Vacancies

Development Officer

Employer: Berwickshire Swap
Responsible to: Chief Officer
Location: Based primarily in Chirnside, with travel throughout Berwickshire, the Scottish Borders, East Lothian & North Northumberland
Hours: 22 hours per week – flexible working
Salary: £14.32ph
Contract: Fixed-term for 4 Months, may be extended subject to funding.
Start date: ASAP

Application Deadline : Tuesday 4th November interviews from the 5th.

Purpose of the Role

This new post will strengthen Berwickshire Swap’s community wellbeing work by focusing on volunteer development and peri-natal mental health support.

The Development Officer / Volunteer Support Officer will:
- Recruit, mentor, and develop our volunteer cohort – many of whom are new parents or returning to work after having children.
- Create safe, inclusive opportunities for new parents to connect, share experiences, and improve wellbeing through volunteering, peer support and community activity.
- Embed good practice in volunteer management, safeguarding, and mental-health awareness across Berwickshire Swap’s projects.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment & Mentoring

- Recruit and induct new volunteers, ensuring they understand Berwickshire Swap’s mission, policies, and safeguarding responsibilities.
- Provide one-to-one support and mentoring to volunteers, particularly parents experiencing isolation or low confidence.
- Deliver informal training and peer-support sessions to help volunteers gain skills, wellbeing, and a sense of purpose.
- Recognise and celebrate volunteer contributions, supporting progression into further training, employment, or leadership roles.

Partnership & Promotion

- Build and maintain relationships with referring bodies such as health visitors, early-years teams, GP surgeries, midwives, and community link workers.
- Promote Berwickshire Swap’s support services and volunteering opportunities through presentations, outreach visits, and social media updates.
- Work with partners to design referral pathways and follow-up processes for new parents engaging with the project.
- Attend relevant networks, steering groups, and community well-being meetings

Programme Delivery & Administration

- Coordinate and deliver small-group well-being or skills-based sessions for volunteers (e.g., creative reuse, confidence building, community cafés, or peer-support meetups).
- Support volunteers and parents to participate safely and meaningfully in activities at The Loop shop and The Clothes Loop hub.
- Maintain accurate records of volunteer participation, outcomes, and well-being impact for monitoring and reporting to funders.
- Prepare reports, case studies and data summaries for the Chief Officer, board, funders and partners.
- Ensure compliance with all Berwickshire Swap policies including safeguarding, equality, confidentiality and data-protection.

Continuous Improvement

- Identify barriers to volunteering for parents with young children and propose creative, practical solutions
- Contribute to the design of future projects supporting mental health and sustainable community engagement.
- Share learning and best practice with staff & volunteers across the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential

- Experience of recruiting, training, or supporting volunteers (formal or informal).
- Understanding of the challenges faced by new parents and those experiencing peri-natal mental-health issues.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with empathy, tact, and the ability to build trust quickly.
- Experience working collaboratively with statutory and third-sector partners (e.g., NHS, local authority, community groups).
- Excellent organisational skills – able to plan, record, and report effectively.
- Confident using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace or similar systems.
- Full driving licence and access to transport for regional travel.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and the values of community reuse and sustainability.

Desirable

- Qualification or training in volunteer management, community development, or mental-health awareness.
- Experience facilitating group sessions or peer-support activities.
- Knowledge of the Berwickshire / Borders voluntary-sector landscape.
- Experience using social media for community engagement or recruitment.

What We Offer

- Flexible working hours to support family and caring responsibilities.
- Supportive, family-friendly environment within a small, values-driven team.
- Training in volunteer management, safeguarding and mental-health awareness.
- Opportunity to shape an innovative project improving wellbeing and inclusion for local families.

To apply:

Send cover letter and CV to Chief Officer Nicky Seed - nicky.seed@berwickshireswap.co.uk or trustees@berwickshireswap.co.uk

Treasurer Trustee

Location: Scottish Borders/East Lothian and North Northumberland

Unpaid (Expenses covered)

As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of Berwickshire Swap's financial affairs. The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

Treasurer role

· Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
· Day to day bookkeeping using Xero accounting software.
· Processing of payroll information for the charity's employees.
· Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management.
· Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
· Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
· Preparing financial information and forecasts for funding applications.
· Preparation of annual accounts and liaison with independent examiners.
· Preparing and submitting the annual return to OSCR.
It should be noted that many of the above duties can be delegated to members of staff albeit the Treasurer will retain overall responsibility.
What we are looking for
· A finance background. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage.
In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees (see next page):

Responsibilities of all trustees

· Support and provide advice on Berwickshire Swap's purpose, vision, goals and activities.
· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
· Oversee Berwickshire Swap’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
· Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
· Provide support to the Operations Manager in exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
· Contribute to regular reviews of Berwickshire Swap's own governance.
· Attend monthly Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
· Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Berwickshire Swap’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
· Contribute to the broader promotion of Berwickshire Swap’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Attributes and qualities

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing organisation with a strong community impact. As a trustee, you will have the chance to shape our future, help strengthen the charity, and ensure we continue to make a positive difference within communities.

How to Apply:

If you’re ready to help steer Berwickshire Swap into the future, we’d love to hear from you!

To apply, please send a letter outlining your experience and interest in the role to jim2302@icloud.com

Trustee

Location: Scottish Borders/East Lothian and North Northumberland

Unpaid (Expenses covered)

Are you passionate about sustainability and committed to tackling financial hardship in our communities? Do you have the leadership skills to help guide a dynamic organisation towards a brighter future?

Berwickshire Swap is seeking Trustees to join our Board as we continue to grow and support local communities. We are a thriving community-based organisation dedicated to creating sustainable, circular economies by encouraging swapping, reusing, and recycling children’s clothes and toys within Berwickshire.

About Us:

At Berwickshire Swap, we believe in the power of sharing and reducing waste. We bring the community together through events, donation points, and promote sustainability and reducing landfill waste. Our innovative projects are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and the environment.

Originally founded in Berwickshire, we have successfully expanded into the wider Scottish Borders and East Lothian over the last 12 months with recent expansion into Northumberland.

The Role:

As Trustee, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of Berwickshire Swap. You’ll work closely with the other members of the board, Operation Manager, and staff to ensure the charity is effectively governed and is achieving its mission.

Responsibilities include:

- Shaping the long-term vision and strategy of Berwickshire Swap.

- Supporting and guiding the Operations Manager and staff team.

- Advocating for Berwickshire Swap in the local community and beyond.

- Attending meetings in person or via zoom at agreed points throughout the year

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking a committed and dynamic individual with:

- A passion for sustainability and community-driven initiatives.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- A commitment to Berwickshire Swap’s mission and values.