Comic Relief

Founded in 1985 by Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry, Comic Relief is one of the most famous charitable organisations in the world. It is most noted for its biennial Red Nose Day appeal and its newer sister project Sport Relief, with the funds raised going to help projects both in the UK and in the developing world.

Although the fundraising drive itself lasts all year, the highlight is the live broadcast telethon on the BBC during March, with Red Nose Day and Sport Relief take place in alternate years. In recent years, these events have been an opportunity for celebrities to embarrass themselves in the name of charity, or take part in physical trials to raise money.

Some of the most famous names across all spectrums of British entertainment have appeared in support of Comic Relief, including Lenny Henry, Billy Connelly, Gordon Brown and Graham Norton. Celebrities often travel to parts of the world where Comic Relief runs projects to make emotional programmes about the work the charity makes possible.

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The vast majority of jobs available with Comic Relief and its sister charities are voluntary, although there are some paid roles in specialist areas, especially for computer and web based roles.

To apply to be a volunteer for Comic Relief you must fill out an application form through the website. These positions normally last between three and six months. There are a variety of voluntary roles available from call centre work and fundraising to grant applications, and Comic Relief will try to assign you a job best suited to your skills.

Some employers may allow their workers to volunteer for Comic Relief on a secondment basis, where time is taken off to work for the charity while the employer continues to pay wages, but this will vary from company to company.

Full-time paid positions at Comic Relief are all listed on the website and involve a standard application process involving, naturally, interviews. As most of the paid work is computer based, education, experience and skills in this area are a requirement and will be tested during the application process.

Stats

No. of employees in the UK: 200+