Volunteer Development Lead

Are you passionate about making a real difference in your community? Do you believe in the power of volunteering to transform lives? Teesside Mind is on an exciting journey to expand and elevate our volunteering programme and were looking for a dynamic, driven individual to lead the way.

Main duties of the job

At Teesside Mind, volunteers are integral to our work. This role offers the chance to lead meaningful change, work with passionate people, and help build a stronger, healthier community. Youll be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation, inclusion, and impact.

As our Volunteer Project Development Lead, youll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of volunteering at Teesside Mind. Youll help us grow our volunteer base, enhance the volunteer experience, and showcase the incredible impact volunteers have on mental health and wellbeing across Teesside.

About us

Were proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than weve ever supported. Weve been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.

We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.

Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.

Job responsibilities

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. Youll be:

Leading the delivery of our Volunteering Strategy and driving progress against our action plan.

Supporting and expanding currentvolunteer projects while developing exciting new opportunities.

Acting as the go-to contact for volunteers and project leads, offering guidance and support.

Recruiting and inducting new volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed and empowered.

Promoting volunteering both internally and externally, building strong partnerships with universities, volunteer hubs, and community organisations.

Championing volunteer recognition, organising peer support sessions, social events, and awards to celebrate their contributions.

Educating staff on the value of volunteers and integrating them into the wider Teesside Mind team.

Maintaining quality standards, updating materials, gathering feedback, and refining processes to ensure a top-tier volunteer experience.

Driving diversity, collecting and using data to ensure our volunteer base reflects the communities we serve.

Supporting influence and participation, helping people with lived experience get involved in shaping our work.

Seeking funding, identifying opportunities and supporting bids togrow our volunteer initiatives.

Person Specification Experience & Qualifications

• Educated to A level equivalent
• Experience working with diverse communities and promoting inclusive practices
• Experience of securing funding or contributing to funding bids
• Lived experience of mental health challenges or experience working alongside people with lived experience
• Experience of working in partnership with universities, volunteer hubs, or community organisations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills able to build trusting relationships with volunteers, staff, and external partners
• Strong organisational and project management skills able to work professionally and efficiently across multiple priorities
• Confident in delivering training, inductions, and presentations in a welcoming and engaging manner
• Ability to collect, analyse, and report on data to inform service development

Knowledge

• Understanding of the role volunteering plays in improving mental health and wellbeing
• Knowledge of safeguarding, data protection, and volunteer management best practices
• Familiarity with influence and participation strategies in mental health services

Other Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates empathy and a commitment to supporting individuals in distress
• Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all
• Acts with integrity, maintains confidentiality, and leads by example
• Upholds high standards of conduct, accountability, and service delivery
• Shows resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and service development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£30,878.33 a yearplus contributory pension scheme