Human Rights Volunteer Roles in West Midlands

Wootlab Foundation tackle four challenges. These are youth unemployment, gender disparities in education, the digital skills gap and the limited opportunities present for economic growth. They do this by implementing digital upskilling and green entrepreneurship initiatives to empower unemployed youth, promoting inclusive education through digital literacy interventions to overcome gender barriers, developing comprehensive digital upskilling programs to bridge the skills gap, and leveraging technology-driven entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

FUNDRAISING

• We are looking for a Fundraising Volunteer to sourcing funds and implement strategies for resource acquisition. This role requires a dynamic individual with a proven track record in fundraising, grant writing, and partnership development.
• Volunteer 7-9 hours per week for 1-2 months.

Jail Time Records is a non profit record label producing the music of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists from prisons in Cameroon and Burkina Faso. We built the first recording studio inside an African prison in the Central Prison of Douala-Cameroon. Jail Time Records believes that art and creativity can be used as powerful instruments for change, integration and rehabilitation. Incarcerated populations are amongst the most marginalised communities worldwide, and particularly in Africa. The punitive justice system in place does little to help those incarcerated reintegrate into society, and society sees incarceration as a sign of stigma and taboo. In Cameroon's prisons rehabilitation programs are almost inexistent.

We bring cultural activities and programs to one of the most marginalised communities in Cameroon and Burkina Faso, the incarcerated population. Through music and visual arts we stimulate inmates and former inmates to engage positively, find ways to express themselves non violently, and find hope and trust in new ways of being. Through the work of the prisoners that we publish and promote, we help transform the way society sees incarceration.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

• Create visually appealing infographics, website banners and social media graphics in line with the strong visual language and identity of Jail Time Records and work on the layout of our new website.
• Volunteer 2-3 hours per week for 3-5 months.

Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) is seeking a Volunteer who will coordinate the monthly social gathering we hold for Ukrainian refugees.   The aims are to offer friendship and support, the opportunity for people who are potentially isolated to come together and to signpost people to services and activities.  Volunteers can also help with wider community integration, helping with language development, cultural exchange, local knowledge, etc. 

Who we are:

BWR harnesses the goodwill of the community in welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers to thrive in their new community.  BWR is a small inclusive charity. Volunteer-led and non-partisan, we help refugee families out of desperate circumstances and into a promising future. Our volunteers provide hands-on support with English-language teaching, resettlement support, helping with our creche and at social events. We also have volunteers who help with employability, DIY, gardening, fundraising and more.

Expectations for this volunteer role include:

• Liaising with volunteers and planning the volunteer rota for sessions, in conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator.

• Liaising with the management of the premises as required.

• Unlocking and locking up the premises and overseeing setting up at the beginning of sessions and clearing up at the end. 

• Liaising with representatives of the Ukrainian community to plan activities and publicise events.

• Overseeing the provision of drinks, snacks, cooking ingredients and materials which may be required (e.g. for games or crafts). 

• Allocating volunteers to specific roles or tasks as required (e.g. kitchen, supervising activities with children, registering arrivals).

• Coordinating and supporting volunteers during sessions.

Your skills and experience:

• Understanding of refugee issues

• Sensitivity to other cultures

• Experience of coordinating team work and working within a team

Time commitment:.

• Sessions run on Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm monthly - time commitment from 11.30am to 2.30pm for setting up and closing down. 

• 2 or 3 additional hours monthly liaising with volunteers; contacting leaders of the Ukrainian group 

• Full day Induction Training session and full day First Aid training

• There is scope for expanding the role to include activities beyond this event, if you have a little more time to offer

Benefits:

• Induction Training Day and further training opportunities

• Volunteer social events - summer picnic, volunteer walk

• BWR Newsletter

• Support in your role

How to volunteer:

If you would like to take on this volunteer role we would love to hear from you.  Please contact us by 10th May 2024 outlining your details and we will be in touch.

Citizens Advice Staffordshire North & Stoke on Trent

Admin Volunteer – Biddulph Office

We are looking for one or more administration volunteers to provide admin support to our advisers at Biddulph Town Hall. The office is staffed on Mondays and Wednesdays with a drop-in each morning from 10.30am to 1pm and pre-booked appointments in the afternoons.

