Youth / Children Volunteer Roles in Berkshire

Charity Board Chair

• Location: UK & remote
• Commitment: Part-time/voluntary (approximately 2 days per month)

Are you interested in the power that sport can offer young people? Does Africa inspire you? Are you in a position to dedicate some of your time to a committed UK registered charity, to understand the nuanced challenges faced by those working in the third sector – such as raising funds and tackling inequality – and the challenges faced by the young boys, girls, coaches and staff we support in Malawi? Do you have the expertise to foster positive relationships with fellow Trustees and charity partners, all in a collective effort to align on the charity’s goals and use the charity’s platform to further the development of young people and communities in Malawi?

Do you embody these values: professionalism, respect, integrity, discipline and enjoyment?

About Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Bhubesi Pride Foundation, BPF, is a youth sport and supplementary education charity supporting communities in Africa, now focused on Malawi. Through non-contact rugby, netball and other sports, we help to empower young people, providing opportunities for education, leadership and community development.

Over the last 5+ years, and in the face of multi-faceted challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, BPF has made significant progress helping to develop several core programs in rural Lilongwe, involving boys and girls in youth sports and integrated life skills activities. To enable this, we’ve worked closely with BPF Malawi – the partner NGO we registered (in Lilongwe in 2017) – to assist with organisational strengthening, policy implementation, improved operational delivery, governance, strategy, data collection and impact assessments. Since early 2022, the NGO’s staffed team has increased from two to 11 (all Malawian), 50+ Malawian youth sports coaches have been trained and over 3,000 young people actively participate in locally-led programming. Alongside in-country stakeholders, we’ve facilitated the construction of a unique sports and education facility on a 7-acre site in rural Lilongwe, on land purchased by the NGO, which is being increasingly utilised by BPF Malawi. Alongside the NGO, we’ve expanded our reach, deepened our impact and we continue to champion sport as a vehicle for positive change.

Our experiences have taught us a lot of valuable lessons about the work we do and, crucially, about our duty to Malawian communities. Future goals include increasing our sustainability, improving governance practices and building long-term partnerships which allow BPF to make even more of an impact on the communities we serve. Strengthening the charity’s relationship with BPF Malawi is also a key focus for us over the next 5 years, enabling us all to fully understand, and respond to, Malawi’s core challenges, and paving a more sustainable road ahead.

Role overview

The Chair will lead BPF’s Board of Trustees, working closely with the Chief Executive to ensure the charity continues to deliver on its mission. This is a pivotal role at a strategically important time, for all connected to our work. You will therefore help BPF shape and refine its next strategy and ensure the Board contributes effectively by supporting the charity’s goals.

Key responsibilities

• Leadership: Provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the charity delivers on its mission and strategic objectives.
• Governance: Ensure strong governance practices are in place, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Lead on setting high standards for the Board’s performance and engagement, and appoint new Trustees to bring additional value.
• Strategic planning: Work with the Chief Executive and Board to support the development and implementation of the charity’s next strategy (closely collaborating with, and supporting, BPF Malawi).
• Fundraising and partnerships: Play a key role in helping the charity build long-term partnerships and secure new funding for the charity’s future sustainability.
• Trustee development: Inspire, support and hold BPF’s Trustees accountable for their contributions, ensuring that the Board as a whole functions effectively.
• Advocacy: Act as an ambassador for BPF, raising awareness of our work and helping to grow our profile in the international development and business sectors.

Person specification

Essential:

• Collaborative and inclusive approach: A commitment to working collaboratively with the Board, CEO, staff/volunteers, key stakeholders (e.g. charity partners and BPF Malawi) to achieve shared goals; and an inclusive intent to see that marginalised and vulnerable youth, especially girls and young people with disabilities, are given fair and equal opportunities and rights.
• International development knowledge: Experience in international development, ideally in Africa, with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
• Accountability and high standards: A high level of personal integrity and a focus on holding others to the highest standards of governance, effectiveness and impact – embodying and promoting BPF’s core values.
• Governance expertise: Proven track record of good governance, including understanding the legal and financial responsibilities of a charity board, bringing an open approach to how governance practices can be strengthened.

