Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

Prison volunteers nurture the growth of Shannon Trust reading programme in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance and support to prison staff and mentors. As it can take a few months to complete our training and the prison security vetting, we're looking for people who can stay with us for a while, ideally a couple of years. It's ideal for prison volunteers to be within 50 miles (or an hour's commute) to their prison. 

What you’ll be doing

• Acting as an ambassador for the charity, building positive relationships with prison staff and prisoners.
• Engaging prison managers, staff and prisoners to set-up and maintain the Shannon Trust reading programme across the whole prison.
• Supporting, guiding and encouraging the Shannon Trust facilitator and mentors to attract new learners and expand the reach of Shannon Trust. 
• Training mentors and attending monthly mentor meetings.
• Arranging and supporting celebration events.
• Providing monthly updates to Shannon Trust. 
• Meeting with Shannon Trust volunteers quarterly to share best practice and keep up-to-date with developments.
• Sharing good news stories.

Who we’re looking for

You don't need any formal qualifications to become a Shannon Trust volunteer. We're looking for people who:

• Have a commitment to providing non-judgemental support to people in prison.
• Are able to give a regular, reliable commitment.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Are able to deliver engaging training to our mentors.
• Are able to work alone, manage own time and prioritise.
• Can use email, the internet and MS word (or a similar package).

Time commitment

You'll visit your prison at least once a month and attend a quarterly volunteer meeting. Typically, you'll give 7 to 14 hours a month, spread over 2 to 4 days, to volunteering with us. To fit in with staff availability this isn't a role where your activities can take place on a set day or time each week and prison visits can't take place at weekends; you'll need to be flexible and be able to visit your prison during the daytime Monday to Friday.

Training, induction and support

You'll attend 2 one-day workshops. The first induction will introduce you to Shannon Trust, how we work and to volunteering in prisons. The second, How to Train Mentors, will get you ready to train mentors. Your area coordinator will support your induction into your prison. This will include 3 accompanied visits and observing mentor training. Your area coordinator will also give you ongoing support and you'll meet with your area team 4 times a year.

Benefits to you

You'll be helping unlock the power of reading for people in prison, have the chance to gain new skills and experiences or use existing ones, and be part of a great volunteer team.

Expenses and Insurance

You'll be able to claim back all reasonable expenses. You'll be covered by our public liability insurance. If you use your own vehicle for Shannon Trust related activity, you'll need to check that you have the correct insurance cover. 

Second Tree is a community-led, volunteer-run, grassroots NGO that supports, teaches and learns with refugees across Northern Greece. We are looking for a new Youth Program Coordinator for our Scouts Program based in Ioannina.

In this role, you’ll be coordinating the daily planning and delivery of activities for young refugees  in two refugee camps: Katsikas and Agia Eleni. 

The program consists of English language classes, educational workshops and excursions outside of the camp. It aims to develop the core values of teamwork, responsibility, kindness and focus in its participants, through structured, participatory activities. The program engages around 50 children at each site, between the ages of 8 and 17, the majority of whom are from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

Role description

You will…  

• Coordinate, delegate, and manage a team of 4-5 volunteers in the daily operations of the Scouts Program

• Develop current programming in coordination with the Programs Manager and project team member

• Assess impact and effectiveness of the program in line with its objectives 

• Plan and deliver effective educational and outdoor activities, within a theme-based, modular curriculum

• Ensure a high quality of program implementation, with the ability to provide behaviour management and safeguarding training to new volunteers

• Directly supervise and support project team to ensure effective inductions and transfer of key skills/knowledge take place between short term team members

• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders

• Represent Second Tree in relevant external meetings with international actors (UNHCR, IOM, ASB, Intersos, TDH) or local authorities (municipality, army, police, etc)

• Capture and compile relevant M&E on the program

• Conduct interviews with volunteer candidates 

Skills 

You are able to. . .