Where: Citizens Advice Office, Biddulph Town Hall, High St, Biddulph, ST8 6AR.

When: Minimum of one morning or afternoon per week (3 hours) on a Monday and / or Wednesday.

What will you do?

• Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role.
• Help with the day to day running of the Citizens Advice service.
• Assist at drop-ins by greeting clients, assisting clients to fill in a personal information sheet and entering the data onto a database.
• Scan, print, and photocopy documents using a printer.
• Update spreadsheets and databases.
• Any other admin duties as required.

What’s in it for you?

• Gain and build on valuable skills and experience such as communication, admin, IT skills and working in a team.
• Increase your employability.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the advice service which makes a real difference to peoples’ lives.
• Work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.

And we’ll pay towards travel expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
• Have good IT skills.
• Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
• Be willing to undertake training in your role.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

If you are interested in becoming an admin volunteer and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.

Contact details

Call or email Margaret Collin to request an application pack. You are also welcome to contact Margaret if you have any questions before you apply.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Responsibilities:

• Execute a results-driven social media strategy;
• Develop and curate engaging content for social media platforms;
• Assist in the creation and editing of written, video, and photo content;
• Attend events and produce live social media content (as applicable);
• Maintain unified brand voice across different social media channels;
• Collaborate to create a social media calendar;
• Monitor social media channels for industry trends;
• Interact with users and respond to social media messages, inquiries, and comments;
• Review analytics and create reports on key metrics;
• Assist in the development and management of social media marketing and influencer marketing strategy.

Qualifications / Skills:

• Passion for women's human rights;
• Expertise with social media and proficiency with major social media platforms and social media management tools;
• Proficiency with editing tools/digital media formats;
• Ability to understand historical, current, and future trends in the digital content and social media space;
• Strong copywriting and copy editing skills;
• Top-notch oral and verbal communication skills;
• Impeccable time management skills with the ability to multitask;
• Detail-oriented approach with ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• 2+ years experience with social campaigning, social media marketing or content development;
• 2+ years experience with donor campaign platforms;
• Direct experience using social media management tools;
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook);
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Premier Pro) or equivalent digital media editing tools a plus.

Responsibilities:

Executive Director Assistance

▪ Provide direct support to Executive Director to ensure IWI meets organisational goals and targets;

▪ Ensure staff reports and assignments are submitted timely & completely;

▪ Day-to-day management of Executive Director’s meeting schedule;

▪ Liaise with potential partners and donors at a high-level on behalf of the Executive Director;

▪ Support Executive Director during preparation of presentations, media interviews;

▪ Keep the Executive Director in on key organisational issues with diplomacy and discretion.

Partner & Donor Management

▪ Assist with preparation of proposals and enquiries;

▪ Assist with preparation and management of contracts/agreements;

▪ Support with the coordination of pipeline and work-flow.

Requirements:

▪ Experience of working at Executive Assistant level with senior management;

▪ Ability to manage complex and highly confidential information;

▪ Comfortable working autonomously and across multiple tasks and reporting into different project working teams and staff members;

▪ Knowledge of advanced MS office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook;

▪ Excellent social skills, able to operate with diplomacy, tact and empathy;

▪ A high degree of personal organization and self-management;

▪ Comfortable with deadlines;

▪ Ability to think proactively and laterally to maximize opportunities to promote the work of IWI.

Faith to Faithless are launching a brand new helpline for apostates in the summer of 2023, for people leaving high-control religions, and we’re looking for committed, compassionate volunteers to join us. 

You will be a motivated, dedicated, and organised person with great communication skills, who is enthusiastic about volunteering your time and skills to support individuals leaving high-control religions (also known as apostates). You will have lived experience or understanding of the issues apostates face, and a kind and empathic approach to working with others.

We’ll train you to handle calls with confidence, and you’ll be getting valuable experience in supporting service users with multifaceted needs. This is a volunteering role where you can develop your interpersonal skills, help members of our community that need it most, and make a real difference in their lives by helping them to get back on track to living happy, purposeful lives without religion.

Key Tasks and Activities

• To respond quickly and efficiently to calls requesting help, providing a listening service, signposting and information to people who have experienced victimisation due to leaving their religion.
• To deliver work which adheres to high service standards, ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures.
• To keep and maintain accurate and confidential records of all work undertaken.
• To identify and maintain appropriate boundaries for all callers and recognise when and where to signpost callers for further help/information as appropriate with appropriate support from the apostate services manager
• To proactively continue to develop appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills through regular reading of information and attending training courses.
• To support the training of helpline volunteers as required.
• To attend supervision, meetings and appraisals.
• To undertake any other appropriate duties as requested by the ASM
• To work at all times within the policies and procedures of Humanists UK.

Download and read the full application pack for more information. To apply, please complete the application form telling us why you’re interested in the role and detailing how you match the person specification on page 4 of the application pack. Then return the completed form with the subject ‘Helpline Volunteer’ to volunteer[at]humanists[dot]UK.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Faith to Faithless, Humanists UK’s support programme for so-called ‘apostates’. We’re expanding our in-person events across England and Wales, and we’re looking for passionate volunteers to help us make a difference. We currently have regular events in Sheffield, Bournemouth and London. We are looking to expand this to the Midlands, Wales and beyond, you can positively impact lives and help create a more inclusive society. Join us today and be part of the change!

As an Apostate Event Organiser, you will:

• Arrange regular social events for people who have left religious groups.
• Find suitable venues like cafes, museums or restaurants.
• Set the date and time that works best for everyone.
• Communicate with the Apostate Services Development Officer via email and online meetings.
• Check social media for updates.
• Welcome guests and ensure their safety (training will be provided).
• Speak with attendees in a warm and empathetic manner while providing event information.

The application pack contains all the information you will need to decide whether the role is right for you.

To apply for the role, please email us, letting us know:

• Who you are, including a little bit about yourself
• Why you are interested in the role
• What you think you’d bring to the role (e,g. your skills and experiences that would be particularly relevant)
• What you’d like to get out of the role
• Any concerns, or extra support you’d need in the role

A copy of our Recruitment and Promotion and Equal Opportunities policies are available to view on our website.

Young Humanists are the voice for non-religious young people. Two-thirds of young people are non-religious. We provide them with the community and platform that their voices deserve. We think young people have a right to be heard and that more should be done to ensure policy reflects their views.

Young Humanists is led by a committee that drives national and regional events throughout the year. They are supported by a team of local Ambassadors, who are the ‘on the ground’ representatives, working as part of local humanist or other community groups. We also have a team of volunteers specialising in areas like social media, design and research, who support the committee and individual Ambassadors.

We are seeking a dedicated and driven Northern Ireland-based individual to join our network of Ambassadors, to assist the committee by:

• Sitting on the Northern Ireland Humanists committee, providing a formal link to Young Humanists by championing issues that are particularly relevant to young people in Northern Ireland.
• Putting on events with a view to getting younger people involved (e.g. pub quizzes, campaign work, family-friendly events like coffee mornings or Sunday brunches, litter picks or picnics)
• Be a contact point for other Young Humanists who want to attend nearby groups/events and an ambassador for Young Humanists at regional events.
• Provide local knowledge to make sure we promote relevant local opportunities to our members and, equally, promote Humanists UK and Young Humanist events or campaigns locally.

Please read the full Application Pack for more information.

While there are no set hours we expect that up to three hours per week on average may be spent on the role, with this possibly increasing in the run-up to Young Humanists’ events.

All Young Humanists volunteers should be aged 18 to 35 (with eligibility ending the day before the applicant’s 36th birthday). Much of the work can be done remotely, but it is required that the post holder be based in Northern Ireland. 

If this sounds like you send your CV and cover letter, with the subject ‘Young Humanists Ambassador for Northern Ireland’ 

A fantastic opportunity to build knowledge of the UK asylum system, gain hands-on casework experience and deliver an essential service to refugees. 

About us

Care4Calais is a volunteer-based charity providing essential aid and support for refugees in France and the UK.

In northern France we operate year-round from Calais, providing warm clothing, bedding, food and assistance to refugees who live in appalling and dangerous conditions. 

Across the UK we collect and distribute clothes, shoes, mobile phones and other essential items, as well as social support and interaction, including language lessons, sport and music workshops. We also help with vital access to legal, medical and educational services.

Our Legal Access Department is an access to justice project that exists to arrange critical legal representation for people seeking asylum and, more than this, to support people through the hostility and difficulty of claiming asylum. The department, made up mostly of volunteers, works tirelessly to ensure that people feel informed, empowered, and far less isolated and alone.

About the role

The aim of this role is to provide crucial one-to-one casework and support to people seeking asylum in the UK. Our Asylum Team assists asylum seekers in navigating the UK asylum process by finding them specialist solicitors and working with our volunteer interpreters to help them organise their paperwork.  We currently work with 100+ legal firms around the UK, providing an invaluable service to both the asylum-seeker and the overstretched legal immigration teams. You’ll have the chance to gain broad experience of working in a fast-paced and experienced team while meeting the ever-changing needs of those we support. So, if you thrive in a collaborative environment and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you! 

The Role  

As a Legal Access Caseworker, you’ll focus on providing outstanding support to your clients throughout the complex asylum process.

In this busy, hands-on role, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the function of the UK asylum system so we can provide the highest standards of service to those who need us most.  A key focus will be on maintaining accurate and complete records and processes and delivering high quality service to every one of our vulnerable clients. 

We are looking for people who have a genuine passion for human rights and refugee protection.  If this is you, please get in touch.

Responsibilities

• Manage own caseload of adult asylum seekers requiring legal representation to support their asylum claims and to challenge unsuitable accommodation, poor treatment, and uphold our client's rights. 

• Communicate effectively and sensitively with clients and refer to legal firms where appropriate. 

• Identify clients’ individual wellbeing needs and make onward referrals internally and externally in line with this. Provide emotional support to clients undertaking the process of claiming asylum in the UK.

• Liaise with legal teams on behalf of clients where necessary.

• Keep relevant records up to date to allow for quick and effective retrieval.

• Attend and contribute meaningfully to team meetings.

• Develop and maintain a network of key contacts within relevant authorities, legal teams dealing with immigration and public law matters, and other NGOs focused on support of refugees and people seeking asylum.

• Attend relevant external meetings representing the organisation as needed, ensuring that knowledge and learning is shared across the department. 

• Ensure that any safeguarding concerns are identified and responded to appropriately.

• Complete relevant external training required for you to undertake the role. 

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Proven dedication to social justice with a clear understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with a diverse range of clients, demonstrating cultural competence, respect and compassion.

• Experience in efficiently managing high volume caseloads while maintaining a high standard of care and attention.

• Resilience in the face of challenging and emotionally demanding situations, with a positive and solution-oriented mindset.

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.

• Meticulous attention to detail in documentation and case records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with protocols.

• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative.

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Desirable Criteria:

• Proficiency in one or more of the languages spoken within asylum seeking communities, such as but not limited to: Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya, Amharic.

Successful applicants will be provided with the induction and training needed for them to succeed in the role. 

Care4Calais is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment and recognises that this is invaluable to our ability to serve the communities we support. 

We therefore welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds including from Black, Asian and Minority-Ethnic communities, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and people with lived experience of the UK immigration system. If you have any questions about this or need additional support with the application process for any reason, please contact us.

Become a Trustee of Pregnant Then Screwed- Our vision is for a society where care is valued and in which pregnant women and mothers in all their diversity are enabled to fulfil their potential; creating a stronger, happier, better future for us all.

Trustees are integral volunteers who steer the course of Pregnant Then Screwed. We're currently seeking up to 5 new trustees as some current board members are concluding their terms this year and we’re keen to diversify our board.

We are looking for individuals inspired by our mission, and are seeking to appoint board members with experience, skills and expertise that will enhance our ability to tackle the discrimination mothers face.

We are seeking individuals with these general skills :

• Strategic vision, integrity, and independent judgement.

• Creativity in problem-solving.

• Understanding of trusteeship legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.

• Experience in committee work.

• Tact and diplomacy.

• Dedication to investing necessary time and effort (approximately 2 days per month).

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Impartiality, fairness and discretion.

• Knowledge of charity law, governance, and financial management.

• Proficiency in monitoring and evaluating performance in the charity sector.

• Engagement in fundraising and engagement activities for Pregnant Then Screwed.

• Provide guidance on new initiatives and other issues in your area of expertise.

And would particularly welcome applications from candidates with a track-record in the following areas (we do not expect you to have ALL these):

• Digital Communications: Utilising digital platforms for effective communication.

