Community Post Type: Volunteering

Volunteer Host Family – EIL UK (Southport)

EIL UK is a charity that offers international students the opportunity to study at British high schools and colleges whilst living with a local family.

Programmes typically last for a few weeks but some can be for a whole term or more. They are looking for families in Southport who can offer a warm welcome and a caring environment to their students.

If you are interested in this rewarding and enriching experience and would like to learn more please call on 01684 562577 or email our volunteer manager, Calvin at volunteer@eiluk.org.

To apply, see here

Home Visitor – Blind Veterans UK (St Helens)

Can you spare a few hours a week to brighten someone’s day?

Blind Veterans UK’s 83 year old REME vet is looking for a volunteer to provide crucial social interaction and support him to get out of the house more. He likes to watch YouTube in the IT room of his residential village, he volunteers at the gym and as a speaker/secretary for a businessman’s luncheon, and he also loves to watch football.

They are committed to supporting blind veterans no matter where they are. Their community home visitors provide crucial social interaction for veterans who can’t reach their centres, and can often feel isolated or lonely.

By popping by once a week or fortnight to see a veteran in their area, home visitors are a friendly face that can make all the difference to veterans. A visit could be a simple chat and a cup of tea, helping out with odd jobs around the home that can otherwise be a struggle for veterans to complete or getting out and about in the local area. You will never be asked to do any personal care.

Although you will be working in the community independently, your manager is only a phone call away and there is a network of other volunteers for you to link in with too. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and understand the importance of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. The role can be flexible around your other commitments, but they ask that you are reliable and punctual for veterans. You will be fully trained and supported so you feel comfortable and confident in your volunteering.

To apply, see here

Retail Volunteer (Great Homer Street) – Barnardos

Barnardos 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.

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

Making sure their shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We 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

Photography Exhibition Steward Volunteer – Port Sunlight Village Trust, closes 30 Apr ’24

Time commitment: Minimum 8 hours per month
Deadline to apply: Tuesday 30th April
Location: Bridge Cottage, Port Sunlight

This new volunteer role will support Port Sunlight Village Trust’s Visitor Services team to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable experience visiting the British Press Photographers’ Association exhibition in Bridge Cottage, open 8th June until 1st September 2024. You’ll be providing a friendly welcome, answering visitor queries and carrying out visitor surveys.

You will:

• Provide a warm and friendly welcome to our visitors.

• Assist with visitor orientation and answering general questions about the exhibition.

• Assist with the management of visitor flow and visitor numbers.

• Undertake audience research on behalf of PSVT, e.g. visitor surveys.

• Report any cleaning, exhibit maintenance or safety issues to staff.

• Refer visitors to PSVT staff should they have questions/queries that you are unable to answer.

• Carry out duties in a manner that always reflects PSVT’s values.

• Be a valued member of a friendly, proactive and committed team of staff and volunteers in PSVT’s Heritage directorate.

This volunteer role will last for 3 months, the duration of the exhibition.

Training and induction will be carried out in May. You will be able to select from two dates, the 14th or 21st May.

Volunteers are required to undertake a minimum of 8 hours a month.

Requirements: • An interest in photography

For more information and to apply, contact: Volunteering@portsunlightvillage.com

Interviews will take place on 8th-9th May.
Inductions will take place on Tuesday 14th or Tuesday 21st May.

Charity Shop Stockroom Volunteer – Sue Ryder (Wirral)

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

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

Please note – we do have a minimum age requirement in our shops of 18. We 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 – we are happy to reimburse reasonable travel expenses for a minimum regular commitment.

About Sue Ryder

We provide care, bereavement and emotional support in our hospices and neurological centres, in people’s homes, online and in the community. Sue Ryder is one of the UK’s largest charity retailers with over 400 shops. Our shops generate funding so we can provide an annual 2.7 million hours of expert medical care. Sue Ryder places huge value on the diversity that we have within our team of volunteers and supporters.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at volunteer.recruitment@sueryder.org

To apply, see here

Volunteer Schools Speaker – The Air Ambulance Service (Liverpool)

Are you confident in public speaking in schools and able to engage young people?

We have created an exciting new club for children and young people called #TheCrew which encourages members to become ambassadors of the charity, learn new skills and have access to special events.

We are looking for confident speakers preferably with experience of working with children and young people, to attend schools and/or groups to raise awareness of this amazing club and encourage children and young people to get involved In this role you could be involved in: Visiting schools to talk to children about #TheCrew, present at school assemblies and engage them to sign up Being an ambassador for The Children’s Air Ambulance to raise awareness in your local area Making connections locally with schools and groups to arrange talks

This role is completely flexible however we anticipate that you will be required mostly in the mornings (to coincide with school assemblies) and early evenings. We are ideally looking for volunteers who are able to commit to regular engagement with us. 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.

To apply, see here

Treasurer / Trustee – Reach Volunteering (Liverpool)

We are looking for someone who is keen to ‘give back’ through volunteering to join our board who is experienced financial management and accounting.

What will you be doing?

Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact to the lives of women, their families and communities of Liverpool. Health and Information Support Centre (WHISC) was founded 40 years ago to provide support to women of Liverpool on a broad range of health issues and challenges.

WHISC plays a vital role in the supporting vulnerable women, their families and the community who often find it challenging to find the must needed support from mainstream services. We are looking for a Treasurer to join an active and passionate board of trustees who is positive, proactive, open and experienced in driving change. If this is you then we would love to hear from you!

What are we looking for?

Experienced in leading and managing business financials – operational and strategically

Experienced of tax and fund-raising

Auditing

P&L

Planning

Financial controls and reporting

What difference will you make?

The role of treasurer is pivotal in supporting and leading WHISC through the next stage of its developing, ensuring the ongoing financial health of the charity. The role will involve:

Contributing to the strategic direction and development of WHISC

Preparing and presenting financial reports to the board or trustees

Advising and guiding the board on decisions that impact the financial health of the charity

overseeing the preparation, scrutiny and financial rigour of the charity

ensuring compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements (both financial and charities commission)

support and guide the senior management team to ensure good skill and judgement is applied when making decisions on the use of the charities money.

To apply, see here

Chairperson – Reach Volunteering (Wallasey)

Dementia Together Wirral is a volunteer-led charity providing relief by way of social support and friendship by way of events and activities to those affected by dementia in its many forms. The charity Is seeking a chairperson for its Board of trustees to lead the charity forward in its strategy for the future.

The vacancy is arising due to the forthcoming stepping down of the present chair who shall give way and remain a trustee. Existing trustees are active within the day-to-day running of the charity.

For the position, the candidate would be interviewed by the existing Board members and accepted as trustee. Candidate shall have a general background in a similar position covering strategy, governance, finance, with personnel management and fundraising experience being an advantage.

The duties of the chairperson are many and varied essentially for ensuring that the charity achieves its aims and objective in line with its constitution and business plan while maintaining a professional and caring approach to the environment in which the charity provides its events and activities. The specific duties of a trustee are explained within the Charity Commission document, The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3). A knowledge of The Seven Principles of Public Life also known as The Nolan Principles is also a mandatory requirement.

The chairperson is the face of the charity and is required to represent the charity in all aspects such as legal, commercial, educational, and operational, giving guidance and attending external influential meetings and events of relative interest or that do or may affect the performance and reach of the charity. Such meetings may be computer-based or involve travel which would be reimbursed. Chair is responsible for arranging leadership and mentoring internally to allow and encourage trustees, staff and volunteers to achieve their maximum potential for the charity.

The current cycle includes quarterly Board meetings, an Annual General Meeting, timely submission of Trustee Annual Report to Charity Commission and is supported by individual financial, administrative, fundraising and volunteer meetings reporting to the Board for analysis and monitoring of progress.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with a least three years experiences in a leadership role and an understanding of how an organisation is run – as well as practical knowledge and experience of good governance in action.

What difference will you make?

As a charity, our main objective is to relieve the social isolation experience by those affected by dementia across the Wirral, and their carers. The day-to-day challenges faced by those affected by dementia often go unseen by most, but can be limiting to continue a normal life such as the stress and confusion caused in social environments. This social isolation from the community, friends and even family, deprives people of a sense of purpose and hope, and negatively affects their confidence and mental health. Dementia Together Wirral produce a monthly calendar of dementia friendly activities and events which are free to members, and provide an opportunity to socialise with new friends who understand, in a safe environment, where they are supported by our volunteers and their peers. We bring respite from isolation, encourage members to reconnect with their community, and provide a rare opportunity to regain their confidence and sense of purpose.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience.

To apply, see here

Reading Coaches – Read Easy (Liverpool)

Once trained, you will be linked with an adult who wants to improve their reading, and will then help them work through the Turning Pages phonics-based reading programme.

To apply, see here

Practical Reserve Work (Conservation Crew) – RSPB (Southport)

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers aged 13 to 18 to join our young practical Conservation Crew at Ribble Reserves National Nature Reserve (NNR), including Marshside and Hesketh Out Marsh, RSPB. RSPB nature reserves are special places for people and wildlife and we rely on volunteers to keeps these habitats thriving and in good condition.

It might seem like these wild places have always just been there. But quite often we have to work really hard to maintain habitats to be in the best condition for wildlife. We have lost a lot of wild landscapes, so the small places that we do have, need a bit of extra care.

As a Youth Reserve Work Party Volunteer you will be joining a regular practical work party team to undertake practical habitat management tasks:

– Cutting and clearing vegetation.

– Maintaining and managing tools and equipment.

– Creating and maintaining visitor infrastructure, such as paths, benches and hides.

– Following Health and Safety protocols.

If you enjoy being outdoors, meeting new people and hands on conservation work, then this role could be the perfect opportunity for you. Working alongside experienced staff and volunteers who will guide and teach you the importance of our work and how we all can make a difference to wildlife and people. You will be part of Marshside and Hesketh Out Marsh, RSPB Conservation Crew with like minded, enthusiastic and passionate individuals who share a love for wildlife. This role does involve a reasonable amount of physical activity, so will enable you to keep your fitness levels high, as well as helping your mental health and wellbeing. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a genuine contribution to nature conservation, and you might find it rewarding to safeguard nature in the area you are working to protect.

The Conservation Crew programme is aimed at 13 to 18 year olds. Sessions will be delivered on the first Sunday of each month. The Aim of the sessions is to give young people an opportunity to gain experience to learn and understand practical conservation within a conservation organisation. Thus, being able to learn additional skills and knowledge about habitat management and why it is so important.

To apply, see here