Research Lead (Volunteer)

Role Type

Voluntary Position

Reports To

Head of Research and Fundraising

Role Overview

• Important Notice:

This role does not create a contract of employment, worker status, entitlement to salary, or entitlement to employment benefits. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time. Reasonable travel and meal expenses may be reimbursed up to £20 by prior agreement and with receipts.***

The Research Lead will support evidence gathering, community insight work, and impact reporting to help shape The Confidence Academy’s programmes and social impact strategy. The expected commitment for this position is approximately 20 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities

1. 1. Conduct research into health inequalities, inactivity, and wellbeing trends.

1. 2. Assist with surveys, questionnaires, and participant feedback collection.

1. 3. Support data analysis and impact measurement.

1. 4. Help prepare reports, infographics, and evidence summaries for social media and other publications.

1. 5. Maintain organised research records and documentation.

1. 6. Support grant application evidence gathering.

1. 7. Proficient in research, data analysis, and insight-generation tools including Google Scholar, PubMed, Excel, Power BI, and AI-assisted research platforms such as ChatGPT and Perplexity AI.
2. 8. Experienced in translating qualitative and quantitative research into evidence-led reports, strategic recommendations, funding narratives, stakeholder presentations, and operational insights.

Skills and Experience

1. 1. Strong analytical and organisational skills.

1. 2. Good written communication skills.

1. 3. Comfortable working with spreadsheets and research tools.

1. 4. Interest in behavioural science, public health, or community wellbeing.

1. 5. Previous research experience is desirable but not essential.

What You Will Get

1. 1. Induction and regular supervision with the Founder/Director.

1. 2. Informal guidance on partnership outreach, safeguarding, and data management.

1. 3. Informal training on health & safety and community engagement best practice.

1. 4. Office space may be provided for collaborative projects.

1. 5. Volunteering Certificate at the end of the completion of 8 weeks of volunteering and active participation in the programme.

1. 6. Complimentary t-shirt/jacket and other freebies.

1. 7. Professional reference.

1. 8. Travel and meal expenses reimbursed up to £20.

1. 9. £100 Amazon Gift Card when you volunteer with us for 3 months (20 hrs a week).

Equal Opportunities

The Confidence Academy is committed to inclusion under the Equality Act 2010. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments where needed.

Status

This is a voluntary role and does not create a contract of employment or entitlement to salary, benefits, or worker rights. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time.

About The Confidence Academy:

The ethos of the Confidence Academy is very simple: Participants get their money back once they attend their selected fitness and wellbeing events. When you show up for your health, when you show up for yourself... your refund is your reward.

The Confidence Academy exists to make the tools of confidence-building — through improved nutrition, better mental and physical fitness, and community support — accessible to all, particularly to struggling and marginalised communities who often feel invisible or left behind. Health inequality is one of the biggest injustices of them all that we don't talk about, yet our health is the sole foundation of our existence.

Founder of The Confidence Academy:

The Academy is founded by a 37-year-old refugee from Bangladesh, Rayhana Sultan. She is an ex-prisoner. This social enterprise was created after she was able to rebuild her life after prison, hospital detention and recovery through psychotherapy and a supportive community. She is a finance manager working in the local government. Outside her day job, she is a model, a panel advisor for the charity Working Chance and now, through the Confidence Academy, she wants other people to find the inspiration to turn their pain into power, stigma into strength.

The inception of this CIC is driven by the fact that nearly 60% of the UK population in 2023/24 were reported as obese or overweight. This is a national crisis in a context where our healthcare system is overstretched, support for mental health is not on par, which can be exacerbated by health-related problems and an ageing population is awaiting us. Growing old or not being able to afford the regular gym in an era should not mean fitness services are inaccessible to you. So we are here to change it.

We will begin rolling out weekend fitness and wellbeing activities shortly after New Year 2026, supported by online seminars, podcast-style discussions, and community “vox pop” features that amplify real voices and lived experiences around health, confidence, and inclusion. These activities will include group exercise sessions, nutrition and wellness education, mindset and resilience workshops, and confidence-building programmes designed to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing.