Local Fundraiser

Read Easy is a well-known and respected charity that is dedicated to helping adults to read. You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who are passionate about working with adults who need help to learn to read. The 1:1 coaching we provide is free to all readers, but we need to raise funds to cover our costs.

It costs between £4500 and £5500 to run our local group. Read Easy UK cannot apply for local funds as they are a national charity therefore, the fundraiser is a key role within the team as without funding we cannot help the many potential readers living in West Berkshire. Could you use your initiative, tenacity and creativity to riase fund to ensure the group's running costs are covered?

You will be seeking funding from:

• National organisations such as the National Lottery
• Local organisations who only support local charities
• Small businesses that are interested in investing directly into their local communities
• Organising events or raffles

The funding you raise will be used to:

• Purchase reading materials including books
• Cover cost of printing leaflets and posters
• Attend events to promote Read Easy West Berkshire
• Training costs for all our volunteers
• Travel expenses
• Administration fees

What you will be doing

• With your Management Team, plan how much money is needed to be raised to cover group expenses and agree best approaches to fundraising.
• Write applications to local community funding organisations and businesses.
• Arrange fundraising events, as agreed by Management Team.
• Maintain a database of fundraisers.
• Make public acknowledgement and thanks to donors in collaboration with our publicity organiser
• Attending Management Team meetings, typically once a month

This role is not office based, you will be working from home.

About Read Easy

Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read. In so doing, they are opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life.

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. For more details about the organisation, please see the Read Easy website: www.readeasy.org.uk

By helping people to tackle their reading difficulties, Read Easy enables people to become more independent, improve their employment opportunities, support their family's reading and begin to explore many other opportunities. Above all, our Readers experience remarkable improvements in their confidence and self-esteem.

"It's been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn't." Peter, from Read Easy Poole

What skills do I need?

• Knowledge and previous experience of fundraising is desirable, though not essential
• A willingness to seek out potential sources of funding.
• Experience of writing funding bids is desirable, though not essential.
• Good negotiating and influencing skills.
• The ability to use initiative and work independently.
• A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.
• An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.
• A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.
• Energy and enthusiasm with an average of three hours a month to commit to the role.

What is in it for you?

• develop fund raising skills
• develop your skills in organising events if you choose to use this approach;
• meet and work collaboratively with new people; and
• be active and engaged, adding value to your local community.
• gain skills in demonstrating and understanding data protection and how it is applied
• meet and work collaboratively with new people

How we will support you

You will be provided with the Management Team Handbook, policies, training/induction, guidance and resources specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, via your Team Leader and the management team. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK's regional forums held online. We can provide you with a basic, pay as you go mobile phone if you do not want to use your personal number when contacting potential supporters.

Please note: All Read Easy volunteer roles subject Safer Recruitment procedures which include verification of identity and two references, and eligibility for Management Team roles is in line with Charity Commission regulations for trustees.

When is this role available?

This is a flexible role available on various days/times.

Details

Commitment: Part Time - up to 5-7 hours per week but may be less. There are no set hours, it is a very flexible role working at times and days to suit yourself.

Where does this role take place?