Reports to: Business Manager

Location: Hybrid working pattern: a blend of community outreach, office-based duties, with required travel to venues, sessions, and events across South Essex.

Hours of work:
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm (with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Plus up to 5 additional flexible hours per week, to be worked around external events, community activity, and fundraising events (including occasional evenings or weekends, by agreement)

Contract type: Fixed Contract 52 Weeks
Hours: 10 hours per week
Salary / Rate: £24,570 FTE (pro-rata) 

·         20 days annual leave (pro-rata) + bank holidays

·         Pension eligibility (in line with STRM policy)

·         Mileage reimbursement for authorised travel

·         Paid training & learning sessions

·         Carer-friendly flexibility

·         Access to Work support (equipment or adjustments where applicable)

·         Discounted carers’ breaks

·         Team-building sessions and peer support

·         Discount schemes for charity workers

SEND the Right Message (STRM) is a “by parents, for parents” registered charity.
We aim to improve the lives of families across Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, and Essex where a child or young person (aged 0–25) has, or may have, special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Our vision is for parent carers, children, and young people with SEND to fulfil their potential — enabling families to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We are a neuro-affirming, family-led organisation guided by our GUIDE.

We are committed to maintaining a culture of inclusion, transparency, and trust where safeguarding, equality, and lived experience are at the heart of all we do.

| G – Growth | Championing radical resilience and confidence in families and communities.
| U – Understanding | Listening with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
| I – Integrity | Acting with honesty, authenticity, and transparency — building trust in all we do.
| D – Diversity | Valuing difference, welcoming everyone, and celebrating uniqueness.
| E – Encouragement | Creating safe, nurturing spaces where families feel supported to thrive.

The Volunteer Coordinator (Events & Community) is responsible for coordinating and supporting volunteers who help deliver STRM’s community-based activity, external events, and fundraising work. The role focuses on ensuring volunteers are safely recruited, well-matched, supported, and confident in their roles, and that volunteering activity is organised, inclusive, and aligned with STRM’s values, safeguarding responsibilities, and safer recruitment standards.

The postholder will work flexibly around events and sessions, leading and coordinating volunteer support for STRM’s monthly Wednesday drop-in session, library-based drop-ins, cost-of-living initiatives, and volunteer-led external community and fundraising events.

This role requires excellent organisation, strong interpersonal skills, confident communication, and the ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and kindness at all times.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Coordination & Support

Help gather and interpret data, assist with evaluations, and contribute to monthly impact reporting.

·         Experience coordinating volunteers, events, or community activity (paid or voluntary)
·    Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends

·         Strong understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, safeguarding, and equality frameworks.

·         Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

·         Trauma-informed approach with excellent active listening skills.

·         Highly organised, adaptable, and flexible with the ability to manage changing priorities.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills with empathy, discretion, and clear, compassionate communication.

·         Ability to communicate in ways that support connection and understanding, using different methods when needed
Excellent interpersonal skills with empathy and discretion.

·         Commitment to STRM’s GUIDE Values and inclusive safeguarding culture.
* Team player, able to collaborate effectively with colleagues and volunteers.

·         Strong organisation and time management skills.

STRM invests in its people. All staff complete mandatory safeguarding, 

Data protection and equality training, with access to Learning and reflection sessions for personal growth, reflective practice, and professional development aligned with our GUIDE Values.

STRM – SEND the Right Message Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults at risk, and families.

 Safer recruitment is a vital part of this commitment, and all trustees, staff, and volunteers are expected to share this responsibility and uphold our GUIDE Values in every role.

All appointments are subject to appropriate checks, including references and an Enhanced DBS, in line with STRM’s Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Policies.

 Additional Information