At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and guide volunteers, ensuring a rewarding experience from start to finish.
- Company: Join Pets As Therapy, a charity transforming lives through the human-animal bond.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a supportive team in a beautiful countryside setting.
- Other info: Enjoy free parking and an on-site café while working in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping volunteers connect with those in need.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and previous administrative experience required.
The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ per year.
Location: Chalgrove, South Oxfordshire
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
About us
At Pets As Therapy (PAT), we believe in the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond. Every day, our community of dedicated volunteers and their beloved pets bring comfort, companionship and joy to people across the UK, creating moments that can brighten a day, build confidence, and reduce feelings of loneliness. Founded in 1983, PAT is a national charity that connects volunteers and their temperament assessed dogs and cats with schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices and community settings. Together, we help improve wellbeing, support mental health and create meaningful connections for people of all ages and backgrounds. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and our staff play a vital role in ensuring that volunteering with PAT is easy, rewarding and impactful. Guided by our values of being passionate, inclusive, joyful and collaborative, we work together to help more people experience the comfort and happiness that only a pet can bring.
Our offices are based in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside, and benefit from free parking and an on-site café.
Main responsibilities:
- Supporting volunteer journeys and service user experience.
- Guiding volunteers through every stage of their volunteering experience, from application and onboarding through to retirement.
- Building positive relationships with volunteers and service users, ensuring every interaction leaves a lasting, positive impression.
- Maintaining accurate volunteer and establishment user records, ensuring information is up to date, compliant, and easily accessible.
- Coordinating volunteer training, communications and record keeping ensuring information remains current and compliant.
- Supporting volunteers in accessing and maintaining their volunteer records in MyPAT, our volunteer account management platform.
- Supporting the smooth running of the team through a range of administrative activities, including managing shared email inboxes and answering telephone enquiries.
This role profile outlines the main responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties may evolve in line with the needs of the charity and will be discussed with the post holder where appropriate.
Person Specification
Experience & Knowledge
We're looking for someone who:
- Communicates clearly and confidently, both in writing and over the phone.
- Builds positive relationships with a wide range of people and handles sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
- Can accurately interpret enquiries, record information and follow the appropriate processes.
- Has excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities in a busy environment.
- Brings previous administrative experience and a strong eye for detail.
- Is confident using Microsoft Office applications and databases or CRM systems, such as Salesforce.
The ideal candidate will be:
- Friendly, approachable and professional, with a positive outlook.
- Self-motivated, proactive and comfortable working independently.
- A supportive team player who enjoys collaborating within a small, dedicated team.
- Empathetic, patient and non-judgemental when supporting volunteers and service users.
- Open to learning, following processes and embracing new ways of working.
- Highly accurate and detail-oriented, taking pride in delivering quality work.
- Adaptable and flexible, responding positively to change and new priorities.
- Passionate about the work of Pets As Therapy and committed to our values and mission.
Volunteer Experience Advisor in Chalgrove employer: Pets As Therapy
At Pets As Therapy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Located in the picturesque South Oxfordshire countryside, our team enjoys benefits such as free parking and an on-site café, while also having the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of volunteers and service users. We are committed to employee growth, offering a collaborative culture where every staff member plays a vital role in enhancing the volunteer experience and promoting the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Experience Advisor in Chalgrove
✨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 Experience Advisor in Chalgrove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Pets As Therapy, 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 Pets As Therapy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pets As Therapy
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Pets As Therapy 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!
