Volunteer - Public Affairs and Campaigns
Voluntary (ideally Thursdays and Fridays from August to October, but this is negotiable)
Here at Humanists UK, our dream is of a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our dedicated staff of 40+ and hundreds of volunteers work hard to achieve this aim.
The Public Affairs and Policy team is looking for a volunteer for up to three months and for up to three days per week (to be negotiated) to support campaigns relating to our public affairs work. Ideally this would be on Thursdays and Fridays, August to October, but there is some flexibility.
We are looking for a passionate, committed, articulate, and creative person with excellent research skills to take on this important role in our organisation.
The Public Affairs and Policy team has six priority campaigns:
legal recognition for humanist marriage across the UK
reducing religious selection in schools
a balanced approach to Religious Education
supporting persecuted humanists abroad
legal assisted dying in England and Wales
abolishing blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland
We have selected these strategically important active campaigns based on their significance to humanists, their social impact, and our prospects for success in the current environment. They reflect areas of public debate where a rational, humanist influence is sorely needed, and where we know we’ll have the biggest impact.
Outside of these six campaigns, we keep a close eye across over 20 key areas of policy – ready to leap into action to defend freedom of thought, choice, and expression, or to stand for the rights of the non-religious.
More information about our work can be found at https://humanists.uk/campaigns/
Take a look at the full role description and person specification here, and if it sounds like the right role for you please click Join Our Volunteer Team! Answer the application questions and attach a CV and a cover letter that addresses the points listed in the role description:
a little about yourself
why you are interested in the role
what you would like to get out of volunteering with the Public Affairs and Policy team
what research experience you have
how you would organise your volunteering to ensure key actions are not missed
We actively encourage applications from all sections of our community. We particularly welcome applicants from groups currently under-represented among our volunteers; these would include individuals who identify as female, disabled, trans or from the global majority.
You can find our Recruitment and Promotion and Equal Opportunities policies via the Careers Menu or at the foot of our main Opportunities Page.
- Department
- Public Affairs and Policy
- Role
- Volunteer - Public Affairs and Campaigns
- Locations
- UK-wide
- Employment type
- Volunteer
- Job type
- Volunteer
- Remote Status
- Flexible (by negotiation)
About Humanists UK
We started out in 1896, and since then we’ve always been a growing movement at the forefront of social change. Today we’re trusted by over 120,000 members and supporters and over 70 local and special interest affiliates to promote humanism.
We put humanism into practice through effective campaigning and services, supporting lasting change for happier, more fulfilling lives. Our policies are informed with the support of over 150 of the UK’s most prominent philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers and experts and we seek to advance them with the help of over 100 parliamentarians in membership of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group. We bring like-minded people together to make change happen, and we strive to be their voice in public debate, drawing on contemporary humanist thought and the worldwide humanist tradition.
We’ve been conducting non-religious funerals, weddings, and baby-namings for 120 years. Our highly trained celebrants are the best you’ll find anywhere, and they support individuals to create authentic, bespoke ceremonies that put people and their stories at the heart of every occasion.
We also help vulnerable people easily access like-minded and effective non-religious pastoral support that is specially tailored to work for them. Our trained and accredited non-religious pastoral support volunteers operate across hospitals, prisons, and the armed forces.