• Oversee the delivery of program activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks

• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe

• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way

• Have a strong sense of humor, being able to make fun of yourself is key

• Care for people, the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern

• Instil the values above in the people that work with you 

• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met

• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged

• Communicate in English, both written and orally

• Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload

Knowledge

You understand…

• What is required to work and effectively communicate in complex and volatile contexts

• Essential background of the refugee crisis and its impact

• Essential behaviour management techniques which can be employed effectively with children and young people

• Your own personal leadership skills/profile and how to effectively manage a team

We offer

– Accommodation in a shared house.

– Transportation to/from work.

– After completion of a three month trial, small monthly expenses refund.

How to Apply

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana at the email provided below.

1) Your CV

2) Your cover letter

3) Copy of your teaching qualifications (If applicable)

In your mail, please:

4) Put “Youth Program Coordinator Candidate CharityJob” as the subject line

5) Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer (starting date and length)

6) At the end of the email, copy-paste the link of the ad you are responding to

If the application includes all of these we will get back to you in a maximum of 48hs.

We are looking for a Social Media Specialist who can strategically identify, and post, engaging content for our social media feeds, which will inspire people to support our work with refugees and asylum seekers in Epirus.

This is a great chance to build your CV, gain valuable experience in an NGO and help refugees here in Northern Greece!

In your role, you will interact with our Instagram and Facebook communities to increase engagement, followers and the quality of their experience. You will also identify key influencers and conversations where we can engage to better showcase our work and expand our reach. You are the person who thinks “this would make a good post” while activities are taking place. More than that, your interest and belief in social media as a force for good should be backed with an interest in data and analytics, using them to influence our social media communication strategy.

Skills Required:

-Strong written and spoken English skills

-Proactive, problem-solving mind-set

-Demonstrable ability to manage a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feed in a professional capacity

-Ability to demonstrate your success at creating and delivering social media strategies for specific projects

-Ability to show your experience at producing regular reports using Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, Google Analytics or similar tools.

-Data-driven and have an evidence-led approach to social media strategy.

-Up-to-date with the latest trends/developments in social media communications.

-Ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks and respond flexibly.

-Ability to deal with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

-Ability to identify key influential external figures and agencies to further our social media reach and impact.

-Ability to find creative solutions to communications challenges

Skills Desired:

-Experience working in a refugee context or with a vulnerable population

-Experience working in an NGO, Charity or in the field of human rights

-Language skills: Arabic, Persian, Dari, Sorani and/or Kurmanji

Your responsibilities:

-Regularly post and schedule content on Second Tree’s social media feeds.

-Work with the wider Second Tree team to ensure that all content on our social media feeds aligns with organisational, and specific project strategies.

-Work with Second Tree team to moderate and respond to comments and interact with followers to best develop our online communities.

-Produce regular reports on social media performance.

-Use Google Analytics (or similar) to produce reports on referrals to the Second Tree website and conversions attributable to social content.

-Advise colleagues and help them to develop content strategies based on previous reports and insights

-Develop social media strategies to expand our reach and impact through social media channels

-Identify key social influencers who we can engage with

-Maintain a strong knowledge of developments, innovations, and new tech in social media and identify any that may be of benefit/interest to Second Tree

What We Offer:

-Accommodation with all the basic amenities (WiFi, laundry, kitchen) covered in a shared team house.

-Transportation for work-related activities (if needed)

-Reference letter pending successful completion of engagement

We have two volunteer houses that can host up to nine people where long-term volunteers are accommodated. Some volunteers choose to rent their own accommodation. In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to join us on the ground and immerse themselves in our work. Your participation could take on many forms, from support in the education programs to activities in the kindergarten to the delivery of workshops and expeditions with the Youth Scouts – we look forward to hearing your ideas on how best to apply your skills in this context. By coming here, you would gain a first-hand experience of the situation on the ground, working in a grassroots organization with a small but dedicated team. This immersion will give you a solid sense of our work, our mission and our approach – which would facilitate your ability to attract supporters.

We encourage applicants to work with us on the ground, but even if you cannot physically come to Greece, we will still consider your application.

How to apply:

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana at the email below. 

1) Your CV

2) Your cover letter

In the email, please:

3) Put “Social Media Specialist (charityjob)” as the subject line

4) Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer.

