Position: Volunteer Experience Advisor
Reports to: Volunteer Experience Manager
Location: Chalgrove, South Oxfordshire, hybrid working pattern
Salary: £25,000pa
Benefits: 36 days holiday (including bank holidays), health cash plan
About us
At Pets As Therapy (PAT), we believe in the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond. Every day, our community of dedicated volunteers and their beloved pets bring comfort, companionship and joy to people across the UK, creating moments that can brighten a day, build confidence, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Founded in 1983, PAT is a national charity that connects volunteers and their temperament assessed dogs and cats with schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices and community settings. Together, we help improve wellbeing, support mental health and create meaningful connections for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and our staff play a vital role in ensuring that volunteering with PAT is easy, rewarding and impactful. Guided by our values of being passionate, inclusive, joyful and collaborative, we work together to help more people experience the comfort and happiness that only a pet can bring.
Join us and be part of a charity where every interaction helps create lasting positive impact for volunteers, service users and communities across the UK.
Our offices are based in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside, and benefit from free parking and an on-site café.
Volunteer Experience Advisor
Role description
Help create outstanding experiences for the volunteers who make our mission possible.
As a Volunteer Experience Advisor, you’ll be the first point of contact for our volunteer community, providing guidance, encouragement and support from application through to retirement. You’ll play an essential role in ensuring every volunteer feels valued, informed and connected while contributing to the life-enhancing work of Pets As Therapy. If you’re organised, compassionate, confident communicating with people from all walks of life and passionate about supporting others, we’d love to hear from you.
Main responsibilities:
You’ll help create outstanding experiences for our volunteers, service users, and wider community by:
Supporting volunteer journeys and service user experience
· Guiding volunteers through every stage of their volunteering experience, from application and onboarding through to retirement.
· Building positive relationships with volunteers and service users, ensuring every interaction leaves a lasting, positive impression.
Managing information and systems
· Maintaining accurate volunteer and establishment user records, ensuring information is up to date, compliant, and easily accessible.
· Coordinating volunteer training, communications and record keeping ensuring information remains current and compliant.
· Supporting volunteers in accessing and maintaining their volunteer records in MyPAT, our volunteer account management platform.
Providing essential administration support
· Preparing and distributing volunteer welcome packs
· Supporting the smooth running of the team through a range of administrative activities, including managing shared email inboxes.
This role profile outlines the main responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties may evolve in line with the needs of the charity and will be discussed with the post holder where appropriate.
Person Specification
Experience & Knowledge
We're looking for someone who:
- Communicates clearly and confidently, both in writing and over the phone.
- Is passionate about delivering excellent customer and volunteer experiences.
- Builds positive relationships with a wide range of people and handles sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
- Can accurately interpret enquiries, record information and follow the appropriate processes.
- Has excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities in a busy environment.
- Brings previous administrative experience and a strong eye for detail.
- Is confident using Microsoft Office applications and databases or CRM systems, such as Salesforce.
Attitudes & Behaviours
The ideal candidate will be:
- Friendly, approachable and professional, with a positive outlook.
- Self-motivated, proactive and comfortable working independently.
- A supportive team player who enjoys collaborating within a small, dedicated team.
- Empathetic, patient and non-judgemental when supporting volunteers and service users.
- Open to learning, following processes and embracing new ways of working.
- Highly accurate and detail-oriented, taking pride in delivering quality work.
- Adaptable and flexible, responding positively to change and new priorities.
- Passionate about the work of Pets As Therapy and committed to our values and mission.
Pay: £25,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
