Fundraiser & Trustee

There are 2.4 million adults in England alone – over 7% of the working age population – who can barely read or cannot read at all.

Established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2011, Read Easy UK now includes nearly 100 volunteer-led groups helping 1500+ adults learn to read in their community.

We are continuing to establish groups in areas of high need.

Read Easy UK is the only national organisation in the country which provides a volunteer-led reading coaching programme for adults.

The support we provide is: 

Free – our Reading Coaches and Management Teams volunteer their time, and resources and training are funded by kind donations
Confidential – only a few people in each group know the identity of our Readers, and all coaching takes place in a private space within a public place so that people feel encouraged to come forward and ask for help
One-to-one – many Readers have had a poor experience in a school classroom or group setting, so our personal approach allows Readers to develop a supportive and trusting bond with their dedicated Coach.
Interested in learning a bit more about coaching

A Reader and their Coach meet for half an hour at a time, twice a week, in one of a range of approved local reading venues which provide space free of charge. They work in spaces where they are not overlooked, but where there will always be other people around for safeguarding purposes. Some groups also provide coaching online or over the phone.

Coaching is provided through a highly effective, phonics-based reading programme called Turning Pages, published by the charity Shannon Trust. An adult reading journey usually takes two years as a minimum. On completion, learners will have acquired the skills they need to move on to further reading and learning. The programme takes people systematically through the learning process step by step, at their own pace and steadily builds their confidence.

The Turning Pages programme also includes 45 graded reading books, written especially for adults, so that from an early stage people can begin to read for meaning and pleasure. Our Coaches will often tailor sessions and tasks to Readers personal interests, making what they learn both useful and engaging to them.

As people discover that they can read, their self-esteem grows, and they experience a real sense of excitement about the many opportunities that are now open to them for the first time.

Position Description

Are you an enthusiastic volunteer looking for a new role where your work will really make a difference? Could you support an energetic local charity to write applications and secure vital funding?

What will you be doing?

We are excited to be seeking a new Fundraiser to help Read Easy Sheffield, a successful local charity which provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, affiliated to national charity Read Easy UK.

The Fundraiser is a vital and interesting role within the Read Easy Sheffield Management Team to secure funding from local organisations, grants and trusts, that are interested in investing directly into their local community. This voluntary position will suit someone who enjoys writing, making new connections and championing what we do. You receive training and support from Read Easy UK to develop your fundraising skills, so while previous experience is desirable, it’s not essential.

What will you be doing?

• With the Management Team, planning how much money is needed to cover group expenses and agreeing best approaches to fundraising.
• Writing applications to local community funding organisations and businesses.
• Arranging fundraising events, as agreed by Management Team.
• Maintaining a database of funding applications.
• Making public acknowledgement and thanks to donors.
• Attending monthly Management Team meetings.

What’s in it for you?

• A rewarding role that has a positive impact on people’s lives
• Opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with new people
• Training and support to develop your fundraising skills
• As part of the Management Team, you will help shape the direction of the organisation

The role is flexible and mainly home-based so you can choose your own hours. To get the most from the role, we would hope all Management Team roles would support Read Easy Sheffield for at least one year.

What are we looking for?

The skills you will need:

• Knowledge and previous experience of fundraising is desirable.
• A willingness to seek out potential sources of funding.
• Good negotiating and influencing skills.
• Excellent written communication skills to write successful applications.
• Reasonable confidence in using IT.
• 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 ands 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.

What difference will you make?
This role is a crucial part of the Management Team as funding is essential for Coach training, expenses and resources – so you will play an instrumental part in making sure our group thrives!

Where: Sheffield residents only

Time

• Either in or out of office hours Estimate of time needed:
• 0-5 hours / month The role is flexible and mainly home-based so you can choose your own hours.

Deadline
28 Nov 2025