Direct Employer Volunteer Roles in Yorkshire And The Humber

About Smart Works 

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

Smart Works Leeds, operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity, is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Smart Works service across Yorkshire.

More information about who we are can be found on our website.

About the opportunity  

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Leeds Board of Trustees. 

The Smart Works Leeds Board of Trustees consists of: Chair, Treasurer, People, Wardrobe & Property, Corporate Fundraising & Partnerships, Events, and Communications & Media Trustees. 

The Grants Trustee will lead on fundraising and charitable grants that are key to the ongoing operation and financial health of the Charity. The successful applicant will identify suitable foundations and will own the end-to-end grant application process.

If you have grant writing knowledge and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you.

General Duties of a Smart Works Trustee 

• Work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to ensure the centre is well-run and governed effectively. 
• Provide support to determine the strategic direction of the Centre. 
• Advocate for the Centre, raising its profile and the awareness of the Smart Works service in the geographic area. 
• Build strong working relationships with the Chair, fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters. 
• Work in a small team and tailor strong interpersonal and communication skills to all levels of seniority.

Personal Specification 

The successful applicant will have an understanding of grants, opportunities, application processes and be able to lead all aspects of this process and will possess previous experience in this field. 

As this is a voluntary, unpaid position it requires a self-starting and proactive approach with the capacity and time to challenge, engage and contribute to the work of the Board in a positive manner. 

It is essential that all applicants believe in the mission of Smart Works and align with our core values, share a commitment to fairness and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, acting at all times with honesty and integrity. 

If you possess the relevant experience and are seeking to give something back to the community in Yorkshire, then we would love to hear from you. Please note, you do not need to have previous experience of sitting on a board to join us although it would be an advantage.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works.

How to Apply  

Please visit our website or click "Apply Now" to find out more information - we can't wait to hear from you.

Do you have a passion for IT or learning new technology? Know your uploads from your downloads or consider yourself a ‘techie’?  Then we are looking for you! But whatever your background, the most important skill you have will be enthusiasm – about being online, technology, willingness to learn and communicate that knowledge to the people Age UK Devon support.

A Digital champion volunteer,  helps older people learn IT skills in a safe and supportive way.

You will help provide support and guidance, to build their digital skills and confidence, enabling them to live a more digitally inclusive and independent life.

The role involves providing personalised support to an older person through one-to-one sessions in their home, or through group coaching in a community setting.

And in return you will gain new skills, be part of your local community, make new friends, and be proud to support Age UK Devon enable older people to get the most out of life!

Age UK Devon will repay any agreed travel expenses

More information about this volunteering role on our website. For an informal chat about this role please call us 

Volunteer Driver

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

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Volunteer Driver for the Hull, Beverley, Borough and Holderness Group. As a Volunteer Driver you will help reduce isolation by driving people who wouldn’t be able to attend their local group’s activities and events.

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

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be friendly and welcoming and have previous experience of driving a minibus.

Apply 
- Read through the role description carefully

- Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Are you seeking to use your organisational and administrative skills to help provide a better future for disadvantaged children? We’re looking for a new secretary to assist with the running of our small but highly effective charity which provides impoverished children from North East Ghana with the uniform and equipment needed for primary school.

Apply today to be a Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation in your region.

Join 1000 other young people from around the globe

Every year, the World Literacy Foundation runs a global program to train and encourage youth people to become literacy advocates and generate change in their communities. Our ambassador program is an incredible platform to interact, share and strengthen togetherness with other like-minded people determined to eradicate illiteracy worldwide.

Be a local voice and advocate for the importance of literacy.

Ambassadors will speak at their school, university, media and community groups to raise greater awareness and education.

About us

The World Literacy Foundation is a peak non-profit organisation striving to eradicate illiteracy.

Who can apply?

We are looking for young people who meet the following criteria:

Be 15-25 years old.

Have a deep passion for literacy, human rights, and social causes

Wants to join a community of Change-Makers

Have access to a computer/smartphone and internet connection

Have the availability to contribute 30 hours of service across the 3 months to complete the program

Be able to take part in fundraising activities for the organization

Applications close May 1 2024

Further information and to apply please visit the website of the World Literacy Foundation

Member of Connexional Solidarity Circles (Carers, Rural, Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women)

Closing date: 9am on 7 May 2024

Proposed tart date: 1 Sep 2024

Solidarity Circles for Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women were launched in September 2023 as part of the Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity. We hope to start 2 new Solidarity Circles – one for Carers and one for Rural Communities in September 2024.

Solidarity Circles are online meetings for the Methodist Church to support people in different diversities of the Church’s life to meet regularly, to support one another and to raise with relevant Church leaders the concerns that need to be addressed. These circles act as consultative groups for the work of the Methodist Church and are supported and led by a volunteer coordinator.

Each Solidarity Circle is formed of up to 15 members who are appointed for one, two or three years with up to five new members recruited each year to ensure a diversity of views and experience are heard.

If you are passionate about working with others towards a fully inclusive church and meet the criteria then please consider applying to join one or more of the Solidarity Circles.

• Solidarity Circle for Disability
• Solidarity Circle for LGBT+
• Solidarity Circle for Racial Justice
• Solidarity Circle for Women
• Solidarity Circle for Carers
• Solidarity Circle for Rural Communities

For the role description and Solidarity Circle Terms of Reference, please review the Solidarity Circle Information pack. The pack also details the additional information regarding preferences and availability, which will need to be noted on your application.

The closing date for applications is 7 May 2024 by 9am.

A drop-in session has been arranged to support the recruitment for new Solidarity Circle members. The session will take place on 24 April from 7-8pm

Please view job on the Methodist Church jobs page to register your interest to attend drop-in

The Family Works is an exciting trauma-informed, early intervention family support programme working across South Yorkshire. It equips workers and local volunteers to support families in their communities, families who may be isolated, lonely, vulnerable, or struggling to cope, across the whole of South Yorkshire. We provide support though relation-based services working to see the tide of family breakdown turn, to see children who are loved and cared for prosper and family relationships that are constructive instead of destructive and damaging.

We are now recruiting for Family Mentors to join our dedicated team. Family Mentors are trained volunteers who can work with the family by listening to them in a non-judgemental way and helping them gain the support they need to make changes, find solutions to their challenges and bring new hope into their lives.

The role involves working closely with a Link Worker, offering one to one listening support for a family, for one hour per week and supervision for one hour, over a period of 12 months.

If you are passionate about helping families to help themselves we’d love to hear from you. 

My Death, My Decision campaigns for a compassionate assisted dying law to help end unnecessary suffering for the terminally ill and those suffering unbearably. You can lead its strategic initiatives and inspire the team to achieve the goal.

As our current Chair must step down at the end of 2024, we are seeking a Chair elect to join the board no later than the end of the first quarter of 2024. This will allow shadowing of the current Chair to ensure a smooth transition, by maintaining continuity and facilitating a seamless handover of leadership.

As the Chair of My Death, My Decision, you will play a pivotal role in leading our organisation to further our campaign goals. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about the cause either from personal experience or from professional engagement with those making end of life choices.

You will be a seasoned leader with a proven track record of strategic thinking and decision-making, whether in the context of a campaign, a charity or a not-for-profit company. Your leadership should inspire and guide our team towards achieving our mission, making a tangible impact. 

If you have a history of successfully steering an organisation, are passionate about our cause, and believe in the values of autonomy, dignity, and compassion, we encourage you to apply for this pivotal role.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance: Oversee the governance of My Death, My Decision, including chairing board meetings and member meetings, ensuring effective decision-making processes and working closely with the Director of Finance.
• Leadership and Coordination: Provide strong leadership by chairing events, onboarding new board members, and coordinating our membership at the ‘World Federation of Right to Die Societies’.
• Spokesperson: Act as the primary spokesperson for My Death, My Decision, responding to media requests and inquiries, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the campaign and its objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a key point of contact with our patrons, benefactors, and key supporters, nurturing relationships and promoting our mission.
• Miscellaneous: This role will require the successful candidate to ensure the smooth running of the organisation, both internally and in its external presentation. This will include occasional tasks outside of the realm of the job description. 

We are looking for a board member willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

You will be a good fit for this role if you have:

• Commitment & Enthusiasm: A strong passion for changing the law on assisted dying and a commitment to our campaign goal. The ability to inspire and engage others.
• Knowledge on assisted dying: As the role of chair will require much external engagement with relevant stakeholders and the media, in-depth understanding of the subject matter is essential. We are however willing to consider candidates who have a broad understanding but need time to become familiar with the details of the campaign during the Chair elect transition referred to above.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic thinking skills to develop and execute a campaign strategy in collaboration with other board members and small team of MDMD staff.
• Governance skills: Previous experience around not for profit governance.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to act as a spokesperson for the organisation, in particular towards bodies such as the Houses of Parliament, medical associations, the media etc.

What difference will you make?

This is an opportunity to effect real change and make a difference by achieving law change that will:

• respect autonomy, ensure dignity and end unnecessary suffering for those at the most challenging times of their lives; and
• provide choice for those making critical decisions about their lives and how they might end. 

We are committed to an evidence-based law which would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards, and we are not afraid to confront uncomfortable truths or expose specious arguments.

You can be the dynamic motivator of the work of our members, supporters, patrons and activists as we help to broaden the assisted dying debate and seek to enshrine the values of autonomy, dignity, and compassion into assisted dying legislation. 

How to apply

We do not have a prescribed application form. A covering email or letter and CV are suggested. Approved applicants may be interviewed on an ongoing basis rather than after the closing date. In the event of a successful candidate being selected, the opportunity will be withdrawn.

Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We're seeking a new trustee to join us in driving our strategy forward.

What will you be doing?

Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We work with parents, communities and government in Kenya to provide life-saving antenatal and postnatal health information, connect at-risk mums and babies with the healthcare services they need and work with local health authorities to advocate for and improve the quality of perinatal care.

We’re a small but ambitious organisation. We have a small team who make a big impact. We pride ourselves on our core values and the culture we have built. Our team is split between Bristol in the UK and Nairobi and Meru in Kenya. Our board of Trustees are mostly based in the South West but also in London and the US. 

We are currently launching our new strategy and as part of that, we want to broaden the skills and experience of our board. We are looking for people who are passionate about the work we do, who are able to provide support, share ideas and inspire our team and our work. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are; what matters is your drive, commitment to change and what you can bring to the table.

We are especially keen to broaden the demographic of our board and to gain more contextual insight of where we work. People with a connection to Kenya, particularly those working in or with experience of maternal and neonatal health, are strongly encouraged to apply.

What are we looking for?

• Willing to devote the necessary time and effort to being an effective Trustee (and Chairperson)
• Committed to our Vision, Approach, Values and Goals
• Leaders, with demonstrable skills and experience
• High emotional intelligence with a high level of self-awareness
• Strategic in their vision, with an understanding of strategic delivery
• Balanced with an informed approach to risk
• Passionate about maternal and neonatal health
• Understanding and accepting of the legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity

What difference will you make?

As a Child . org Trustee, you'll play a pivotal role in driving positive change and improving perinatal health outcomes in Kenya. You will contribute to shaping and executing the newly developed strategic vision of Child . org. You will contribute to risk management and decision-making processes, ensuring effective governance and sustainability. Through collaboration, mentorship, and engagement with staff, you'll contribute to building a stronger, more resilient organisation that continues to champion perinatal health for years to come.

Before you apply

As a first step, please send your CV and expression of interest which outlines why you think you could be a good fit for Child . org. If we agree that you could be, we will send you a short questionnaire and to arrange an informal interview with the chair of our board. Please send applications via Reach in the first instance. 

The next stage will be a formal interview with multiple board members and the CEO. We expect to appoint later in the year, around October, if not before.

We're looking for a volunteer to join the Engagement Team to support them while they work to increase income and awareness for the charity. The specific tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

• Copywriting, for example creating content for social media posts and writing news updates. 

• Designing materials using Canva. 

• Producing regular reports to give insights for social media strategies. 

• Writing press releases. 

• Monitoring press coverage and updating a press tracker spreadsheet. 

• Carrying out desk-based market research. 

• Updating the website – including uploading news stories, updating the online shop and merchandise stock levels. 

• Writing family and fundraiser case studies. 

• Digital organisation of photos and case studies. 

• Updating the CRM. 

• General administration duties, such as printing and laminating marketing materials, sending out merchandise, and franking post. 

• Any other duties as assigned by your Volunteer Supervisor. 

We’re looking for a volunteer who has: 

• Experience in marketing. 

• An understanding of design tools, such as Canva. 

• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

Support and Benefits 

It’s vital that our volunteers feel rewarded for their amazing efforts so we want to match your goals, aspirations, availability and everything else with the right opportunity for you. Here are a few examples of what you will receive as a volunteer:

• Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters 
• Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role 
• Access to the mental health hotline 
• Charity Worker Discount card 

Join us as a Blood Pressure UK trustee and treasurer

Would you like to represent the Blood Pressure UK trustee board as our treasurer?

Who are Blood Pressure UK?

Blood Pressure UK is a national charity which was established in 1996. In the UK, 16 million people are estimated to have high blood pressure with one in three (5 million+ people) unaware their blood pressure is raised. Known as the Silent Killer as you can be unaware your blood pressure is raised until you experience heart attack or stroke, or it’s picked up in a random check.

For over 20 years we have been leading the light on people understanding their blood pressure numbers so if needed they can take the steps needed to reduce it. This culminates each year with Know Your Numbers Week! in September, a week-long campaign with a range of partners for people to understand their blood pressure numbers with advice and guidance of how to make vital changes to their lifestyles to change it.

