Birmingham Writers’ Group

Established in 1988, Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust is a registered charity offering a network of care for life limited and life threatened children and young people, and their families, across the heart of England. These children and young people are not expected to reach adulthood and require specialist care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the last year Acorns has supported over 760 children and more than 980 families, including those who are bereaved.

Acorns is the only organisation that provides this level of care to these vulnerable youngsters whilst offering a range of support services to the whole family to help them cope at every stage of their child’s life and beyond into bereavement.

Thet provide tailored nursing care for each child; short breaks, emergency and end of life care at each of our three hospices:

• Acorns in Birmingham based at Selly Oak
• Acorns in the Black Country based at Walsall
• Acorns for the Three Counties based at Worcester

They are currently looking for a volunteer to help their PR & Comms team and have asked if any members of the group might be interested.

Job Description

An enthusiastic, self-motivated intern to become an integral part of and play a key role in the communications team. Excellent written and oral skills are essential, as is an approachable, personable manner. This individual will be highly organised and proactive with the ability to foster strong relationships and gain trust.

The successful candidate will report directly to the PR & Communications Manager, work with colleagues across the organisation, as well as supporters and volunteers to deliver accurate and effective communications for Acorns Children’s Hospice, promoting awareness and generating income.

The role will assist with a range of duties such as preparing press releases, photocalls, event PR and liaison with journalists. It will also support marketing campaigns and both fundraising and care events, whilst helping maintain internal systems of monitoring and reporting.

A degree or training in a relevant discipline is strongly desired, although not essential.

Minimum commitment of two days per week for three months.

What we can offer you:

This is an opportunity to work with one of the region’s best known and well-respected charities.

Responsibilities will involve activities ranging across small community-based and large-scale fundraising events, major partnerships with key regional organisations and businesses (including Birmingham Airport, Aston Villa FC and Worcester Warriors), hospice based care events and the charity’s retail division of charity shops.

The role will help develop essential skills required for working in communications and marketing as well as an understanding of charity and fundraising.

An experienced and committed team will provide on-going opportunities for learning and development with on the job mentoring.

Please apply by emailing your covering letter outlining your reasons for applying and CV to Sarah Worrall at sarah.worrall@acorns.org.uk