Volunteering Innovation Advisor in Epsom, Surrey

At Samaritans, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. As the needs of communities evolve, so must the ways in which people can connect, contribute and make a difference. We’re looking for a Volunteering Innovation Advisor to help us imagine, design and embed what volunteering could look like in the years ahead. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about innovation, curious about emerging trends, and motivated to meet the needs of future Samaritans volunteers. You’ll contribute to developing new and flexible models of volunteering—ensuring we reach more people, remove barriers to involvement, and create opportunities that are equally meaningful and sustainable.

Contract: £30,000-£33,000 per annum plus benefits

Full Time: 35hrs per week

Permanent: Hybrid working with link to Ewell office

In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month.

We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences.

What You’ll Do:

• You’ll research emerging trends and evolving volunteer expectations to inform the development of new roles, opportunities and approaches to volunteering - helping to translate insight into practical and sustainable solutions that support current and future volunteers.
• You’ll contribute to answering questions like: How can Samaritans offer more flexible and inclusive opportunities? What motivates volunteers today, and how is that changing? How do we ensure our volunteering reflects the diversity of the communities we support?
• Your work will support shaping a positive and inclusive future volunteer experience across our organisation.

What You’ll Bring:

• Curiosity and openness to innovation and improving ways of working.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people, including staff and volunteers.
• Ability to use insight to inform decisions and drive improvement.
• Experience in change, improvement or innovation projects.
• Experience in a volunteering‑focused organisation and understanding of volunteer engagement.

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives. We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer some short application questions and to upload your CV.

Applications close: Monday 27th April

In person interviews will be held at our Surrey office (KT17 2AF) from the w/c 11th May until end of May. Exact dates are to be decided.

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do. We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team. We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.