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Commitment to promoting EDI.

• Safeguarding Adults: Knowledge and experience in safeguarding.

• Charity Fundraising: Developing and executing fundraising strategies.

• Research and Data Analysis: Gathering, analysing, and interpreting data.

• Membership Development: Implementing strategies to attract and retain members.

• Engaging Corporates: Building and maintaining corporate relationships.

• A good working knowledge of either the political landscape in Scotland and/or the childcare sector in Scotland - its challenges, policies and opportunities for improvement. As well as being well networked with Scottish Parliamentarians / relevant Scottish charities / those in the Scottish childcare sector.

• Experience of Working in the Trade Union sector: Familiarity with union dynamics and issues.

• Human Resources (HR): Understanding HR practices, especially related to maternity discrimination.

• People and Culture: Experience of developing organisational culture in alignment with our commitment to equity and inclusion.

Global Dialogue has a friendly and collegiate board with a range of expertise and experience. Although trustees occasionally meet in person in London, most board meetings are held online and remote participation is always possible, and we welcome applications from outside the UK. We have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and always value applications from people with personal experience of the issues our hosted programmes seek to address. At this stage in our development, we also value expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Diversity, equity and inclusion, anti-racism or anti-oppression work
• An international perspective on human rights or social justice work, from individuals based either in the UK or overseas; we are particularly interested in hearing from potential trustees from the global south
• Grantmaking experience, especially with participatory or trust-based approaches • charity finance, particularly in relation to a larger charity
• Brand, communications and voice

If you share our commitment to advancing rights, equity and diversity in philanthropy, we would be delighted to hear from you. For full details of the role, see the Trustee Application Pack.

Job Description

Volunteer monitoring work with the IMB gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. You will listen to prisoners and people in immigration detention, talk to staff and see for yourself what is actually happening behind the walls.

The IMB is recruiting for new members at numerous prisons and at immigration detention centres across England and Wales, and at short term holding facilities across the UK.  We are looking for people who live within approximately 30 miles (or one hour) of their closest establishment and can commit the time to make 2 to 3 visits per month, although this may be slightly higher during the first year of training and this can be flexible depending on the needs of the Board and the individual. Please visit the IMB website for a full list of all locations we are recruiting to.

Who are the IMB?

We’re a group of ordinary members of the public, doing an extraordinary job. As a passionate, personable individual, you could join us in making a difference. In this unpaid role, you’ll volunteer your talent and time towards securing a decent day-to-day life for every prisoner and detainee. Under the guidance of dedicated mentors and an extensive training programme, you’ll commit to a flexible schedule of visits to a local establishment each month.  Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare or carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.  Your observations will have an impact as your Board reports its findings to Ministers in His Majesty’s Government. 

About the role

With unrestricted access to these unique environments, you’ll gain a rare insight into all aspects of life in custody. Impartial and highly influential, you can decide what shape your visits should take. As an independent monitor, you may spend time in a specific part of the establishment and choose to have your conversations with prisoners or detainees out of sight or hearing of a member of staff. As well as keeping a close eye on daily operations, you’ll play a crucial role in dealing with problems that arise. This could be in response to a confidential request to see a member of the IMB, or to observe the management of the more serious incidents that occur.

Why join us?

More than anything else, this is a rewarding opportunity that makes a real and meaningful difference to the lives of prisoners, detainees and our wider society. Ministers are obliged to respond to the issues raised in your Board’s report.  The environment may seem intimidating at first, but you will be fully supported through your training and accompanied during your visits until you feel ready to manage independently. This highly recognised and respected role could provide the experience that opens doors into other careers within the justice system.

Who are we looking for?

There is no one type of person who could be right for the IMB because it’s not about background or skillset. It’s about having the dedication and passion to ensure all people are being treated fairly. For that reason, we’re looking for individuals from all walks of life who will approach the role with no preconceptions. You will need to be willing to work within a challenging environment and have the confidence to report your findings to senior figures. Most importantly, you will be able to talk to people in a way that makes each prisoner or detainee feel respected and reassured.

Closing date for completed applications is 29 April 2024.

Visit our website for more information and to complete the online application form.   

I need someone for admin, social media and IT guy.