Trustee Volunteer Roles in Home Based

Location: Remote / UK-Based
Sector: Charity / Non-Profit
Commitment: Part-time, Flexible Hours - up to 10 hours a month

Join Us in the Fight Against Modern Slavery!

Are you passionate about making a real difference and contributing your skills to an organisation tackling one of the world’s greatest human rights challenges? Justice & Care is seeking a dedicated Company Secretary to join us in our mission to combat modern slavery and human trafficking across the globe.

This is not your typical Company Secretary role. As a volunteer, you will be part of a dynamic, mission-driven organisation that not only provides vital support to victims but also works closely with governments, law enforcement, and other key stakeholders to bring perpetrators to justice and create systemic change.

Why You Should Join Us:

• Impact: Your work will directly contribute to an organisation that is rescuing victims, dismantling criminal networks, and driving policy changes to end modern slavery.
• Flexibility: We offer flexible working arrangements, allowing you to contribute in a way that fits your schedule.
• Purpose: Work with a passionate and dedicated team, united by a common goal – to bring freedom to those trapped in slavery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensuring the charity complies with relevant legislation and regulations.
• Maintaining and updating corporate governance frameworks and procedures.
• Providing advice to the Board on constitutional and procedural matters.
• Organising board and committee meetings, including preparing agendas and taking minutes.
• Managing statutory filings and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Overseeing the induction of new trustees and ensuring they are aware of their legal obligations.

What We’re Looking For:

• A qualified Company Secretary or governance professional with experience in the charity or non-profit sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK charity law, governance, and compliance.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and proactively.
• A passion for human rights, social justice, and creating real change.

How to Apply: If you’re ready to use your expertise to help us build a world free from modern slavery, we want to hear from you! Please apply through this platform

#CompanySecretary #VolunteerRole #CharityJobs #NonProfit #Governance #JusticeAndCare #HumanRights #ModernSlavery #UK

Part time/flexible opportunity at CPRE London who are seeking a volunteer with office management experience, strong administrative skills, systematic organisational abilities, with good written and verbal communication skills to support the London Team with our campaigns and causes.  The role covers managing a variety or organisational tasks and administrative support to facilitate the work of staff, volunteers and members.

Who are we?

CPRE London is a charity that fights to protect London’s green spaces. By volunteering with us you’ll be helping to find positive solutions for the issues facing the countryside and the environment. You’ll make a real difference and be a central part of a friendly and passionate charity.

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring office administrative systems are up to date and fit for purpose 
• Assist with Trustee Meetings, The Annual General Meeting and other meetings involving the Director as necessary (Minute taking plus circulate actions from minutes, follow up on actions as required)
• Diary management and meeting scheduling for the Director and occasionally the wider London team
• Streamline office operations seeking ways to utilise time management tools 
• Liaise with the landlord to ensure the office space provides a conducive environment for the well-being of staff and volunteers
• Undertake any additional duties in line with the purpose of the role as requested by the Director.
• With experience at CPRE, there may be opportunities to provide advice and guidance to more junior volunteers and identify and intorduce options for procedural improvements.

What's in it for you?

• Use your skills to help our charity and make a positive difference to London’s green spaces
• Opportunities to work with people across all the functions at CPRE London
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We will support you in your role and provide you with relevant training
• We can give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
• We provide out-of-pocket travel expense

Skills and experience

Preferably with some office management or executive PA experience with great organisational and competant IT skills, plus the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Working pattern

Hours: between 7-14 hours per week

Location:  Hybrid – London office based with some home working

Pattern: delivery can be flexible but availability on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays (the Director’s working days) would be beneficial. 

The Dipex Charity helps millions of individuals and professionals learn about the experience of health and social care. Through our websites healthtalk .org and socialcaretalk .org we publish people’s real stories, as collected by academic researchers.

We cover more than 100 different health and social care issues and help people feel less alone and better prepared for what they’re going through. Our resources are also used as teaching resources all over the world and in training professionals working in health, social care and the public sector. 

About the role

Due to our current Treasurer’s term of office reaching an end in December 2024, we are seeking a treasurer to join the Trustee board of a small online health charity that helps millions of people each year.

The charity is at an exciting time, expanding our ways of working and developing new revenue streams. As a Treasurer you will provide support with financial accounting and reporting. In addition, as a trustee you will provide guidance, expertise and support to the team and help ensure that the charity is meeting its aims. There will be opportunities to get involved in discrete projects and you may be asked for ad hoc advice or input from time to time. 

We are looking for someone who can commit to meet with the rest of the trustee board and leadership team four times a year. Meetings last for around 3 hours and usually take place in Oxford on a weekday afternoon.  The Treasurer will also be required to meet with the CEO and finance team (online), prior to each trustee meeting, to finalise quarterly finance reports. 

What are we looking for?  

We are a small and friendly organisation, committed to our charitable aims and to continuous improvement. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. New ideas and perspectives are very important to us. The Treasurer should have good experience and knowledge of management accounting, financial management and organisational governance.

It would also be advantageous if you have experience of one or more of the following: 

• Charity or non-profit governance 

• Business development 

• Health and social care 

• Academia (particularly qualitative health and social care research) 

• Teaching resources 

The treasurer role is unremunerated, but we will provide administrative support and full induction for the appointee. 

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

The Trustee Board is crucial to the successful running of the Home-Start Southwark. The Board, in partnership with the CEO and senior executive team, ensures that the organisation operates effectively, setting its strategic vision and supporting the delivery of business plans and key objectives. The Treasurer role is to oversee the charity’s financial and risk management processes; monitor the charity’s income, outgoings and cash-flow forecasting; and maintain a strategic overview of the organisation’s financial resources.

Purpose of role:

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA).

Scope and Objectives:

Trustees have a duty individually and collectively to:

·Determine the overall direction and development of WCA through good governance and clear strategic planning.

·Ensure that WCA pursues the objectives defined in its governing documents, and complies with charity law, company law, employment legislation, and with all other relevant legislation, constantly striving for best practice in governance.

·Uphold the financial responsibilities invested in their position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in WCA.

·Ensure that WCA uses its resources in pursuit of its charitable objects.

Main duties:

·To contribute actively to the Board’s role in providing direction for WCA, in setting overall policy and in maintaining a framework of good governance and accountability, and in evaluating performance against agreed targets.

·To give clear direction, leadership, guidance, and advice to the WCA director and staff.

·To safeguard the good name and values of WCA and to act as an ambassador for the organisation.

·To provide vision, inspiration, and support to the WCA director and staff.

·To ensure the effective and efficient administration of WCA.

·To ensure the financial stability of WCA.

·To appoint the director and monitor his/her performance.

·To use specific skills, knowledge, or experience to help the Board of Trustees to reach sound decisions.

This may involve:

·Scrutinising Board papers;

·Contributing to or leading Board discussions;

·Acting as a board champion for a particular area of WCA’s work;

·Identifying and focusing on key issues;

·Providing guidance on new initiatives;

·Being part of a working group.

Duty of Care:

Each Trustee will:

·Apply reasonable care and skills as a Trustee, using their knowledge and experience to ensure that WCA is well run and efficient;

·Be ready to consider the need for external professional advice on matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties;

·Safeguard the good name and values of WCA.

·Maintain absolute confidentiality about sensitive information received in the course of responsibilities as a Trustee.

Each Trustee will:

·Ensure that the charity is and will remain solvent; keeping informed of the charity’s activities and financial position;

·Avoid undertaking activities that might place the charity’s property, funds, assets or reputation at undue risk.

Each Trustee is required to act reasonably and prudently in all matters relating to the charity and must always bear the interests of WCA in mind.

Section 72(1) of the Charities Act 1993 disqualifies anyone who:

·Has been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty unless the conviction is spent.

·Is an un-discharged bankrupt.

·Has previously been removed from trusteeship of a charity by the court or the Charity Commissioners.

·Is under a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

It is an offence to serve as a charity trustee while disqualified unless the Charity Commission has given a waiver under section 72(4) of the Charities Act 1993.

Accountability:

The law imposes a duty of care on Trustees to act responsibly and prudently in all matters relating to their charity and to act in the best interests of the charity.

WCA is a registered Charity and Company Limited by guarantee and Trustees are therefore accountable to the members, the Charity Commission, and to Companies House (as company directors).

Suitability as a WCA Trustee will include many of the following:

·Commitment to Wandsworth Care Alliance (WCA).

·Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.

·Availability to attend meetings regularly.

·Strategic vision.

·Good, independent judgement.

·Ability to think creatively.

·Willingness to participate actively in discussions, listening to others and con- tributing accordingly.

·To use professional experience and any technical skills and knowledge to contribute to Trustee decision making.

·Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

·Ambassadorial ability and willingness to represent WCA in a range of situations.

·Experience of involvement in community or residents’ groups and/or in building community involvement.

·Commercial awareness including, but not limited to: marketing, branding, fundraising and social media.

·Skills and experience within finance or communications.

·Valuing diversity, with experience and/or knowledge of minority issues and perspectives.

·Capacity to pursue potential sources of charitable investment in WCA.

·Willingness to take part in training and learn new skills

Job summary:  The role involves serving on the committee of WTRRP, supporting the Committee and its Chair in the overall management of the charity.

WTRRP is a registered charity (England, reg no 1162226) that exists to support people in the Watford Borough and Three Rivers District of West Hertfordshire, who do not yet have status in the UK, or who have specific needs related to their application process or welfare. Currently WTRRP has around 160 live cases (defined as a family unit or individual currently in need of our help).

WTRRP is run by a Committee, which includes several Trustees. The Committee meets typically every 2 months and also for an Annual General Meeting, but it also provides day-to-day support to our staff members (Casework Coordinator and part-time Office Manager) and to our ~80 volunteers.

The main roles of the charity are to run a drop-in session every Tuesday (at St Mary’s Church in central Watford), a social hub at the same time, and to provide financial and other assistance to its clients for their application process for leave to remain in the UK.

Principal responsibilities:

• Be part of the committee, supporting the organisation as it grows and develops.

• Support the Chair in meetings, including running occasional meetings where the Chair cannot be present

• Attend the Tuesday hub / drop-in to support both activities as required.

• Listen, encourage and empower our staff and volunteers to provide support to our clients and adapt our services according to our client needs.

• Support WTRRP’s other activities where appropriate: these include parties and sports events for our clients’ children.

• Be aware and report any safeguarding concerns immediately to WTRRP Safeguarding Lead and/or a member of the Committee.

• Represent WTRRP and work constructively as part of a WTRRP team.

Desirable:

• An understanding of immigration matters and keep abreast of safeguarding matters.

• Be able to offer 4-6 hours a week of your time.

• Attend volunteers’ and training meetings.

Skills / experience:

• Experience in management of people, especially volunteers

• Ideally, some knowledge and/or experience of immigration matters

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Have empathy for the plight of refugees and asylum seekers

• Organisational development support as we grow and develop

if interested in this role or would like to talk further about this role for an initial chat  please contact the Chair - Tim Whittaker.

Volunteer Safeguarding Lead  for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)

Job summary:  The Safeguarding Lead will play a crucial role in developing, implementing, and overseeing safeguarding policies and procedures. This individual will work closely with staff, volunteers, and the Committee to promote a safe environment and handle any safeguarding concerns effectively.

WTRRP is a registered charity (England, reg no 1162226) that exists to support people in the Watford Borough and Three Rivers District of West Hertfordshire, who do not yet have status in the UK, or who have specific needs related to their application process or welfare. Currently WTRRP has around 160 live cases (defined as a family unit or individual currently in need of our help).

WTRRP is run by a Committee, which includes several Trustees. The Committee meets typically every 2 months and also for an Annual General Meeting, but it also provides day-to-day support to our staff members (Casework Coordinator and part-time Office Manager) and to our ~80 volunteers.

The main roles of the charity are to run a drop-in session every Tuesday (at St Mary’s Church in central Watford), a social hub at the same time, and to provide financial and other assistance to its clients for their application process for leave to remain in the UK.

Commitment: [ approximately 5 hours per week]

Key Responsibilities:

Policy Development: Develop and regularly review safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they are up-to-date and compliant with legal and best practice standards.

Training: Organize safeguarding training sessions for staff and volunteers and review exisiting training.

Support: Provide guidance and support to staff and volunteers on safeguarding matters, including responding to concerns and allegations.

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of safeguarding policies and practices across the organization.

Reporting: Maintain accurate records of safeguarding concerns and incidents, and ensure timely reporting to relevant authorities and stakeholders.

Review: Conduct regular reviews of safeguarding practices and make recommendations for improvements.

Key Requirements:

Experience: Prior experience in safeguarding, child protection, or a related field is preferred. Experience in a leadership or advisory role is advantageous.

Knowledge: Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and best practices. Knowledge of working with vulnerable individuals is essential.

Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Commitment: A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.  The role will require approximately 5 hours per week.

Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in safeguarding, child protection, or related areas are desirable. Training in safeguarding is a plus.

What We Offer:

Impact: The opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of those we support.

Support: NCVO safeguarding Lead training and support from the Committee.

Development: Networking with other safeguarding professionals.

Flexibility: The role is flexible and can be adapted to fit around your other commitments.

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about safeguarding and want to contribute to our mission, please contact our chair, Tim Whittaker for an intial discussion about the role. Please visit our website for more information about the Partnership on our website and for an application please contact our Office Manager.

PFP is a UK-based charity working in Africa and Asia since 2004, and this year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. Our Mission is to work together with local people and filmmakers to produce, distribute and show local language educational films that give help and hope to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Our latest activities have primarily focused on Malawi, Sierra Leone and Kenya.

Every PFP film seeks to bring about positive change by engaging audiences with themes, characters and subjects that address important challenges facing themselves and their communities.

-  We commission, fund and manage film productions

-  We train and mentor local film makers

-  We partner with other organisations to produce media for their charitable objectives

-  We organise film distribution and viewings and promote digital engagement

-  We facilitate audience conversations to encourage deeper exploration of issues

-  We measure the impact of our films to ensure continued improvement

We produce a range of media from short documentaries and music videos to full-length feature dramas. Our work covers a wide range of subjects, including: health, disability and rights; social prejudice and stigma; agriculture; and environment and conservation.

See our Annual Reports on our website for more information on our work and recent activities.

Primary responsibilities

- Attend and contribute to quarterly Board meetings and work with the Trustees and Directors in advancing PFP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.

- Deliver and develop PFP’s communications strategy. This includes: working with our executive team to produce supporter newsletters and build our supporter network; developing our social media strategy, and supporting our Administrator in its implementation; and producing press releases.

- Maintain and develop our Wordpress website.

- Proactively seek fundraising opportunities.

- Contribute to the effective governance of PFP, including: ensuring PFP is accountable and carrying out its purpose for public benefit; ensuring compliance with the governing document and applicable law; and challenging the management of resources and ensuring financial stability.

- Act as an ambassador and public representative for PFP.

Key requirements

 - Strong communication skills

- Experience of designing and delivering a communications strategy

- Strong relationship skills and proven track record of cultivating positive relationships

- Commitment to PFP’s purpose and values

Epsom RDA provides opportunities for disabled people to improve their health and well-being through the therapeutic power of horses. 

We are a thriving charity providing therapy, fun and achievement for over 200 disabled participants delivered by a team of volunteers and our own herd of ponies. We have exciting plans for growth and to increase the range of activities we offer.  

