Committee Member Volunteer Roles

Could you be Rosa’s new Chair? Rosa is the UK’s only grant making fund dedicated to supporting women’s and girls’ organisations helping to create a society in which women and girls are safe, healthy and equal at work, at home and in public life. Over the last six years, our organisation has gone from strength to strength: growing our staff team and Board to fulfil our vision of a society in which women and girls are safe, healthy and have equal opportunities at work, at home and in public life.

We are looking for a Chair who shares our ambition to ensure adequate and consistent funding for organisations that support women and girls. Our Board is comprised of twelve dedicated and skilled Trustees with a range expertise and backgrounds and we are now seeking a new passionate and committed Chair.

Founded in 2008, our work focuses on the key issues affecting women’s and girls’ lives including violence and sexual abuse, reproductive rights and health, poverty and economic inequality and mental health and recognises the connections between them. We have channelled funding to small charities and organisations working in the most deprived areas of the UK and responded to the specific challenges faced by Black and minoritised led women’s and girls’ organisations.

This is an exciting time to join the organisation. We are currently working on our new strategy which will begin in 2025. This strategy aims to meet the evolving needs of the UK women’s and girls’ sector, leveraging our influence for its benefit and attracting diverse funders to invest in the sector.

We are proud of our strong partnerships with funders and investors and with women’s and girls’ organisations. We have a dynamic Chief Executive who leads a small, professional team to develop and deliver targeted programmes to meet the needs of the women and girls’ sector across these issues and across the UK.

We are particularly keen on hearing from those with experience as a Chair or Committee Chair, possessing strong leadership skills, and the ability to build trust, drive governance, and guide strategic planning and stakeholder engagement optimally in a charitable, non-profit organisation, public body, or equivalent organisation.

Rosa takes its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion extremely seriously, recognising the value that this adds to our success.  Rosa reaps the benefits of having a diverse board and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and life experiences. We are therefore particularly keen to hear from people from across the UK, people with a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences, people from Black and Asian communities and other racially minoritised ethnic groups, and disabled people.

It is estimated that the role will require the equivalent of approximately forty days per annum, (averaged out over the course of the year). Our board meetings (three online and one in person) are held quarterly in the early evenings. The Chair is also invited to join Board Committees.

The role is unremunerated, but we will reimburse all reasonable expenses.

City of Chelmsford Mencap is a small independent charity providing support and structured classes for adults with a learning disability across mid-Essex. We have recently converted the charity's structure and are now embarking on an exciting period of strategic growth. We are seeking energetic and passionate new trustees who can contribute to our plans and help us deliver the next phase of our operating model. 

We would welcome potential trustees from any professional background. However, the following attributes are very important:

• A proven track record of integrity and respect for confidential and proprietary information
• A keen and respectful listener who is able to empathise and respectfully challenge
• Commitment to the charity and enthusiasm for its vision, mission and aims
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee.
• Strategic vision
• Sound, independent judgement
• Willingness to participate in frank and open discussion
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to coach staff where required
• The ability to read and understand management reports
• Skills to analyse proposals and their consequence
• Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board
• General competence with IT
• Willingness to be available to provide guidance to the senior management team on an ad hoc basis
• Capacity to represent the charity to external parties and at local events

Much more information is available in our recruitment pack which is available on the apply page..

Please note that appointment to our Board is subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and a clean enhanced DBS certificate (which we will arrange). 

Are you passionate about making a difference? We're looking for a dedicated Honorary Treasurer to oversee the financial well-being of our charity.

The Honorary Treasurer will monitor the financial standing of the charity and support the Board in the review of all financial matters and the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources.

They will Chair the Finance & Resources Sub-committee and feed into the charity’s financial risk-management process, reporting financial health to the Board of trustees at regular intervals. They will also advise on fundraising, income, and development of unrestricted funds of the charity.

The Treasurer will act as a counter signatory on payments and applications to funders, and work with the Accountants and Executive Team to ensure that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion.

They will provide input to ensure the organisation’s finances are responsibly managed and invested for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves

Qualities of a Treasurer

Essential

• Qualified accountant
• Knowledge of charity SORP
• Competent use of IT skills
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders
• Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Good communication and leadership skills

Desirable

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices
• Committed to our cause and objectives and willing to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies
• Skills and experience in one or more areas of non-executive governance and management e.g. strategic planning, business management, financial/accountancy, understanding of HR issues, experience of Trusts or other grant giving bodies particularly fundraising and legal knowledge
• A team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management

Time commitment and location

• Currently the Board meets at least six times a year and the Treasurer is expected to be available at key points in the accounting cycle
• Board meetings are every 2 months (2-3 hours approx. per meeting)
• You will chair the Finance & Resources sub-committee which meet at least quarterly, online (1-2 hours approx. per meeting)
• Ideally meetings will take place in person although online and hybrid options are available

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers in the Horsham and district area
• Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• Keeping financial records from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

A bit more information about this role and the team

• This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
• You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
• We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
• Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Finance Trustee

Are you interested in becoming a voluntary Finance Trustee? We are looking for an experienced and committed individual to play an essential role in the governance and development of a hospice charity dedicated to supporting people with terminal and life limiting illnesses.

Position: Finance Trustee (voluntary)

Location: Remote, with travel to Swindon

Time commitment: Trustees are asked to participate in quarterly Board meetings, preferably in person. Plus Trustees are asked to participate in and/or Chair, preferably in person, at least one Sub-committee. Meetings of these sub-Committees are held once every quarter. Trustee are also asked to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Hospice.

Remuneration: The position is unpaid, though reasonable expenses (such as travel to meetings) are reimbursed.

The Role

It is the duty of the Board of Trustees to act in the interests of the Charity’s beneficiaries. It should ensure that the Charity as a clear strategic direction and purpose, and a sense of urgency to get on with the work it was established to do. It should set clear objectives, establish priorities, safeguard the assets (money, property, equipment, human resources) and use them effectively and exclusively to benefit those Charity exists to help.

Some of the main key responsibilities include:

· To ensure that the charity complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, Charity law, Company law and any other relevant legislation.

· To ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.

· To contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the charity.

· To ensure the financial stability of the charity.

· To appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance.

· To assist in the recruitment and selection of potential new Trustees.

· To contribute as a member/chair of a committee reporting to the Board

About You

You need not have been a charity trustee before, although experience of charity governance and working as part of a committee would be highly beneficial. You will need to have great inter-personal/people skills and the time to perform the role effectively.

We are also seeking the following essential skills and experience for this role:

· A qualified Accountant with extensive professional experience within a finance based role

· Experience of contributing to senior/executive level board discussions

· Experience in development and delivery of business plans in line with strategic planning

· Experience of chairing meetings and/or events

· An understanding or developing partnerships and building relationships with other organisations

This is a fantastic opportunity, so if you feel you have the necessary skill apply today and start making a valuable contribution to the essential work of the Hospice! Trustees are volunteers who give their time, skills and expertise for no financial gain. As a member of the Board, Trustees you will develop a range of skills and experience which are applicable beyond the charity sector.

Other roles may include; Qualified Accountant, Finance Director, Head of Finance, CFO, Chief Financial Officer, Accountant, Head of Accountancy, CEO, Charity CEO, Finance Trustee, Treasurer, Senior Finance Manager, Senior Accountant, etc.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers 
• Planning fundraising events and activities with your team in the Swale area ME9, ME10, ME11, ME12, ME13
• Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• Keeping financial records from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
• Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

About the board and Trustee role 

Trustees are volunteers who oversee the strategic direction of the charity and ensure its compliance with regulators and the law. They are also ambassadors for the charity; and they provide the staff team, which does the day-to-day work, with both scrutiny and support. 

The full board meets quarterly. Two meetings focus on ‘business’ – approving budgets and policies, making key decisions, etc. The other two are more discursive, covering strategic issues. 

We have four sub-committees: Finance Audit Investment & Risk, Impact & Income Development, Research & Policy, and Governance & People. Trustees are generally invited to sit on at least one sub-committee, which gives them more detailed insight into the charity’s work in that area. A number of trustees choose to sit on multiple sub-committees (there is no upper limit) and trustees are also welcome to attend any sub-committee, for example as a one-off, to see what happens or if they have an interest in a particular agenda item. Sub-committees also meet quarterly. 

And there is usually one strategy day a year. 

We currently have ten trustees on our board, with skills and experience in charity leadership and governance, addictions psychiatry, academic research, public affairs, policing, and marketing. We are looking to a recruit a further one trustee. 