If the application includes all of these we will get back to you in a maximum of 48hs.

Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

Prison volunteers nurture the growth of Shannon Trust reading programme in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance and support to prison staff and mentors. As it can take a few months to complete our training and the prison security vetting, we're looking for people who can stay with us for a while, ideally a couple of years. It's ideal for prison volunteers to be within 50 miles (or an hour's commute) to their prison. 

What you’ll be doing

• Acting as an ambassador for the charity, building positive relationships with prison staff and prisoners.
• Engaging prison managers, staff and prisoners to set-up and maintain the Shannon Trust reading programme across the whole prison.
• Supporting, guiding and encouraging the Shannon Trust facilitator and mentors to attract new learners and expand the reach of Shannon Trust. 
• Training mentors and attending monthly mentor meetings.
• Arranging and supporting celebration events.
• Providing monthly updates to Shannon Trust. 
• Meeting with Shannon Trust volunteers quarterly to share best practice and keep up-to-date with developments.
• Sharing good news stories.

Who we’re looking for

You don't need any formal qualifications to become a Shannon Trust volunteer. We're looking for people who:

• Have a commitment to providing non-judgemental support to people in prison.
• Are able to give a regular, reliable commitment.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Are able to deliver engaging training to our mentors.
• Are able to work alone, manage own time and prioritise.
• Can use email, the internet and MS word (or a similar package).

Time commitment

You'll visit your prison at least once a month and attend a quarterly volunteer meeting. Typically, you'll give 7 to 14 hours a month, spread over 2 to 4 days, to volunteering with us. To fit in with staff availability this isn't a role where your activities can take place on a set day or time each week and prison visits can't take place at weekends; you'll need to be flexible and be able to visit your prison during the daytime Monday to Friday.

Training, induction and support

You'll attend 2 one-day workshops. The first induction will introduce you to Shannon Trust, how we work and to volunteering in prisons. The second, How to Train Mentors, will get you ready to train mentors. Your area coordinator will support your induction into your prison. This will include 3 accompanied visits and observing mentor training. Your area coordinator will also give you ongoing support and you'll meet with your area team 4 times a year.

Benefits to you

You'll be helping unlock the power of reading for people in prison, have the chance to gain new skills and experiences or use existing ones, and be part of a great volunteer team.

Expenses and Insurance

You'll be able to claim back all reasonable expenses. You'll be covered by our public liability insurance. If you use your own vehicle for Shannon Trust related activity, you'll need to check that you have the correct insurance cover. 

Teach English to refugees and asylum seekers in Greece! Work for a dynamic, grassroots NGO and become an essential part of the community, forging close links with your students and those you work with. 

Second Tree is a Greek non-profit and non-governmental organization based in Ioannina, Epirus. Second Tree was founded in January 2017 by a group of volunteers that had worked together in the Katsikas refugee camp. Since our inception we have worked with and supported refugee communities across the Epirus region and we continue to grow in our four key areas.

Integration – through workshops and activities that develop connections with the local community and economy; fostering an avenue for cohesion and unity.

Education – through non-formal English and Greek language classes for teenagers and adults delivered by qualified teachers

Community-Building – through a Scouts program designed to develop teamwork and life-skills in young people in the region

Support – through our non-formal children’s activities for 3-10 year olds

Second Tree delivers non-formal education (NFE) programs at different sites in the Epirus region and is looking for qualified and/or experienced volunteers to fill the roles. The long-term objective of our NFE program is to develop the English language skills of students through the Cambridge Empower Workbook series, in order to prepare them for languague certification.

Although acquiring certification is the intended long-term objective, we expect our teachers to ensure that the following objectives are realized in the immediate term:

-To support the psycho-social and intellectual development of refugees and asylum seekers

-To empower them with interpersonal – and life – skills

-To enable access to quality learning resources

-To develop their English language skills in preparation for certification

-To strengthen their ability to enter formal education and/or the workplace

To foster their integration into European society

The Position:

We are looking for volunteer teachers to deliver English classes to refugees and asylum seekers in Ioannina and the Epirus region. The ideal candidate(s) will have experience teaching English as a foreign/second language and will possess a strong understanding of or passion for the context we work in (refugee crisis). Experience delivering educational activities to vulnerable populations is a strong advantage.

The role will include:

-Delivering daily classes to the population at assigned site;

-Preparing class materials;

-Ensuring student engagement and progress;

-Working closely with the Programme Manager to ensure the programme is being delivered to the expected standards of Second Tree;
 

Skills Required:

-Degree in teaching and/or Certification in English language teaching (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA or equivalent);

-Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-level classroom

-Ability to work independently and in a team;

-Ability to meet deadlines and manage own workload;

-Ability to work in a high-intensity environment;

-Adaptable, flexible attitude and approach to teaching and classroom management;

-Strong communication, inter-personal and writing skills;

-Ability to communicate in an open, honest, direct manner;

Skills Desired:

-Experience working in the refugee context;

-Experience working with vulnerable populations;  

What We Offer:

At Second Tree we cherish the relation that every teacher creates with their students. This is especially true in a refugee context,  where gaining students' trust and having a thorough knowledge of their needs is crucial to their learning. For this reason, we only offer the position of Lead Teacher to volunteers that can commit to at least two months. Short term volunteers can help as Assistant Teachers. As space is limited, and Lead Teachers are vital to the continuation of the program, we prioritize long-term volunteers.

For Long-Term Volunteers: if you are staying with us for at least 2½ months, we offer free accommodation with all the basic amenities (WiFi, heating, laundry, kitchen) covered in a shared team house, and offer and/or cover transportation for work-related activities;

For Short-Term Volunteers: if you are staying with us between 5 and 10 weeks, we might be able to put you in contact with individuals providing cheap accommodation (approx. 5€/day). In case there are empty spaces in the team house, you are welcome to stay there, but priority will be given to long-term volunteers.

How to apply:

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana at the email adress provided. 

1) Your CV

2) Your cover letter

3) Copy of your teaching qualifications

In your mail, please:

4) Put “ESL Teacher Candidate” as the subject line

5) Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer

Our local groups provide high quality services to our MS community, offering local grants or funding research by donating to our national programmes. Our Finance Volunteers manage the local group’s finances to make sure that funds are spent according to our charitable objectives.

Finance Volunteer

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Finance Volunteer for our Coventry and District Group. As a Finance Volunteer, you would be joining a coordinating team of volunteers to plan and deliver services and activities to support people locally.

You will maintain and approve income and expenditure records and explain financial information clearly to other group members. You would ensure our financial requirements and policies are followed, and that money is spent in a cost effective manner.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience with a large charity, develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be comfortable with figures, preferably with an accounting or business background.

Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

Area secretaries are an invaluable part of our team. They provide administrative support to our area coordinators and teams, organising and minuting area meetings three times a year. They're also an important link in how we evidence the impact of Shannon Trust reading programme, prompting and following-up data and monthly reports from our prison volunteers.

We are looking for an area secretary to support our team of volunteers working in prisons across our Kent area which covers HMP's Cookham wood, East Sutton Park, Elmley, Maidstone, Rochester, Standford Hill, Swaleside, Medway STC.

What you’ll be doing

• Arranging team meetings; booking venues, arranging refreshments, sending out and following-up invites, preparing and circulating papers.
• Taking minutes and circulating them to your team and regional manager.
• Prompt and follow-up monthly data returns and reports from prison volunteers and Shannon Trust prison teams.
• Maintaining contact details of volunteers, prison teams and other useful prison contacts in your area and communicating changes to your regional manager.
• Supporting communications between your area coordinator and area team.
• Taking part in regional meetings organised by your Regional Manager. These tend to be annually when there is no national Shannon Trust conference planned.

You may also be invited to, or opt into:

• Taking part in planning meetings with your area coordinator and regional manager.
• Taking minutes at an annual regional meeting (rotational basis).
• Keeping an overview of your team’s progress and providing your area coordinator and regional manager with a summary of key issues.
• Overseeing your team’s contribution to good news stories. 

Who we’re looking for:

You don't need any formal qualifications to become an area secretary. We're looking for people who:

• Have good administrative skills.
• Are able to write clearly and concisely.
• Are confident using email, the internet and MS Word (or similar package) and have access to a computer and the internet.
• Are able to work alone, manage their own time and prioritise. 

Time commitment

Area secretaries typically give around 14 hours a month to volunteering with us which is spread across a number of days. Much of the role can take place on any day of the week and in the evenings. You’ll need to attend a daytime area meeting 4 times a year. And you’ll also need to attend our induction workshop and come along to our yearly area secretaries meeting. 

Training, induction and support

You'll attend a 1-day induction workshop which will introduce you to Shannon Trust and how we work. You'll also have a separate introductory session with your area coordinator. We bring our area secretaries together once a year; it's chance to share what's working well, talk through new developments and recap on training

The Position:

Fantastic opportunity to gain experience at a dynamic, grass-roots NGO working in Northern Greece.  Help to lead the expansion of a successful, informal youth education programme!

Second Tree are looking for volunteers who can lead the development, implementation, and expansion of our youth program.  This is a brilliant opportunity to work in the humanitarian sector, taking on real responsibility in a young, dynamic NGO. We work with 42 young refugees and asylum seekers from many different countries, providing them with with a sense of community and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise receive!

There are specific requirements asked for to apply, however the most important is to have a strong desire to work with refugees and a commitment to improve the situation here in Greece. Second Tree works in a transparent way in a challenging and changeable situation on the field; therefore an ability to learn quickly and be open to feedback is more important than your specific experience. That said, the ideal candidate will possess experience working with children and young people in an educational and environmental outdoor setting and may have experience in and/or knowledge of the Scouting movement.

The role will include:

-Organizing weekly activities with the Scouts and team leaders;

-Identifying, developing and managing team leaders;

-Collaborating with the wider Second Tree team;

-Supporting team leaders to plan and implement weekly activities and excursions;

-Supporting in Second Tree’s general logistic needs;

Requirements:

-Ability to commit to over four weeks;

-Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual setting;

-Ability to work independently and within a team;

-Ability to meet deadlines and manage own workload;

-Ability to work in a high-intensity environment;

-Adaptable, flexible attitude and approach to activities and people management;

-Ability to communicate in an open, honest, direct manner;

Skills Desired:

-Experience working as a Scout leader and/or part of the Scout Leadership Team

-Experience with teenagers in educational and leisure activities

-Ability to drive (possession of valid driving license)

-Demonstrable experience in the animation field and summer camps.

-Knowledge of the Scout Movement and/or similar pedagogical tools and programs

-Language skills: Arabic, French, Persian, Dari and/or Kurmanji

What We Offer:

-Accommodation with all the basic amenities (WiFi, heating, laundry, kitchen) covered in a shared team house.

-Transportation for work-related activities (if needed)

We have two volunteer houses that can host up to nine people where long-term volunteers are accommodated. Some volunteers choose to rent their own accommodation. In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the volunteer houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the volunteer houses are full, this would allow us to offer a volunteering opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

How to apply:

Please send the following to Giovanni Fontana at the email adress provided:

1) Your CV

2) Your cover letter

In your mail, please:

3) Put “Scout Leader Candidate (Charityjob)” as the subject line

4) Specify the dates you would be available to volunteer

If the application includes all of these we will get back to you in a maximum of 48hs.

Raising funds for the local group is essential to provide services, grants and activities for people affected by MS. Our Fundraising Volunteers plan and run events, develop links with local organisations and deliver awareness activities to promote the needs of people affected by MS.

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Fundraising Volunteer for the South Central and East Suffolk Group. As a Fundraising Volunteer, you will plan and deliver a range of fundraising activities for the group to help support the work of the MS Society locally.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be a good organiser with plenty of creative ideas, preferably with fundraising, sales or event management experience.

Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

Prison volunteers nurture the growth of Shannon Trust reading programme in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance and support to prison staff and mentors. As it can take a few months to complete our training and the prison security vetting, we're looking for people who can stay with us for a while, ideally a couple of years. It's ideal for prison volunteers to be within 50 miles (or an hour's commute) to their prison. 

What you’ll be doing

• Acting as an ambassador for the charity, building positive relationships with prison staff and prisoners.
• Engaging prison managers, staff and prisoners to set-up and maintain the Shannon Trust reading programme across the whole prison.
• Supporting, guiding and encouraging the Shannon Trust facilitator and mentors to attract new learners and expand the reach of Shannon Trust. 
• Training mentors and attending monthly mentor meetings.
• Arranging and supporting celebration events.
• Providing monthly updates to Shannon Trust. 
• Meeting with Shannon Trust volunteers quarterly to share best practice and keep up-to-date with developments.
• Sharing good news stories.

Who we’re looking for

You don't need any formal qualifications to become a Shannon Trust volunteer. We're looking for people who:

• Have a commitment to providing non-judgemental support to people in prison.
• Are able to give a regular, reliable commitment.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Are able to deliver engaging training to our mentors.
• Are able to work alone, manage own time and prioritise.
• Can use email, the internet and MS word (or a similar package).

Time commitment

You'll visit your prison at least once a month and attend a quarterly volunteer meeting. Typically, you'll give 7 to 14 hours a month, spread over 2 to 4 days, to volunteering with us. To fit in with staff availability this isn't a role where your activities can take place on a set day or time each week and prison visits can't take place at weekends; you'll need to be flexible and be able to visit your prison during the daytime Monday to Friday.

Training, induction and support

You'll attend 2 one-day workshops. The first induction will introduce you to Shannon Trust, how we work and to volunteering in prisons. The second, How to Train Mentors, will get you ready to train mentors. Your area coordinator will support your induction into your prison. This will include 3 accompanied visits and observing mentor training. Your area coordinator will also give you ongoing support and you'll meet with your area team 4 times a year.

Benefits to you

You'll be helping unlock the power of reading for people in prison, have the chance to gain new skills and experiences or use existing ones, and be part of a great volunteer team.

Expenses and Insurance

You'll be able to claim back all reasonable expenses. You'll be covered by our public liability insurance. If you use your own vehicle for Shannon Trust related activity, you'll need to check that you have the correct insurance cover. 

Our empathetic and impartial Support Volunteers use their excellent listening and interpersonal skills to provide support to people with MS, their family, friends and carers.

Support Volunteer

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for our Asian MS Group.

Asian MS is a nationwide Group with the aim of providing information, educational and social opportunities for the Asian MS community. This is a Group that specifically supports the Asian MS community and as such we are only recruiting candidates of Asian background to this role currently.

As a Support Volunteer, you will be providing support to people with MS, their family, friends and carers.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll have empathetic listening and interpersonal skills.

Shannon Trust is a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year to transform their lives by unlocking the power of reading. We inspire and train prisoners who can read to teach prisoners who can’t.

Area coordinators support and coordinate a team of prison volunteers. They help recruit and induct new volunteers and are the first point of contact for advice and support for them. They build and promote a solution-focused ethos within their team and they regularly contribute to new developments within the charity. It's a substantial role which suits someone experienced in managing people, confident in delivering presentations and with good communication and interpersonal skills. 

We are looking for an area coordinator to support our team of volunteers across our our South Central North area (Oxen, Herts & Bucks).

It can take several months to complete Shannon Trust training and prison security clearance so we're looking for volunteers who are able to stay with us for a while, ideally a couple of years.

What you’ll be doing

• Establishing and coordinating best practice delivery of Shannon Trust reading programme in prisons in your area.
• Taking part in recruiting new volunteers and supporting their induction into their prison.
• Supporting volunteers build and maintain Shannon Trust reading programme, including being their first point of contact and attending strategic meetings and agreeing plans with them.
• Planning team activities with the Regional Manager and keeping an overview of team progress and key issues. 
• Troubleshooting in prisons where support is needed or where there's no volunteer, for example by delivering mentor training.
• Encouraging monthly data returns and good news stories that enable us to evaluate Shannon Trust's impact. 
• Organising and chairing at least three area team meetings a year to enhance skills, motivate and share best practice.
• Attending quarterly area coordinator meetings.
• Taking part in annual Regional Meetings organised by your Regional Manager.
• Accompanying your Regional Manager to relevant strategic meetings involving prison service managers. 
• Keeping up to date with developments at HM Prison and Probation service and Shannon Trust. 

Who we’re looking for

You don't need any formal qualifications to join the team. We're looking for people who:

• Have a commitment to providing non-judgemental support to people in prison. 
• Can inspire and support volunteers.
• Are able to present at meetings and events.
• Can manage their own time and workload.
• Are able to use email, the internet and Microsoft word (or equivalent).

Time commitment

The time you give us each month may vary, but the role requires you to be able to commit enough time to:

• Effectively support your team of prison volunteers with regular check-ins.
• Chair quarterly area meetings and attend quarterly area coordinator meetings.
• Work with your Regional Manager to plan for the prisons in your area.
• Carry out occasional visits to prisons to support the delivery of the scheme, induct new volunteers or problem solve as required.

Please note you're likely to be asked to attend morning meetings. This often means you'll be required to be at a prison by 8am.

Training, induction and support

You'll attend 2 one-day workshops. The first induction will introduce you to Shannon Trust, how we work and to volunteering in prisons. The second, How to Train Mentors, will get you ready to train mentors. You'll have a specific area coordinator session with your Regional Manager who will also provide you with ongoing support. You'll have administrative support from a volunteer area secretary. 

Benefits to you

You'll be helping unlock the power of reading for people in prison, have the chance to gain new skills and experiences or use your existing ones, and you'll be part of a great volunteer team.

Expenses and Insurance

You'll be helping unlock the power of reading for people in prison, have the chance to gain new skills and experiences or use your existing ones, and you'll be part of a great volunteer team.

Kingsley Organisation began its life in 1987 and supports disabled adults and provides opportunities for personal development, education, training and independence. 

The Trustee will contribute to the board with their strategic development knowledge and expertise in marketing and communications, to ensure that we are effectively using our communication channels and help us to promote our services widely.

You will also be collectively responsible for the governance of the charity, ensuring that the charity has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision.

Main responsibilities of the Trustee

• To develop and enhance organisational marketing materials/resources/opportunities.
• To maintain and enhance our website to aid communication/service promotion
• Highlight the opportunities and the risks, in terms of our strategy in general, and in reference to data protection, social media and communications in particular.

Person specification

• Background in Marketing and PR/Communications.
• Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.
• Excellent communication skills.

What’s in it for the volunteer?

This role is a rewarding opportunity for a marketing professional to bring their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of an organisation, which supports disabled people in the community to pursue their ambitions. Becoming a trustee is also a chance for you to give something back to your community, by contributing to the strategic management of the charity, so we can continue providing activities which value each person as an individual, and by ensuring that we continuously improve our services for the benefit of our participants.

Time commitment

The Board meet once a month (1.30pm – 4pm) and there is an AGM. Meetings take place at the Kingsley Centre in Bordon

Other details

A potential trustee must attend at least three Board Meetings (covering a period of at least three months), before formally being appointed a Trustee.  After three months, both the potential Trustee and the Board will review their position, after which a formal offer to join the Board may be made.  Potential Trustees are also asked to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.

Applications must be made via the TrusteeWorks team in the first instance. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation, how your skills would add value to the board and any other relevant information.

Using their interpersonal and organisational skills, our Administration Volunteers are the linchpin for all local group activity. They act as the first point of contact for the group and play an important role in keeping the group’s data and details up to date to comply with data protection legislation.

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit an Administration Volunteer for our Asian MS Group.

Asian MS is a nationwide Group with the aim of providing information, educational and social opportunities for the Asian MS community. This is a Group that specifically supports the Asian MS community and as such we are only recruiting candidates of Asian background to this role currently.

As an Administration Volunteer you will be organising the admin of a group and ensuring group volunteers are aware of current agreements and activities.

We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be a keen organiser of admin and record keeping and willing to share information with others.