Communications assistant six volunteer roles

This is a great opportunity to get involved and make a real difference by providing valuable administrative support at our Head Office in Newmarket. We are looking for a reliable and enthusiastic volunteer who would like to use their existing admin skills and experience to support a dynamic charity at the heart of the racing industry.
If you’re organised, proactive and enjoy being part of a friendly team, we would love to hear from you!

As a Volunteer Administrator, you'll bring your office experience and IT skills to support Racing Welfare’s daily operations. You’ll be comfortable using Microsoft Office programmes like Outlook, Word, and Excel and able to work independently with flexibility. All volunteers must maintain confidentiality and follow Racing Welfare's confidentiality policy and procedures.

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 day per week, flexible based on availability.

Key Responsibilities:
• Photocopying and scanning documents
• Responding to general enquiries via email and telephone
• Contacting external organisations/suppliers for quotes
• Processing card payments over the phone, including donations
• Sending letters and cards
• Compiling attendance lists/ coach registers for events
• Maintaining accurate, up-to-date records according to organisational guidelines and procedures
• Participating in supervision and ongoing training as required
• Helping with other miscellaneous office duties such as tidying/sorting the offices, stock checks and stationary orders etc.
• Taking telephone messages

Required Skills and Attributes:
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Office programmes, including mail merge.
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and face-to-face communication skills
• Reliability, punctuality and a professional attitude
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to collect, review, and disseminate information effectively
• Ability to work well within a team and establish effective working relationships

Support and Training:
We will provide all necessary materials and training, including safeguarding training, health and safety and data protection. You will receive continuous support and guidance from a dedicated member of staff throughout your volunteering role.

Benefits of Volunteering with Racing Welfare:
• Be part of a friendly, dedicated team and meet new people
• Continued development of your administrative and communications skills
• Experience the reward of supporting your local and national community
• Gain valuable skills and experience to enhance your CV
• Claim previously agreed out-of-pocket travel expenses

Important Information
• Safeguarding Training: Must be completed before starting the role.
• DBS Check Required: This role is subject to a Basic DBS check, which will be organised and paid for by the charity.
• Two references: Must be completed before starting the role
• Access to Transport Required: No, however, it may be needed if not local to the head office in Newmarket.
• Age Requirement: 18 years or above.

Interested?
For more information, or to apply, please contact use via email outlining your skills and experience and providing a short summary of how you meet the role description.
If you’re shortlisted, we will invite you to our Head Office for an interview. After that, there will be an informal face-to-face chat with a few members of the team, so you can get to know us and we can get to know you a little better. Volunteers join us for an initial six-month trial period, with continuation based on mutual agreement and shared expectations. 

To learn more about what we do visit our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The National Institute for African Studies (NIAS) is a London-based think tank that provides objective information on African affairs, looking to appoint a Research & Publishing Intern within its office in South West, London. Our main publication, The Saharan is an interdisciplinary journal published by NIAS aimed at exploring the dynamic relationship between culture and development in Africa/UK.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

- Support the editors in the sourcing & production of blog and journal publications

- Checking material for completeness, copy-edit and check appropriate non-technical material such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter updates

- Generate, check and correct files with names, contact information, number of articles, review assessments, and consent forms.

- Serve as a custodian of approved originals of all documentation produced for The Saharan journal

- Use NIAS LinkedIn account to connect to academics and groups to promote the journal, acquire papers, and attract skilled scholars to become reviewers

- Coordinate the publication flow of the journal and all stages of the editorial processes upon the release of each issue

- Review and adjust publications according to the style of the journal, ensuring the correct usage of references and plagiarism checking

- Update wordpress website and a range of social media accounts with news, updates and promotions

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST:

- Have a minimum of undergraduate degree

- Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications

- Good knowledge of wordpress, crm, social media tools

- Demonstrate excellent editorial and administrative skills together with high attention to detail

- Ability to work under pressure to tight schedules and deadlines

TO APPLY:

- CV

- Covering Letter

- Official transcript(s) of universities attended

- Contact information for two referees (email and telephone preferably from both universities and workplaces)

The position is based in London, UK. Only candidates who already possess the right to work in the UK should apply. The contract is for three months with a probation period of six weeks, extendable upon agreement and contingent on a continued volunteer/paid position.

Candidates should send a covering letter explaining the skills they would offer to NIAS, attaching a CV and a list of referees. The deadline for this round of application is 30 April. Due to the high number of applicants, only those selected will be contacted.

Flexible Working Options Available:

• Flexitime
• Work from home/university
• Part-time

Job Types: Volunteer, Internship

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses, Flexitime
• Support with relevant training
• Career Mentorship
• Sponsored attendance/Presentation at cultural events, conferences, seminars

Education:

•  BSc. and equivalent or higher (required)

Experience:

• Publishing: 1 year (preferred)
• Research 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

You will welcome clients and visitors, and support the smooth running of our local office at our drop in sessions on Mondays or Thursdays (or both)

Commitment: 6 hours/week (flexible)

Receptionists are the first point of contact for clients, welcoming visitors. You’ll record client details on our computer system, explain waiting times, and help ensure the service runs smoothly. The role builds communication, IT, and teamwork skills while making a real difference in the community. Full training and expense reimbursement are provided.

What you gain: Communication skills, admin experience, confidence using IT, and full training.

You'll gain valuable transferable skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork.

Whether you are starting out, changing career, retired, or returning to work, volunteering strengthens your CV and provides practical experience.

We’re seeking committed new trustees to help guide a small but ambitious charity supporting children and young people with cerebral palsy, ensuring our funds deliver meaningful, life-changing impact.

Our Board is made up of a small, committed group of trustees who bring a mix of professional expertise and personal connection to our cause. Together, we oversee a grant-making charity that has a long heritage and a clear ambition: to increase our income and ensure we can support more children and young people with cerebral palsy in meaningful, practical ways.

Like many small charities, our challenge is balancing strong governance with growth. We are financially stable and well run, but we want to think more strategically about our future: how we prioritise funding, how we grow awareness and income, and how we ensure every grant we make delivers real, lasting benefit for families. The new trustee will play an active role in shaping these conversations and helping the Board move confidently from steady state to sustainable growth.

The role is hands-on and collaborative. Trustees are expected to attend four board meetings a year, contribute thoughtfully to discussion and decision-making, and engage between meetings when specific issues arise. Depending on interest and experience, the new trustee may also be invited to take a lead role in an area of work or join a small working group, for example around fundraising development, investment oversight, or grant assessment.

This is an opportunity to influence how limited charitable funds are used where they matter most. Trustees are directly involved in decisions that enable children to access therapy, specialist equipment, and support that may not otherwise be available. For someone who wants to make a tangible difference, this is a role where your contribution can be clearly seen in the lives of the children and families we support.

The Board values open discussion, shared responsibility, and a supportive culture, making this an especially rewarding role for someone who wants their time and judgement to have genuine impact.