Volunteer roles in Thame

• Role Purpose:

Help grow the sanctuary's network of supporters by building relationships with businesses, brands, media, influencers, and community organizations to increase awareness, secure donations, sponsorships, and create partnership opportunities that support dog rescue and adoption efforts.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify potential corporate partners, sponsors, and donors
• Reach out to local and international businesses
• Develop sponsorship and fundraising opportunities
• Build relationships with pet brands, retailers, and service providers
• Contact influencers, creators, and media outlets
• Seek in-kind donations (food, supplies, veterinary support, transport, etc.)
• Promote adoption campaigns through partnerships
• Maintain a database of contacts and opportunities
• Represent the sanctuary professionally in external communications

Ideal Skills

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience in sales, fundraising, partnerships, PR, marketing, or business development is a plus
• Comfortable with email outreach and networking
• Passion for animal welfare
• Self-motivated and organized

By helping secure partnerships and sponsorships, you will directly support the care of rescue dogs, increase adoption opportunities, and help the sanctuary reach more supporters worldwide.

Do you enjoy meeting new people and lending a helping hand?

Social & Activity Support Volunteer

Do you enjoy meeting new people and lending a helping hand?

As a Social & Activity Support Volunteer, you’ll play a key role in making our groups welcoming and fun for blind and partially sighted people. Whether it’s joining in a quiz, helping with crafts, pouring the tea, or simply having a friendly chat — your support helps turn every session into something special.

When & where?

Aylesbury (groups meet regularly — details provided on application).

What you will be doing:

·Assisting members during social activities such as quizzes, crafts, outings, or conversation

·Offering sighted guiding support when needed

·Helping serve refreshments and create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere

·Being a listening ear and helping members feel welcome and included

What skills and experience are needed?

·Friendly, approachable, and understanding

·Confident communicator and good listener

·Reliable and respectful attitude

·A sense of fun and willingness to join in

What will you gain from the role?

·The joy of making a positive difference in someone’s day

·Experience working with people with sight loss

·New friendships and community connections

·Improved confidence, wellbeing, and new skills

What support will be given?

·Induction and training (including sight loss awareness and sighted guiding)

·Ongoing training and development opportunities

·Out-of-pocket expenses covered

·Support from your Volunteer Manager and local divisional volunteers

Criminal Record Check Information (DBS):

This role may require an Enhanced DBS check if combined with driving duties (working with adults at risk).

Love walking? Want to share the joy of the outdoors?

Walking Guide (and/or Group Leader)

Love walking? Want to share the joy of the outdoors?

As a Walking Guide or Group Leader, you’ll help blind and partially sighted people stay active, enjoy nature, and build friendships through our BucksVision walking groups. Whether it’s describing the scenery, guiding someone safely along the route, or just enjoying good conversation, you’ll make every walk welcoming and fun.

Where?

Aylesbury

…with a new Wycombe group coming soon!

What you will be doing:

·Acting as a sighted guide for visually impaired members

·Describing the scenery and sharing conversation along the way

·Supporting the walk leader to ensure the group is safe, friendly, and inclusive

·Promoting the group and encouraging others to join

What skills and experience are needed?

·Friendly, reliable, and outgoing

·Confident communicator and good listener

·Enjoy walking and the outdoors

·Enthusiastic, flexible, and a team player

What will you gain from the role?

·The joy of sharing your love of walking with others

·New friendships and connections in your community

·Improved physical and mental wellbeing

·Experience working with people with sight loss

·A real sense of achievement and purpose

What support will be given?

·Full induction and training (including sighted guiding)

·Ongoing training and development opportunities

·Out-of-pocket expenses covered

·Support from your Volunteer Supervisor and Volunteer Manager

Criminal Record Check Information (DBS):

This role may require an Enhanced DBS check if combined with driving duties (working with adults at risk).

Do you enjoy reading and want to make a real difference?

Reader

Do you enjoy reading and want to make a real difference?

As a Reader Volunteer, you’ll provide one-to-one support for blind and partially sighted people who need help with reading and writing. Whether it’s reading letters, filling in forms, or simply sharing a magazine or book aloud, your time and voice can make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

Where & when?

·In members’ homes

·Flexible — visits arranged directly between you and the person you support

What you will be doing:

·Visiting people at home to provide help with reading and writing

·Supporting with post, correspondence, or forms as needed

·Offering ‘social reading’ such as magazines, newspapers, or books

·Building a friendly rapport and providing companionship through reading

What skills and experience are needed?

·Caring, friendly, and understanding nature

·Clear speaking voice and good communication skills

·Patient, reliable, and a good listener

·Able to commit for at least six months

·No special expertise needed — just confidence in reading aloud and a willingness to help

What will you gain from the role?

·The chance to make a real, practical difference to someone’s life

·Confidence and new experiences

·Improved wellbeing through helping others

·Lasting connections and shared interests

·Experience working with people with sight loss

What support will be given?

·Induction and training (including sight loss awareness and sighted guiding)

·Ongoing training and development opportunities

·Out-of-pocket expenses covered

·Support from your Home Services Coordinator

Criminal Record Check Information (DBS):

This role requires an Enhanced DBS check (working with adults at risk), as it involves supporting people in their homes.

Chair of the Board – cultural leadership, governance, collection development, and strategic advocacy

Peter Scott Gallery Charitable Trust (PSGCT) is the registered charity responsible for the Peter Scott Gallery, a distinctive and valued part of Lancaster Arts and Lancaster University. The Gallery is an Accredited Museum and holds a rich and varied collection spanning thousands of years, from ancient Egypt and Greece to contemporary art, including works by major artists such as Barbara Hepworth, L. S. Lowry and Terry Frost.

Lancaster Arts is an Arts Council England NPO, with a mission rooted in social and environmental justice and a belief in the power of artistic practice to inspire change, provoke critical thinking and create shared experiences. The Gallery plays a vital role in connecting artistic excellence with research, teaching, public engagement and the wider cultural life of the region.

PSGCT is now seeking a new Chair of the Board to provide thoughtful leadership, uphold strong governance, support financial resilience and act as an ambassador for the Gallery and its ambitions. Working closely with the Curator, Director of Lancaster Arts, fellow Trustees, Lancaster Arts Board and university colleagues, the Chair will help ensure the Trust continues to thrive and that the collection is developed, interpreted and shared with ambition and care.

To succeed in this role, you’ll bring:

• A strong track record of leadership in the cultural sector
• Prior experience as a Trustee, ideally with experience of chairing Boards, committees, meetings or events
• A strategic outlook and with the confidence to convene diverse stakeholders and support active, informed and mutually supportive Board contribution

You will also share Lancaster Arts’ commitment to inclusion, environmental responsibility and socially engaged arts practice, and bring the confidence, networks and enthusiasm to act as an ambassador and connector for the Peter Scott Gallery and Lancaster Arts.

Please see the candidate pack for full details.

• Closing date: Thursday 13th August 2026
• Interviews with Peter Scott Gallery Charitable Trust: from 1st September 2026 onwards
• Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by EOD on 20th August prior to shortlist submission on 21st August.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law. Peter Scott Gallery Charitable Trust particularly encourages expressions of interest from disabled, D/deaf and/or neurodivergent people and those from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Charisma is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment processes. If you have any reasonable adjustments or wish to apply for this role under the Disability Confident Scheme, please contact our Operations Team. Charisma will ensure all candidates who disclose that they wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and that meet the minimum criteria for the role will receive an opportunity to interview with the Charisma Consultant representing the vacancy.

Upcycle Africa

We transform plastic waste into affordable, flood-resistant housing, dignified jobs, and sustainable livelihoods.

​Role Description

Upcycle Africa is seeking a passionate and results-driven Digital Fundraising & Partnerships Officer to support our mission of empowering communities through sustainability, innovation, education, and social entrepreneurship. The volunteer will help identify funding opportunities, develop partnership strategies, engage potential donors, and support grant application processes.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify grant, sponsorship, and funding opportunities.
• Support proposal and concept note development.
• Build relationships with potential donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Assist in creating fundraising campaigns and donor engagement strategies.
• Maintain a database of potential partners and funding opportunities.
• Contribute to long-term resource mobilization plans.

Deliverables

• Monthly funding opportunity report.
• Partnership outreach database.
• Support for at least 2 funding applications per month.
• Fundraising strategy recommendations.

Impact

Your contribution will help Upcycle Africa expand its environmental, educational, and community development programs, creating opportunities for vulnerable communities across Africa.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Sembeza Africa

We deliver Quality Physical Education using sports and Traditional African Games to empower Ugandan youth.

