Volunteer Office Manager

12 Nov, 2019

VOLUNTEER OFFICE MANAGER

 “The Barlow has brought me so much.  It’s made me feel part of the community and it’s different every day.  I’ve met so many people.  It’s nice to be able to help and be able to point people in the right direction. It’s really rewarding.” – Diane Radcliffe, outgoing Volunteer Office Manager.

The Barlow is always looking for new volunteers who would like to help support this charity and take it forwards.  But the role of Office Manager and Volunteer Co-ordinator are particularly crucial and require a greater level of commitment.  So, if you’re looking for a challenge you can really get your teeth into, and if you want your efforts to make a great and valuable impact in your community, please consider applying for these roles. 

VOLUNTEER OFFICE MANAGER

You are the lynchpin of the Barlow on a day-to-day basis, and though the devil is in the detail, you’re someone who revels in organisation and creating systems to keep everything organised.  You get great satisfaction from knowing that at the end of the day, the rooms are hired, payments accounted for and the volunteers know where they’re going and what they’re doing.

You will be asked questions – lots and lots of questions – and you have a team of office volunteers as well as other volunteer groups who look to you for help, direction and support.  But there is great satisfaction in being able to help them, in your ability to pull the whole organisation together, and to see it thrive.

The key is being passionate about the Barlow and wanting to know everything about it.  Combine that passion with a proactive mindset and you have the perfect Office Manager.

Times are completely flexible, but the role takes approximately one working day a week.  You can make the job your own.

Key aspects of the role:

 You are the first point of contact at the Barlow, so you’re a host and a skilled communicator.

  • You have a passion for detail, combined with bigger picture thinking; inspiring the whole office to work together.
  • You keep an exceptional calendar and diary maintenance record.
  • You supervise the invoicing of user groups, room and event- hire and handling payments. This is crucial!
  • You are inspiring and look for ways to train and upskill the office team. Everyone who gives something to the Barlow ought to get something in return.
  • You’re a team player and work wonderfully alongside the other Barlow volunteer teams on Events, Marketing, Facilities and the Reading Room.

To apply:  Please let us know why you think this role is perfect for you and register your interest.  Send an email to nigel@thebarlow.co.uk or drop off a letter in the office addressed to Nigel Truswell.

Applications will close on 26th November 2019

FRIENDS OF THE BARLOW

Blackburn with Darwen Council handed over the running and upkeep of The Barlow to the community in 2013. Since then The Barlow Charity has relied upon the generosity of benefactors and income from users of the facilities, plus the efforts of volunteers to sustain this much valued community facility. Significant improvements have been carried out to help ensure a long-term future, including a new roof, replacement windows, new hygienic worktops in the coffee shop kitchen and a new hot water & heating system. Most recently (summer 2022) the renovation of the outdoor veranda has been completed and a new adjacent decking area has been installed. In addition the snooker room has been restored to its former splendour by a small group of volunteers.

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An important source of funding that has contributed to the above mentioned improvements is The Friends of the Barlow scheme.  By becoming a Friend you can contribute to a fund that is used for repairs and renovations to the structural fabric of the building and pathways etc, and to upgrade, refresh and improve facilities e.g. now that the building is once again weathertight there are plans being drawn up for the main hall can be deep-cleaned, re-decorated and refurbished and other water-damaged areas such as the main stairway & its beautiful large, stained glass window to also be restored to their former glory.

As a Friend of The Barlow, your regular donations provide a much appreciated, steady income stream that to date (summer 2022) has raised in the region of over £40,000, which has been mostly used contributing towards paying for the roof, windows and heating system.
We intend to soon publish the overall list of improvements/tasks and from that you will see that there is a significant amount of expenditure still needed to achieve all of the identified tasks and improvements. We would welcome donations/sponsorship for specific items that may be of particular interest to individuals or families or groups, but the regular donations by Friends of The Barlow are also crucial. Therefore, we welcome any and all new donors and are grateful for whatever amount you choose to donate.

We are of course also very grateful to all of our existing Friends of The Barlow and if you are able to increase your monthly donation by any amount, that would be hugely appreciated – you can either make the increase to your standing order directly with your bank or you can complete a new form and send it to your bank or give it to us to process.

Please also consider increasing the value of your donation at no extra cost to you by using Gift Aid – as an example, an £8 donation from you becomes £10 with the Gift Aid add-on!

If you wish to donate please click on the link below, complete the form and either send it to your bank with an email copy to our email address fotb@thebarlow.co.uk  or return the completed form to the Barlow’s office in a sealed envelope addressed to Friends of The Barlow.  Paper copies of the form are available from The Barlow.

For any further information please email fotb@thebarlow.co.uk or contact the office via info@thebarlow.co.uk or 01204 852216.

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