Open opportunities
Volunteer Position: Office Assistant
Organisation: Arkbound Foundation
Location: Bridgeton, Glasgow (in-person only).
Position Type: Volunteer (Approx. 1 day per week, ~4 hours; ongoing)
Closing Date: 1st November 2025
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.