What we can offer 

1. Our board of trustees, and our charity as a whole, is warm and welcoming. 
2. Everyone is entitled to have their views heard and we work hard to be inclusive of everyone. 
3. We are well organised and professionally run. 
4. We are a dynamic and fast-paced organisation, with a huge range of interesting work happening. 
5. You will have opportunities for personal development and to attend a range of interesting events in your role as a trustee. 
6. Finally, and most importantly, we are laser-focused on making as much difference as possible to end alcohol harm.

Trustees’ Role Description and Person Specification 

Being a Trustee of Alcohol Change UK 

Our Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the UK’s leading charity in the field of alcohol harm. We are a registered charity (No. 1140287) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 07462605). Our trustees are also members of the charity and directors of the company. Governance is in accordance with both charity and company law. This role description uses the term ‘trustee’ to refer to all three roles (trustee, member, director). 

As well as overseeing proper governance, the Board is responsible for strategic decision-making, upholding the reputation of the charity and ensuring that it delivers on its charitable object to reduce alcohol harm. As a trustee you will share this collective responsibility and bring your personal skills, experience and connections to bear.

This is an exciting time for the charity as we are in the first year of our newly approved five-year strategy from Apr 2024 to Mar 2029. Our new trustees will play a key role in helping us deliver on this strategy. 

The Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees 

Governing Documents 

Our primary governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of Association which sets out the formal duties and responsibilities of the trustees, directors and members. It is complemented by our Scheme of Delegation. We have also adopted the Code of Good Governance, and remain compliant with the rules of the Charity Commissioners and Companies House. 

General Duties and Responsibilities 

The following are general duties, based on documentation from the Charity Commission and Companies House: 

1. To act in the interests of the charity’s objects – that is, its cause and its beneficiaries. 
2. To act reasonably and prudently in all matters. 
3. To avoid personal views and prejudices affecting your decision-making. 
4. To protect – and actively promote – the property, interests and reputation of the charity. 
5. To set the strategic direction, provide strategic oversight, and make critical decisions. 
6. To always make decisions collectively as a board and in particular to actively support all board decisions (that are made in accordance with the charity’s constitution) regardless of your personal position on such decisions. 
7. To understand how the charity works, including being fully aware of the charity’s general risks and its financial position. 
8. To ensure compliance with all statutory requirements as set out by Companies House and the Charity Commission and by other relevant statutory bodies and legislation. 
9. To challenge and support the CEO and, through them, the broader staff team. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities 

The following additional duties and responsibilities have been adopted by Alcohol Change UK: 

1. To abide by Alcohol Change UK’s policies, such as those on equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding, code of conduct, conflicts of interest, GDPR, etc. 
2. To endeavour to achieve at least 75% attendance at Board meetings. In accordance with the governing documents, trustees missing three consecutive board meetings without reasonable cause will normally be asked to step down. 
3. To undertake training as required and to participate in an annual development appraisal. 
4. To join at least one of the charity’s four sub-committees. 
5. To represent Alcohol Change UK at events and to act as a positive ambassador for Alcohol Change UK amongst its key audiences. 
6. To understand and respect the boundary between governance and the operational matters that are delegated to the staff team. 
7. To respond to Alcohol Change UK correspondence in a timely manner. 

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• Keeping financial records from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

A bit more information about this role and the team

• This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
• There may be opportunities for your activities to be fully remote and/or admin based if you'd prefer.
• You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
• We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
• Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

If you're looking for a chance to join a close-knit board and executive team, where you can play an active role in grant allocation and help shape the charity’s strategic direction, this position could be perfect for you.

• Location: Meetings held in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon or Wiltshire
• Time commitment: The equivalent of up to a day a month
• Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 21st October

Who we are.

The National Benevolent Charity is a grantmaker. We make grants to individuals experiencing poverty and to organisations aiming to relieve poverty.

We are one of only a handful of benevolent charities to which people experiencing poverty can apply directly from anywhere in the UK. Our applicants include refugees, women escaping domestic abuse, people from the travelling community, working families on low incomes, care leavers and pensioners.

Our grants to organisations focused on Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon, and Bristol. Our successful applicants include food banks, housing and homeless shelters, women’s refuges, and money advice organisations.

We ensure our grants are used to help people survive and thrive, live in reasonable comfort, and improve their physical and psychological well-being by providing home essentials, financial, emotional, and practical support, advice, and training.

We collaborate with other funders and referral agencies to offer the widest support possible and aim to be inclusive and equitable in our grant giving. In 2023, we awarded grants to 729  individuals and 42 organisations.

The charity employs three staff members, led by the Chief Executive, Ali Russell. Total income and endowments for the year ending 31 December 2023 were £ 867,742, with expenditures £1,108,271. Assets are just under £24m.

About the role.

To complement the skills and experience of the existing Trustees, we are looking for a new board member with expertise in finance. This board member will be a qualified accountant and hold a senior strategic leadership position as our new Finance and Investment Committee Chair. They will need to attend all Full Board and all Finance Committee meetings.

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 and demonstrate the following personal skills and qualities.

• They must be willing and able to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Be able to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.

• Be an effective communicator who is willing to participate actively in discussions.
• Have a strong personal commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Have enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Be willing to practice our values of collaboration, compassion, and openness.

This board member will Chair the Finance and Investment Committee and will be responsible for ensuring investments and assets are maximised professionally and ethically by:

• Having oversight of the charity’s Investment Managers.
• Ensuring robust and comprehensive investment policies are in place and being implemented.
• Assisting in the presentation of investments to the Board of Trustees.
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan.
• Oversight of the Management Accounts and Budget setting.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 21st October.

About you

We are looking for people with or without board level experience, and we would welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds.

In order to continue to enhance the diversity of our board, we would particularly like to hear from people from ethnically marginalised groups, particularly Black African backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with physical disabilities, and other marginalised groups, and especially those with direct experience of services provided by our hospice.

On this occasion and following a recent skills audit of our current trustees, we are particularly looking for people with expertise in any of the following areas:

• Finance and accounting (with a view to succession planning for our current Treasurer)
• Co-production, community engagement and community development
• Property and estate management

Commitments from trustees and from the hospice

Trustees are expected to attend, in person or via tele-conferencing:

• Sessions agreed as part of each trustee’s personalised induction programme.

• Bi-monthly board meetings.

• Approximately two board away days per year, dedicated to strategic planning.

Where they are willing and able, trustees may be asked to join one of the board sub-committees.

Whilst this is an unpaid, voluntary role, out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. A personalised induction programme, training, support and mentorship will be provided.

Person specification

Each trustee must have:

• commitment to the vision of the hospice

• willingness to meet the minimum time commitment

• integrity

• strategic vision

• good, independent judgement

• the ability to think creatively

• willingness to speak their mind

• understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good

of the hospice.

Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary and the hospice welcomes applications from all ages and backgrounds.

Closing date for applications is Monday 7 October.

A bit about this role

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped. 

What can you expect to be doing?

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers

• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation

• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes

• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively

• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan

• Sign-posting queries from members of the public

• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens by helping maintain positive communications, managing administration processes and promoting the work of Cats Protection. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong administration skills and attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Good organisation and prioritisation skills
• Good team-working skills
• Good IT skills to use Cats Protection systems – training and support can be provided
• A willingness to learn how the branch and organisation operates
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our support volunteers usually spend 2-5 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of local people with mental health conditions? We are looking  a Trustee who can think strategically and complement the existing Board.

Mental Health Resource is a well-established, independent charity based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. We are passionate about improving mental wellbeing in our community, and aim to do this by enabling people to feel supported and valued, providing opportunities for social connections and by raising awareness of mental health. We deliver high quality and effective services across West Kent providing safe spaces and person-centred mental health support.

We provide comprehensive services with both a focus on short term and long-term mental health support, enabling people to access our projects for as longs as they want or need support. Our beneficiaries have complex and enduring mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harming, psychosis, schizophrenia and bi-polar and, on average, we work with over 900 adults and young people each year.  

About the Trustee roles

You would be working with other trustees who have different skills, knowledge and experience. It's an interesting role in which you can help formulate ideas about how we as an organisation can best address the challenges and opportunities that exist in an increasingly complex and changing environment.

We would love to hear from you if you have a true interest in helping to improve the lives of those with mental health conditions in our community, and especially if you have skills or experience in working in a charity or in finance. No experience of being a trustee is necessary.

You would be expected to attend and participate in six Board meetings per year which are held via Teams/Zoom and last 2-3 hrs. The Board is also supported by two sub-committees: Finance and Risk and Marketing and Fundraising, which meet four times a year, and trustees are encouraged to also be a member of one of the sub-committees.