To assist us in this we are looking for an Honorary Secretary trustee with a focus on ensuring that Epsom RDA meets its constitutional and statutory responsibilities. We are looking for someone with a detailed understanding of charity governance, ideally gained through experience of working or volunteering in a leadership role for a charity. Excellent organisational and communication skills are essential, as is a desire to drive improvements and get things done. 

As we are entirely run by volunteers, trustees need to be hands on and be able to collaborate with volunteers to achieve our aims. We foster an environment that is inclusive as well as diverse, where our people can be themselves. Every idea and perspective is valued so that we can reflect the community we serve. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with fellow trustees to ensure that the board fulfils its responsibilities for governance and driving the strategic direction of the charity;
• Be familiar with the charity’s governing document, legal responsibilities of charities under the Charities Act 2009 and the charity’s internal governance documents;
• Work with the Chair to drive board effectiveness and performance and ensure that this is reviewed regularly;
• Ensure board of trustees are aware of the requirements to comply with relevant codes e.g. Charity Governance Code, plus relevant legislation relating to health and safety and safeguarding etc
• Help to ensure that trustees file all relevant statutory returns and information with charities regulator (e.g. Annual Report and Accounts, changes to the charity’s details and/or trustees’ details).
• Plan and deliver the annual governance cycle including production of supporting papers for trustee meetings and preparation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM);
• Maintain our register of members, register of trustees and register of trustees’ and secretary interests;
• Keep up to date with developments in best practice in charity leadership and governance through networking with other charities and RDA groups;
• Be the Group contact point for RDA National on governance related matters. 
• You will also be required to be a member of the Finance, Performance and Governance Sub-Committee;

Skills and attributes:

• An understanding of charity governance gained in a charity or voluntary sector leadership role;
• Excellent organisational and strategic planning skills;
• The ability to drive improvement, informed by evidence and best practice from across the voluntary sector;
• An understanding of our service users and their needs

Whilst there are no set hours, given the hands-on nature of all of our trustee roles, the successful candidate will need to commit to a minimum of three hours per week on average.  Whilst the role can be performed remotely, there is an expectation that the trustee will attend face to face meetings quarterly.

Please apply with a personal statement of no more than one page, setting out how your skills, experience and interests would make you a good fit for the role.  

For an informal chat about the role, please contact us.

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.

Our mission is to help and support homeless and vulnerably housed people in and around the London Borough of Merton. We operate a twice-weekly Drop-in, currently welcoming 50-60 individuals each day, while our Winter Night Shelter provides a warm, dry place to sleep every night during the coldest nights of the year – this winter from 4 December until 10 March 2024.

Our current Secretary is retiring, having completed the maximum of nine years in the role. We’re now looking for an enthusiastic and committed volunteer for the role which covers the following positions:

1. Company secretary
2. Secretary to the Trustees

The current incumbent fulfils both roles but we would consider splitting the responsibilities if two complementary applications were received.

The Company Secretary & Secretary is a volunteer with an active role in the work of the organisation. The Faith in Action Merton Homelessness Project (FIAMHP) Board of Trustees, Company Secretary & Secretary, together with senior staff, form the Management Committee of the Charity.

Company Secretary’s responsibilities:

The Company Secretary keeps the organisation legal by:

• Working with Trustees to ensure that the Charity complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law, employment law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensuring that the Trustees are aware of the requirement to comply with relevant codes such as the Code of Conduct for Charity Trustees and the Charities Governance Code, and that these are adhered to.

• Ensuring that the Articles of Association reflect the current work of the Charity, liaising with the Charity Commission and Companies House as appropriate if an update is needed.

• Liaison with Treasurer as needed.

• Filing annual Confirmation Statements and other Company Returns including the annual Trustees Report & Accounts with Companies House and the Charity Commission by the due dates.

• Advising Companies House and the Charity Commission of changes to Company and Charity details by the due dates – this includes Trustee appointments and resignations.

• Maintaining the statutory records.

• Monitoring the composition of the Trustee board, and liaising with the Chair and other Trustees to ensure that new Trustees are recruited as necessary, so that all roles needed are covered. Organising new Trustee applications and interviews, and obtaining references.

