Chair And Trustees Volunteer Roles

MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is a Christian organisation reaching men, women and children in over 25 countries. Operating more than 115 aircraft, MAF’s pilots overcome terrain that has become inaccessible due to derelict roads, natural disaster, or violent conflict. MAF aircraft fly into some 1,000 remote destinations – transporting food and water. 

Join MAF UK as a Trustee: Use your senior-level expertise in Finance, Fundraising, Legal, or Missiology to shape strategy, uphold Christian values, and support our mission bringing help, hope, and healing to isolated communities.

What will you be doing?

MAF UK is seeking four new trustees to ensure it remains true to its calling and accountable for its impact.  We are looking for candidates with significant senior-level experience in Finance, Fundraising, Legal, or Missiology. Trustees will bring strategic insight, review plans, shape ideas, and offer leadership to guide MAF UK in fulfilling its mission to bring help, hope and healing to isolated communities worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Trustees will uphold MAF UK’s Christian ethos and reputation while supporting in:

• Setting and approving policies, budgets, and performance goals.
• Maintaining internal controls and frameworks of delegation.
• Managing risk, including financial and operational matters.
• Contributing to strategic direction and evaluating charity performance.
• Ensuring solvency, financial resilience, and effective administration.
• Fulfilling statutory responsibilities as per Charity Commission guidelines.

Commitment

Trustees serve for an initial three-year term, renewable for two further terms. The role involves:

• 3 Board meetings annually.
• An annual Trustees Awayday for prayerful strategising.
• Sub-committee involvement (up to 3 meetings/year).
• One overseas project visit.
• Occasional ad-hoc advice between meetings.

Essential Qualities

• Significant senior-level experience in Finance, Fundraising, Legal, or Missiology.
• A mature, committed Christian who affirms and adheres to MAF’s Statement of Faith.
• Personal commitment to Jesus Christ, active involvement in a Christian community, and dedication to prayer.
• Strong analytical skills, creative thinking, and constructive challenge where needed.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Terms

This is a voluntary role, reasonable expenses covered (travel, accommodation, childcare, etc.). Applicants must be UK citizens or hold a valid UK permanent work permit and meet Charity Commission trustee eligibility guidelines.

Closing Date: Midday, 28th February 2025.

What are we looking for?

Skills and Experience

• Significant senior-level expertise in one of the following areas:
  • Finance – Financial oversight, budgeting, or audit experience.
  • Fundraising – Strategic fundraising leadership and income generation.
  • Legal – Legal compliance, governance, or charity law expertise.
  • Missiology – Deep understanding of mission work and strategy.
• Proven ability to advise, review, and shape strategic plans.
• Experience in thought leadership and providing fresh perspectives.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate performance and assess risks.
• Capable of making decisions in line with the ministry and teachings of Jesus.

Personal Qualities

• Committed Christian who:
  • Affirms and adheres to MAF’s Statement of Faith.
  • Demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • Engages actively in a Christian community and devotional life.
  • Shows a commitment to prayer, supporting MAF’s ministry locally and globally.
• A strategic thinker with creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to constructively challenge while working collaboratively.
• A mature, thoughtful approach to safeguarding reputation and Christian ethos.

What difference will you make?

A trustee at MAF UK will play a key role in transforming lives by ensuring the charity remains effective, accountable, and true to its mission. Your strategic leadership will help deliver practical aid, medical care, and spiritual hope to isolated communities. By guiding MAF UK’s direction, you’ll help bring life-saving support to thousands for whom flying is a lifeline, not a luxury. Your expertise will drive real, lasting change worldwide.

Before you apply

Please contact us via the Reach Volunteering Platform for full application details. 

A summary of what your application should include: 

1. A 2-page CV of your employment history, most recent job first
2. A 2-page covering letter
3. References, name, job title, email and phone contact details

References will be taken up for candidates invited to the 2nd stage of recruitment. You will be informed prior to this taking place. 

Interviews will either be held at the MAF UK offices in Folkestone, Kent or at a location in central London. However, a zoom call may be considered if deemed appropriate.

