Volunteers volunteer roles in melrose, scottish borders

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the start up of a new charity that seeks to create a wide reaching operational activity that develops employment and volunteering opportunities that truly take in to account all neruodiversity and ensuring that people feel they are valued in their role as well as reducing working hours while not reducing salaries.

We are very much a new concept within the charity and business world, what we aim to do is not focus on just one business activity and force people to work within it but to grow along side our teams and develop new business opportunities based on the skill sets and abitions of our teams.

Below are the details of the general responsibilities of a trustee within Living Reasons and the 12 areas we wish to recruit trustees in so that we can start to develop the charity more and start the process of registering and ultimately launching the charity within the next 12 months.

Nonspecific trustee criteria (all trustees must meet this criteria)

1) Ability to understand how the charity works in the public interest and ensure that all activities the charity carries out always fulfil this requirement. Bringing in to question any activities that may not fall within the charity’s public interest obligation, to the other trustees.

2) Agree with and agree to always work within the charity’s governing document and within the law. Making sure that the charity always operates within the governing document and within the law.

3) Act within the charity’s best interests by agreement within the other trustees on the board and following all trustee processes including decision making and voting. Avoid conflicts of interest with the operation of the charity and bring any potential conflicts of interest, to the attention of the trustee board as soon as possible.

4) Manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used for the charity’s purpose, not take any inappropriate risks, do not over commit to the charity, taking special care when investing or barrowing and ensure the charity complies with any funding restrictions.

5) Always act with reasonable care and skill.

6) Ensure that the charity is always accountable, ensure that the charity is able to demonstrate it is compliant in law, well run and effective. Where responsibility has been delegated, trustees must ensure that the charity still remains accountable.

7) Must not be an undischarged bankrupt or be in an IVA.

8) Must not have any unspent convictions or be on the sex offenders register.

9) Must not be banned from being a company director or trustee.

All trustees will be required to attend 1 full board meeting every quarter which may be in person or over online video calling.

1 additional meeting annually that will also be at the same time as the annual general meeting must be attended.

There may be further meetings if you are on other committees or are voted on to the executive board of trustees (this is not mandatory and is a further voluntary commitment that you can nominate yourself for election).

We are looking for 12 trustees in total, once we have key trustee roles filled, we will then register the charity and move forward as we continue the recruitment process. The three main trustees we would like to have in place before registering the charity are: Operational, Financial and Income Generation. This does not mean we are not recruiting the other 9, we just won't register until after people with these skills have been recruited. Below are the twelve areas of knowldge we would like to gain trustees in. These cover all aspects of the activities the charity will carry out:.

1. Operational – overall knowledge of the day to operation of the organisation

2. Financial – an understanding financial planning and reporting

3. Creative & events

4. Research

5. Income generation

6. Education

7. Human Resources

8. Services

9.    Outreach (Social Media & Marketing)

10.     Legal

11.    Health

12.     Volunteering

This is a brand new idea and concept for a charity and business activity and requires a team that are forward thinking and are not restrained by previous ways of working, putting people at the heart of what we do, this is a charity that is supply a service for people who have struggled in the work environment as it is but will be directly generating the income for the charity as well, our service users will be our employees, trainees and volunteers and that needs to be seen as a positive move forward by anyone involved in the charity from day one.

If you would like to be part of a new and innovative way of working, please submit a CV and Cover Letter explaining which trustee role you would be interested in and why this role would be suitable for you. 

Jason, the person starting this charity has autism, ADHD, as well as mental health issues and physical conditions that are dibilitating and has spect 20 years in the charity retail industry and has loved his time working in them but has found it increasing more difficult to work in the environment due to, what he considers undue and unnecessary pressures that hinder rather than help the charity sector to reach its full potential and he feels that, key to changing this for the better is understanding the neurodiversity of humanity and catering for it in the workplace. This is how Living Reasons was developed as an idea and now he needs to find people to bring the idea to life. 

Social Friday

Social Friday reinvents the end of the workweek by transforming unproductive Friday hours into a global tradition of purpose, teamwork, and impact—connecting businesses, nonprofits, and communities through hands-on engagement.

Fridays are the least productive time of the week. Work slows down, focus fades, and hours are lost. Social Friday isn’t just a project—it’s a movement. A global tradition in the making that transforms the least productive hours of the week into moments of connection, impact, and purpose, where doing good becomes a habit. Beyond one-time events, Social Friday is designed to scale into a lasting global movement, embedding social impact into work culture and everyday life.

