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Volunteer Office Assistant & Volunteer Grant Writer
Volunteer Position: Office Assistant
Organisation: Arkbound Foundation
Location: Bridgeton, Glasgow (in-person only).
Position Type: Volunteer (Approx. 1 day per week, ~4 hours; ongoing)
The Role:
We are looking for a highly organised and reliable volunteer to support our Publishing Executive with essential office-based tasks. While this role is designed to be “low impact” in terms of time commitment, it offers a fantastic long-term opportunity for someone pursuing a career in publishing.
The Office Assistant will handle day-to-day responsibilities such as posting book orders, managing incoming mail, and assisting with promotional activities. At the same time, the role can grow in scope depending on the volunteer’s interests, with opportunities to contribute to projects such as:
Coordinating our Writing Within Walls prisoner mentorship programme
Supporting the organisation and promotion of workshops
Assisting with publishing-related tasks
This role is ideal for someone who wants to build a career in publishing, whether that’s a publishing or creative writing student seeking practical experience alongside their studies, or someone already working remotely who would value having an office base. We are particularly interested in volunteers who can commit to 1-2 years, gaining a meaningful, long-term role to strengthen their CV while developing skills that will directly support a future in publishing.
Responsibilities:
Post book orders and handle incoming/outgoing mail.
Support promotion of Arkbound and its publications.
Keep on top of emails, task lists, and both short-term and long-term office needs.
Work directly with the Publishing Executive, providing dependable administrative support.
Take initiative when tasks arise, problem-solving independently while knowing when to seek guidance.
Optionally, contribute to special projects such as mentoring programmes or workshops.
Qualities & Experience:
Reliability above all else: someone who consistently shows up, follows through, and checks in.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing tasks.
Excellent attention to detail.
Independent, proactive, and able to solve problems as they arise.
Interest in publishing, writing, or the charity sector.
Ideal background: student in publishing/creative writing OR freelance editor looking for office space and long-term experience with a charity press.
Time Commitment & Perks:
Around 1 day per week (max. 4 hours); the role is ongoing.
Volunteers are welcome to spend more time in the office if desired.
A unique perk: the successful volunteer may also use our Bridgeton office as a personal study or work space outside their volunteer hours (strictly for their own use only).
Valuable, long-term role experience to strengthen a CV for publishing, editing, or charity-sector careers.
Priority consideration for any future paid positions at Arkbound.
What We Offer:
A supportive, professional environment with opportunities to learn about publishing and charity operations.
Mentorship and guidance from the Publishing Executive.
A meaningful long-term role that builds transferable skills.
A reference upon successful completion.
Priority consideration for interviews should paid roles become available.
About Arkbound Foundation:
Arkbound is a charity publisher and mentoring organisation supporting underrepresented authors and publishing books that explore urgent social issues. We work across Scotland to make publishing inclusive and empowering.
Publishing has historically excluded many marginalised voices. We work to change that by supporting authors facing barriers, mentoring writers in the prison system and working with community leaders whose writing can drive real change. Through mentorship, workshops, events and publishing, we bring important stories into the world.
Our goal is to publish writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, challenge injustice, and strengthen communities. We're guided by a simple principle: building futures, bridging divides.
To Apply: Please fill out the form below.
Grant Writer & Funding Supporter
Organisation: Arkbound Foundation
Location: Remote (with opportunity to work from the Glasgow office)
Position Type: Volunteer (Approx. 1 day per week, ~4 hours; ongoing)
The Role
We are seeking a proactive, driven, and highly organised individual to join us as a Grant Writer & Funding Supporter. This role goes beyond writing applications—it’s about becoming deeply embedded in the mission and vision of Arkbound, understanding our publishing initiatives, and helping shape the strategic direction of our fundraising efforts.
You will work closely with our Publishing Executive and trustees to co-develop funding proposals that are aligned with our long-term goals, values, and programmes. Grant writing today demands a strategic, insight-led approach, and we are looking for someone who can navigate a changing funding landscape with initiative, creativity, and precision.
This is a volunteer position and ideal for someone who wants to gain significant, hands-on experience in charity fundraising and publishing—an excellent opportunity to strengthen your CV while contributing to meaningful social impact.
Key Responsibilities
Research and identify relevant grants from trusts, foundations, and other funding sources.
Draft strategic, compelling, and tailored funding applications.
Collaborate with the Publishing Executive and trustees to align applications with the organisation’s overarching vision and publishing initiatives.
Gain deep knowledge of Arkbound’s programmes, including our publishing press, outreach initiatives, and impact goals.
Support tracking of submitted proposals, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
Contribute to long-term funding strategies and organisational sustainability planning.
Time Commitment & Working Style
Approximately 8 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
This role requires someone who is highly independent, resourceful, and action-oriented. You’ll be supported at every step, but we’re looking for someone who takes ownership and isn’t afraid to drive things forward.
Ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative but autonomous environment and wants tangible, professional experience in the charitable publishing sector.
Who We're Looking For
Experience or strong academic background in grant writing, fundraising, or a related field.
Excellent written communication, analytical, and research skills.
Strategic thinker who understands the evolving nature of charitable funding.
A genuine interest in the publishing sector and charitable work.
Self-motivated, organised, and professional.
What We Offer
Real responsibility and the chance to shape meaningful funding strategies.
Flexible working arrangements.
Mentorship and support from experienced staff and trustees.
A valuable professional reference upon successful completion.
The opportunity to play a central role in a small but impactful charity.
A chance to gain strong portfolio experience in the charity publishing and fundraising sector.
About Arkbound Foundation:
Arkbound is a charity publisher and mentoring organisation supporting underrepresented authors and publishing books that explore urgent social issues. We work across Scotland to make publishing inclusive and empowering.
Publishing has historically excluded many marginalised voices. We work to change that by supporting authors facing barriers, mentoring writers in the prison system and working with community leaders whose writing can drive real change. Through mentorship, workshops, events and publishing, we bring important stories into the world.
Our goal is to publish writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, challenge injustice, and strengthen communities. We're guided by a simple principle: building futures, bridging divides.
To Apply: Please fill out the form below.
Creative Writing Youth Mentor – Writing Within Walls
Organisation: Arkbound Foundation
Location: Remote
Position Type: Volunteer 2-hour weekly commitment (flexible, based on your schedule)
Restrictions: Minimum age: 22
ABOUT WRITING WITHIN WALS
Writing Within Walls is a creative writing and mentoring programme for young people aged 14-25 who are incarcerated or at risk of offending. Delivered across Scotland and supported by The Robertson Trust, the programme is endorsed by the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and designed to complement existing rehabilitation, education, and throughcare provision.
The programme matches young people with trained volunteer mentors who support them through one-to-one creative writing correspondence over 12-18 months. Participants develop genuine creative writing skills across poetry, memoir, fiction, and drama; process difficult emotions and experiences in structured, therapeutic ways; and have their voices heard through a professionally produced and widely distributed anthology. Previous iterations of the programme have supported over 40 writers in prison and secure settings, with independently evidenced improvements in literacy, confidence, and mental wellbeing.
The Role
We are looking for a volunteer programme assistant to support the day-to-day running of Writing Within Walls as the programme expands. This is a hands-on, varied role sitting at the heart of the programme’s operations, working closely with Emma Venter, Programme Coordinator, to keep things running smoothly and ensure that both mentors and participants receive a well-organised, consistent experience.
Key Responsibilities
Supporting the coordination and scheduling of mentor inductions, training sessions, and peer network meetings.
Assisting with mentor recruitment communications, including responding to enquiries and tracking applications.
Maintaining records of mentor-participant matches, correspondence milestones, and programme timelines.
Helping to draft and send programme updates, newsletters, and communications to mentors, partner organisations, and institutional contacts.
Supporting outreach to partner organisations, YOIs, schools, and community groups.
Assisting with the coordination of anthology production, including gathering participant submissions and liaising with the editorial and design process.
General administrative support to the Programme Coordinator as needed.
Time Commitment & Working Style
Approximately 2 hours per week, with flexible scheduling.
This role requires someone who is highly independent, resourceful, and action-oriented. You’ll be supported at every step, but we’re looking for someone who takes ownership and isn’t afraid to drive things forward.
Ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative but autonomous environment and wants tangible, professional experience in the charitable publishing sector.
Who We're Looking For
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. You do not need prior experience in publishing, youth work, or the justice sector; what matters most is that you are warm, reliable, and genuinely committed to the programme’s mission of supporting young people to find their voice.
The ideal candidate will be:
Organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and keep accurate records
A clear and friendly communicator, comfortable writing emails and liaising with a range of contacts
Self-motivated and able to work independently, with minimal supervision
Comfortable working remotely using standard tools such as email, shared documents, and spreadsheets
Genuinely interested in the intersection of creative writing, social justice, and young people’s lives
Any experience in administration, coordination, communications, or a related field is welcome, but not required.
What You’ll Gain:
While this role is unpaid, it offers meaningful hands-on experience of programme coordination and communications within a nationally recognised social enterprise. You will play a direct part in supporting a programme that changes young people’s lives, build practical transferable skills in coordination and charity communications, and leave with a strong reference upon successful completion. We are committed to making the experience as valuable and skills rich as possible and will provide guidance and support throughout.
Training details
Arkbound provides mentors with:
Full induction, PVG check, and trauma-informed training.
A structured framework and writing resources so mentors are never without support.
Regular peer sessions with the wider mentor community.
About Arkbound Foundation:
Arkbound is a charity publisher and mentoring organisation supporting underrepresented authors and publishing books that explore urgent social issues. We work across Scotland to make publishing inclusive and empowering.
Publishing has historically excluded many marginalised voices. We work to change that by supporting authors facing barriers, mentoring writers in the prison system and working with community leaders whose writing can drive real change. Through mentorship, workshops, events and publishing, we bring important stories into the world.
Our goal is to publish writers from disadvantaged backgrounds, challenge injustice, and strengthen communities. We're guided by a simple principle: building futures, bridging divides.
To Apply: Please fill out the form below.