To lead the development, coordination, and delivery of a comprehensive volunteer programme that supports organisational objectives, engages diverse communities, and ensures high-quality volunteer experiences across projects. Your time will be split between Cumberland Carers (18.5hrs) and People First Volunteers (19hrs)

Who we are

People First is an independent charity that’s been supporting people in Cumbria for nearly 35 years. We believe in treating everyone with equality, respect, and kindness.

Our team is dedicated to offering a wide range of advocacy, helpful services and information across Cumbria, Lancashire and the North East, all with the goal of helping people live happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives.

Purpose of the Role

To lead the development, coordination, and delivery of a comprehensive volunteer programme that supports organisational objectives, engages diverse communities, and ensures high-quality volunteer experiences across projects. Your time will be split between Cumberland Carers (18.5hrs) and People First Volunteers (19hrs)

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment and Promotion 

• Develop and implement strategies for recruiting volunteers from diverse communities.
• Organise promotional activities, recruitment drives, open days, and networking events with partners and community organisations.
• Build and maintain relationships with local networks, businesses, and stakeholders to support volunteer recruitment.

Induction, Training, and Development

• Design and deliver induction programs for new volunteers.
• Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure volunteers are equipped for their roles.
• Maintain links with external training providers for volunteer progression.

Volunteer Supervision and Support

• Offer regular supervision and guidance to volunteers in various roles.
• Ensure volunteers receive continuous support to perform effectively.
• Recognise and celebrate volunteer contributions through events and acknowledgments.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Develop and maintain systems to record volunteer activities and hours.
• Monitor and evaluate volunteer engagement to demonstrate impact and effectiveness.
• Collect and collate data for reporting to funders and stakeholders.

Community Engagement and Networking

• Foster partnerships with health, social care providers, and other professionals to enhance project delivery.
• Participate in local and national networking activities to share best practices and resources.

Compliance and Policy

• Ensure adherence to organisational values, policies, and procedures.
• Keep up to date with legislation and best practices in volunteer coordination.
• Contribute to maintaining quality standards and organisational objectives.

Creative Promotion and Evidence Gathering

• Capture and present evidence of volunteer activities, outputs, and outcomes for reports and media channels.
• Work creatively to engage volunteers and promote the organisation’s mission.

Additional Responsibilities

• Research and implement best practices in volunteer coordination.
• Maintain accurate records in databases and offline sources.
• Contribute to organisational objectives, ISO quality standards, and reporting requirements.
• Attend regular supervisions, staff meetings, and networking activities.
• Undertake any other duties as required by the Senior Management Team.

Other Duties

The duties outlined above are not intended to be exhaustive and may change as the needs of the organisation alter in line with current agendas. Due to the developing nature of our organisation, we require staff to remain highly flexible in their approach, and work to meet the changing needs of the projects.

• Post is subject to satisfactory DBS Clearance.

The Person

• Confident with drive and commitment
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels
• Able to work on own initiative and within a busy team

Qualifications

• Good general education
• Relevant qualification or professional experience
• Knowledge of Voluntary and Statutory organisations
• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge and experience of using Word, Excel and Outlook
• Knowledge of the principles of volunteer management and good practice

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with and managing volunteers
• Experience of working with vulnerable individuals or individuals with disabilities or illness.
• Identifying, creating and maintaining partnership working opportunities
• Acting as representative of the organisation at meetings and partnership working events
• Monitoring a project, collecting statistical and outcome focused data
• Writing and reviewing policies and procedures
• Project management, including managing budgets, meeting timescales, outcomes and outputs

Desirable

• Experience supervising and motivating staff
• Experience of working in / in partnership with the statutory sector
• Completing DBS checks
• Experience of maintaining externally audited quality standards

Abilities & Skills

Essential

• Presentation skills – delivering presentations to large or small groups, informal and to professionals
• Ability to plan and deliver training courses and inductions for volunteers
• Able to write reports for funders and managers, and contribute to project planning
• Ability to collate and interpret data, and effectively present statistical information and case studies for monitoring purposes
• Strong communication skills
• Good time management and organisational skills
• Excellent administration skills
• Ability to plan effectively and prioritise workload

Desirable

• Able to plan, organise and run events, i.e. volunteer recruitment or volunteer celebration
• Full driving licence, access to own transport, and appropriate business-use insurance for occasional travel and transporting colleagues or equipment.

Driving

• • Full driving licence, access to own transport, and appropriate business-use insurance for occasional travel and transporting colleagues or equipment.
    

Personal Qualities

• Confident with drive and commitment
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels
• Able to work on own initiative and within a busy team
• Ability to travel throughout Cumbria and occasionally work outside normal hours.

To Apply

If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d like to hear from you.

To apply for this position, please email a copy of your CV including details of two references, to [email protected]

or alternatively, you can post for the attention of Barry to People First Conference Centre, Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB

All applications should be clearly marked:

Confidential – Volunteer Manager

Closing date - Wed 31^st December 2025 (may close sooner)

If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful