Youth work volunteer roles

YMCA Worcestershire is looking for enthusiastic and reliable Events Volunteers to support our fundraising activities throughout the year. Our events help raise vital funds to support young people across Worcestershire, providing safe accommodation, guidance, and opportunities to help them build brighter futures.

What you’ll do

As an Events Volunteer, you’ll have the chance to learn the ins and outs of fundraising events while supporting our team with things such as:

• Event set-up and pack-down

• Welcoming and supporting participants

• Helping with registration desks

• Assisting with activities and stalls

• Supporting fundraising activities on the day

• Creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for attendees

Upcoming events you could support

We have several exciting events coming up, including:

• Race for Change – Sunday 21st June

• Family Fun Day – Saturday 4th July

• Sleep Easy – Saturday 17th October

…and more events currently being scheduled throughout the year!

Why volunteer with us?

Volunteering with YMCA Worcestershire is a great opportunity to:

• Give back to your local community

• Gain hands-on experience in fundraising and event management

• Meet new people and work as part of a friendly team

• Support vital services that help young people across Worcestershire

Whether you can help at one event or several, we’d love to hear from you.

Get involved

If you’re interested in becoming one of our Events Volunteers, please get in touch to register your interest and find out more.

Join us and help make our events a success while making a real difference to young people in Worcestershire.

Come and serve with us at Rock UK! We are a Christian charity running adventure centres for schools, churches, and youth groups.

We are looking for Christian volunteers to join our Hospitality Team — helping in the kitchen, dining room, and accommodation areas, and being part of our Christian community.

Opportunities available:

• Short-term volunteers – 30 days (no visa needed)
• Full-time volunteers – up to 1 year (visa required, with a cost)

What you’ll get:

• Live and work alongside other Christians
• Meals and accommodation provided
• Training and support
• Opportunities to grow in your faith and serve others

When: Opportunities throughout the year
Where: Frontier Centre, Irthlingborough (Northamptonshire)

You must:

• Be a committed Christian, ready to share your faith in daily life
• Be over 18
• Be happy to work as part of a team

Uniform Manager

Challenge Adventure Group (“CAG” for short and the operating name of CAG Trust) is a voluntary youth organisation for Knowle, Dorridge and beyond aimed at boys aged 10 and above.

As our name suggests, we provide challenging, adventurous and fun activities and the D of E Award for young people in their leisure time. Taking part in fun experiential activities enables members to develop their physical and mental skills and capacities and reach their full potential of becoming positive, active and happy citizens.

Summary

CAG was formed in 2009 and became a charity, CAG Trust, in 2019.  We have a distinctive uniform for meeting nights and for when we’re out and about on trips.  We are proud of our branding and both members and leaders enjoy wearing our variety of rugby-style shirts, cosy fleeces, soft shell jackets and hats.

When we do really special trips, like our legendary ski trip, we design a uniform specifically for that event - it’s different each time and serves as a reminder of what an awesome time was had by all participants.  All our uniform is high quality, long lasting and is built to withstand all our challenging adventures whether it be indoor climbing or scaling Snowdon.

We are looking for a volunteer to monitor and organise uniform orders, log and chase payments and distribute to / from suppliers and to / from members.

Description

Responsibilities:

• Carry out an annual audit of the uniform stock and liaise with the Treasurer and Membership Secretary to ensure that there are enough supplies available for each age group / size.

• Keep the uniform stock tidy and in good order by ensuring everything is in the right place.

• Maintain an inventory of items and keep track of numbers sold and numbers required.

• Research and source suppliers selling good quality, hardwearing kit.

• Ensure that suppliers are providing good value for money.

• Monitor and organise uniform orders in good time to restock supplies.

• Liaise with the Membership Secretary to remain aware of new members and their uniform requirements.

• Log and chase payments in conjunction with the Treasurer.

• Communicate frequently with the Group Leader and CAG Management Committee to keep them up to date.

We are looking for a volunteer who ideally should have / be:

• Commitment to CAG and its ethos.

• Organised and tidy.

• Self-motivated, proactive and good at managing your own time.

• The ability to build and maintain relationships.

• A proactive attitude.

• The ability to work as part of a team.

• A willingness to carry out a range of administrative tasks. 

• Excellent budgeting skills.

• A car driver or have ability to travel to attend events and meetings.

• The post holder must be able to provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.

Making a difference - what impact will the opportunity have?

Your input is key to the day to day running of CAG as well as securing its future.  You will have a big impact because this role is essential to ensuring that CAG always has enough kit available for its new members to wear on meeting nights and for our trips and activities.

What's in it for the volunteer? 

You would become part of our small, friendly team and you have the opportunity to use your time, skills and experience to make a real difference to CAG and the community in which we operate.  Additionally we can offer you:

• The chance to be part of a charity at an exciting time in its development.

• The opportunity to make a difference to young people’s lives through outdoor trips, activities and adventures.

• Expenses, so you are not out of pocket.

About the location

Where will the volunteer be working?

The volunteer can partially work from home and will also be required to attend some weekly Tuesday night club meetings at Bickenhill to check on and distribute the uniform stock.

Travel Limit

The candidate should also be available for face to face Committee and other meetings.

When will the volunteer be working?

Volunteer availability

• Some weekly Tuesday evening club nights.

• You would need to be available to attend Committee meetings which normally take place in the evening.

• Very occasional weekends and evenings to attend events.

Estimate of time commitment

• 0 - 3 hours / week.

Details

The volunteering could be long term. 

Application details

Successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS and two references.

Are you driven by purpose over profit, and inspired to transform the lives of survivors, young people, and communities at scale? Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a visionary Founding Volunteer Fundraising Director to join our founding team and help us build a community-owned, values-led ecosystem that confronts the realities of child sexual abuse (CSA), amplifies survivor truth, and generates transformative social impact. This is more than a role—it’s a chance to co-create systems, culture, and infrastructure for an organisation committed to accountability, empowerment, and collective liberation.

About the Role:

As our Founding Fundraising Director, you will be the strategic and operational engine behind all fundraising initiatives. Your work will directly fuel the organisation’s ability to reach and serve survivors, mentor young people into economic empowerment, and build sustainable, community-owned systems. You will lead campaigns, develop partnerships, and create innovative fundraising strategies that align with our anti-capitalist, community-first values. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on execution, requiring someone who can think systemically while engaging authentically with our communities.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential Competencies

• Proven experience planning, managing, and delivering successful fundraising initiatives.
• Skilled in preparing clear, persuasive proposals, applications, and reports.
• Competence in tracking, reporting, and analysing donations and fundraising performance.
• Knowledge of UK charity law, GDPR, and safeguarding principles relevant to fundraising.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders effectively.
• Strong organisational, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with volunteers, staff, and leadership teams.

Desirable Competencies

• Familiarity with CRM or donor management systems.
• Experience designing and executing events and campaign strategies.
• Knowledge of corporate partnership development and grant funding strategy.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior staff or volunteers in fundraising.
• Ability to integrate fundraising strategy with wider organisational goals.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in fundraising, charity management, or related fields desirable but optional.
• Equivalent professional experience in fundraising, development, or resource mobilisation is acceptable.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with the C.I.C’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Identify, research, and evaluate potential funding opportunities, including:

 Grant-making bodies

 Corporate partnerships

 Individual donors and community fundraising

• Prepare high-quality, persuasive funding proposals, applications, and reports that demonstrate impact and need.
• Maintain accurate records of all fundraising activities, donations, pledges, and communications to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Monitor fundraising performance against targets, providing regular reports and recommendations to the leadership team.
• Coordinate fundraising events, online campaigns, and community initiatives, including:

 Logistics

 Scheduling

 Volunteer and staff coordination

 Post-event reporting and follow-up

• Develop and maintain systems to track donor engagement, income, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring data is accurate and secure.
• Liaise with external partners, stakeholders, and supporters to strengthen networks, foster collaboration, and identify new funding opportunities.
• Ensure all fundraising activity complies with UK charity law, safeguarding requirements, and GDPR.
• Support leadership in strategic planning and decision-making around resource mobilisation.
• Contribute to building a culture of ethical fundraising, transparency, and donor stewardship.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to volunteers or junior staff involved in fundraising initiatives.

