Volunteer Coordinator

Porchlight is looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Volunteer Coordinator to help deliver an exciting new area of our volunteer strategy, creating meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience to volunteer, develop new skills and support others. As part of our ambitious three-year strategy, this newly created role will help develop lived experience pathways that enable people to build confidence, contribute to their communities and use their experiences positively.

Working within the Volunteer Services team, you will lead the recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing support of volunteers across East Kent. You will create opportunities for people with lived experience to get involved, support volunteer-led activities within our accommodation and outreach services, and help develop peer support networks that encourage connection, personal growth and positive outcomes.

You will build strong relationships with colleagues, clients and partner organisations to attract and engage volunteers from diverse backgrounds. We are looking for someone with experience in volunteer coordination or volunteering or community engagement, who has excellent communication and organisational skills, enjoys developing new initiatives and is passionate about empowering people to achieve their potential through volunteering.

This role requires:

• Experience of working with any of the following vulnerable groups – homelessness, criminal justice, substance misuse, survivors of abuse, multiple disadvantage, care system, mental health. (We welcome applications from people who may not have direct experience of working in this sector but have experienced it directly, in a personal capacity).
• A positive, proactive approach
• Experience of balancing multiple work projects and priorities.

• An ability to understand and implement effective professional boundaries. 
• A good understanding of volunteering best practice

Porchlight is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.  

Working pattern: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with some flexibility required.  

Location type: On-site 

Contract type: Fixed term until 30th September 2027

Interview date: 14th October 2026

Our application form and interview process have been designed to assess your transferable skills rather than direct experience. This helps remove barriers for people who may have the right values, abilities, and potential but may not have formal experience in the role they’re applying for. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. Please have a look at the application guidance and job description at the bottom of the page to give you the best chance of being shortlisted. 

For further information about the role, or to have an informal chat with the recruiting manager, please contact Donna Evans on 07734 595306 or email DonnaEvans@porchlight.org.uk. 

For any further information regarding the application process please contact hr@porchlight.org.uk