Volunteer teacher volunteer roles in purley, greater london

Make a Meaningful Impact - Join the BES Personnel Committee 

Role: Personnel Committee Member 
Organisation: British Ecological Society 
Term: 3 years 
Closing Date: 16 November 2025, 09:00 GMT 
Interview: TBC 

Are you passionate about people, strategy, and shaping the future of a thriving organisation? The British Ecological Society (BES) is inviting expressions of interest for voluntary positions on our Personnel Committee, a dynamic group that plays a vital role in guiding our people strategy and supporting the delivery of our ambitious organisational goals. 

As a registered charity and non-profit organisation, BES is dedicated to advancing ecological science and promoting the importance of ecology in addressing global challenges. We support a vibrant, inclusive community of researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts through funding, events, publications, and policy engagement. While our mission is rooted in ecology, you don’t need a background in the field to contribute, what matters most is the unique skills, perspectives, and experience you bring.

This is a unique opportunity to influence how we nurture, support, and empower our staff, ensuring our internal culture reflects the values and vision of BES. The Committee typically meets 3 times a year, with occasional additional input via email. 

Why Join? 

As a Personnel Committee member, you’ll: 

• Help shape the strategic direction of our staff resource. 

• Influence policies that support a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. 

• Collaborate with passionate professionals committed to organisational excellence. 

• Gain valuable experience in governance and strategic HR. 

• Make a real difference in how BES supports its people. 

Who We’re Looking For 

We’re seeking individuals with experience or insight in one or more of the following areas: 

• Organisational leadership, management, and strategy 

• Staff policy development 

• Organisational change or conflict management 

• Staff appraisals and performance development 

• Learning and development 

• Health & Safety in relation to HR 

• Embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in HR practices 

We especially welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups within the ecological community and those with experience across diverse workplaces. We’re committed to forming a committee that reflects the range of experiences and backgrounds within our membership.

Ready to Get Involved? 

To learn more about the Personnel Committee, what the role involves, and how you can contribute, please explore the attached resource.

InStudents

InStudents is building a global, student-led movement to close the education and employability gap for young people in underserved regions. Across rural and low-income areas, students often lack access to quality career guidance, practical learning, and opportunities to connect with employers. Traditional, top-down aid models frequently fail because they overlook local context and community ownership. InStudents flips this model by empowering local student leaders to design and deliver free, career-focused education that meets the specific needs of their peers.

Through its Equal Opportunities Project (EQOP), students in underserved regions access co-created courses via accessible platforms like WhatsApp, designed in partnership with UK universities and global companies. Meanwhile, the Impact Champions Project builds a global network of student societies tackling local education challenges, creating a model that is both locally led and globally connected. By combining technology, collaboration, and youth empowerment, InStudents is redefining educational equity—ensuring that a student’s potential is determined by ambition, not background.

Delivery Coach (AI for Educators Initiative)

A great mission needs a high-performing, collaborative team. We are looking for a facilitative leader to be the Delivery Coach for our 'AI for Educators' initiative. As the volunteer Delivery Coach, you will act as the servant-leader for the project team. You will be responsible for the "how" (fostering collaboration, removing impediments, and guiding the team towards high performance and continuous improvement). You will work in close partnership with the Service Lead and will have the constant support of our founder and senior leadership.

Accountabilities

• Facilitate team events (e.g., planning sessions, check-ins, retrospectives) to oversee the delivery of work.
• Coach and support the delivery team, encouraging a culture of collaboration, self-organisation, and accountability.
• Proactively identify and remove impediments or blockers that hinder the team's progress.
• Protect the team from external disruptions, allowing them to focus on their work.
• Support the Service Lead in maintaining a clear and prioritised backlog.
• Track and communicate team performance to promote transparency and identify areas for improvement.

Your Impact

Your impact will be a thriving, happy, and effective team that can change lives. By creating a supportive and efficient environment, you will empower our global volunteers to do their best work. This will directly translate into high-quality resources that touch the lives of teachers and thousands of their students in communities that need it most.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Rising Capacities for Children Africa (RICCA)

Rising Capacities for Children Africa (RICCA) tackles child poverty in rural Kenya, especially in Kirinyaga County, by creating inclusive, child-friendly learning environments. Through the Ricca Afterschool Center, children aged 6–17 access personalized support, mentorship, and engaging programs in arts, sports, agriculture, and digital literacy. These activities foster academic success, creativity, social skills, and life competencies while making learning fun and accessible. RICCA also works with schools to improve teacher quality, infrastructure, and resources, and engages parents in the process. By bridging rural–urban gaps and promoting intercultural dialogue, RICCA empowers communities, protects children’s rights, and breaks cycles of poverty through education.

After-School Curriculum Design Specialist

About RICCA

RICCA is a grassroots organization in rural Kenya working to create equal learning opportunities for marginalized children in public primary schools. We run after-school centers that provide safe, creative spaces where children can learn through play, storytelling, and exploration — not just exams.
RICCA was founded by Kenneth Gitari, whose own journey from a small rural village inspired him to reimagine education so that every child, no matter their background, can dream, learn, and thrive.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Curriculum Design Specialist (Volunteer) to help us strengthen and structure our after-school curriculum framework. This role is ideal for someone passionate about child-centered education, play-based learning, and creating real impact in underserved communities.

What You’ll Do

• Design and structure an engaging after-school curriculum that builds literacy, numeracy, and life skills.
• Integrate play-based, creative, and culturally relevant learning approaches for children in rural settings.
• Collaborate with our team to develop fun, practical lesson ideas and facilitator guides.
• Support the training of local facilitators on effective, inclusive teaching methods.
• Develop adaptable learning materials and frameworks that community educators can easily use.

Who You Are

• You have experience in Curriculum Development, Education Design, or Child Development.
• You’re familiar with alternative learning approaches such as project-led or experiential learning.
• You’re creative, resourceful, and passionate about education equity.
• Experience with rural or resource-limited settings is a strong plus.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to shape an impactful education model reaching children in rural Kenya.
• Collaboration with a passionate grassroots team creating lasting change.
• Recognition and exposure through RICCA’s website, newsletters and a letter of appreciation.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months