Direct Employer Volunteer Roles in Berkshire

The Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) is looking for a new Treasurer who can use their skills to ensure our charity’s financial viability. 

We need someone who thrives as part of a dynamic group of Trustees, who is willing to champion the charity and who values seeing the impact that our work can make. If you think you have the experience, knowledge and passion to help support us to continue to meet the needs of the community we serve, we would love to hear from you.

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone. Find out more.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. This covers the development of CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we create and implement our new 5 year strategy for 2025-2030.
The responsibility of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that the charity has policies and systems in place to ensure robust financial planning, implementation and reporting.

Specific financial duties:

• To draw any major financial concerns to the attention of the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team in a timely manner.
• To review the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and Board decisions.
• To support the review of the reserves and risk management policies in relation to finance, ensuring the Board of Trustees is regularly kept updated.
• To ensure that appropriate accounting policies and procedures are in place and adhered to and reporting any significant issues to the Board.
• To present the Annual report and audit to the Board, and the Treasurer’s report to each Board meeting to ensure that the Board is aware of the current financial status of the organisation.
• To work with CLAPAs Senior Management Team and external auditors on financial issues and ensure that the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves.
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
• To implement a robust long-term Finance Strategy and Investment Strategy in line with the charity’s objectives and growth.
• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves and investment policies.
• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Being assured that the financial resources of the charity meet its present and future needs.
• Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and object, policies and legal responsibilities of the charity.

The duties of a Trustee are to:

• Ensure that CLAPA complies with its constitution/memorandum and articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that CLAPA pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensure CLAPA applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those organisations are
• Contribute actively to the board in giving firm strategic direction to CLAPA, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct. Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect.
• Safeguard the good name and values of CLAPA
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of CLAPA
• Protect and manage the property of CLAPA and ensure the proper investment of CLAPA’s funds
• Contribute to the broader promotion of CLAPA’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and to act in the best interests of the charity.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Personal empathy for our vision and mission.

The role of a Trustee is a significant undertaking. Learn more about CLAPA and being a Trustee in the recruitment pack.

Why we want you

Are you a great communicator who enjoys bringing people together? Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends. We need great organisers who can keep our members and volunteers connected to our local group’s range of activities.

What you will be doing

• Help organise and promote the groups range of activities
• Keep up to date about the news and developments of Parkinson's UK more widely, sharing these with the group
• Encourage and inspire others to engage with activities
• Attend regular committee meetings and take and circulate notes
• Work with local Parkinson's UK staff to ensure the group runs within Parkinson's UK governance procedures

The skills you need

• Strong administrative, organisational, communication and IT skills to help keep the group running smoothly
• Good collaboration skills - support the team to be inclusive, open to a diversity of views
• Positive attitude; making things happen in your local community and bringing people together to work as a team
• Supportive; able to listen to the needs of people with Parkinson's, and reflect these to the group to shape the support provided
• Honest; you'll know when to ask for help, or when tasks might be seen as less important, and able to share that with Parkinson's UK and your group

Why we want you

Can you inspire and bring a team together? We need leaders to bring together the Parkinson’s UK community locally in line with the charity's values. Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends.

As a forward thinking and dynamic Branch Chair you'll provide leadership to the group, from liasing with the wider charity to bringing out the best in the lead volunteer team. You’ll be the driving force in ensuring your local team of volunteers has the greatest possible impact on those affected by Parkinson's in your area.

What you will be doing

• Be an ambassador for Team Parkinson’s - engaging with local staff, volunteers, and your local community, to ensure the group has the greatest possible impact on those affected by Parkinson's in your area
• Staying up to date with news and developments of Parkinson's UK, actively sharing them with the group and supporting them to operate within Parkinson's UK guidelines
• Making the best use of the skills and strengths of other volunteers, delegating where necessary and working as a team to meet the needs of local people affected by Parkinson's
• Be responsible for keeping up with training, leading by example to encourage others to do the same and carrying out your role in line with the Parkinson’s UK Volunteering Agreement and Parkinson’s UK values

The skills you need

• Enthusiasm; for Parkinson's UK and as an ambassador for your local group
• Strong leadership, organisational, delegation and communication skills
• The ability to lead meetings and the group in an open and inclusive way, making decisions that take into account and respond effectively to multiple viewpoints
• Can-do attitude to making things happen in your local community, taking on board the feedback of those affected by Parkinson's in your area and responding in innovative ways
• Confident and willing to learn / use a computer, email and other digital tools

The Chair of Villiers Park will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction, to ensure that the organisation achieves its charitable mission, values and vision. You will be a champion for Villiers Park and a strategic and authentic leader who can bring people together to make change. Most of all, you will care about young people’s futures.

Location:Flexible

Salary:N/a (volunteer)

Deadline:Midday, 21 June 2024

Interviews:Online interviews with our Nominations Committee will be held in late June and early July.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a Trustee, as Chair you will:

• Commit one day per month of your time, for meetings with the Board, sub-committees and Chief Executive, as well as attending events or activities and championing Villiers Park through your own networks;
• Chair and facilitate quarterly Board of Trustee meetings, ensuring that discussions are inclusive and in keeping with Villiers Park’s values;
• Communicate with Trustees on an individual and collective basis, bringing together knowledge and expertise to support Villiers Park’s vision and strategy;
• Set high governance standards, e.g., through the application of the Nolan Principles, and oversee the performance of the Board including induction and training;
• Support the Chief Executive and nurture an organisational culture of courage, respect and wellbeing. Provide guidance, line management and regular appraisals, including opportunities for professional development;
• Attend at least one of the two sub-committees and be apprised of discussions in the alternate sub-committee through formal and informal feedback channels;
• Be an ambassador for Villiers Park, representing the charity at meetings and events;
• Ensure that ambition and implementation align with the charitable mission and values of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience of Board membership in the charity or education sector;
• Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings: this doesn’t have to be chairing a Board, and could be in a personal or professional capacity;
• Understanding and compassion for the challenges that are facing young people today; A genuine interest in the education and/or social mobility landscape in the UK, and the current pressures facing charities working in this sector;
• Understanding of charity law, charity governance and compliance, and of business planning and financial management;
• Experience in managing risk, liability and compliance;
• Ability to act with integrity, authenticity and influence, and able to be an impartial decision-maker;
• Willingness to learn and collaborate with others.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience of fundraising at a Trustee/influencer level, e.g., attending meetings or events with funders, or using your own networks to support fundraising efforts;
• First-hand experience of working in or with social mobility and/or educational charities;
• Willingness to travel to visit different programmes in hubs across the country. 

We’re Mind Aberystwyth, the mental health and wellbeing charity serving the people of Ceredigion!

We’re looking for a Chair and Trustees to join our board. Trustees are our most senior leaders. They set our strategic direction, make sure we’re using our resources effectively and ensure we’re having the greatest possible impact on our community. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects Mind Aberystwyth’s values and ethos.

We’re looking for dedicated, empathetic and ambitious candidates to help make our mission a reality and lead us closer towards our ultimate ambition: a society where everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.

As a trustee you will:

• Think strategically and creatively.
• Lead the organisation towards fully achieving its commitment and ambition.
• Scrutinise the impact we’re having.
• Communicate clearly and sensitively in large group discussions.
• Use independent judgement to make decisions on behalf of the organisation. Be committed to our mission, vision and values.

Diversity is critical for a board to be effective, enabling varied discussions and active debate and decision making so that together we can have the greatest impact. We encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health problems and from all ethnic, socio-economic, religious and professional and personal backgrounds. Whether you’re an experienced trustee or taking your first steps into governance, if you have the commitment, values, and skills, we want to hear from you!

As a trustee, you will receive:

• Induction and training into the role.
• Opportunities to develop new skills.
• An annual appraisal to help support your development.

Time commitment

The trustee role is voluntary with expenses paid, a commitment of approximately 4-8 hours per month. Six board meetings per year take place -both in person and remotely.

We need your help creating compelling digital assets and engaging resources.

Description

Numberfit is a social enterprise that works to make Maths learning fun and engaging for children across all age groups. We are looking to grow our reach, and with this our team.

You will be working alongside a small team including our founder and operations team, creating compelling digital assets and resources, including: 

- teaching resources

- teaching equipment

- social media content

- stories and much more

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for a person passionate about children's education who:

• Has graphic design/illustration experience

• Is a visually creative individual with a passion for design

• Can provide ideas

• Has the ability to quickly understand our needs

• Can ask key questions to enable us to clarify requirements

The volunteer should also have/be:

• Value accuracy and attention to detail 

• Open to feedback

What difference will you make? 

Your input will shape how we communicate our creativity and the assets children will engage with.

With your help we’ll be able to continue raising the profile of mathematics, enjoyable learning and children's wellbeing.

What’s in it for you?

You would become part of our small, friendly team and you have the opportunity to use your time to make a real difference to the organisation’s ability to provide and deliver enjoyable maths sessions and materials for children across all age groups.

What skills should you have? 

• Graphic design
   

What skills will you gain?

• Teamwork
• Design

Requirements:

• Relevant qualification / training/ experience

• Own computer or secure access to one

• At least 3 hours a week + for a minimum period of 3 months

Numberfit is looking for assistance researching and applying for grants and funding to help them fulfil their social mission.

Description

Numberfit is a social enterprise that makes learning maths fun and engaging for children across age groups and attainment levels. 

With this role, you will help us research, develop, and write grant proposals to various organisations. Your ability to effectively convey our organisation's goals, impact, and needs through compelling proposals will directly contribute to our ability to fund and execute projects that make a positive impact in children’s education and wellbeing.

Full training will be given and no experience is necessary.

Your responsibilities will be:

• Researching and identifying relevant grant opportunities aligned with our mission and programmes.
• Collaborating with the team to gather necessary information for proposals.
• Writing clear, concise, and compelling grant applications and proposals.
• Ensuring all grant proposals meet the submission requirements and deadlines.
• You will be working alongside our founder as part of our small team.

What are we looking for? 

We’re looking for someone who has excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The volunteer should also have:

• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Great attention to detail.
• Strong research abilities to identify potential grant sources.
• Previous experience in grant writing or proposal development (preferred but not mandatory).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• A passion for children’s education and wellbeing.

What difference will you make? 

You will be involved in writing compelling grants that will directly and positively impact children’s education. Your input will shape our tone of voice and how we present ourselves to grantors. With your help we’ll be able to continue raising the profile of mathematics, enjoyable learning and children's wellbeing.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll get to do what you love, develop new skills and build strong experience in hard to break through industries. If we’re able to assist in your personal development, we will endeavour to do so. Your contribution to help us achieve our vision of ‘a world full of healthy children loving learning' will be greatly appreciated. 

What skills should you have? 

• Educated or experienced in creative writing and storytelling.

What skills will you gain?

• Teamwork, Strategy, Communication Skills, Grant Writing, Marketing & Advertising

Requirements:

• Own computer or secure access to one
• At least 3 hours per week for 3 months

Numberfit is a social enterprise that makes maths fun and engaging for children across all age groups. 

We're seeking a dynamic and versatile individual to join our team as a marketing specialist. In this role, you'll be responsible for developing and executing integrated digital marketing, with a little PR, strategies to promote Numberfit's brand, products, and mission. You'll work closely with our team to craft compelling narratives, engage with our audience, and drive awareness and engagement across various online and offline channels.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive digital, traditional and guerrilla marketing and PR strategies to enhance Numberfit's brand presence and reach.

• Create engaging content for digital platforms, including social media, blogs, email newsletters, and website copy.

• Manage and grow Numberfit's social media channels, fostering community engagement and interaction.

• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts, influencers, and key stakeholders to secure press coverage and partnerships.

• Monitor and analyse PR and digital marketing performance metrics, making data-driven decisions to optimise strategies and campaigns.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital marketing and PR.

If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to join a small team dedicated to transforming education and empowering children, we'd love to hear from you!

The Access Project supports pupils from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities. We are looking for volunteers who would be able to tutor a young person aged 14-16, online, one hour a week in term-time Autumn 2024- Summer 2025 to support them with their academic studies.

•Support a young person in a subject of your choice to achieve the GCSE grades they deserve and to fulfil their potential.

•Build transferable skills, experience and knowledge through ongoing training and development as part of the role.

•Students supported by The Access Project typically achieve a grade higher at GCSE and are twice more likely than their peers to progress to a top-third ranked university.

No prior teaching or tutoring experience necessary, we provide a full comprehensive training and induction to help you build the confidence to be the best volunteer you can be.

Interested? You’ll need to:

· Either be currently studying for an undergraduate degree or have an undergraduate degree/equivalent professional qualification.

· Either have an A Level subject or an undergraduate degree in a subject you wish to tutor at GCSE level.

· Be able to spare one hour a week in school term time over the next academic year to tutor (starting Sept/Oct 2024), plus 30 mins a week preparation time.

· Be prepared to undertake an enhanced DBS check (criminal records check) and provide two references (personal or professional).

How does it work?

1. Sign up at on our website.

2. Sign up to any of our 2.5 hour training sessions over the summer, there are various dates so you can find one that suits you: During this session you’ll learn everything you need to know for your weekly one1 hour tutoring sessions.

3. You’ll complete a DBS check (criminal records check) and an online safeguarding course.

4. We’ll match you with a student who is looking for support in your subject. In particular, we are seeing high demand from our students for support with sciences and maths. Volunteers who are able to support in either of these subjects would be particularly welcome. There are also many opportunities for volunteer tutors in other subjects including humanities and languages.

We're looking for a reliable and motivated person to join The New Normal as a Volunteer Operational Assistant. This role is supporting the Operational Lead with tasks related to the day to day running of the Charity.

Hours: 3hrs per week (minimum) 

Days:        Flexible 

Essential: Time and capacity to commit reliably each week. 

                  Excellent skills in organisation, communication and time management. 

                  Very good administrative skills. 

Preferable: Experience in administrative or secretarial role/tasks. 

It is essential that the person is able to provide a minimum of 3hrs per week and have good administrative and organisational skills. More than one person may be appointed. Please see full job description provided.

