Want to learn how a charity works from the inside?

Interested in gaining experience and skills for the future?

What are we looking for?

We are looking for enthusiastic, team players who are keen to develop their skills within a growing charity which is seeking to help some of the poorest children in Latin America. An internship within Toybox provides an excellent opportunity for you to gain valuable experience and to make a real difference. It is a great step for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the charity sector or communications, marketing, events or supporter services.

Who is Toybox?

Toybox is a Christian charity committed to providing hope for the most disadvantaged children, young people and their families, in Latin America. Our vision is of a world where there are no street children, where families are restored, those who are disadvantaged have choices and hope and all children have a voice.. Our mission is to bring lasting and positive change to the lives of street children, street working children and those at risk of becoming so, through front line work, prevention and advocacy, being a facilitator and enabler, galvanising people and resources in the UK, Latin America and worldwide.

What does an internship involve?

Toybox is looking for interns who can commit to spending 6-12 months with us. Your internship would be structured around balancing your aspirations with the needs of the charity and we would discuss with you where your skills would best fit and be developed whilst contributing to the needs of the team. You could expect to be involved in some or all of the following activities:

Marketing and communication: Researching and contributing to the production of material for the website, magazine, e-newsletters and media releases.

Fundraising: Contributing to projects and proposals for fundraising activities.

Advocacy: Carrying out research into issues relating to street children to inform Toybox action, and supporting our campaigning and other initiatives aimed at influencing our government’s policy and practice .

Supporter care: Handling customer enquiries and carrying out admin duties, as part of the Supporter Care team.

Sponsorship: Helping with the Toybox child sponsorship scheme in communications and administration.

Volunteers: Encouraging the development of our volunteer network by assisting with phone, email, written and face-to-face communication.

Events: Helping with planning and arranging events, related administration and record-keeping.

Work shadowing: Shadowing our staff, including the Chief Executive, as part of your skills development.

What skills and qualities would you need?

We are looking for people with the following skills and qualities:

• An interest in international development and/or events and communications
• Good administrative & IT skills
• Confidence in communicating with a range of people and using the telephone
• Good research and writing skills
• Good spelling and grammar
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to use your own initiative
• A responsible attitude
• Commitment to see through projects and tasks to a high standard

Hours of work

We are looking for interns who can commit to working full-time with us but a certain degree of flexibility will exist. Involvement in events and special projects will entail working at weekends and evenings but time off will be given to compensate for this.

And the benefits….?

An internship with Toybox will give you a wide range of experience in Communications, Marketing, Supporter Care, Events and wider charity management and governance. You will have the opportunity to see how things really work behind the scenes of a growing, dynamic and vibrant charity. You will have the opportunity to develop some or all of the following skills:

• Event planning and administration
• Research and Writing
• Communications skills e.g. writing for marketing materials, public speaking, PR
• Volunteer Management
• Time Management
  
• Customer Service skills
• Working in a team setting
• General office skills

You will also be given on-the-job training and help and advice with your future career.

How do I apply?

Initial application is by CV and a one page covering letter. Your letter should state why you are interested in becoming a Toybox intern, what you will bring to Toybox and what you hope to gain from the internship. Please ensure you include the following details:

* Full name and address
* Telephone number and mobile phone number
* E-mail address
* Details of 2 referees

Please send your application to:

Annie Winterbourn
Toybox
PO Box 5967
Bletchely
Milton Keynes
MK3 6WD

Or email your application to annie.winterbourn@toybox.org

For more information or an informal chat, please contact Annie Winterbourn annie.winterbourn@toybox.org, 01908 360057 (Monday – Thursday between 9am and 3pm)

Download details:

Employment Details

Intern Policy 2010

Job Description

Testimonials - Rebecca, Chris and Miriam

 

"An amazing and insightful experience"

Just before finishing university I was hit by the fact that I would soon be joining the real world and have to think of where the journey started. I decided it would be useful to gain some practical work experience. For a long time I had thought of pursuing a career with a non-profit organization, specifically working in international development. I found the internship with Toybox and straight away knew it would be the perfect opportunity. I was offered a 6 month part time internship. I was living back at home in Oxford so I would either have to commute or live in Milton Keynes. After checking out the commuting options I gave it a go and it has worked out really well. When not at Toybox I work in a café which helps fund the internship, mainly the journey, together with the support of my amazing mother.

