At EdShift, everything we do begins and ends with children and young people. Behind every referral is a child living in a high-risk environment, experiencing harm, fear, and uncertainty. Our mission is to step in with creativity, compassion, and trauma-informed support that makes a tangible difference in their lives. This work doesn’t happen in isolation. It is only possible because of the communities of people who care, including fundraisers, volunteers, and supporters, who give their time, energy, and resources to ensure that children affected by domestic abuse and trauma are not left behind. That’s why, as EdShift grows, we are putting a renewed focus on fundraising and volunteering. These two strands are not extras to our work. They are lifelines. And to strengthen them, we are excited to be recruiting a Fundraising and Volunteering Co-ordinator, a role that will help us build the networks, opportunities, and sustainable support we need to expand our reach across Calderdale and beyond.

Why Fundraising Matters: Sustaining Services and Support

Fundraising is often seen as a practical necessity, a way to keep the lights on, fund programmes, and cover costs. Fundraising is often the lifeline for organisations that are working to address critical needs within communities. While that’s true, for us at EdShift, it’s more than that. Fundraising is about unlocking possibilities. Every donation translates into direct action. It means a child being given access to things like Spotlight, our early intervention programme, or to BraveBox, our creative safety planning toolkit. It means a social worker, teacher, or police officer being trained in trauma-informed approaches that help them respond with confidence. It means shortening waiting lists so children don’t have to wait months for the support they urgently need. Fundraising provides the flexibility to respond quickly when new challenges emerge, whether that’s a rise in referrals during the cost-of-living crisis or an opportunity to pilot a new programme. At its heart, fundraising is also about community support. When people choose to support EdShift, they’re not just giving money, they’re standing alongside children and young people, showing that they care.

The Role of Volunteers: Why Their Support Is Equally Vital

Volunteering is the backbone of the charity sector. Alongside fundraising, volunteering is another vital cornerstone of EdShift. Volunteers bring something priceless: their time, skills, and passion. For some, that might mean supporting our creative programmes with children and young people. For others, it could be lending expertise in areas like administration, marketing, or event support. Every hour given strengthens our capacity to deliver more, reach further, and do better. People volunteer for many reasons. Volunteers tell us that being part of our work gives them a deeper sense of purpose, new skills, and a stronger connection to their community. Some are students eager to gain experience, while others are professionals wanting to give back. In all cases, volunteering is about connection, between people, between communities, and between those who need support and those who are ready to give it.

The Challenges Charities Face Without These Lifelines: Why This Matters Now

Without strong fundraising and volunteering, charities like EdShift face real barriers. Demand for our services continues to rise, but resources are always stretched. The cost-of-living crisis, reductions in public sector budgets, and increasing levels of trauma among children and young people mean that the gap between need and provision is widening. Without fundraising, we risk turning children away or leaving them waiting too long. Without volunteers, our capacity to deliver programmes and reach more communities shrinks. Without these lifelines, our mission becomes harder to achieve. This is why we are focusing on both areas as a core part of our strategy moving forward. The need for early intervention and child-focused domestic abuse support has never been greater. Children across Calderdale are living with the daily realities of harm and trauma. Professionals on the frontline, from teachers to social workers, are asking for better tools, training, and resources to support them. EdShift is ready to respond. But to do so, we need more than programmes and expertise. We need a movement of people committed to helping us make change. That’s why the time to act is now, by fundraising, by volunteering, and by building the infrastructure that ensures these efforts have the greatest possible impact.

Introducing the Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator Role

We’re recruiting a Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator, to manage campaigns and help build a movement of people who care and equip them to make a difference. The Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator will help develop creative fundraising initiatives that connect with individuals, businesses, and community groups. They will help build partnerships that generate sustainable income, helping us expand our training and programmes across Calderdale. They’ll also recruit, train, and support volunteers and ensure they feel valued, confident, and inspired in their contribution. By strengthening EdShift’s visibility in the community, this role will ensure more people know who we are and how they can help. It’s a clear signal of how seriously we take fundraising and volunteering, and of our commitment to growing sustainably so we can reach more children with our trauma-informed work.

Conclusion: Closing Thoughts, and How You Can Help

Fundraising and volunteering are vital to the what we do at EdShift. They are the reason a child feels safe today instead of tomorrow, and the reason a professional has the tools to respond with compassion instead of hesitation. As we look to the future, our commitment is to grow our training offer across Calderdale, to expand our programmes, and to reach more children in need. With the support of fundraisers, volunteers, and our new Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator, we can build a stronger, more sustainable EdShift, and with it, a safer, brighter future for children and young people.

If you’re reading this, you already care about children and young people. Here are three simple ways you can help right now:

1. Fundraise for EdShift — A sponsored run, a workplace initiative, or a community event, every effort counts.
2. Volunteer your time or skills — Join our team of volunteers and make a direct difference to children and families.
3. Spread the word — Share our story, tell others about our programmes, and encourage your networks to get involved.

Want to get more involved? Contact us today to learn more about fundraising, volunteering, or applying for our Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator role.

With your help, we can make the change children need.