Volunteer researcher volunteer roles

Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures. Your support will help a young man to reconnect with his community, friends and loved ones, go into education, training and employment, and give a person a sense of hope for the future.

Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 in custody who have 6 months left of their prison sentence, and then 'through the gate' into their own community for up to 12 months. The Education, Training & Employment (ETE) team supports our mentees in custody to break down barriers to employability. Post-release, this continues by supporting mentees to gain meaningful and career changing roles in sector specific industries such as Construction, Engineering, Catering & Hospitality or the Self-Employment route. 

The ETE team are looking to build a team of volunteers to work with mentees in the community and to shape the existing ETE service in the Thames Valley area. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can commit for up to 12 months and give a few hours a week to support men to change their life by being inspirational role models, helping with goal setting and supporting their mentee to access ETE opportunities and ultimately gain meaningful employment. Mentoring sessions will be 1:1, take place weekly and can be done remotely by telephone or online. These sessions will last approximately one hour, but some time should also be given to liaising with Trailblazers staff and researching relevant opportunities. 

Induction training is provided, out of pocket expenses covered, a mobile phone is provided to protect your identity, a Trailblazers T-shirt and lanyard are provided, DBS costs are covered, as well as regular reflective practice sessions to support you within your role. 

We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men. 

Trailblazers are looking for Volunteer Mentors who are:

• Empathetic with a positive outlook and manner.
• Able to help others without judgement or discrimination.
• Excellent communicators with a sense of humour.
• Well organised, can prioritise and multi-task.
• Reliable and able to commit to the role for up to 12 months providing weekly ETE sessions remotely either by telephone or via Zoom / MS Team digital platforms.
• Have skills and experience in supporting those who are disadvantaged into education, training and employment (ETE).
• Able to work independently with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload with minimal supervision taking a flexible and creative approach to the demands of the post.
• Able to demonstrate sensitivity to other cultures, working with people from other backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities.
• Live within a 30 mile radius of Bicester.

RSPCA Milton Keynes & North Bucks

Do you love ebay? We are looking for volunteers skilled in online selling and photography to help turn donations into funds. You will have fun, contribute to making our eBay business a big success, and enable us to help more animals!

Overview of opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity if you are interested in collectables, researching unusual items, and love photographing objects to look their best! The time you dedicate would ensure that we made the most of the incredible donations to our charity shops, which means more funds can go towards our vital animal welfare work.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Our Charity Shop in New Bradwell, Milton Keynes

Our shops play an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, and a selection of new items.

Volunteer eBay Coordinator responsibilities

• Researching and listing the items for sale in our dedicated eBay store.
• A picture is worth 1,000 words so ensuring that attractive photographs are taken to boost eBay sales.
• Packaging items appropriately before posting them to the buyer.
• Maintaining accurate records of listed and sold items.

What we are looking for in a volunteer eBay Coordinator:

• Basic knowledge of eBay and online selling platforms
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to take clear photographs and write accurate descriptions
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with email and online payment systems
• Good communication skills and a friendly, helpful attitude
• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment

What we can offer you as a volunteer eBay Coordinator

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learn e-commerce skills
• Develop your organisational skills
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Milton Keynes & North Bucks Branch

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependant on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

We're building a platform to catch burnout before it happens. Need someone with HR connections who can talk to people and open doors.

The Problem

People are burning out at work. By the time managers notice, it's too late. We're building something to change that.

What We're Building

A platform that spots early warning signs of burnout and helps managers intervene before people break. Think predictive tech + psychology + practical support.

What We Actually Need You To Do

We need someone who can:

• Talk to HR people and managers about their burnout challenges (15-20 interviews over 2-3 weeks)
• Find organizations that might want to test this with their teams
• Help us understand what would actually work vs. what sounds good on paper

That's it. No corporate nonsense. Just real conversations with real people about a real problem.

Your Actual Tasks

Weeks 1-2: Find people to interview

• Use your network to find 15-20 HR folks, managers, and employees
• Schedule 30-60 min chats (we'll give you the questions)
• Could be over coffee, Zoom, phone - whatever works

Weeks 3-4: Do the interviews

• Have real conversations about burnout
• Document what matters (not what sounds nice)
• Work with our psychologists to make sense of it

Weeks 5-6: Connect us with organizations

• Find 5-10 companies that might test this
• Make intros to the right people
• Help us understand who'd actually pay for this

Time commitment: 2-3 hours a day. Work when you want. No meetings about meetings.

Why Bother?

