Uplift volunteer roles

We’re on the lookout for passionate volunteers to join us at one of our events the exciting Belfast Marathon!

Be part of a fantastic day filled with celebration and community spirit at Ormeau Park. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to welcome participants to the relay and full marathon. Your role will include congratulating them on their incredible achievements and helping to create a warm, supportive, and uplifting atmosphere.

There are a variety of opportunities available from helping with event set-up, to cheering on runners along the route, to supporting finish line celebrations. Every role plays an important part in making the day truly special.

From our base at Ormeau Park near Ravenhill Road, you’ll also have the chance to cheer on marathon and relay runners as they pass by, sharing in the energy, joy and excitement of this unforgettable event.

If you love connecting with people and want to be part of something inspiring in the heart of Belfast, we’d love to have you on board.

Let’s make this marathon one to remember!

Throughout the day, we have three flexible time slots available, so you can sign up for the one that suits you best.

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

In this role, you’ll help create a fun, uplifting atmosphere where participants can relax, express themselves, and enjoy music together in a supportive environment. Whether someone wants to belt out their favourite song or simply watch and enjoy, you’ll help make the session welcoming and inclusive for everyone!

What you will be doing

• Set up and pack down karaoke equipment, ensuring everything runs smoothly
• Welcome participants and help them choose songs
• Encourage involvement in a positive, non pressured way
• Create a safe, supportive, and friendly space where everyone feels comfortable taking part.
• Support staff with basic session coordination as needed

The skills you need

• Friendly, approachable, and patient
• Comfortable engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Enjoys music and creating a positive atmosphere.
• Reliable and confident supporting small groups.
• No singing ability required—just enthusiasm!

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

Want to make a difference without breaking a sweat? Join our incredible team of Cheer Team Volunteers and help support runners taking on the London Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Society.

You'll be part of a high energy, feel-good atmosphere, giving our runners the boost they need with your cheers, claps, and encouragement.

By joining us, you’re helping us fulfil our mission: to give help to those living with dementia today and provide hope for the future.

What’s involved:

· Stand at a designated cheer point on the race route

· Clap, shout, wave flags and motivate runners

· Work alongside a friendly, supportive team

What you’ll get:

· A fun and rewarding experience

· Branded t-shirt

· A chance to make a real impact in just a few hours

No previous experience is needed just bring your energy, your voice, and your enthusiasm!

Ready to join our Cheer Squad? Sign up today and help us celebrate every step toward a dementia-free future.

Want to make a difference without breaking a sweat? Join our incredible team of Cheer Team Volunteers and help support runners taking on the Manchester Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Society.

You'll be part of a high energy, feel-good atmosphere, giving our runners the boost they need with your cheers, claps, and encouragement.

By joining us, you’re helping us fulfil our mission: to give help to those living with dementia today and provide hope for the future.

What’s involved:

· Stand at a designated cheer point on the race route

· Clap, shout, wave flags and motivate runners

· Work alongside a friendly, supportive team

What you’ll get:

· A fun and rewarding experience

· Branded t-shirt

· A chance to make a real impact in just a few hours

No previous experience is needed just bring your energy, your voice, and your enthusiasm!

Ready to join our Cheer Squad? Sign up today and help us celebrate every step toward a dementia-free future.

Equip, Empower and Inspire Our Volunteers at SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE is a start-up grassroots, volunteer‑powered community based loneliness charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. From coffee mornings to community socials, every SUNSHINE moment is designed to spark smiles, laughter and genuine human connection.

As we grow, we’re looking for a thoughtful, organised and people‑focused Learning & Development Manager to support our Founder & CEO by leading the training and development of our volunteers — ensuring they feel confident, equipped and ready to shine in their roles.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who loves helping others grow and wants to shape a learning culture rooted in kindness, empowerment and belonging.

The Role

As Learning & Development Manager, you will design, coordinate and deliver training that helps our volunteers feel supported, skilled and ready to make a difference. You’ll play a key role in building a confident, capable and joyful volunteer community.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Enjoys developing people and creating positive learning experiences.

• Has experience in training, facilitation, coaching or people development.

• Is organised, warm and encouraging.

• Wants to help shape a young, hopeful, community‑led charity.

• Believes in kindness, dignity and human connection.

Key Responsibilities

1. Volunteer Training & Development

• Design and deliver training sessions for new and existing volunteers.

• Create simple, accessible learning materials and resources.

• Ensure volunteers feel confident, prepared and supported in their roles.

• Identify training needs and develop pathways for growth.

2. Onboarding & Induction

• Lead welcoming, uplifting induction sessions for new volunteers.

• Introduce volunteers to SUNSHINE’s values, culture and ways of working.

• Help new volunteers feel at ease, informed and ready to get involved.

3. Ongoing Support & Coaching

• Offer guidance, encouragement and confidence‑building support.

• Check in with volunteers to understand their needs and experiences.

• Help volunteers develop skills in communication, hosting, safeguarding and community engagement.

4. Culture & Values

• Champion SUNSHINE’s ethos of joy, kindness and radical welcome.

• Help nurture a learning culture where volunteers feel safe to grow.

• Model empathy, warmth and positive leadership.

What You Bring

• Experience in training, facilitation, coaching or people development.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• A warm, supportive and encouraging approach.

• Good organisation and attention to detail.

• A commitment to SUNSHINE’s values of joy, belonging and kindness.

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful role shaping the development of a growing volunteer community.

• The chance to build a learning culture rooted in warmth and empowerment.

• A close working relationship with the Founder & CEO.

• A supportive environment where your contribution truly matters.

• The joy of seeing volunteers grow in confidence and connection.

Help Us Equip Volunteers to Bring More SUNSHINE Into the World

If you’re someone who loves helping people grow, believes in kindness and wants to build something beautiful for your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make sure every volunteer feels ready to shine — and no one stands alone.

About the Charity

From Me to You is an inspiring charity dedicated to alleviating loneliness and isolation for people living with cancer. We make connections for people living with cancer through the simple, powerful act of letter writing easing loneliness and bringing comfort, hope and human connection, one letter at a time. Recent feedback showed that 93% of our letter recipients reported the letters lifted their mood and a quarter said that they made them feel less alone. Each year thousands of anonymous letters are collated by our team of volunteers and then given to patients at home, in hospitals or cancer centres by nurses and our charity partners, with 80% of recipients saying that our letters made them feel cared for. Our work is powered by a passionate community of volunteers, in 2025 with their help we processed over 17,000 letters from all over the world, delivering them to cancer patients throughout the UK. 

Our Donate a Letter programme supports our 2,500+ volunteer letter writers to contribute anonymous letters, some people write a couple of letters a year, others one a week. These letters are all delivered to our PO Box in Ascot. They are then sorted, read and processed by our wonderful team of local Donate a Letter volunteers which this role would be a part of. These volunteers also then repackaged and redistributed the suitable letters to cancer patients through our partnership with hospitals, cancer centres and other charities that act as distribution partners. 

About the Role

We are looking for compassionate and reliable volunteers to support our Donate a Letter programme by undertaking the letter reading, processing and packaging tasks from the comfort of their own home.

This role can involve collecting the letters from our PO Box, reviewing donated letters to ensure they meet our content guidelines and packaging up the letters ready to be sent to individuals living with cancer in their home or through our outlet partners. 

Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us deliver safe, thoughtful and uplifting correspondence so this is a vital role to the charity but it can be very flexible so can suit volunteers needs and time allowance. Volunteers for this role are all based within the area local to the PO box so there is opportunity to undertake this volunteering with others but there is no requirement to do this. You will receive all the training you need to confidently fulfil this role, training would be in person or online with our Founder Alison and would include reading letters together to identify content issues and will be supplemented with written resources including a fact sheet on the do’s and don’ts of what letters can contain.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect letters from the PO Box and disseminate to the volunteers for processing 

• Read donated letters to ensure content is appropriate and in line with charity guidelines

• Flag any letters that require further review or that are not suitable for distribution

• Prepare and package approved letters for distribution

• Handle all materials with care and confidentiality

• Communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator as required 

• There is no minimum time requirement, though consistency is appreciated

There is opportunity for volunteers to undertake one element of this process or undertake it end to end, this will depend on the number of active volunteers we have and how much time each volunteer is able to commit. We believe in this role being fully flexible so we can discuss what set up might be suitable in our introduction meetings to ensure we can meet your needs. 

What We’re Looking For

• Good reading comprehension and attention to detail

• Sensitivity and empathy

• Ability to follow clear content guidelines

• Reliability and discretion

• Access to a safe home environment to carry out the role

This is an accessible role and therefore we can work with volunteers to ensure they are able to undertake the role through training, support and peer supervision. Most of all we are looking for people who have a passion for creating meaningful impact for people living with cancer. 

