Volunteering support officer jobs

Who are we?

Volunteer Centre Hackney is a thriving charity (annual income circa £1.1m, with 29 paid staff). providing volunteering infrastructure to the voluntary sector across the City of London and the London borough of Hackney. We support over 1,500 residents a year to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others. We also provide volunteering resources, advice and guidance on best practice in volunteer management, to hundreds of charities and community organisations.

Background and Aims of the Community Health Champion Programme

This role is for our Community Health Champions Programme (CHC). The programme is led by and for City & Hackney’s diverse communities. Community Health Champions (Champions) empower residents to become aware of, take ownership and work towards more positive health and wellbeing outcomes.

This is achieved by the programme sourcing, recruiting, training and supporting a diverse cohort of Champions who live, work, volunteer or study within City & Hackney. Our vast network of 230+ Champions who amongst them speak 40+ languages, are instrumental in tailoring and sharing vital health messaging with residents and feeding back insights, concerns and questions which are then used to develop more bespoke, relevant and culturally nuanced health messaging. Champions, with support from the programme, give voice to communities with varying levels of health literacy: how residents access, assess, and engage with healthcare information, services and systems.

The programme was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic but has now expanded to focus on wider health issues and wider determinants of health such as mental health and wellbeing, long term conditions, diet and nutrition.

Purpose of the Role

The Communications and Engagement Officer will lead on programme communications, coordinating and delivering the day-to-day communications that power the Community Health Champion CHC) programme. The primary goal of this role is to equip Champions with accessible, inclusive, high-quality communications content, tools and resources enabling them to effectively engage in the programme whilst building trust and improving health literacy across City & Hackney.

This is a hands-on role focused on amplifying community voices, positioning and showcasing the continued impact of Champion activities, maintaining a positive programme reputation, and ensuring our health messages reach the people who need them most.

In the last four years we have tripled our turnover, moved from delivery at one site to having thirteen outreaches and have doubled the number of clients we are seeing. We are now looking for an enthusiastic, full time Welfare Benefits Worker to build up a much needed Welfare Rights Unit.  We have a small unit of volunteers who support clients with appeals, and our next stage is to build a volunteer based form filling service.  Whilst holding a small caseload of your own, it is the development of this service that would be your principal task.

To be successful you will need to be a qualified Citizens Advice Adviser, preferably with experience of delivering Benefits casework, and to be able to develop and lead volunteers.  If the longer term Welfare Rights Unit project interests you but this post would not be an option for you as it stands, we would also welcome a conversation.

Our service operates to very high standards, but we also work hard to make it an enjoyable and supportive work environment. 

If this sounds like a team you would fit into please e-mail your updated CV and a covering letter to Chris Roberts, Chief Executive using the e-mail title “Benefits vacancy”.

Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 2nd August.  Provisionally interviews are planned for Thursday 13th August.

Due to the potential number of applicants we are sorry but we will not be able to enter into correspondence or discussion with unsuccessful candidates.

Are you someone who leads from the front? Do you want a role where no two days are the same – one that combines hands-on project delivery, meaningful work with volunteers, and making the evidence count? The South London Mission is looking for a Community Projects & Volunteer Officer to be at the heart of our work.

This is not a desk-bound role. You’ll be packing Brite Box meal kits, running sessions with families and older people, building and leading a committed volunteer team, and producing reports that tell our story to funders and decision-makers. It’s a role for someone equally at home lifting boxes and writing impact reports.

Retail Manager – The Hangar

The Wisdom Hospice | Rochester, Kent £32,000 - £34,000 per annum (dependent on experience) 37.5 hours per week 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

This is no ordinary retail management role.

At The Wisdom Hospice, every sale helps fund exceptional hospice care for local people and their families. The Hangar is our flagship retail destination - a vibrant, large-format store that redefines what charity retail can be.

Forget traditional charity shops. The Hangar is a unique retail experience filled with high-quality donated stock, exciting discoveries, sustainable fashion, homeware treasures, and ever-changing displays. It is a destination for shoppers, bargain hunters, fashion lovers and supporters alike.

We're now looking for an exceptional Retail Manager to lead this thriving store and take it to the next level.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to put your own stamp on a high-profile retail operation while directly supporting a cause that changes lives.

We're looking for a creative, commercially-minded leader who can transform donated goods into compelling retail experiences, inspire customers to return time and again, and build a passionate team of staff and volunteers around a shared mission.

