Project management volunteer volunteer roles

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community to ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

What you will be doing

• Activity Organisers - Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Promoting SSAFA Services - Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.
• SSAFA Storytellers -Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.
• Community Connectors - Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects.
• Fundraising Heroes - Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.
• Administrators - Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

The skills you need

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Confident to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.
• Basic IT skills would be an advantage.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.
• 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!

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

DATA PROTECTION LEAD (VOLUNTEER)

Protect the Privacy, Dignity & Trust of Everyone at SUNSHINE — and Help Us Grow Safely Across London

About SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE is a small but ambitious grassroots charity on a mission to reduce loneliness and help people feel truly seen, valued and connected. Every week, our volunteers bring warmth, joy and human connection to people who feel isolated, overlooked or alone.

To do this safely, ethically and responsibly, we need strong, compassionate data protection leadership. As our Data Protection Lead, you will help ensure that every piece of information we hold — every story, every detail, every moment of trust — is treated with the highest level of care.

Your work will protect people who may be vulnerable. Your leadership will help SUNSHINE grow with integrity. Your presence will help us build a movement rooted in safety, dignity and respect.

What You’ll Be Doing

1. Leading Data Protection Across SUNSHINE

• Oversee all data protection policies, processes and compliance.

• Ensure SUNSHINE meets GDPR and UK data protection requirements, including the registration and maintence required by the ICO.

• Keep our approach warm, accessible and easy for volunteers to follow.

2. Protecting the People We Support

• Ensure sensitive information is handled with dignity, confidentiality and care.

• Support volunteers to understand what they can and cannot share.

• Help create a culture where privacy is respected at every level.

3. Managing Data Protection Requests & Issues

• Act as the first point of contact for data protection questions or concerns.

• Respond appropriately to data breaches or risks (rare, but essential).

• Maintain clear, simple processes for handling personal data safely.

4. Supporting Our Digital & IT Systems

• Work closely with the Digital & IT Lead to ensure systems are secure.

• Help shape safe data storage, access and retention practices.

• Ensure our CRM, case management system and Google Workspace are compliant.

5. Strengthening SUNSHINE as We Grow

• Review and improve data protection systems as our programmes expand.

• Ensure our growth across London is supported by strong, scalable privacy practices.

• Help SUNSHINE build a model that protects people now — and in the future.

This Role Is for You If…

• You care deeply about people’s privacy, dignity and safety.

• You have experience in data protection, GDPR, compliance, IT, safeguarding or a related field.

• You’re calm, organised and confident making decisions.

• You enjoy creating systems that help others feel safe and supported.

• You want to help build a new charity from the ground up.

• You’re based in or connected to London.

• You want to grow your skills in data protection leadership.

Practical Details

• Location: Hybrid/Flexible — remote with occasional London meetups.

• Time: 3–6 hours per week (flexible).

Why This Role Matters

People who come to SUNSHINE often share personal, vulnerable parts of their lives — stories of loneliness, grief, anxiety, low confidence or isolation. Your leadership will ensure those stories are protected. Your decisions will safeguard volunteers and participants alike. Your work will help SUNSHINE grow responsibly, ethically and sustainably.

This is not just data protection. It’s trust. It’s dignity. It’s the foundation that allows connection, joy and healing to happen.

How to Apply

Send a CV and a short note about why this role speaks to you. We review applications on a rolling basis — join us and help keep SUNSHINE safe for everyone.

An invitation to join us at Young Devon as our next…

Trustee (Job Ref 25-85)

Are you passionate about supporting young people in Devon?

Young Devon is here to change the odds in favour of the thousands of young people who ask for help each year with their homelessness, mental health and education.  We believe developing good quality relationships can be transformational in young people’s lives.

We are seeking committed and passionate people to support the leadership of a complex organisation.  An understanding of governance in a Charity or non-executive setting isn’t essential but will help.

You will be able to demonstrate good judgement combined with excellent strategic and communication skills.  As a creative thinker and being able to recognise a range of perspectives you will be able to support fellow Trustees to ensure the Charity is well governed and focused on meeting the needs of young people.

You can download the Candidate Information Pack from our website.

This is a voluntary position but one which we hope will be very rewarding.  We aim to appoint to an initial 3-year term with the possibility to extend to a second thereafter.  Reasonable and proper expenses will be reimbursed.  An enhanced DBS check is required for this position.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Tuesday 31st March 2026

Young Devon is a youth work charity (1057949) passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and embracing diversity. We are committed to Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable groups and all applicants who will or could have unsupervised access to these groups will complete the required checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service

What will you be doing?

We are looking to expand the range of expertise and experience of our Board and are looking to recruit additional Trustees, particularly with knowledge of Nottinghamshire or the Deaf Community (UK-wide), but we are looking for other experience too (see below). 

This is a great opportunity to develop further governance skills and experience, and help steer an important charity in the right direction

Trustees meetings are usually held every six weeks, plus there is an AGM, away days, and any sub-committee meetings that trustees may be involved in. Most meetings will remain virtual but there will from time to time be a need to attend key meetings and events in Nottingham. The time commitment is approximately 4 hours per month, but there may be occasions when more time is required for a short period.

Trustee positions are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Who we are looking for

· Relevant experience in any of the following: the deaf community, Nottinghamshire, financial management, HR, charities, fundraising, social prescribing, NHS, local authorities, marketing, business development, governance, strategy or legal.

· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

· Good, independent judgement

· The ability to challenge and ask questions

· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

· A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership

About Self Help UK

Self Help UK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. In 2026, we will collaborate with our Integrated Care System to improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position Self Help UK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.

A selection of causes covered by Self Help UK

· Peer support

· Long-term health conditions

· Cancer diagnoses and prevention

· Voluntary sector support

· Health inequalities

· Under-served communities

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

Job description

Quilombo UK is looking for a Bid Writer (Grant & Funds), who loves to face work challenges; to join their growing team.

The Bid Writer (Grant & Funds) will play a critical role by assisting the manager to prepare the proposal that helps the organization to further develop and establish.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; love to 'give back to their community'. The role is for you if you are looking for flexibility and autonomy. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Apart from writing proposals, you will also be reviewing and editing previously written content wherever necessary.
• Working with other team members to produce bid responses and writings
• Helps in writing funding applications for the varied projects that we run in order to meet our organisational objectives.
• Also helps in presentations and all supporting documentation.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• You must be based in the UK
• You will need to have good written skills
• Able to write effective, concise and compelling content
• You will be self-starting and willing to research and look for new funding opportunities that match our aims and objectives;
• Ability to work on tight deadlines
• Well organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and excel.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

The volunteering program with Quilombo UK requires a minimum of 16 weeks of commitment. We are looking for someone who can offer 12 hours a week, Monday - Friday (2 times a week).

Please note that this is a volunteering unpaid role.

Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer

Benefits: Work from home

Experience:

• Technical Writing: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

CONTEXT

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in

Wolverhampton which supports, empowers and advocates for women and children.

We aim to actively encourage women to be self-reliant, through empowering them to

identify their own needs, make their own choices and create their own solutions. We

offer a baby bank, a charity shop & various community support services to help

women facing crises or challenging situations.

Wolverhampton Baby Bank is a flagship project run by The Women & Families

Resource Centre, a registered charity supporting families with children aged 0-3.

Through donated essentials and community engagement, we provide much-needed

items such as:

• Essential supplies for babies and toddlers, including nappies, wipes, clothing, toys,

and bedding.

• Support services for new parents, including drop-in groups and befriending for

pregnant women and new mothers.

• Referrals and resources to connect families with additional community services.

Scope and Span

The Executive Assistant provides high-level administrative and operational support directly to the Executive Director (Karyne). This role ensures the Executive Director’s time, priorities, communication, and strategic initiatives are well-managed and executed efficiently.

The Executive Assistant acts as a gatekeeper, coordinator, and trusted support partner to enable the Owner to focus on leadership, growth, and strategic decision-making.

Volunteer Guidelines

Thank you for volunteering with The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC). Our work supports and empowers women and families facing challenging circumstances, and your role is essential in helping us provide consistent, reliable, and respectful services. To ensure fairness, sustainability, and high-quality support for the community, all volunteers are expected to follow the structured framework and guidelines below.

• Minimum of 12hrs per week and 4hrs per day

• Attend agreed shifts consistently and provide notice if unable to attend.

• Carry out agreed tasks responsibly, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.

• Treat service users, staff, and fellow volunteers with respect and compassion.

• Communicate openly about availability, concerns, or if feeling overwhelmed to prevent burnout and overcommitment.

• Follow agreed scheduling processes to ensure continuity and consistency in service delivery.

• Work collaboratively as part of the team and report any safeguarding concerns immediately.

Your commitment and reliability help us create a stable and supportive environment for the families we serve.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage the Owner’s calendar, appointments, and scheduling

• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, and document action points

• Screen and prioritize emails and communications

• Draft correspondence and internal communications on behalf of the Owner

• Track key projects and follow up on action items

• Support planning of events, campaigns, or strategic initiatives

• Prepare reports, summaries, and presentations when required

• Liaise with internal managers and external stakeholders

• Maintain confidential records and sensitive information

• Assist with operational oversight when delegated

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, or similar role preferred

• Strong administrative and organizational background

• Comfortable using Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and communication tools

• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion

• Highly reliable and detail-oriented

Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• High level of professionalism and discretion

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks

• Problem-solving and proactive thinking

• Strong coordination and follow-up ability

• Emotional intelligence and stakeholder management

Could you be a part of our inspiring, hardworking and motivated team making a positive contribution to rebuilding the lives of women and children?

