Volunteers volunteer roles in rugby, warwickshire

We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Research Volunteers to join our team at Center for Human Rights Research and Advocacy for Sustainable Development in Africa (CHRRASDA). This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute your skills in research while supporting our mission to protect human rights, promote gender equality and champion sustainable development.

Our vision is to create a world where there is nondiscrimination and equality for all.

Our mission is to:

1. To promote/enhance and protect human rights, peace, justice and the rule of law.

2. To Promote Gender Equality

3. To promote environmental protection

4. To promote sustainable Development

Key Responsibilities

· Assist in conducting research in human rights and SDGs, develop good articles for publication in our website

· Assist in conducting literature reviews and summarising relevant research findings to support ongoing projects.

· Participate in research design and methodology discussions.

· Help maintain research records and databases.

· Contribute to preparing reports, presentations, and publications for internal and external use.

What You’ll Gain

· Hands-on experience in research within a nonprofit environment.

· Opportunity to showcase your work on a meaningful platform.

· Recognition on our website and related publications.

· A written reference and certificate of appreciation.

Ideal Candidate

· Strong interest in research and a desire to learn.

· Detail-oriented with good organizational skills.

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Do you have a coaching qualification, or are you working towards one? Would you like to help managers across our organisation develop their skills and confidence? As a coach, you will support managers to improve their leadership abilities, build confidence, and enhance their effectiveness in their roles. Your coaching will help them tackle challenges such as personal effectiveness, leadership credibility, career development, and conflict resolution. By providing guidance and encouragement, you will play a key role in helping managers grow, develop new skills, and lead their teams more effectively.

What you will be doing

• Deliver coaching sessions for managers at various levels, from team leads to department heads.
• Provide a safe, open, and confidential space for coaching conversations focused on leadership, communication, conflict resolution, managing change, and interpersonal skills.
• Use clear and effective coaching methods and models.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow Hestia’s coaching programme guidelines.
• Define clear roles for both the coach and coachee, ensuring there are no conflicts of interest.

The skills you need

• A recognised coaching qualification (or currently studying towards one), such as ICF or EMCC, or significant coaching experience at a management level.
• Experience in the social care sector (desirable but not essential).
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Willingness to participate in supervision and continuous learning.
• A friendly, approachable, and supportive manner.
• Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the Leicester and District Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Get Out There groups are a growing division of Sense that cater for children between 6 and 16 with complex needs. We provide a 4 hour social setting which caters for children and families who need respite. We offer activities such as games, puzzles, arts and crafts, experiments, cookery and sensory play. We aim to tailor sessions to the needs, interests and abilities of the children we support and put pupil voice at the center of all we do. 

As a volunteer you'll make sure that everyone has a great time and can make the most of the activities on offer. You'll need lots of energy, a warm and welcoming personality and to be happy getting stuck in to a wide range of tasks and activities, all of which make sure that everyone has the best day they can together. 

What your role will involve

• Taking part in activities alongside disabled young people. You could be joining creative activities, movement or sports session, trips out in to the local community or seasonal themed activities.
• Helping to set up the activities at the start of the day, clear away at the end and keep activities safe, clean and running smoothly throughout.
• Helping to welcome young people to the group, find their way around and between activities, enjoy breaks and lunchtime and generally have a great day with the team and Sense.

A basic / enhanced Disclosure & Barring check will be required for this volunteer role. 

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Fun and friendly and confident to meet and spend time with disabled young people.
• Willing to develop the knowledge and skills to communicate with young people who have multi sensory impairments and who may use a wide range of communication methods
• Able to work well in a team and be flexible about the role you play during the day depending on what’s needed by individuals and activities
• Reliable and punctual.
• Committed to providing support in a way that offers choice, independence and dignity
• We welcome volunteers of all ages to this role who are able to create an inclusive and welcoming peer environment for everyone involved in the group. 

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• Induction information to prepare you for your role, a briefing at the start of each event, and lots of on-site support and guidance from our experienced staff team who will be running the day
• Agreed out of pocket expenses to be reimbursed, in line with Sense policy
• The chance to get to know new people, try new activities in your local community and to have lots of fun taking part together
• To develop new skills and knowledge about communicating and working with children and young people with complex communication needs and multi-sensory impairment
• To know you’re part of a passionate and committed team making a big difference to how young people are able to get the most out of both new and favourite activities and to have a great time together.
• If you are 16 or 17 we will ask to make contact with a parent or other appropriate adult to share details of your volunteering role, timings and contact / emergency information. 

About us

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life. 

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world. 

We are looking for 3 experienced creative writers who will enjoy planning, updating and delivering the content for our website, as well as other digital and print materials. We are looking for 3 skilled professional who can write compelling and persuasive content, who will help ensure a consistent tone across all our digital and printed communications to promote awareness and engagement.

We deal with a wide range of people and professions, which means that it can be difficult to consistently communicate with everyone effectively. Therefore, a communication and marketing volunteer will help to market our projects, services and the condition more widely than we are currently able to do. This includes creating and helping to distribute marketing materials, creating content for the Burning Nights CRPS Support website and helping us create and develop a communications and marketing strategy.

Key Tasks and Objectives

• Copywriting: Create well-written and compelling copy for use in leaflets, packs, one-page/fact sheets, fundraising/promotional materials, membership packs and on our website
• Case study writing and storytelling: Help communicate our impact via stories and case studies that we can use on our website, in marketing materials, or for our fundraising materials
• Web copywriting: Create and update engaging content for our website that adheres to our brand

· Email/E-Newsletter content: Write compelling email content for our various e-newsletters that is relevant and has clear call-to-actions. This will be in conjunction with our email marketing volunteers

· Communication materials review: Review our existing communications materials. Recommend edits that will provide us with consistency in writing style and tone, accurate spelling and grammar, and a clear and engaging voice for our organisation. Evaluate the way we communicate with volunteers, members of the public and helping us to develop better ways of doing this

· Social media snippets - create information and case study snippets for the various social media platforms

· Press Releases and any content that could be used in different channel

· Brochure/annual review writing: Create or update copy for a brochure or our annual review, highlighting our impact current and potential stakeholders

Time2Share@WECIL’s Befriending Service links volunteers 1:1 with a Disabled child / young person. Links are based on shared interests and activities which the volunteer and young person can enjoy doing together either in the child/family home or out in the community.

What experience do I need?

You do not need any previous experience with disabled children or young people, but we ask that volunteers are friendly, caring, reliable and able to make a commitment to visit a young person regularly.

What will I be doing?

You will volunteer within Time2Share@WECIL’s befriending service for disabled children/young people (aged 5-18 yrs) and their families. This involves spending time regularly with a disabled child or young person in their home or supporting the young person to take part in social and leisure activities in their local community. You will not be asked to administer medication or deliver personal care in this role.

Who am I responsible for?

You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person you are linked with. All links are risk-assessed and carefully monitored by your co-ordinator.

Who am I responsible to?

The parent / carer. You must ensure that the parent / carer’s reasonable instructions and guidance regarding the welfare of their child are adhered to and that clear communication is maintained. Feedback must be given to the parent/carer following a visit.

How often will I be needed?

Time2Share@WECIL typically ask for volunteers to commit to 2-4 hours a week and the days / times are agreed between the volunteer and the family. We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to ensure the child and their family are able to benefit fully from the relationship.

Job Title: Volunteer Marketing Manager
Reporting to: Operational Director
Hours: 4 to 6 hours per week (we can be flexible and work with your schedule)

Willowbrook Farm Charity

Willowbrook Farm Charity exists to create nurturing educational and cultural spaces in the Oxfordshire countryside that are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to communities who have been historically underrepresented in rural environments — including people from racialised backgrounds, neurodivergent individuals, and young people with diverse learning needs.

In partnership with Willowbrook Farm (www  willowbrookfarm  co  uk), where we host our activities, we aim to build a nationally recognised centre of excellence that supports personal growth, wellbeing, and connection with nature. Through hands-on learning, community building, and cultural exchange, we empower individuals and groups to explore sustainable living, ethical land stewardship, and the transformative potential of nature-based education.

Our Values

Community
We foster a culture of care, connection, and belonging. We create space for people to come together in joy, learning, and mutual support, building relationships rooted in respect and shared purpose.

Stewardship
We honour the land as a living system and recognise that the wellbeing of people and nature are deeply interconnected. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of ethical and responsible stewards — who care for the earth, each other, and future generations.

Equity & Inclusion
We are dedicated to removing barriers so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities can access and participate fully in experiences of farming, countryside living, and sustainability. We celebrate diversity and work to create welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive.

Connection with Nature
We centre our actions on a deep respect for the natural world. We believe in restoring and nurturing the bond between humans and nature, creating a place where both can flourish in harmony.

Job description

We are thrilled to welcome a Marketing Manager to work alongside our Operational Director at a pivotal time for our charity.

After a challenging period of inactivity due to the impacts of Covid, we are excited to embark on a new chapter, as we are ready to restart our activities in 2025 and to develop our projects and create a positive impact in our community.