We welcome persons from all backgrounds and pathways to apply, and we use the anonymous recruitment feature to avoid unconscious bias. A DBS check is required for all staff and volunteers due to the nature of our work.

[Please note that this is an unpaid role and is remote-working.]

The New Normal is a growing UK-based charity that connects adults through their experience of grief and mental health, providing space to discuss these issues through non-judgmental peer group support. Our mission is not only to provide this space but to train existing communities to support each other.

Volunteers are the life blood of our charity: we could not provide the support we do without them.

We’re looking for new Trustees

YHA is a social enterprise charity with a 94-year history of increasing access to travel and adventure. We serve almost a million beneficiaries every year — priding ourselves on the particular impact we have on young people. We’re a big, friendly organisation with huge heart and great purpose.

Join us as a Trustee to help steer the strategy of a leading charity making a vital contribution to society.

What you’ll get from joining our Board

• the opportunity to contribute to the success of a national charity
• the chance to use your strategic knowledge to make a lasting impact
• a full induction and membership of an inclusive, welcoming Board

“YHA gives young people the opportunity to have adventures, to meet other people, to really get to know themselves, and to get to know others and the environment in which they live. It’s a wonderful safe space in which you can really discover things and start to think about how you want to live as a person and make your contribution.”

Graham Turnock, current YHA Trustee

Share our values?
Help shape our future.

We’re looking for candidates who fully support our charitable objective. As a Trustee, you will have a focus on increasing access to adventure for all — but especially young people — and act as an ambassador for YHA.

We’re looking for people who have the skills and experience to guide the strategic direction of the whole organisation whilst supporting the executive team. If you have the vision, enthusiasm and communication skills needed to influence Board decisions, we want to hear from you.

Diversity makes us a stronger organisation, which is why we’re interested in who you are. Your lived experiences and your values are as important as your professional achievements.

To reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, and would particularly like to encourage applications from certain groups who are likely to be underrepresented in our organisation.

These include:

• people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
• young people
• people who are disabled or neurodivergent
• people without academic qualification
• people who are LGBTQIA+

Each year, we review the areas of expertise we seek to add to our Board. This year, we are particularly looking to broaden the Trustee skill base by attracting, so far as possible, candidates who can additionally contribute in one or more of the following areas:

• experience in the hospitality, leisure, commercial or tourism sectors — particularly if you have helped shape or manage the organisation’s approach
• strategic property experience gained within a multi-site environment inclusive of historic, residential, commercial, industrial or land real estate
• strategic IT, cyber security and data protection experience

You don’t need to have all these attributes to apply. We welcome applications from candidates who have relevant work and life experiences and have the passion to make a difference with YHA.

To maintain the integrity and confidentiality of our shortlisting process, we kindly ask all candidates to remove any personal details that identify you, such as name and contact details, from your CV before submission. This ensures a fair and unbiased evaluation of all applications.

Application deadline: 9am on 19 July 2024

Please note the Trustee Recruitment Pack is also available in Welsh.

A bit about this role

If you enjoy driving and would love to use those skills to help our cats, this could be the role for you. Our transport volunteers provide vital assistance to our teams and volunteer groups in the local area by transporting equipment, litter, food– and even cats! They have the essential role of connecting our network of volunteers, sites, vets and supporters.

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Arranging and transporting equipment, litter and cat food
• Transporting cats to and from vets, foster homes and centres
• Transporting equipment to and from events

We are looking for Volunteers based in either:

Gloucester, Bristol., South Wales, Devon, Somerset, Hertfordshire and Leicester.

To help run our family hubs, where tasks involve making refreshments and interacting with families.

Help with fundraising events: include selling raffle tickets, helping at the charity awaremeness stand, talking to people etc.

At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.

With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.

What’s Involved?

As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families via Zoom every week with eBooks to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.

You will:

• Handpick eBooks from our online portals based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
• Join families via Zoom with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions  
• Make notes after the session to keep track of how the child/ren are progressing

Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.

When and Where?

You can be based anywhere in the UK to become a Doorstep Library online volunteer.

• Time commitment: One evening a week, or once every 3 weeks as a Stand-In Volunteer
• Hours per week: 2
• Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Skills/Experience Needed

• Be able to make a regular weekly commitment or once every 3 weeks for a Stand-In Volunteer during school term time
• Be compliant with our safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS, Child Barred List check, and provide 2 references
• Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all
• Have comfortable fluency in English
• Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children’s learning
• Have excellent communication skills – be able to listen to families and communicate effectively with Project Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)
• Be confident using technology – for connecting with families via Zoom and completing records
• Be organised – be able to multi-task in a multi-faceted role comprising of much more than solely reading to children
• Be reliable – always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences
• Be friendly – to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team
• Be confident – to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer
• Be patient, persistent and flexible – tailoring your approach to each family’s needs

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.