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

We are a dynamic race and class inclusion organisation that runs empowering programmes for Black and Asian women and we are looking for passionate individuals to join our board as Trustees. Apply now to be part of our impactful journey—shortlisting will take place by mid-February.

Organisation overview

You Make It (YMI) is a dynamic, award winning and evolving race and class inclusion organisation that runs 4 month long holistic empowerment programmes for young unemployed and underemployed women largely from Hackney and Tower Hamlets. Our participants are Black and Asian, and all are from working class backgrounds. We have continued to grow since our formation by the CEO in 2011 and have continued to  generate incredible support from a range of credible funders. In addition, we are focused on dismantling racism while generating earned income through growing a range of partnerships as well as exploring new channels through which to deliver our established You Change It programme- a successful anti-racism allyship initiative aimed at  employers and pioneered by our CEO in 2020.

Our passion for our work is boundless. Year after year we prove to have real impact. Our YouTube  channel will give you a sense of what we do, all the amazing people and places we work with, and of  those people we benefit.

About you

As a trustee you must have a strong commitment to YMI’s mission and be aligned to our core values which are self-empowerment, integrity, social equality, dynamism and creativity. You have strong communication and interpersonal skills, experience in governance or management, have high integrity and ability to think strategically. You understand why we need to exist in the context of race inequality and the injustices that our community experiences. 

Those from communities who have lived experience of racial marginalisation are underrepresented at board level, and so we are especially keen to hear from trustees from these backgrounds. 

We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals from an HR, Legal or Philanthropy background, as well as anyone with experience of acting as a Charity Trustee elsewhere. 

Key responsibilities

• Governance and Financial Oversight: Alongside the wider board and leadership, ensure the charity operates in accordance with policy, legal, regulatory, and ethical standards. Safeguard the charity’s assets, including proper financial oversight and risk management. Review and approve the charity’s budget, financial statements, and annual reports. 

• Policy and Decision Making: Be an active, engaged and thoughtful participant in board meetings and decision-making processes. Approve policies that support the effective functioning of the charity now and in the future.

• Fundraising and Advocacy: Support and participate in fundraising efforts, draw on your networks to advance our growth as a charity and advocate and act as an ambassador. 

• Performance Monitoring: Evaluate performance against our goals and objectives. Ensure accountability mechanisms are in place.

• Strategic Development: Collaboratively contribute to the charity's strategic direction, ensuring it aligns with its mission and values.

• Insight and Learning: Stay informed about issues affecting YMI and its work. Pursue opportunities for training and development to enhance governance skills.

Apply 

To apply, please send a CV along with a cover letter explaining why you have relevant experience and would like to get behind our mission.

We are appointing a number of Trustees and would encourage you to apply as early as possible. We aim to shortlist applicants in March 2025. The interview process will consist of two rounds, an initial meeting with our founding CEO, before an informal interview with our Trustees. 

Contract: Voluntary (reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed)
Commitment: Average 3-4 hours a month
Location: Dartington/Hybrid

Join our Board and Make a Difference!

We’re looking to expand our Board of Trustees and are seeking individuals with expertise in any of the following areas:

• HR: With a strong understanding of HR best practices, you will support the development and implementation of our People Strategy alongside our HR Team, ensuring a positive and inclusive environment for all staff. You’ll also be there to provide guidance when needed, leaning on your experience of HR matters.
• Further Education: Your knowledge of the Further Education sector will be instrumental in supporting the College Leadership Team to continually improve the quality of education and learning opportunities for our students. Experience of Ofsted inspections and an understanding of ESFA funding conditions is highly desirable.
• Marketing/Communications: You will provide advice and guidance on the development of our marketing and communications and help us to build a strong brand with a clear voice.
• Fundraising: You will provide strategic and practical guidance on funding streams ensuring that the short and long-term needs of the charity are met.
• Digital/IT: You will provide strategic guidance on IT systems and infrastructure, ensuring they are robust, secure, and compliant. This includes identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency through technology, supporting the implementation of new software and advising on data protection regulations.

If you don’t have any of the above experience but believe that you can add value to our Board in a different way, we would still love to hear from you.

Who we are:

Lifeworks Charity is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with learning disabilities. We operate across multiple areas, including education, community support, day services and residential care. We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees, to help guide our organisation to a great future.

As a Trustee, you will get the opportunity to make a real difference. You’ll be directly contributing to the strategic direction of the charity, whilst supporting a brilliant cause.

What you'll bring:

• Passion for our mission: A genuine commitment to supporting individuals with learning disabilities to live great lives.
• Relevant expertise: Proven experience in HR, Further Education, Marketing/Communications, Fundraising or Digital/IT, ideally within the education or care sector.
• Strong governance skills: A good understanding of charity law, governance principles, and risk management (you don’t need to have previous experience as a charity board trustee – we will give you the support that you need to learn about us and your role).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: The ability to effectively communicate with colleagues, stakeholders, and the wider community.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion: A strong belief in creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

We believe that having a diverse Board of Trustees is key to our success so we’re especially keen to receive applications from under-represented communities and people with lived experience of learning disabilities.

Time Commitment:

• All new Trustees are required to attend an induction at Lifeworks, before attending your first Board meeting.
• You will need to attend our five Board meetings per year. They are held within standard business hours at our Head Office in Shinners Bridge, Dartington. One of these meetings will be an all-day strategic planning meeting, whilst the other meetings will be approximately 3.5 hours each. You will receive any materials within a week of the meeting.
• You may also be asked to participate in sub-committees as required.

Building a diverse and safe team:

At Lifeworks, we're committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities who meet the job criteria, and we guarantee qualified candidates with disabilities an interview.

Lifeworks is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. To achieve this commitment, we will ensure the continuous development, improvement and review of robust safeguarding processes and procedures that continuously promote a culture of vigilance in respect of safeguarding within our organisation. Therefore, all Trustees undergo Safer Recruitment checks which include pre-employment checks, reference checks, and an enhanced DBS check.

Apply today and tell us why you'd be a great fit for our charity!

We are looking for a committed, experienced person to join our voluntary Trustee board as Treasurer. This is a strategic/advisory, and the focus of the Treasurer is not to manage the Charity’s finances on a day-to-day basis. 

The overall role is to:

• Advise the Board of Trustees on the Charity’s financial health, liaising where appropriate with the CEO and the Head of Finance and Administration. 
• Chair the Finance and Income Generation subcommittee, in line with our terms of reference. 
• Provide Board level liaison with external auditors. 
• Support and advise the CEO and Head of Finance and Administration, on the requirements underpinning proper financial governance and procedures. Regular liaison with Chair of Trustees, CEO and HFA is expected. 
• Commitment of 18 hours per year + Quarterly Board meetings plus 5 Finance Committee Meetings

The ideal candidates will possess: 

• A strong financial background and ability to interpret accounts.
• Demonstrate good independent judgement with a willingness to ask questions when necessary. 
• Ability to work as part of our Board of Trustees, showing commitment to the role, the principles of EDI and the charity’s goals and mission. 
• A willingness to contribute time and effort to the Charity by volunteering for some of our fund-raising events and service provision.

A high level accounting qualification is not necessary but accounting experience will be paramount, please get in touch to discuss.

We are looking for one person to join the Justice Collaborations board. This is an exciting opportunity to join JC at a point where the focus shifts from volume grant-making to learning and influencing to best achieve our goals, whilst also exploring other opportunities for development. The JC board is currently comprised of four people, including Paddy Sloan, the chair of the Legal Education Foundation’s board and Jen Ang, the chair of the Justice Together Grants Committee. This role would also include being part of the Justice Together Grants Committee, which is made up of three members of the Justice Collaborations board plus three directly appointed external members.