The successful candidate will have the vision to see opportunities where others see stock, the drive to exceed targets, and the people skills to create an outstanding customer experience every day.

What You'll Do

Drive Commercial Success

• Deliver and exceed sales and income targets
• Maximise the value of donated stock through effective pricing and presentation
• Create engaging promotions, events and seasonal campaigns
• Seek new opportunities to increase footfall and revenue

Bring Creativity to Life

• Develop eye-catching visual merchandising and store displays
• Create an exciting and inspiring shopping environment
• Use your flair for retail presentation to showcase stock at its full potential
• Support local marketing and social media activity

Lead and Inspire People

• Motivate, coach and develop a team of paid staff and volunteers
• Create a positive, energetic and inclusive culture
• Recruit and retain volunteers who share our passion
• Deliver outstanding customer service standards across the store

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day store operations
• Manage stock flow, rotation and gift aid processes
• Maintain excellent standards of health and safety, compliance and cash handling
• Keep the store looking professional, safe and welcoming at all times

About You

We're looking for someone who is as passionate about people as they are about retail.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience in retail management with responsibility for delivering sales targets
• Strong people leadership and team development skills
• A creative eye for visual merchandising and product presentation
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
• Commercial awareness and sound business judgement
• Confidence using social media and digital tools
• A proactive, hands-on approach and a genuine passion for our cause

Experience in charity retail is highly desirable, but we would also welcome applications from talented commercial retail managers looking to move into the charity sector.

Additional requirements:

• Full UK driving licence
• Good standard of education (A-Level or equivalent)
• Enhanced DBS check required

Why Join The Wisdom Hospice?

This is more than a retail management position.

It's an opportunity to lead a store with real purpose, inspire a community of supporters, and generate vital income that helps deliver outstanding hospice care across Kent.

You'll be joining an organisation that is passionate about its mission, ambitious about its future, and committed to finding the right person to help make The Hangar the premier charity retail destination in the region. 

Apply Now

If you're a dynamic retail leader with commercial flair, creative vision and a passion for making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

This role will support the delivery of Sarcoma UK’s challenge events portfolio, with a particular focus on supporting the expansion of the London Marathon into a two-day event and providing excellent stewardship to a growing number of challenge event fundraisers.

This is a new, fixed-term role offers an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about fundraising to learn and develop within a busy, friendly and supportive fundraising team. The post is offered on a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent.

At Sarcoma UK, we are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Benefits:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• 25 days holiday entitlement per annum plus bank holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year
• Additional day off for your birthday
• Volunteering day per year
• Enhanced sick, maternity and adoption pay
• Sarcoma UK Life Insurance Scheme
• Health and wellbeing:
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Therapy sessions
  • Wellbeing Group
  • Team activities throughout the year
• Interest-free season ticket and bicycle loan

Our Promise: 

Everything we do is shaped by the people affected by sarcoma.

Our work is guided by five commitments:

• We are shaped and driven by people affected by sarcom: we listen to and learn from the experiences of patients and families.
• We are committed to equity: everyone affected by sarcoma should be able to access the same quality of care, information and support.
• We collaborate to make a bigger impact: we work with healthcare professionals, researchers, organisations and policymakers to achieve more together.
• We uphold the highest standards: we use evidence and expertise to push for better care, treatment and research.
• We are relentlessly ambitious: sarcoma is decades behind other cancers. We will use every opportunity to close that gap.

Duties and key responsibilities

Challenge Event Support

• Provide day-to-day support to the Senior Challenge Events Officer across Sarcoma UK’s challenge events portfolio.
• Act as a point of contact for fundraisers participating in challenge events, responding to enquiries and signposting them to the right support.
• Support the delivery of the London Marathon, including stewardship and the setup of the Running Show and after party.
• Help administer the challenge events process, including registrations, deadlines, record-keeping and post-event evaluations.
• Assist with the organisation of event-day experiences, such as cheer stations and receptions, to support participants and celebrate their achievements.
• Help compile reports and evaluations for events within the challenge event portfolio.
• Support research into new challenge events to help grow the charity’s portfolio.

Communications

• Support the creation of challenge event content for online and offline channels, including the website, working with the Senior Challenge Events Officer and the Communications team.
• Help compile impact messages for fundraisers.
• Help gather fundraising stories, case studies and achievements to share with the Communications team.

Supporter Care

• Provide friendly, gold-standard support to challenge event fundraisers, helping them access the resources they need to maximise their fundraising and stay involved long term.
• Help deliver personalised stewardship journeys to support participants in meeting or exceeding their fundraising targets.
• Respond promptly to fundraising enquiries by post, email and telephone.
• Help ensure fundraisers receive timely recognition, including letters, certificates and impact updates as appropriate.
• Send fundraising materials and packs to supporters.

Administration and Compliance

• Maintain accurate supporter records using Sarcoma UK’s database (Raiser’s Edge).
• Help ensure Gift Aid is captured at every opportunity.
• Help monitor and manage event fundraising stock.
• Work in line with fundraising legislation, including GDPR, risk management, health and safety regulations, and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Conduct.

Other

• Provide event support, which may involve occasional weekend or evening work.
• Adapt to the evolving needs of Sarcoma UK by undertaking other duties as required.

The Hygiene Bank is looking to appoint a Partnership Officer to engage new brands with the work of our charity. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation that is working to end hygiene poverty in the UK. 

The role is remote and 3 days a week  but with monthly team meetings in London and this role will require travel to partner meetings and events. 

Every day, millions of people across the UK are forced to make impossible choices between heating their homes, buying food, paying rent, or staying clean. 

At The Hygiene Bank, we believe that feeling clean should never be a luxury. Through our nationwide network of volunteers, community partners, and corporate and brand supporters, we provide access to essential hygiene products while campaigning for lasting change. 

As we embark on the next 3 years, we're looking for a Partnership Officer to help grow the brands and businesses standing alongside us in the fight against hygiene poverty. 

Read more about our work on our website along with our Impact Report and research Hygiene Poverty 2024 

This is more than a fundraising role. It's an opportunity to build meaningful partnerships that directly improve lives, influence businesses to become forces for good, and help drive a movement working to end hygiene poverty for good. 

About the role 

We're looking for a proactive, organised and relationship-focused Partnership Officer to join our growing Brand & Corporate Partnerships team. 

Working closely with and supported by the Head of Brand & Corporate Partnerships, you will play a vital role in identifying and securing new brand partnerships, nurturing existing relationships, and helping to deliver ambitious income and impact targets. 

Our partners range from emerging challenger brands to nationally recognised businesses like Boots UK. They support our work through financial contributions, product donations, employee fundraising, volunteering, awareness campaigns and skills-based support. 

You'll be at the heart of these relationships, helping partners understand the difference they can make and ensuring they have an outstanding experience of supporting The Hygiene Bank. 

This role would suit someone with experience in partnerships, business development, fundraising, account management or sales who is excited by the prospect of combining commercial relationship-building with meaningful social impact. 

Job Description  

The Partnership Officer will be a key member of The Hygiene Bank’s income generation team and wider central team, with a responsibility to help meet the needs of our existing partnerships and support in fulfilling the charity’s income generation plans and strategy. 

Key Responsibilities 

You will support the management of our brand partners, working with the Head of Brand and Corporate Partnerships. Your role will be to source new brand relationships, set up meetings for the team and support existing brand partnerships. 

• Work closely with the Head of Brand and Corporate Partnerships to identify and outreach to target brand partners, working to engage their support for the charity

• Account management of new and existing partners 

• Meticulous record keeping, ensuring the pipeline and the opportunity database are current and up to date.

• Contribute to the organisation and team's annual plans, strategies, and budgets. 

• Develop, monitor, and maintain systems and processes including Salesforce and account management plans. 

• Assist with the creation of marketing materials, such as newsletters, brochures, and partner impact reports.

• Understand and support the vision, mission, and values of The Hygiene Bank. 

• Reflect our inclusive culture in your day-to-day work and support a values-led, positive, health & safety and safeguarding culture in your interactions with colleagues and the volunteers.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise 

• Excellent relationship management and stewardship resulting in demonstrable account growth. 

• Effective account management or sales experience with brand and corporate partners across a variety of sectors.

• Experience using creativity and innovation to diversify income from partners, resulting in growth. 

• Outstanding communication skills and polished presentation and people skills to champion, and act as an ambassador for The Hygiene Bank in the business world, including preparing and leading presentations. 

• Detail-driven, strategic, motivated, with a forward-leaning approach to business. 

• Ability to work independently, multi-task, and prioritise a busy workload. 

