Social Media and Communications Volunteer (Hatfield)

Where: Based at Hatfield Foodbank, Gracemead House, but mainly remote

Time commitment: 2 to 5 hours weekly

When: Hours are flexible over the week

Why we want you:

As a food bank we are part of a growing movement that is taking action to create a fair and compassionate society and deliver our vision for a UK without the need for food banks. Through our social media platforms, we are aiming to gain support for our activity as a food bank and raise awareness in our local community of the drivers pushing people into poverty in order to inspire local people to take action. We are looking for a Social Media and Communications Volunteer to help oversee and drive this important activity forward and enable us to elevate the voice of food bank staff, volunteers, and those with first-hand experience of hardship.

What you will be doing:

• support the food bank manager with the development and delivery of our social media and communications plan and policies

• create regular innovative, engaging, and relevant social media posts that reflect our campaigns, key activities, events, and requests for support

• create accessible, succinct articles to keep volunteers and supporters across the food bank up to date with activities and developments

• follow, reshare, and like posts from our key audiences, ensuring our accounts remain active

• research new social media platforms that we might use and keep up to date with current trends

• attend regular meetings with the food bank manager to plan our social media activity.

The skills you need:

• experience and understanding in using social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter (privately or professionally)

• ability to think creatively to deliver engaging and authentic online content with accuracy and good attention to detail

• ability to provide information in plain English

• ability to operate in a professional manner when communicating online and maintain professional boundaries

• understand the need for confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection and the ability to volunteer within our policies and guidelines

• ability to get on with others and be part of a team, as well as being motivated to complete tasks independently

• confident level of computer literacy and systems.

What’s in it for you:

• having an enjoyable experience whilst volunteering with us

• providing an essential and much needed service at our food bank

• making a difference for people in the local community

• meeting new people and being part of a motivated team

• learning new skills and utilising your existing skills to make a difference

• challenging yourself to try something different, learn and develop.

Support and personal development 

This role requires a minimum commitment of 12 months and a willingness to attend relevant social media and messaging training as part of your induction and ongoing support and development. Training for this role will vary depending on your experience.

You will also have a main contact at the food bank. We are happy to arrange a taster session for you to meet other volunteers and to find out more about the role and the food bank.

This role can be done from home; however, you will be required to spend some time in the food bank to understand how the food bank operates and to engage with other volunteers and our staff.

How to apply  

Whatever your background we want to make sure you are supported, empowered and enjoy your time volunteering with us. We know that having volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds, and with varying experiences, can help to make what we do as effective as possible. As such, we welcome all applicants regardless of age, religion or beliefs, disability, ethnic background, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We also encourage those with lived experiences of poverty to apply.

For more information, an application form or to have an informal discussion, please contact Bridget Foster at manager@hatfield.foodbank.org.uk. (Applicants must apply via email only)