This is a unique opportunity for those eager to be part of a project evolving from its early stages to the launching of new initiatives. The volunteer will have ample opportunity to learn about charity structure, develop skills within the third sector, grow with the charity and see the results of their work as the charity develops.

What this position entails

The Marketing Manager will be responsible for formulating our marketing strategy, creating content, and managing the brand, while also laying a solid marketing foundation for the organisation.

Collaborating with the operational director, the manager will lead the crafting of our organisational strategic plan to implement marketing initiatives. This role involves developing our brand, enhancing communication and our online visibility, as well as providing robust support to the fundraising team in reaching our fundraising objectives by optimising digital presence, events and grant applications.

The ideal candidate should be capable of working autonomously, leading all facets of our marketing efforts, and managing a team. We seek a professional with experience in start-ups who can develop a brand from its inception and navigate budget limitations using free tools.

A key aspect of this position is the ability to strategically oversee and assist with marketing our fundraising events, which will take place during the summer months, as such experience with events is essential.

What do you need to become our Marketing Manager?

Essential:

• Proficient in Marketing plan development and execution

• Manage content creation with our assistants' support

• Brand management

• Manage engaging content for newsletters, social media, websites, and print materials

• Maintain brand consistency across all platforms and act as a brand guardian

• Social media and digital marketing

• Track performance metrics and optimise strategies for improved reach and effectiveness

• Ensure alignment between marketing campaigns and fundraising initiatives.

• Prepare and manage press releases, working with external PR agencies when required

• Organise and coordinate charity events, sponsorships, and marketing functions to enhance brand exposure

• Develop a framework for expanding the marketing function as the charity grows

• Identify and implement process improvements and new initiatives to support charity growth.

• Ability to manage a team.

Who should apply:

• A senior marketing professional (3 years + of experience) with solid all-around marketing experience.

• A marketing manager keen to bring their ideas to the table or a marketing executive seeking a step up into a marketing manager's job

• Strategic experience

• Ability to work with limited resources

• Those looking to help lead the development and growth of our charity

• Solution-focused with good interpersonal skills.

• Logical in approach, influential and able to develop creative solutions

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills at all levels, including active listening

By getting involved you will gain:

· A chance to expand your skills in charity strategic operations.

· This is an excellent opportunity for professionals eager to utilise their talents to address community needs and contribute to reducing inequality.

· This presents a remarkable opportunity for individuals looking to contribute to community projects from their inception to the establishment of activities.

 
Location: Fully Remote. But we welcome those who can come and visit the farm to understand more about us and attend events.

Commitment:

The estimate of time needed is 4 to 6 hours a week, and we welcome those volunteers that can offer more, although it is not a requirement for the role.

We can be flexible and work with you to find hours that fit ours and your schedule, including out-of-office hours and weekends- all help is much appreciated!

As a volunteer-led charity, we prioritise volunteers who want to become part of our operational team rather than those looking for a temporary assignment, as this role will involve a substantial amount of leadership. Therefore, we won’t accept applications from volunteers who cannot commit to at least 5-6 months with us.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and cover letter demonstrating your relevant experience and why you would like to get involved with our charity. 

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Interviews will be scheduled as the applications come in.

If we find some great candidates, we may close the vacancy earlier than the application deadline mentioned. So don't delay - apply today!

BuDS’ visionary aim is to abolish disability by building a world which is Fair4All, free of the barriers which disable people.We are on an exciting journey to become a national charity, expanding our reach and impact across England. By 2025-26, this transformation will be complete, marked by a name change to ‘BuDS Disability Service’ and a shift to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status.

The role of Co-Secretary will be pivotal for the charity as it moves forward. We have decided to recruit Co-Secretaries because we recognise that the role will be easier to manage if divided between two individuals. The Co-Secretaries will be Trustees of BuDS and will need to embody our values and ethos. 

What Does the Role Entail?

The role of Co-Secretary is expected to involve a time commitment of around 2.5-3 hours per week, a combined total of 5-6 hours between the two post-holders. BuDS works remotely and flexibly using Microsoft Teams, so much of the work can be done at your own pace at times which suit you best. Meetings are kept to a minimum as all the Trustees are busy people.

Working closely with the Co-Chairs and Co-Treasurers, and split between the two CoSecretaries, the four key responsibilities will be:

1.The running of the Trustee Board & its meetings

2.Arranging the Annual General Meeting and curating the Annual Report

3.Liaison with the Charity Commission

4.Supporting the move to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation

What Experience & Skills Are Needed?

These are the skills and experience we think are needed for this role, divided between the two Co-Secretaries. We are keen to develop people’s knowledge and skills through training and mentoring.

Essential:

Experience and knowledge of supporting meetings and decision-making

Can use Microsoft Office 365 applications for remote working

A flexible, positive, problem-solving and organised approach to tasks

Commitment to the social model of disability

Lived experience as a disabled person Lives in England

Desirable:

Understanding of charity governance and the role of charity secretary.

Knowledge about Charitable Incorporated Organisations

Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS) is a leading disability charity operating across England.. The role of Co-Treasurer will be pivotal for the charity as it moves forward from a county to a national charity.

What will you be doing?

BuDS is an independent pan-disability organisation which is not tied to Government, NHS or council contracts. Our visionary aim is to abolish disability by building a world which is Fair4All, free of the barriers which disable people. We are led by disabled people and committed to the social model of disability.

We have decided to recruit Co-Treasurers because we recognise that the role will be easier to manage if divided between two individuals.The Co-Treasurers will be Trustees of BuDS and will need to embody our values and ethos. BuDS values diversity and inclusion and encourages everyone who meets the needs of the role to apply, regardless of their background or circumstances.

What Does the Role Entail? 

The role of Co-Treasurer is expected to involve a time commitment of around 2-3 hours per week, a combined total of 4-6 hours between the two post-holders. BuDS works remotely and flexibly using Microsoft Teams, so much of the work can be done at your own pace at times which suit you best. Meetings are kept to a minimum as all the Trustees are busy people. 

Working closely with the Co-Chairs and Co-Secretaries, and split between the two Co Treasurers, the five key responsibilities will be: 

1. The charity’s financial health and managing financial risks or hazards
2. Supporting grant or contract applications and funding proposals 
3. Supervising financial admin and ensuring best practice and compliance
4. Supporting the move to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
5. Curating the Annual Accounts

What are we looking for?

These are the skills and experience we think are needed for this role, divided between the two Co-Treasurers. We are keen to develop people’s knowledge and skills through training and mentoring. 

Essential: 

• Strategic budgeting and forecasting 
• Microsoft Office 365 applications for remote working 
• A flexible, positive, problem-solving and organised approach to tasks 
• Commitment to the social model of disability 
• Lives in England 

Desirable: 

• Accountancy qualifications
• Charity finances and reporting and the SORP 
• Knowledge about Charitable Incorporated Organisations
• Lived experience as a disabled person or someone with a close personal connection

What difference will you make?

Our Trustees’ lived and professional experience of disability will help keep us on the right path as we grow. Trustees also have a key role in ensuring that our Values permeate the organisation at all levels, including within the Board itself.

Change and growth is a challenging time, and the continuing strategic and oversight role of Trustees will be critical to BuDS’ continuing success, with the officers (Co-Chairs, Co-Secretaries & Co-Treasurers) playing a pivotal role. The decisions to which you’ll be asked to contribute will be important

Could you help to change a care-experienced child's life by reading with them for just an hour a week over a six month period?

We're looking for new volunteers to read online. Reading Heroes is a highly individualised initiative - every book that you read has been chosen specifically for you and the child.  All books are provided, and you will receive ongoing personal support from our dedicated Reading Heroes team, as well as opportunities to meet with other volunteers.

The number of care-experienced children in the UK growing; research tells us that these children are more likely to experience social, emotional and mental health problems, so we believe that Reading Heroes is a more important project than ever.

We have found that the Reading Heroes scheme has helped the children involved with their reading and other literacy-based skills, but these are not our primary purposes. Reading Heroes simply promotes reading for pleasure, and giving some of our time to children who need a little extra support - along with a kindly, friendly listener!

As a Reading Heroes volunteer, you’ll be instilling a love of stories which can have a lifelong positive impact. 80% of participants tell us they enjoy reading more after taking part.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/FVts50SBrIm

“Thank you for helping me read better and for making reading fun and not stupid boring!" (Reading Heroes participant)

You will be part of our team at a Challenge Event e.g. London Marathon and located on the race route. You will be responsible for cheering on and supporting our runners, cyclists or walkers, encouraging them to keep going.

Cheering at events is lots of fun as your part of the whole positive energy and event experience. It helps to lift the spirit of our participants so that they cross the finish line and feel valued for their efforts. Your time will make a huge impact in our participant’s challenge, and you’ll have a nice time while doing it.

What we are looking for

As a Young Epilepsy Volunteer Events Cheer Leader, you will need to have:

· Lots of enthusiasm.

· The ability to help make sure Young Epilepsy is the best cheer squad at the race.

· Good interpersonal skills: you will be talking to some of our incredible supporters’ friends and family as well as the                  Young Epilepsy team.

· Endurance as the days can be quite long, and we have no control over the weather. It can be cold and wet or                       extremely hot – this is the UK!

