Community Leader Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

Fundraising Volunteer

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

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 well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact: Emma Vipond, Volunteer team leader 

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

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 well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact: Emma Vipond, Volunteer team leader 

Job description
Fantastic opportunity to make an impactful difference in women and girls lives by leading our social media department and content for the charity's social media platforms, monitoring performance and establishing and/or maintaining active social media accounts, in addition to researching and creating creative content for different social media channels.

What will you be doing?

• Creating and managing social media posts across all social media platforms e.g. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube,TikTok, and X.
• Develop new, engaging informative content to educate, raise awareness and prevention, increase interest, attract supporters and encourage ambassadors.
• Working in conjunction with the Operations Manager, be responsible for posting original, high-quality content (three times per week) to improve our brand presence, grab the attention of our target audience and drive engagement.
• Assist with creating our new social media strategy 

What are we looking for?

• Commitment and passion to advocate and fight to end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking
• Clear understanding of social media platforms
• Innovative and creative leader
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and a positive can-do attitude.
• Knowledge of marketing is also desirable.

Skills, experience and qualities needed

• Creative Skills
• Canva Experience
• Commercial Awareness
• Creating Calendar
• Customer Service
• IT Skills
• Marketing and PR
• Research
• Team Working
• Written Communication Skills

- Up to 5 hours per week (remote)
- We request a minimum commitment of 1 year volunteering.

What difference will you make?

Joining our team will give you the opportunity to:

• Contribute to a good cause that makes a real difference to lives
• Make a lasting impact in lives and communities
• Provide education and information on a topic where the silence needs to be broken
• Be a voice for women and girls who cannot speak
• Use and share your skills and gain new skills and experience
• Be part of a friendly team of people

Please note that we will request references.

Refugee Biryani & Bananas is looking for a Treasurer with a passion for financial management and accounting to join our Trustees Board to oversee the financial health of the charity and cement the financial literacy of the organisation at Board level. We are looking for someone with the skills, experience, energy and time to commit to our important work. Our Board is responsible for the governance of Refugee Biriyani & Bananas. The Board does not directly manage the day-to-day work, but provides oversight, shaping organisational strategy and supporting our staff and volunteers.

We are expanding our Board of Trustees to support the growth and future plans of our ambitious small charity. Board meetings take place every 12 weeks via video call, with opportunities for in-person gatherings throughout the year. Additional meetings may occasionally be required, either more frequently, in smaller groups, or one-to-one, depending on specific needs or exceptional circumstances.

The Treasurer will work closely with our team members including volunteers, other Trustees and with the CEO, advising on all financial matters including regulatory compliance. The Treasurer will be expected to attend Board meetings which last approximately an hour and a half every twelve weeks.

The Treasurer will:

● Actively participate as a key member of the Board of Trustees.

● Act as an ambassador for Refugee Biryani & Bananas

● Lead development of the annual budget and cash flow forecasting

● Support with fundraising and financial strategic planning

● Advise on all financial matters, including regulatory compliance.

● Oversee the development and observation of financial policies

● Advise the board on fund management and ensure an appropriate reserves policy

● Advise fellow Trustees on a regular basis of the financial status of the charity and where necessary recommend action.

● Support with financial processes such as Gift Aid collection and running Payroll

● Work with professional advisors including any contracted accountants

● Review financial transactions on a monthly basis via digital accounting software, Xero

● Arrange the compilation and agreement of Refugee Biryani & Bananas’ annual report

● Liaise and lead on the annual review of accounts by the independent examiner 

Surfers Against Sewage

Join the Wave of Change

Are you ready to inspire and guide efforts to restore and protect our ocean? Surfers Against Sewage is seeking a dynamic and daring leader to take the helm as our Chair of the Board. 

As we enter a new strategic plan period for 2025-2028, we are driven by our values of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, and purposeful. We are a vibrant and diverse community of Ocean Activists, taking action where we surf, swim, and play. 

Our mission is to connect the stories, evidence, and data of our community to those in power to demand systemic change. As a strong advocate and skilled networker, you will amplify our voice, build influential relationships, and mobilize support to advance our cause. 

We are ambitious and seek nothing short of an end to pollution and the restoration of our seas and wild waters. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to push the boundaries of what we might achieve and help keep SAS at the forefront of environmental activism. We sound the alarm and lead the fight to stop polluters, always.