• Organising and running the Annual General Meeting, and any other General Meetings required.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

Secretary’s duties

The job of the FIAMHP Secretary is to assist the Trustees in the smooth running of the organisation by:

• Organising Management Committee meetings in consultation with the Chair and other Trustees: setting meeting dates and venues; producing meeting agendas, receiving and sending out meeting notices and papers, checking that meetings are quorate, taking meeting minutes, liaising with the Chair and other Trustees as necessary; sending out draft minutes.

• Assist with liaison between Trustees, Staff and Volunteers as needed.

• Awareness of the work of the organisation and the needs of its guests and service users.

• Ensuring that decisions and actions of the Board of Trustees are accurately recorded and implemented.

• Maintaining an appropriate and secure filing system so that all Trustee papers are retained and accessible.

• Assisting with Business Plan development and the Trustees’ Annual Report as required.

• Ensuring that Policies and Risk Register are filed and accessible to all who need access.

• Tracking progress with implementation of the organisation’s Business Plan.

• Ensuring that any correspondence for Trustees is brought to the attention of the Board.

• Any other duties which may reasonably arise.

The Company Secretary and Secretary must have:

● Commitment to the Charity and its work.

● Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a Company Secretary

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as Company Secretary and Secretary

● Strategic vision

● Good independent judgement

● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

For more information about either post, please contact Bernie McAlister, Chair of Trustees.

Do you have the financial management skills and enthusiasm to help an organisation that supports communities and other charities in West Berkshire ? 

You could be the next Treasurer for the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire.

Set up in 1974 to support local communities and charities, primarily in West Berkshire, we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2014. We continue to match local people to local need, with our comprehensive volunteer recruitment service, our Handybus, voluntary car and Shopmobility schemes, and our general advice and bespoke support for local voluntary and charity groups.

Our income in 2023 was £270k, matched by almost-similar spending, so we’re not a large organisation, with our finances managed day-to-day by our Finance Officer and CEO.

The role and what we are looking for in a new Treasurer 

As we celebrate our 50th year of voluntary success, we’ve recruited other new trustees and are now looking for a Treasurer to take over from our longstanding Treasurer, who is retiring after 17 years’ service.

Our Board includes people with experience and skills in governing our charity and responding to the needs of local people and local organisations. We expect our Treasurer to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries, awareness of the needs in West Berkshire, as well as provide strategic overview and guidance to our Board on the charity's financial standing and future planning.

Although we’d welcome your financial qualification, that’s not a requirement, as our finances aren’t complex. An understanding of how charity finance works would be beneficial of course, with the ability to communicate financial information clearly, especially to other trustees. Support from our CEO and Finance Officer will always be available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day finances.

It would be great if you have prior experience of charity trusteeship, but that’s not absolutely essential; we can provide and access training focused on trustee duties and responsibilities. Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support for you as a new trustee. You may find membership of the Honorary Treasurer’s Forum of benefit.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We welcome fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity, as we want to expand the diversity, in all meanings of the word, of our Board to reflect all our communities. 

The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with other trustees, and our CEO and Finance Officer is expected.   

We ask for at least two hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc., which will increase at year-end and for our AGM.  You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business and Board meetings are run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, another charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen, Trustee Recruitment & Governance, via Quick Apply below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone) and support in your application.

Othona is a thriving Christian community that promotes spiritual growth, peace & care for the environment by running retreats at centres in Essex & Dorset.  We operate through 2 charitable entities - a Trust & Company.

What will you be doing?

The two residential centres offer a place for people to be real together through the lived experience of inclusive community.By providing retreats, workshops and a range of other events for groups, individuals and families Othona deepens peoples’ spiritual awareness. We pursue a vision of openness and inclusion for people of all faiths and none, affirming mutual respect and understanding.  

The centres seek to live in harmony with creation, growing some of their own food and maintaining the grounds to encourage biodiversity.  Through these experiences, many deepen their love for humanity and the planet and learn that our Christian faith can make a difference to our well being, experience of inclusion and climate change and make a positive contribution to how we live today to ensure a better tomorrow.

