Join Neighbourhood Watch and make a difference

CNWA are recruiting for the voluntary role Membership Support Administrator (MSA) to support existing Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators (NWCs) across Cheshire and assist new Coordinators to get started.

The role is voluntary but there is a degree of expectation. A MSA should provide adequate time to this role, with a minimum of two hours per month. However, if you are able to provide additional time to the role this would be a great help. 

The role of voluntary MSA includes the following:

• Provide support for Cheshire residents interested in starting new schemes
• Complete administrative tasks associated with Neighbourhood Watch
• Updating Neighbourhood Watch information on the Neighbourhood Alert system
• Promoting Neighbourhood Watch across Cheshire
• Establishing relationships with interested parties er to encourage them to set up new schemes
• Identify localities where there are gaps in the number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes
• Improve contact with Neighbourhood Watch scheme members by helping to improve the quality of messages sent by Beat Teams
• Working with us as a member of the CNWA committee which meets roughly six weekly to provide ongoing support and advice (this may be online or face-to-face)

To become a MSA you will need the have the following skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of working with computer systems
• Know and understand the NW structure of members and schemes
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work alone, or as a team
• Ability to prioritise

You will need to complete the following training:

• GDPR online training
• Two-hour basic training on the Alert system

After completion of training, you will have access to the following from National:

• Specialised Knowledge Hub pages
• MSA Newsletter (twice a year)
• Monthly micro-training sessions

There will also be ongoing support and contact from other Cheshire MSAs with regular catch-ups. As well as members of the public, you will also be working with PCSOs and Police Officers.

We have a desk within the Corporate Communications department at Cheshire Police HQ in Winsford.

CNWA is seeking a volunteer Treasurer to help keep our finances in good order and support the continued development of our work across Cheshire. This is a rewarding opportunity to join a friendly, committed team and make a meaningful contribution to safer, strong local communities.

As Treasurer, you will play a vital role in ensuring our financial records are accurate and transparent, transactions run smoothly, and our fundraising efforts are well supported. CNWA has a modest annual turnover (under £5,000) and a small number of transactions, but strong governance and clear financial oversight are central to everything we do.

Through this role, you will help underpin our work supporting Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators across Cheshire and promoting the many benefits of Neighbourhood Watch membership – helping people feel safe, stay safe, and feel connected within their communities. A full handover will be provided by our outgoing Treasurer.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing CNWA’s finances with accuracy and transparency
• Preparing and presenting financial reports for committee meetings and the AGM
• Supporting budgeting, fundraising, and grant applications
• Helping ensure compliance with relevant regulations
• Contributing as committee member to the success and development of CNWA

We are ideally looking for someone with:

• Experience in finance, bookkeeping, or accounting 
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Integrity, reliability, and attention to detail
• A collaborative approach and willingness to be part of a friendly team
• A commitment to the values and mission of CNWA

Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association (CNWA) are looking for someone to take on the voluntary role of Communications lead to help promote Neighbourhood Watch and to increase our membership in Cheshire. 

We need someone who can work with our team and make a significant contribution to the development of our association by guiding and advising on communication with stakeholders.  

You will work with us to spread the word about the benefits of membership of Neighbourhood Watch; these include helping people to feel and stay safe and to feel part of their local communities.

The role of voluntary Communications Lead includes the following:

• Develop an understanding of the goals and values of CNWA and of the Neighbourhood Watch Network (a national organisation).
• Review our existing communications strategy and update it to maximise our impact.    
• Work with the Neighbourhood Watch Network, our contacts in Cheshire Constabulary and other partners of CNWA to ensure that our association communicates with our stakeholders and audiences according to our overall objectives. The volunteer will work with our Social Media expert.
• Take responsibility for the CNWA website, ensuring that it is up to date and provides content appropriate to our stakeholders and audiences.
• Become a member of the CNWA committee which meets roughly six weekly to provide ongoing support and advice.  

You will help us to modernise our appeal and spread the word about the benefits of membership of Neighbourhood Watch; these include helping people to feel and stay safe and to feel part of their local communities.

The role of voluntary Social Media expert includes the following:

• Develop an understanding of the goals and values of CNWA and of the Neighbourhood Watch Network (a national organisation).
• Review our current social media activity and make recommendations to extend our reach to new and key audiences and improve our engagement with them.    
• Coordinate with the Neighbourhood Watch Network campaigns calendar, and work with other partners of CNWA to tailor messages for our audiences and execute social media campaigns.
• Help to develop new content that is fresh and engaging in order to reach new audiences, raise awareness of specific projects or initiatives and maintain engagement with existing supporters.
• Engage with our followers and supporters and encourage interaction. Maintain and manage social media channels on a regular basis.
• Become a member of the CNWA committee which meets roughly six weekly to provide ongoing support and advice.  
• Linking in with our Communications Lead (currently being recruited).

As we know that time is precious to volunteers, we are open to working with two or more people sharing this role and are keen to hear from anyone interested, even if you feel that you can’t fulfil all the requirements above.

CNWA are recruiting for the voluntary role of Cyberhood Watch Ambassador to raise awareness of cybercrime and to promote ways for people to protect themselves across Cheshire. 

Neighbourhood Watch Network (NWN) established Cyberhood Watch in November 2019 in partnership with Avast, a provider of cybersecurity software. The role of Cyberhood Watch (CHW) Ambassador was created together with a Cyberhood Watch Toolkit of techniques for staying safe online. There is now a cohort of CHW Ambassadors across the UK. Training and accreditation is provided for Ambassadors, enabling them to empower others with knowledge and advice.  

Volunteers should come to this role with an understanding of cybersecurity risks and methods of cyber protection. Ambassadors will be trained and complete a follow-up quiz and will then receive Cyberhood Watch accreditation. Ambassadors are not promoters of Avast software, but there will be opportunities to take advantage of free tools and software on occasion.

The role of the Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors is as follows:

• Link into their regional Association to be the cybersecurity volunteer for that area – provide support at events or run talks themselves
• Be a designated point of contact for cybersecurity concerns within the local community
• Be a local media spokesperson for the initiative, where appropriate
• Share feedback with Neighbourhood Watch and Avast on local cybersecurity concerns
• Take an active role in promoting local Cyberhood Watch events, where appropriate
• Help shape the way that Neighbourhood Watch responds to cyber protection

Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors will be provided with:

• Cyberhood Watch accreditation to help you speak with confidence on cybersecurity
• Regular advice to help communities stay protected from new and emerging cyber threats
• Early access to cybercrime prevention toolkit content and an invitation to local events
• Connections/get-togethers with fellow CHW Ambassadors, to share good practices and challenges
• Input into future cybersecurity resources and content
• Support with local media and publicity activation, including press releases and research
• Ongoing training on how to effectively deliver preventative cybersecurity advice to community members.