Community Post Type: Volunteering

Edge Hill University is seeking to appoint independent members (non-executive directors and charity trustees) to join our Board of Governors and contribute to our continued growth and success.

They are a thriving and ambitious University based in the Northwest with a community of over 15,000 students and 1,900 staff. Ranked a Top 35 University (Guardian, 2024) they offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in health, medicine, science, creative arts, and education, and have a reputation of excellence having been awarded Modern University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2022).

The Board of Governors oversees the educational character and mission of the University and has specific responsibilities for effective use of resources and financial probity. As an Independent Member of the Board of Governors your values and experience will contribute to the Board’s effectiveness and vision, enabling the University to build on its past, and protect and enhance their future.

They are looking for candidates who believe they can add value and who have an active interest in higher education. Applications would be particularly welcome from candidates with expertise and experience in the following areas:

· Digital

· Knowledge exchange / commercialisation

· Marketing / PR / communications / digital media

· Research

· People

They believe that an effective board includes, and makes good use of, difference in the skills, expertise, background, race, gender and other qualities of individual governors.

To apply, see here

Aim of Volunteering Role: To chat with people on the phone to help relieve social isolation, NB Volunteers will phone unsupervised i.e from home on a frequent basis (once a week or more).

Object of the Volunteering Role: To chat on the phone to people who may be housebound or live alone and assist with identifying any other services that they may need. In addition, all volunteers are welcome to help at one fundraising event a year.

Tasks:

1. To phone service user(s) regularly on an agreed day and time.
2. If you identify any further needs they may have, with their permission, pass this information on to the Community Engagement Coordinator

Time:

This is dependent on caseload (volunteers may decide how many service users they wish to support). They ask that each service user is contacted once a week but the length of conversation may vary week by week.

Place of Volunteering: Either a resource centre or from home, dependent upon area

Skills & Needs Required:

1. Interest in and commitment to the aims and objectives of Vision Support

2. A good communicator

3. Friendly

4. Interest in meeting people from all walks of life

5. Ability to listen sensitively

Benefits Offered:

1. Full training in all aspects of the organisation
2. On the job training where necessary
3. Travelling/out of pocket expenses reimbursed
4. Full insurance cover
5. Social events and activities

References:

All roles are subject to satisfactory References ( x 2 ) and DBS Disclosure

To apply, see here

Charity Shop Stockroom Volunteer Volunteer to help Sue Ryder be there when it matters

As a Charity Shop Stockroom Volunteer in Moreton Wirral Sue Ryder charity shop, you will be one of the store’s friendly faces who will help to provide the best customer experience whilst playing an important role in raising funds for our charity work.

Please note – they do have a minimum age requirement in our shops of 18. They regret that we cannot proceed with your application if you are not yet 18.

The Role – Charity Shop Stockroom Volunteer • Donations and Gift Aid – meet donors, receive donations, sign donors up to Gift Aid • Sorting, labelling, pricing of stock • Greeting and helping customers • Maintaining shop displays, re-stocking, • Light cleaning/tidying duties to keep the shop inviting and well presented About you As a Charity Shop Stockroom Volunteer you will: • Enjoy helping and engaging with customers • Enthusiastic and pro-active • Ability to work as part of a team • Reliable How you will benefit • Make new friends and become a part of your local community • Be part of a friendly team • Learn new, transferable skills and enhance your CV • Flexible working • Volunteer discount on donated goods • Travel expenses – they are happy to reimburse reasonable travel expenses for a minimum regular commitment.

If you have any questions, please contact: volunteer.recruitment@sueryder.org

To apply, see here

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants? The British Red Cross is a volunteer led organisation and the UK’s largest independent provider of services and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Interpreter volunteers help communication between people who use our service and our volunteers/staff supporting them, by providing confidential interpretation and translation. We help them to find a way forward and start their lives in a new country. They are looking for volunteers who; – Can volunteer on a regular weekly basis. – Will be available to volunteer Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm (flexible). – Can commit to volunteering for a minimum of 6 months. – Are fluent in communicating and translating Kurdish Sorani. – Have a good standard of spoken and written English.

Volunteers will be required to have their own phone in order to provide translation support and should be comfortable translating remotely. They would be particularly interested to hear from you if you are (or have been) an asylum seeker or refugee. Diversity is something we celebrate. They want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. They want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness.

As part of creating an inclusive space they have an expenses policy that prioritises volunteers not being out of pocket for expenses linked to your role. If up front costs are difficult, you can speak to your volunteering manager about this to find alternatives.

To apply, see here

If you have any questions before applying, please contact: volunteerrecruitment@redcross.org.uk

Are you confident in public speaking and looking for a new challenge? They need your help to raise awareness and spread the word about the work of The Children’s Air Ambulance whist representing the charity in your local area.

In this role you could be involved in: Promoting the work of The Children’s Air Ambulance by giving talks and presentations to a range of audiences including local community groups and schools Approaching companies, groups and supporters in your local area to make connections to set up speaking engagements Attending local events and cheque presentations on behalf of the charity to officially thank our supporters Previous experience of presenting would be great but as long as you are confident speaking in front of a group then don’t worry, you’ll be provided with all the training and tools you need.

This role is very flexible, any time you can give helps to fund their lifesaving missions. As the charity will invest time in processing your application and providing you with training to carry out your role, they ask that you commit to a minimum of 4 talks per year.

To apply, see here

Interested in volunteering at Norton Priory?

Head along on 10th May, 3.30pm – 7pm, to learn more about volunteering with them, and the different ways volunteers help support Norton Priory. Norton Priory is looking for volunteers to help with:

• Gardening
• Moss removal
• Education and school visits
• Greeting visitors
• Craft activities
• Events
• Maintenance
… and more!

You’ll be able to meet staff and volunteers from Norton Priory, and explore different volunteering roles. You might make a craft with the Events and Programming Officer, go for a tour of the garden with the Senior Gardener, or learn about finds from dig to display with their Senior Keeper!

Admission to the volunteering open day will be free from 3.30pm **when booked online in advance.** This will include access to the museum and the chance to join a tour of the Walled Garden at 4pm. Space on this tour will be limited, and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

https://www.nortonpriory.org/events/289/volunteering-open-day

The MS Society is a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Volunteers are a key part of achieving their goals and their support is vital.

About this opportunity

They are looking to recruit a Finance Volunteer for their West Lancashire Group. As a Finance Volunteer, you would be joining a coordinating team of volunteers to plan and deliver services and activities to support people locally.

You will maintain and approve income and expenditure records and explain financial information clearly to other group members. You would ensure their financial requirements and policies are followed, and that money is spent in a cost effective manner.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience with a large charity, develop your existing skills and learn new ones. They 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 they do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both them and their 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 comfortable with figures, preferably with an accounting or business background.

To apply, see here

Their amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps run over 600 shops. Stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Their retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. They have loads of amazing stock donated every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but they will show you how that works during your time volunteering. They value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of their shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but they’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

To apply, see here

As they are a charity, their work relies heavily on the generosity of  supporters. As a Community Fundraiser, you will be supporting their fundraising activities on a local level to ensure they can continue to support the incredible work that Dogs for Good aims to deliver each year.

Responsible to

Community Fundraising Team.

Appointment requirements

Must successfully complete the appointment process (including acceptable personal enquiries and acceptance of Dogs for Good’s policies). It is expected that whilst volunteering for this role you will undertake regulated activity.

The responsibilities of the role

• Placing collection boxes in appropriate sites in your local area.
• Dealing with the administration of the collection boxes (includes collecting the money, providing receipts and keeping records of money collected at each site).
• Counting money raised and paying this into the Dogs for Good bank account.
• Identifying new sites in your local area where collection boxes can be placed.
• Supporting at street and store collections.
• Collecting and banking public cheque donations from around your local area.
• Promoting Dogs for Good by helping convey our fundraising messages both on the internet and in your local area.
• Supporting our campaigns and fundraising products.
• Creating any fundraising ideas and events you can think that will help generate funds.
• Promote the fundraising guide available from Dogs for Good within schools, organisations that may help generate funds.
• Thank donors/supporters.

Potential skills for a Community Fundraiser

• You are friendly, engaging and comfortable meeting members of the general public and networking with your local communities.
• You enjoy being a member of a team but are also able to work effectively without direct supervision. Be trustworthy and reliable.
• You have numeracy skills, are able to keep basic financial records and are happy handling money.
• You are comfortable representing Dogs for Good in public and being a great ambassador.

The benefits for you

• Enhance your CV and gain practical experience of fundraising activities in the voluntary sector.
• Gain confidence in communicating effectively with a wide range of people.
• Enhance your organisational skills.
• An opportunity to engage with your local communities.
• Making a real impact in supporting Dogs for Good.
• Join the family of volunteers and make a difference in your community.

Who will I be volunteering with?

You may be volunteering as part of a team, or independently. Please be reassured that there are other volunteers and staff around all of the time to support you.

How much time will I need to give?

The amount of time you’ll need to give is very flexible with this role. It may be an hour a week, or any amount of hours per week should you be able to. This role you are in control of the time you can give and when you decide to volunteer with us. Every hour you give will be hugely appreciated and valuable.

To apply, see here

Help celebrate Liverpool Cathedral’s centenary year by supporting with an exciting new exhibition. This is a short-term volunteering opportunity to help during a unique and inspiring show, operating to a shift pattern of up to seven hours a day, Liverpool Cathedral is a seven day a week operation.

They need volunteers from Friday 10th May to Sunday 2nd June, there will be also a mandatory familiarisation day prior to the exhibition opening to the public – the date will be confirmed in due course. As an Arts and Culture Volunteer, you will support front of house, ensuring all visitors to the Cathedral have a safe and enjoyable experience.

They welcome volunteers with a passion for arts and culture, excellent communication, and team skills. There may also be other events for which they need help throughout the year that includes events, exhibitions, and installations.

When:

• You may need to attend a mandatory Health and Safety briefing and a familiarisation day TBC prior to the opening of the show.
• You’ll be able to commit to a minimum of four shifts lasting a minimum of four hours up to seven hours to cover daily opening from 10.00 -18.00. Lunch break lasts one hour.
• You’ll be available to volunteer between 10th May and 2nd June 2024.

What’s involved?

• To read the information provided about the artworks and familiarise yourself with the work. To supervise the artworks and to answer questions from the public about the artworks.
• To give directions to visitors.
• To support with art handling while adhering to manual handling procedures helping to reset the exhibition.
• To follow any instructions given by the Duty Management team.
• To work in compliance with the Cathedral’s policies on Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• Attend any briefings or training required for the role.
• Help to encourage visitors to donate to the Cathedral and understand our cause for support.
• Any other requirements as directed by the Development Department.

This role would suit you if you are:

• Someone who loves meeting people and enjoys working with visitors.
• Cheerful and positive, even when things don’t always go to plan.
• Enthusiastic about Arts and Culture.
• Willing to get stuck in with anything on a busy day.
• Keen to help, but unable to commit to regular volunteering throughout the year.
• Volunteers may be required to lift objects and stand for extended periods of time.

By getting involved you could:

• Have fun and help visitors enjoy themselves.
• Get experience of working on the best cultural events around.
• Join an enthusiastic and varied team and make new friends.
• Gain experience in the Arts and Cultural sector.
• Improve your communication skills.
• Engage with visitors about the temporary artwork, and make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Give directions and provide specialist assistance to those with accessibility issues.
• To follow any instructions given to them by the Duty Management team.
• To work in compliance with the Cathedral’s policies on Safeguarding and Health and Safety.

This is a key role for those who wish to commit to short term volunteering and want to gain experience in the Arts and Cultural sector.

This role is purely voluntary and does not form a binding contract.

There is no requirement for a Disclosure and Barring Service Check for this role, but you will be asked to sign a Self-Declaration Form.

Underpinning all their work is a set of values to ensure that they act with integrity, strive to be inclusive, aim for excellence, and seek to be dynamic.

To apply, see here