Volunteer Coordinator

Starting date: October 2023

We are looking for a new person to take on the part time role of our Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteers are at the heart and soul of all our workshops and without them we wouldn’t be able to do the amazing work we offer. This role is therefore super important to us and requires someone with great organisational skills but who can also maintain the wonderful relationships we have with our volunteers.

The role is on a flexible part time offer based in Bridport, Dorset for the equivalent of two days per week.

BACKGROUND

We are a registered charity in West Dorset and we offer FREE creative writing workshops to children aged 7-18. Our focus is on those children who are most under resourced, who normally do not have access to these types of things but deserve them just as much as anyone else. We work with both primary and secondary schools during term time providing one-off story writing workshops with the end result being published authors or broadcast podcasts! We believe in child led learning, with as close to one to one mentoring as we can provide. We also offer after school clubs for children to develop their writing and get involved in longer workshop projects that are created with industry professionals to provide wonderful real world outcomes. How about writing a campaign for a cause you feel strongly about and then seeing it made by professionals so you can present it to local government or businesses? What if you wrote some song lyrics, and then are able to see a real musical artist take your words and make it into a real recording you can share with the world? Or how about you become the lead defence lawyer for a special mock trial in a real court house where your persuasive arguments determine whether your head teacher is guilty or not guilty? The possibilities are endless and at The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares we want to have fun showing children that it all starts with an idea, a story, some words and where that can take you is the exciting part.

THE ROLE

Working closely with the Director and Creative Learning Manager the role will be pivotal in the running of the charity. As coordinator the role will include recruiting, training and managing our volunteers. The job is offered on fully flexible terms based on 2 days total work per week. This could also include weekends for events etc.

During all our workshops, children and young people benefit from one-to-one mentoring and support from trained volunteers, and from innovative, exciting, and energised delivery from our highly experienced workshop facilitators.

Ideally we are looking for someone with experience of managing volunteers but this is not essential. What is most important to us is that the applicant is an organised, real people person with brilliant communication skills.

Please note that this post will require DBS clearance.

About You

Experience:

  • Passionate about improving opportunities and outcomes for children and young people aged 7-18.

  • Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, for example: families, education professionals etc;

  • Experience of working as a volunteer, alongside volunteers, or ideally of managing volunteers

Personal Attributes:

  • excellent organisation skills

  • flexible and solution-focused approach.

  • Ambitious and passionate about excellent outcomes for young people;

  • Proven ability to communicate with and support young people in their learning;

  • Excellent ability to be a role model to the young people we work with;

  • Exceptional communicator and collaborator:

  • Confident, positive and effective when engaging with people in a variety of contexts;

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;

  • Flexibility to turn your hand to different tasks and activities as needed;

  • Solution focused, creative problem solver and calm under pressure;

  • Planning in a changing environment, and a high level of organisation;

  • Passionate and focused:

  • Strong identification with our mission and objectives; goes above and beyond;

  • Highly-organised and efficient at managing time and workload; ability to balance both strategic priorities and day-to-day details;

  • Positive, proactive and dedicated approach.


Terms and Conditions:

Title of Post: Volunteer coordinator

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Hours: Part time (15 hours per week to be worked flexibly according to the needs of the organisation, including evening and weekend work).

Salary: £20,000 to £25,000 pro rata, which equates to £8,000 to £10,000 p.a. gross for the two days worked dependent on experience + employer pension contribution (currently at 3%)

Contract: This position is permanent subject to funding availability.
The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. Holiday entitlement: 28 days per year + bank holidays pro rata which equates to 12 days per year.

How to apply:
Send your CV and a covering letter detailing why you are suited to the role (600 words max) to nick@thebankofdreamsandnightmares.org Applications close on 31st August 2023 We will be running a rolling interview process so we strongly advise that you apply as soon as possible.