Desirable:

• Third sector experience: Knowledge and/or experience of the charity sector, within sport for development, youth empowerment, education or international development.

How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for Bhubesi Pride Foundation’s Board Chair role, please send us your CV and a covering letter by Monday 14th October 2024.

Founded in 2016, Little Village has grown from small beginnings in Tooting to a pan-London network of baby banks and support for families with babies and children under five. We’ve supported over 32,000 children and we’re working hard to put the need for baby banks at the heart of conversations about tackling child poverty through our role as a Founding Partner of the newly launched Baby Bank Alliance.

We’ve achieved a huge amount with an amazing team, but there’s a lot more to do, and we need more expertise to help us achieve that. That’s why we’re looking for new trustees to join our Board in 2024.

As our organisation continues to grow at pace, we are looking for some specific expertise as well as more general experience (but we don’t need any previous board or trustee experience). We’d like to appoint one trustee with experience of raising charity income and engagement as well as one or two other trustees with more general experience, especially a commercial or entrepreneurial background.

As we recruit new members we are particularly keen to broaden the diversity of skills and experience on our Board and would particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of poverty (as a parent or as a child), and those with volunteering experience (at Little Village or elsewhere). We would also like to create a better gender balance and so are looking for more male applicants. 

If joining the Little Village family sounds interesting, we are very much looking forward to hearing from you.  There are more details in this pack, including how to book an informal conversation to ask questions before you apply.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 30th September.

The Access Project supports students from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities. We partner with eligible secondary schools and colleges who share our belief that students with high potential should have equitable access to higher education, regardless of their background.

We are looking for volunteer tutors to work with a young person aged 14-16, for one hour a week through the 2024-25 academic year. Tutoring sessions take place online, allowing you to volunteer at a time that works for you.

 In this role, you will:

• Support a young person in a subject of your choice to achieve the GCSE grades they deserve and fulfil their potential.
• Build transferable skills, experience and knowledge through ongoing training and development.
• Make a lasting impact and pay forward your experience.
• Contribute to our wider mission to improve social mobility through access to higher education.

No prior teaching or tutoring experience necessary - we provide comprehensive training and support, enabling you to continually strengthen your tutoring skills.

Interested? Please complete our application form - register now to guarantee your place on our 2024/25 programme.

To apply, you’ll need to:

• Have or be currently studying for an undergraduate degree, Level 6 qualification, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Have studied the subject you wish to tutor, or a related subject, to A Level / Level 3 or higher.
• Be able to commit to one hour of tutoring per week for the duration of the 2024/25 academic year, plus 30 minutes a week preparation time.
• Be prepared to undertake an enhanced DBS check and provide two references (personal or professional).

About the Role 

As a result of increased awareness and signposting for individuals receiving a positive CACNA1C diagnosis, our community is increasing in size. Therefore, we are seeking new Trustees who will take an active role in the board, bringing new skills and ideas for how to support our community, advocating for improvement to CACNA1C diagnosis, outcomes and quality of life and to support CACNA1C research initiatives.

Our new Trustees will be responsible for setting the overall strategy and direction for TSA, as well as monitoring the charity’s activity to evaluate progress towards our objectives and goals. 

This can include making sure the charity complies with regulations, overseeing financial management and monitoring financial performance, creating and implementing policies and procedures to mitigate risk, and supporting the charity’s operations. Additionally, you will also have the chance to help develop fundraising strategies, including applying for funding and grants to support TSA’s work. Whilst representing the charity externally, there will also be plenty of opportunities to advocate for TSA’s mission of supporting individuals and families affected by CACNA1C-related disorders and raising awareness for this rare disease.

FAQs

How big is the current Board and what opportunities might there be in the future?

• The board currently consists of 7 Trustees. As the charity’s turnover continues to grow, they are currently going through an evolution in their structure and the operations of the charity. This means the new Trustees will be presented with enormous opportunities to shape the future of the charity and to play a leading role on the board moving forward. As a result, it is expected that there will be an opportunity for a new Trustee to develop into the Chair of Trustees role soon.

What are you looking for in candidates?

