Opportunity
Purpose: To help judge the Best Kept Village & Community Awards, spread awareness of the awards and encourage communities to enter. (Shropshire)
Responsible to: BKVC Administrator
Key Tasks:
• To judge and assess 3 entries – by reading entry forms and in-person visits.
• Judge village entries based on a variety of things including community spirit, green spaces and environment, cleanliness, and community spaces such as playgrounds, village halls etc by walking around.
• Familiarise yourself with guidelines, judging criteria and scoring system.
• Complete online score sheets - assign points based on criteria.
• Record observations to justify scores, take photos and provide feedback.
Benefits:
• Invitation to the awards ceremony (attendance optional).
• Travel expenses.
The placement will provide an opportunity for the Volunteer to:
• Enjoy the experience of volunteering as part of a friendly team.
• Increase confidence and gain new knowledge and skills
• Become involved in delivering a valuable project to the community.
• Meet new people.
• Visit new places across the county.
• Compare notes with other judges in your team and agree on final scores.
• Offer constructive comments for improvement that can be included in feedback reports.
• Attend training sessions, debriefings and other relevant judging meetings.
• Opportunity to attend events to promote the awards, when required.
• Undertake all duties in line with Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Staffordshire’s organisational policies, particularly those on Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Health and Safety and Confidentiality.
What skills do I need?
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Personal Qualities
• Approachable with ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
• Good written, verbal and listening skills.
• Objective thinking skills, with ability to interpret and apply criteria accordingly.
• Competent computer skills.
• Ability to work closely with a small team of 2-3 volunteers and staff.
• Ability to travel independently to judging locations (car sharing with other volunteers may be possible).
Posted for
Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire
Interests
- Civic Responsibility and Communities
- No specific interest
Activities
- Advice and Information
Details
- Certificate of public and employers liability that covers young people in all their activities with you
Opportunity for 18+ only. We do no direct delivery to young people. - Child protection policy
covered in safeguarding - Complaints Policy and procedures
- Confidentiality Policy
- DBS Policy for staff and volunteers
- Diversity Policy
- Equal Opportunities Policy
Covered in diversity policy. - Ex-offenders Policy
Nothing specific but mentioned that ex-offenders are considered. - Expenses Policy
Volunteers receive 25p per mile within guidelines. - Health and Safety Policy
- Regular Risk assessments of the work environment
- Safeguarding
- Volunteer Task/Role description
All volunteers issued a handbook - Volunteering Policy & Agreements
- Vulnerable Adults Policy
covered in safeguarding
When can I volunteer?
Start Date: 01/01/2026
End Date: 31/12/2026
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Afternoon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Evening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Availability Details
Volunteer Judge Briefing will take place in November/December up to 1.5 hours venue TBC. Judging takes place in May - July – mixture of online / in-person visits Volunteers will carry out their duties on mutually agreed days and times. Judging sessions may take place during weekdays and at weekends, at different locations across the county but we will try keep traveling close to where judges live (but will never judge their own).
Location
This opportunity is available Countywide.
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