Access To Health Volunteer Roles in Westminster, Greater London

We Stand are recruiting a number of Board of Trustee Volunteers.

We Stand is the only national charity that specialises in helping non-abusing parents and carers to protect and support their sexually abused children.

Our Mission is to provide support in a non - judgmental environment for non abusing parents and carers of sexually abused children. 

Our Services help families at a time of extreme trauma caused by child sexual abuse – providing emotional and practical support to young victims, siblings and non-abusing parents/carers so that they can move on positively with their lives together. 

We are in exciting times as we develop new services across the UK and have recently launched a new program of work in Wales.

We Stand is run by a Board made up of Trustees. We are seeking committed and passionate individuals, we are  particularly interested in applications from those with the following experience but also we are interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, to support our work. 

• Charity finance/funding experience - Individuals with day-to-day experience of setting and managing charity budgets. 

• HR experience 

• Legal experience, ideally experience within family law. 

Previous board experience not required

Expectations

• Actively participate in board meetings (which occur once every 6 weeks, on Tuesday evenings), and working groups where required 

• Oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, supporting its development through good governance

• Use personal skills, expertise and time to support the organisation’s development

• Undertake tasks required by the Board from time to time - such as recruitment 

Vacancy - Chair of the Board of Trustees Barbara Bus Fund, Stanmore

The Barbara Bus Fund is recruiting for a new Chairperson.

The Barbara Bus Fund is a registered charity, which was set up in 1968 to help people who cannot get out or use public transport or an ordinary car, because they have a disability that necessitates full-time use of a wheelchair.

Today the BBF operates a fleet of 15 specially converted vehicles from Stanmore, Aylesbury and North Wales. The BBF is operated by a combination of paid and volunteer staff with head office at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore.

The role of Chair is a voluntary position with the requirement to commit to one to two days per month, attend online meetings every 6-8 weeks and the AGM. The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees, chair committee meetings and the AGM.

Previous trustee / charity experience is required and the commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Previous experience within the health / care / transport sectors will be a distinct advantage however, other relevant experience and the right attributes will also be considered.

The BBF holds an annual meal to thank the volunteers and staff, and there are other periodic meetings and events throughout the year.

Please see the full Application Pack for further information.

Are you excited by Birthrights’ ambitions to work towards long term, systemic change that empowers women and birthing people? This is an exciting time to join our organisation as we embark on a new 10-year strategy. 

Birthrights was founded in 2013 with the understanding that at the heart of the poor experiences and outcomes of maternity care for so many, is a consistent failure to listen to the voices of women and birthing people and a complete disregard for their fundamental human rights. Our work has never been more urgent. 

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. In particular, we are keen to hear from candidates with specialist skills in the following areas:

Finance, with a view to taking on the role of Treasurer

Fundraising

Legal ideally in the Human Rights field

HR

Campaigning

As a trustee you will work with a dynamic and passionate team of Trustees and Employees who champion the rights of women and birthing people. Come and join our small and caring team of change makers!

Our Board of Trustees meets quarterly, mostly virtually but we like to meet 1-2 times in person either in London or the midlands (as this is nearest to where most are currently based).

We would love for you to apply for this role which you can do by visiting our website and downloading the trustee recruitment pack for the full information about the role, the requirements, the person specification and more. The details of how to apply for the role are also contained within this pack.

If you would like to find out more about Birthrights and becoming a trustee, please register to attend one of our online information sessions on:

Tuesday 4 June, 12.30 - 1.30

Wednesday 12 June, 18.30 - 19.30  

Please visit our website to book your place!

Depending on the number of applications received, we may bring the closing date forward. We therefore encourage early applications.

WK Foundation cares deeply about providing opportunities for young adults from low income contexts through practical skills & work ready training and job opportunities. WKF is a recently registered charity in South London, seeking to add trustees to their board to add skills & bring diverse voices that will best represernt our young adults. Our work is dedicated to reconnecting low income urban communities with sustainable food pathways, with the aim of breaking the cycles of poverty that are perpetuated by dysfunctional food systems. The board are particularly interested in candidates who identify as Black Caribbean or have mixed racial backgrounds, such as mixed race Black Caribbean/White or Pakistani/White British.