Benefits

· Meeting new people.

· Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience.

· Making a difference and helping to raise awareness of epilepsy for children and young people.

· Travel expenses paid

· Lunch expenses paid

What Support will I Get

Young Epilepsy will give you everything you need to cheer on our lovely participants. Whistles, bangers and even a free Young Epilepsy T-Shirt. The team will brief you on the runners before the event, so you know who you are cheering for. 

Where are the events.

We have events in Brighton, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Sussex, Scotland. You don’t need to be able to travel to all these areas. Just let us know when you apply which areas would be better suites to you.

How long would I be required at the event.

It depends on the event; a normal event day starts at 9am and ends by 3pm. This is subject to change depending on the event and we are flexible, let us know the times you are available, and we will try to make it work for you.

Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!

About the Role:

Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.

- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers.  It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.

- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.

Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.

Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.

Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.

How do I know it’s right for me?

Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.

We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.

What is the time commitment?

You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group). 

- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
 

East London Waterworks Park is looking for volunteer managers to develop and manage meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for volunteer managers to contribute to our community-led working group who are developing and managing meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences within East London Waterworks Park. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects in communications and governance, and facilitate the direction of the working group.

The Comms Circle currently meets fortnightly on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be experienced in developing and managing meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences with a range of different roles. Strong organisational and interpersonal skills are essential. We also value your ability to think strategically and build relationships within the community. Experience in managing and motivating volunteer teams is important and a strong understanding of volunteer engagement and the ability to create a positive and inclusive environment will be invaluable. You should be comfortable with community-led processes. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your leadership and organisational skills will be instrumental in coordinating the efforts of our diverse team of volunteers, including architects, ecologists, teachers, community researchers, and communications strategists. By effectively managing and motivating our volunteer base, you'll ensure that their contributions are aligned with the park's goals and maximise their impact on our community and the environment.

We’re looking for a volunteer researcher to help us collect and analyse data, submit Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and use open-source tools to find new information. As a key member of our editorial team, you will have the chance to contribute to our investigations and feature articles.

Key information

Contract: Voluntary

Hours: Two to seven hours per week (part-time, flexible)

Location: Remote, with the option to work from our office: Two Queens, 2 Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QW

Applications closing date: Thursday 29 May, 4pm

Any questions? If you have any questions please email info (at) leicester.news

We particularly encourage applications from women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people from working-class backgrounds.

Role responsibilities

• Work with the editorial team to identify and prioritise investigative topics.
• Conduct thorough background research and gather relevant data to support investigations and features.
• Participate in weekly editorial meetings to discuss research progress, share findings, and contribute to brainstorming sessions for future articles and special projects.
• Engage with external experts, sources, and community members to gather diverse perspectives and enrich the Gazette's coverage.
• Stay updated on industry trends, journalistic standards, and best practices to continuously improve the quality and relevance of the Gazette's content.
• Support the editorial team in the fact-checking process by verifying information and providing constructive feedback on submitted articles.
• Contribute to the general strategic development of the Leicester Gazette as a worker member.

About you

Essential

• Proven ability to conduct thorough research, fact-checking, and data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.

Desirable

• Experience in a newsroom or journalistic environment.
• Experience in or enthusiasm for democratic and inclusive ways of working.

What we offer

Although you'll join us as a volunteer, there are many benefits to being part of our team:

• Remote working
• Office space
• Mentorship
• Training opportunities
• Free resources and tools
• Team socials
• Worker membership

… and more!

About the Leicester Gazette

The Leicester Gazette is a local, independent newspaper, free to access for all online and soon in print.

We are a member-funded, community-owned news outlet about Leicestershire. We're building on a movement of co-operative media pioneered by West Highlands Free Press, the Bristol Cable, Norwich Radical, Manchester Meteor, the Ferret, and Exeter Observer.

Our mission is to hold those in power accountable, push for change, and amplify the voices of marginalised communities while finding real solutions to the challenges we face.

We publish investigations, news features and human interest stories that go beyond the headlines. Our journalism is fact-based and rigorous, and we prize good writing over clickbait and sensationalism.

Local journalism has been devastated in recent years, with thousands of reporters laid off and newsrooms being stripped of their worth, leaving communities plagued by a jungle of ads and stories that have nothing to do with local issues. The Leicester Gazette is our revolution against a broken industry.

Anti-oppression and liberation

We are committed to creating a progressive, supportive workplace and community. We’d like the way we work to actively challenge the power structures that reproduce inequality and injustice, and consciously choose to work in ways that are liberatory, or anti-oppressive.

We embrace and value the lived experiences of women, people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and people from working-class backgrounds.