses running every couple of months. Here you will receive specialist trauma-informed training and be fully equipped with the skills you need to feel confident in supporting survivors. Volunteers are also invited to attend our twice-yearly training days where we host guest speakers from other relevant organisations. Our volunteers play a crucial role supporting survivors and make a real difference to someone’s life with every call.

The BDFA is seeking a new Volunteer Treasurer/Trustee to join our passionate and dedicated Board.

As a trustee, you will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the BDFA, ensuring strong governance, and helping to improve the lives of children, young people, and families affected by Batten disease across the UK.

The overall role of Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

As our Treasurer, you will:

• Oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements
• Assure that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Board
• Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
• Have oversight of and give guidance to BDFA Accounting & Financial Administration Officer
• Attend board meetings
• Present financial overview at the AGM

Ideal Background:

Fully qualified chartered accountant/financial qualifications and experience. Some experience of charity finance and fundraising.

We welcome suitably qualified applicants who share our commitment to inclusion, integrity, and advocacy, and who are willing to contribute their time, skills, and experience to drive meaningful change.

Trustees meet regularly (virtually and occasionally in person) and contribute to board discussions, sub-committees, and strategic projects, including attending our in person meeting once a year.

This is a voluntary role, but the personal and social impact is immeasurable.

About us

Batten disease is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. Symptoms sometimes begin in infancy and sometimes later in childhood, after apparently normal early development. Occasionally it may start in adulthood. In individuals suffering from Batten disease, nervous system function steadily declines, causing a wide variety of neurologic problems, including loss of vision and seizures. The life expectancy of a child born with Batten disease can vary, depending on the form of the disease and the age of onset. Some children die in early childhood, while others may be able to live into their teens or twenties.

The BDFA was registered as a charity in 2001 and our mission is “to enable children and adults who are affected by Batten disease to live life to the full and to provide families with the care and support they need so that they do not walk this path alone.” The BDFA offers informed guidance and support to families and the professionals who work with them, as well as actively raising awareness, and promoting research into the management of Batten disease to improve patient care pathways and ultimately find a cure.

Work Location: Remote

NYAS' Side by Side care leaver programme supports care-experienced young people leaving care. When young people leave care, they often struggle with isolation, homelessness, and living independently because they are often thrown into independence way before they're ready. Side by Side bridges the gap between care and adulthood. We want to give young people the support they need to really succeed, but just as importantly, we want to make them feel confident in knowing that somebody is by their side.

There's a lot you can do as a volunteer for Side by Side, including assisting young people with their transition to adulthood, discovering their aspirations and goals, and generally supporting and signposting them to help achieve these.

You do not need any special qualifications, but we are looking for dedicated people of all ages who are comfortable with mentoring and being a good role model for a  young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood. We ask that you are able to commit to a few hours each week for a minimum of 1 year.

This is a worthwhile opportunity where you will make a positive difference to the life of a vulnerable young person, become part of a leading national children's charity, gain valuable experience and meet new people.

· You will have an hour or two to spare each week for the minimum of 1 year

• You will have good communication skills
• You will receive training in boundaries, goal setting and reflective check ins.
• You will enjoy meeting with others and supporting them to achieve their goals.
• You will receive all the support and training you need to make the most of your role.
• Volunteers will be supported in their own professional development and you will gain experience that could help in your future career goals.
• Expenses will be reimbursed.

Please note: This opportunity is for people over the age of 25 years.

Volunteer: Reading Volunteer

Hours: Flexible, as agreed

Do you love getting lost in a good book? Are you patient, kind, and passionate about helping others enjoy stories and conversation? Join us as a Reading Volunteer at SeeAbility and help make reading fun, inclusive, and meaningful for people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Reading Volunteer, you will spend time reading with and supporting people we support to enjoy books, stories, magazines, poetry, and conversation. This could include:

• Reading aloud in a relaxed and friendly way
• Supporting people to choose books and topics they enjoy
• Encouraging communication, confidence, and imagination
• Sharing laughter, conversation, and meaningful one-to-one time
• Helping create a calm and enjoyable reading experience

Whether it’s a favourite childhood story, an audiobook, or discovering something new together, your time will help bring books to life.

The Difference You Will Make

For many people we support, reading and shared storytelling can reduce isolation, build confidence, improve communication, and create joyful moments of connection.

Your support could help someone:

• Feel more included and valued
• Develop confidence and social skills
• Discover new interests and experiences
• Enjoy companionship and meaningful interaction
• Experience the comfort and fun that stories can bring

Sometimes, simply having someone patient and understanding to spend time with can make a huge difference.

Skills Required

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Friendly, patient, and reliable
• Empathic, understanding, and encouraging
• Passionate about books, stories, and conversation
• Good listeners with a positive attitude
• Comfortable supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss

No previous experience is required — just enthusiasm, kindness, and a love of reading.

Requirements

• Complete a DBS check
• Provide references
• Complete online training provided by SeeAbility

We will support you throughout the process.

The Benefits of Volunteering

• Gaining valuable experience and skills
• Meeting new people and becoming part of a supportive team
• Making a genuine difference in someone’s life
• Building confidence and communication skills
• Sharing your love of books and storytelling
• Receiving training and ongoing support
• We cover travel expenses up to 20 miles

This role has multiple locations: Cannock, Burton, Yardley, Market Drayton, High Wycombe, Newport (Wales), Moreton

About Newlife

At Newlife, we exist to champion the joy of childhood for every disabled child. We envision a world where every disabled child has the support, equipment and encouragement they need to live, grow and flourish. We’re on a mission to empower all disabled children and their families to live life to the fullest.

By joining our community of volunteers, you can help change the lives of disabled children. Together we will make a difference.

Volunteer in a Newlife store

We're recruiting retail volunteers to support us as we head into the retail peak season and beyond.

Become a Retail Store Volunteer and you’ll join our friendly community of staff and volunteers. We’re always searching for volunteers to help in our nine UK stores. You can find shifts that suit you.

• Where? Cannock, Burton, Market Drayton, Newport (Wales), Moreton, High Wycombe, Yardley
• How often? Flexible, to be discussed 
• Age? Volunteers must be 16 and over (parental consent is required for volunteers aged 16 and 17)

About the role: 

Retail Support Volunteers get involved in a range of tasks including supporting customers, sorting stock and working on the shop floor. 

If you’re looking for retail experience, enjoy working in a busy environment and are a great team player, this is the opportunity for you. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing excellent customer service and dealing with any customer queries 
• Setting up displays in store to showcase products
• Sorting through new products and displaying stock on the shop floor 
• Helping to maintain the standards of the store, keeping it clean, tidy and organised
• Highlighting the importance of the work we do and raising awareness.
• Helping with in-store fundraising activities 

By volunteering at Newlife, you can:

• Develop new skills and try new experiences in a safe and inclusive environment
• Meet new people and develop new friendships
• Build your confidence
• Enhance your CV and develop transferable skills
• Share your knowledge and expertise 
• Have fun and be part of a fantastic community 
• Contribute to our mission and make a real difference to disabled children

We look forward to hearing from you!

Event: 2026 Great North Run 

Location: Newcastle

Time commitment: 13th September - Half a day 

What we're looking for

We need enthusiastic and outgoing volunteers who can cheer as loudly as possible for our runners as they go past our cheer point. Every year thousands of people join Team NSPCC to take on a challenge and raise money to help protect children and prevent abuse. Together with other cheerers, you'll make a huge difference to how our  runners feel – helping them to complete a challenge they've spent months preparing for.

What you'll do

You'll be joining other lively and enthusiastic cheerers at our NSPCC cheer point along the route – be ready for cheering, clapping, whooping or even singing. It's a team effort, so you would also help with setting up the cheer point, giving out t-shirts and cheering materials, making sure the area is kept tidy and helping with packing down.