​Role Description
Are you passionate about children, stories and writing, Sembeza Africa is looking for a copywriter who is able to

• Write, edit, and continuously improve all website content
• Turn raw program data and field updates into engaging impact stories and impact reports
• Support grant applications and develop proposals and funding materials that clearly connect activities to impact
• Create clear, consistent messaging for campaigns and events across all communication channels
• Develop newsletters that keep partners, donors, and supporters informed and engaged
• Write clear, compelling copy for brochures, flyers, banners, and other print or digital promotional assets
• Write press releases, media briefs, and external announcements for key milestones or events
• Develop internal writing guidelines and templates to maintain and enforce Sembeza Africa’s brand voice across all content
• Identify content gaps and proactively improve how Sembeza Africa communicates its work

Skills and Qualifications

• Have proven experience in copywriting, content writing, or communications.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to produce engaging content.
• Understanding of storytelling for impact, fundraising, and audience engagement.
• Basic knowledge of SEO and digital content best practices.
• Strong research skills to support accurate and informed content creation.
• Proactive and takes initiative without waiting for instructions.
• Strong attention to detail and a high standard for quality.
• Good communicator and able to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for work delivered.
• Adaptable and able to handle shifting priorities.
• Able to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Available to attend at least 75% of internal meetings**.**

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Second Life

We partner with communities to collect, trace, and recycle plastic, creating jobs and preventing pollution.​

Our growth so far has been powered by corporate partnerships. But there's significant catalytic and concessional funding available for organizations doing exactly what we do, and right now we're not capturing it. We need the help of a Grant Lead to change that. 

This is a high-leverage role for an experienced development professional who knows the climate, ocean, and circular economy funding landscape, and who can turn that knowledge into successful proposals. You'll pilot the full grant lifecycle from prospecting to reporting, working directly with the CEO and Program Director.

What you'll do:

- Map the global funding landscape relevant to Second Life: bilateral aid agencies, multilateral institutions, climate funds, major foundations, corporate foundations, impact investors offering grant capital, and prize-based funders.
- Build and maintain a prioritized funder pipeline with clear fit assessment, ticket sizes, timelines, and decision-maker contacts.
- Recommend which opportunities to pursue and which to pass on.
- Read and critically review our in-progress and recently submitted grant applications; provide structured written feedback and proposed edits.
- Lead the writing of concept notes, and full proposals.
- Translate field reality (collection sites, collector incomes, recycling pathways) into the language funders use (outputs, outcomes, impact, theory of change, MEL frameworks).
- Own grant reporting timelines and deliverables across all active grants - Partner with marketing on funder-facing communications, impact stories, and thought leadership that strengthens grant competitiveness - Build internal systems: proposal templates, internal library of strong language, proof points and reusable section, AI usage etc. so this function can scale.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Manakal

We empower young people and underserved communities to become sustainability leaders through accessible, culturally-centered education and mentorship.

​Sustainability Research & Content Volunteer

As a Sustainability Research & Content Volunteer, you will play a key role in strengthening MANAKAL’s sustainability-focused initiatives through rigorous research, knowledge development, and high-quality content creation. This role goes beyond basic writing to include contributing to evidence-based insights, shaping thought leadership outputs, and supporting MANAKAL’s voice in global sustainability discourse. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure research findings are translated into meaningful strategies, communications, and knowledge systems that advance MANAKAL’s mission and impact.

Who are you?

You are a curious, structured, and reflective thinker who enjoys turning complex sustainability and development topics into clear, accessible insights. You are motivated by learning, research, and storytelling that drives social and environmental impact.