YOU WILL BE:

• Passionate about the Ocean: You have an authentic connection to the water, whether you surf, swim, or simply love the sea.
• A Strong Advocate: You are a powerful voice for the ocean, capable of inspiring and mobilizing others.
• A Skilled Networker: You bring experience and influence, with the ability to build and leverage networks to advance our mission.
• Campaign Savvy: You understand the power of great campaigning and share our thrill in creating positive change.
• Values-Driven: You operate with a strong steer from your values and share ours of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, purposeful, and driven by a diverse and inclusive community.
• Collaborative Leader: You have an inclusive leadership style and enjoy working with others to achieve common goals.
• Fun-Loving: You have a good sense of fun and share our enjoyment for the way we campaign.

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide leadership of the Board in setting the strategic direction and priorities for SAS, ensuring effective governance while pushing the boundaries of our campaigning and activism.
• Support the Chief Executive: Drive our mission and objectives by ensuring SAS stays at the forefront in the fight to protect and restore the ocean.
• Governance and Management: Ensure the Board fulfils its governance and management duties and responsibilities.
• Team Building: Harness the skills, experience, and energy of the Board to create an effective and cohesive team for the CEO and Leadership team.
• Advocacy and Networking: Build and leverage networks to advance our mission, including political networks and connections with key influencers.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Connection to the Water: Whether professionally or through your passion, you have a deep connection to the ocean.
• Knowledge: Expertise in the water sector, plastics, chemicals, water sports, social or environmental change, politics, or policy.
• Media Savvy: Experience with public interviews, TV, and radio.
• Networking: Strong connections and influence with key people, including political networks.
• Community Engagement: Focus on healthy blue communities and economies, improving ecosystems and well-being.
• Transparency and Honesty: Lead on providing accurate and accessible real-time data, revealing the truth to deliver UK-wide transparency about all sewage and plastic pollution.
• Passion: Lead on a nature-based approach to ensure our rivers, lakes, and seas can thrive again, valuing and protecting nature forever.

TERM AND COMMITMENT

The Chair of the Board is typically appointed for a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment. 

The role requires a modest time commitment, including attending Board meetings, representing SAS at events and in the media, and engaging with stakeholders, joining us on protests and at stunts. 

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

This is an exciting opportunity to help lead Big Leaf Foundation in the next phase of its development, as we transition our self-employed contractors to employee contracts and explore new multi-year core funding opportunities to build greater sustainability in our work. We are looking for someone with direct experience in financial management and/or charity finance and fundraising to fill this role. Ideally you will have experience of moving people onto employee contracts. You will use your skills and knowledge to make a lasting difference to the lives of displaced young people in Surrey.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the treasurer include:

• Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements.
• Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy.
• Preparing and presenting financial reports to the board.
• Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Liaising with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters.
• Advising on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate ethical funding policy.
• Ensuring that there is no conflict between any funding sources and the aims and objects of the charity.
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission.
• Ensuring that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
• Ensuring the accounts are presented in a coherent and easily understandable way in our annual review.
• Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.

In addition, with other trustees to hold the charity “in trust” for current and future beneficiaries by:

• Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
• Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its “corporate” behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
• Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

Seeking passionate leaders!

Commitment: 3-5 hours a week at the beginning stages, and then 5 hours a month

Location: Remote (with potential in-person international retreats in the future)

Application Deadline: Rolling Basis

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role:

Bigger Than Us Residency seeks dedicated Board Members to provide strategic guidance, fundraising support, and leadership as we launch our pilot program. As a board member, you will help shape the direction of the residency, oversee governance, and support fundraising efforts.

This is your opportunity to be apart of a brand new charity! With big goals and enthusiasm, we are looking for leaders who want to be a part of something grand, leaders who are looking for their next big volunteer opportunity with potential for paid work in the future!

Responsibilities:

• Attend quarterly board meetings and provide strategic input.
• Support fundraising efforts through networking and outreach.
• Offer mentorship and guidance to the residency team.
• Help develop partnerships and funding opportunities.
• Provide oversight on program development and impact evaluation.

Ideal Candidate:

• Experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or program development.
• Strong network within the nonprofit, philanthropic, or corporate sector.
• Passionate about supporting Black and Brown-led nonprofits.
• Willing to contribute expertise and connections to help the residency thrive.

