Volunteer Telford

Ironbridge Coracle Trust is a small, registered CIO (Charity No. 1161685) focused on telling the story of the Ironbridge Coracle and its relevance to the wonderful World Heritage Site of the Ironbridge Gorge.  The Trust was established in 2015 and now has a strong core of 8 Trustees with varying skills that they bring to the board.

In 2019 the Trust was successful in securing National Lottery Heritage Funding and the project will be completed by the end of October 2022. The project has enabled the Trust to restore the Old Coracle Shed, create a Coracle Man Sculpture, and a New Shed which is now a visitor attraction telling the story of Coracles in Ironbridge, and run a varied programme of community focused events.

As the project comes to an end, we need to look at sustainability of the Trust without the financial support of the Heritage Fund. This can only be achieved by growing our fundraising. Therefore, we are looking a new Trustee with Charity or Heritage Sector Fundraising experience to ensure our resilience post project.

The Role of the Trustee

Ironbridge Coracle Trustees share ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run.

As a Trustee you will help develop and set the strategic aims, objectives, and direction of the charity. The skills and knowledge you bring will enhance the Board and support the Trust.

There is a core of Trustees who are very active in the delivery of events and organisational tasks, whilst others play a more strategic and guiding role.  All have something to offer the Trust.

Summary of Role: Ironbridge Coracle Trust (the Trust) is looking to appoint a new trustee with a professional background in charity fundraising to join Ironbridge Coracle’s Board of Trustees

Commitment: Flexible, initially we envisage more hours to help set up a fundraising strategy, but after this it may only take a few hours a month.

Fundraising Strategy

Once the project finishes at the end of October 22 the Trust will have no paid staff.  The Trust is currently clarifying its liabilities and developing a business plan for post project. The annual running costs are in the region of £7.5k- £10K with additional funding needing to be secured for discrete projects.

The Trust currently fundraises through a ‘mixed economy’ approach

- Sales of merchandise- (currently very limited)

- Sponsorship/ support from a local business

- Donations

- Events and activities including the annual Ironbridge Coracle Regatta

- Grants: four of the Trustees have experience in writing funding bids and as a small charity the Trust has been successful in raising funds this way.

Independent Visitor Volunteer role within the local area, travel within the area will be required.

Purpose of the role:

To provide consistent and supportive relationships to children and young people in care, offering emotional support, companionship, and guidance through shared activities and time together. The Independent Visitor plays a vital role in helping the young person build confidence and feel secure while enhancing their personal, social, and cultural development.

Decision-making:

Independent Visitors make decisions on the types of activities and engagements with the young person, ensuring that they align with their interests and needs.

They will not be responsible for making decisions about the young person’s care or welfare; this remains with the social worker and care team.

Volunteer role:

Support the child/young person to experience enriching activities that contribute to their personal and cultural development.

Engage in activities such as pursuing hobbies, meeting for meals, or socialising in a community setting.

Listen to and support the young person, fostering a sense of safety and trust.

Help the young person develop social skills and increase their involvement in their community.

Develop a positive and lasting relationship, ensuring the young person feels valued and supported.

Support:

Collaborate with VoiceAbility staff, social workers, and other professionals as needed to ensure the well-being of the young person.

Participate in training and support sessions, contributing to the development of the volunteer network.

Adhere to the guidelines, policies, and best practices provided by VoiceAbility.

Maintain confidentiality and work in partnership with the young person’s care team while remaining impartial and independent.

Benefits

The opportunity to make a real difference in a young person’s life, offering them stability, support, and companionship.

A chance to form a rewarding and lasting relationship with a child or young person.

Gain valuable experience in volunteering and supporting vulnerable individuals.

Access to training and ongoing support from VoiceAbility staff.

Remote working

Could you be a friendly presence for someone living with a terminal illness and offer a short break for their carers?

Offer emotional support and conversation, help people express what matters to them, and support family members or carers before and after bereavement.

We provide full training and ongoing support, and you’ll never be asked to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Whether you’re sharing stories, chatting, playing music, or simply sitting beside someone, your time can bring comfort and connection when it’s needed most.

Availability: 3 hours per week

Time: Flexible to suit your schedule

Criteria: Minimum age 18. A Criminal Records Check is required, covered by Marie Curie

Locations:   Telford area.

What you’ll be part of:

Visit a person weekly in their home and spend time with them and their family members

Have a chat, a cuppa, or share some quiet time

Listen to memories, share stories, or talk about everyday things

Support carers or family members by giving them a short break

Accompany your client to appointments or take them out to do things they would like to do e.g. for coffee, to a garden centre, to the shops, to the park etc

What you’ll gain:

Full training, ongoing guidance and wellbeing support

Recognition for your time and effort

Updates on the difference you’re making

Long Service Awards

Be part of the UK’s leading end-of-life charity

Perks:

Travel expenses reimbursed

Access to discounts on shopping, dining, travel and more

Kindness doesn’t have to be big to be life-changing

Telford & Wrekin Council is advertising for more volunteers to join the Independent Appeal Panel dealing with primary and secondary school admissions and exclusion reviews. It is a requirement that the Local Authority’s School Admission Authority provides arrangements for appeals against decisions not to allow a child to attend a school or regarding a decision to exclude a child from a school within Telford and Wrekin.

The role

Admission panels comprise of three members to hear and determine appeals by parents who are not happy with the decision made about their child’s school placement. The panel is independent of the education authority and draws on a pool of lay and independent members to sit on particular appeals. This is an essential role that provides impartiality of decisions for parents and children in Telford and Wrekin.

Membership of the panel comprises of:

- People who have experience in education, who are acquainted with educational conditions in the local authority area, or who are parents of registered pupils in school. This can include current or previous head teachers, teachers, governors or parents

- Lay people, someone without personal experience in the management of any school or provision of education in any school except as a school governor or in another voluntary capacity.