Lay Trustee Volunteer Roles in Belfast
Use your skills to ensure every child can grow up in the love of a family, never orphanages, and join the board of Hope and Homes for Children, a brave, can-do organisation with an ambitious and collaborative team.
Location: Open to applications from any global location
Time commitment: Up to a day a month
Closing date: Friday 2nd May
Who we are.
For almost 30 years, Hope and Homes for Children has been driven by an unwavering belief: every child deserves to grow up in a loving family, never in orphanages. We’re working to transform care systems and eliminate orphanages worldwide because we know that the last thing an orphanage can provide is the first thing a child needs – someone to love them. We help to bring millions of separated children back to family.
Our unique strength lies in our practice base – hands-on experience in successfully closing orphanages and reforming childcare systems. An estimated 5.4 million children live in institutions around the world. We’ve already helped reduce the number of children in Romanian institutions from over 100,000 to less than 4,000, and we’re close to eliminating ALL orphanages entirely in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Rwanda whilst scaling our work across India, Nepal, South Africa, Kenya, and Ukraine to support overhauling their child care systems.
Our advocacy reached a watershed moment when all 193 UN member states unanimously agreed that orphanages must be eliminated – a historic first in global child welfare. Now, with refreshed branding and strategic partnerships that amplify our impact, we’re embarking on our most ambitious decade yet. Our goal? To create a decisive shift in how policymakers, businesses, and society view institutional care, establishing family-based care as the only acceptable standard.
We’re architects of systemic change, successfully influencing EU funding regulations to prioritise family-based care over institutions. We’re also working closely with governments to ensure child care reform remains central to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, and spearheading major conferences across Asia. We’re building unstoppable momentum for change.
While our achievements are significant, they’re just the beginning of our journey to ensure every child grows up where they belong – in a loving family.
The opportunity.
As poverty deepens and discrimination persists, an estimated 5.4 million children remain confined in orphanages – 80% of whom have at least one living family member who could care for them with the right support. This is why our work has never been more critical.
We stand at a pivotal moment. By 2030, we aim to build a global consensus that orphanages are an unacceptable way to care for children. Working as a catalyst, our strategy ‘Alive With Hope’ focuses on three key objectives:
- Implementing national reform across 9 countries.
- Building influential partnerships to secure significant commitments to make child care reform a human imperative.
- Developing innovative financing mechanisms to support global reform.
To help drive this ambitious agenda forward, we’re seeking three exceptional individuals who share our unwavering commitment to transforming children’s lives to join us as trustees.
Who we are looking for.
As we drive toward this ambitious goal, and current board members come to the end of their terms, we are looking for someone to join us with the following skills and experiences:
- Strategic Leader: We’re seeking an individual with significant experience in one or more of the following areas; governance, risk management, partnerships, advocacy, or NGO leadership to strengthen our strategic oversight and help drive our ambitious plans forward. Understanding of the charity sector would be particularly valuable.
While Board meetings are usually held in London, there are options to join virtually, and we are open to applications from individuals based in any location.
We’re looking for individuals who:
- Bring energy, rigour, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Can act as critical friends, asking the challenging questions while remaining supportive.
- Are willing to invest time in understanding our work.
- Share our ‘can-do’ mentality and belief that change is possible.
- Can contribute to a collegiate board culture that values robust discussion and mutual support.
You believe fundamentally that children belong in families, never in orphanages. Beyond this commitment to our cause, you bring strategic vision coupled with practical insight and the ability to work collaboratively as part of our dedicated Board.
While Board meetings are usually held in London, there are options to join virtually, and we are open to applications from individuals based in any location.
If you share our values of courage, integrity, and excellence, we want to hear from you. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe this strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds, women, and younger trustees who can bring fresh perspectives to our work.
You’ll join a high-calibre Board where your contribution will be valued. We provide comprehensive induction, including opportunities to visit our programs and see first-hand the transformation we’re achieving.
Time commitment.
Our Board meets quarterly in London (with an option to join virtually), with meetings designed to maximise engagement and impact. We also hold an annual two-day away day, either in the UK or one of our operational countries, providing valuable insights into our frontline work. Subcommittees meet virtually, 4-5 times annually, ensuring efficient use of trustees’ time while maintaining robust governance. Overall, we expect the time commitment to be up to a day a month, including board and committee meetings, ad hoc discussions and preparation for board meetings.
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 Friday 2nd May.
Recruitment Agency
21 - 50
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.
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Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Vibes in Care (ViC)
Vibes in Care CIC is a newly forming Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) dedicated to amplifying the voices of children and young people who are care-experienced or at risk. By harnessing insights from lived experience, we develop training, workshops, and advocacy initiatives that reshape professional practices within the care sector.
- Founded on Lived Experience: We believe that those who have gone through the care system have the clearest insights into how to improve it.
- Innovative Training & Workshops: Our programmes empower professionals - such as social workers, educators, and youth workers - to bring about lasting change in how care is delivered.
- Collaborative Culture: Partnership is at the heart of ViC. We work closely with local authorities, youth organisations, and sector specialists to co-create solutions.