Special Skills (We do not expect one person to specialise in all skills; please let us know your niche) :

• Report Writing
• Finance and budgeting 
• Website Management 
• Social Media Management
• Extensive Decision Making 

At CATTs, we work to give every young person access to vital health education, to allow them to be empowered to know their own bodies and to feel confident communicating health worries. We do this by working with young people and providing interactive workshops that will cover a multitude of topics concerning their health. Our work will always be supported by communities we serve and what they want, and need will come above everything else. This will ensure every young person feels heard through our work and by the people that need to hear them.

We are now looking for a treasurer to join the board and help lead the organisation and work with the staff team in delivering the next 5 year plan, building CATTs into a leader in cancer awareness, creating sustainable and diversified funding streams, and addressing the health inequalities that young people and communities face on a daily basis.

What we're looking for...

CATTs are a youth-focused and youth-led organisation, and we are looking to build a board that reflects this. We are looking for leaders or aspiring leaders who are at the start of their careers in the public, private or third sectors, we are looking for people who have a passion to make a difference for their peers and generations to come, we are looking for self-starters who can work with the team in a hands-on way to drive the organisation forward and help with the day-to-day.

You won't need to necessarily have experience of being a trustee or a knowledge of cancer awareness, it is about willingness to volunteer your time and be part of a team that deserves your focus and advice in creating lasting change in the conversation on healthcare for young people.

What's in it for you?

We want to be able to develop the leaders of the future, provide a space that you can gain experience in a non-exec role that will help with future roles both paid and unpaid. We are also happy to look at what learning opportunities we can provide you that help you deliver in your role with CATTs, within the rules set out by our regulator, the Charity Commission.

The skills we are looking for...

Monitor the financial standing of the charity and reports to the Board and senior employees regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, out-going expenses and the overarching strategic management of the charity’s financial resources.

The commitment from you...

CATTs would like our trustees to commit at least 4 hours a month of availability to help with the staff team, along with 6 meetings (1 1/2 hours each) of the board per year. This is the minimum but if you can commit more on either a long-term or for a particular project that would be great.

How do I apply?

After completing a short application and blind-shifting process we will invite shortlisted applicants for an interview with our trustees and the CATTs staff team. We will look at the option of shadowing our current board team but are also happy to hit the ground running joining the board fully straightaway.

Deadline for applications: 23:00 Sunday 16th March 2025

We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible, and are looking at short listing applications from Monday 17th March 2025, and as they come in after that. 

If you are successful at moving onto the next stage, interviews will be arranged for April with appointments to be confirmed in May 2025.

We are recruiting a number of new trustees to our Board, particularly individuals with a background and skills in clinical psychological care, finance, fundraising and/or marketing and communications, digital, data and technology, and more generally in the charity sector, to join our talentedand collegiate team.

For more than 80 years, Fire Fighters Charity has stood side-by-side with the UK’s fire and rescue services community, as a trusted source of clinical care and support, an independent shoulder to lean on, and an enabler for positive health and wellbeing change.

Our Board, together with our dynamic and developing Senior Leadership Team take pride in the quality of our services, our relationships and partnerships, and the rich history of our charity and the fire sector more generally. For us, it is a pleasure to apply our skills and expertise to this compelling cause, and an organisation that can mean the difference between darkness and light, despair and hope, and to be able to see firsthand the relief, respite, wellbeing and happiness our services can bring. Our teams of staff and volunteers, right across the UK, are ambitious, dynamic and committed; we invite you to consider joining us on our journey.

The role:

• Ensure the charity and its subsidiaries comply with the charity’s governing document (Articles of Association), charity law,  company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensure the charity pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

• Ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, contribute actively to the board of trustees by giving strategic direction to Fire Fighters Charity, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against these.

• Ensure the financial stability of the charity - protect and manage the charity, ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds.

• Safeguard the good name and values of Fire Fighters Charity and its subsidiaries. Principal trustee responsibilities:

In addition to these statutory duties, trustees should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board make appropriate and timely decisions, for example by scrutinising performance information, leading discussions and dialogue about key issues, providing advice and steer, evaluating or offering advice on areas where a trustee may have particular expertise.

We are looking for individuals with strong personal commitment to Fire Fighters Charity’s work and objectives, and a desire to develop and promote the charity so that we can extend our reach and grow our impact.

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

The recruitment officer will support on recruitment for core volunteer positions at Roots Academy, and also support with HR administrative tasks.

Key tasks

• Recruitment – supporting with role descriptions, advertising positions, arranging interviews, sending offers and inducting new starters.
• Compliance and employment law – requesting IDs and other documentation as required, supporting with training requirements, and updating trackers.
• HR Admin – managing the contracting / volunteer agreement process, ensuring personnel files are kept up to date and accurate record keeping of all HR files.

What we’re looking for

• Prior experience in an recruitment role desired but not essential 
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of the Muslim Community in the UK, and belief in Roots Academy’s vision

What we have to offer

• Contribute to a growing organisation that educates and empowers the Muslim community.
• Access to in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.
• Receive continuous rewards for facilitating Islamic education through Roots Academy.

Please note: This is an unpaid volunteer position. Volunteers can claim expenses for food, travel, and equipment in line with the Expenses Policy.

CSW is looking to recruit 3-5 new trustees to ensure that CSW remains true to its calling and is accountable to its stakeholders for its impact. Successful candidates will be strategic thinkers, who are able to review, advise on and shape organisational plans, and are comfortable offering new ideas, perspectives and solutions. They will need to demonstrate a commitment to the Christian faith and to CSW’s vision of a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice.

About CSW CSW’s team of specialist advocates work on over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected. Our vision is a world free from religious persecution, where everyone can practise a religion or belief of their choice. CSW seeks to challenge and change the laws, behaviours and policies which lead to abuses of the right to freedom of religion and belief. We have over four decades of experience advocating for freedom of religion or belief around the world.

Key Responsibilities As a trustee, you will be responsible for championing CSW’s vision, maintaining CSW’s Christian ethos, and safeguarding the organisation’s reputation.

You will support in:

• Setting or approving policies, plans and budgets to achieve CSW’s charitable objectives, and monitoring performance against them.
• Setting and maintaining a framework of delegation and internal controls.
• Making decisions on matters which might pose significant risk to the organisation, financial or otherwise.
• Actively contributing to the strategic direction of the charity, and evaluating performance.
• Ensuring the solvency, financial resilience and effective administration of the organisation.
• Representing CSW positively to external communities (e.g. the Church, charity sector and public bodies ).
• Fulfilling the statutory responsibilities of a trustee as set out by the Charity Commission.

Commitment required  Trustees are usually elected to the Board for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of re-election for two further three-year terms. As a CSW trustee, you will be required to participate in:

• Three Board meetings each year
• An annual Board of Trustees Away Day
• One of CSW’s subcommittees – up to three additional meetings each year

Most Board and Committee meetings are held in the evening, starting at 7.30pm or 8pm, and take place online. In addition, ad-hoc advice may be sought from trustees between meetings, as required.

Essential Qualities Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following:

• They are a committed and mature Christian, able to demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of CSW’s Statement of Faith (The Apostles’ Creed).
• A personal commitment to Jesus Christ, reflected in their devotional life and involvement in a Christian community, including an individual commitment to prayer and a willingness to uphold CSW’s work in prayer.
• An ability to analyse information, think creatively and, when necessary, challenge constructively.

Desirable Qualities CSW is particularly keen to hear from candidates who possess one or more of the following:

• Expertise in or experience of:

           o Charity law

           o Fundraising or income-generation

           o Advocacy

• Personal and/or lived experience of issues relating to freedom of religion or belief; or an association with someone who has first-hand experience of discrimination, harassment or persecution on the basis of their religion or belief.
• Experience of working in or volunteering with a faith-based charity, or the Church.

Although we are particularly looking for trustees who meet one of the above criteria, we will consider all applications we receive. 

Diversity and inclusion CSW affirms that everyone is made in the image of God. We therefore honour the perspectives of people from diverse racial and denominational backgrounds, particularly those with closer cultural or lived proximity to the contexts where our advocacy focuses on. We strongly welcome applicants from a diversity of diasporas to apply.

We recognise that across the UK., younger people are underrepresented on boards. CSW believes that trustees of all ages have something meaningful to offer to our work and have two positions reserved for those under the age of 30. We particularly encourage people in this age bracket to put themselves forward for consideration.

Terms The role of Trustee is unpaid, but all reasonable travel, accommodation, subsistence and childcare expenses will be met. Trustees are usually appointed for an initial term of three years, which may be renewed for a further two periods of up to three years each.

Applicants must not be disqualified from being a trustee according to Charity Commission guidelines.

Join the Wave of Change

Are you ready to inspire and guide efforts to restore and protect our ocean? Surfers Against Sewage is seeking a dynamic and daring leader to take the helm as our Chair of the Board.

As we enter a new strategic plan period for 2025-2028, we are driven by our values of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, and purposeful. We are a vibrant and diverse community of Ocean Activists, taking action where we surf, swim, and play.

Our mission is to connect the stories, evidence, and data of our community to those in power to demand systemic change. As a strong advocate and skilled networker, you will amplify our voice, build influential relationships, and mobilize support to advance our cause.

We are ambitious and seek nothing short of an end to pollution and the restoration of our seas and wild waters. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to push the boundaries of what we might achieve and help keep SAS at the forefront of environmental activism. We sound the alarm and lead the fight to stop polluters, always.

If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer position as Chair of the Board of Trustees,  please visit our website job opportunities page to download the Recruitment Pack.

Chair of Trustee -  a visionary leader for an exceptional charity supporting children, young people and families.

About Grief Encounter:

Grief Encounter is a leading charity dedicated to providing transformative bereavement support for children, young people, and their families. With a compassionate approach and evidence-based programmes, we empower those navigating the complexities of grief, with the mission to ensure that no child grieves alone. As we embark on an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation, we seek an exceptional individual to lead our Board as Chair of Trustees.

Role Overview:

This pivotal position will require a visionary leader who is not only passionate about our work but also possesses the strategic acumen to guide the charity in its mission to support bereaved families, As Chair, you will work closely with our talented Board, management team, and stakeholders to drive our vision, foster impactful partnerships and ensure governance excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership to the Board, setting a clear vision and direction for Grief Encounter.
• Oversee the effective governance of the charity, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and ethical standards
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture within the Board and across the organization.
• Represent Grief Encounter at key events, fundraising initiatives, and public engagements, acting as an ambassador for the charity.
• Cultivate relationships with stakeholders, partners, and the community to enhance awareness and support for our mission.
• Lead the Board's performance evaluation processes, ensuring continuous improvement and strategic alignment.

What we are looking for:

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in the charity sector or with organizations focused on mental health, education, or social care,
• Strong understanding of governance, financial management, and strategic planning in a non-profit context.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and engage a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated passion for supporting bereaved children and families, with a commitment to advancing their needs.
• A track record of successful relationship-building and influence within organizational or community settings.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to lead a respected charity making a difference in the lives of children and families experiencing loss.
• A collaborative and dynamic Board committed to innovation and excellence in bereavement support.
•  Networking opportunities with influential leaders, stakeholders, and supporters in the non-profit sector.
• A chance to shape the future of Grief Encounter, driving impactful initiatives and contributing to our strategic growth.

Join Grief Encounter in leading the charge for change and healing, ensuring that every child and family receives the compassionate support they need during their most challenging times.

Grief Encounter is an equal-opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

About I Have a Voice

At I Have a Voice, we are passionate about empowering young people to engage with politics and have a say in the decisions that shape their lives. We break down barriers to political participation through education, advocacy, and grassroots campaigns—ensuring that young people, regardless of background, feel confident and equipped to influence change.

From working with schools to delivering training and amplifying youth voices on key policy issues, our work is making politics more accessible, diverse, and representative. As we grow, we are looking for committed and experienced individuals to join our Board and help shape our strategic direction.

Why Join Our Board?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in a dynamic, purpose-driven organisation at the forefront of youth political engagement. As a Board Member, you will:

• Influence the growth and sustainability of I Have a Voice.
• Help shape our strategy to expand our impact and reach.
• Guide governance and financial sustainability, ensuring strong and effective decision-making.
• Be part of an inspiring network of changemakers dedicated to democracy, education, and empowerment.

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in:

• Governance – ensuring strong organisational leadership and compliance.
• Fundraising & Development – securing sustainable income and forging key partnerships.
• Education – deepening our impact in schools and the wider education sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Oversight: Help shape and refine I Have a Voice’s strategic priorities.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure we meet legal and ethical responsibilities as a nonprofit.
• Fundraising & Partnerships: Support initiatives to secure funding and build strategic relationships.
• Advocacy & Influence: Champion I Have a Voice’s mission and expand our network of supporters.
• Advisory Role: Provide guidance and mentorship to the leadership team where needed.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from passionate individuals who share our vision of a more engaged and empowered generation of young people. You might have experience as a board member or trustee, in school leadership, policy work, fundraising, or nonprofit governance. Above all, you should be:

• Committed to youth political engagement and democratic participation.
• A strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Willing to actively contribute to Board discussions and initiatives.
• Well-connected within governance, fundraising, or education sectors (desirable).

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that is reflective of the communities we work with - from across the UK, lower socioeconomic households and racially marginalised groups.