Job Description

Volunteer Support Assistant, Volunteer Centre Dorset



Salary: 19,994 (26,421 pro rata)

Hours: Part-time, 28 hours per week (up to)

Contract: Fixed-term until December 2029

Location: Office-based in Dorchester with travel across Dorset Council Area

Reports to: Volunteer Support & Development Officer

Start date: To be agreed, likely 5 January 2026



Purpose of the role



We are launching an exciting new Supported Volunteering Programme to help anyone who wants to volunteer find a meaningful role. You will assist the project co-ordinator, working with individuals who face barriers to accessing volunteering - including people with learning or physical disabilities, young people, long-term unemployed, and those experiencing mental health challenges. You will work with a person to develop a personalised development plan, and help match and support them into a suitable and supported volunteering opportunity. You'll help with the day-to-day operations of the programme, including supporting new and existing volunteers helping to ensure everyone has the chance to contribute and thrive through volunteering. You will assist with the running of social action groups enabling people to come together, socialise, develop life skills, and have opportunities for days out and additional learning. You will help to champion volunteering, and finding sustainable volunteering pathways for all.


Key responsibilities

project support: Work closely with the Project Coordinator to ensure smooth delivery of programme activities, supporting the involvement of volunteers, buddies and Lived-experience Ambassadors participant support: Provide one-to-one and group support to programme participants, helping them build confidence and settle into volunteering roles. Support participants to access volunteering, training, and social opportunities volunteer buddy support: Work alongside Volunteer Buddies (mentors), offering practical assistance and ensuring they are well supported training and activities: Assist with the delivery of training sessions, social activities, and recognition events. Contribute to the preparation of training packs and resources for participants and Volunteer Buddies monitoring and feedback: Gather participant feedback through surveys, conversations, and case studies. maintain accurate records to contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting outreach and engagement: Help promote the programme and engage with individuals, families, and community organisations administrative support: Assist with communications, scheduling, and resources to ensure smooth programme delivery assist in coordinating travel, expenses, and logistics for participants and volunteers safeguarding and compliance: Ensure all programme activities adhere to safeguarding, health and safety, and equity, diversity, and inclusion policies
Person specification



Essential

experience working in a support, community, voluntary sector or volunteering role strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to engage diverse individuals, building trust and rapport practical, hands-on approach with ability to provide encouragement and reassurance strong relationship-building and communication skills; able to engage diverse stakeholders proven ability to engage and support people with diverse needs, eg learning or physical disability, mental health, youth, etc excellent advocacy skills and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding strong organisational, administrative and digital skills, including use of CRM systems organised and reliable with good attention to detail flexible and adaptable, able to work across different community settings ability to manage time and priorities across a wide geographical area full UK driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle
Desirable

familiarity with Dorset's voluntary and community sector experience in volunteer or community project support experience in volunteer management, training, or mentoring experience in monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting experience working in partnership with statutory bodies or delivering funded projects experience delivering training, workshops, or small group learning sessions * knowledge of safeguarding, GDPR, or other key VCS compliance areas