• As a small team, we are ideally seeking those who have prior experience of being a Trustee at a UK based charity or working within the UK charity sector, who can bring demonstratable experience of navigating the challenges that face small charities.However, we also welcome applications from candidates with an interest in or prior knowledge of charity law and compliance; the change management process; volunteer management; financial planning, processing and auditing; regulatory or policy issues; data management or fundraising. UK based candidates are preferred, however this is not essential. 

What time commitment do you expect from Trustees?

• As well as our Board of Trustees meetings, which currently take place 4 times a year, we ask Trustees to dedicate around 2 hours per week to the work of the charity. However, this may fluctuate during busy or quiet periods.

I haven’t heard of TSA or CACNA1C-related disorders before. Can I still be a Trustee?

• Absolutely! We are working in the rare diseases space and raising awareness is one of our key goals. Therefore, we have plenty of resources that can help you to learn more about this disorder and how it affects our community. We just ask that people have a passion for helping people and improving patient outcomes.

Benefits

As well as supporting the charity and members of the TSA community, we will provide you with opportunities to grow and develop. For example, in this role you will be able to:

• Develop new professional and personal skills: Our current Board of Trustees have expertise in leadership, safeguarding, chairing meetings, strategic planning, learning and development, stakeholder engagement, marketing and branding. This is an opportunity to work with, and learn from, a new group of people and build skills in different areas. 
• Take on a new challenge: The role of a Trustee is unlike many other professional positions, giving you the chance to take on a brand-new challenge which many of our Trustees find hugely motivating. Additionally, there are many challenges facing small charities as well as the wider rare diseases community, for example fundraising during a cost-of-living crisis as well as connecting with our members after the pandemic. Considering new and innovative approaches to tackle these issues is essential, pushing you to think creatively. 

• Delve into a selfless and rewarding role: Given the under-represented nature of rare diseases, as well as the challenges surrounding research, diagnosis and treatment, the work of charities like TSA is crucial. We can sometimes be a family’s only support network, so you will be deeply motivated by seeing firsthand the difference the charity makes to families. Real-life impact is at the heart of everything we do for our growing community. 

How to Apply 

We anticipate that the recruitment process will involve an initial telephone call, followed by an interview with members of the Board. Your application should be submitted by Sunday 1st September. Once applications have closed, we will be in touch in the week commencing 16th September regarding next steps. 

About the Charity

The Timothy Syndrome Alliance (TSA) is a charity set up to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals with CACNA1C-related disorders, including Timothy Syndrome and LongQT8, and to support the families and carers of those diagnosed worldwide. The charity it is run entirely by families and volunteers, who work with scientists, researchers and medical professionals. 

Are you looking for a challenging but rewarding volunteer opportunity?

We are seeking volunteers to work with adults and young people who have sexually harmed to integrate them safely into the community, model appropriate behaviour and combat social isolation which can often lead to re-offending. You will be part of a small group of volunteers who will work with a 'core member' to provide a Circle of Support & Accountability. You will have close support from a trained coordinator.

Our mission is 'No More Victims' and hope to create safer communities.

Circles South West needs more Circle Volunteers from all walks of life. We are looking for adults who are approachable and emotionally stable, with a mature outlook. The ability to maintain firm boundaries is essential. Circle Volunteers commit around 2-3 hours per week for 12 months. We provide full training, ongoing professional support and reimburse expenses. Appointment is dependent on suitability assessment, satisfactory references and criminal records checks.

Please note: we can no longer accept foreign nationals without a full criminal record check from their country of origin to our programme due to new DBS guidelines. If you were born outside of the UK or have spent a significant amount of time abroad then please let me know at enquiry.

Drive Meaningful Change in Our Community – Join Our Flock as a Trustee!

Could you be the next Flamingo Chicks Trustee? We’re looking for passionate and committed individuals to join our Board and help bring worlds of wonder to disabled children!

This is your chance to be part of a co-supportive, collaborative group that empowers disabled children through dance whilst championing inclusion, and combating social isolation.

