Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Recruit, train, and support volunteers to tackle loneliness in care homes.
- Company: Friends for Life Bedfordshire, a charity dedicated to connecting older residents with companionship.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, competitive pay, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of care home residents every week.
- Qualifications: Strong people skills, organisational abilities, and experience with volunteers preferred.
- Other info: Join a passionate team and help build community connections.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
Help tackle loneliness among older people in care homes. Thousands of older people living in care homes receive few or no visitors. Friends for Life Bedford exists to change that. Through our befriending and group activities, we bring companionship, connection and meaningful relationships to care home residents across Bedfordshire. We are now looking for a Volunteer Co-ordinator to help recruit, train and support the volunteers who make our work possible.
About Friends for Life Bedfordshire: We are a Bedford-based charity working to address the social isolation of older residents in Bedfordshire’s care homes. Founded in 2007, we have grown from a small local initiative to a registered charity with approximately 90 volunteers supporting more than 30 care homes across Bedford Borough. In the last year, over 1,100 care home residents received our services.
The Role: You will play a key operational role in ensuring our volunteer-led services run smoothly, safely and effectively. Working closely with the Volunteer Lead, you will help recruit, train, support and retain volunteers, ensuring they feel confident, valued and equipped to deliver both befriending and activity-based services. In addition, you will co‑ordinate and manage our programme of group activities, working with care homes and activity volunteers to make sure residents experience high‑quality, meaningful sessions every week. This is an ideal role for someone who is organised, people-focused and motivated by social impact.
Key Responsibilities:
- Volunteer Recruitment, Induction & Training: Act as the first point of contact for volunteer enquiries, meet prospective volunteers to explain the charity’s work and assess suitability, deliver volunteer induction training at “Welcome Day” sessions, support refresher and additional training needs and maintain up‑to‑date volunteer resources.
- Volunteer Support & Retention: Provide day‑to‑day support to volunteers, responding to queries and safeguarding concerns, help organise volunteer social events to build community and connection, support follow‑up actions from volunteer meetings, conduct exit interviews for volunteers leaving the service.
- Group Activity Programme Co‑ordination: Build and maintain a diverse pool of activity volunteers, from musicians to hobby practitioners, liaise with care homes to match activity volunteers to resident needs, schedule group activities and accompany volunteers on first visits, check in with new volunteers after one month and regularly with longer‑standing volunteers, track activity participation and outcomes, gathering feedback from residents, volunteers and care home staff, capture stories and case studies (with consent) to showcase the impact.
About You: We are looking for someone who is compassionate, organised and great with people. You will likely bring:
- Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Confidence working independently within a small, supportive team
- Experience working with volunteers (ideally in a charity, health or social care setting)
- An understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
- Good IT skills and a commitment to accurate record‑keeping
This role may particularly suit someone who:
- Wants a flexible, meaningful part‑time role
- Enjoys supporting people and building community
- Thrives in a small organisation where they can take initiative
What We Offer:
- ÂŁ15.45 per hour (ÂŁ12.051 per year for 15 hours a week)
- Employer Pension
- Flexible and Hybrid working
- A supportive and passionate team of staff, volunteers and trustees
- The chance to transform the lives of care home residents every single week
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a short covering statement outlining how your experience aligns with the position. Selection will be via an interview. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to evidence this prior to interview. Finally, the role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
Volunteer Co-ordinator in Bedford employer: Blind Ambition
Contact Detail:
Blind Ambition Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Co-ordinator in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Friends for Life Bedfordshire. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills can help tackle loneliness among older people. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on your experience with volunteers and how you’ve built relationships in the past. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll come across during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you’re talking about your experiences, let your enthusiasm for supporting people shine through. Share stories that highlight your compassion and organisational skills, especially those that relate to social impact and community building.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you appreciate the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic fit for the Volunteer Co-ordinator position.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Co-ordinator in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Volunteer Co-ordinator role. Highlight any previous work with volunteers or in social care, as this will show us you understand the impact of our work.
Craft a Compelling Covering Statement: Your covering statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about tackling loneliness among older people and how your background makes you a great fit for our team at Friends for Life Bedfordshire.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role is all about building relationships, make sure to highlight your interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've successfully supported or managed volunteers in the past, as this will resonate with us.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and covering statement, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blind Ambition
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Friends for Life Bedfordshire's mission. Familiarise yourself with their work in tackling loneliness among older people in care homes. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their values.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Volunteer Co-ordinator, strong interpersonal skills are key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships or supported volunteers. Highlight how you’ve made a positive impact in similar roles, especially in charity or social care settings.
✨Be Organised and Proactive
Demonstrate your organisational skills by discussing how you manage multiple priorities. You might want to share specific tools or methods you use to keep track of volunteer schedules and activities. Showing that you can handle the logistics of coordinating group activities will impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the organisation’s future plans. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you. Ask about their current challenges in volunteer management or how they measure the impact of their activities.