Honestly:

• You'll help build something launching in 8 weeks (not years)
• You get to shape the product from scratch
• You'll work with psychologists and tech people who actually know what they're doing
• Good for your CV if you want to move into product/research/biz dev
• If you're brilliant, we might offer equity or a paid role later
• Work from home, flexible hours, no micromanaging

Also: burnout is real. If you've seen it or felt it, you know why this matters.

Who We're Looking For

Someone who:

• Knows HR people or managers (and they'd actually take your call)
• Can have a proper conversation without reading a script
• Gets why burnout matters (maybe you've been there)
• Doesn't need babysitting - you see what needs doing and do it
• Can move fast - we're launching in 8 weeks

Experience we care about:

• You've worked in HR, management, or people stuff (3+ years)
• You've done interviews or research before (or you're confident you can)
• You have connections we don't (that's the whole point)

Don't have all of this? Apply anyway if you care about the problem and can help.

What You Actually Get

• Real product experience (not busy work)
• Portfolio piece you can show people
• References from our team
• Connections with psychologists and tech people
• Maybe equity if you're exceptional
• The satisfaction of helping prevent burnout (sounds cheesy but it's true)

The Team

• Chief Behavioral Psychologist
• Occupational Psychologist
• AI/ML person
• CTO
• UX Designer

Small team. No corporate BS. Building something that matters.

Timeline

Start: Now (November) Busiest: First 2 weeks (3 hrs/day finding and scheduling people) After that: 2 hrs/day for 4-6 weeks End: Mid-December

Work whenever suits you. We care about results, not when you're online.

Success = 

• 15-20 good interviews done
• 5-10 companies interested in testing this
• Insights that help us build the right thing
• Not wasting each other's time

Why Not Paid?

We're pre-revenue. Every penny goes into building this. But if you're good, equity or paid work could come later. And the experience is worth more than a few hundred quid anyway.

What We Promise

We won't:

• Have pointless meetings
• Micromanage you
• Waste your time
• Give you vague objectives

We will:

• Be clear about what needs doing
• Support you when needed, leave you alone when not
• Give you proper credit
• Write you good references

Why This Matters

Burnout is expensive (£322 billion to the economy) and miserable (for the people going through it). Most companies wait until people break, then offer an EAP number.

We're trying to catch it earlier. Your conversations will tell us if this is actually useful or just another wellness gimmick.

To Apply

Just tell us:

1. Why you care about this (2-3 sentences)
2. Who you could realistically interview (be specific)
3. Any organizations you could connect us with
4. Can you start now and commit 2-3 hrs/day for 6-8 weeks?

Attach your CV.

Don't overthink it. If this sounds interesting, apply.

Questions? Email us - we respond fast.

P.S. If you're not sure you're "qualified enough" - apply anyway. We need diverse perspectives, not clones.

Finding funding for an organisation dedicated to women’s empowerment, development, human rights and tourism is hard to come by. If you are up to the challenge, then we’d love to have you come and support our search for funds for our innovative and exciting projects.

Equality in Tourism is a very small charity focused on gender, tourism and development.  We are looking for someone with experience, particularly with institutional and/or trust funding, or with corporate, individual or event fundraising experience, and who is able to give us a few hours a week. We would like you to take a lead on researching possible opportunities and writing one or more funding applications for us, both for our innovative projects and our core work.  

We are seeking a reliable, proactive and dedicated person, who is interested in gender and development and who will be able to work with us to enable us to achieve our goals. We offer you flexibility to work around your own time constraints.

So if you think you can help us raise some much needed funds that can go towards meeting our targets, we would love to hear from you.

Legal Assistant

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

To learn more about our impactful work at Quilombo UK, we encourage you to explore our website and YouTube channel. 

Join us in leading positive change!

About the position

Quilombo UK is looking for Legal Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole.

Quilombo UK is looking to recruit a Legal Assistant who helps organization in various legal matters.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• We are looking for an experienced lawyer to assist the organisation in overlooking projects, ensuring they are compliant with relevant and up to date legislation and regulations.

• The legal assistant will be responsible for making sure all contracts, legislations and documents are treated within correct legal standards. They are to make sure that all activities are being performed in line with contracts and the law. 

• The Legal Assistant will work closely with the HR department in overlooking the volunteer forms, legislations and documents. They should also assist the different departments within the organisation(Marketing, Funding, HR, Finance) in upholding the legal requirements needed to run the tasks that they do. 

• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

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

Essential

• Well-organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.

• Excellent researching skills

• Reading and report writing skills

• You will need to be an experienced lawyer or have a good legal understanding. 

• You will be respectful of the confidentiality of the organisation.

• You will need to help deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organisation. 

• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.

• Good time-management & communication skills.

• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments

• Strong team player

• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Can work without much supervision

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

We are looking for lived experienced volunteers who use screen readers and would be happy to share their experiences of accessing Welsh digital information and services in Wales.

You will share your personal experiences of using a screen reader to access Welsh digital information and services, show how accessibility features work in real life and what changes make a real difference.

You will share your experiences and talk openly in group discussions and have the confidence to raise issues and a willingness to speak up about concerns or gaps in services. You will also contribute and collaborate with project staff and external stakeholders (researchers and decision makers) to shape future Welsh language technology developments helping to create more accessible Welsh language digital services.

How often will I be needed?

• 2 Hours per Event

Key requirements

• Aged over 18

Location

Region

• Wales

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Meetings will take place virtually, but there may be an opportunity to join a face to face session depending on needs of the project.

Who this opportunity will suit

• This role is reserved for blind and partially sighted applicants

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Screen reader user
• • Welsh Speaker (first language or learner)
• • Will have good active listening skills to engage respectfully and sensitively with others’ experiences and perspectives
• • Will be able to work collaboratively and constructively with other group members, stakeholders and staff
• • Ability to reflect on personal experiences.

About the role

Ubuntu Pathways is seeking a proactive, organised, and mission-driven intern to join our close-knit London office to assist in organising and facilitating our upcoming office move. This role will report to the Fundraising & Operations Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity for someone eager to contribute meaningfully to Ubuntu’s impact in Gqeberha, South Africa, while gaining valuable experience in global fundraising and operations.

Key Responsibilities

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting digitisation and organisation of donor files

• Preparing the office for relocation (clearing, packing, labelling)

• Conducting donor and grant prospect research

• Supporting marketing and social media activities

• Preparing and filing Gift Aid documentation

• Assisting with general office admin and supplies

• Helping with event prep — sponsorship and auction support

• General upkeep — inventory, shredding, basement tasks

What you’ll gain

• Experience in fundraising, donor research, and operations within a global non-profit

• Exposure to donor stewardship, event planning, and data systems

• Mentorship and support from a highly experienced UK team

• A chance to work for a purpose-led organisation where every task contributes to a meaningful mission

• £15 daily stipend to support travel and lunch costs 

What we’re looking for:

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong commitment to Ubuntu Pathways’ mission and values

• Excellent administrative, organisational, and time management skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• High attention to detail and accuracy in both data and written materials

• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)

• Positive, adaptable, self-motivated team player with a can-do attitude

Desirable (but not required)

• Personal or professional connection to South Africa and an understanding of the local context

• Familiarity with Gift Aid regulations and UK fundraising compliance

• Knowledge of the UK and international development/charity sector

Please submit your CV and a cover letter no longer than 2 pages stating your availability, relevant experience and why you are the best person for the role. Closing date: 7 November 2025 but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible in order to be considered. Virtual interviews to take place in the week of 1 December. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the application process then please contact us.

Support your local Oxfam shop by helping to sort, research, price and prepare donated items - for our online shop, all while gaining hands-on retail experience in a safe, supportive environment.

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: Gain valuable retail experience you can add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

About us

We are a small charity based in Whitby with big ambitions! We run a lobster hatchery based in the old fish market on the main pier in Whitby.

The core purposes of the charity are

To protect and enhance marine biodiversity within the North Sea. By doing this, we will support sustainable fishing within the North Sea and promote marine conservation through research, education and conservation work.

Charitable Objects

· To help balance the marine life of the North Sea through research, education, and conservation work.

· To help protect the marine and fisheries heritage of Whitby through sustainable fishing practices.

This will be achieved through:

· Monitoring and managing marine life across the North Sea, intervening with management programmes where required.

· Using research to deliver and influence policy.

What will you be doing?

We need business professionals with expertise in the following areas who can help us achieve some of our aims:

· HR: we have 3 employees and about 12 volunteers. 

· Treasurer

· Raising funds, including grant applications: we usually run 3 or 4 fundraising events each year, and need to get about £50,000 a year from grants. Most of our grants come from small applications, so we need to maximise the number of applications to make the charity more sustainable.

· As well as contributing your business experience, you will share in the collective governance duties of trustees.

We also need trustees who bring other skills to board such as:

· Financial management

· Fundraising events

· Fundraising bid writing/ research

· Governance

· Strategic development and planning

Please note that you do not need all of these skills to apply!

Where?

· Meetings are held in Whitby, so local to the charity is best. We may be able to facilitate online meetings for the right candidate

Job Title: IT Assistant
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Employment Type: 12 hours per week (6 Hours per Day)

About QuilomboUK

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

To learn more about our impactful work at Quilombo UK, we encourage you to explore our website and YouTube channel. 

Join us in leading positive change!

About the position

The IT support role is vital to the organisation, as they will have the responsibility for the maintenance of the technical appliances used in the organisation. The IT support will not be required to come in on a weekly basis, but upon request as for when it is needed. The main tasks for the IT support will be reassuring all technical appliances are updates, responding to potential breakdowns and assuring electrical safety. Technical skills are required, in addition to flexibility, as they would need to quickly respond to potential breakdowns etc.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure all computers and other electrical equipment is updated.

• Ensure the safety of electrical equipment.

• Respond to breakdowns of electrical equipment.

• Assist in the functions of IT-packages.

General tasks

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

Essential

• IT skills

• Health and Safety of electrical equipment

• Knowledge about different IT-packages

• Has ability to deliver tasks in a timely manner

• Handles difficult situations well

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Job Title: Bid Writer Assistant                                                                         

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Bid Writer to support Quilombo UK in securing vital funding and resources to further our mission. This remote volunteer role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community impact, writing, and making a meaningful difference in the Third Sector. You'll work with a supportive team, gain hands-on experience in funding applications, and help shape the sustainability of impactful community programmes.

Position Overview:
The Bid Writer Assistant plays a key role in researching, drafting, and editing compelling proposals and funding applications for various projects run by Quilombo UK. The role involves close collaboration with department leads, collecting relevant data, and ensuring submissions align with organisational goals and funder expectations. It offers the flexibility to work independently, with the support of experienced professionals and tailored training where required.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal & Bid Development:

• Research, draft, and edit funding proposals tailored to specific grants, donors, and partners.

• Review and refine existing proposals to ensure clarity, compliance, and impact.

• Collaborate with internal teams to gather relevant content, project insights, and financial information for bids.

• Develop supporting documents and presentations to accompany applications.

Strategic Input & Collaboration:

• Contribute to the bid strategy, suggesting creative and relevant ideas aligned with organisational goals.

• Maintain and manage a structured “bid plan” with timelines, approval processes, and submission deadlines.

• Liaise with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Project teams to align bid content with current projects and strategic direction.

Reporting & Organisation:

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of bid statuses.

• Organise bid-related documentation, supporting strong internal knowledge management.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in English, Communications, Business, or related fields.

Experience:

• Prior experience writing funding proposals or grant applications.

• Familiarity with fundraising, community initiatives, or nonprofit funding is desirable.

Skills:

• Strong written communication and persuasive writing skills.

• High attention to detail, organisation, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; Excel knowledge is a plus.

• Confidence in researching, planning, and collaborating across teams.

• Ability to work independently and maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Benefits:

• Gain real-world experience in nonprofit fundraising and proposal writing.

• Work with a collaborative and values-driven team.

• Receive feedback and development opportunities in bid strategy and funding.

• Build a strong portfolio of written proposals and funding successes.

• Flexible working hours with full remote access.

• Reimbursement of travel expenses if attending occasional in-person meetings.

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Fundraising Committee – Share Your Heart of Gold with SUNSHINE

Loneliness is one of the fastest-growing epidemics of our time. Across London, thousands of people feel isolated, disconnected, and unseen. At SUNSHINE, we believe no one should feel alone. Our mission is to bring sunshine into people’s lives through grassroots, community-led programmes that spark joy, foster friendships, and transform lives.

We are seeking passionate and committed volunteers to join our Fundraising Committee. This team will play a vital role in generating the start-up income and seed funding we need to launch SUNSHINE successfully and set us on the path to long-term impact.

Why This Role Matters

Without strong fundraising, even the brightest ideas cannot take flight. The Fundraising Committee will be the engine that powers SUNSHINE’s launch, ensuring we have the resources to build programmes, recruit volunteers, and create joyful spaces across London. By helping us secure income, you will directly shape the future of our charity and the lives we touch.

What You’ll Do

• Generate start-up income: Identify and pursue opportunities for donations, grants, and seed funding.

• Shape fundraising strategy: Work with Trustees and volunteers to design creative campaigns and appeals.

• Build partnerships: Connect with supporters, funders, and organisations who share our vision.

• Champion SUNSHINE: Spread the word about our mission, inspiring others to give and get involved.

• Drive success: Ensure SUNSHINE has the financial foundation to grow into one of London’s most impactful charities.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people with a Heart of Gold who believe in community, joy, and togetherness. Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience or interest in fundraising, grant writing, or income generation.

• Creativity and enthusiasm for developing campaigns and events.

• Confidence in building relationships and inspiring support.

• Commitment to teamwork and shared success.

• Passion for tackling loneliness and creating brighter futures.

Join Us

At SUNSHINE, the Fundraising Committee is more than a team of fundraisers — they are the architects of possibility, the champions of growth, and the guardians of our future. Together, we can turn the tide on loneliness and create a London where everyone feels part of something bigger, brighter, and more joyful.

Step forward. Shine bright. Share your Heart of Gold. Because when you help us raise funds, you’re not just generating income — you’re helping bring sunshine into countless lives.

SUNSHINE

Loneliness Charity in London

We are seeking a proactive, strategic, and mission-aligned Funding Manager to join our growing team. This pivotal role will lead on identifying, applying for, and managing multiple streams of funding to support the delivery and expansion of our work. As a small charity with big impact, funding is vital to everything we do — from running support services to delivering education and campaigning for change. The Funding Manager will be at the heart of ensuring our sustainability and growth by securing the resources we need. You will be line managed by the Chair of Trustees, and work closely with the Treasurer and other trustees as needed to complete applications, manage current funding applications and report on grant outcomes.
 

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

• Identify and research suitable funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, statutory bodies, and other grant-makers

• Lead and coordinate the writing and submission of compelling funding bids, applications, and proposals.

• Manage and track existing grants, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.

• Work with trustees (e.g. Treasurer and Chair) to gather financial and impact data for applications and reports.

• Maintain a funding pipeline and reporting calendar, ensuring visibility of all application stages and deadlines.

• Build and maintain relationships with funders, providing updates on Hidayah’s work and impact.

• Monitor trends in the funding landscape and keep the charity informed of relevant changes and opportunities.

• Advise and support the Board in developing a long-term funding strategy.

• To maintain clear records on the organisation’s shared systems (Google Drive).

• Meet regularly e.g. monthly or bi-monthly with your line manager to discuss funding applications and progress

• To check and respond to funding application emails promptly and within deadlines set for funding applications

What do we expect from the Funding Manager?

Please note that you must agree with and fit the criteria below to be eligible to volunteer in this role:

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of successful fundraising from trusts, foundations, or statutory funders.

• Excellent bid writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate impact clearly.

• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Financially literate, comfortable working with budgets and data.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while collaborating with others.

• A commitment to the values and mission of Hidayah LGBTQI+.

• Knowledge of CRM or funding management tools.

Desirable:

• Experience working with grassroots or LGBTQI+ charities.

• Understanding of issues affecting LGBTQI+ Muslims or minoritised communities.

How much commitment is required?

This is a voluntary role with flexible hours, and can be carried out around your existing commitments. We are results-focused, so while you have autonomy over when you volunteer, we ask that funding bids and key deadlines are met in a timely and reliable manner.

Senior Policy Advisor

Youth Advantage UK

Remote

Unpaid role, expenses not paid

Voluntary

Job description

Youth Advantage UK (YAUK) is seeking a Volunteer Senior Policy Advisor to support its Long-Term Research & Policy Team in identifying and delivering on opportunities for the organisation to grow its impact. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring research developed by YAUK can be moulded into policy positions capable of influencing and informing policy makers. Working closely with the Heads of Policy, the ideal candidate will use their prior experience to develop convincing narratives to achieve the aims of the organisation. They will should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

Responsibilities:

•    Taking raw research and developing a convincing narrative that will convince policy makers to take action based on our evidence-based recommendations.
•    Develop recommendations for policy makers based on evidence and aligning with the political priorities of the targeted policy makers.
•    Work effectively with members of YAUK’s research team to turn their research into succinct policy documents.
•    To monitor, analyse and respond to external trends which impact on the organisation’s strategic policies and focus.
•    Support the Head of Policy in delivering the policy team’s wider goals and priorities.
•    Aid junior policy colleagues in completing their work and provide direction in support of the Head of Policy.
•    To work closely with the organisation’s Communications Team in developing and implementing effective strategies to raise the organisation’s profile and impact.
•    Support the creation of blogs and articles on policy related issues and to support with the development of academic articles and reports.
•    Ensure that policy documents developed by the team are of high quality and present YAUK and its work in a good light.
•    To find and distribute information on related topics which may be of interest to the other organisation members.

Requirements:

•    Experience or knowledge of how the policy development process works.
•    Knowledge of issues affecting children and young people in the UK.
•    Knowledge of a range of methods and approaches to applying research and development in public policy.
•    Experience of writing or contributing to briefings and other policy documents.
•    Excellent writing and speaking skills.
•    IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
•    Ability to work well independently and in a team.
•    Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
•    Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.

Benefits
•    Gain valuable experience in influencing policy makers.
•    Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
•    Flexible working hours.