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your schedule

• Experience supporting a national charity that creates tangible impact 

• The satisfaction of helping reduce loneliness and isolation for people living with cancer

How to Apply
To process your application, we will hold an initial 30 minute introduction call with you to go through the opportunity in more detail, ensure we are a right fit for each other and answer any questions you might have. You will then need to complete a short Volunteer Registration Form so we can ensure we have all your details. We will then arrange some training to support you in delivering the role and if needed introduce you to other volunteers doing the role so you will have some peer support. Then once you are onboarded the Volunteer Coordinator will be your day to day point of contact. 

Help Us Bring Joy, Connection & Belonging to Our Community

SUNSHINE is a start-up grassroots, volunteer‑powered community based loneliness charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. Whether it’s a coffee, a conversation, a walk, a workshop or a moment of joy, every person is welcomed with open arms and genuine care.

And now… we’re looking for compassionate, community‑minded volunteers to help us run SUNSHINE and spread warmth even further.

Volunteer Roles Available

1. Community Hosts

Be the welcoming face of SUNSHINE. Greet people, offer a warm drink, spark conversations and help create a space where everyone feels they belong.

2. Event Helpers

Support our joyful activities — from coffee mornings to socials, walks, workshops and community gatherings.

3. Admin & Organising Support

Help behind the scenes with planning, emails, scheduling, coordination and keeping SUNSHINE running smoothly.

4. Social Media & Storytelling

Share moments of joy, capture community stories and help us spread SUNSHINE online.

5. Outreach & Community Engagement

Help us reach isolated people, local groups, partners and neighbours who would benefit from SUNSHINE.

6. Kindness Crew

Small acts of kindness that create big ripple effects — checking in on someone, writing a card, offering a listening ear.

What SUNSHINE Stands For

• Joyful Events & Activities — moments that spark smiles and connection.

• Radical Welcome — you matter here.

• Human Connection — real conversations, real relationships.

• Community‑Led — shaped by local people.

• Kindness in Action — small acts, big impact.

• Inclusive & Intergenerational — every age, every background, every ability.

Why Volunteer With Us

Because SUNSHINE isn’t just a charity — it’s a feeling. A community. A place where people rediscover belonging, purpose and joy.

Volunteering with us means:

• Making a real difference to people who need connection.

• Being part of a warm, supportive team.

• Bringing your personality, creativity and heart.

• Helping build something beautiful for your community.

Ready to Bring a Little More SUNSHINE Into the World?

Together, we can make sure no one stands alone.

Enjoy driving? Make a Real Difference as a Volunteer Driver!

Are you someone who loves to drive and enjoys the freedom of the open road? Here’s an opportunity to use your driving skills to help others while making a positive impact in your local community. At Together Trust, we champion the rights, needs, and ambitions of children, young people, and adults with disabilities, autism, and mental health differences – and we need volunteers like you to make a difference.

What You’ll Be Doing:

As a Volunteer Driver, you’ll help transport people to a variety of destinations, including social activities, school, work placements, day trips, and more. Your time and kindness will help enrich lives, giving those we support greater independence and opportunities to thrive. The role is flexible, and you’ll find it just as fulfilling as the people you support.

Why You’ll Love Volunteering with Us:

Use Your Driving Skills for Good: If you love driving, this is the perfect way to make the most of that passion. No need to worry about the wear and tear on your own vehicle – we provide the cars, minibuses, and MPVs.

No Cost to You: We cover all the running costs of the vehicle, including fuel, and we’ll reimburse your travel expenses to and from the vehicle collection point. All you need to do is bring your enthusiasm!

Flexibility & Structure: Whether you have a few spare hours each week or you’d like to volunteer more frequently, you can choose the journeys and schedule that suit you. Build your week around your volunteering, it’s that simple!

A Sense of Purpose & Fulfillment: There’s nothing quite like knowing that what you’re doing matters. In this role, you’ll experience the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re making a real difference to someone’s life.

Gain Experience in Social Care: Depending on the services you want to be involved in, you could be helping students from special education, young people from residential homes, or adults with disabilities. It’s a wonderful way to be part of a caring, supportive community.

Meet New People: Volunteering is a great way to connect with others, both the people you’re helping and fellow volunteers. It’s a wonderful way to socialise, and you’ll find that making these connections will uplift your spirits, too.