• Students or young professionals interested in sustainability, development studies, environmental science, social innovation, policy, or communications
• Someone who is analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with research materials and data
• Strong interest in writing, content creation, and knowledge synthesis
• Comfortable working in an early-stage, fast-evolving initiative
• Values-driven, intellectually curious, and committed to clarity and impact

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct evidence-based research on sustainability, development, and social impact themes
• Synthesize research findings into clear, structured insights, briefs, and reports
• Contribute to thought leadership content, articles, and knowledge pieces aligned with MANAKAL’s mission
• Support the creation of written and multimedia content for digital and communication platforms
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate research insights into programs, strategies, and communications
• Assist in building and organizing MANAKAL’s internal knowledge systems and learning resources
• Support storytelling efforts that translate complex sustainability topics into accessible, engaging narratives

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in sustainability research and knowledge development
• Exposure to real-world applications of research in strategy and communication
• Portfolio-building in writing, analysis, and thought leadership content
• Experience working in cross-functional, mission-driven teams
• Flexible, remote collaboration in an international environment

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

About Obuyisi bw'Omu Initiative (OBI)

Obuyisi bw'Omu Initiative (OBI) is a youth-led nonprofit organization committed to creating lasting change in Uganda through mental health awareness, quality education, climate action, clean water and sanitation (WASH), and youth empowerment. We believe powerful stories inspire action, and we are looking for a creative volunteer to help amplify our impact through digital media.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Digital Marketing & Video Content Volunteer to strengthen OBI's online presence by creating engaging digital campaigns and compelling video content. The ideal candidate is creative, self-motivated, and experienced in both digital marketing and video editing, with a passion for using storytelling to drive social impact.
This is a fully remote volunteer position offering the opportunity to contribute to meaningful community development while building an international nonprofit portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement digital marketing campaigns across multiple platforms.
• Create engaging social media content for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Edit short-form and long-form videos highlighting OBI's programs, events, and impact stories.
• Design and schedule social media posts that increase engagement and visibility.
• Transform photos, interviews, and field footage into compelling stories.
• Produce promotional videos for fundraising campaigns and volunteer recruitment.
• Optimize content for each social media platform.
• Assist in growing OBI's online community and supporter engagement.
• Monitor digital marketing performance and recommend improvements.
• Stay updated with current digital marketing and social media trends.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in digital marketing or social media management.
• Strong video editing skills using software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or similar.
• Experience creating short-form video content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
• Basic graphic design skills using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Excellent written English communication skills.
• Strong storytelling and content creation abilities.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Passion for nonprofit work and community development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with nonprofits or NGOs.
• Knowledge of social media analytics and content strategy.
• Experience with Meta Business Suite, Buffer, or Hootsuite.
• Photography or motion graphics skills are an added advantage.
• Familiarity with fundraising or advocacy campaigns.

What You'll Gain

• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful social impact in Uganda.
• Experience working with an international nonprofit team.
• Professional reference upon successful completion of the volunteer period.
• Certificate of Volunteer Service.
• Portfolio-building opportunities through impactful campaigns and storytelling.
• Collaboration with passionate professionals and volunteers from around the world.

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Job description

• Volunteer Role - Commission-Based Model
• Remote/Home based
• 10hrs a week

About Project Yananai

Project Yananai is a global non-profit headquartered in the United Kingdom, with Affiliate Entities and National Management Teams in India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities by fostering enduring relationships, enhancing sustainable skills, and delivering compassionate humanitarian aid. Rooted in Christian values, we are dedicated to nurturing resilient societies that are self-sufficient, spiritually fulfilled, and equipped to break cycles of poverty.

The role:

As Chief Advancement Officer, you will lead Project Yananai's global Advancement function, overseeing the three pillars that fuel our mission:

• Fundraising
• Partnerships
• Communications

You will be responsible for developing and delivering an integrated advancement strategy across institutional grants, foundations, corporate partnerships, major gifts, and innovative funding models, ensuring that fundraising, partnerships, and communications work together to support sustainable organisational growth.

Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will secure the resources, relationships, and visibility needed to expand our impact across multiple nations.

You will lead a global team comprising:

• Director of Fundraising
• Director of Partnerships
• Director of Communications
• Deputy Chief Advancement Officer – Resource Mobilisation

You will also provide strategic oversight to Advancement teams across India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, ensuring alignment between global priorities and local delivery.

This is a leadership role that combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. You will personally cultivate and secure major funding opportunities while building a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and accountability across the Advancement function.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and deliver a global advancement strategy integrating fundraising, partnerships, and communications.
• Set ambitious income and engagement targets and monitor performance against agreed objectives.
• Ensure a cohesive and compelling external presence that strengthens Project Yananai's profile and impact.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Personally manage and grow a portfolio of high-value donor relationships.
• Lead the development of complex funding proposals and major funding opportunities.
• Represent Project Yananai with donors, funders, partners, and sector stakeholders.

