Senior family support coordinator volunteer roles

Education Volunteer Role Description 

Are you passionate about changing the way we treat animals? Do you want to help reduce environmental damage? Do you want to inspire people to enjoy healthy vegan food that both looks good and tastes great? 

The Vegan Society aims to make veganism more accessible. We help people to adopt a vegan lifestyle by supporting individuals, policy- and decision-makers, caterers, manufacturers, healthcare professionals and the media. 

Why do we need you? 

Laura Chepner is our Education Officer, and she is looking for a volunteer to support her in her role. Laura has a background in education, with a degree in Primary Education which preceded a decade of teaching and a short stint in the role of SENco (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). Shortly after that, Laura theorised vegan-inclusive teaching, published An Educator’s Guide for Vegan-Inclusive Teaching and worked as the UK’s first vegan-inclusion education specialist until joining The Vegan Society. 

At The Vegan Society, Laura supports vegan learners in education who have been discriminated against by acting as an intermediary between their families and the institution. Additionally, Laura supports educators by creating resources and delivering training sessions on what it means to be vegan-inclusive in their practice. Furthermore, Laura empowers parents/guardians to ask for vegan-inclusion by creating documents, with the help of The Education Network, that they can present and highlight their rights. 

What does this role involve? 

We support vegan learners and their families by offering practical resources, including tips for discussing veganism with schools, understanding legal protections and addressing concerns like catering and inclusivity. Our resources aim to help create an educational environment where vegan families feel respected and valued. This role will involve creating resources for families and educators. For example, template letters, guidance on legal protections, policy review requests, learning materials for children and much more.

What training and support is available? 

The ideal candidate for this role will have a background in Primary Education and be comfortable working independently. However, we are always willing to invite volunteers along to staff training when possible and to deliver training on specific skills in-house, as identified throughout the volunteering period. This role is remote, so support from the Education Officer will be available through email and phone calls as required. Monthly reviews with the Volunteering and Engagement Officer will also be conducted to ensure the volunteer is happy in their role. 

What skills would be useful in doing this role? 

• Qualified teacher

• Good written English

• Competent using Microsoft Office

• A strong understanding of the aims, campaigns and tone of voice of The Vegan Society 

• The ability to work independently. 

What does my availability need to be?  

This is an ongoing role and tasks will be requested by Laura on an ad hoc basis, volunteers can accept or decline each task. Volunteering can be done outside traditional working hours and in any time zone, although meetings and staff support will only be available between 9am and 5pm UK time. We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of six months to make the best use of recruitment and induction time and to get the best out of their volunteering experience.

Who does this role report to?

Laura Chepner, Education Officer and Kaya Gromocki, Senior Volunteering and Engagement Officer.

About FirstGens 

FirstGens is a UK-based startup social enterprise on a mission to reduce the educational outcomes gaps in higher education by providing information and guidance to undergraduates who are the first person in their family to pursue university. Supporting students to complete their education through our royal award-winning Navigating University Programme and staff training. 

As we grow our impact, we seek to secure funding from trusts, foundations, philanthropists and private donors. To support efforts as a new organisation, we’re looking for a dedicated Grant & Application Review Advisor to strengthen our application review process and ensure strategic and compelling submissions. 

Role Purpose 
The Grant & Application Review Advisor will be responsible for reviewing written funding applications prior to submission on a monthly basis. This role ensures that all applications align with FirstGens’ strategic priorities, meet funder requirements and present a strong case for support. The individual will serve as a senior‐level reviewer, bringing social enterprise fundraising experience and constructive feedback, acting as a quality gate for our submissions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• On a monthly basis, review draft funding applications (typically trusts, foundations). 

• Using Google Docs comment section to provide detailed feedback on content, structure, logic, alignment with funder criteria tone and clarity. 

• Ensure each application: 

• Reflects FirstGens’ mission, strategic model and impact evidence (e.g., our programmes and research on first-generation student success) 

• Is tailored to the funder’s priorities and questions 

• Presents a compelling and coherent narrative, with clear outcomes, activities, budget alignment and measurement of impact 

• Is free of errors, is consistent in style and voice, and meets all submission guidelines (including deadlines, formats and attachments) 

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and finance coordinator, to ensure alignment between narrative, budget and monitoring plans. 

• Act as a senior quality assurance resource: challenging assumptions, raising questions, suggesting strengthening of logic or evidence and proposing ways to sharpen the “ask” and the case for support. 

• Advise on any gaps in our fundraising process to help us strengthen operations. For exmaple, suggesting the creation of application templates, standard content libraries (e.g., organisational overview, impact statistics, case studies) and “lessons learnt” logs to improve future bids. 

• Strategic oversight for quarterly grant applications. Checking in with CEO on a quarterly basis to discuss upcoming grants. 

• Help CEO to build quarterly reports to Directors on the health of the application pipeline, quality issues identified and improvements made. 
   

Essential Qualifications & Experience 

• Proven senior experience (minimum 5 years) in reviewing or leading grant applications for non-profit organisations (preferably UK funders). 

• Expertise in grant writing and submission processes, including trusts and foundations 

• Strong demonstrable track record of successful funding applications or as reviewer of such. 

• Strong organisational skills: able to manage multiple deadlines, work to a calendar of monthly reviews and ensure timely feedback loops. 
   

Desirable Experience 

• Experience in private donor and philanthropic giving (high-net-worth individuals, family offices) as well as institutional funders. 

• Experience working with social-mobility, higher-education access, student support or widening participation organisations. 

• Experience building standardised application toolkits, content libraries and “bid review” processes for an organisation. 

• Experience in working with budget alignment, monitoring & evaluation logic and impact measurement frameworks within funding applications. 

Working Arrangements 

• Flexible, remote working

• This role will start immediately; initial period will involve review cycle for upcoming submissions, followed by ongoing monthly reviews. 
   

Our Values/ Ways of working together  

We strive for inclusivity, honesty, transparency and positive wellbeing to create an innovative and collaborative team environment. 

Recruitment Process Options 

• Interview formats include in-person for Bristol based applicants, video conferencing, phone interviews) to accommodate any needs. 

How to Apply 
Please submit your CV, a cover letter highlighting your relevant senior grant application experience, and one recent example of an application you have reviewed or led (or a summary thereof). In your cover letter, please outline your experience with monthly application review cycles (or equivalent) and any philanthropic/private donor experience. 

Why join FirstGens? 
Education has the power to transform people’s lives. You’ll join an innovative startup organisation, making real, measurable change for first-generation university students across the UK. You’ll be supporting young people to complete their education with confidence  and turn their dreams into realities. Your role will be pivotal in securing the social funding that enables us to deliver on our first 3 year strategy. 

Are you ready to help shape the future of mental health support for racialised communities?

Mary Seacole House is Merseyside's leading wellbeing service for Black and racialised communities. For over 30 years, they've stood as a beacon of hope in Liverpool, offering advocacy, emotional support and wellbeing activities designed with the ethos of "same rights, different needs."

Now, as the charity enters a pivotal period of transformation, we're seeking a Treasurer to join the Board of Trustees and help steer the organisation towards change, growth and greater impact.

Location: Liverpool (Either mostly remote or hybrid meetings, open to a flexible approach)
Time commitment: Approx. 1 Board meeting per month, plus additional involvement during a period of change
Remuneration: Voluntary, with reasonable expenses covered

About Mary Seacole House

Originally founded to address the lack of understanding around Black mental health. Today, Mary Seacole House provides culturally appropriate advocacy, runs a multicultural wellbeing service and fights for the rights of racialised communities across Liverpool.

Under the leadership of an exceptional new CEO and working alongside a refreshed and reenergised Board, they're building strong foundations for the future - and we need your skills to achieve big, bold ambitions.

About the role

As Treasurer, you'll play a vital role as a Trustee and with delegated responsibility for ensuring financial stability and good governance. You'll:

• Oversee financial reporting and ensure clarity for all trustees.
• Support the CEO and Chair with budgeting, forecasting and financial compliance.
• Help shape financial policy and guide strategic decisions during a period of change.

This is genuinely unique and exciting opportunity to join the Board of a small, but mighty charity. It's a chance to roll your sleeves up and make a tangible difference, at a significant time of change.

About you

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Financial expertise (accounting qualification required; charity experience desirable).
• Leadership experience at Board or senior level.
• Commitment to anti-racism and an understanding of marginalised communities.

If you have lived experience of racism or migration, or deep knowledge of Liverpool's cultural context, we'd especially love to hear from you.

Why join now?

• Be part of a charity tackling racial injustice in mental health.
• Shape strategy and governance during a critical period of growth.
• Gain satisfaction and a sense of pride, working alongside passionate trustees and a visionary CEO with shared values.

To apply: Please send your CV and a short statement (around 300 words) on why this role matters to you to Amelia Lee at Charity People.

If you prefer an informal conversation about time commitment (or anything else) first, please connect with Amelia and we'll find a mutually convenient time to talk.

Deadline: 9am on Friday 13th February. However, please do get in touch ASAP if interested - we'll never close early, but it would be great to start conversations as soon as possible.

Interview dates to be confirmed soon.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Solace is seeking to recruit 3 new Shadow Board members, with lived experience of VAWG to work alongside and act as a critical friend to the Board of Trustees. We are looking to culminate a diverse Shadow Board with a range of expertise and skills, to work together with the Board of Trustees in fulfilling responsibilities for the strategic direction and overall governance of the organisation.

By joining our Shadow Board, you will have the exciting and important opportunity to use your lived experience, skills and expertise to drive the success of a growing organisation that makes a profound and positive impact on the lives of women and girls who have suffered from violence and abuse.