The JC board and Justice Together grants committee meetings have recently been combined. They meet three to four times a year to decide on grant applications, review learning, advise on strategy and make recommendations to the full board. We are actively seeking members whose expertise and skill is combined with lived experience of the issues facing people in the UK immigration system, including a deep understanding of the structural barriers that prevent equal treatment and undermine access to justice in communities. We are keen to hear from people who place their personal experiences in a wider context and have used these experiences alongside their other skills and experiences to effect social change. We want to hear from people who have worked with and for communities impacted by immigration issues, whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. We value and recognise the powerful insight that lived experience will bring to this committee. However, we respect that people’s identity is not defined by their experiences of immigration control and do not expect people to describe their lived experience at any stage during this process or during their work on the committee. The successful appointees will have a passion for defending legal rights, and the values of equality and justice, and will be able to demonstrate a personal style that fosters collaboration, inclusivity and trust.

We are the independent champion for people who use health and social care services in Islington. We’re here to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care. The treasurer's role is to oversee the financial health of the organisation and ensure that it's managed in a way that protects its financial integrity.

What we are looking for:
• A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to balance risk and opportunity.
• A clear communicator with the ability to bring financial information alive to non-finance specialists.
• An individual willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting and setting budget

Duties include:

• Working with the CEO and accountant on the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Ensuring, at a board level, that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the CEO and accountant
• Being knowledgeable of the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised.
• Working with the CEO and chair to oversee the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting financial risk.
• Supporting the CEO/ accountant to ensure that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies e.g. the Charity Commission
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the CEO and chair to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

The Helena Kennedy Foundation exists to overcome social injustice by providing financial bursaries, mentoring and support to disadvantaged students from the further and adult education sectors, enabling them to complete their studies in higher education and move on successfully into employment.

Founded in 1998 the organisation relies completely on donations and receives funding from a variety of funding sources, including Universities, Trusts, Foundations, colleges and many more.

The President, Patrons, Trustees and Chair of the Foundation are all volunteers. They are actively involved in promoting the work of the Foundation, in business planning, fundraising, and performance management. The Foundation's work and reputation continue to grow with strong support from the further education sector as well as in higher education.

We are now looking for an experienced and committed Treasurer to join the dedicated board the Helena Kennedy Foundation. Could this be you? 

This is more than a role—it’s a chance to make a lasting impact, grow alongside inspiring people, and be part of something truly life-changing! Read on to find out more…

The Role

As a Treasurer you will be responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the organisation and ensuring they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice. Duties will include:

• Ensuring funds are invested and used sensibly, in a strategic way to support and develop the organisation
• Agreeing and presenting finances at Trustees’ meetings, with support of the office
• Acting as a point of contact for the office for day to day and on-going financial queries
• Agreeing financial decisions as part of staffing reviews, with the Chair
• Deputising for the Chair / Vice-Chair as need arises

The Person  

To be considered for this unique and exciting opportunity you should have a natural leadership ability, integrity and a have meticulous eye for detail. You must demonstrate good and independent judgement with an ability to make decisions for the good of the organisation. You should come from a financial or accounts background, and ideally have an understanding of the financial landscape in the charity sector.

From a practical perspective, you must have a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to fulfil required duties and an ability to work effectively as a member of a geographically dispersed team. The board hold remote meetings four times per year which you would be expected to attend.

Why The Helena Kennedy Foundation?

Becoming a Trustee for The Helena Kennedy Foundation has many benefits including the opportunity to influence the policy and strategic direction of the charity and the knowledge that you are helping to support the lives of students who have faced considerable challenges.

By taking on this hugely rewarding role you will have an enormous impact on the work of a valued and specialist charity, as well as grow your own skills and experience in an incredibly meaningful field.

To register your interest, apply here, or get in contact with Charlie or Leanne at Charity Horizons for more information about this exciting role.

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format, such as audio or video upload, please contact either Charlie or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this. Also, please let us know if you require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us.

Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition, and pregnancy.

The Peter Sowerby Foundation is a significant, charitable grant-maker supporting work in the fields of health, education and community, the arts, and the environment. It is seeking grant making trustees.

Registered with the Charity Commission in 2011, the Foundation aims to fulfil the charitable aims of its late settlor, Dr Peter Sowerby, a retired GP from rural North Yorkshire and founding partner in Egton Medical Information Systems (EMIS), which now provides database and records management software for over 10,000 healthcare organisations in the UK and in excess of 16M of the UK population.

The Foundation is currently managed by a board of four trustees.  These are David Aspinall, Chair of Trustees; Dr David Stables, Peter Sowerby’s former GP partner and an expert in management information systems; Sara Siegel Poulios, lead partner in Deloitte’s Healthcare Strategy who has been seconded to senior positions in the Department of Health and NHS, and Dr Carole Longson, Chief Scientific Officer at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Since it was established, the Foundation has awarded hundreds of grants. Some of these have been small grants to local, grass-roots organisations, whilst others have been to large, well-established charities and educational institutions. In total, the Foundation has awarded some £15 million in grants since inception.

Principles

In keeping with the wishes and personal character of Dr Sowerby, the Foundation continues to be a funder that is distinctive in its approach to grant-making and which is prepared to push the boundaries of achievement within its chosen fields so as to make a tangible and lasting impact. The Foundation also places innovation and influence on wider policy and practice at the forefront of grant making​.

 In terms of geography, the Foundation largely supports UK-wide projects but has occasionally provided grants to international ventures. Trustees are particularly interested in supporting projects in Dr Sowerby’s much-loved home of North Yorkshire.

Estimate of time needed: 0-5 hours / month

What are we looking for?

The Foundation is currently seeking additional trustees to join the Foundation and is particularly looking for individuals with one or more of the following:

• experience working within the health sector/NHS in a front line capacity ­– we note this could be current GP, consultant, clinician or another similar post
• experience in financial management/strategic oversight – especially at Board Level
• experience in grant making and the evaluation of the impact of grant making.

The Foundation will also consider applications from potential trustees, with experience outside of the above areas, but with an interest in the work of the Foundation and its charitable endeavours.

Person Specification

The Foundation is seeking to appoint at least two trustees with skills and experience that can help us achieve our objectives, who can bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our Board.

Individuals should have the ability to exercise good, independent judgement and provide a willingness to participate actively in discussion and debate.

Knowledge of the process of charitable grant-making would be beneficial for the role but is not essential.

A comprehensive induction process will be available to the selected individual(s).

What difference will you make?

The trustees have overall control of the governance of the Foundation and are ultimately responsible for the charity. Grant solicitation and directorial support is provided under contract from Cause4, whilst an outsourced finance function is provided by FLB Accountants. The Foundation also employs a governance expert as administrator to the board.

The Foundation has an expendable endowment of some £65M and Trustees are advised by their investment consultancy, HFMC Wealth, with investment management services provided by four leading investment houses.

The Board meets virtually each quarter (for up to three hours) and, from time to time, Trustees are also asked to attend to governance and grant matters remotely between meetings. We estimate the total time commitment to be about four-six days per year.

Specific responsibilities of trustees include:

• reviewing and setting the strategic aims for the Foundation
• reviewing progress against the strategic aims
• setting annual budgets for grant-making and management
• considering operational and financial risks
• authorising grant programmes
• approving and assessing grants
• approving the investment policy and reviewing investment performance and risk
• approving annual accounts and annual report.

Before you apply

To arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact us on the Reach platform in the first instance. 

To apply for the position, submit a letter of no more than two sides showing how you satisfy the required skills and experience, together with a copy of an up-to-date CV. 

The Trustees seek to make an appointment at the earliest opportunity and will assess applications as they arrive. Interviews will be arranged at a mutually convenient time.

Mind in Croydon are excited to be looking for several new Trustees to join our Board. This is a voluntary position, please read the recruitment pack attached to this advert for specific information about the role.

About us

We are a leading local mental health charity with over fifty staff and sixty volunteers and an income of around £2 million per year. Our services include advocacy, counselling, an information line, support  services in the community and services that encourage people to be more socially included and to take part in sports and active lifestyles.

Last year we provided support to over 8,600 people, 1,510 were supported by an independent advocate whilst we raised over £1.5 million in unclaimed benefits for Croydon residents.

We have an ambitious strategy to take more services to more people across our community and we particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues and who live or work in our community.

About the role

· Working with the Board to promote the vision and mission of Mind in Croydon and enhance its profile

· Contributing actively to giving Mind in Croydon strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets

· Exercising expert judgement and scrutiny for Mind in Croydon, contributing fully to Board meetings and sub-committees to ensure excellent governance

· Participating in decision-making, risk management and control to protect the charity, its clients, staff and volunteers

· Exercising integrity, creating a culture which helps to achieve the charity’s core purpose and ensure public trust and confidence in the charity

· Supporting the Chief Executive and wider senior team, where appropriate.

We are also especially interested in applications from candidates with the following experience/background;

·Safeguarding

·Property/ facilities management

·Fundraising/ income generation

·Legal

·Clinical

·Human Resources

Property Trustee/Head of Property Committee

Overall Purpose

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

Main Responsibilities

• To work with Pecan management to oversee the charity's property function.
• To help Pecan obtain best value from the property it owns on a freehold basis, while acting in line with the charity's objects.
• To help Pecan achieve best client value from all sites inhabited (as owner-occupier and tenant), while acting in line with the charity's objects.
• To ensure adequate oversight of the facilities management function within head office (as with all trusteeships, this is not an operational role).
• To chair the Property Committee 6-10 occasions annually.

Wider trustee duties incl. the following:

• Ensure that the charity, and its representatives, function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector and in line with the organisations’ governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance.
• To uphold the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.
• To take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties. This course of action will ensure the obligation to exercise their duty of care.
• To determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning.
• To avoid any personal conflict of interest.

Main Duties

• Ensuring the charity complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance to organisational activities contained therein.
• Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
• Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.
• Maintaining sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisation’s objects and that its investment activities meet accepted standards and policies.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources.
• Acting as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds, if appropriate.
• To maintain confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received.
• Whilst there is no formal requirement to live in or near south London, trustees are expected to attend in-person meetings on a small number of occasions each year, including at PECAN.

Accountable to

As trustees are responsible for the governance and functioning of the charity, they are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including: service-users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House. Close attention must be given to the governing document.

Skills

Building management; facilities H&S; surveying; property market understanding.

We already have a fantastic group of volunteers, helping in our charity shops, fundraising, fostering animals in our care and undertaking vital home assessments of potential animal adopters.  We want to grow this group and deepen our engagement with them.  If you have volunteer management experience, we would love to hear from you.

In April 2024, our branch expanded, encompassing our existing area of Lincoln, Gainsborough, Wragby, Witham St Hughs, Woodhall Spa and Horncastle and gaining new geographical areas including Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Louth and Mablethorpe. Our volunteer base is crucial to support our re-homing, run our charity shops and fundraising activities efficiently and we now have ambitious plans for our expanded area to ensure more mistreated animals can find their forever homes.

About us:

RSPCA Lincolnshire Mid, NE & Lincoln Branch rehabilitates and re-homes animals rescued by the RSPCA's national Inspectors. We also promote responsible pet ownership and hold animal action days such as for microchipping.

We currently run three charity shops and regular fundraising events, to support more than 100 animals escape cruelty and neglect, to find their forever home each year.

What you can bring to our board:

The Trustees make extremely important decisions for the branch, for example deciding on how to raise income for the branch, as well as meeting in sub-groups to consider important subject matters with recommendations being made to the full board of trustees.  Our branch is an extremely passionate branch with eleven trustees currently forming the committee.

We are looking for someone willing to bring their volunteer management experience to our board. We want to ensure we are communicating well with our volunteers and maximising opportunities for them to bring their skills and expertise to our branch activities through targeted engagement.  You will support our decisions around communications and events, volunteer activity planning, volunteer recruitment, training and performance management, and much more. 

You will live and/or work in our branch area in Lincolnshire, UK, to bring local insight to our branch decisions.

We meet monthly as a board, with most of these online but we like to also meet at least 3 times each year in-person, as well as support local fundraising events. 

If you would like an informal chat about the opportunity, please contact the Chair, Sophie Easteal.