We’re especially interested in candidates with:

✨ Lived experience of disability or long-term health conditions

✨ Theatre, costume, or set design expertise

✨ Finance experience, particularly in charities or small organizations

✨ Property acquisition and management skills

✨ Operational HR experience for small organizations

✨ Social media proficiency

We believe in a two-way opportunity—while you contribute to the charity, you’ll also enhance your own skills, network and strategic thinking.

We’re recruiting multiple trustees, so we don’t expect to find one superhuman! You don’t need prior trustee experience; just bring your passion! Trustees are volunteer (unpaid) committee members who guide charities and shape their direction. It’s fulfilling and flexible!

This role fits easily alongside your home life and career, requiring just 20 hours per year, with meetings held online. We provide extensive support, accessible meetings, and a warm, welcoming environment.

Family Volunteering Club creates and runs child-friendly volunteering sessions supporting a range of causes, enabling children aged 0 - 9 to participate positively in their community, building their confidence, sense of belonging and skills. We are introducing them in an age-appropriate way to societal issues, and also to the idea of volunteering from a young age, instilling a sense why it's important, fun and positive to help people and causes around them!

We began in south London and now also run programmes in Abergavenny, Stevenage and will be launching in Fenland in 2025. We are on an exciting journey of growth to create programmes in villages, towns and cities across the UK, benefiting hundreds of families every week.

We are now seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will play a crucial role in overseeing the financial administration of the charity, ensuring economic stability, and providing strategic financial guidance. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in finance and accounting who is passionate about contributing to a meaningful cause.

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 (Regular Volunteer), one evening every other week (Semi-Regular Volunteer) or once every 3 weeks (Stand-In Volunteer) during school term times
• 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.  

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Developing our organisation to be more representative of the 11 million cat owners across diverse communities in the UK and to be an inclusive place to volunteer and work is central to our ambition for cats. We want to grow our organisational impact by increasing our reach and to be relevant to our people and the communities we work with.

We would like to recruit a Lead Volunteer to collaborate with the Director of People and Culture, Head of Volunteering, Organisational Engagement and Inclusion (VEI) and internal stakeholders including Trustees, senior managers and volunteers to facilitate conversations, to stretch our thinking and provide external perspective and knowledge of EDI best practice, innovation, risk and areas of significant opportunity for Cats Protection.

 You can expect us to

• Listen to your insights and expertise and develop these into our activities and impact. Using your knowledge and experience to challenge ourselves to do better
• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

 What we need from you

• Significant and up to date knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion, experience of developing EDI strategy and delivery of change

· Strong facilitation skills, ability to challenge with respect and create inclusive environments to have open and challenging conversations

· Experience of working with senior managers preferably in the third sector

· The ability to understand organisations and teams quickly to formulate bespoke and impactful recommendations

· Experience of using an organised and logical approach to find solutions to complex problems

Approximate time commitment

You’ll spend around 3–6 hours per week volunteering in this role. There will be some invitations to meetings may mean volunteering more hours some weeks, but we are flexible about you fitting the role around other commitments. 

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

We're looking for a new Chief Volunteer for International, to provide strategic volunteer leadership for both UK Scouting’s international relationships with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, National Scout Organisations worldwide and Scouting’s international partner organisations; and the UK’s approach to delivering the international component of our Scout programme for young people.

Operationally, you'll play a senior leadership role in the forming and management of our UK contingents to World and European events ensuring that learning from previous events and agreed methods 
for ensuring effective governance and delivery of these contingents is fully implemented.

You'll provide leadership for the various teams and functions that operate the international services and support for UK Headquarters within UK Scouting and internationally including our International Rep Pool, International Support Team and international endorsements process.

It is our ambition to create the best possible team to lead UK Scouts, and we believe that we will do that by inviting and involving volunteers from different walks of life with different experiences, different skills and perspectives. So at this time we are really keen to provide opportunities for people to develop their skills, interests and experience in Scouting in a supportive and enjoyable way.

You do not need years of experience in Scouts or in life, we are looking to identify volunteers with potential and enthusiasm for what we are here to achieve together for young people who we can help develop along the way.

