Shop Assistant

A free pre-loved school unform service is looking for help in its Newbury shop. In this role, you will greet customers, assist with finding required sizes, sort and tag donations, fold and bag items making a note of what has been taken, encourage cash or card donations and process card payments. Items will be folded, tidied and sorted throughout the shift.

The role would suit friendly volunteers with good communication and customer service skills, and the ability to a manage a busy environment. Time commitment is four hours a month outside school holidays. During holidays, it would be up to you how many hours you do but a minimum of one shift weekly. Shifts are flexible but a minimum of three hours. The role would initially be on Saturdays or occasional Thursday afternoons.

Ref NY2556

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Treasurer

Volunteer Centre West Berkshire provides services for the less able, volunteer recruitment work, advises the charitable sector and runs projects contributing to the local voluntary sector. After an impressive 17 years, our treasurer is retiring. We now seek a new treasurer to give the board guidance on the charity’s financial standing. Accounts are maintained and payments made by an accounts officer using QuickBooks.

The treasurer advises trustees quarterly and works with our CEO to produce an annual budget and oversee the preparation of the end of year accounts. Payroll is outsourced. Annual turnover is circa 250,000. The charity has proper reserves and funding arrangements in place for three years and the accounts are in very good order. The ideal treasurer will have financial experience and sound financial sense, be familiar with charities and be able to work collaboratively.

Ref NY2457

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Postal Library Assistant

A charity based in Kingsclere provides a free postal library of books with braille, raised tactile pictures and audio guides, providing access to the visual world for blind and partially sighted children and adults. Volunteers are being recruited to assist library staff with different aspects of running the service. Duties may include processing of incoming and outgoing items, selecting choices for various ages of library members, tidying away publications and calling library members on the phone to help with enquiries.

Sessions are about three hours (during Monday to Thursday, 9am–4pm at the Kingsclere office). General computer literacy is required; training on the library system will be given. Volunteers should be comfortable working as a team and individually.

Ref NY2388

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Literacy Mentors

If you have an interest in reading then consider joining a Berkshire-based scheme set up to encourage primary school children to discover the love of books. Volunteers are needed to train as mentors and meet the increasing demand in West Berkshire. You’ll experience the rewards of watching the children gain confidence as they learn in sessions of reading, talking and playing games.

No special skills are required, just lots of patience, a love of reading and an interest in supporting children. Ideally volunteers will commit to an hour and a half twice a week during term time, but once a week will be considered.

Ref NY769

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Exercise Therapy Assistants

Many disabled people find it difficult to take as much exercise as they want – but a therapy centre in Thatcham is working to solve that problem for disabled people across West Berkshire. A specialised gym, equipped with power-assisted exercise equipment, is running as a not-for-profit venture.

You could help by joining a small team of volunteers who provide a warm welcome to people using the centre. This will include booking them in, showing them round the centre and providing encouragement. Ideal for personable volunteers who are good at making conversation.

Ref NY1439

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Cat Foster Carer

The local branch of an animal charity is looking for cat-loving volunteers to become volunteer foster carers. Could you help play a vital role in improving the wellbeing of the cats in their care whilst they wait to be rehomed? As a fosterer, you would be providing cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs such as feeding, grooming, playing and transporting them to veterinary appointments when required.

Volunteers will need some experience caring for cats; fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided. For their wellbeing, cats need to be kept in a separate room.

Ref NY2434

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