We'll be in touch to arrange with you what time to arrive, where to meet and what to expect. You don't have to be an official cheerer to come along and support team NSPCC. So if you can't make the full-time or to our cheer point, we'd still love to see there, just look up the event time and come along.

What you'll get

Volunteering at our events is a great way to experience the fantastic atmosphere of event days, without the training! The atmosphere at our cheer point is amazing, and we'll provide you with cheering materials and an NSPCC t-shirt so all you have to bring is your enthusiasm.

You'll be accompanied by NSPCC staff to support you and answer any questions you may have. Travel expenses will be covered up to the value of £5.00.

Who's right for the role?

You don't need any prior experience, just a sense of fun, team spirit and enthusiasm. It's important that you're able to spend a few hours outside, spending lots of this time cheering and clapping. You'll also need to stand for a few hours so, if you think this would be difficult, we'd advise bringing along a travel chair. If you are a wheelchair user, please let us know and we can help to identify a suitably accessible cheering point for you.

You'll need to feel comfortable if members of the public ask you about your volunteering role and will simply need to direct them to a member of staff if they have any questions about the NSPCC. We need volunteers with a warm and friendly manner, as the NSPCC is 90 per cent funded by public donations so the impression people have of us is incredibly important.

Please be aware that you'll need to make your own way to your cheer point (we will give you directions).

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.

Sea Cadets Leith, based in Prince of Wales Docks, is currently looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to join our committee team. Whether you chair the committee, run our social media, or help us fundraise on an ad-hoc basis, you’ll be supporting young people to access opportunities to create life-long memories and friendships.

At Leith we aim to give young people an experience that will help them grow into the person they want to be in a safe and friendly environment. We offer a range of different activities from sailing, windsurfing and powerboating - to rock climbing, camping, and music - plus, so much more!

Leith is a long-established Sea Cadet Unit that has provided life-changing opportunities for many young people. We currently have 24 cadets who come from all over the area. Our cadets come from all walks of life, with some experiencing adverse childhood events, and limited access to social youth groups. Without support from volunteers like you, our charity cannot provide the adventure, community, and opportunities that young people experience through the Sea Cadets.

The primary purpose of the CFAV is to assist in the development of young people as
Individuals and active citizens by providing safe and rewarding training, direction and guidance.
The secondary purposes of a CFAV are:
- Maintain the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) values
- Assist the Unit Training Officer (UTO) to plan a varied training programme.
- Safely and securely maintain the unit’s resources and equipment.

We will support you to understand your role, how to do it and the difference you make to the SCC
- Understand the skills and experience you have, as well as your aspirations for volunteering
- Provide you with an induction, ongoing support and training to undertake your volunteer role
- Provide regular updates about any developments in the charity that are relevant to you
- Value your contributions and providing you with potential opportunities to progress

Event: 2026 Royal Parks Half Marathon

Location: London

Time commitment: 11th October - Half a day 

What we're looking for

We need enthusiastic and outgoing volunteers who can cheer as loudly as possible for our runners as they go past our cheer points. Every year thousands of people join Team NSPCC to take on a challenge and raise money to help protect children and prevent abuse. Together with other cheerers, you'll make a huge difference to how our runners feel – helping them to complete a challenge they've spent months preparing for.

What you'll do

You'll be joining other lively and enthusiastic cheerers at  our NSPCC cheer point along the route – be ready for cheering, clapping, whooping or even singing. It's a team effort, so you would also help with setting up the cheer point, giving out t-shirts and cheering materials, making sure the area is kept tidy and helping with packing down.

We have one cheer point along the course, with staggered start times. We'll be in touch to arrange with you what time to arrive, where to meet and what to expect. You don't have to be an official cheerer to come along and support team NSPCC. So if you can't make the full-time or to one of our cheer points, we'd still love to see there, just look up the event time and come along.

What you'll get

Volunteering at our events is a great way to experience the fantastic atmosphere of event days, without the training! The atmosphere at our cheer point is amazing, and we'll provide you with cheering materials and an NSPCC t-shirt so all you have to bring is your enthusiasm.

You'll be accompanied by NSPCC staff to support you and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments will be provided at the cheer points, and travel expenses will be covered up to the value of £5.

Who's right for the role?

You don't need any prior experience, just a sense of fun, team spirit and enthusiasm. It's important that you're able to spend a few hours outside, spending lots of this time cheering and clapping. You'll also need to stand for a few hours so, if you think this would be difficult, we'd advise bringing along a travel chair. If you are a wheelchair user, please let us know and we can help to identify a suitably accessible cheering point for you.

You'll need to feel comfortable if members of the public ask you about your volunteering role and will simply need to direct them to a member of staff if they have any questions about the NSPCC. We need volunteers with a warm and friendly manner, as the NSPCC is 90 per cent funded by public donations so the impression people have of us is incredibly important.

Please be aware that you'll need to make your own way to your cheer point (we will give you directions).

We can discuss which cheering post would be most convenient for you.

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.

Recruitment Manager – Volunteer Role

About Make A Smile

Make A Smile is a UK charity dedicated to bringing joy, play, and magical experiences to children facing illness, disability, or disadvantage. Volunteers dress as beloved characters and deliver uplifting activities, from hospital visits and care‑centre sessions to arts, crafts, stories, and games - ensuring every child gets the chance to enjoy their childhood. Our Trustees and Central Officers ensure the charity runs smoothly across the UK, helping us “bring smiles to the faces of so many children.”

About The Role

The Recruitment Manager leads and oversees volunteer recruitment across all Make A Smile chapters. You will support Chapter Recruitment Officers, run central recruitment activities, and ensure volunteers can progress smoothly from first hearing about the charity to becoming fully qualified and ready to attend events.

Key Responsibilities

You will play a strategic and hands‑on role in growing the charity’s volunteer base. Responsibilities include:

● Overseeing the full volunteer journey - from first contact to becoming “Qualified” and event‑ready.

● Providing guidance, training, and ongoing support to Chapter Recruitment Officers.

● Ensuring Recruitment Officers run effective Introduction Training sessions, recruitment fairs, and outreach activities.

● Identifying barriers that prevent volunteers from getting involved and working to reduce them.

● Ensuring each chapter completes its Widening Access plan and implements inclusive recruitment practices.

● Working closely with the Safeguarding Officer to support DBS checks and ensure Recruitment Officers can run DBS clinics correctly.

● Maintaining and improving the Introduction Training slides and ensuring content remains high‑quality and up to date.

● Running a monthly online central Introduction Training session and advertising it across chapters and social media.

● Proactively seeking new recruitment opportunities, including volunteering platforms, fairs, and partnerships.

● Supporting and overseeing the Widening Participation (WP) Officer, who recruits 16–18‑year‑old volunteers.

● Collaborating with the PR Officer and Conference Officer to raise awareness and attend recruitment events.

● Reporting recruitment challenges, barriers, and chapter needs at monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.

Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For

This role suits someone energetic, organised, and passionate about helping people get involved. You’ll thrive if you bring:

● Strong communication and people‑engagement skills.

● Confidence in motivating and supporting volunteers.

● A proactive, solution‑focused mindset.

● Creativity in finding new recruitment opportunities.

● The ability to manage multiple chapters and keep track of progress.

● Professionalism, dedication, and alignment with Make A Smile’s ethos (“Act in the best interests of Make a Smile… Enjoy it!”).

Experience in recruitment is helpful but not essential - enthusiasm and commitment matter most.

Time Commitment

Recruitment Managers are expected to contribute around 4 hours per week, including supporting chapters, running central training, and attending monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.

Training and Support

You will receive:

● Full Trustee Training (online).

● A comprehensive handover and access to all systems (OneDrive, Simvoly, WhatsApp communities).

● Guidance from the Chair, Safeguarding Officer, and fellow Trustees.

● Access to recruitment guides, training materials, and templates.

● Opportunities for personal development through CPD and charity‑funded training.

What You’ll Gain

● Experience leading recruitment across a national charity.

● Skills in volunteer engagement, training delivery, and inclusive recruitment.

● Leadership experience supporting multiple chapter teams.

● The chance to shape the volunteer experience and strengthen the charity’s impact.

● The joy of helping new volunteers join a community that brings magic to children.

Safeguarding and Eligibility

Recruitment Managers must act in line with charity standards, including professionalism, confidentiality, and reliability. You must be able to attend monthly meetings and engage actively in communication channels. A DBS check may be required depending on involvement with events.

How to Apply

To express your interest, please send a CV along with a short message outlining your experience, interest in recruitment, and why you’d like to support Make A Smile.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for helping children smile.

What we're looking for:

We need enthusiastic and outgoing volunteers who can cheer as loudly as possible for our runners as they go past our cheer points. Every year thousands of people join Team NSPCC to take on a challenge and raise money to help protect children and prevent abuse. Together with other cheerers, you'll make a huge difference to how our runners feel – helping them to complete a challenge they've spent months preparing for.

What you'll do:

You'll be joining other lively and enthusiastic cheerers at one of our NSPCC cheer points along the route – be ready for cheering, clapping, whooping or even singing. It's a team effort, so you would also help with setting up the cheer point, giving out t-shirts and cheering materials, making sure the area is kept tidy and helping with packing down.

We have several cheer points along the course, with staggered start times. We'll be in touch to arrange with you what time to arrive, where to meet and what to expect. You don't have to be an official cheerer to come along and support team NSPCC. So if you can't make the full-time or to one of our cheer points, we'd still love to see there, just look up the event time and come along.

What you'll get:

Volunteering at our events is a great way to experience the fantastic atmosphere of event days, without the training! The atmosphere at our cheer points is amazing, and we'll provide you with cheering materials and an NSPCC t-shirt so all you have to bring is your enthusiasm.

You'll be accompanied by NSPCC staff to support you and answer any questions you may have. Refreshments will be provided at the cheer points, and travel expenses will be covered up to the value of £5.

Who's right for the role?

You don't need any prior experience, just a sense of fun, team spirit and enthusiasm. It's important that you're able to spend a few hours outside, spending lots of this time cheering and clapping. You'll also need to stand for a few hours so, if you think this would be difficult, we'd advise bringing along a travel chair. If you are a wheelchair user, please let us know and we can help to identify a suitably accessible cheering point for you.

You'll need to feel comfortable if members of the public ask you about your volunteering role and will simply need to direct them to a member of staff if they have any questions about the NSPCC. We need volunteers with a warm and friendly manner, as the NSPCC is 90 per cent funded by public donations so the impression people have of us is incredibly important.

Please be aware that you'll need to make your own way to your cheer point (we will give you directions).

We can discuss which cheering post would be most convenient for you.

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.

Blood Cancer UK is looking for new Trustees, due to the upcoming retirement of current Board members. At Blood Cancer UK we fund world-class research, provide trusted information and support to people affected by blood cancer, and campaign to improve outcomes for everyone living with or beyond blood cancer. Our vision is clear: we are here to beat blood cancer. 

Who we are looking for 

We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to beating blood cancer and who can bring strategic thinking, sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative approach. You do not need previous trustee experience to apply. 

We would particularly welcome applicants with experience in areas such as, finance, working in the NHS, clinical practice, research, fundraising, or marketing. We are also keen to hear from people with personal experience of blood cancer and from people whose voices and experiences are under-represented in charity governance. 

How to apply 

Please apply by submitting your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 2 A4 pages) outlining why you are interested in becoming a Trustee and what you would bring to the role. 

Chair of Trustees – Hackney Playbus

Are you passionate about giving every child the best start in life?

Hackney Playbus has supported children and families across Hackney for more than 50 years through free, inclusive play sessions, family support and community outreach. We are now looking for an inspiring and collaborative Chair of Trustees to help lead the organisation into its next chapter.

This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside an experienced Board and Co-Directors to shape the strategic direction of a well-established local charity with a strong reputation and growing ambition.

As Chair, you will provide leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, thoughtful decision-making and a clear focus on our charitable mission. You will support and challenge the Co-Directors, help build an engaged and diverse Board, and act as an ambassador for Hackney Playbus with partners, funders and the wider community.

We’re looking for someone with strategic leadership experience, excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach. Previous Chair experience is welcome but not essential; we’d also love to hear from people with senior leadership, governance or committee experience who are ready to take on their first Chair role.

This is a voluntary position requiring approximately 1–2 days per month, including quarterly Board meetings, regular meetings with the Co-Directors and occasional attendance at events and partnership meetings.

Alongside recruiting our new Chair, we are also seeking trustees with expertise in:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Corporate partnerships and employee volunteering
• Communications and marketing
• Advocacy and influencing

By joining Hackney Playbus, you’ll help ensure that children can play, families feel supported, and communities continue to thrive.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences and are particularly keen to hear from people who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

About Us

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is a survivor-led community interest company dedicated to exposing the impact of childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, addiction, mental health struggles, and family dysfunction within Black communities and beyond.

Through podcasts, survivor stories, education, events, research, coaching, advocacy, and community support, we help individuals heal, break destructive cycles, and build stronger families and communities.

As we continue to grow nationally and internationally, we are seeking a Volunteer Central Operations Director to create structure, accountability, and operational excellence across all volunteer departments.

Job Purpose

The Volunteer Central Operations Director serves as the operational backbone of the organisation, ensuring departments, projects, and volunteer teams work efficiently, meet deadlines, and deliver measurable outcomes.

The role oversees project delivery, performance monitoring, reporting systems, KPI tracking, volunteer accountability, and cross-department coordination, helping turn organisational vision into effective execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate organisational operations across all volunteer departments.
• Manage the Central Operations Team, including Analysts, Coordinators, and Assistants.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring milestones, deadlines, and objectives are achieved.
• Monitor organisational performance, identify risks and bottlenecks, and implement solutions.
• Establish accountability systems, workflows, reporting processes, and operational procedures.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards, departmental scorecards, and performance reports.
• Track volunteer engagement, project progress, fundraising outcomes, and organisational impact.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments.
• Lead operational meetings and support monthly performance reviews.
• Produce reports, risk assessments, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Support implementation of organisational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor department leaders and promote volunteer engagement, wellbeing, and retention.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Experience leading teams, projects, programmes, or organisational operations.
• Strong project management, organisational, and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing systems, processes, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience building stakeholder relationships and facilitating collaboration.
• Ability to motivate, support, and manage volunteers and team leaders.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently within a remote environment.
• Proficiency with tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Airtable, Notion, Slack, and Teams.
• Experience in charities, CICs, volunteer-led organisations, operations management, programme management, or community development is desirable.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-led, or social impact organisations is beneficial.
• Passion for social impact and commitment to our mission.

Volunteer Benefits

• Opportunity to help build a national survivor-led movement.
• Executive leadership experience.
• Leadership training and mentoring.
• Professional references upon successful service.
• Opportunity to influence organisational strategy.
• Meaningful social impact and legacy-building work.
• Potential future paid leadership opportunities as the organisation grows.

Additional Notes

This role may not be suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work.
• Dislike reporting, accountability, or performance tracking.
• Are seeking immediate paid employment.
• Are uncomfortable using data and analysis to support decision-making.

To Apply

Please send:

• Your CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile (if available).
• A short introduction about yourself.
• Why this mission resonates with you.
• Relevant experience, skills, ideas, or vision you would bring to the role.