The Organisation

The University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU) is an independent charity that exists to advance the education of all students at the University of Portsmouth. Our vision is to have a ‘Positive Impact with every Portsmouth student’ and we aim to have both immediate and legacy impacts through our range of inspiring services and activities.

UPSU is a forward thinking, friendly organisation with a vision of “delivering a positive impact with every Portsmouth student”. As a charity led by its values and guided by its members, we offer a wide range of services and activities to support and enrich the lives of our students. UPSU employs approximately 30 career staff, a further 50 student staff and we work with over 1000 registered student volunteers and over 100 student groups.

UPSU has implemented a new 3 year Strategy from August 2023 and as always, our Strategy sets the direction for UPSU and ensures we are all focussed on the right things for the benefit of all University of Portsmouth students. Our new Strategy focuses on three areas:

1. Academic Success - All students’ academic outcomes are improved as a result of the work that we do - making this the best we can for UoP students through our charitable aims of Representation, Development and Welfare
2. Social Capital - Students are supported to find themselves, be themselves, connect and belong
3. Future Readiness - Students’ futures are made clearer and enhanced by the work that we do

The Person

The right candidate will thrive in a student led, highly responsive environment and have an enthusiasm for supporting and guiding a student organisation. They will command confidence, have sound judgement and strong communication and leadership skills.

To support our current strategic direction and bring new skills to the Board, the essential skills, knowledge or experience required are:

• AI / Digital Communication
• Finance
• Charity Experience - governance, leadership and strategic direction

Due to the current make-up of our Trustee Board, we are not actively searching for candidates with skills, knowledge and experience related to the Student Union and HE sector and we would welcome candidates from other sectors or regions to apply.

That said, we would very much like to encourage anyone who feels that they could bring something to our Board to apply, regardless of experience - our purpose and values also lead us to welcome first time Trustees too!

We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our Trustee Board to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

Board meetings sit 4-5 times per year and in addition we ask our Trustees to share their expertise in supporting one of our sub-committees. The roles are voluntary and whilst we welcome all applicants, the requirement for regular meeting attendance may suit people within easy travel time to Portsmouth.

Further Information

For information about how to apply, please visit our website. Application is via a comprehensive CV plus a supporting statement (of no more than two sides of A4) detailing why you are applying for the position and what requirements you meet to carry out the role

Completed applications must be received by midday on the 7th October 2024

• Role: provide HR oversight, analysis and strategic guidance to the CEO and board
• Liaises with: Chair, CEO, trustees, committees, external stakeholders
• Location: Cambridgeshire area/remote
• Voluntary role: reasonable expenses paid
• Time commitment: 0-5 hours per month (estimated), mostly outside office hours
• Term: negotiable, e.g. interim/three years/extendable by re-election
• Application closing date: 31st October 2024

About Us:
Evolve Counselling is a long-established charitable social enterprise, providing low cost, affordable or funded mental health counselling to adults in Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties. Our professional counselling community is made up of 50 – 60 qualified self-employed practitioners, working part-time to deliver talking therapies both online and in person. 

We deliver around 500 counselling sessions per month to a broad range of individuals, many of whom would not otherwise be able to access therapeutic support. Evolve also provides supervision, reflective practice, critical incident support, and mental health awareness and related training to organisations and businesses large and small.

We are in the early stages of developing ambitious growth and innovation programmes, so this is a perhaps the most interesting time to be part of Evolve since we started in the 1970s. Opportunities for new Trustees to make their mark are considerable.

What We’re Looking For:
We are searching for an experienced HR specialist who can support our board, committees, and the CEO as we move through our next strategic stage of consolidation, then growth. Although long-established and successful, Evolve is reshaping itself and your HR expertise will be instrumental in positioning our charity to successfully meet the ever-growing demands and opportunities for supporting good mental health in our communities. Please note, a background in counselling is NOT a prerequisite for this role. Training will be available in general charity governance and in specific areas such as charity finance.

Your skills and knowledge, whether gained in the charity or commercial worlds, in a corporate HR Department, or a specialist consultancy, will help us to plan and “do the right thing” for our small staff and our self-employed counsellors, as we grow.

Including quarterly board meetings, committee sessions (at present virtual), a face-to-face AGM event, away days, and regular meetings with our CEO and the trustees, we anticipate a flexible time commitment of around 0-5 hours per month