Group Volunteering Manager at Avenues Group, Fareham

Group Volunteering Manager

£35,000 per annum
37 hours per week, Monday–Friday (Some evening and weekend working will be required)
Based in Whiteley, Hampshire or Chertsey, Surrey
Hybrid working offer

Planned interviews: 1st & 2nd December 2026 (face to face in Hampshire, virtual option available if needed); subject to any changes

Help us make volunteering matter!

At Avenues Group, we believe in the power of people coming together to make a difference. Volunteers play an important role in building connections, strengthening communities and creating meaningful opportunities for the people we support.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and forward-thinking Group Volunteering Manager to lead and shape our volunteering approach across the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact by developing a consistent, inclusive and sustainable volunteering programme across Avenues. You will take the lead in creating our Group-wide volunteering strategy, attracting and developing volunteers, and building opportunities that support our services, community engagement, fundraising and peer-led initiatives.

Working closely with colleagues across our operational services, People, Recruitment, Fundraising and Communications teams, you will help embed volunteering into the way we work, ensuring our volunteers feel valued, supported and equipped to make a difference.

What will you be doing?

You will take ownership of developing and delivering our Group-wide volunteering strategy, identifying opportunities to grow volunteering and ensuring we have the right structures, policies and processes in place to support its success.

A key part of your role will be leading the volunteer journey, from attraction and recruitment through to onboarding, training, development and recognition. You will champion inclusive recruitment approaches, creating accessible opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds, including those with lived experience and neurodivergent individuals.

You will also develop exciting new opportunities through corporate partnerships and an employee volunteering programme, working with businesses, community organisations and colleagues to build meaningful connections and maximise the contribution volunteers can make.

Alongside this, you will provide guidance and support to operational teams, ensuring volunteering is managed consistently and safely across Avenues. You will oversee volunteer policies, safeguarding, compliance, reporting and impact measurement, using data and feedback to continually improve the experience for volunteers and the people we support.

This is a role where you can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, bringing people together and turning ideas into meaningful opportunities.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about volunteering and understands how to develop and sustain successful volunteer programmes.

You will bring:

• Proven experience of recruiting, managing and developing volunteers, including developing or improving volunteer programmes.
• Experience of implementing policies, procedures and processes, ensuring good practice, safeguarding and compliance.
• Strong relationship-building and partnership-working skills, with the confidence to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• The ability to develop opportunities, motivate people and create an inclusive and positive volunteering culture.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Strong communication, IT and analytical skills, including experience of maintaining records, managing databases and producing reports.

You will have a good understanding of volunteer management best practice, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, GDPR and health and safety requirements.

Above all, you will be proactive, collaborative and motivated by making a difference. You will be comfortable working strategically while also getting involved in the practical detail, and you will share our commitment to inclusion, co-production and empowering people to have a voice and make choices.

Experience of volunteering within health, social care or community services, corporate volunteering, fundraising or peer-led initiatives would be an advantage. An understanding of autism, neurodiversity and learning disabilities would also be beneficial.

Why join Avenues Group?

At Avenues, we are more than a care and support organisation. We are a community committed to helping people live fulfilling lives, achieve their ambitions and be part of the world around them.

Joining us means having the opportunity to shape something meaningful, build relationships across our organisation and wider communities, and see the positive impact of your work.

If you are passionate about bringing people together, creating opportunities and developing volunteering for the future, we would love to hear from you.

This role involves travel across Avenues locations, so access to suitable transport for business travel is essential.

What we offer 

In return, you'll join a supportive team where your contribution is valued and your development is encouraged. We offer: 

• Hybrid working to support a healthy work-life balance. 
• Generous paid annual leave. 
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career. 
• Access to wellbeing support and employee initiatives. 
• A collaborative and inclusive working environment where continuous improvement is encouraged. 

As part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident Scheme”, candidates who declare a disability, and meet the key criteria for this role, will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview stage.    

We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.