What This Role Offers You:

• The rare opportunity to shape the founding infrastructure of a pioneering C.I.C. and leave a lasting social legacy.
• Hands-on leadership experience in designing and running community-driven systems.
• Personal and professional transformation through exposure to survivor-led, values-centred work.
• A chance to meaningfully contribute to systemic change, empowering vulnerable communities and fostering accountability and truth.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking purely financial reward or hierarchical prestige.
• Those unwilling to work within a values-led, anti-capitalist framework.
• People expecting rigid structures or traditional corporate processes, our culture is emergent, collaborative and mission-driven.

If you are ready to step into a leadership role that blends strategy, action, and social impact, while building the systems and culture of a revolutionary survivor-led organisation, we want to hear from you. Apply now and help us transform truth into lasting change.

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

If you believe that well-organised, purposeful events can change communities, and that experiences inspire action, this role is for you.

A Final Word
Fundraising is not just income.
It is stewardship.

If you know that:

Ethical fundraising sustains communities

Pressure should never compromise values
 

Leadership means saying no when needed

Penificent is a creative education and youth publishing organisation using comics and workshops to tackle complex issues affecting young people,from mental health and identity to violence reduction. Our stories are co-created with young people and delivered across schools, prisons, and community spaces.

Causes

• Youth / Children
• Mental Health
• Education
• Ethnic Minority / BAME
• Prison

Location
Remote – flexible between remote and occasional catch ups

Working Hours
3–5 hours per week (flexible around your schedule)

Expenses
Expenses are covered

Job Description
We’re looking for a passionate and proactive volunteer accountant to support Penificent with:

• Xero account reconciliation and financial reporting
• Reviewing and updating previous tax filings
• Exploring whether we overpaid corporation tax and assisting with refiling if applicable
• Supporting budgeting and forecasting processes (including for grant-funded work)
• Helping us create simple reporting structures as we grow
• Advising on sustainable financial planning for our subscriptions, school sales, and workshops

Ideal for someone who is:

• A qualified or part-qualified accountant
• Familiar with Xero
• Interested in social impact, youth development, or creative education
• Happy to collaborate with a small but driven team

Why volunteer with us?
You’ll be part of an award-nominated organisation with strong roots in community storytelling and creative education. We’re expanding fast,and your financial insight could help us scale with clarity and resilience.

Interview Approach
We’ll interview suitable applicants as they apply and are happy to start sooner with the right candidate.

We are looking for a Volunteer Researcher / Guest Relations Officer to support our Podcast Production Team.

This role combines research, guest outreach, and communication to ensure podcast episodes are well prepared and guests feel informed and supported.

Key Responsibilities

• Research podcast topics and relevant background information
• Identify and approach potential podcast guests
• Communicate with confirmed guests and coordinate availability
• Prepare guest briefing notes and episode research summaries
• Maintain organised records of guest communication
• Support respectful and professional guest engagement

Who We're Looking For

Essential

• Strong research and information-gathering skills
• Clear written communication
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple conversations and tasks
• Comfortable working with sensitive topics

Bonus Skills

• Experience in research, journalism, communications, or outreach
• Experience working with communities or social impact organisations
• Interest in media, podcasting, or storytelling

Formal qualifications are not required — relevant experience or transferable skills are welcome.

Why Join Us

• Gain experience in podcast research and guest coordination
• Develop communication and editorial preparation skills
• Work with a mission-driven media team
• Contribute to meaningful social impact work
• Priority consideration for future paid roles

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in South West London, and helps them to play their full part in the community. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives. 

We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background, providing them the tools they need to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults include currently include: ESOL classes; sports; women’s creative writing; women’s coffee morning, and casework. 

About the CARAS Adult Team: 

In the post-pandemic environment, CARAS is responding to the role of digital literacies in our programme delivery to learners of asylum-seeking and refugee background. In contrast to the UK essential Digital skills framework, we have built in language inclusion to create a participatory learning course for Essential Digital Literacies for learners who are new to reading and writing in English. The individuals joining CARAS are highly diverse, with different countries of origin, linguistic and educational backgrounds. We have observed over the last year that many CARAS community members have limited digital skills, particularly in regard to using computers. Community members have highlighted that computers are important for many individuals to achieve their educational and employment goals, whilst increasing confidence and independence. We have co-designed a digital skills program in partnership with CARAS community members to improve computer literacy and skills, focusing on basic computer literacy.

