Volunteer Photographer

10th October 2024

Life is challenging and can be isolating for children and young people with learning disabilities. Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that’s here to ensure families get the support they need so their children can fulfil their potential.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented volunteer photographer to capture moments of our children’s groups and playschemes as well as our nursery and around our centre. Your work will be vital in showcasing what we do, telling participants’ stories and inspiring support, and the images you produce will be used on our website and on social media channels, and in funding applications and reports.

Key duties

• Attend and photograph events and activities, including youth clubs, playschemes and fundraising events.
• Capture the atmosphere and activities at The Vinery Centre, including Jimbo’s Community Nursery, play areas and community spaces.
• Edit and enhance photos to ensure they meet professional standards.
• Organise and store photos in a systematic manner.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers need strong photography skills with a focus on capturing high quality and compelling photos of people and events. The ability to work with children and capture natural moments is essential.

Commitment

Hours are variable throughout each month due to when our activities and events take place so flexibility is required. The volunteer should be able to commit to this role for a minimum of 6 months.

Additional information

We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from all communities.

Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this. Details will be given upon induction.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

The volunteer would need to have their own photography equipment for this role.

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU. You may also be asked to photograph external events and trips.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. 

Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Website Support Volunteer

10th October 2024

Life is challenging and can be isolating for children and young people with learning disabilities. Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that’s here to ensure families get the support they need so their children can fulfil their potential.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated volunteer to join our team to help manage our WordPress website and support its development. You will play a crucial role in ensuring our online presence is informative, engaging, and effective in supporting our mission.

Key duties

• Regularly update and maintain the website's content, including news, events, and resources.
• Assist with website design and layout to ensure a visually appealing and user-friendly experience.
• Troubleshoot website issues and provide technical support as needed.
• Implement SEO strategies to improve website visibility and search engine rankings.
• Monitor website traffic and analytics to measure performance and identify areas for improvement.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

For this role, volunteers must have a strong working knowledge of WordPress, including content management, theme customisation and plugin management. The ability to troubleshoot technical issues and find effective solutions is essential. Basic HTML, CSS, and web development skills are beneficial as well as a good eye for design and layout to ensure a visually appealing website. We welcome applications from individuals who are able to work collaboratively with members of our staff team.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

Additional information

We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from all communities.

Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this. Details will be given upon induction.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU. Some hybrid working may be possible.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. 

Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Trustee (voluntary role)

30th September 2024

Voluntary (expenses paid)

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU

Description

SALARY:                              Voluntary (expenses paid)

LOCATION:                         The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, LS9 9LU

Leeds Mencap is looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism

Why not become our next volunteer Trustee?

In the role of Trustee you will have the opportunity to meet and work as part of a team with staff, volunteers and other Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and specialisms. Your skills will complement established Trustees and senior staff to continue to provide strong and clear leadership to the organisation, helping us to progress further towards becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation, and extending support to more children and young people with learning disabilities and their families.

Leeds Mencap is a completely independent local charity that has come a long way since we opened our doors over 70 years ago. We support over 570 children and young people with learning disabilities and their family members each year. If you want to play a part in how the charity moves forward we are looking for new Trustees with a wide range of skills and experience, and from diverse backgrounds, and in particular we are looking for people with:

• Experience of Fundraising or income generation, including accessing grants and legacies.
• An HR, coaching or mentoring background to support us in the professional development of new and existing staff.
• Experience of education and safeguarding, particularly in early years settings.
• General management or business experience
• Lived experience of learning disability

We welcome new team members with previous experience of working or volunteering for a third sector organisation, but most importantly we are keen to hear from anyone who feels they have something to contribute and wants to be part of our continuing journey, so please get in touch.

As part of the Leeds Mencap team you will make a real difference. You will not only be helping children and young people to develop and achieve beyond anyone’s expectations but also helping their parents and carers to find respite and comfort in accessing practical help and support and knowing they’re not alone. In undertaking the role you will work with our skilled, experienced and committed team who are aspirational about what we can achieve together.