Our board is female led (Chair & CEO are female), and consists of a clinical phschologist, social entrepreneur, trained counsellor & HR practicioner, and regenerative food specialist. We are a friendly but professional bunch who start meetings with a moment of reflection and prayer, record excellent minutes and work through a pre-agreed agenda and schedule. We are big on creating a culture that combines support and listening with action, accountability and forward movement and our vibe is positive, and inclusive. 

We are currently re-developing Nourish, our holistic hospitality training programme, for an October 2025 launch. Nourish provides hands on skills training, work experience and employment opportunities, as well as employment progression and support for young adults from low income context facing disadvantages. We work with young adults for up to 12 months.

Our work is underpinned by our regenerative food practises and is run in accordance with our Christian faith values & principles. 

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If you have experience working, volunteering or living in community settings similar to those experienced by our trainees, and/ or experience in organising, training, mentoring, finance or you have legal experitse then we would love to hear from you.

Previous board experience is not a requirement, nor is any level of seniority in any given industry – WK
Foundation hopes to benefit from the insights of Trustees from all walks of life.

We are committed to building a diverse team, and seek to be representative of those we are supporting, so we
would especially like to hear from applicants who are from minority groups in the UK. We also recognise the
importance of lived experience in all roles within our organisation, and therefore welcome applications from those with lived experience of disadvantage.

Given the requirements of this role and WK Foundation Limited’s objectives and purpose as set out in its Articles of Association, it is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that the applicant for this role actively supports the Christian faith.

Job title Chair of the board of trustees

Appointment typePart time & voluntary

Appointment term 5 years

Time commitment approx 25 days per annum

About Brightside

Brightside is on a mission to help young people make confident and informed decisions about their future. For over 20 years, we have used technology to connect young people facing barriers with inspiring mentors. We deliver online mentoring programmes in collaboration with schools, universities, businesses, and charities to provide young people with access to networks, online career information and high-quality mentoring. Find out more by reading our latest impact report.

Our ambitious goal is to increase the number of young people we work with each year to 30,000 over the next five years. We are now seeking an effective, compassionate, and inclusive Chair of the board to help us achieve our ambition.

Our values

We have a successful track record in attracting brilliant and mission-driven people to work with us to grow our impact with young people. We're excited to offer the opportunity for someone to join our board in the position of Chair to support us to be even more ambitious.

We are a fast-moving charity, and we pride ourselves on our friendly, professional and supportive culture. We embrace new ideas and celebrate the talent and contribution of all team members. As an organisation, we have five values that we commit to as individuals and as a team:

1. We are ambitious; we strive for positive and lasting impact.

2. We foster creativity and new ideas, so that our work evolves as we learn.

3. We ground our work in collaboration.

4. We celebrate individual strengths and empower people to fulfil their potential - our team is our greatest asset.

5. We are committed to quality in everything we do.

Brightside is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can be themselves and succeed in the workplace and beyond. Our culture is inclusive to staff and volunteers from all backgrounds, and we provide flexible policies to support their differing needs.

About the role

The chair of the board of trustees (“the Chair”) leads the board’s activities and supports the day-to-day running of the organisation by acting as a sounding board for the senior leadership team. The Chair helps to develop the strategy of the organisation, ensures appropriate governance structures are in place to support the safe, successful delivery of operations together with the safeguarding and wellbeing of staff. The Chair is responsible for the smooth running of the board including the recruitment of new trustees, managing trustee meetings, and acts as a role model in line with our core values.

Key responsibilities

· Provide effective, compassionate, and inclusive leadership of the board

· Ensure high-quality quarterly board meetings are held and recorded

· Line manage the Chief Executive (generally through monthly 1:1 virtual meetings), providing support and constructive challenge to them and their senior leadership team

· Work closely with the Treasurer (likely through monthly 1:1 virtual meetings) to maintain a clear understanding of the organisation’s financial health ensuring that assets are managed appropriately and robust governance practices are in place

· Ensure trustees comply with their duties and the charity is properly governed

· Ensure an appropriate, effective, and representative board of trustees is in place

· Act as a link between the board of trustees and staff

· Work with the Chairs of the subcommittees to ensure delivery of key responsibilities and support to the senior leadership team

· Act as an ambassador for Brightside, promoting its reputation, helping to secure valuable platforms and audiences

What we’re looking for

The successful candidate will ideally be a strategic leader, passionate about creating positive futures for young people, and with experience of charity governance.

Key to success in the role is the following:

· Experience in a leadership role

· Knowledge and experience of charity governance

· Excellent communication skills in writing, meetings, and the public forum

· The ability to engage multiple audiences

· Commercial acumen

· Diplomacy with the ability to lead discussions and turn them into clear actions

· Demonstrable experience of leading change and driving growth

· Demonstrable experience of managing diverse opinions

· Experience of successfully developing and implementing an organisational strategy

· Experience of line management

· Passionate about social equity and the power of mentoring

· Committed to helping young people succeed

Desirable:

· Understanding of the social mobility sector and related geo-political climate

· Understanding or experience of digital interventions

· Widely networked in a sector relevant to our work

· Experience of charity fundraising

· Lived experience related to our mission

It’s an exciting time to join us. We have innovations in our technology launching in the coming twelve months that will open up new opportunities as we continue to see social mobility play an important role in cross-party political priorities. We are looking for someone to leverage these opportunities, and help Brightside achieve its potential so, in turn, thousands of young people can achieve theirs.

To apply 

Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and expressing your interest.

Deadline: 11.59 on Friday 23 August 2024.

Brightside will be conducting a blind recruitment process where names and genders are removed from the applications before being reviewed for shortlisting.

The Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) is looking for a new Treasurer who can use their skills to ensure our charity’s financial viability. 

We need someone who thrives as part of a dynamic group of Trustees, who is willing to champion the charity and who values seeing the impact that our work can make. If you think you have the experience, knowledge and passion to help support us to continue to meet the needs of the community we serve, we would love to hear from you.

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone. Find out more.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. This covers the development of CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we create and implement our new 5 year strategy for 2025-2030.
The responsibility of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that the charity has policies and systems in place to ensure robust financial planning, implementation and reporting.

Specific financial duties:

• To draw any major financial concerns to the attention of the Board of Trustees and Senior Management Team in a timely manner.
• To review the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans and Board decisions.
• To support the review of the reserves and risk management policies in relation to finance, ensuring the Board of Trustees is regularly kept updated.
• To ensure that appropriate accounting policies and procedures are in place and adhered to and reporting any significant issues to the Board.
• To present the Annual report and audit to the Board, and the Treasurer’s report to each Board meeting to ensure that the Board is aware of the current financial status of the organisation.
• To work with CLAPAs Senior Management Team and external auditors on financial issues and ensure that the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves.
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
• To implement a robust long-term Finance Strategy and Investment Strategy in line with the charity’s objectives and growth.
• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves and investment policies.
• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Being assured that the financial resources of the charity meet its present and future needs.
• Ensuring that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and object, policies and legal responsibilities of the charity.

The duties of a Trustee are to:

• Ensure that CLAPA complies with its constitution/memorandum and articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that CLAPA pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensure CLAPA applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those organisations are
• Contribute actively to the board in giving firm strategic direction to CLAPA, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct. Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect.
• Safeguard the good name and values of CLAPA
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of CLAPA
• Protect and manage the property of CLAPA and ensure the proper investment of CLAPA’s funds
• Contribute to the broader promotion of CLAPA’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and to act in the best interests of the charity.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Personal empathy for our vision and mission.

The role of a Trustee is a significant undertaking. Learn more about CLAPA and being a Trustee in the recruitment pack.

The Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) are currently looking for a new Chair of Trustees who can use their skills to lead a growing charity. 

We need someone who thrives as part of a dynamic group of Trustees, who is willing to champion the charity and who values seeing the impact that our work can make. If you think you have the experience, knowledge and passion to help support us to continue to meet the needs of the community we serve, we would love to hear from you.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we create and implement our new 5 year strategy for 2025-2030.

The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone. 

The Chair of Trustees will be expected to:

• Work collaboratively with the CEO, staff and volunteers to achieve our strategy and optimise the relationship between the Board and CLAPA’s staff and volunteers.
• Provide leadership within the Board ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation and promoting good governance among fellow Trustees.
• Contribute actively to the board of trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.
• Lead 8 meetings annually.
• Support and supervise the Chief Executive and act as a channel of communication between the board and the Chief Executive.
• Act as a figurehead for the charity e.g. representing the organisation at events, meetings or in the press.
• Lead on the development of the board, making sure that its decisions are carried out.
• Liaise with the CEO and the Board to keep an overview of the charity’s affairs.
• Protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
• Take urgent action (but not decision-making unless authorized) between board meetings when it isn’t possible or practical to hold a meeting.
• Sit on appointment and disciplinary panels as required and liaise with the CEO to develop the board of trustees.
• Safeguard the good name and values of the charity.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration.
• Ensure the financial stability of the charity.
• A willingness to devote necessary time and effort to your duties as Chair and be available and responsive to trustees and others for contact between meetings.

The duties of a Trustee are to:

• Ensure that CLAPA complies with its constitution/memorandum and articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensure that CLAPA pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensure CLAPA applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those organisations are
• Contribute actively to the board in giving firm strategic direction to CLAPA, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions and adhere to the Trustee Code of Conduct. Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect.
• Safeguard the good name and values of CLAPA
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of CLAPA
• Protect and manage the property of CLAPA and ensure the proper investment of CLAPA’s funds
• Contribute to the broader promotion of CLAPA’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Personal empathy for our vision and mission.

The role of a Trustee is a significant undertaking. Learn more about CLAPA and being a Trustee in the recruitment pack.

Join us in distributing essential food supplies and providing crucial housing support to those in need. As the Poverty Relief Programme Lead at Barawak, you will drive efforts to uplift and stabilise our community through dynamic voluntary engagement.

Welcome to Barawak 

Barawak is the first UK-registered charitable organisation dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Afro-Hebrew community in the UK.We understand the unique challenges faced by our community, and we are here to provide support, resources, and opportunities to help overcome these hurdles.

Our vision is to see our community thrive, free from the burdens of poverty and inequality. We're here to bring this vision to life by providing essential support and resources that uplift and empower every individual and family.

Our Purpose 

At Barawak, our mission is clear: to address and alleviate the immediate and long-term challenges faced by our community. We're dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the essentials – from food and toiletries to vital services. But our goals go beyond just meeting basic needs. We are also here to open doors to new opportunities through education and skill-building, helping our community members to stand tall and secure a better future for themselves and their families.

Our Commitment

At Barawak, we’re driven by four key goals to uplift our Afro-Hebrew community:

1. Alleviating Poverty: We’re here to give more than just immediate help. Our support includes essential items and help with basic needs, aimed at long-term financial stability for our community.

2. Empowering Through Education: Education and skills are keys to opening doors. We offer practical workshops and mentoring in financial smarts, job skills, and more, to spark economic opportunities.

3. Fostering Harmony and Diversity: We celebrate our rich Afro-Hebrew culture and encourage understanding across communities. Our work strengthens community bonds and enriches cultural events.

4. Promoting Health with Sports: Good health is vital. We offer sports and wellness activities that boost both body and mind, helping everyone feel part of something bigger.

In all we do, helping out, sticking together, and staying strong guide us. By the grace of our God, we're not just making today better — we're shaping a brighter, more hopeful community and future for us all.

Our Team

Currently, our team consists of dedicated trustees and advisors who are laying the groundwork for a robust volunteer organisation. We are in the process of expanding our team to include passionate, committed individuals who share our vision and are eager to make a real difference in the community.

