how to help - Internships uk

Our New Intern Programme

Amigos has a small, but very proactive team that works voluntarily to achieve the aims of the charity. Until recently, the team comprised of permanent volunteers who work within Finance, Child Sponsorship and Events, and numerous (fantastic) volunteers who help when they can.

In August 2011 Amigos decided to take on an intern. The position was flexible, and gave free reign to our intern to get involved in areas of particular interest, alongside necessary administrative tasks. The intern programme is still very much under development as the charity continues to grow, but we hope to maintain its flexible and informal nature so as to cater for our future interns, as our current intern is due to finish this December.

The internship is suitable for anyone who has an interest in International development or charity work, and is looking for an opportunity to develop their skills in the field further. We are able to offer you experience in working within a team, and you are welcomed to get involved in all aspects of fundraising and events. We are keen to use this as a learning opportunity ourselves, and thus welcome your ideas wherever possible. Amigos recognises that prospective interns may use this as a platform to further their careers and enrich their CVs, which is why we aim to give you constructive feedback and a reference.

Our First Intern

Megan Setchell, aged 22 years, was a recent graduate of Geography from the University of Bristol and came to Amigos in August 2011 for 5 months. Megan had a strong interest in International development, but was struggling to see how to turn it into a career. We gave Megan free reign to get involved across many departments to see where her strengths lay, and encouraged Megan to voice her ideas where possible. This gave her a suitable platform to apply for new internships and further study at University.

Here, she recounts her experience…
I graduated from University feeling the pressures of people’s expectations of me, and the pressures of seeking employment in the current job market. I concluded that the most effective use of my time would be to intern for a number of different International Development charities before returning to University for further study in the following academic year.
Securing an internship is perhaps almost as competitive as employment, and thus I went to Amigos hopeful for mere few weeks of experience. Instead I was welcomed into the team with open arms and allowed to get involved in every department. What is so different about Amigos is the responsibility and trust they put into you; at Amigos you are not the tea lady (though you will drink copious amounts of tea), instead, you are immediately a team member and your thoughts and ideas are valued from the offset.

One of my first challenges was corporate fundraising, a skill which I perhaps underestimated. Here, I was able to put my research skills and targeted writing skills to the test, and I strongly believe that this is a credible example to put on my CV. Bid writing is notoriously difficult, and I really value that I now have some experience in this area. I was also allowed to be creative, and got involved with the design and creation of promotional tools for a number of community fundraising events. So much of my University degree was theory, and I am very grateful that I can now reinforce these skills with practical examples.

I am so grateful to Amigos for giving me this opportunity, and I am confident that it was the skills that were learnt or reinforced at Amigos that has secured me my new internship in London. The whole Amigos experience has provided me with such a rich, well rounded education, and I am even more focused and equipped to get a career in International Development. Thank you!

The Internship

Title: Fundraising and Administration intern
Location: Barnstaple, Devon
Commitment: 3+ days a week for 3+ months (flexible)
Salary: Unpaid

Description:

Amigos feels called to stand alongside the most vulnerable in Uganda so that, through working together, young people in Uganda may be able to achieve self-sustainability and given a brighter hope for the future. We feel passionate about helping to build a better and fulfilling life for the next generation of Uganda’s mothers and fathers.

We are seeking a fundraising and administration intern to get involved with our charity approximately 3 days a week, to support a variety of tasks. These may include organising and supporting fundraising work, from trust fund applications to local community and challenge events, as well as general administration. This is an opportunity to develop your existing skills as well as gaining new ones in a small, proactive charity.

Required skills:

- Good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Able to keep accurate records with good attention to detail.
- Be able to pick up information quickly and be able to apply it when appropriate.
- Confident in using Microsoft Office
- Ability to work independently with little supervision, and as part of a small team
- An interest in international development

Responsibilities that may be required of the intern:

- Input of supporter and donor data
- Creation of appropriate letter formats
- Bid writing for an application to a trust fund
- Development of funding ideas and creative fundraising events
- Internet research
- Assist in the execution of shows and events
- Preparation of presentations and ability to present
- Provide support to social media efforts

What this role can offer the volunteer

- Experience of working within a busy and friendly team and insight into International Development.
- Learning how to target fundraising campaigns, both corporate and community efforts.
- Getting involved with events; idea creation, organisation, presentation and representation.
- Regular 1:1 meetings and mentoring from your superior.
- This programme is still in its early stages, and thus we are happy to give our interns a degree of free reign to get involved in a particular area of interest.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the internship please send your CV and a Covering Letter to Phil Pugsley at phil@amigos.org.uk. In the covering letter please include why you feel you are suitable for the role, and what you hope to achieve from the position.