How It Works

A scalable platform connects businesses, NGOs, and volunteers, transforming Fridays into a global force for change through engagement, collaboration, and gamification. By integrating leaderboards, challenges, badges, and rewards, Social Friday keeps participation exciting and fosters a culture where social impact becomes part of the routine.

This isn’t just about reducing disengagement. It is about transforming the way society, nonprofits, and businesses connect, creating a future where social impact is a shared responsibility, embedded into everyday life. Social Friday has the power to turn the least productive time of the week into the most meaningful, a global tradition, the Olympics of Giving Back.

Sponsorship Lead - Social Friday

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

MASTER OF CONNECTIONS, CHAMPION OF PURPOSE? TIME TO TURN VISION INTO PARTNERSHIPS.

If you’re the person who knows how to open doors, foster relationships, and connect the right people to the right mission, this is your arena.

At Social Friday, we’re not just changing how Fridays are spent. We’re redefining what Fridays stand for. We’re turning Friday afternoons into moments of connection, purpose, and impact. Think of it as the Olympics of Giving Back. We’re looking for someone who can bring the right sponsors on board to keep the flame burning.

As our Sponsor Care Lead, you’re more than just a connector. You’re the bridge between Social Friday and the partners who believe in our mission. You’ll work directly with the founder to craft sponsorship strategies, build meaningful relationships, and keep sponsors engaged, excited, and invested in the game-changing power of Fridays.

This isn’t about cold calls and contracts. It’s about creating connections, aligning visions, and making every partnership a win-win.

ABOUT THE MISSION Social Friday is here to transform the least productive time of the workweek into something extraordinary. We connect nonprofits, companies, and individuals in shared moments of purpose and social engagement, redefining how we spend our time and why it matters.

To amplify this mission, we need partners who get it, believe in it, and want to be a part of it. That’s where you come in.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement sponsorship strategies that align with Social Friday’s mission and impact goals

• Identify potential sponsors and initiate conversations that lead to lasting partnerships

• Craft compelling pitches that communicate Social Friday’s story and value proposition

• Serve as the main point of contact for sponsors, managing communication, follow-ups, and relationship-building

• Collaborate with internal teams to align sponsor needs with Social Friday’s initiatives and storytelling

• Track sponsor engagement and ensure that each partnership delivers maximum value

• Maintain a sponsorship pipeline, from prospecting to securing deals and post-event follow-ups

• Organize and execute sponsor-related events, meetings, and presentations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in sponsorship, business development, or partnership management

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, the kind of person who can get a ‘yes’ where others might get a ‘maybe’

• Ability to craft compelling narratives that connect brands with purpose-driven initiatives

• Comfortable using CRM tools to manage leads and track progress

• A knack for building relationships that feel less transactional and more like teamwork

• Passion for purpose-driven work and a genuine interest in impact, connection, and positive change

• Bonus if you’ve worked in social enterprises, NGOs, or brand partnerships

JOIN THE MOVEMENT This is more than sponsorship. It’s about connecting companies to a purpose bigger than profit, aligning values, and making Fridays unforgettable.

This is the Olympics of Giving Back. You’re the one bringing the champions to the stage.

Ready to turn Fridays into something extraordinary? Let’s talk.

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-4 weeks

RSPB Crawley and Horsham Local Group plays a vital role supporting the RSPB locally through a mixture of inspiring talks, guided walks and trips, and other events. This volunteer led group provides a focal point to meet friendly and like-minded people, while learning more about birds and wildlife. For the smooth running of the group we have regular committee meetings and you will need to:

• Take minutes at meetings of the local group committee.
• Disseminate agendas prior to meetings, and actions following meetings.
• Share other information among committee members before and after meeting.

ETS are looking for mature Christians who want to become “Discipleship Leaders”

Do you have an hour or so a week to disciple a new believer or someone who wants to grow in their faith?

If so, ETS will provide the tools to help you do this, with our training, support, experience, and manuals.

ETS stands for “Equipping the Saints” and that is what we do: we will equip you to become a Discipleship leader, as part of our team.

SendToGive

We inspire creativity and social change.

We address two challenges:

1. Individual feelings of helplessness and anxiety amidst big, global problems such as poverty and climate change combined with a growing disconnection between individuals, cultures and communities across the world.
2. The lack of access to essential resources for marginalized groups of people. One example is that today, about 3.6 million Filipinos live without access to electricity or light. They get by with kerosine lamps which are not only hazardous to human health but dangerous to the environment. And now, with the global oil crisis in effect, families can literally burn up to 40% of their monthly income for just 2 hours/night of a dim flame.

It is our mission to enable people to apply their creativity for the benefit of society. We want to bring together artists from every discipline, age, and aspiration and enable them to collaborate on a platform that not only gives them visibility but a meaningful purpose behind their work. Ultimately, we want to mobilise communities to solve real-world problems in a fun and creative way. We do this on a per-project basis and mix the elements of creativity, culture, and social impact into everything we do. We have worked with DJs, dancers, graphic artists, directors, as well as early creatives who have helped us with event decoration, social media promotion, support with grant writing. Our collaborators have come from across the world. Among the impacts we have made, it ranges from projects that make an impact for disadvantaged families in the Philippines, to supporting low-income LGBTQ communities with their rental costs.

Illustrator

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Create a key visual and promotion materials for an event called "A Dose of Optimism". We're looking for an original, captivating image that can be used as an event poster, website banner, and social media outputs.

The design should embody our brand, SendToGive - showcasing creativity, community, and social impact as our core values.

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

One-off project

Bright Futures UK is looking for compassionate and knowledgeable individuals to mentor young people living with serious illnesses.

What will you be doing?

• Run six mentoring sessions online

• Offer advice and insights related to applying to universities and further education institutions.

• Help the young person understand application processes, for example, UCAS.

• Share your own experiences and knowledge to inspire and motivate.

What are we looking for?

• Expertise in University and College Application Processes: Profound knowledge and experience in advising young people about their futures, with a focus on areas such as writing a personal statement or the university application process.

• Mentoring and Communication: Ability to mentor effectively, offering guidance and support to a young person with clarity and empathy.

• Flexibility and Commitment: Willingness to commit to 6 weeks of 1-hour sessions

What difference will you make?

• By volunteering as a Mentor, you’ll play a vital role in empowering a young person to take control of their health and future, helping them to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face.

Bright Futures UK is looking for compassionate and knowledgeable career guidance and advice professionals to mentor young people living with serious illnesses.

What will you be doing?

• Run six mentoring sessions online

• Offer advice and insights related to CV and career goals

• Help the young person explore potential next steps after education and career pathways

• Share your own experiences and knowledge to inspire and motivate.

What are we looking for?

• Expertise in Careers Guidance: Profound knowledge and experience in advising young people about their futures, with a focus on areas like pathways into a career and CV support.

• Mentoring and Communication: Ability to mentor effectively, offering guidance and support to a young person with clarity and empathy.

• Flexibility and Commitment: Willingness to commit to 6 weeks of 1-hour sessions

What difference will you make?

• By volunteering as a Mentor, you’ll play a vital role in empowering a young person to take control of their health and future, helping them to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face.

Cystar

Help women with PCOS manage their condition through our health program.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women globally, yet it remains one of the most under-diagnosed and misunderstood hormonal disorders. Our startup addresses the social and healthcare inequality faced by individuals with PCOS, who often experience delayed diagnosis, misinformation, and a lack of holistic support. Many face chronic physical and emotional challenges—ranging from irregular periods and infertility to anxiety, depression, and body image issues.

Socially, PCOS is stigmatised and frequently dismissed, especially in low-resource settings, where access to specialised care is limited and digital health education is minimal. Environmental challenges also arise from a lack of culturally sensitive, inclusive, and personalised resources for managing lifestyle and medical interventions.

We aim to close these gaps by providing accessible, evidence-based tools and community support to help individuals manage PCOS proactively—supporting not just physical health, but also mental well-being, self-advocacy, and long-term empowerment.

Our startup empowers individuals with PCOS to take control of their health through a personalised, holistic digital platform. We combine science-backed tools, expert guidance, and community support to address the unique and complex challenges of managing PCOS.

Copywriter

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are looking for a copywriter to optimise our landing pages.

Are you passionate about women’s health and skilled at writing persuasive content? Join us as a Volunteer Sales Copywriter and help us amplify our mission to support women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

At Cystar, we provide resources, support, and advocacy for women navigating life with PCOS — and we need a talented storyteller to help us reach more hearts (and inboxes).

�� What You’ll Do: Write compelling copy for our website, email campaigns, social media, and landing pages

Help craft messaging that educates, inspires, and drives action (e.g., donations, sign-ups, downloads)

Collaborate with our passionate team to grow awareness and engagement

Support a mission that empowers women to take control of their health

�� What You’ll Gain: Meaningful portfolio work in a purpose-driven space

Flexibility — fully remote, with a schedule that works for you

A chance to make a difference in the lives of women around the world

Experience working in health and wellness advocacy

�� Ideal for: Copywriters who care about women's health

Students or recent grads in marketing, communications, or public health

Freelancers looking to add mission-driven impact to their portfolio

If you believe in the power of words and the strength of women, we’d love to have you on our team.