Leeds Mencap aims for its team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from all communities. If you share our passion about all children getting the very best start in life we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

For an informal discussion please call Ged Walker, CEO on 0113 235 1331 or email ged.walker@leedsmencap.org.uk

To apply, please send your CV, together with a supporting statement detailing how you meet the requirements of the role and what you think you can offer, to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk. 

Any appointment will be subject to a DBS check, receipt of two suitable references and declarations of suitability to act as a Trustee.

Closing date:  As we have a number of Trustee vacancies, we will be considering applications on a rolling basis so please get in touch. 

Please also get in touch if you are interested in becoming a Trustee but are not currently in a position to apply.

Volunteer Reception/Room Hire Assistant

4th September 2024

About The Vinery Centre

Leeds Mencap’s Vinery Centre has a community and specialist nursery, as well as activity and meeting rooms which are hired out to local groups and organisations and used to run our own specialist services, including youth clubs and playschemes for children and young people with learning disabilities.

Key duties

• To welcome Room Hirers into the centre and to make sure they sign in and know basic information about the centre such as where the toilets are, fire assembly points, no smoking, car parking
• To help with setting up and clearing up of room hire meeting rooms – this will include moving tables, clearing tables, stacking dishwasher, emptying bins, hoovering carpets, sweeping floors, filling hot water urns, sorting baskets of teas/coffees and biscuits, etc.
• To help prepare sandwiches and buffets under the direction of the cook, to set out buffets for room hirers, arranging cutlery/serviettes and labelling food as needed
• Other general tasks such as leaflet printing and folding in between room hire support activities
• Reception support

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers need to be friendly and welcoming with good communication skills.

Commitment

Approximately once a week. Leeds Mencap will let you know in advance which days have a lot of room hire activity and you will let us know in advance when you can come in.

Additional information

Volunteers with be supported by the Room Hire Lead.

This role requires volunteers to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Nursery Volunteer

4th September 2024

About our nursery

Jimbo's Community Nursery has three playrooms:

• Willow Playroom for toddlers (2 to 3 year olds),
• Maple Playroom for pre-school children (2 to 4 year olds), and
• Hawthorn Specialist Playroom for children aged 2 to 4 with learning disabilities).

We also run an after school club with a walking bus to pick up children from local primary schools.

We are unique in Leeds in running a nursery which includes a specialist playroom for children with learning disabilities/ additional needs. This enables children to get the best of both specialist support and a mainstream setting. Children have a ‘base’ place in either the specialist playroom or the mainstream nursery. They spend the majority of their time in their ‘base’ but will also spend time in other rooms in the nursery to take part in particular activities, be with other children the same age, help with transitions to other nurseries or school/SILC.

Role summary

Key tasks include:

• Interacting with children to help develop their play and learning
• Supporting and encouraging children to participate in activities
• Assist with helping children at snack and lunchtime
• Assisting with tidying up at the end of the session
• Following instruction from the room leader and playroom staff
• Establish positive relationships with Leeds Mencap staff and service users

Key duties

• Comply at all times to the settings policies, procedures and standards, including health and safety, hygiene, inclusion, confidentiality, child protection, etc.
• Help staff to promote children’s health, safety and physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Help to protect children from danger.
• Help to sustain a safe, welcoming, purposeful, stimulating and encouraging environment where children feel confident and secure and are able to develop and learn to achieve their full potential.
• Talk to children giving constructive and sensitive feedback to help children understand what they have achieved and think about what they need to do next.
• Help staff to plan and provide safe, appropriate, child-led and adult initiated experiences, activities and play opportunities in indoor, outdoor and in out-of-setting contexts, which enable children to develop and learn.
• Help staff to select, prepare and use a range of resources suitable for children’s ages, interests and abilities, taking account of diversity and promoting equality and inclusion.
• Help to promote positive behaviour, self-control and independence through using effective behaviour management strategies and developing children’s social, emotional and behavioural skills.
• Listen to children, pay attention to what they say and value and respect their views.
• Keep up to date with the nutritional needs of the children.
• Help staff with the hygienic upkeep of the room and facilities.
• To support the Leeds Mencap staff on-going development activities.
• Attend relevant training opportunities, such as safeguarding.
• Assist staff in making sure the Ofsted requirements are met.
• Ensure the confidentiality of information about families accessing the setting, complying with Data Protection Act.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers need to be friendly and approachable, with good communication skills and the ability to improve their practice.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 2/3 hours per week, for a minimum of twelve weeks. We would consider volunteers who are able to do 2 days or more per week for a shorter period.

