At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and support volunteers to create meaningful experiences for children and families.
- Company: Join Rainbows Children’s Hospice, making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and fun team events.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that brightens lives and supports families in need.
- Qualifications: Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude; experience with volunteers is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about building meaningful relationships, using creativity to solve problems, and delivering engaging experiences for our supporters and volunteers? Here at Rainbows Children’s Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life‑shortening and life‑threatening conditions, as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Simply put, we’re here to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are.
We are currently seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to join our dedicated Volunteering Team at Rainbows. Volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting every aspect of our vital work – from fundraising and events, to our retail shops and the hospice itself – with over 350 individuals generously volunteering their time, skills, and passion. We are looking for a positive and enthusiastic individual who will help ensure volunteers feel welcomed, supported, and confident, enabling them to make a meaningful difference to children, young people and families across our services.
Location: Primarily an office-based role, at our hospice in Loughborough.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Some flexibility is required, as occasional evening and weekend working and regional travel will be part of supporting volunteers.
About the role
As a Volunteer Coordinator, you will play a key role in shaping how people volunteer with Rainbows. You’ll lead on volunteer recruitment across the East Midlands, building relationships with communities and organisations, and supporting individuals to find opportunities that match their motivations, skills and strengths. Once volunteers are involved, you’ll help ensure they feel confident, informed and well supported, working closely with colleagues to create positive volunteering experiences.
Key Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
- Recruitment, Selection, and Induction: Be the first point of contact for volunteering enquiries and applications, ensuring a seamless onboarding process.
- Volunteer Support and Supervision: Act as the central point of contact for volunteers at Rainbows, offering guidance and support throughout their volunteering journey.
- Team Collaboration: Provide staff with proactive support and best practices for volunteer management, engagement, and stewardship.
- Operational Duties: Maintain accurate volunteer records, ensuring GDPR compliance, and provide KPI data as needed.
Requirements
While previous experience working with volunteers is ideal, it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to:
- Build connections with a diverse range of people through exceptional interpersonal skills and empathy.
- Approach tasks with positivity and enthusiasm, inspiring others to get involved.
- Confidently use databases and Microsoft Office packages, with strong administrative skills and a good understanding of GDPR processes.
Our Benefits include:
- Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
- Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.
- Simply Health Cashback plan.
- Life Assurance.
- 27 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme.
- Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
- Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice.
- Free access to Health Assured employee assistance programme.
- Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders.
- Fun events like Total Wipe Out, All staff away days, Guest visitors.
For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Sam Squire, Head of Volunteering, on sam.squire@rainbows.co.uk. To apply for the role please click ‘apply now’ to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and barring Service Check) and pre-employment checks.
Volunteer Coordinator in Loughborough employer: Newark
At Rainbows Children’s Hospice, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across the East Midlands. Our supportive work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while ensuring our volunteers feel valued and empowered. With generous benefits, including 27 days of holiday, wellbeing support, and engaging team events, joining our team as a Volunteer Coordinator means becoming part of a compassionate community committed to brightening short lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Coordinator in Loughborough
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Coordinator in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Newark, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Newark.
How to prepare for a job interview at Newark
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Newark and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
