Volunteer Roles in North East

Join the WEA Audit and Risk Board Committee: Bring Adult Learning, Within Reach. 
 

Are you passionate about adult education and community development? Do you believe in the power of learning to transform lives?  

As a member of the Audit and Risk Board Committee, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding the WEA towards a sustainable future. You’ll ensure that our programmes remain true to our values and principles, and that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. 

WEA is seeking to appoint co-opted Board Committee members who have worked nationally in England or Scotland with recognised qualifications in one or more of the following fields:

• Accountancy or audit; with experience of dealing with pensions or multiple funding /revenue streams.

• Human resources; with experience of dealing with organisational development and change.

• Education / adult learning; with experience of legislative, social, health and/or education policy that may impact upon WEA delivery in England and/or Scotland. 

We offer: A comprehensive induction and training program. Supportive environment, especially for new committee members. The opportunity to use your skills and experience for a noble cause. 

Your impact: Influence adult education policies. Monitor and improve the quality of our educational offerings. Foster partnerships and build relationships with key stakeholders. 

Your commitment to our mission will help bring adult learning within reach. Together, we can create a community where continuous learning and development are a reality for all. 

Join the WEA Scotland Board Committee: Bring Adult Learning, Within Reach. 
 

Are you passionate about adult education and community development? Do you believe in the power of learning to transform lives?  

As a member of the Scotland Board Committee, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding the WEA towards a sustainable future. You’ll ensure that our programmes remain true to our values and principles, and that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. 

WEA is seeking to appoint co-opted Board Committee members who have worked nationally in Scotland with recognised qualifications in one or more of the following fields:

• Accountancy or audit; with experience of dealing with pensions or multiple funding /revenue streams.

• Human resources; with experience of dealing with organisational development and change.

• Education / adult learning; with experience of legislative, social, health and/or education policy that may impact upon WEA delivery in England and/or Scotland. 

We offer: A comprehensive induction and training program. Supportive environment, especially for new committee members. The opportunity to use your skills and experience for a noble cause. 

Your impact: Influence adult education policies. Monitor and improve the quality of our educational offerings. Foster partnerships and build relationships with key stakeholders. 

Your commitment to our mission will help bring adult learning within reach. Together, we can create a community where continuous learning and development are a reality for all. 

Join the WEA People Board Committee: Bring Adult Learning, Within Reach. 

Are you passionate about adult education and community development? Do you believe in the power of learning to transform lives?  

As a member of the People Board Committee, you’ll play a pivotal role in guiding the WEA towards a sustainable future. You’ll ensure that our programmes remain true to our values and principles, and that we continue to meet the evolving needs of our communities. 

WEA is seeking to appoint co-opted Board Committee members who have worked nationally in England or Scotland with recognised qualifications in one or more of the following fields:

• Accountancy or audit; with experience of dealing with pensions or multiple funding /revenue streams.

• Human resources; with experience of dealing with organisational development and change.

• Education / adult learning; with experience of legislative, social, health and/or education policy that may impact upon WEA delivery in England and/or Scotland. 

We offer: A comprehensive induction and training program. Supportive environment, especially for new committee members. The opportunity to use your skills and experience for a noble cause. 

Your impact: Influence adult education policies. Monitor and improve the quality of our educational offerings. Foster partnerships and build relationships with key stakeholders. 

Your commitment to our mission will help bring adult learning within reach. Together, we can create a community where continuous learning and development are a reality for all. 

A New Icon

We level the playing field for athletic sponsorships enabling more athletes to reach their full potential.

Large brands and agencies dominate the sports sponsorship marketplace. As a result, many athletes, including female, disabled, and LGBTQ+ athletes from various ethnicities or lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are often left without sponsors and access to what they need to reach their potential. In addition, many sponsors need help finding and developing a genuine connection with an athlete, which leads to issues connecting with their audiences. There is no way to search for sponsors or athletes directly without involving costly agencies. Transparency and self-management are crucial in democratising the marketplace. The opportunity to make this sector more equitable is now.

We have built an innovative self-managed athlete-sponsorship platform focused on unique connections between sponsors and athletes. Sponsors, athletes, and fans can sign-up. Athletes create a public profile page with information and media about themselves. Sponsors create campaigns which athletes & teams search and apply for. In addition, all users can follow athletes who post on our social feed. Negotiation steps are in-built before the contract is confirmed; secure payment is taken for the sponsorship amount and held securely. As milestones are reached, an athlete's payment percentage is released, protecting both sides. Our model enables the fair distribution of power.

Hello, potential volunteer, This is our second attempt at taking on volunteers; the last time, we didn't do so well with organizing and keeping volunteers engaged—we bit off more than we could chew and didn't do a great job of role management! We were also impacted by hitting a funding wall and a general lack of resources, so we crashed and burned, but we did learn! So we are back to try again and hope you will help us make it successful this time!

PR planning and booking for radio and editorial

In order to gain traction on our platform whilst fundraising, we have an athlete ambassador who we would like to do radio interviews and editorials in order to grow users and explain how our platform works whilst telling our story. Our hook is that he will be participating as a part of Team GB at the Paris Olympics. We must ensure we do not break the 40-day rule of mentioning the Olympics in our PR run. We know the radio stations and publications that are our target audience, but we have no experience running a PR campaign without paying a professional! We are looking for someone with experience who can plan and book these appearances for us without a budget and make the most of this opportunity for the athlete and timing of this big event.

About us

Torbay Advice Network is a registered Charity, who supports vulnerable people at a critical moment to rebuild their lives following a welfare crisis, such as with benefit appeals, PIP Tribunals, Specialist Advice, Guidance, and Advocacy.

We also provide specialist tailored training to empower our community, statutory staff and VCSO’s to better understand their entitlements and legal issues.

In 2023-24 we supported 272 clients to obtain new benefit awards including backdated payments of £765,533.61 and trained 57 people in welfare topics, such as PIP, Carers Benefits, Housing Benefit, and Identifying Entitlements.

Our trustees set strategic direction, provide advice, and ensure the charity’s work continues to advance its charitable objectives.

Who we need

Whether you are an experienced trustee or board member or are looking to take your first step into the voluntary sector, we want to hear from you.

We are looking for Trustees to help drive our strategic development, utilising their lived experience and networks in our local communities to help further shape and sustain our specialist services.

Time commitment

Trustee meetings are held remotely three to four times a year, although there may also be occasional requirements to meet in person in Torbay.

Additionally, you will support your fellow trustees and staff members on an ad hoc basis. The total time commitment averages around an hour each month.

What’s in it for you

· You will be helping a small charity make a big difference to the lives of people in real need.

· Develop your C.V by gaining valuable skills, knowledge, experience, and networks within the voluntary sector.

· Work alongside a committed and varied team of trustees, all striving to grow our charitable impact.

· Feel great by giving back!

How to apply

We’d love to hear from people of all backgrounds, from anywhere in the UK. You don’t need to have any previous trustee experience or welfare knowledge as we’ll provide training.

The role is open to Over 18's, is unpaid with applicable expenses reimbursed.

To apply, send us a copy of your CV, with a short covering letter explaining why you’re applying and what you could bring to Torbay Advice Network. 

Our roaming tech volunteers provide one-to-one support to people with sight loss, visiting them in their own homes to help them get the most out of technology. They may help customers set up a new device, learn new features or trouble shoot tech problems. Roaming tech volunteers support people local to them.

We particularly require volunteers who are based in Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

Our roaming tech volunteers provide one-to-one support to people with sight loss, visiting them in their own homes to help them get the most out of technology. They may help customers set up a new device, learn new features or trouble shoot tech problems. Roaming tech volunteers support people local to them.

*Identify and resolve computer problems; Install hardware, software and upgrades; New technology training; Support people with IT development.

*Helping blind and partially sighted people to use tech in their own home.

*Helping people remotely.
 

*Use our online system to manage requests for technology help and update progress to resolve problem.

*Customer focused approach; empowering attitude; Good communication skills; Natural tech user; Problem solving skills.

*Understanding Sight Loss Pack; Induction; Expenses; Support from Volunteers and Staff.

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.

Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. 

Please note that we are looking for volunteers to work Sundays, ideally with the flexibility to do other days as and when required. Please do not apply to this role if you are under 18 years of age.

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

• A leader, able to motivate others and get them involved to achieve great results.
• A team player who is good with people and enjoys interacting with the public.
• Passionate about providing great customer service; friendly and helpful. 
• Enthusiastic and motivated with a positive attitude.
• Flexible, proactive, reliable and trustworthy.
• Confident with cash handling and have an eye for detail.
• Aware of health and safety issues and happy to follow policies and procedures.
• Respectful of others and their diversity.
• Interested making a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind. 

Our Key Volunteers are shop volunteers who have additional responsibilities. This is a varied and responsible role where you’ll be provided with training that will equip you to support the Shop Manager and Assistant with the day to day running of the shop, including: 

• Provide a warm, friendly welcome to customers.
• Provide great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience, support other volunteers to do the same.
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public. 
• Processing sales and serving on the till.
• Open and close the shop when necessary to support the Shop Manager.
• Cash up the till at the end of the day.
• Support with sorting donations and price stock, keeping the shop stocked up, clean and tidy.
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives.
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community.
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers. 
• Following health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone.

We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world. This is why it is important to us that our volunteers feel supported and rewarded. Here is what we can offer you as a volunteer:

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

We are now recruiting for a new Experts by Experience network members. The Experts by Experience Panel is a two year project with a group of people with lived experience of homelessness (both those who have used Crisis services and those who have not) who will have access and participate in a wide range of opportunities across Crisis to support and develop our work.

This year we are looking for 10-15 people with direct experience of homelessness from across Great Britain to join our existing members of the network

"It gives me a more fulfilling quality of life to be part of something which is so much bigger than me on my own."

Quote from one of our current Experts by Experience Panel Members 

As an Expert by Experience, you will have access to participate in a wide range of opportunities across Crisis and will be renumerated for your time. Over the last year our current panel has been involved in a wide range of activities which continually help to shape and inform all areas of our work across England, Scotland and Wales. Their expertise is a hugely valuable resource for Crisis. 

Aim of the role

By joining the Experts by Experience Panel you will be ensuring that the perspective of people with lived experience of homelessness is at the heart of everything we do.

In order to know what Crisis is already doing well, what could be improved and how this could be achieved we need to hear your voices.

The only experience necessary is lived experience of Homelessness. Just bring you, your experiences and a willingness to learn something new and be involved with something that has been so exciting for other EBEs who have been involved (in their own words!).

The aim of the role is to bring you together with other people with personal experiences of homelessness to inform organisational strategy, policy and help us to design what our services look like for the people who will use them in future.

Who this role would be most suitable for:

People who have:

• An understanding of the issues faced by people who are homeless as a result of personal experience of homelessness in the recent past

• Confidence to take part in meetings both online and in person and contribute your opinions

• The ability to work with others, take part in constructive discussion and respect other view points

• A willingness to share your knowledge and experience and to give open and honest feedback

• The ability to read information to prepare for meetings

• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality

• Reliability and good time keeping

• Ability to communicate by email and attend online meetings

• Willing to travel independently to meetings

• Commitment to Crisis values and a passion and enthusiasm for ending homelessness

  We want to hear from people from all backgrounds, cultures and communities. We will do everything we can to support you to be involved as we want our work to be informed by a range of people and experiences. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse communities and/or other under-represented groups as this will help our panel make a real difference, better informing our work.

• Location: meetings will be a combination of in person and online (Microsoft Teams). Please be assured you only need to get involved in the way that best suits you.

• Supported by: Grace Barry, Anna Jones and Carey Hill in the Member Involvement Team

  Core Activities

  The scope of the group will include:

• Attending regular meetings that adhere to a supportive group charter

• Using your personal experiences to help plan new developments at Crisis

• Getting involved in specific projects in different departments, depending on your areas of

  interest.

• Attending focus groups and workshops on specific topics where you are interested

• Informing the direction of our fundraising campaigns and policy work

• Monitoring and reviewing member involvement at Crisis

• Ideas forums where you can bring along your own ideas and suggestions for things you’d love to

  see Crisis do/work with Experts by Experience on

• In-person away days that happen 1-2 times per year where you can meet fellow network

  members, get to know each other and work together as a team

What will you gain:

• Introductory training (you may bring your lead worker along to induction if you feel this would be helpful) for the role

• Ongoing support from the Member Involvement Team and from your peers

• An opportunity to be part of a team who are committed continually improving Crisis services and

  maximising the impact of the Lloyds Banking Group Partnership at Crisis

• The opportunity to get involved in a wide variety of projects

• The opportunity to influence a variety of areas of work at Crisis and shape the way we do things

  in future

• The opportunity to develop new and existing skills

• The opportunity to build confidence

• The opportunity to get to know new people that you otherwise may not have had the chance to

  connect with

• Opportunities build relationships with Crisis staff and volunteers

• Potential opportunities to travel within the UK to attend meetings

• A reference from the Member Involvement team should you need this for future opportunities

  Is this role remunerated?

