Are you passionate about people and community impact?
Do you thrive on supporting, motivating, and developing volunteers to make a real difference?
Are you looking for a part‑time role where your work directly improves lives and strengthens local communities?
Gillespie Recruitment are pleased to be supporting a well‑established, values‑driven community organisation to recruit a Volunteer Coordinator. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys working closely with volunteers, community partners, and local residents to deliver meaningful, high‑quality services.
This role plays a central part in coordinating and supporting a growing volunteer network, ensuring volunteers feel welcomed, trained, valued, and empowered to succeed. You’ll be joining an organisation with a strong social purpose, committed to regeneration, inclusion, and creating opportunities for people to thrive.
The Role
As Volunteer Coordinator, you’ll take ownership of the organisation’s volunteer pathway, supporting over 60 volunteers across a range of community services and activities.
You’ll be responsible for recruiting, onboarding, inducting, training, and supporting volunteers, while ensuring volunteering activity is delivered safely, effectively, and in line with organisational values and policies. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, and external partners to strengthen engagement and maximise positive community impact.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys responsibility, relationship‑building, and making a visible difference at grassroots level.
Key Responsibilities
Volunteer Coordination & Support
- Coordinating volunteer recruitment, onboarding, induction, and training
- Providing ongoing supervision, guidance, and support to volunteers
- Supporting both individual and corporate volunteering activity
- Ensuring volunteer wellbeing, safety, and safeguarding at all times
Planning, Quality & Compliance
- Managing volunteering activity in line with organisational policies
- Supporting the delivery of volunteering services to a consistently high standard
- Contributing to the development and improvement of volunteer policies and procedures
- Maintaining accurate records across recruitment, participation, and exit processes
Community & Partnership Engagement
- Encouraging local residents to engage positively with services and activities
- Building strong relationships with partner organisations to enhance service delivery
- Supporting and attending Volunteer Committee meetings
Monitoring, Funding & Development
- Collating data and supporting monitoring and reporting for funders
- Assisting with funding applications and evidence gathering
- Supporting the development of new volunteer roles aligned with service objectives
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience supporting, coordinating, or supervising volunteers or people‑focused initiatives
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Confidence to resolve challenges, build trust, and motivate others
- Organised, proactive, and able to manage competing priorities effectively
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about community development and social impact
- Approachable, supportive, and values‑led
- Committed to equality, safeguarding, and inclusive practice
- A team player with the confidence to take initiative
What’s on Offer
- Part‑time, permanent position (18.5 hours per week)
- Hourly rate of £12.71 (Living Wage Employer)
- Sunderland & Houghton‑le‑Spring locations
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Flexible working with Flexi / TOIL system
- Smart Health support
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay and death in service benefits (subject to length of service)
- Supportive, values‑driven working environment
- The opportunity to make a real and lasting impact in the local community
Interested?
Apply today or contact Gillespie Recruitment to discuss this Volunteer Coordinator opportunity in confidence.
If you’re looking for a meaningful, people‑focused role where your work truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.