Our Team

Blood Pressure UK currently have a staff team of three (two who are part-time). We contract an external accounting company to provide financial services to the charity including annual accounts, monthly management accounts, payroll, invoice creation and book keeping, making sure the charity complies with relevant governance for the charity commission and companies house.

What we are looking for…

We are looking for a qualified accountant, either working or recently retired with ideally experience of charity financial processes but not essential.

You may have a connection either personally or through family and friends with high blood pressure but it’s not a prerequisite for the role. Your experience and enthusiasm are the key factors we are looking for.

Blood Pressure UK are committed to equal opportunities and we want our board to benefit from the advantages that diversity brings, including different skills, life experiences and backgrounds. With that in mind, in this round of trustee recruitment we particularly welcome applications from people from underrepresented communities including those from South Asian, and Black African and Black Caribbean communities that reflect the communities we work with.

You will oversee fundraising efforts for Students4Students, which includes grant writing, running campaings and overseeing our team of Branch Fundraising Officers.

Students4Students (S4S) is a national charity, that works to ensure all children can achieve their potential, which is seeking to grow. We need to increase our fundraising to support our growth ambitions.

S4S has c.100 volunteers split across 4 branches. Each branch is semi-independent and run by student committees. These students are supported via our committee programme. At each of these committees, we have a student Fundraising Officer.

We are therefore looking for someone who can:

1) Lead our central fundraising efforts through research and applying for grants, and co-ordinating fundraising for the charity as a whole.

2) Train and support our local branch fundraising officers in their fundraising activities, including showing them how to apply for grants, how to fundraise effectively and how to co-ordinate key events.

Responsibilities and duties

The post-holder will be responsible for:

• Owning and managing fundraising activities for S4S.

• Managing a team of Fundraising Officers, including providing training, coaching & support for them.

• Researching and applying for appropriate grants for Students4Students.

Time commitment

• Throughout the year – We expect the post holder to commit to an average of 2 hours per week.

Key requirements

i. Experience in fundraising.

ii. Experience in grant-writing.

iii. Experience managing a team.

Optional requirements

i. Experience working with student volunteers.

ii. Experience working in a non-profit setting.

iii. Experience working in an educational setting.

Ecosy Travel is a certified social enterprise reducing the climate impact of travel & tourism with innovative software to support travellers and tourism businesses to cut their carbon footprints. They tackle the following challenges - greenwashing in the tourism industry, added burden of planning flight-free holidays and difficulty finding genuinely green holiday accommodation

Ecosy has developed software that supports reporting of per stay emissions data, to support data-backed sustainability claims and transparent reporting to potential guests. Ecosy offers carbon-optimised journey planning of flight-free holidays for easy planning. It has developed a community platform for green travellers to build trip itineraries and share their experiences to inspire others.

HEAD OF MARKETING

• We are looking for a volunteer Head of Marketing to: develop Ecosy's brand and content marketing strategy that brings together our brand story, vision, voice and messaging into a coherent and deliverable strategy for implementation by our content marketing coordinator. Review our existing brand assets, both for our B2B and B2C products and content, to refine and optimise our messaging.
• Volunteer 2-3 hours per week remotely for 3-5 months

Breck Foundation is at the forefront of efforts to safeguard children and young people online. Our organisation was founded in 2014 in response to the tragic loss of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old boy who was groomed and murdered by someone he met online. Our work aims to prevent this from ever happening again. Our work saves lives.

We reach thousands of children and young people in schools and other community settings across the UK with Breck's story. Our talks and educational materials fill a gap in the current UK curriculum that otherwise leaves children vulnerable to online grooming and exploitation.

With the online world becoming ever more ubiquitous and thus a more and more dangerous place for children and young people, and several national and global factors combining to create a more challenging environment for charities, sustaining our work has never been more important than now. This role is crucial to our ability to rise to the challenges of keeping children and young people safe online.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Breck Foundation achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that Breck Foundation has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable Breck Foundation to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

Our Board meetings are held virtually and so you can be based in any part of the United Kingdom.

Duties

• Support and provide advice on Breck Foundation’s purpose, vision, goals, and activities.
• Approve operational strategies, policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee Breck Foundation’s financial plans, budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored, and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve the foundation’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to the CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in Breck Foundation’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of the foundation’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Breck Foundation’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of the foundation’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

We are looking for people with particular skills in the following areas:

• Comms & Marketing
• Fundraising
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
•  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.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to our values.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

Salary:

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed

Time commitment:           

Attending 4 Board meetings annually (held remotely)

Attending training (where required) and annual events

Committee membership:

Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and/or support to the executive team

Closing date:                   

9am Wednesday 3rd April 2024

Interviews:                       

w/c 15th April 2024 (remotely via Microsoft Teams)