Volunteer Coordinator

About Just Friends

Just Friends is a charity dedicated to reducing the effects of loneliness and social isolation. We support people living alone through friendship, connection and belonging.

Our welcoming local groups, social activities, outings and wellbeing programme allow members to build meaningful connections and feel less isolated.

Living alone can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness, stress or disconnection. Many of our members join during difficult periods in their lives including bereavement, retirement, illness, relationship breakdown or major life changes.

Just Friends exists to support people experiencing loneliness by creating safe and supportive spaces where people feel included, seen and valued.

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Purpose of the Role

The Volunteer Co ordinator supports the recruitment, coordination and ongoing wellbeing of volunteers across Just Friends branches, events and community outreach activities.

Working closely with the Senior Operations Manager and Branch Managers, the role helps ensure volunteers feel welcomed, organised, connected and valued within the charity.

The Volunteer Co ordinator will help support the development of two key volunteer areas within Just Friends:

• Volunteer Branch and Events Assistants
• Community Outreach Volunteers

The role helps strengthen the smooth running of branches, outreach activities and awareness events designed to help reach people living alone who may benefit from Just Friends.

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Main Responsibilities

• Help recruit volunteers across Just Friends branches and activities
• Support the recruitment and coordination of Volunteer Branch and Events Assistants
• Support the recruitment and coordination of Community Outreach Volunteers
• Work alongside Branch Managers to understand where volunteer support is needed
• Help support Meet & Greet volunteering within branches through the Volunteer Branch and Events Assistant role
• Assist with volunteer communication and volunteer records where appropriate
• Help organise volunteer rotas and attendance for awareness events and activities
• Help promote the charity at awareness events and within the local community
• Support volunteers to feel welcomed, included and valued
• Encourage a positive and supportive atmosphere across branches and events
• Help organise occasional volunteer appreciation lunches or informal gatherings
• Follow Just Friends policies around confidentiality, safeguarding and conduct

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Skills and Qualities

• Friendly and approachable
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and compassionate
• Comfortable talking to a wide range of people
• Able to work as part of a team
• Good organisational and communication skills
• Understanding boundaries and confidentiality
• Interest in community wellbeing and reducing loneliness and isolation

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Expenses

Just Friends does not want volunteers to be financially disadvantaged through supporting the charity. Reasonable agreed expenses will therefore be reimbursed in line with the charity’s expenses policy.

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Additional Information

We are currently looking for volunteers able to support branches and activities across Brighton, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings.

The role may involve occasional attendance at community awareness days, social outings, events and volunteer meetings.

Just Friends is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of its members and volunteers. Depending on the nature of the role, successful applicants may be required to complete a DBS check.

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To find out more, please contact:
Laura Stafford
laura@just-friends.uk