What You’ll Need:

• A full UK driving licence (held for at least two years) or a D1 entitlement.
• A few hours a week (or more, if you prefer) to give.
• A calm, patient, and friendly attitude.
• Confidence driving larger vehicles (minibuses or MPVs) is ideal.

What You’ll Receive:

• Full training and support to help you feel confident in your role.
• Ongoing guidance from our friendly team.
• All expenses fully reimbursed, including travel and fuel costs.
• Access to our fleet of vehicles – no need for your own car.
• A meal allowance if you volunteer for 4 hours or more during a mealtime.
• References upon request to support your future endeavours.

Come and join the team at Hampton Court Palace Pink Ribbon Walk on Saturday 18 April 2026. We need friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help welcome our walkers, support them out on the route, and cheer them across the finish line

About this volunteering opportunity 

We’re expecting hundreds of walkers to take part in our 10 mile Pink Ribbon Walks. You’ll be part of the 100-strong support team on the day, helping to make sure they have a safe, fun experience while they raise funds for our world-class research and life-changing support. 

What will I be doing? 

• From welcoming and registering our walkers in the event village, to running a snack station on the route, to cheering and handing out medals at the finish line - there’s a role for everyone at a Pink Ribbon Walk! 
• You’ll be that friendly face, making sure our walkers get the support and encouragement they need, when they need it

What do I get out of it? 

• Fun! You’ll have a great time when you join the Pink Ribbon Walk community
• You’ll meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences
• You’ll use your communication and teamwork skills to help support a major fundraising event

What skills or qualities do I need?

• Bags of enthusiasm! Able to quickly connect with and uplift people
• Happy to work as part of a team or independently
• Flexibility - we need you to be available between 8am and 4pm, but we don’t expect you to volunteer all day! 

How will you support me? 

• You’ll get an info pack well in advance, to help you plan for your big day! 
• You’ll get a full briefing from the staff team on the day
• You’ll get a free hot meal (and breakfast if you start early)

How do I get involved? 

• Sign up to this opportunity, book yourself on to a shift and complete the short application form. We'll then be in touch with more information via email
• Get in touch with the team if you have any questions

Be part of an unforgettable day of adventure, achievement and community spirit at Slieve Donard. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support and cheer on participants taking part in the Slieve Donard Trek a fully guided 11km hike climbing 840 metres over 5–8 hours.

Our participants will push themselves all the way to the summit of Northern Ireland’s highest mountain and we are asking you to help support us on the day.

Your role will include either helping set up and wish walkers good luck as they head off on their journey on the morning slot Or welcoming trekkers back down the mountain, congratulating them on their incredible achievement and helping to create a warm, supportive and uplifting atmosphere at the finish area in the afternoon slot.

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

Help Shape the Future of SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE is a start-up grassroots, volunteer‑powered community based loneliness charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. From coffee mornings to community socials, every SUNSHINE moment is designed to spark smiles, laughter and genuine human connection.

As we grow, we’re looking for a committed, compassionate and capable Senior Leadership Volunteer to work closely with our Founder & CEO and help guide SUNSHINE into its next chapter.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of building something beautiful from the ground up.

The Role

As a Senior Leadership Volunteer, you will support the Founder & CEO in the strategic, operational and cultural development of SUNSHINE. You’ll help ensure the charity runs smoothly, sustainably and with the warmth and integrity that define us.

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Thrives in purpose‑driven environments.

• Enjoys shaping systems, structure and strategy.

• Is emotionally intelligent, reliable and grounded.

• Wants to make a meaningful difference to people experiencing loneliness.

• Believes in kindness‑led leadership and community empowerment.

Key Responsibilities

You may support with:

1. Strategic Support

• Helping shape priorities, plans and community‑led initiatives.

• Offering insight, ideas and leadership perspective.

• Supporting the Founder in decision‑making and organisational development.

2. Operational Support

• Assisting with coordination, planning and smooth running of activities.

• Helping develop processes, systems and volunteer pathways.

• Supporting with admin, scheduling and internal organisation.

3. People & Culture

• Helping nurture a warm, inclusive, supportive volunteer culture.

• Supporting volunteer onboarding, wellbeing and engagement.

• Being a trusted sounding board for the Founder & CEO.

4. Community & Partnerships

• Helping build relationships with local partners, groups and supporters.

