Volunteer Director of Events

SAPUK Director of Events – Formal Professional Job Description 

Suicide Awareness and Prevention UK CIC (SAPUK) 

ABOUT US 

Suicide Awareness Prevention UK (SAPUK) is a non-profit Community Interest Company founded in 2016. We support people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or overwhelming life challenges. Our mission is simple: guide people from crisis toward hope, help them regain their strength and sense of safety, and support them in moving forward with their lives.

We offer a range of free, accessible support services:

• Confidential online chat support for real-time emotional support, active listening, and signposting
• Safe Spaces (online and in-person) where people can talk, decompress, and feel understood
• SAPUK Life Coaches providing structured guidance, confidence-building, and personal development support
• A community Food Pantry offering essential items to individuals and families facing financial hardship
• “I Don’t Know Anyone Either” social events are designed to reduce loneliness and help people build connections
• Events celebrating resilience, hope, and community through creative and awareness-focused activities

SAPUK is powered solely by volunteers who bring compassion, lived experience, and a shared belief that no one should face their darkest moments alone.

We work together to create safe, inclusive, trauma-informed spaces where everyone feels heard, valued and supported.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Volunteer Director of Events provides the overarching vision, strategic leadership, and operational management for SAPUK’s entire portfolio of public gatherings, digital campaigns, and community outreach. This senior volunteer leadership role bridges creative event strategy with an empathetic, safety-first mission. The director ensures that SAPUK’s suicide prevention messages, fundraising targets, and awareness initiatives penetrate local communities, corporate spaces, and educational institutions effectively across the United Kingdom.

Key Responsibilities 

Event Strategy & Management 

• Design, implement, and oversee an annual calendar of public events, including charity walks, community wellness days, regional outreach stands, and online awareness campaigns.
• Lead the end-to-end planning of events, from initial conceptualisation and budgeting to logistics, venue booking, and on-the-day coordination.
• Evaluate the success of each event against goals like community reach, safety engagement, and funds raised.

Safeguarding & Compliance 

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Safeguarding (DSL) and Director of HR to ensure all public events, walk-and-talks, and community sessions have robust risk assessments, public liability considerations to guarantee complete event safety and legal compliance.
• Ensure all event-focused volunteers are briefed on appropriate physical/digital boundaries and crisis escalation protocols during public-facing activities.

Collaboration & Fundraising Support 

• Partner with the Director of Fundraising to align public events with broader corporate sponsorship opportunities, charity partnerships, and donation-driving milestones.
• Partner closely with Volunteer Fundraising Assistants to tie public events to digital campaigns, and align with the Safeguarding and HR directors to guarantee complete event safety and legal compliance.
• Work alongside marketing or social media volunteers to heavily promote upcoming events, boost attendance, and share post-event updates with supporters.

Volunteer Leadership & Deployment 

• Recruit, brief, and coordinate local event volunteers to manage registration desks, awareness tables, and logistics.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and enthusiastic team dynamic for volunteers representing SAPUK on the ground.
• Direct, mentor, and brief regional "Suicide Prevention Charity Supporters" and planning volunteers to manage event operations, marketing distribution, and bucket collections.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Must reside in the UK
• Must have own laptop to work from
• 18+
• Must be able to commit to 6 hours a week
• Must send in CV and cover letter with application form
• DBS check
• Experience: Proven experience in event planning, hospitality, community organising, project management, or a similar logistics-driven role.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to network confidently with local businesses, local authorities, venues, and the general public.
• Organisational Skills: Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple moving parts, budgets, and volunteer timetables.
• Passion for the Cause: A deep commitment to SAPUK’s mission of breaking the silence surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.
• Flexibility: Willingness to occasionally work weekends or evenings depending on when key community events are scheduled.

DESIRABLE 

• Industry Experience: Prior volunteering or professional involvement within the UK mental health, charity, or suicide prevention sectors.
• Event Execution: Practical experience coordinating virtual webinars, large-scale corporate conferences, or physical charity fundraisers.
• Educational Background: A degree or qualification in hospitality management, event planning, business, communications, or marketing.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

• Strategic & Analytical thinker: Competent at budgeting, resource allocation, and balancing creative vision with operational logistics.
• Empathy-Driven: Demonstrates a non-judgmental, deeply compassionate attitude toward mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.
• Accountable & Independent: Self-motivated and highly reliable, thriving in a remote, self-managed volunteer workspace.
• Emotionally Resilient: Capable of maintaining robust personal and professional boundaries given the sensitive nature of the organisation's work.
• Warm, welcoming, and people-focused
• Comfortable speaking with individuals and groups
• Able to represent SAPUK with professionalism and compassion

Two references will be required 

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH SAPUK? 

Volunteering with SAPUK isn’t just about filling a role - it’s about stepping forward when people need support most and gaining personal and professional benefits along the way.

“Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”

Key Benefits 

• Practical experience for your CV
• A step towards coaching, counselling, advocacy, or social care
• Confidence and personal growth
• Transferable skills such as communication, empathy, problem-solving, and leadership
• Networking and strong references
• Purpose and belonging within a supportive team

Training and Development 

• Free role-specific induction and training
• Ongoing guidance, supervision, and check-ins
• Opportunities to take responsibility and develop your skills further

Wellbeing & Support 

• Mental health guidance and resources
• Peer support and check-ins
• Wellness workshops (mindfulness, resilience, self-care)
• A safe, supportive environment where asking for help is encouraged

Career and Progression Benefits 

• Leadership, mentor, or senior volunteer opportunities
• Experience that strengthens job or education applications
• Clearer direction for a career in mental health, advocacy, coaching, or related sectors
• Opportunities to gain strong references

IS VOLUNTEERING RIGHT FOR YOU? 

Volunteering may be right for you if you:

• Want to make a genuine difference
• Care about mental health and suicide prevention
• Are looking for personal growth or experience
• Value compassion, respect, and teamwork

APPLY AND START YOUR JOURNEY 

We’re currently welcoming new volunteers and would love to hear from you.

Next Steps: 

• Complete the application form and attach your CV and cover letter
• Review the role information
• Our team will be in touch to guide you through the process

Questions? Email: volunteer@suicideapuk.co.uk

By volunteering, you gain real experience, develop skills, and help save lives.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.