Why We Need You
We are seeking Trustees who share our passion for transforming the care experience. Whether you have direct care experience (e.g., have been in care yourself), professional experience in the sector, or simply a deep commitment to improving outcomes for care-experienced children and young people, your voice and leadership are invaluable at this pivotal stage of our growth.
The Role
- Steer Strategic Vision: Help shape and refine ViC’s long-term plans, ensuring that lived experience remains at the core of every decision.
- Champion Good Governance: Oversee compliance with charity regulations, manage financial health, and set policies that maintain transparency and integrity.
- Advocate for Care-Experienced Children and Young People: Act as an ambassador, raising awareness about ViC’s mission and the importance of centring care-experienced voices.
- Support Growth & Partnerships: Contribute insights on fundraising, partnership-building, and community engagement to help ViC expand its reach and impact.
What We’re Looking For
- Care Experience (Highly Valued): We particularly encourage applications from individuals who have first-hand insights into the care system.
- Dedication to Social Impact: A genuine desire to improve day-to-day experiences and long-term outcomes for care-experienced children and young people.
- Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work well in a team, valuing diverse perspectives and open dialogue.
- Integrity & Oversight: Commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and acting in the best interests of ViC’s beneficiaries.
- Strategic Thinking: Capable of understanding big-picture objectives, assessing organisational risks, and spotting growth opportunities.
Skills & Experience (Desirable)
- Professional or Personal Care Experience: Lived experience, in social care work, child protection, or related fields.
- Finance/Accounting: Competent in budget oversight, financial planning, or grant management.
- Legal & Compliance: Familiarity with UK charity regulations or basic legal frameworks.
- HR & Governance: Ability to guide policy setting, recruitment, and staff/volunteer support.
- Fundraising & Communications: Skill in securing resources and raising organisational visibility.
What’s In It For You?
- A Real Chance to Influence: Your perspective will be integral in shaping how ViC evolves.
- Professional Development: Gain governance experience, hone leadership skills, and build your professional network.
- Impact & Legacy: Contribute directly to improving practices that affect some of society’s most vulnerable young people.
- Flexible & Supportive Environment: We meet quarterly, with much of our collaboration happening remotely, so you can fit your responsibilities around other commitments.
Time Commitment
- Board Meetings: Held four times per year (virtually or in person).
- Preparation & Engagement: A few hours each quarter to review papers and stay updated on organisational developments.
- Additional Involvement: Optional sub-committees or working groups on areas like safeguarding, finance, and training delivery.
Application Process
- CV & Cover Letter: Apply via CharityJob outlining your relevant experience (especially care experience), why you’re passionate about our cause, and how you hope to contribute as a Trustee.
- Informal Interview: We’ll invite shortlisted candidates for a conversation with our Director (Founder) to explore mutual fit and answer any questions.
- Appointment: Successful applicants will be welcomed onto the board, pending usual referencing and compliance checks.
Join us in creating meaningful change for care-experienced children and young people. Your lived insight, passion, and dedication could transform how professionals approach care and, ultimately, transform futures. We look forward to hearing from you!
Non Charity Employer
1 - 5
Empowering professionals with innovative practices to enhance support for young people in care or at risk.
Thank you!
Do you want to make a difference and contribute to The Methodist Church? Are you a keen and experienced individual who is interested in supporting the work with partner churches and organisations around the world?
About the Role
This committee makes decisions on grants from the World Mission Fund and has been set up in such a way as to maximise mutuality in decision-making. By making use of easier communications through technology, we believe that we are in a position to share decision-making in a way that was hitherto not possible just a few years ago.
Grants from the World Mission Fund are decided by this sub-committee of the Global Relationships Committee, entitled, ‘The World Mission Fund (WMF) Grants Committee’, to which eleven persons, are appointed as follows:
- A Chair, who is a member of the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB) and a member of the Global Relationships Committee.
- A second member of MCB, with an especial responsibility to ensure grant giving is made in accordance with Standing Orders.
- A representative of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
- Two representatives from Partner Churches or Organisations, recommended by the Partnership Co-ordinators, from each of the four geographical regions to which we relate globally: Africa; Asia–Pacific; the Americas; Europe.
This particular role is for the second member of MCB with special responsibility to ensure grant giving is made in accordance with Standing Orders.
All members have voting rights; all must name any potential conflicts of interest; and decisions of this sub-committee can be processed immediately. However, the sub-committee’s Chair will make a brief report at each Global Relationships Committee about grants dispersed.
About You
We are looking for an experienced, committed person who has transferable skills, this individual will:
- Have previous experience served as a Trustee or Committee member.
- Have some previous experience working in another country or in relationship with organisations in other countries.
- Have an awareness of the variety of contexts that exist within the Methodist Church in Great Britain’s Global Partners.
- Be a member in good standing of the Methodist Church in Britain
- Be able to exercises sound judgement in decision making.
Applications are particularly welcome from lay people
The Role Description and Person Specification includes some useful information about our processes. We advise you to download and review this document ahead of completing and submitting your online expression of interest form.
Please note that where appropriate, successful nominees will be asked to undertake further checks, including references and a DBS check.
Closing Date: 11 April 2025
Interviews: 28 April 2025, in person, Methodist Church House (London)
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.