• Representing SUNSHINE with warmth and professionalism.

What You Bring

• A calm, steady, supportive presence.

• Strong organisational or leadership experience (charity, community, business or public sector).

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• A collaborative, compassionate approach.

• Commitment to SUNSHINE’s values of joy, belonging, kindness and radical welcome.

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful leadership role in a growing grassroots charity.

• The chance to shape a movement that brings people together.

• A close working relationship with the Founder & CEO.

• A warm, supportive environment where your contribution truly matters.

• The joy of seeing your work directly improve people’s lives.

Join Us in Building SUNSHINE

If you’re someone who leads with kindness, believes in community, and wants to help build something hopeful and human‑centred, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can make sure no one stands alone.

Help Us Support, Grow and Celebrate Our SUNSHINE Volunteers

SUNSHINE is a start-up grassroots, volunteer‑powered community based loneliness charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. From coffee mornings to community socials, every SUNSHINE moment is designed to spark smiles, laughter and genuine human connection.

As we grow, we’re looking for a caring, organised and people‑focused Volunteering Manager to help support our Founder & CEO and ensure our volunteers feel welcomed, valued and empowered.

This is a wonderful role for someone who loves people, thrives in community settings and wants to help build something hopeful and human‑centred.

The Role

As Volunteering Manager, you will help coordinate, support and nurture our volunteer team. You’ll play a key role in ensuring SUNSHINE runs smoothly day‑to‑day and that every volunteer has a positive, meaningful experience.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Enjoys organising, supporting and motivating people.

• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Loves building warm, inclusive community culture.

• Wants to make a real difference in a growing grassroots charity.

• Believes in kindness, dignity and belonging for all.

Key Responsibilities

1. Volunteer Coordination

• Support volunteer recruitment, onboarding and scheduling.

• Match volunteers to roles based on their strengths and interests.

• Keep volunteer information organised and up to date.

• Help ensure activities and events are well‑staffed and run smoothly.

2. Volunteer Support & Wellbeing

• Be a friendly, approachable point of contact for volunteers.

• Check in regularly to ensure volunteers feel supported and valued.

• Help nurture a warm, inclusive, intergenerational volunteer community.

• Celebrate volunteer contributions and encourage a culture of appreciation.

3. Communication & Engagement

• Share updates, opportunities and information with volunteers.

• Help build a sense of belonging and team spirit.

• Support the Founder & CEO with internal communication and coordination.

4. Culture & Values

• Champion SUNSHINE’s ethos of joy, kindness and radical welcome.

• Help create a safe, supportive and empowering environment for all.

• Model empathy, warmth and positive leadership.

What You Bring

• Strong organisational and people skills.

• A warm, supportive, community‑minded approach.

• Good communication and reliability.

• A passion for helping others thrive.

• A commitment to SUNSHINE’s values of joy, belonging and kindness.

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful role in a growing grassroots charity.

• The chance to shape a volunteer community rooted in warmth and connection.

• A close working relationship with the Founder & CEO.

• A supportive environment where your contribution truly matters.

• The joy of seeing your work directly improve people’s lives.

Help Us Build a Community Where No One Stands Alone

If you’re someone who loves people, believes in kindness and wants to help build something beautiful for your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can bring more SUNSHINE into the world.

Support Our Founder & CEO and Help Shape the Heart of SUNSHINE

SUNSHINE is a grassroots, volunteer‑powered community charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. From coffee mornings to community socials, every SUNSHINE moment is designed to spark smiles, laughter and genuine human connection.

As we grow, we’re looking for a compassionate, capable and people‑focused Head of HR & Volunteering to support our Founder & CEO in building a thriving, inclusive and well‑supported volunteer community.

This is a senior leadership volunteer role for someone who believes in kindness‑led culture, strong people practices and the power of human connection.

The Role

As Head of HR & Volunteering, you will lead the development of SUNSHINE’s people culture, volunteer pathways and HR foundations. You’ll work closely with the Founder & CEO to ensure our volunteers feel valued, supported and empowered — and that SUNSHINE grows with warmth, integrity and good governance.

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Has experience in HR, people management or volunteer leadership.

• Loves building positive culture and supporting others to flourish.

• Is organised, emotionally intelligent and grounded.

• Wants to help shape a young, hopeful, community‑led charity.

• Believes in kindness, dignity and belonging for all.

Key Responsibilities

1. Volunteer Leadership & Support

• Develop and oversee volunteer recruitment, onboarding and engagement.

• Create clear volunteer pathways, role descriptions and support structures.

• Ensure volunteers feel welcomed, appreciated and connected.

• Support wellbeing, inclusion and positive team culture.

2. HR Foundations & Good Practice

• Help build simple, ethical HR processes and policies.

• Support with safeguarding, training, documentation and compliance.

• Advise the Founder & CEO on people‑related matters.

• Help ensure SUNSHINE is a safe, supportive and empowering place for all.

3. Culture & Community

• Champion SUNSHINE’s values of joy, kindness and radical welcome.

• Help nurture a warm, inclusive, intergenerational volunteer community.

• Support conflict resolution, reflective practice and healthy communication.

4. Strategic Partnership with the Founder & CEO

• Act as a trusted advisor on people, culture and volunteer strategy.

• Help shape the long‑term development of SUNSHINE’s volunteer‑powered model.

• Bring insight, steadiness and leadership perspective to organisational decisions.

What You Bring

• Experience in HR, people leadership, volunteer management or organisational development.

• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

• A calm, supportive, grounded presence.

• Commitment to inclusion, kindness and community‑led values.

• Reliability, integrity and a collaborative spirit.

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful senior leadership role in a growing grassroots charity.

• The chance to shape a volunteer culture rooted in warmth and belonging.

• A close working relationship with the Founder & CEO.

• The joy of seeing your work directly improve people’s lives.

• A community that values kindness, humanity and connection.

Help Us Build a Community Where No One Stands Alone

If you’re someone who leads with heart, believes in people and wants to help build something hopeful and human‑centred, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can bring more SUNSHINE into the world.

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 help keep the charity running smoothly across the UK, acting “in the best interests of Make a Smile” and ensuring volunteers are well‑trained, supported, and empowered.

About the Role

The Sign Language Officer leads Make A Smile’s British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton training programme, ensuring volunteers gain the communication skills needed to create magical, inclusive interactions at events. You will oversee teachers, develop engaging lesson plans, and ensure volunteers progress through training effectively.

Key Responsibilities

You will play a central role in developing and delivering high‑quality sign language training. Responsibilities include:

● Overseeing BSL and Makaton teachers and supporting them in running weekly sessions.

● Recruiting suitable teachers or supporting new teachers to develop their skills to the required level.

● Ensuring the charity can offer training at multiple levels (Beginners, Improvers, Novice, Intermediate) for both BSL and Makaton.

● Reviewing and approving lesson plans, ensuring content focuses on vocabulary and phrases useful for Make A Smile events.

● Managing volunteer applications for training, selecting participants based on commitment and likelihood of attending events.

● Supporting weekly sessions by ensuring attendance is taken, volunteers are engaged, and teachers have the resources they need.

● Stepping in to run a session or arranging cover if a teacher is unavailable.

● Monitoring volunteer engagement and removing volunteers from the programme if attendance or participation is consistently poor.

● Ensuring asynchronous training materials on the dashboard remain relevant and accessible.

● Reporting on training progress, volunteer engagement, and teacher needs at monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.

Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For

This role suits someone organised, supportive, and passionate about inclusive communication. You’ll thrive if you bring:

● Strong organisational and coordination skills.

● Confidence in supporting and guiding teachers.

● Creativity in helping shape engaging, event‑focused lesson plans.

● A proactive, solution‑focused mindset. 

● Professionalism, dedication, and alignment with Make A Smile’s ethos (“Show dedication… Enjoy it!”).

● An interest in BSL or Makaton (you do not need to be fluent - teachers deliver the content).

Time Commitment

Sign Language Officers are expected to contribute around 4 hours per week, including supporting teachers, reviewing lesson plans, managing training groups, 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 and fellow Trustees.

● Access to existing lesson plans, training materials, and templates.

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

What You’ll Gain

● Experience managing a training programme within a national charity.

● Skills in coordination, leadership, and inclusive communication.

● The chance to shape how volunteers interact with children who use BSL or Makaton.

● A meaningful role that directly enhances the accessibility and impact of Make A Smile events.

● The joy of helping volunteers develop skills that create magical, inclusive moments for children.

Safeguarding and Eligibility

Sign Language Officers 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 sign language, and why you’d like to support Make A Smile’s training programme.

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