Community Post Type: Volunteering

Volunteers are invited to apply for opportunities to train as a leader to run community groups in two Halton libraries with the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity based in Liverpool.

The Reader is recruiting volunteers to lead an Open Community Shared Reading group at Halton Lea Library on Fridays, 2pm – 3.30pm which is open to all, while also welcoming speakers of other languages, and an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Shared Reading group at Widnes Library on Wednesdays, 12.30pm – 1.30pm, where people connect and share experiences using stories and poems.

Both of these groups are funded by an Our Halton Community Grant.

Abi Blackburn, Liverpool City Regional Partnerships Lead at The Reader, said: “Volunteering with The Reader puts you at the heart of our work and offers excellent opportunities to meet peers and develop skill-based knowledge and experience. Our volunteers bring a huge wealth of experience to what we do and come from a broad range of backgrounds, life experiences and ages.

“If you are motivated to be involved in your community and help support the wellbeing of people who are new to the UK, improving their English or from a refugee background, come and get involved.

“In a survey of Reader Leaders last year 92% replied they would recommend volunteering at The Reader with 90% saying it gave them a sense of achievement.”

Why Volunteer at The Reader?

Volunteers will receive in-depth training in person or online, as well as ongoing support from the Allerton-based national charity from its home at the restored grade II listed Mansion House in Calderstones Park. They will also become part of a thriving community of ‘Reader Leaders’ who lead groups across the city and the country.

Group leaders extend the charity’s mission to take Shared Reading to those who need it most. The Reader’s aim is to create an atmosphere of inclusivity where everyone feels at home. Applicants do not need to be a literature expert. Anyone is welcome to apply.

What can individuals gain from being a volunteer at The Reader?

Make a meaningful difference to others.

Deepen your personal experience of reading.

Be part of a passionate volunteer community.

Contribute to building a more connected and inclusive society.

The Reader is looking for someone with:

A passion for bringing diverse people together in their community.

Empathy, patience, the ability to listen and to hold a range of perspectives.

A desire to explore a range of literary texts and genres.

Reliability and commitment to leading a regular Shared Reading group.

Retired teacher Reader Leader, Jane, who runs one of The Reader’s 15 ESOL groups across the UK, based in the North West, said: “For displaced people, so much of their interaction with their new country is transactional – filling in forms and so on. I wanted to communicate with them as humans – soul to soul.

“Shared reading really is a way to meet people as equals, where we are all learning from each other. The literature is a catalyst for connection which is so needed by transient and marginalised communities. For that hour when we’re stuck into a great poem or story they feel seen and heard.”

Tariq came to the UK from Palestine. He had been living in Gaza with his family where he was studying law but eventually, was forced to flee with his brother to escape the continued conflict that has become part of everyday life in the region.

After attending Jane’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) group for 18 months he said: “Through the group I’ve made new friends and my English has improved a lot. I’ve discovered many new words through poetry and it’s helped me to develop my knowledge of everyday English.”

The charity also runs ESOL groups at its home in Calderstones Park, Liverpool, Toxteth, Bristol and Greater London. Another group meets at a women’s centre in Birmingham, while one meets weekly online, another is held at a centre for adults over 50.

Find out more and apply at thereader.org.uk/volunteer

For further information about The Reader visit here: https://www.thereader.org.uk/

ADHD Connect – a peer-led community group for adults with ADHD in Liverpool are committed to building an open, supportive community for adults living with ADHD. Their mission is to create an inclusive, safe space where their community can form meaningful connections and access the support they need to help them flourish within society. With the help of an experienced Social Media Manager, you’ll help reach more members of the community who will truly benefit from their support.

As a Volunteer Social Media Manager at ADHD Connect, you’ll be in charge of creating and scheduling online content to engage with their community. You’ll work closely with co-founders to develop a social media marketing strategy and implement this across various social media channels. They’re looking for someone who has creative eye, as well as knowledge and experience of building brand awareness. Photography and videography skills are a plus, too!

Key Responsibilities:
– Develop and build a social media strategy aligned with ADHD Connect’s mission.
– Create and schedule engaging content across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).
– Monitor social media channels, responding to comments and messages.
– Collaborate with the ADHD Connect team to promote upcoming events and campaigns.
– Stay updated with industry news to assist in content creation.

Deliverables:
– Regular posting across all platforms.
– Increased engagement and follower growth.
– Reports on social media performance and recommendations for improvements.