Additional information

This role requires volunteers to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this. Details will be given upon induction.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Gardening Volunteer

30th July 2024

Role summary

Leeds Mencap is a charity working with children and young people with learning disabilities and their families and we are based at the Vinery Centre. We also run an inclusive Community Nursery, with a special needs room, as well as activity and meeting rooms which are hired out to local groups and organisations (this is an important income generator for us as a charity). We have visible grounds around the outside of our centre and three raised beds for food growing. We are very busy and we struggle to find time to keep on top of our gardening but we do want our centre to look neat and tidy.

We are looking for volunteers to assist in keeping on top of our gardening and potentially to work with nursery staff so the children can get involved.

Key duties

• Weeding, seeding, picking – raised food growing beds
• Harvesting food for the cook to use
• Weeding & edging
• Clearing up afterwards including sweeping paths
• Looking after raised flower beds on Raincliffe Road
• Potentially liaising with the nursery staff to arrange sessions with children  
• To comply with good health and safety practice

Skills, knowledge and attitude

• Able to follow instructions
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Reliability and commitment
• Trustworthiness

Commitment

We are looking for either regular or ad hoc volunteers.

Additional information

This role may require volunteers to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  A DBS check would be required for a regular, on-going volunteer who would be liaising with the nursery/getting the children involved in growing/gardening; it would not be required for an ad hoc volunteer.  

Travel costs and additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

The work involves moderate to heavy work in all types of weather. There is frequent need to stand, stoop, walk, and lift.  Leeds Mencap will carry out risk assessments on an annual basis and may require volunteers to undergo reviews and medical checks to ensure they are able to carry out the tasks required with acceptable levels of risk to themselves and others.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

30th July 2024

Role summary

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that helps children and young people with learning disabilities across Leeds. Life is challenging and can be isolating for people with learning disabilities and we are here to ensure families get the best support they need so their children can fulfil their potential in life.

We looking for enthusiastic and motivated volunteers to join our team to help us raise more funds, engage more people and create awareness of our charity. This role is varied and there is the opportunity to use skills and expertise in marketing, communications and social media in a charity setting.

Key duties

• Updating social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X) using Lightful, monitoring activity and responding to interactions.
• Growing the presence of Leeds Mencap and its social media following.
• Building and sustaining relationships within our online community.
• Writing content (e.g. posters, blogs, press releases, newsletters) for a range of audiences to inform, engage, and inspire.
• Designing information and promotional materials using Canva.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers may have a passion for fundraising or marketing, or be enthusiastic about communications or graphic design. For this role, volunteers need to be creative and have excellent written communication skills. Experience of managing social media accounts and/or improving social media presence and engagement is desirable.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

Additional information

We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from any community.

Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this. Details will be given upon induction.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Fundraising Administration Volunteer

30th July 2024

Role summary

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that helps children and young people with learning disabilities across Leeds. Life is challenging and can be isolating for people with learning disabilities and we are here to ensure families get the best support they need so their children can fulfil their potential in life.

We looking for enthusiastic and motivated volunteers to join our team to help us raise more funds, engage more people and create awareness of our charity. This role is varied and there is the opportunity be involved in different aspects of fundraising.

Key duties

• Providing admin support for the Fundraising and Communications team.
• Researching new fundraising partners such as companies and Charitable Trusts.
• Maintaining and updating our CRM.
• Supporting us in the lead up to events and helping with events on the day. E.g. running a stall.
• Responding to fundraiser queries and supporting fundraising efforts.
• Researching and sourcing items for events, such as entertainment and raffle prizes.
• Distributing fundraising materials and mailings to different community groups.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers may have a passion for fundraising, or be enthusiastic about communications and administration. For this role, volunteers need to be confident using IT and Microsoft Word/ Excel/ Outlook. They need to have good verbal and written communication skills.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

Additional information

We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from any community.

Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this. Details will be given upon induction.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk