Volunteer Hub
Online Creative Volunteer
Organisation Details
The Outdoor Collaborative
Sub theme: Youth Work and Young People
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: The Outdoor Collaborative
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Supporting young people through outdoor experiences and creative digital learning in photography and filmmaking.
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Our Mission
We work with young people across Greater Manchester to build confidence, improve mental well-being, and develop practical skills through a combination of outdoor activities and creative digital projects. By engaging with nature and learning new techniques, our participants are inspired to explore their potential and discover new opportunities.
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What We Do
We deliver programmes that blend outdoor exploration with digital creativity. Our sessions are carefully designed to help young people:
• Build resilience and confidence through outdoor challenges
• Learn practical photography and filmmaking skills
• Improve well-being by connecting with nature
• Express themselves creatively and develop a sense of achievement
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Our Story
The Outdoor Collaborative was established in 2018 by a group of trustees from Saddleworth with a shared belief in the power of the outdoors. What started as local walks quickly evolved into a structured programme combining nature, creativity, and support for young people at risk of isolation or disconnection.
We’ve since developed partnerships with schools, youth groups, and local organisations to reach even more individuals, providing consistent and impactful support through our projects.
⸻
Our Approach
Our work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when young people are given the chance to learn, create, and reflect in natural environments, remarkable things happen. Participants leave our programmes with more than just new skills—they gain confidence, direction, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
The photographs and films they create are shared with potential employers, education providers, and the wider community—showcasing their talents and helping open doors for future development.
⸻
Supporting young people through outdoor experiences and creative digital learning in photography and filmmaking.
⸻
Our Mission
We work with young people across Greater Manchester to build confidence, improve mental well-being, and develop practical skills through a combination of outdoor activities and creative digital projects. By engaging with nature and learning new techniques, our participants are inspired to explore their potential and discover new opportunities.
⸻
What We Do
We deliver programmes that blend outdoor exploration with digital creativity. Our sessions are carefully designed to help young people:
• Build resilience and confidence through outdoor challenges
• Learn practical photography and filmmaking skills
• Improve well-being by connecting with nature
• Express themselves creatively and develop a sense of achievement
⸻
Our Story
The Outdoor Collaborative was established in 2018 by a group of trustees from Saddleworth with a shared belief in the power of the outdoors. What started as local walks quickly evolved into a structured programme combining nature, creativity, and support for young people at risk of isolation or disconnection.
We’ve since developed partnerships with schools, youth groups, and local organisations to reach even more individuals, providing consistent and impactful support through our projects.
⸻
Our Approach
Our work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: when young people are given the chance to learn, create, and reflect in natural environments, remarkable things happen. Participants leave our programmes with more than just new skills—they gain confidence, direction, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
The photographs and films they create are shared with potential employers, education providers, and the wider community—showcasing their talents and helping open doors for future development.
Description of role: The Outdoor Collaborative (TOC) is a Greater Manchester charity that uses outdoor learning, photography, digital media and nature-based activities to support young people and communities.
We are looking for online volunteers to help us share our work, communicate our impact and build relationships with organisations across Greater Manchester. This is a flexible, remote opportunity that can be arranged around study and other commitments.
Depending on their interests and experience, volunteers may contribute to one or more of the following areas:
Social Media
* Turn project updates, photographs and organisational news into engaging social media posts.
* Draft captions and help schedule content.
* Create simple visual materials using Canva or similar tools.
* Help maintain a clear and consistent tone across TOC’s digital channels.
Blog and Storytelling
* Write short website articles, project updates and volunteer stories.
* Help turn information from TOC sessions into accessible and engaging content.
* Interview volunteers, staff or project partners where appropriate.
* Edit and proofread draft content before publication.
Partnership and Outreach
* Research charities, schools, universities and community organisations that may share TOC’s aims.
* Identify relevant partnership, event and outreach opportunities.
* Help organise and maintain TOC’s partner contact information.
* Support the preparation of introductory communications. Any formal contact, commitment or partnership proposal will be reviewed and approved by an authorised TOC representative.
Volunteers do not need experience in all three areas. We welcome applicants who are interested in communications, marketing, writing, design, community engagement or the charity sector. Clear written communication, reliability, good organisation and confidence using common digital tools are particularly helpful. Experience with Canva, social media, research or content writing is beneficial but not essential, as appropriate guidance will be provided.
Volunteers will receive an induction, ongoing supervision and constructive feedback. They will gain practical experience in charity communications, digital marketing, content creation, partnership research and remote teamwork. Where appropriate, completed work may also contribute to a volunteer’s professional portfolio.
This is a fully remote opportunity, so volunteers will not normally need to travel to the University campus or a TOC location. Tasks and deadlines will be agreed in advance, with reasonable flexibility around academic commitments.
We are looking for online volunteers to help us share our work, communicate our impact and build relationships with organisations across Greater Manchester. This is a flexible, remote opportunity that can be arranged around study and other commitments.
Depending on their interests and experience, volunteers may contribute to one or more of the following areas:
Social Media
* Turn project updates, photographs and organisational news into engaging social media posts.
* Draft captions and help schedule content.
* Create simple visual materials using Canva or similar tools.
* Help maintain a clear and consistent tone across TOC’s digital channels.
Blog and Storytelling
* Write short website articles, project updates and volunteer stories.
* Help turn information from TOC sessions into accessible and engaging content.
* Interview volunteers, staff or project partners where appropriate.
* Edit and proofread draft content before publication.
Partnership and Outreach
* Research charities, schools, universities and community organisations that may share TOC’s aims.
* Identify relevant partnership, event and outreach opportunities.
* Help organise and maintain TOC’s partner contact information.
* Support the preparation of introductory communications. Any formal contact, commitment or partnership proposal will be reviewed and approved by an authorised TOC representative.
Volunteers do not need experience in all three areas. We welcome applicants who are interested in communications, marketing, writing, design, community engagement or the charity sector. Clear written communication, reliability, good organisation and confidence using common digital tools are particularly helpful. Experience with Canva, social media, research or content writing is beneficial but not essential, as appropriate guidance will be provided.
Volunteers will receive an induction, ongoing supervision and constructive feedback. They will gain practical experience in charity communications, digital marketing, content creation, partnership research and remote teamwork. Where appropriate, completed work may also contribute to a volunteer’s professional portfolio.
This is a fully remote opportunity, so volunteers will not normally need to travel to the University campus or a TOC location. Tasks and deadlines will be agreed in advance, with reasonable flexibility around academic commitments.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Administration, Commercial Awareness, Fundraising, IT Skills, Marketing and PR, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: No
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Morning, Monday Afternoon, Monday Evening, Tuesday Morning, Tuesday Afternoon, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon, Wednesday Evening, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon, Thursday Evening, Friday Morning, Friday Afternoon, Friday Evening, Saturday Morning, Saturday Afternoon, Saturday Evening, Sunday Morning, Sunday Afternoon, Sunday Evening
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 2 Hours / Week
Location:
Online/Remote