• Outstanding written communication skills and experience in developing compelling proposals and collateral. 

• Experience working with internal stakeholder teams to help ensure partnership deliverables are met. 

• Passion for personal and professional development, as well as a proven can-do attitude to get involved in various aspects of fundraising delivery, as needed. 

Attributes and behaviours: 

• Passionate and demonstrably committed to improving the lives of people experiencing Hygiene Poverty and strong alignment with the charity’s values 

• A commitment to quality and attention to detail. 

• Ability to work on your own initiative. 

• A highly competent and collaborative team worker. 

• Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality. 

• Willingness to learn new skills. 

• Ability to work in a growth mindset, changing and flexible organisation. 

This job description and person specification represents an outline of the major components of the job and is not intended to be exhaustive.

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. 

Role purpose 

To lead the creation, development and optimisation of high-quality, audience-targeted content that supports marketing campaigns, strengthens brand awareness, and enhances engagement across a growing and increasingly diverse range of stakeholders. 

The role will address current capacity gaps within the Marketing and Communications team by generating, repurposing and managing multimedia content that supports programme promotion, brand storytelling and organisational positioning. 

Key relationships 

• Marketing and Communications Manager (line manager)
• Head of Marketing and Communications (dotted line)
• Business Development department, Innovation team, QA and Standards team, Programme Delivery team 
• Centres, particularly Centres of Excellence
• External stakeholders (partners, educators, young people)
• Internal staff contributing to content 

Key responsibilities 

Campaign Support: 

• Work closely with the wider Marketing and Communications team to provide content for campaigns and central communications
• Support delivery of increased campaign volume, scale and impact

Content Optimisation and Repurposing: 

• Repurpose content into multiple formats for use across channels (social, email, web, campaigns etc.)
• Ensure content is effectively reused to maximise reach and value
• Maintain a pipeline of diverse content to support audience segmentation

Content Creation and Development: 

• Develop multi-format content (video, written, visual, digital) tailored to different audiences and sectors 
• Generate evergreen content that can be reused and adapted across campaigns and channels 
• Produce content that supports strategic content aims 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to generate authentic, impactful content
• Facilitate user-generated content, including youth voice and partner contributions

Insight and Continuous Improvement: 

• Gather feedback from stakeholders and audiences to refine content effectiveness
• Contribute to test-and-learn approaches to improve engagement and conversion
• Monitor performance indicators such as engagement rates, CTRs and website traffic 

People management responsibilities 

• No direct line management responsibility
• Will support coordination of contributors (internal staff, partners, freelancers where applicable) 

Skills and experience – essential 

• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines 
• Experience in content creation across multiple formats (digital, video, written)
• Strong copywriting and storytelling skills
• Ability to tailor content to different audiences and sectors
• Experience working with stakeholders to generate content
• Understanding of marketing and communications principles

Skills and experience – desirable 

• Experience capturing content on location
• Experience with brand development and positioning
• Knowledge of content performance analytics
• Experience in education, youth, or sport sectors 

Training and qualifications 

• Experience in marketing, communications, media or related field
• Ongoing professional development in content, marketing or digital communications desirable 

Development/career pathways for this role 

• Progression into Senior Content or Campaign roles
• Development into Marketing and Communications leadership pathways 

Personal qualities – for all roles in the Leadership Skills Foundation 

• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously 
• Customer focused 
• Effective and confident communicator 
• Proactive in approach and able to work on own initiative both collaboratively and independently 
• Adaptable to operational requirements and willing to learn 

Personal qualities – specific to this role 

• Creative thinker with strong storytelling instincts
• Highly organised with attention to detail
• Curious and proactive in identifying content opportunities
• Comfortable engaging with a wide range of stakeholders
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment 

Since 1892, Birmingham Dogs Home has been rescuing, reuniting and rehoming dogs across the West Midlands. Each year, thousands of dogs receive the second chance they deserve thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters and volunteers.

As we prepare to celebrate our 135th anniversary, we're looking for an enthusiastic Volunteer Coordinator to help shape and grow our volunteer programme across our Solihull and Wolverhampton centres.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you'll recruit, support and inspire people who generously give their time to help dogs in our care. From welcoming new volunteers and coordinating training to building relationships with local organisations and supporting corporate volunteering days, you'll play a key role in creating a positive and rewarding volunteering experience.

Working closely with the Head of Income Generation, you'll lead the day-to-day delivery of our volunteer programme, helping to ensure our volunteers feel valued, supported and equipped to make a real difference.

About You

We're looking for someone with experience of coordinating or managing volunteers, who enjoys working with people and building lasting relationships.

You will be organised, confident in managing a varied workload and comfortable working across multiple sites. You will enjoy motivating others, bringing people together and finding practical solutions that help both volunteers and colleagues.

An excellent communicator, you will build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, whether you're welcoming a new volunteer, supporting an existing team member or developing partnerships with local organisations and businesses.

Most importantly, you'll understand the value that volunteers bring to Birmingham Dogs Home and be passionate about creating an environment where they feel appreciated and motivated to continue making a difference.

In return, we offer:

• Two weeks' free dog boarding
• 25% discount on veterinary treatment
• Free on-site parking
• Life assurance
• BHSF Health Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension contribution
• Ongoing CPD and development opportunities

If you're looking for a role where you can make a genuine difference and help people change the lives of homeless dogs every day, we'd love to hear from you.

The Community Engagement & Support role is about providing greater sustainability and resilience for the Fahr’s Disease community and Fahr Beyond as a charity. The post holder will be building the capacity for Fahr Beyond to provide support for people living with Fahr’s and their families through creating a volunteer network that can provide an ongoing fortnightly support group. Additionally, through working with other organisations, the post holder will develop more support pathways and opportunities for patients; this is envisioned as strategic work within the Parkinson’s and Dementia space.

This post will also play a key role in bridging Fahr Beyond’s work with the community and medical professionals to develop awareness of Fahr’s Disease.  

What will you do in the role?

Volunteer Mobilisation & Management

• Support the development of a volunteer strategy for Fahr Beyond
• Actively manage the establishment of a volunteer network utilising prior expressions of interest, and you will support the onboarding of volunteers
• The main point of contact for volunteers and help resolve matters they may have

Engagement & Communication

• Monitor and respond to incoming correspondence to Fahr Beyond, along with assigning any actions for response to the appropriate volunteer
• Support the trustees and volunteers with managing Fahr Beyond’s social media
• Work with Fahr Beyond volunteers to ensure that Fahr Beyond maintains regular communications with patients, medical professionals, and key partners
• ·Represent Fahr Beyond at sector events and/or meetings, particularly with organisations we are a member of

Project & Event Management

• Support (and if required coordinate) Fahr Beyond’s education and awareness events for Fahr’s Disease, and events connecting multiple stakeholders in the Fahr’s Disease space
• Support volunteers in creating fundraising and community involvement activities (online and potentially in-person) 

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through SANEline, our Call Back service, email and text support; and promote and host research into causes, treatments and therapies through its Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE research.

We are looking for people interested in providing compassionate support to people affected by mental health problems. This includes supporting people with severe mental illness, and carers, families and friends. In this role you will provide confidential emotional support by telephone, email and text, as well supporting our skilled volunteers through their development and during their weekly shifts.

This role provides valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to vulnerable people. Working within SANE support services requires a high level of empathy and emotional resilience as well as excellent communication skills. SANE takes take pride in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for both our staff and volunteers. Applications are particularly welcome from individuals with counselling, psychology or therapy qualifications or any other therapeutic disciplines who are committed to providing compassionate mental health support.

Hours: 2 to 3 days per week, a mix of afternoon-to-evening shifts & occasional weekend work to cover our 7-day service, with working hours of 2.30-10.30pm. All work is conducted on-site at SANE’s London office.

Starting Salary: £15.46 per hour

About you:

-      You must have experience of working with people with mental health conditions/mental illnesses and families and carers.

- You are personable, highly compassionate, and genuinely interested in supporting people from all walks of life.

- You are a warm and confident communicator.

- You can collaborate with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service on our SANEline Service.

What can you expect?

- To work within SANE’s framework, including regular check-ins, debriefs, and caller meetings. To receive training specific to your role.

- To become part of an established and diverse team.

- To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

- To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to vulnerable people.

- A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

- A warm supportive and encouraging environment.

- Access to our staff Employee Assistance programme.

Requirements: 

• To undergo an enhanced DBS check.
• Expected start date – late August 2026.
• For all applicants staff - availability of a minimum of 2 days every week.

Please note: This vacancy may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is found as interviews are being conducted on an ongoing basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. 