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 months

We are seeking additional Trustees to help Gambling Lived Experience Network (GLEN) to continue to act as an independent voice raising awareness of, and offering support to people affected by, gambling related harms.

Gambling Harms actively impact over 7 million GB residents each year, with an estimated 1.3 million actively engaging in harmful gambling. Millions more experience legacy harms long after gambling has stopped being a 'live issue' in the lives of individuals and their family members.

GLEN is a network charity (CIO) seeking to amplify the voices of those who have experienced and intimately understand what gambling harms are, and how they manifest in individual, family and community environments.

We are a strong advocate and supporter of the power of Lived and Living Experience and accordingly seek individuals who share our vision of needing the voices and experiential knowledge embodied in LLE to have a central role in shaping our societies understanding and response to what is a growing public health concern.

Time-wise, we simply ask a few hours per month, mainly through attendance at GLEN board meetings which are usually hosted online 4-5 times per year.

Support-wise, we welcome any and all support you can offer us.

We particularly welcome individuals who have themselves experienced harms caused through gambling - whether through their own gambling or the gambling of a loved one - but this is not a requirement. The only requirement we really seek is a commitment and alignment with our charitable goals of empowering LLE to have its voice heard and acted upon.

Please download our Role Specification for more details.

The Feminist Shop

The ethos behind The Feminist Shop is to explore and fuel feminism from different angles: education (content), ethical shop, community creation and more! We give back to the cause through information, profit sharing, supporting companies with the same values in the process, and taking care of the ethics.

All the products are not only ethically produced but conceived to be wearable activism: statement makers & conversation starters.

It has, since its conception evolved and now it is now also focused on the work of Virginia, the founder, as author, consultant and trainer on topics related with gender equality.

We want a more equal world for everyone (#NoPressure). Fight the stigma around the word feminism, educate about the importance of gender equality, empower people to challenge gender stereotypes and become part of the solution.

We want to be is the brand that helps people no matter where they are in their journey, and we do it in many different ways!

• Ethical products that are conversation starters and statement makers
• We sell (and recommend) over 300 books! whatever you are curious about it we probably have a book about it!
• Virginia has written 2 children's books (one about gender stereotypes and one about consent) and a parenting book.
• Training, consulting, public speaking… something bespoke for your organisation (school, business, community…)

We couldn't be here without some help! The shop is not profitable yet but we still donate a % of the revenue and care deeply about creating something we are proud of. We want to be able to have a team one day and grow the project but at the moment we need to scale and get there. We want your help to get us there (and then hopefully join us!) and hope you learn a lot on the way, try your ideas, build connections and skills and feel part of something that makes a difference.

Graphic Designer/Artist

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are looking to refresh the vibe of the The Feminist Shop and would like to bring more vibrant and visually appealing designs in collaboration with feminist artists. We can't pay upfront (although there will be gift card when published, and a profit share with the sales and full credit given, with links to personal websites/social media).

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

One-off project

Tafara Wellness Initiative

We are dedicated to empowering women and children in African communities to overcome mental health challenges and cultivate resilience and joy through providing free counselling.

Africa has a serious mental health issue that has to be addressed right away as the continent has the highest suicide rate in the world, estimated at 11.2 per 100,000 people, despite a moderate reduction over the past ten years (far above the global average of 9.0 per 100,000). Part of the mental health emergency is due to the AIDS epidemic, widespread poverty, and a lack of mental health resources and infrastructure. Providing mental health is essential for sustainable development as it enables individuals to pursue education, maintain employment and contribute positively to their communities. For women and children specifically, better mental health can lead to improved family dynamics, increased school attendance, and greater economic participation.

The Tafara Wellness Initiative looks to address the mental health crisis and build more resilient and thriving communities in Africa through:

• Ensuring women and children in Africa have access to timely, appropriate and tailored psychological and mental wellness programs that enable them to thrive.
• Expanding communal support and awareness for mental health and eliminate stigmas around mental health in African communities

Measurement Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are seeking a dedicated MEL Officer to support our growing impact. This role is crucial to strengthening our data systems, tracking outcomes, and informing strategic decisions. You will work closely with programme leads to develop frameworks, tools, and reporting mechanisms that reflect the voices and experiences of the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

-Design and implement MEL frameworks and tools across programme tiers

-Collect, clean, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data

-Support development of learning materials and donor reports

-Help establish feedback loops with beneficiaries and partners

-Contribute to learning reviews and adaptive programming

-Build team capacity in basic MEL practices as needed

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Join us as Dog A.I.D.'s new Honorary Secretary and you would be joining the Board at an exciting time as we have launched the charity’s Strategic Plan with a new CEO supported by a small but strong team, which we will be building further this year. As Honorary Secretary you would be using your skills and experience to support the leadership and strategic direction of our charity as we look to achieve ambitious strategic growth targets over the coming years, becoming a larger, more robust charity with increased profile and reach.

Dog A.I.D. empowers physically disabled people by coaching them to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, outcomes for our clients include:

 · increased independence and self-confidence

· improved mental well-being

· reduction in social isolation

· reduced reliance on family members and/or carers.

· increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work or education, supported by their accredited Assistance Dog.

We are looking for an active and well-organised Secretary who can provide support for our governance functions. You will be required to attend and minute online quarterly Board meetings and other ad-hoc meetings and strategic discussions.

This is a fantastic role to get involved locally and be at the forefront of solutions to help save nature in the Exeter area.

Join us as the volunteer leader of the RSPB Exeter & District Local Group and lead a group of enthusiastic members who are passionate about supporting the RSPB and exploring local wildlife. The group runs a full programme of activities, from outdoor walks and indoor talks to fundraising events. As the group leader, you will primarily lead the group and oversee the programme. You will be part of a friendly and helpful committee that share the same vision of bringing members closer to nature. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to use your leadership skills to make a valuable contribution to the work of the RSPB.

If you want to have an informal chat about the role, please ask for Richard, the current group leader. We’d love to hear from you.

It’s an exciting time for the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse: momentum is growing, with heightened public awareness of domestic abuse following the pandemic, increased government focus, and employers increasingly recognising their crucial role in enabling employees to recognise the signs of, and seek support on, domestic abuse.

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (known as EIDA) is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our mission to empower employers to act effectively against domestic abuse. 

Our aim is to ensure that all team members, volunteers, trustees, job applicants and the people we come into contact with are given equal opportunity and that our organisation is representative of all sections of society.

We want our board to be representative of our society and membership and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experiences of domestic abuse, people based outside the southeast of England and in the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and from people with experience as a people manager or employer, large or small.

Who we are

We are a free-to-join members' network of employers and a registered charity supporting over 1,500 large and small employers to take effective action on domestic abuse.  Our members collectively employ over 25% of the UK workforce.

Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.

We endeavour to bring about constructive change, leading to a society where survivors thrive, and where domestic abuse is not tolerated.

Our Trustees are volunteer board members who play a vital role in making sure that EIDA achieves its mission.  As a group, they:

• Oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.
• Ensure that EIDA has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.
• Provide support and challenge to the executive team, enabling EIDA to grow and thrive.

We are seeking up to two new Trustees to join the existing group of ten  You can see current members of our board on our website. 

EIDA has a UK-wide remit with a membership made up of employers, and we want to reflect that across our Trustees.

Trustee duties

Trustees are the people who lead our charity and decide how it is run.  We envisage the trustee duties broadly as:

• Support and provide advice on EIDA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee EIDA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve EIDA’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to EIDA’s CEO.
• Keep abreast of changes in EIDA’s operating environment.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EIDA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Participate in periodic appraisals of the performance of the Board of Trustees, collectively and individually.
• Represent EIDA at external functions, meetings and events.

Who we are looking for

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

Whether you are an experienced trustee or are looking to take your first step at board level, we would like to hear from you. We ask for:

• Commitment to tackling domestic abuse and EIDA’s mission.
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and EIDA’s core values of Collaboration, Empowerment, Versatility, Openness and Kindness.
• Time to commit to supporting the organisation, including attendance at Board meetings (2 hours, 5 times annually), virtual and in-person events (4-6 annually) and any sub committees.
• Ability to build and maintain a healthy network that promotes the aims of EIDA across the business community, to drive member growth, and to enhance EIDA fundraising activities.
• Experience in leading teams, managing people, or influencing organisational culture.

Terms of appointment

Position: Trustee

Location: This is a hybrid role, with occasional travel required to Board and network meetings held in central London

Terms: A maximum fixed term appointment of one three-year term followed by a further three-year term

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment: EIDA’s Board of Trustees meets 4-5 times a year within the working hours of 10-5pm.  Currently meetings are held in London and remotely (Zoom).

Closing date

9am, Monday 23 June 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are appreciated.