“The World Scout Jamboree is one of the largest outdoor education events for youth on the planet! Tens of thousands of Scouts from all over the world come together to camp outdoors and join in fun activities where they make new friends, learn about other cultures, and develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime" - World Organisation of the Scout Movement website 

We are looking for a motivated and dynamic UK Contingent Leader to define, organise and deliver this fantastic event, working in partnership with UK Headquarters staff and other senior volunteers, utilising the learnings of past UK Contingents. You will recruit and (directly and indirectly) manage a contingent of adult volunteers and young people to participate in this fantastic event. As well as the Jamboree itself, you will be responsible for helping develop the UK Contingent experience and working closely with UK Headquarters staff to create and manage the event budget.

Being UK Contingent Leader for our contingent to the 26th World Scout Jamboree will be an experience like no other. Working alongside staff and other senior volunteers, you'll help set the direction for the UK Contingent and form a team of high-performing volunteers around you. You'll deliver an unforgettable and life-changing experience to the thousands of young people and adults who attend the Jamboree - as well as delivering projects that help the UK Contingent make a wider difference to the Scouts' entire membership.

Do you want to support a young person in the care system?

Would you like to help build a positive relationship, providing holistic support, and potentially advocating for them?

Do you drive and are you 21 or older?

If so then Bolton Lads and Girls Club want to hear from you! As a Befriender, your role is to provide a young person in the care system an organised friendship with boundaries. Ensuring that they feel heard, and that they have a constant in their life. You can take the young person out for activities to build their trust and ultimately ensure that they have support from someone separate of both the local authority and the care system, an Independent Visitor. Typically the minimum length of time we would expect a volunteer to be in the role is 18 months, however the nature of the role means it could vary. Meetups are normally every 2 to 3 weeks, at a time that is convenient for both people.

Whilst no experience is required as training is provided, previous experience with children/young people can be advantageous.

There is a budget available for activities, and mileage expenses are covered.

About YAUK

We are a not-for-profit organisation passionate about improving the lives of young people across the UK and believe that every young person should have the opportunity to succeed regardless of their background or circumstances.

Our work involves using up-and-coming research and advocacy to address issues affecting young people, such as climate change, unemployment and skills training, and inclusion and diversity. We are firmly committed to improving young people's lives and believe that our unique and successful approach to achieving our vision will change lives for the better.

Please note that this is a VOLUNTEER role.

We won't accept applications from individuals residing outside of the UK as we operate on the principle of bettering the lives of young people in the UK. Therefore, we require our volunteers to have an understanding of what it is like to live in the UK.

Responsibilities

• To manage strategy, policy and the vision of the Research & Policy Department 

• To guide and support more junior management to achieve success in their roles 

• To have overall responsibility for all of our research and research ethics 

• To oversee and develop departmental procedure and process

• To align the department with its objective and goals

• To be lead the department and oversee all of its volunteers and functions 

​You will need

• Management experience 

• Research experience and have completed a postgraduate course of study

• Research ethics

• Planning skills 

• Research report writing experience 

• Ability to create and manage policy

Benefits

• This is a UK based 100% Fully remote and flexible role 

• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.

• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

 Why volunteer with us?

We are a supportive and friendly organisation that takes pride in developing and nurturing our staff and providing them with excellent opportunities to thrive and further encourage their career growth and future aspirations. 

We offer a fully remote working environment and a flexible and adaptable working schedule. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organisation, enhance your skills, and gain valuable experience to help you begin your career in Research as we endeavour to grow our organisation and continue to make positive changes to the lives of young people. If this sounds like you and you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your CV.

We look forward to hearing from you!

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

Youth Advantage UK is looking for someone who can take us to the next level, helping to mange efforts of becoming a registered charity.

Requirements

• Charity registration experience or good knowledge on registration of charities 
• Note taking and record keeping experience 
• Trustee relations experience 
• A good knowledge of UK law particularly relating to charities and volunteers

Responsibilities

• To register the organisation as a charity with the Charity Commission and manage or carry out the associated work 
• To manage the organisations legal affairs 
• To support trustees 
• To ensure the constitution is adhered to 
• To keep records of trustee meetings 
• To maintain official records
• To ensure the organisation is acting properly in accordance with its purpose and constitution 

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.