Partnerships & Communications

• Oversee the development of strategic corporate, philanthropic, and multi-sector partnerships.
• Ensure communications effectively support fundraising, partnership development, donor stewardship, and brand positioning.
• Champion compelling impact storytelling that articulates Project Yananai's Theory of Change.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop senior advancement leaders and their teams.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across countries and functions.
• Build organisational capability through coaching, professional development, and succession planning.

Growth, Innovation & Governance

• Develop new income streams and innovative partnership models.
• Ensure compliance with donor, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic advice to the CEO and Board of Trustees.

About You

You are an accomplished advancement leader with a proven track record of securing significant funding and building strategic partnerships within the international development, humanitarian, or nonprofit sector.

You will bring:

• Extensive senior leadership experience in advancement, fundraising, or resource mobilisation.
• Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure funding from institutional donors, foundations, corporates, and major donors.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across fundraising, partnerships, and communications.
• Strong understanding of global funding markets across the UK, Europe, USA, Africa, and the Gulf.
• Experience operating across multiple countries and complex stakeholder environments.
• Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills.
• Strong commercial, financial, and strategic acumen.
• A collaborative, resilient, and entrepreneurial leadership style.
• Commitment to Project Yananai's mission, values, and integrated approach to community transformation.

What We Offer

• A leadership role at the heart of a high-performing, mission-driven global nonprofit.
• The opportunity to work alongside an exceptional Executive Leadership Team and Board.
• The chance to shape and scale a global Advancement function from a position of significant influence.
• A genuinely impactful role supporting sustainable community transformation across multiple nations.
• A collaborative culture that values innovation, professional development, and continuous learning.
• International engagement with donors, partners, and national teams across our focus countries.

If you are ready to build partnerships, unlock transformational funding, and help scale an ambitious global movement, we would welcome your application.

Project Yananai is an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. Project Yananai is a UK registered charity number 1209060.

If you are passionate about the wellbeing of Anglican clergy and their families, are strategically minded and want to make a meaningful difference, we would love to hear from you. 

St Luke's is a small charity that works collaboratively to support clergy wellbeing. Our trustees play a vital role in shaping our strategic direction. safeguarding our mission and ensuring we continue to respond effectively to the evolving wellbeing and mental health needs of those we serve. 

As a trustee, you will contribute to governance, provide oversight and support the long-term sustainability of the charity. We usually have three scheduled online meetings, and one in-person meeting a year with other ad-hoc meetings as required. 

All trustees are expected to engage in regular email communication and respond promptly to requests and decisions. 

As a charity working within the Anglican Church, we ask that our trustees have a personal Christian faith, along with a good understanding of the Anglican church and the issues facing clergy today. 

We believe that our board should reflect the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities, especially those currently underrepresented in charity leadership. We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with professional financial expertise, medical experience, and relevant lived experience.

Applications are via CV and Covering Letter - please see recruitment pack for details. CV's without a covering letter will not be accepted and will not be considered for shortlisting. 

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy?

Volunteers are essential to Shannon Trust and bring their energy, ideas and skills to train mentors in prisons, support learners in the community and enhance our business support team.

We are looking for volunteers to provide training and support to our mentors in prison. There may be some additional preparation and/ or administrative tasks in between volunteering days at the prison.

Our prison volunteers nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by delivering training sessions for prison mentors and offering ongoing advice, guidance and support through mentor meetings.

Volunteer recruitment dates

The closing date for applications to attend our next round of training is 6 September 2026. In some circumstances, volunteer vacancies may close early. Successful applicants will be sent interview questions in advance with notice to prepare. We will respond to all applications. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview between 7 and 18 September 2026. This is an opportunity for you to meet our regional team, to find out more about you and for us to share more information about the volunteering role.

Training:

You'll be given high quality training to prepare you for volunteering with Shannon Trust. This takes place over 4 training sessions and via our online training portal. We ask that volunteers aim to complete the training in one course as this means that you will be ready to start actively volunteering. The next training sessions for volunteering for people applying to be a prison based volunteer will take place as follows.

Please check that you can attend all of the training the dates prior to applying:

• 8 October 2026, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 15 October 2026, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 22 October 2026, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 12 November 2026, 10am-4pm (in person session, London)

You’ll also receive the opportunity to attend ongoing training sessions and peer support meetings during your time as a volunteer to build your skills and experience.

Why we want you

Shannon Trust’s vision is of a future where everyone can experience the positive impact of learning. As a prison volunteer your role will be at the heart of our organisation as you support our mentors in prisons. This will include delivering training to new mentors and supporting existing mentors to develop and deliver our Turning Pages and Count Me In programmes. You will be volunteering alongside Shannon Trust facilitators and / or frontline prison staff to empower mentors and ensure no one is left out of learning.

What you will be doing

• Delivering initial, and ongoing, training to mentors in prisons
• Supporting and encouraging the Shannon Trust facilitator and mentors to attract new learners and expand the reach of the Shannon Trust programme
• Arranging and leading mentor meetings to develop mentors’ skills, share good practice and to provide support to mentors to find solutions to concerns
• Supporting facilitators to engage prison staff and people in prison to set-up, maintain and develop the Shannon Trust reading and numeracy programmes across the whole prison, and contributing to progress planning for how to progress and achieve this
• Using your skills to build positive relationships with frontline prison staff, people in prison and other organisations
• Training and supporting mentors to collect and submit data and learner feedback
• Supporting with the planning of, and attendance at, celebration events
• Collecting and sharing good news stories and feedback
• Attending area meetings and sharing good practice with other volunteers
• Engaging with quarterly reviews to receive support and discuss progress
• Acting as an ambassador for Shannon Trust in all that you do, sharing the vision and values of the charity throughout your volunteering

The skills you need

• A commitment to providing non-judgemental support to people in prison
• Able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and have flexibility to visit the prison at times required
• Strong communication skills and are able to use these to inspire others
• Able to deliver engaging training and identify training and support needs for mentors
• Able to manage own time and prioritise
• Able to keep up to date with Shannon Trust news and communications and share relevant information with the wider prison team
• Able to use IT

What's in it for you

• Developing and growing your understanding of the HMPPS structure and prison system
• Reasonable, out of pocket, volunteering expenses are
• You will receive induction training and ongoing training to support and develop you in your role
• All volunteers receive ongoing support and quarterly reviews to enable you to gain the most from your volunteering experience
• We recognise and are grateful for the added value that volunteers bring to our organisation
• We provide flexible volunteering opportunities, subject to the requirements of your role

At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our charity shops are looking for friendly, local volunteers to join our team and help make our shops in Chesham and Burnham a huge success. Make new friends, have fun, and help us help more animals!

As a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant, you would join a small team working with the shop manager and 1-2 other volunteers to help make it a success and raise vital funds for animal welfare. 

Why Volunteer With Us?

As a volunteer charity shop assistant, you will:

• Support a worthwhile cause and help improve animal welfare.
• Be part of a friendly and dedicated team.
• Enjoy a fun and fulfilling role at the heart of the local community.
• Training and development opportunities, including induction and ongoing support.
• Learn excellent new skills to add to your CV, such as customer service, multi-tasking, merchandising, and many more.
• Access to the RSPCA Learning Hub with a wide range of training materials.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Helping customers in the shop find what they need.
• Accepting donations of items and money from the public.
• Processing sales through the till and card machine, including Gift Aid. (Training is provided but if you are not comfortable using the till, please get in touch because we have plenty of other tasks that do not involve the till).
• Sorting through donated items to determine what we can sell.
• Preparing donated items for sale by steaming and hanging items.
• Merchandising stock on the shop floor.
• Creating attractive shop window displays.

What We’re Looking For:

• Friendly, local volunteers who are confident talking to people.
• Retail experience would be ideal but is not necessary as full training will be given.
• We are ideally aiming for someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment, preferably 8 hours per week.
• Good communication skills and numeracy skills. 
• You will need to be aged 16 or over.

What’s in It for You?

• Meet new people and make new friends.
• Learn new skills to enhance your CV.
• A comprehensive induction and training programme relevant to your role.
• Volunteer in a fun environment at the heart of your local community.
• Know that your time and effort is making a real difference to the welfare of animals.

Practical Considerations:

• Online induction - you’ll need to complete an online induction, you will need basic IT skills and access to a computer. If you are not able to use IT, we do have a paper-based induction as an alternative.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.
• Submission of two referees’ contact details.
• Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.