At One YMCA we provide a range of varied and exciting volunteer roles - we currently are looking for support at our Horizons (Domestic Abuse) and Onyx (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) services based in Bedford

Some of the tasks and responsibilities include:

•  Supporting the Horizons and Onyx teams with raising awareness of their services across the Bedford area
•  Liaising and networking with community partners we work with such as GPs, Pharmacies, Community Centres and local businesses
• Attending and supporting promotion of services at local community events and Outreach projects
• Promoting our services by handing out leaflets, putting up posters and sharing posts online as well as word of mouth

You will be: 

• Be of a friendly, welcoming, approachable and a cheerful disposition
• Good communication skills with conversational English.
• Reliable & punctual.
• Be a team player with a flexible approach.
• Be proactive & work under your own initiative.
• A willingness to get stuck in.
• Able to maintain complete discretion in handling confidential information.

 A full induction to the Horizons/Onyx service and specific sites will be provided, including an "Introduction to Domestic Abuse" 1 day training course

You will be required to complete online training, plus a menu of optional training linked the role will be made available.

You will receive regular 1 to 1s and supervision with line manager and oportunities to attend volunteer meetings and events!

Please note you will be required to undergo a DBS check and two references will be taken up prior to commencing the role. 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH LEAD (VOLUNTEER)

Bring SUNSHINE Into London’s Communities — and Help People Facing Loneliness Feel Seen, Valued & Connected

About SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE is a small but ambitious grassroots charity on a mission to reduce loneliness and help people feel truly seen, valued and connected. Every week, our volunteers bring warmth, joy and human connection to people who feel isolated, overlooked or alone.

As we prepare to launch publicly, we’re looking for a Community Engagement & Outreach Lead who can help us take SUNSHINE into the heart of London’s neighbourhoods — building relationships, raising awareness, and connecting with the people who need us most.

Your work will help someone who feels invisible discover a place where they belong. Your conversations will open doors. Your presence will bring hope. This is community work at its most human.

What You’ll Be Doing

1. Bringing SUNSHINE Into the Community

• Build warm, genuine relationships with local groups, community centres, libraries, faith spaces, youth hubs and grassroots organisations.

• Introduce SUNSHINE’s mission with kindness, clarity and energy.

• Help us become a familiar, trusted presence across London.

2. Reaching People Facing Loneliness

• Connect with individuals who may be isolated, anxious, grieving or lacking confidence.

• Share information about our programmes and volunteer opportunities in a gentle, accessible way.

• Help people take their first brave step into community.

3. Creating Local Partnerships

• Identify organisations who share our values and want to collaborate.

• Explore opportunities for joint events, referrals, outreach sessions and community activities.

• Build a network that strengthens SUNSHINE’s impact and reach.

4. Representing SUNSHINE With Warmth & Joy

• Attend community events, fairs, open days and local gatherings.

• Speak about SUNSHINE’s work with authenticity and movement‑energy.

• Help create a buzz around our launch and ongoing projects.

5. Supporting Our Growth Across London

• Map out key neighbourhoods and communities we should connect with.

• Help shape our outreach strategy as we grow.

• Ensure SUNSHINE is reaching people who need us most.

This Role Is for You If…

• You’re a natural connector who loves talking to people.

• You care deeply about loneliness, wellbeing and community.

• You enjoy being out in the community, meeting new people and building relationships.

• You want to help a new charity grow from the ground up.

• You’re based in or connected to London.

• You want to develop your skills in outreach, community engagement or charity leadership.

Practical Details

• Location: Across London + remote work

• Time: Approx. 3-5 Hours per week (This is a fully flexible volunteer role with no set hours)

Why This Role Matters

The people you meet may be carrying heavy stories — loneliness, grief, anxiety, low confidence, or the feeling that they don’t belong anywhere. Your warmth may be the first kindness they’ve felt in a long time. Your outreach may be the moment someone realises they are not alone. Your connections will help SUNSHINE reach the people who need us most.

This is not just outreach. It’s human connection. It’s community building. It’s hope — delivered person by person, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

How to Apply

Send a CV and a short note about why this role speaks to you. We review applications on a rolling basis — join us and help bring SUNSHINE into London’s communities.

Donation Research Assistant (Volunteer)

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) was founded in 2009 and aims to provide protection and improve the welfare of animals in need. Our first project is based in Borneo, where we provide a lifeline to thousands of dogs and cats every year in need of veterinary care and support. Our companion animal programmes have since developed in other countries, including Romania and Penang Island, as well as support programmes to help other species.

We are currently looking for Donation Research Volunteers to help support our Online Retail Team. This role will enable us to continue raising vital funds for our animals in need by helping to identify potential sources for donations of goods for our monthly online auctions and other fundraising platforms. 

Tasks will include:

• Researching suitable businesses to reach out to for potential donations.

• Develop relationships with donors, providing regular communication and support when needed. 

• Record and track donations received for our monthly online auctions.

• Collaborate with the team to identify best fundraising options. 

Ideally you will;

• Have experience or an interest in a research role, particularly within the charity sector.

• Be familiar with Google Workspace or willingness to learn.

• Have the ability to work independently and use your own initiative.

• Offer 1-3 hours per week (hours can be fully flexible)

What we can offer you;

• Full training and support from our Retail Manager.

• An opportunity to build your CV skills and develop your experience.

• A chance to help increase the awareness of the great work we do at IAPWA.

• A fully flexible role that can fit around your schedule via remote working.

If you would like further details about the role, please don't hesitate to reach out via the Apply button.

Ready to fuel a revolution in men’s growth?

At MINDSET, we’re building a brand-new start-up for men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth across England and Wales. We’ve got the vision and the drive, but to make a lasting impact, we need a Fundraising Lead who knows how to turn a bold mission into a sustainable reality.

We’re looking for a strategic, high-energy volunteer to hunt down opportunities, build powerful partnerships, and lead the charge in securing the resources we need to grow.

The Mission:

• The Grant Hunter: Research and write high-impact applications to secure the funding that builds our foundations.
• The Digital Architect: Launch creative online campaigns—from crowdfunding to viral social giving—that get the public behind us.
• The Power Broker: Build strategic partnerships with businesses, major donors, and companies who want to be part of a real solution for men.
• The Team Captain: Lead and inspire a squad of volunteer fundraisers, giving them the direction they need to smash our targets.

The Vibe:
We’re moving away from the "guilt-trip" style of fundraising. We want someone who sells the vision and the strength of our work. This is a blank canvas for you to build a funding strategy that is as modern and direct as we are.

Sound like you?
If you’re a natural communicator with a sharp eye for opportunities and a passion for men’s self-improvement, let’s get the resources we need to change lives.

Fund the MINDSET Movement

Role – Community Engagement Volunteer

Are you passionate about supporting the Armed Forces Community? Could you help to raise awareness for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.

What is a Community Engagement Volunteer?

As a community engagement volunteer, you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. We want to ensure that our Armed Forces community knows that SSAFA is here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

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.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families.

A varied programme of awareness raising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.

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

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

Event Champions

Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.

Activity Organisers

Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.

Promoting SSAFA Services

Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.

SSAFA Storytellers

Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.

Community Connectors

Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects

Fundraising Heroes

Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.

Administrators

Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.

• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.

• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.

• 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 

• 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 of e-learning courses and marketing materials.

• Access to support from across SSAFA.

• 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 people.

• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and

SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.

• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.

• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.

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? No

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life, preventing it from being burned, chipped, or dumped in landfill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm.
We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). The site is served well by buses, and we have free parking onsite, as well as secure storage racks for pushbikes.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Role – Community Engagement Volunteer

Are you passionate about supporting the Armed Forces Community? Could you help to raise awareness for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.

What is a Community Engagement Volunteer?

As a community engagement volunteer, you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. We want to ensure that our Armed Forces community knows that SSAFA is here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

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.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families.

A varied programme of awareness raising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.

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

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

Event Champions

Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.

Activity Organisers

Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.

Promoting SSAFA Services

Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.

SSAFA Storytellers

Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.

Community Connectors

Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects

Fundraising Heroes

Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.

Administrators

Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.

• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.

• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.

• 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 

• 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 of e-learning courses and marketing materials.

• Access to support from across SSAFA.

• 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 people.

• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and

SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.

• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.

• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.

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? No

Want to make a difference? Could you help us?

New trustees wanted

We are looking for up to three people to be active members of our Board of Trustees.
Together with the other trustees, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders you will help the
Foodbank deliver a non-judgemental and compassionate service, and help us as we
work towards a future where foodbanks are no longer needed. The Trustee may be
asked to take the lead on specific areas of our work, utilising their experience and
skills. We are particularly keen to hear from people who have experience in
fundraising/bid writing, human resources, communications/PR, and property
management.

Our vision

Our vision is a future where our foodbank is no longer needed because people can
afford the essentials and get the support they need when they need it, preventing them
from reaching a point of crisis.

Our mission

Our mission is to provide a compassionate, dignified, and non-judgemental service to
people within our community. We do this by working in partnership with other
organisations to provide holistic support that enables people to find a way out of their
crisis. We work together with partners and the other foodbanks in RCT to identify and
address the root causes of people needing to use our foodbank to alleviate poverty
within our community.
Volunteering is a fantastic way for you to be involved in your local community and
volunteers are at the heart of all that we do as a Foodbank.