Closing date: Friday 24th July at 12pm (midday). Interviews will take place in August, although they may begin earlier depending on number and quality of applications received.

To apply: Please read the full Job Description and Person Specification before completing application. Applicants must address all areas on the person specification (Downloadable below) and explain motivation for wanting to work for SANE. Applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work directly with volunteers, community groups, healthcare professionals and local partners to strengthen community connections, amplify lived experience and ensure people affected by diabetes can access support, information and opportunities to get involved.

As our Engaging Communities and Volunteering Officer, you will play a key role in developing and strengthening community engagement across Northern Ireland.

You will recruit, support and empower a network of volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. Working collaboratively with community organisations, healthcare providers and voluntary sector partners, you will help raise awareness of diabetes, improve access to support and ensure Diabetes UK Northern Ireland is reaching diverse and underrepresented communities.

You will build trusted relationships, identify new partnership opportunities and support community led approaches that place people with lived experience at the heart of our work.

This is a varied role that combines community engagement, volunteer development, partnership building, project delivery and impact measurement.

At Life Charity, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They give their time, skills and compassion to support women, families and communities across the UK. We’re looking for a passionate and organised Volunteer Experience and Engagement Officer to help us recruit, engage, support and celebrate our volunteers, ensuring they have a positive and rewarding experience from their first enquiry through to long-term involvement.

Accountable to: HR Advisor, Retail and Volunteer Operations Manager

Location: Home Based with travel to sites around the UK and to the Leamington Spa Office

Contract Information: 21 hours per week across a minimum of 3 days/Permanent

Salary: £15,288 actual (£25,480 FTE)

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro-rota for part time contracts)
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Birthday leave after 1 years’ service. 
• Paid mileage for travel to locations other than base location.

Internal Relationships: Directors and Heads of departments/HR Team/All staff within Services and Income Generation Teams

External Relationships: Volunteer Centres/Local Communities/Local Councils/Associations that support volunteer management/Training providers

The Volunteer Experience & Engagement Officer plays a key role in ensuring that volunteers have a positive, meaningful, and impactful experience with the charity. This role is responsible for recruiting, supporting, engaging, and retaining volunteers, while fostering a strong sense of community and alignment with the organisation’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding

• Develop and deliver effective volunteer recruitment strategies
• Manage volunteer applications, interviews, and selection processes
• Coordinate onboarding, inductions, and training sessions
• Ensure all volunteers are safely and appropriately onboarded (including checks where required)

Volunteer Experience and Engagement

• Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, providing ongoing support
• Design and implement initiatives to enhance volunteer satisfaction and engagement
• Organise events, recognition programmes, and feedback sessions
• Build a strong, inclusive, and motivated volunteer community

Retention and Development

• Monitor volunteer engagement and identify opportunities to improve retention
• Provide opportunities for skills development and progression
• Address concerns and resolve issues in a timely and supportive manner

Communication and Coordination

• Maintain regular communication with volunteers through newsletters, updates, and meetings
• Work closely with internal teams to match volunteers to suitable roles
• Ensure clear role descriptions and expectations for all volunteer positions

Monitoring and Reporting

• Track volunteer data, hours, and impact
• Collect feedback and evaluate volunteer programmes
• Produce reports on volunteer engagement and outcomes

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure all volunteering activities comply with organisational policies and safeguarding standards
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all volunteers

Key Outcomes

Growth in Volunteer Base

• Increase in the number of active volunteers
• Strong pipeline of new applicants from diverse backgrounds
• Reduced time to recruit and onboard new volunteers

High-Quality Volunteer Experience

• Positive volunteer satisfaction scores (e.g. via surveys/feedback)
• Volunteers report feeling valued, supported, and connected to the mission
• Consistent delivery of a structured and welcoming onboarding experience

Volunteer Retention & Commitment

• Improved volunteer retention rates over time
• Increased average length of volunteer engagement
• Higher levels of repeat participation and commitment

Engagement and Community Building

• Regular and well-attended volunteer events, communications, and initiatives
• Strong sense of community and belonging among volunteers
• Increased participation in engagement activities (meetings, training, events)

Effective Volunteer Deployment

• Volunteers are well-matched to roles aligned with their skills and interests
• Positive feedback from internal teams on volunteer contributions
• Reduced gaps in volunteer coverage across departments

Measurable Impact of Volunteering

• Clear tracking of volunteer hours and contributions
• Demonstrable impact of volunteers on service delivery and beneficiaries
• Ability to evidence volunteer value for reporting and funding purposes

Strong Communication and Relationships

• Consistent, clear, and engaging communication with volunteers
• Positive relationships between volunteers and staff teams
• Timely response to volunteer queries and concerns

Compliance and Safeguarding

• All volunteers appropriately trained and compliant with policies
• Safeguarding standards consistently upheld
• Minimal incidents due to clear processes and proactive management

Our client, Parkinson's UK, is looking for an enthusiastic and well organised public affairs professional, with a good knowledge of how policy change works in Westminster and Whitehall. You’ll support their work to raise the profile of Parkinson’s UK, increase awareness of Parkinson’s and build strong relationships with Parliamentarians and civil servants. Supporting the policy advisers, you’ll keep a close eye on developments in Parliament and support colleagues in the devolved nations in their Parliamentary work.

Role (What you'll do)

• Monitor activity in Parliament that relates to Parkinson’s and share information with colleagues
• Draft briefings and materials to support their work to build effective relationships with key parliamentarians, influencers and civil servants
• Provide support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s
• Support colleagues in devolved nations to ensure their public affairs work is aligned and supportive across the UK
• Support work to involve people with lived experience in the charity’s public affairs activities
• Produce inspiring communications about the organisation’s parliamentary activities that encourage their audiences to continue supporting their work
• Build a strong network with allies and partners in other charities and external groups.

Candidate (What you'll bring)

• Experience of working in Westminster or Whitehall or in the devolved nations’ assemblies
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to provide administrative support
• Experience in political analysis and of working in a political environment and a good understanding of policy issues in health and care, welfare, work, transport or the disability arena
• Ability to network and build supportive relationships at all levels, including with volunteers
• Experience of using creative ways of communicating messages to Parliamentarians and civil servants  
• Research, analytical and information gathering skills
• Ability to maintain political impartiality
• Ability to prioritise own workload effectively and support others in meeting challenging deadlines.

How to apply

To be considered, please send a copy of your CV, together with a supporting statement (max 2 sides of A4) fully demonstrating how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description, via the Redirect button.

Please note that this is not an entry-level role. We can only consider candidates who can clearly demonstrate experience working within a public affairs/political environment. For example, you might be working for an MP, or within a charity/NGO policy/influencing team or within a public affairs agency.

Due to timing, we are ideally looking for candidates with no longer than one month's notice.
 

Please note that you must already have the right to work in UK to apply for this role.

Closing: 12pm, Tuesday 28 July

Interviews: Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 August (online)

Start date: As soon as possible

Lead the next 60 years of animal welfare at Wythall by joining the sanctuary as Chief Executive.

Location: Hybrid / Wythall, Worcestershire (at least 3 days per week onsite)

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 27th July 2026

About Wythall Animal Sanctuary

Since 1968, Wythall Animal Sanctuary has provided safety, care and second chances to animals in need.

We are an independent, non-destruct animal sanctuary with a proud history, a strong local reputation and a deeply committed community of employees, volunteers, supporters and donors. From our multi-acre site near Solihull, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome and provide sanctuary to dogs, cats, rabbits and ponies. We provide lifelong care to animals who cannot be rehomed and operate boarding kennels that generate important commercial income.

We are now looking for a Chief Executive Officer to help us build on these strong foundations and lead the charity into its next chapter.

About the role

As our CEO, you will work in close partnership with the Board translating long-term vision into clear priorities, measurable outcomes and practical delivery plans.

The Board is looking for someone who will bring insight and constructive challenge, rather than simply agree with an established position. You will use evidence, financial understanding and operational knowledge to help determine what is achievable and where investment will make the greatest difference and when priorities need to change.

This is not a role that will operate at a distance from the organisation and you will need a willingness to become involved in delivery.

The person we are looking for

We are looking for an ambitious, values-led and commercially astute leader who can combine vision with practical delivery.

You might already be an established Chief Executive, or you may be an experienced senior leader ready to take on your first CEO appointment. Previous experience within animal welfare is welcome but is not essential.

This is a working animal sanctuary. It can be busy, unpredictable and occasionally messy. We need a CEO who is equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy with Trustees, as navigating operational challenges and engaging directly with employees, volunteers and the animals in our care.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 27th July 2026.