Skills, Experience, and Qualities:
– Social Media Expertise – Experience managing social media accounts (preferably for a charity or community organisation).
– Content Creation – Experience creating online content.
– Strong Communication – You’ll need great written communication skills and the ability to adapt your tone of voice to fit within our brand guidelines.
– Creativity & Adaptability – A keen eye for trends and the ability to adjust strategies accordingly.
– Organisation & Time Management – Ability to work independently, plan content, and meet deadlines.
– Passion for Supporting Neurodiverse Individuals – You don’t need to have ADHD yourself, but a belief in their mission is a must!
– Confidence Speaking on Camera – This is a plus, but not essential.

Please apply here: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/social-media-manager-222

ADHD Connect – a peer-led community group for adults with ADHD in Liverpool are on a mission to build an open, supportive community for adults living with ADHD, where their members can form meaningful connections and access the support they need to help them flourish within society. With the kind support of Event Host volunteers, they can offer more for the community and reach more people who need us.

They’re on the lookout for friendly Event Host Volunteers who are as passionate as supporting the ADHD community as they are.

As an Event Host, you’ll be a friendly face at one of their monthly events, to help welcome attendees and ensure everything runs smoothly! You can host at one of our existing monthly events, or if you have any specific events you’d like to run that you feel would benefit their community then they’d love to hear your ideas.

As an Event host, you’ll only be required to volunteer 2 hours of your time each month and you’ll always co-run events alongside another volunteer.

No previous event hosting experience is necessary – you just need to be friendly, reliable and believe in their mission.

If you would like to apply to become an Event Host volunteer, please fill out the form below and they will be in touch as soon as possible:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd18C2d28b6OpgcM6E0JqUwbDjzStJ8WSUuUC3WXjrv6gaHjA/viewform?usp=header

The Royal Standard (TRS) is looking for Trustees to join their team in an exciting new stage of development for their artist-led organisation.

Founded in 2006, TRS has thrived on the hard work and dedication of their community of artists, curators and volunteers, helping establish them as one of the oldest and largest artist-led gallery and studios regionally, with both national and international recognition.

Their team of Directors, are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a thriving studio, gallery and public programme, currently housing a community of over 40 artists. As well as running the organisation in the present, the Directors also help to shape the future of TRS for all.

Their team of trustees oversee and guide the work that the Directors undertake. Their ideal candidates would have the skills and knowledge to help us grow and develop over the next two years. People working in Finance, HR, Legal, or with Project Management experience would add to the skillset of their current board members. A background in the arts or understanding of artist-led practice is not necessary but an enthusiasm and interest in the visual arts is. However, any experience in successfully taking charities through periods of investment and development would be welcome.

Key Commitments

– The Board will meet on average six times per year and we would expect board members to attend all of these meeting (in person ideally or virtually).

– Support their activities by attending events and exhibitions where possible.

– Act as an advocate for their organisation and its activities

– Be able to commit to a minimum two year term on our board

How to apply

Please send the following documents to info@the-royal-standard.co.uk, with the subject ‘Trustee Application’:

A CV outlining your relevant experience

A brief statement of how you may be suited to the role, what you could offer to our team and community, and any particular area of operation you might be interested in (400 words max.)

Closing date: Friday 27 June

Discussions with prospective candidates will take place Friday 4 July.

If there is anything they can do to make this role more accessible and meet specific needs, please let them know, as they are always open for input and making positive change. If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role with one of their Trustees or have any questions, please contact us via info@the-royal-standard.co.uk.

The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival team are looking for committed VOLUNTEERS to play a key part in realising the UK’s premier annual festival of Arab arts and culture in Liverpool this summer!

Would you like to learn new skills and meet new people?

Are you interested in learning about how an international arts festival works, or develop your experience of working with people in a public-facing arts setting?

They’d love to hear from you ✨

Online application form open until midnight on Sunday 29th June:

To apply, visit here

You have two weeks to get your application in for Abandon Normal Devices Board and Associate Board Member roles!

They’re keen to connect with people who are enthusiastic about the strategic development of AND, and may hold expertise in any of the following areas:

Strategic Regional Public Sector Knowledge
Environmental Sustainability
Charity Finance
PR / Digital Communications
Regional commercial business knowledge across the creative sector, immersive and digital technologies

They’d still love to hear from you if you don’t have expertise in these areas but are interested in becoming a member. Take a look at the Recruitment Pack on their website and apply by 22 June.

Passionate about live theatre? Be a volunteer usher at the Unity, be part of a wonderful creative community and support your local theatre.⁠

Ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for our audiences, acting as a point of contact for their questions and needs. This includes checking tickets, directing patrons to their seats, and assisting with general inquiries.

To apply please email info@unitytheatre.co.uk with a short expression of interest.⁠

Each shift would be a minimum of 3 hours long

Contact name: Anne Marie Martin

Contact email: info@unitytheatre.co.uk

Closing date: 20 July

At The Library is looking for up to 4 people to join their NPO Advisory Board, including a Deputy Chair and a Climate Justice lead.

Kindling Farm is a Community Benefit Society owned by their 800 members with the aim of creating a fairer and more sustainable food and farming system for all.

In April 2023, they purchased a 78 acre farm between Manchester & Liverpool where they are now establishing a pioneering, agroforestry farm for the Northwest. Here they will research, explore, practise and demonstrate the best ways to farm for wildlife, climate change, soil and communities.

As they enter their first growing season, they are looking to expand their team of volunteers – head along to one of their taster days to discover what volunteering at a working farm is like!

No previous experience or skills are needed. You must be aged 18+ and be comfortable doing manual labour outdoors. Many of the activities on the farm can be physically demanding but they always try to have an assortment of tasks on the day so please get in touch in advance if you would need a low impact job.

They always sit down together at lunchtime for a hearty soup as a thank you for all your hard work!

Their taster days on: Sunday 1st June or Saturday 5th July from 11am – 3pm. Their volunteer days are held every other weekend thereafter.

Many of their volunteers talk about a positive impact on their physical health and wellbeing. It’s a chance to give something back to your local community and meet like-minded people. At the farm, there is a great sense of camaraderie between their volunteers and they often leave at the end of the day feeling proud as they play such a significant part in the development of the farm.
Your support on the farm has an even wider impact; at Kindling they are working towards a fairer farming system which is better for the environment and sustainable for our future generations.

For more information, please visit their website: https://kindling.org.uk/

Registration is essential to help manage numbers. You can register here:

Sunday 1st June https://kindling.org.uk/event/introduction-volunteering-day

Saturday 5th July https://kindling.org.uk/event/introduction-volunteering-day-0

No previous experience or skills are needed. You must be aged 18+ and comfortable doing manual labour outdoors.

It’s a good idea to wear sturdy footwear – walking boots or wellies are ideal. They’d advise wearing a couple of layers and bringing waterproofs. They can lend you some wellies and help you source waterproof clothing if you don’t have it. Just let them know in advance by contacting hayley@kindling.org.uk.

Unity Theatre is seeking new Trustees – including a Treasurer – to join their Board and support the next chapter of their journey.

As they step into an exciting new era in 2025, Unity is looking to strengthen their Board of Trustees by appointing up to seven new members, including a Trustee with financial expertise who can also act as Treasurer.

Based in the heart of Liverpool, Unity Theatre is known for championing radical theatre, powerful storytelling, and diverse programming since the 1930s. Their mission is to amplify unheard voices, support boundary-pushing artists, and engage deeply with our community through bold, inclusive performance.

From January 2025, Unity welcomed a new leadership team: Eli Randle as Artistic Director and Eleanor Manson-Sawko as Executive Director, together shaping a fresh and ambitious vision for the future of the organisation.

They are particularly looking for:

Individuals with experience in:

Accountancy / finance
Business leadership
Commercial innovation
HR
Professional theatre practice (as a practitioner)
People who are excited to help shape the future of a creative organisation at the heart of Liverpool’s cultural scene
Voices and perspectives that reflect the rich diversity of our city and sector
The Treasurer Role

They are seeking someone with:

Knowledge and experience of financial management in small charities
Familiarity with fundraising and charity finance practice
Strong financial analysis skills
The ability to communicate financial matters clearly to a wider group
No previous board experience? That’s okay.

They’re looking for people who are passionate, thoughtful, and committed to making a difference. If you care about the arts and their role in community and social change, they want to hear from you.

This is a voluntary role, with a commitment to six Board meetings per year, plus relevant subcommittees and events. Appointments are for an initial term of three years, with the option to stand for a second term.

To learn more and apply: https://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/unity-theatre-trustee-treasurer-recruitment/

Closing date: 30 April