Joining Our Cause

As a volunteer at Barawak, you'll be part of a meaningful journey to support and enrich the lives of those in our community. We value every contribution, and we provide a supportive environment where your skills and dedication can truly flourish. Whether you're leading a service or a vertical, assisting with operations or reporting, your role at Barawak is crucial to our collective success and your help will go a long way to helping us reach our strategic goals.

Role Description

Introduction to the Poverty Relief Programme at Barawak:

Barawak’s Poverty Relief Programme is a cornerstone of our mission to support and uplift the Afro-Hebrew community in the UK. It directly aligns with our fundamental objective of alleviating poverty and hardship among our community members and our strategy for poverty relief, which is to provide essential aid and support, focusing on the immediate effects of poverty while promoting long-term financial stability. This service line is designed to provide immediate aid in the form of food distribution and discretionary housing support, addressing the urgent needs of those most vulnerable.This approach not only aligns with Barawak's mission to relieve hardship but also embodies our vision of a thriving community where each individual has the necessary resources to overcome socio-economic challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plan and execute the Poverty Relief Strategy and service line to alleviate poverty within the Afro-Hebrew community, focusing on providing both direct and indirect support to individuals in need.

• Annual food distribution: Oversee the annual distribution of food, ensuring efficient and effective delivery to those in need.

• Housing Support: Provide discretionary advice and signposting for housing support needs.

2. Measure performance: Keep accurate count of the number of individuals and families receiving food aidand/or assisted with housing support. Provide this data to the Governance Team and Trustees on request.

3. Collaboration with Verticals Teams: 

• Partnership Development & Collaboration Team: Coordinate with this team to identify and establishalliances and partnerships with local, regional and global organisations, businesses, councils, and thegovernment to acquire food resources for distribution – or acquire discretionary housing advice and signposting.

• Fundraising & Financial Management Team: Collaborate with this team to conduct fundraising activities and financial planning for the poverty relief service line. Identify diverse revenue streams, such asgrants, donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events for the poverty relief service.

• Volunteer Engagement Team: Work with this team to recruit, train and manage volunteers to support the Poverty Relief service delivery.

• Marketing Outreach & Advocacy: work with this team to to enhance visibility of the poverty relief service across social media, press, and community events. 

4. Governance Team Interaction: Provide regular updates and reports to the Governance, Secretariat & Performance Reporting team. Ensure programmealignment with Barawak policies, procedures, strategyand objectives. Collaborate on monitoring and evaluation efforts to assess Poverty Relief service impact and effectiveness.

Person Specification:

• Skills: Strong organisational and leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and adept at working in a collaborative environment. Eagar to learn new skills.

• Attributes: Deep understanding of the challenges faced by the Afro-Hebrew community in the UK. Commitment to Barawak's values of helping out, sticking together, and staying strong. Ability to work flexibly and respond to evolving community needs.

• Commitment: Passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families dealing with poverty. Innovative thinker with a focus on creating sustainable, long-term solutions.

Important: This advert is for a voluntary role, which is unpaid and not subject to reimbursement of expenses. Any agreement with the successful candidate is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. By applying for the role, candidates agree that neither of us intend any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.

To apply, email your CV by 1 May 2024, clearly stating in the Subject Line the role you are applying for.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

It is important that volunteers are quite local so there are no travel problems if someone was needed for just half a day on occasion.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Application Closing Date: 4th August 2024 

The Diana Award are thrilled to invite you to volunteer for our Mentoring Programme and Social Action Accelerator Pilot this Autumn (2024), which operate across London, Leeds and West Yorkshire.

We collaborate with volunteer mentors to support young people aged 14-18 who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) through mentoring interventions, career skills development programmes, and support with their youth-led social action projects. 

WHO CAN VOLUNTEER AS A MENTOR? 

We welcome applicants across all industries and levels of experience. Through mentoring you will gain skills in communication and leadership, building empathy and understanding of issues and barriers facing young people in their communities.

OUR MENTORING PROGRAMMES  

Based on your application to mentor and your availability, you will be placed in either our Mentoring Programme or Social Action Accelerator Pilot. Both programmes run between October 2024 – February 2025. 

Mentoring Programme:  

• Twelve weeks of weekly group mentoring sessions. 

• Mentoring sessions last one hour (excluding travel) and are delivered on the same day and time each week. 

• Volunteer mentors share advice and guidance with young people who are at risk of becoming NEET. 

Social Action Accelerator Pilot: 

• Five months of monthly group mentoring sessions. 

• Mentoring sessions last two hours (excluding travel) and are delivered at the same time of day each month. 

• Volunteer mentors support young people to develop and deliver their youth-led social action project. 

We will train you to mentor and provide ongoing support for the duration of your programme. 

The Diana Award can provide you with a professional reference, paid for DBS check, and refund your travel expenses in exchange for your voluntary work. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

Requirements 

• A minimum of 18-years-old.

• Willing to complete Right to Work and DBS Check (organised and paid for by The Diana Award).

• Willing to provide contact details for one referee.

• Able to commit to weekly and/or monthly face-to-face sessions. 

• Able to attend a three-hour in-person mentor training session.

• Has the right to work and volunteer in the UK.

• Lives or works in London, Leeds and West Yorkshire.

Skills 

• Passion for working with young people. 

• Has developed or willing to develop active listening skills. 

• Ability to see solutions and opportunities when working with people or in a group setting. 

• Ability to show resilience when faced with challenging situations or behaviours. 

Experience / Knowledge 

• Has work experience, this can be professional, from previous volunteering, or social action initiatives. 

• Has developed or willing to develop experience of picking, planning, and delivering a social action campaign. 

Optional Experience / Knowledge 

• Has experience in organising grassroots activism. 

• Has experience or knowledge in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). 

• Has experience or knowledge in Widening Participation. 

• Has experience in project management. 

Responsibilities

• Commit to weekly sessions for twelve weeks and/or to monthly session for five months, demonstrating consistency and punctuality. Mentoring Programme sessions last 60 to 90 minutes (excluding travel) and Social Action Accelerator Programme sessions last 120 minutes (excluding travel). Both programmes are delivered in an education setting. Follow through is key when working with young people at risk of becoming NEET. 

• Collaborate with The Diana Award facilitators and other volunteer mentors to deliver and support sessions. 

• Review session plans and prepare for weekly and/or monthly sessions. 

• Create a safe and positive learning environment and provide young people with encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback. 

• Nurture positive relationships with young people. Listen, understand, and acknowledge their feelings and experiences. 

• Support young people to plan a social action project. 

• Foster a growth mindset and encourage young people to challenge themselves to work towards their goals. 

• Support young people’s professional development by connecting them with further opportunities. For example, workplace visits, work experience, resources, relevant networks etc. 

• Identify and report any safeguarding and child protection concerns or disclosures to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, as per The Diana Award Safeguarding Policy. 

OUR CHARITY 

The Diana Award is the charity legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world. We seek to empower young people, delivering bespoke youth programmes for children and young people aged 9 – 25. Our programmes seek to address three key problems for young people: challenges to their mental health and emotional wellbeing; social and economic barriers; and not being understood by people in power. We work with young people by unlocking their potential, creating opportunities for their growth, and inspiring action from them to lead the change they want to see. 

HOW CAN I APPLY?

1. Read the Mentor Application Pack so you have all the necessary information before applying. 

2. Apply now using the Online Application Form. 

The deadline to apply is 04 August 2024, you will hear back about your application by mid-August 2024.

If your application is successful, volunteer mentoring will begin in October 2024, following identity checks and training. 

We can’t wait to receive your application! 

Join Irise’s Board of Trustees as our Finance Lead, part of a vibrant global community building a world where a female body is not a disadvantage.

“I learn so much from being a trustee of Irise. I learn about different kinds of leadership, we strive to practice our values, we are collaborative, and we support each other. Being part of such a great team and network of volunteers and advocates is a real bonus.”

Irise International is an award-winning global leader in period equality programming and advocacy, building a world where a female body is not a disadvantage through bringing together young people with firsthand experience of menstrual challenges to create change in their own communities and wider society. We work in the UK and East Africa, in partnership with our sister organisation Irise Institute East Africa and advocate together globally for the changes our community want to see. We’re powered by our community, driven by evidence and committee to feminist leadership. Read more about our shared purpose and values in our Global Strategic Framework.

We were founded in 2014 in response to girls’ voices calling for their menstrual needs to be acknowledged and met. Almost a decade later, our small and agile team has directly supported over 100,000 young people to overcome period inequality, enabled 287 organisations to address period inequality in their work and boasts a community of over 174 groups and community organisations across the contexts where work. We’ve won a global award, sat on a UK government taskforce and been named one of the most effective organisations tackling this issue.

Our current UK Board has 7 committed trustees who are committed to working in a way which is inclusive, welcoming, collaborative, transparent, and reflective. We were shortlisted for a UK Charity Governance Award in 2020 for our approach to Diversity and Inclusion and we are on a continual journey to create spaces where diverse people can find community and a sense of belonging- we invite everyone who joins our community to help us do this better.

Who are we looking for? We are looking for a dedicated and passionate Trustee - Finance Lead, with specific skills and expertise in small charity financial management, who can guide the Irise community through the next phase of our journey. With cuts to funding for girls’ education in the Global South and rising levels of period poverty in the UK, Irise is needed more than ever before and we want to deliver ambitious plans for transformative change, led by the people and communities who need it most.

What difference will you make? As a member of the Board, you will be willing and able to:

•  Ask powerful questions
•  Respectfully challenge yourself and others
• Collaborate with other Board members, Irise staff, volunteers, and external contacts
• Scrutinize Board documents and papers
• Participate in discussions and share accurate information
• Provide advice and guidance (based on individual specific expertise and experience) on strategy, projects and initiatives.

 As Finance Lead, alongside the Treasurer, you will maintain an overview of the Charity's financial position and of the conduct of its financial affairs such that they can and do give well grounded advice to the Board of Trustees and CEO.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively participate as a key member of the Board of Trustees.
• Support the development of the annual budget and future trajectories in line with the aspirations of the Irise’s strategic plan and fundraising strategy.
• Advise on all financial matters, including regulatory compliance.
• Oversee the development and observation of financial policies.
• Keep the Board of Trustees regularly informed of key financial events, trends, concerns and assessment of fiscal health in addition to completing financial reporting in a timely fashion, making these reports available to the Board within reason.
• Have oversight of all financial transactions including monitoring developed systems for keeping cash flow manageable and efficient.
• Advise fellow Trustees on a regular basis of the financial status of the charity and where necessary recommend action.
• Arrange the compilation and agreement of Irise’s annual report, including the annual review of accounts by the independent examiner.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have sound financial knowledge and the time needed to comprehensively fulfil the role:

• Competent and experienced in handling finances, ideally within small charities (formal accountancy qualification preferred).
• Good understanding of the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)
• An understanding of the voluntary sector and previous experience as a Trustee

In addition, all trustees are required to fulfill the following duties as outlined by the Charity Commission. 

Before you apply, please consider:

Time Commitment: The Board meet at least every 3 months. All of our core Board meetings are held virtually on weekday evenings lasting approximately 1.5 hours. Board papers are circulated 1-week prior to each meeting to enable plenty of time to read through and ask questions prior to the meeting. In between Board meetings you may be invited to provide additional ad-hoc input such as providing insights via email or taking responsibility for researching and writing Board papers on particular issues. We also have 1-2 in-person meetings per year; where possible, we strive for hybrid access to enable inclusion of those people unable to attend in-person events. Trustees are also encouraged to participate in online and in-person events with our wider networks and supporters from the UK and East Africa, and to support our youth leadership initiatives, for example we ask one of our trustees to provide mentorship to our Empower Period Committee. In total, you can expect to spend an average of 1-2 hours per week on activities and meetings related to the role. The role is meant to be compatible with a full time job and caring responsibilities, and we always aim for trustee input to be as flexible and time efficient as possible. We are always open to new ideas to make our Board as accessible as possible.

Term: Trustees serve a mutually agreed term, usually of at least 3 years, as agreed by the trustee and the board depending on the needs and desires of the organisation and the individual trustee. As a Board we engage in a continuous cycle of reflection, and each year our Chair meets with each board member, one to one, to review and reflect.

Expenses: Trustees shall be reimbursed whenever possible for all reasonable traveling, subsistence and other expenses incurred in connection with their attendance at meetings or in carrying out any other duties or responsibilities of the role, but otherwise shall not be paid a remuneration.

How to apply

Please share a bit about who you are, your previous experiences and a short explanation of why you would like to become a trustee of Irise International with our Chair, Linda Baines. You can share a CV, your Linked In profile, a personal website or any other relevant materials that tell us a bit more about who you are and what experiences you’ve had. Please don’t feel that you have to prepare something specially for us.

You’re also welcome to share your explanation of why you’re interested in joining the board in a format that works for you e.g. a short cover letter or a video recorded on your phone. If you have questions about the role, need any help or support to apply or would like to discuss the opportunity in more detail please get in touch to arrange a time for a phone/video call. We’ll arrange a conversation with some of our existing board members to explore with you whether we’ll be a good match. The deadline for applications is 10th July 2024.

fWe’ll also reach out to people as they get in touch with us to explore compatibility. Don’t worry if you miss the deadline - we do also consider expressions of interest in joining our board on an ongoing basis.

About We Are Family 

We Are Family is an extraordinary peer support community for adopters and prospective adopters. We’re there for parents throughout their adoption journey. Online and in person, our parents’ groups, events, resources, podcasts and talks offer mutual support, information and inspiration to adopters and those considering adoption. We currently operate across Greater London and the Home Counties, with ambitions to scale nationally over the coming years. 

You can find out more about us here. 

The Role

We are looking for new trustees to strengthen and enhance our board. The key responsibilities of the role include, governance, overseeing policy and direction, financial oversight and assisting with the leadership and general promotion of We Are Family to support the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values and needs.

This is a voluntary opportunity with associated Trustee expenses -  such as travel / childcare -  covered by We Are Family.  Trustees can be based anywhere in the UK. 

Commitment

Trustee capacity to devote the time needed for the following is essential:

• 4 Board meetings per year

• 2 Board away days per year (on a Saturday)

• Membership of at least one sub-committee (which also meet 4 times a year)

We estimate 8-10 hours for the charity per month. The duration of membership for a new Board member is for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of appointment for a further three year term.

Skills and Experience 

All applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Be able to show high levels of professionalism and an ability to work collaboratively with others, including Trustees, our core team and the wider Volunteer network at We Are Family

• Be well-organised, with good written and verbal communication skills.

• Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. A thorough induction, and further trustee training as appropriate, can be provided. 

We are particularly interested candidates with the following experience:

• Working as a professional with or in the adoption sector,

• Advocacy and/or research work;

• Finance/charity finance

• Leadership within a charity

• Education 

• Legal.

Although many of our current trustees are adopters themselves, we are also keen to recruit suitably qualified people who are not, but who can demonstrate a commitment to the values and mission of We Are Family.

One of the great strengths of We Are Family is that we are volunteer and member driven, and we represent a diverse community of adoptive parents. We particularly welcome trustees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to ensure that the board can benefit from this diversity of experience. We would also welcome single adopters to the board. 

To Apply 

If the opportunity to join an exciting, rapidly growing charity appeals to you as someone able to make a valuable contribution, please get in touch!

Refer to our job ad for the Applications email address and email our team. If you would like an informal conversation about the opportunity, please let us know.

Please note that applications are received and reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore an early application is advised.

We are seeking experienced complemnetary therapists, preferably trained massage therapists, to join our team of volunteers offering therapies to our clients affected by cancer here at our Centre in Isleworth, at other agreed local community venues in Richmond or Hounslow, or ad-hoc at local community events. We are particularly keen to recruit massage therapists but we will also consider applications from therapists for reflexology, EFT, acupuncture, shiatsu and reiki.

Applicants need to have spare time of a weekday and be able to travel easily to our area.

All our therapists need to be CNHC registered, have insurance and have or be prpeared to have an enhanced DBS check.