  Yes, this role is remunerated. Our rate of remuneration is £30.00 for up to two hours of involvement and £15.00 thereafter.

  We have an excellent benefit advice team who can advise you about any impact this might have for you on any benefits you receive.

  You will be paid a maximum of 8 hours a week, any other hours beyond that would be voluntary. If you do not wish to receive remuneration, you are still welcome to be part of the network.

  You will be provided with support to learn how to invoice for remuneration.

  The closing date for this opportunity is 15th May 2024

Are you passionate about mental health and helping those struggling with body image issues and related disorders? Been There, a start-up mental health charity, is currently seeking a safeguarding trustee to join our dedicated team.

What will you be doing?

Job Summary:

As a safeguarding trustee, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our service users. You will work closely with our staff and volunteers to implement safeguarding policies and procedures, provide guidance and support, and help to create a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic

• Consider the organisation’s strategic plans and make sure they reflect safeguarding legislation and expectations of the Charities Commission.
• Work with the CEO and DSL regularly to review and ensure charity policies are creating a safer culture and keeping people safe.
• Check the organisation’s risk register reflects safeguarding risks properly and plans sensible measures to take.
• Make sure there is space on the agenda for safeguarding reports and help trustees understand and challenge those reports.

Effective policy and practice

• Make sure there is a 6 monthly review of safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Understand the monitoring your charity does to see whether policies and procedures are effective.
• Learn from case reviews locally and nationally, to improve your organisation’s policies/procedures.
• Oversee safeguarding allegations against staff or volunteers, together with CEO and DSL.
• Be a point of contact for staff or volunteers if someone wishes to complain about a lack of action in relation to safeguarding concerns.

Creating the right culture

• Champion safeguarding throughout the organisation.
• Attend relevant safeguarding training events (virtually)
• Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.
• Support regular safeguarding updates for staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.
• Make sure you have ways of gathering the views of staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding and sharing these with the board.

What are we looking for?

• Qualifications and Experience:

- 5+ years experience in safeguarding, ideally within a mental health/charity setting (essential)

- Previous trustee/governance experience is not essential but would be desirable.

- Knowledge of relevant safeguarding legislation/policies/procedures.

- Commitment to promoting positive body image and mental well-being.

- Understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals with body image issues and related disorders would be beneficial.

- Skills: Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and decision-making abilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

- Commitment: Ability to commit time for board meetings, committee involvement, and preparation work. Expected to attend quarterly board meetings and contribute to special projects as needed

What difference will you make?

Been There is a charity in the form of an app that connects people aged 18 and over with a vetted and trained mentor to help with any body image issues they may be experiencing. This gives them the opportunity to speak to someone who has ‘Been There’ themselves. Our Mentors are here to support, empower and, most importantly, listen.

The Trustees are a core part of the team and very hands on. We have a tight knit team, and your governance support will ensure we are always acting in the best interests of our service users and team.

How to Apply:

To apply for the Safeguarding Trustee position at Been There Mental Health Charity, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.

We look forward to welcoming a dedicated individual to our team and making a difference in the lives of those we support.

Been There is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join a small, supportive and dynamic team as a Trustee and Secretary of the board.

What will you be doing?

Main Responsibilities:

● To liaise with the chair and chief executive to plan, arrange and produce agendas and supporting papers for trustee meetings and for drafting the subsequent minutes

● To act as charity secretary and ensure that charity law, and regulatory requirements of reporting and public accountability are complied with

● Ensure that all meetings comply with the requirements of the governing document

● Arranging and administrating trustee meetings and any sub-committees in line with legal, and other regulatory requirements, and in accordance with the governing document

● Advise and guide the board on any legal and regulatory implications of the charity’s strategic plan

● Acting as the custodian of the governing document, in liaison with the trustees, reviewing its appropriateness and monitoring that the charity’s activities reflect the objects set out in the governing document. Also, to act as the holder of statutory registers and books, and other legal and important documents such as insurance policies

● Supporting the trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, organising trustee induction and ongoing training

● Ensuring that trustee decisions are implemented in accordance with the charity’s governing document or other internal operational procedures

● Ensuring the charity’s stationery, including electronic communications (emails, websites etc), orders, invoices, cheques and other relevant documents include all the details required under company law and, if applicable, charity law and/or VAT law

● Plan and prepare the committee meetings and AGM with others as appropriate (planning dates, booking rooms, sending out minutes and other papers

● Minute committee meetings or ensure another minute taker is available

● Accurately record decisions and actions in the minutes and report to the next committee meeting on the progress of actions and the result of decisions

What are we looking for?

Person Specification:

Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with any body image issues and related mental health concerns. Experience, skills and expertise in charity law, an interest in the well-being of people combined with an in-depth understanding of our work and ambitions are particularly sought.

Knowledge, skills and understanding:

• Record keeping, information retrieval and dissemination of Management Committee data/documentation to the trustees and relevant parties
• Writing agendas and concise minutes
• Knowledge of Charity law and the voluntary sector
• Commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Preparedness to make recommendations to the board and a willingness to speak their mind with diplomacy
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
• Ability to organize time and work to deadlines.

See attachment for further details.

If this position isn't right for you then please take a look at our profile as we have a number of positions we are recruiting for :)

We are seeking passionate and empathetic individuals to join our team as a volunteer Been There mentor. In this online chat-based role, you will have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of people struggling with body image issues.

In return, you have the chance to:

• Use your experience to benefit and support someone else
• Make a difference in someone’s life and contribute to changing the current epidemic of body image issues in our society
• Deepen your understanding and skill base with our in-house training course, partnered with The Body Image Treatment Clinic 
• Build your communication and interpersonal skills
• Gain confidence and leadership skills
• Share your personal experiences to help others in need
• Flexible working hours
• Attend virtual meetups with other mentors and experts for support and discussion opportunities
• Enjoy being part of the Been There community, and become part of Been There’s incredible journey.

Our requirements:

All mentors must have had personal experience with body image issues, and are now in a position where they feel able to support someone else through their own.

Alongside this, we need you to:

• be over 25 years of age
• be able to complete around 6-8 hours of online training and assessment 
• successfully undergo all necessary safeguarding checks including DBS and personal references
• agree to Been There’s confidentiality and privacy policy guidelines
• be able to commit to a minimum of six months volunteering with Been There
• have access to a quiet and private environment to complete your online training and deliver one-to-one mentoring sessions (for 1-3 hours per week).
• have a secure internet/data connection in order to access the Been There app

If you are interested in joining our amazing and growing family, then you can apply via our app.

You can contact us via our web page or any of our socials if you need more information.

Volunteer - Homeline’s tele-befriending service!

Do you have an hour to spare each week? Want a simple remote volunteer role you can fit around your busy life?

Look no further! Homeline is a befriending project for older people in Hammersmith and Fulham.

We are looking for volunteers to remotely call a few isolated older adults per week. These calls make such a difference and are often the only phone call a person will receive all week!

A flexible role ideal for volunteers who work during the week and have less time to commit. Join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Get in touch, join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Quilombo UK is looking for a Volunteer Bid Writer/ Coordinator, who loves to face work challenges; to join their growing team. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an inter-cultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community Organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole.

The Volunteer Bid Writer/ Coordinator will play a critical role by assisting the manager to prepare the proposal that helps the organization to further develop and establish.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; love to 'give back to their community'. The role is for you if you are looking for flexibility and autonomy. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Apart from writing proposals, you will also be reviewing and editing previously written content wherever necessary.
• Working with other team members to produce bid responses and writings
• Helps in writing funding applications for the varied projects that we run in order to meet our organisational objectives.
• Also helps in presentations and all supporting documentation.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• You will need to have good written skills
• Able to write effective, concise and compelling content
• You will be self-starting and willing to research and look for new funding opportunities that match our aims and objectives;
• Ability to work on tight deadlines
• Well organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and excel.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

.

Job Type: Volunteer

Expected hours: 12 per week

Benefits:

• Work from home

Experience:

• Technical Writing: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote