Volunteer Event Services Lead

Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue (BLSAR) Location: Berkshire – with occasional travel for events Commitment: Approximately 2 hours per week, flexibly arranged Status: Volunteer

Help us coordinate BLSAR’s event services

Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue (BLSAR) is a volunteer-run charity supporting the police and other emergency services in the search for high-risk vulnerable missing people across Berkshire and surrounding areas.

Alongside our Search & Rescue operations, BLSAR supports a range of community and public events, providing services such as event support, marshalling and other activities appropriate to our skills and capabilities.

We’re looking for an organised and confident Event Services Lead to oversee this activity and provide leadership and support to our team of volunteer Event Managers.

This is a great opportunity for someone with experience in leading people, coordinating events or activities and managing multiple priorities who would like to use their skills to support a vital local charity.

What you’ll be doing

You won’t be expected to personally manage or attend every event. Instead, you’ll oversee and support the Event Managers responsible for individual events, helping to ensure activities are well planned, appropriately resourced and delivered safely and consistently.

You’ll:

• Lead, support and develop our team of volunteer Event Managers
• Maintain oversight of the BLSAR events calendar and allocate Event Managers
• Ensure appropriate volunteers, resources and equipment are available
• Oversee event risk assessments and ensure agreed procedures are followed
• Act as the main link between the Events Team and BLSAR’s Business Operations function
• Build positive relationships with event organisers, partners and other stakeholders
• Oversee the events budget and support effective use of resources
• Help recruit, onboard and develop new Event Managers
• Lead post-event reviews to capture learning and identify improvements
• Support longer-term planning, including recruitment, budgets, risk management and succession planning

What we’re looking for

You don’t need previous Search & Rescue experience. We’re particularly interested in someone who can bring:

• Experience of leading, managing or coordinating people
• Strong organisation and planning skills
• The ability to manage several activities through others
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• An understanding of health & safety and risk management within an events environment
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and other modern IT systems
• A calm, practical and solutions-focused approach
• The ability to work independently while keeping others informed

Experience of managing volunteers, coordinating events or working alongside emergency services, public safety or community organisations would be beneficial, but isn’t essential.

The commitment

We estimate the role will require around 2 hours per week , although this will vary depending on the events calendar and may occasionally include evenings or weekends.

You’ll also attend relevant team meetings and training sessions.

There is no expectation that the Event Services Lead personally attends every event. Your primary role is to lead, coordinate and support the Event Managers who deliver them.

Why volunteer with BLSAR?

You’ll join a team of around 80 volunteers, all contributing their time and skills to support our local community.

This is an opportunity to use your leadership, event management and organisational experience in a meaningful way while helping BLSAR deliver professional and well-managed event services.

The work of our Event Services team also helps strengthen our relationships across the community, raise awareness of BLSAR and support the wider sustainability of the charity.

Pay: Up to £0.01 per year

Application question(s):

• Please briefly describe your experience of coordinating events, activities or projects involving multiple people.
• This is an unpaid volunteer role requiring approximately 2 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend availability depending on the events calendar. Are you comfortable with this commitment?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wokingham RG40 5QP