Fixed Term Contract ending 30/09/2026
Job Ref: V525
Hours/Days per week: 21 hours per week – (Flexible days/hours)
Salary: £25,000 pro Rota plus attractive employee benefits package
Start date: ASAP
Location: Homebased (with extensive travel throughout Blaenau Gwent)
Closing date: 4th November 2024
Interview date and Location: WC 11th November. Likely to be on teams TBC
Volunteering Matters
At Volunteering Matters we use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.
We bring people together to resolve some of society’s most complex issues. From social isolation and loneliness; improving health and wellbeing; building skills, confidence, and opportunity; to ensuring young people can become change makers in their community, the impact that we make is great. And we won’t stop until everyone in the UK has the opportunity to thrive.
People-led and impact driven, we are a national charity that is deeply embedded in local areas across the UK. We operate in five regions: London and the South East; Wales and the West of England; East of England; the Midlands and North West England; and Scotland and North East England. We also have an Employee Volunteering Team with over 25 years’ experience, acting as a broker to provide tailor-made solutions to employers. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all.
This is an exciting time to be joining the team. We’re changing the way we work to meet new ambitions and make sure our impact continues to grow alongside out business.
About the Role
Volunteering Friends is our new, National Lottery Community Fund project, which builds on our existing work in Blaenau Gwent. By harnessing the power of volunteers, the project will work with older people (50+) living in Blaenau Gwent who are experiencing feelings of loneliness and/or isolation, and provide companionship, confidence building and encourage involvement in their local community. The project will consist of three interlinking strands: one-to-one befriending, delivered in the person’s home or over the telephone; community buddying, providing support to attend community groups; and the establishment of volunteer-led group activities for beneficiaries to attend based on local needs and interests.
Key Duties:
- Recruit, interview, induct, train and support volunteers.
- Work closely with partners/referral agencies and funders to ensure a steady flow of participants into the projects.
- Manage the matching/placement process of volunteers and participants, setting up and supporting new activities where appropriate.
- Be responsible for project compliance, carrying out risk assessments for volunteer activity and regularly reviewing, including safeguarding arrangements.
- Ensure monitoring evidence and impact data is collected to measure progress against agreed outcomes.
- Provide administrative support for the project where required, processing volunteer expenses and maintaining databases.
- Promote the project through a range of techniques, instigating interest in volunteering and encouraging engagement.
- Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and project partners on a day-to-day basis.
- Prepare reports to Delivery Leader and Project Manager based on agreed outputs and targets.
- Manage your own time and diary effectively, and in line with the needs of the project.
- Liaise regularly with the Project Manager and project delivery colleagues.
- Play an active role in identifying and developing new business.
- Contribute to joint working and teamwork across Volunteering Matters.
Experience/Skills and attributes:
- Experience of working with older people.
- Experience of managing and working with volunteers, and the ability to motivate and engage them.
- Experience of working in partnership with other agencies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload and work under pressure and to deadlines.
- Ability to assess risk and carrying out risk assessments.
- Evidence of good administrative and IT skills and the ability to maintain project monitoring, administrative and financial records.
- Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Understanding of and commitment to Data Protection and confidentiality.
Desirables:
Ability to speak Welsh or a willingness to learn.
Qualifications:
Relevant experience and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.
Other:
Location: This role is homebased and will involve extensive travel throughout Blaenau Gwent. The postholder will require good internet access to enable remote working, and a suitable home office space. IT equipment and infrastructure will be supplied.
This role requires enhanced DBS clearance.
Our Values & Way of Working:
In all that we do, we embrace a philosophy of ‘Freedom within a Framework’ and are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.
This job description is intended to include the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor exclusive but while some variations will be expected, these will be at an appropriate level for the role.
Diversity & Inclusion
Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.
Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments:
We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the “Experience/Skills” section of this advert. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your application or contact join@volunteeringmatters.org.uk for more information.
We have also committed to the following pledges which positively encompass our recruitment and selection processes and methodology: The Promise, Show The Salary, Salary History.
Benefits
Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work), Unlimited Annual Leave, Employee Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick and family leave. We are also open to discuss job share applications.
GDPR Statement
If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to 6 months. We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.
How to apply
Please send a completed CV and cover letter to join@volunteeringmatters.org.uk clearly stating which role you are applying for. There are sections in the form where you can demonstrate how you fulfil the role requirements and also express yourself, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.
Download and complete our Recruitment Monitoring Form Recruitment Monitoring Form
If you would like to have a discussion with the Hiring Manager prior to submitting your application, please request this from join@volunteeringmatters.org.uk
#volunteeringmatters www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk