Each year, an average of 150 children are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire. Candlelighters provides practical, emotional and financial support to children and families affected by childhood cancer throughout Yorkshire.
We support children and their families from diagnosis and throughout their journey, including financial support, practical help on the wards and clinic (LGI), well-needed breaks, and emotional and well-being support for the whole family at our family support centre (The Square) and family support bus.
The support we offer at The Square and on the Bus ranges from a simple cup of tea and a break from the wards, to a full programme of emotional and well-being support for children, parents, siblings and grandparents.
Administration and Office Support Volunteer
Team: The Fundraising Team
Location: Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD
Time commitment: 1 day a week
_________________________________________________________________________
About Candlelighters
Candlelighters provides financial, emotional and practical support to families affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire. We support around 150 new families each year and our work ensures the whole family unit is supported in these extraordinary circumstances.
We support children and their families from diagnosis and throughout their journey, including providing financial support, practical help in hospital, much needed breaks, as well as emotional and well-being support at our Family Support Centre (The Square) and Family Support Bus.
Purpose of the Role and Key Activities
Candlelighters needs to fundraise £2million every year to continue providing services to families. The Administration and Office Support Volunteer provides crucial administrative and office support to the Fundraising Team and is central to helping the team raise the money we need to continue supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire.
Activities vary, but may include
Responding to enquiries from supporters via telephone and e-mail
Providing administrative support and helping to prepare resources, merchandise and equipment for events
Taking leadership over the Candlelighters Ebay page. Adding merchandise to sell, liaising with any queries and fulfilling any orders
Answering the phone, transferring calls and taking messages
Updating the supporter database
Writing thank you letters and sending certificates
Processing large mailings (including mail merge) and dealing with any returns
Franking letters and parcels
Arranging courier companies for large deliveries
Filing (paper and electronic)
Providing administrative support for events
Assisting the Fundraising Team with other tasks and activities as required
Send out Merchandise to our fundraisers/Challenge events participants (Running tops, T-Shirts, FR Materials)
Research – future challenge events/mailing contacts
Preparing Collection Tins/Buckets for use by fundraisers
Making up Goody Bags for events
Adhering to Candlelighters’ policies and procedures.
Volunteer Requirements
We are looking for volunteers who
Have strong administrative skills
Have experience of working in an office environment
Have strong IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Have experience of communicating in a professional capacity via telephone, email and in person.
Are friendly and approachable, whilst also able to maintain professional boundaries
Have strong attention to detail
Are able to work well as part of a team
Are able to work independently and use own initiative
Are able to lift and carry boxes, equipment and resources
Are able to climb multiple flights of stairs
Are able to follow Candlelighter’s policies and procedures.
We recognise that family members accessing Candlelighters’ services may wish to volunteer with Candlelighters. However, this particular role is not suitable for family members receiving support from Candlelighters. This is to ensure they are given the best possible care and support without any potential conflict of interest. Other volunteering opportunities can be found on our website.
Support and Benefits
You will receive:
Thorough induction & training to give you the confidence to perform your role well and to the best of your ability
Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters
Ongoing support from the Fundraising and HR teams
The opportunity to meet lots of new, friendly people
The opportunity to expose yourself to new experiences
Certain expenses to be reimbursed as agreed with your Volunteer Supervisor, in accordance with our Expenses policy
Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role
Satisfaction in knowing you are making a valuable contribution to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer
We can be a reference once you’ve volunteered for three months
Access to the MINDFUL EMPLOYER+ 24/7 mental health hotline
Charity Worker Discount card
Access to The Company Shop
Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
Thankyou
Minimum commitment level: Once a week
Start Date: 10-06-2025