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for Digital Skills Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.

The Digital Skills group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the digital skills sessions is as follows: 

• Tuesday evenings 4pm to 6pm 

Volunteers are required to attend one session per week. They are also welcome to come early and support ESOL classes before the Digital Skills sessions, where appropriate. 

The Tuesday Digital skills sessions focus on practical, accessible digital skills, such as, but not limited to: 

• Using computers, tablets, or smartphones confidently 

• Keyboard and navigation skills 

• Using email and online communication tools 

• Accessing learning platforms and online resources 

• Online safety and digital wellbeing 

• Using digital tools to support English learning, homework and study skills 

The aim of the Digital Skills sessions is to build independence, confidence, and digital inclusion, supporting young people to engage more fully with formal education and everyday life in the UK. Enrolments to the programme are based on rolling admissions, requiring adaptability to the changing digital skills needs of the group through participatory enquiry led by the ESOL teacher. 

The ESOL teacher will provide guidance, session plans, and tips for supporting learners with emerging English, including how to explain digital concepts in clear, accessible ways. 

Volunteers will typically work with 1–5 students, offering one-to-one or small group support and adapting tasks to different ability levels. 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing one-to-one or small group support during Digital Skills sessions 

• Supporting young people to use digital devices and software confidently 

• Helping to set up the classroom and digital equipment 

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session 

• Sharing observations on learners’ progress, challenges, and successes 

• Making use of any community languages if any, to support learners’ understanding 

• Working collaboratively as part of a team and helping to shape the project 

• Supporting young people to recognise and celebrate their achievements 

• Showing flexibility to a wide range of ability levels and confidence with technology 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, and all other relevant policies 

Requirements: 

Essential: 

• Aged 18 years or older 

• An interest in education, digital inclusion, and supporting young people 

• Confident using computers, smartphones, or tablets 

• Currently resident in the UK or has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses and willing to undergo a DBS check 

• DBS and proof of residency are not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK 

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to starting 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed) 

• Non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds 

• Reliable and punctual, with a commitment of at least one session per week for a minimum of 4 months 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English 

• Willingness to explain digital concepts patiently and clearly 

• Ability to volunteer during Wandsworth term time 

Desirable 

• Experience supporting young people with digital skills or IT (formal or informal) 

• Knowledge of community languages such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali, or Spanish 

• Experience working with young people, refugees, or learners of English in a work or volunteer capacity 

• Interest in using digital tools to support language learning 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

To Apply: 

Successful applicants will be invited to a taster session at CARAS, following which they will have an informal interview with a staff member of the CARAS ESOL team and a community member. All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. These meetings and the induction training will be on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP!

At Chestnut Tree House we will be opening a brand-new Kitchen Garden to supply produce to our hospice kitchens. There are large beds which will cultivate vegetables as well as an area for fruit bushes and trees. An activities area with raised troughs for the children, young people and families to enjoy planting will be at the centre, with paths around the fruit and vegetable beds.

We are looking for someone with passion and knowledge to help us keep the area in tip top condition maintaining and developing the space.

About Hot Seats

Hot Seats is a structured group role play programme created in 2016. Over 5,000 participants have taken part across 300+ groups in prisons, probation services, community sentences and residential and community recovery settings.

Hot Seat certified facilitators use group role plays to assign roles to our inner dialogue. There are six Hot Seats built around six pre-identified themes. Facilitators apply a unique anonymity protocol that means all role plays are done using characters. No participants reveal any personal stories or history. This allows participants to explore real issues — such as addiction, offending behaviour, family breakdown and recovery — without the work becoming emotionally charged or triggering. This makes it safe, accessible and effective in settings where trust can be hard to build.

Host organisations subscribe to Hot Seats and nominate a staff member or volunteer to become certified to deliver groups. Both the facilitators and hosts receive full back office support from Hot Seats. Facilitators need not have any specific experience as full training is provided. All that is required is a desire to help affect positive change for participants, a space big enough to accommodate 7–12 people and a weekly two-hour gap on a timetable of activities.

About the Role

We are looking for volunteers to match with hosts — these include prisons, probation services and residential or community rehab settings. You do not need any specific experience. All you need is a willingness to follow a structured programme and be motivated to support people in justice and recovery settings.

As a volunteer facilitator you will:

• Deliver weekly Hot Seats two-hour group sessions using a provided session plan
• Create a safe, respectful space for participants to engage with the programme
• Work within a nominated host organisation
• Submit a summary sheet to our back office after each session

What You Will Get

• Full Hot Seats facilitator training and certification
• Ongoing support from the Hot Seats team
• A meaningful volunteering role with real impact on people in recovery and justice settings
• Experience that is directly relevant to careers in criminal justice, social work, probation, youth work, addiction services and related fields

Who We Are Looking For

• People with an interest in criminal justice, recovery, rehabilitation or social care
• Reliable — able to commit to a regular weekly session of 2–3 hours
• Willing to undergo relevant DBS/PVG checks if required
• No prior experience required — full training provided

How to Apply

In the first instance, respond to this ad and we will send you program outline

After reading, if you are interested we will match you to a host. Please send a short expression of interest (a few sentences about why you are interested) 

What Our Young People and Volunteers Say

·“I look forward to my monthly visits, its time just for me, I choose my activity and we have fun together.”

·“I like how my Independent Visitor isn’t anything to do with social services and is here to support me, not to judge.”

·“They have boosted my confidence. Now I feel like when I go places I can just relax and have fun.”

·“My young person always looks forward to me coming. They have had such a disjointed life; I am a stable figure in their life and this has to be important for them as everything else changes around them a lot.”

We Need A Volunteers in:  FOREST GATE

Could You Be the Difference?

·Have fun on outings –Coffee and a chat, zoo, museums, bowling, trampoline park………..

·Share hobbies or interests – Arts and crafts, football, animals, theatre………..

·Be a positive role model

·Listen, support, and help build confidence

What We Provide

·Full training

·Ongoing support

·Expenses reimbursed (to an agreed limit)

No special qualifications needed. We welcome volunteers from all walks of life who are reliable, caring, and committed.

Activity Leader

Challenge Adventure Group (“CAG” for short and the operating name of CAG Trust) is a voluntary youth organisation for Knowle, Dorridge and beyond aimed at boys aged 10 and above.

As our name suggests, we provide challenging, adventurous and fun activities and the D of E Award for young people in their leisure time. Taking part in fun experiential activities enables members to develop their physical and mental skills and capacities and reach their full potential of becoming positive, active and happy citizens.

Summary

CAG was formed in 2009 and became a charity, CAG Trust, in 2019. Our activity leaders are at the centre of what we do - their good nature, leadership and passion for outdoor activities are what we pass on to the next generation. It is a role with a lot of responsibility and a huge amount of reward and satisfaction.

You will be part of a team of enthusiastic and passionate leaders who help to run CAG meeting nights on Tuesdays in term time.  You will help run both indoor and outdoor team building activities for our all male members and this can include going on night walks, building fires, cooking on fires, trying out some bush craft, going on bike rides, trying indoor climbing, having a go at scuba diving in swimming pools, playing team building games, entering cake competitions, attempting bushtucker trials, putting up tents, learning navigation skills, keeping fit by doing bleep tests, going karting, having a crack at skiing at Ackers Trust, eating curry at Christmas and much, much more.

You can also join us on our weekend trips away to faraway places such as the Lakes, Snowdonia, the Peaks and even to snowier, colder climes on our legendary ski trip.

Description

Responsibilities:

• You will be working as part of a team to provide safe, creative and appropriate challenging activities for young people aged 10 - 18 years.

• Activities will include fun activities and games both indoor and outdoor and supervising off-site trips and much more.

• You will have the opportunity to lead and inspire our different age groups: “Smalls” (age 10 - 13.5), “Bigs” (age 13.5 - 16) and Young Leaders (age 16 - 18).

• You will need to ensure that the young people are kept safe at all times by following CAG’s policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, risk assessment and other health and safety issues.

• You and the team will be responsible for keeping the premises clean and tidy and ensure the safekeeping of any equipment in conjunction with the Quartermaster.

• You will liaise with parents where necessary for any feedback required.

• Maintain and uphold good behaviour of the members.

• Work in conjunction with the Safeguarding Lead and Group Leader.

• Be able to work on a rota with other leaders and be available for Tuesday nights during term time.

• Communicate frequently with the Group Leader & CAG Management Committee to keep them up to date.

We are looking for a volunteer who ideally should have / be:

• Commitment to CAG and its ethos.

• Experience of working or volunteering with young people in a similar environment.

• Ability to communicate at all levels, particularly with young people.

• Enthusiasm and a positive attitude to work is essential.

• Ability to work on own initiative but also as part of a team.

• A proactive attitude.

• A car driver or have ability to travel to attend events and meetings.

• The post holder must be able to provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.

Making a difference - what impact will the opportunity have?

Your input is key to the day to day running of CAG as well as securing its future.  You will have a big impact because this role is essential to ensuring that CAG members have the best time at Tuesday night meetings and weekend events / trips.  You will be helping members to work in teams, challenge themselves to try out new activities, make new friends and spend time away from social media and computer screens which has been proven to benefit mental health.

What's in it for the volunteer? 

You would become part of our small, friendly team and you have the opportunity to use your time, skills and experience to make a real difference to CAG and the community in which we operate.  Additionally we can offer you:

• The chance to be part of a charity at an exciting time in its development.

• The opportunity to make a difference to young people’s lives through outdoor trips, activities and adventures.

• Expenses, so you are not out of pocket.

About the location

Where will the volunteer be working?

The volunteer will be required to attend weekly Tuesday night club meetings at Bickenhill during term time.

Travel Limit

The candidate should also be available for occasional face to face Leader meetings.

When will the volunteer be working?

Volunteer availability

• Weekly Tuesday evening club nights.

• Occasional weekends and evenings to attend events and trips.

Estimate of time commitment

• Minimum 2 hours / week - the candidate will be able to offer further time as they wish

Details

The volunteering could be long term. 

Successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS and two references.

Inscape School is a leading specialist setting supporting autistic children and young people aged 5 to 19 who have communication and social‑interaction needs. Based on the Together Trust Campus in Cheadle, our purpose‑built SEND environment removes barriers to learning, maximises independence, and celebrates every student’s achievements.

We provide holistic, personalised programmes tailored to each learner’s strengths and unique way of experiencing the world. Our multidisciplinary teams—comprising therapists, specialist teachers and behaviour support professionals—work collaboratively to help students build confidence, develop essential life skills, and work towards long‑term independence.

We are seeking to appoint a knowledgeable and committed Volunteer Governor with a strong educational background, particularly someone with expertise in SEND, curriculum quality, student outcomes and Ofsted frameworks.

As part of the governing body, you will contribute to ensuring that Inscape School provides sufficient, high‑quality teaching time to deliver a rich and effective curriculum. Governors play a vital role in holding senior leaders, including the Headteacher, to account for the school’s educational performance and for securing the best possible outcomes for learners. Achievement, curriculum and teaching are key areas evaluated by Ofsted, making this role central to the school’s ongoing improvement and success.

This appointment will serve as the governing body’s Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching Link Governor. The postholder will support the governing body in maintaining robust strategic oversight of the school’s educational performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and helping ensure that the highest standards are consistently met.

If you are passionate about improving the life chances of autistic young people and have the expertise to influence educational quality at a strategic level, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Why we want you

Collectively, individual governors contribute their professional, specialist and general management skills to Inscape School (and its sub-groups) in a non-executive role.

Governors advise, challenge and support the leadership of the school / college and hold them to account for its management, the quality of the teaching and learning and the achievement, wellbeing and safety of pupils. Governors uphold the values and ethos of the College and ensure it works within its allocated budget, approving targets, policies, and monitoring the progress the school / college is making.

What you will be doing:

• Approving policies and the school/college quality improvement plan
• Promoting the well-being of students including independence, participation, diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities, and community cohesion
• Use your experience in Education to help shape what we do
• Read the documents for and attend all full Governing Body meetings and subgroups of which they are members
• Attend induction and relevant training events organised by the School or Together Trust
• Get to know the College and its staff by visiting the College and attending inset and other meetings to which Governors are invited by the principal
• Supporting decisions on safeguarding, equality, curriculum, resources, and student wellbeing

The skills you need:

• A strategic mindset – the ability to consider long-term goals, think beyond the day-to-day, and shape the College’s future direction
• Constructive evaluation skills – the confidence to review data and performance reports critically, offer thoughtful challenge, and contribute to continuous improvement
• Leadership and influencing skills – an ability to support and guide strategic decision-making, influence thinking, and work collaboratively with others
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills – you’ll be part of a collective, supporting respectful debate, inclusive discussions, and shared accountability
• Good planning and organisational skills – to prepare for meetings, follow up on actions, and balance responsibilities effectively alongside other commitments
• Ability to demonstrate a full understanding and appreciation of the principles of governance
• Experience in education – with insight into curriculum, teaching, learning, or assessment. Those with specialist SEND knowledge or experience of further education settings will be particularly valuable
• Most importantly, we’re looking for individuals who share our values of inclusion, equity, and ambition for young people. If you are passionate about education and have the capacity to support and shape our work, we’d love to hear from you

What's in it for you:

• Demonstrable leadership and strategic experience for CV
• Insights into special education

Role Purpose

This is a senior volunteer leadership role designed to provide strategic and operational resilience across the department.

The Deputy Head works across both the Ethics Team and the Research Reporting Team, ensuring that ethical standards, research integrity and high‑quality reporting are upheld across all departmental activity.

Core Duties

• Support the Head of Department in delivering strategic and operational leadership.

• Provide continuity, stability and leadership resilience across the department.

• Lead delegated strategic initiatives or operational areas as assigned by the Head of Department.

• Share responsibility for departmental planning, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Support Senior Managers and Managers, offering guidance, oversight and problem‑solving support.

• Contribute to departmental policy development, risk management and quality assurance.

• Act as a key point of contact for cross‑departmental collaboration and organisational alignment.

• Step into leadership when required to ensure smooth, uninterrupted departmental operations.

Competency Requirements (Deputy Head)

To succeed in this senior volunteer leadership role, the Deputy Head should demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership capability, with the ability to translate organisational goals into departmental plans.

• Advanced ethical awareness, including deep understanding of research ethics, integrity and responsible data management.

• Clear, confident communication, suitable for volunteers, senior leaders and Trustees.

• Collaborative leadership, fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive departmental culture.

• Professionalism and integrity, modelling fairness, consistency and ethical behaviour.

• Sound judgement and decision‑making, especially in complex or sensitive ethical scenarios.

• Operational oversight skills, including planning, resource management and performance monitoring.

• Risk awareness, with the ability to identify, assess and mitigate ethical, operational and reputational risks.

• Ability to support and develop others, including Senior Managers, Managers and wider volunteers.

• Commitment to GDPR compliance, responsible data handling and good governance practices.

• Adaptability, particularly during the interim leadership period and subsequent transition.

Role Requirements (Deputy Head)

Given the seniority and responsibility of this volunteer role, the following experience is required:

• A PhD is required, along with postdoctoral research experience, or significant academic or practical research experience at an equivalent level, demonstrating advanced expertise in research design, ethics, governance or reporting.

• Substantial experience in research ethics, research governance or research leadership, ideally across multiple projects or teams.

• Experience in strategic planning, departmental oversight or senior‑level decision‑making, whether in a volunteer, academic or professional context.

• A strong track record of ethical decision‑making, particularly in roles where judgement, integrity and risk assessment were central.

• Experience with research reporting, research communication or academic publication processes is highly beneficial.

• A strong interest in ethical governance, research integrity and maintaining high standards across research projects.

• Familiarity with GDPR and responsible data management practices, or willingness to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Experience working with volunteers or mixed‑experience teams is advantageous.

This Role Is Not Symbolic. It Is Structural.

Safeguarding is not a policy document. 

It is not a checkbox.

It is not a compliance exercise.

In this CIC, safeguarding is the infrastructure that allows the work to exist at all.

We work with:

• Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA)
• Vulnerable adults
• Young people
• Ex-offenders
• Volunteers with lived trauma
• Communities historically failed by institutions

If safeguarding fails, everything fails.

This role exists to make sure that never happens.

Purpose of the Safeguarding Officer Role

The Safeguarding Officer is responsible for designing, implementing, and protecting the safeguarding framework that allows the CIC to operate safely, ethically, and lawfully at scale.

This role ensures:

• Survivors are protected, not re-exposed
• Volunteers are supported, not exploited
• Risks are identified early, not ignored
• Safeguarding is embedded into every system, not bolted on

About the role:

To design and uphold safeguarding systems that protect survivors, volunteers and the organisation, ensuring safety, ethics and legal compliance are built into every practice as the CIC grows. Safeguarding is the infrastructure that allows the work to "SAFELY" exist at all.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

• Experience in safeguarding within:

 Charity

 Statutory services  

 Education

 Health

 Grassroots or community settings

• Experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to respond to disclosures calmly and appropriately.
• Experience writing and implementing safeguarding policies.
• Risk assessment and incident management experience.
• Understanding of UK safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Confidence challenging unsafe practice at any level.
• Ability to balance care with boundaries.
• Strong judgement under pressure.
• Clear written documentation skills.
• Capacity to work unpaid and full-time during build phase.
• Emotional regulation and professional restraint.
• Integrity, steadiness and clarity.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Design, implement, and maintain a safeguarding framework that protects survivors, volunteers, members and the organisation.
• Develop and own safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting pathways covering:

 Adults and children at risk

 Volunteers and peer supporters

 Digital spaces, storytelling, and online engagement

• Ensure safeguarding is embedded into:

 Recruitment and onboarding

 Training and supervision

 Programme design and delivery

 Digital systems and data handling

• Establish clear risk assessment processes for activities, campaigns, and content.
• Act as the safeguarding lead for concerns, disclosures, and incidents, ensuring:

 Timely, appropriate responses

 Accurate recording

 Correct escalation to statutory agencies where required

• Build systems that prevent re-exposure, re-traumatisation, or exploitation of survivors.
• Ensure volunteers are supported, supervised and not placed in unsafe or inappropriate roles.
• Advise leadership on safeguarding risks, capacity limits and ethical boundaries.
• Deliver safeguarding guidance and training proportionate to role and risk.
• Monitor safeguarding practice across teams and intervene early where drift appears.
• Work closely with Digital, Membership, Fundraising, and Social teams to manage risk in:

 Storytelling

 Online engagement

 Data use

• Maintain professional distance and emotional steadiness when handling complex situations.
• Review and update safeguarding systems as the CIC scales.
• Contribute to external accountability and transparency where appropriate.

You must:

• Be able to commit 80% dedication during the build phase
• Be comfortable working unpaid while the CIC is being built
• Be emotionally grounded and professionally boundaries
• Understand trauma without centring yourself
• Be able to hold complexity without collapsing into control or avoidance

You should have experience in some of the following:

• Safeguarding (statutory, charity, education, health, or grassroots)
• Working with vulnerable adults and/or children
• Trauma-informed practice
• Policy development and implementation
• Risk assessment and incident management

Formal qualifications are welcome but not essential.
Integrity, clarity and steadiness are.

This role is not for you if:

• You want safeguarding to be “light touch”
• You avoid difficult conversations
• You seek authority without responsibility
• You are uncomfortable challenging leadership when needed
• You are looking for a title rather than accountability

What You Gain:

• A founding leadership role in a CIC tackling real harm
• The chance to build safeguarding the right way
• Influence over how protection, care, and accountability coexist
• The opportunity to shape a future paid safeguarding role
• Deep purpose-driven work that actually protects people

As the CIC scales, this role is expected to evolve into a paid senior safeguarding position, shaped by the person who built it.

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

If you believe that well-organised, purposeful events can change communities, and that experiences inspire action, this role is for you.

A Final Word

Safeguarding is an act of love.
It is also an act of discipline.

If you know that:

• Survivors deserve better systems
• Vulnerable people deserve real protection
• Community work must be safe to be sustainable