From the beginning I have felt really part of the team. I began in September within the supporter care department and got stuck in straight away. I was part of the team for 3 months and it was a great experience. It involved a whole variety of things such as responding to the different request and enquires from the supporters, processing donations either merchandise or donations, and acknowledging these by sending thank you letters.
At the moment I am working with the Advocacy department. This is about coming up with strategies on influencing objectives and legislation that brings awareness to street children and in turn help change their situation. It’s been really interesting and always a mix of things to do. For example, I have been working on summarizing reports we receive from the projects in Latin America, making the information more manageable and in ways it can be used as an advocacy tool. I have also written the contents of a magazine, Toybox Times, aimed for kids.

It’s been such an amazing and insightful experience as to how a charity operates and works together as a team. Everybody has been so welcoming and I’ve met really lovely people. Throughout I have received excellent support from the different departments making sure the internship is what I expected, hoped for, wanted, and shaping it towards my goals. I have loved the different projects and responsibilities and been fully included in the teams. I really encourage anyone who is looking for a rounded, diverse and exciting experience to apply.
Rebecca

 

'Well worth the effort!’

“I spent 3½ enjoyable months with the fun and friendlyToybox team on an events internship. As it was the run-up to the busy summer season I was able to gain insight into all areas of event logistics including pre-event vision, research, buying, health and safety and event management. While some of the tasks were mundane (I spent a lot of time loading and unloading cars and vans!), trips to Ikea were good fun and taking the role of supervisor at the New Wine Toybox café was a great experience. I learnt some invaluable skills and, perhaps more importantly, I helped Toybox in its vital work with street children. In order to afford it, I minimised costs by living with my parents, had a Saturday job, did some tutoring and dug into savings, and it was well worth the effort!”
Chris

‘The perfect solution!’

Whilst studying Anthropology at University I decided that I wanted to work in a not-for-profit or charitable organization. Many of the jobs in this sector ask for experience in the field and I wasn’t sure which area of work I wanted to go into… fundraising, events, supporter care, marketing, advocacy… there are so many options! Then I found the perfect solution… an Internship year with Toybox…

I moved to Milton Keynes to take up this internship and as it is voluntary I emailed some local churches to see if anyone could offer me their spare room for cheap rent! I am living with a lovely lady and it is much cheaper than renting a place of my own. I told my church at home about my plans and they have also supported me financially. So along with savings of my own and the generosity of family and church family I have been able to work full time voluntarily.

I settled into the Toybox Team very quickly and really feel part of everything that is going on here. I spent from July to September working in Events - straight into the preparation for the summer festivals (New Wine and Soul Survivor). I designed posters for the stands and café, wrote letters and the briefing pack for volunteers, confirmed artists for the café evening events and much more! It’s amazing, all the little jobs that go towards just one event! I attended one week of New Wine and it was great to see all that work coming together. After the events were over I was involved in researching and planning possible events for 2009.

Then on to Supporter Care in September… I was part of this team in their 3 busiest months of the year as everything gears towards Christmas! Supporter Care includes dealing with phone calls, emails and post from supporters, responding to any requests or enquiries, processing all donations and merchandise orders from the post, website and phone, sending thank you letters for these, picking and packing orders and maintaining the organization of the craft room! In addition to this I helped the child sponsorship coordinator with adding new sponsors to the database when needed. A busy 3 months in a very busy department!

I am currently working in the Marketing and Fundraising department. So far this has involved developing ideas for new community fundraising initiatives, writing fortnightly prayer emails, and sorting out administration for future fundraising events. I will also be researching and writing for the next newsletter as well as planning and attending events such as CRE and Spring Harvest.

I have shadowed Andy, the Chief Executive, attended a board meeting and have shadowed the Advocacy Manager of the Consortium for Street Children to some meetings.

I have really enjoyed my time at Toybox and will be sad when it comes to an end! When working in each area I have become very much part of the team, with responsibilities and projects of my own. Toybox have been conscious throughout the year to make sure that I am gaining all the experience possible by reviewing my progress and involving me in everything that goes on! It has been so useful to learn the way each department work separately and to see how this all comes together to ensure the smooth daily running of the charity. I would recommend it to anyone looking to spend some time in a really friendly and inspirational charity.
Miriam

Postscript - I have now come to the end of my time at Toybox and have got a job with another Christian charity. Whilst at Toybox I have learnt a multitude of skills to add to my CV and this experience within the charity sector enabled me to take this job. I am so thankful for all the opportunities and responsibility that I have been given at Toybox, it really has been such an enjoyable year and a great foundation to my career.