We have a talented board of trustees with skills, vision & faith.  We have good governance, robust policies & committed resident staff who run the centres.  Each centre has a local management committee.  We meet a minimum 4 times a year.  Our assets exceed £4 million & the Company made a surplus of £36,600 last year. The Trust's deficit was £20,000.

What are we looking for?

The Chair is a trustee of the Othona Community Trust and a Director of the Othona Community Company and both organisations enjoy working together as a team on behalf of the whole Community to operate the two centres.  As chair you will be leading a board of Trustees (some of whom are Link Trustees for the centres). 

Alongside your understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, and commitment to voluntary public service you must be willing to uphold Othona’s inclusive Christian ethos; to think strategically and creatively; and lead the trustees forward, contributing your skills to our team.

If you have any of these experiences it would be great: 

• Previous Trustee or board experience or similar e.g. school governor 
• Strategic understanding of management in residential settings and/or the hospitality sector
• Ability to understand basic financial data and read spreadsheets.
• Experience of working within Charity Commission guidelines

What difference will you make?

You will become part of a lively board of committed people with a heart for lived community & spirituality.  We have started strategic planning for the Community's future with exciting projects that include:

• Updating our charitable objects
• Creating a new & unified website 
• Streamlining our management structure into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
• Improving the staff accommodation at both sites 
• Fundraising for better guest facilities
• Maximising the bio-diversity & use of renewable energy at our centres

Before you apply

If you would like to explore this role please message us to arrange an informal phone chat. Application: a CV and names of 2 referees one of which will be from your current employer (or equivalent) via Reach Volunteering.

PFP is a UK-based charity working in Africa and Asia since 2004, and this year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. Our Mission is to work together with local people and filmmakers to produce, distribute and show local language educational films that give help and hope to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Our latest activities have primarily focused on Malawi, Sierra Leone and Kenya. 

Every PFP film seeks to bring about positive change by engaging audiences with themes, characters and subjects that address important challenges facing themselves and their communities.

-  We commission, fund and manage film productions

-  We train and mentor local film makers

-  We partner with other organisations to produce media for their charitable objectives

-  We organise film distribution and viewings and promote digital engagement

-  We facilitate audience conversations to encourage deeper exploration of issues

-  We measure the impact of our films to ensure continued improvement

We produce a range of media from short documentaries and music videos to full-length feature dramas. Our work covers a wide range of subjects, including: health, disability and rights; social prejudice and stigma; agriculture; and environment and conservation.

See our Annual Reports on our website for more information on our work and recent activities

Primary responsibilities

- Chair quarterly Board meetings and monthly informal catch-ups.

- Lead the Trustees and Directors in developing and advancing PFP’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.

- Provide strategic leadership to the Board and ensure Board members fulfil their duties for the effective governance of PFP. This includes: ensuring PFP is accountable and carrying out its purpose for public benefit; ensuring compliance with the governing document and applicable law; and challenging the management of resources and ensuring financial stability.

- Advise executive management and partners on the design and delivery of programmes across all stages, including partner engagement, filmmaking and distribution, and monitoring and evaluation processes.

- Proactively seek fundraising opportunities, including through the development of relationships with corporate partners, grant-making trusts and foundations, and events.

- Write a review of the year for the Annual Report, and sign-off on the full Annual Report.  

- Act as an ambassador and public representative for PFP.  

Key Requirements

 - Experience of working on and/or chairing a Board

- Strong relationship skills and proven track record of cultivating positive relationships

- Self-motivated and proactive

- Strong commitment to PFP’s purpose and values

 Desirable requirements

 - Experience of filmmaking and international development

- Skills in developing and delivering strategic plans

- Knowledge of African political, economic and social affairs

Overall purpose:

· Oversee all financial aspects of the charity, on behalf of the board of trustees, to evaluate our financial position and associated risks.

· Assist the chair and the Executive Director (ED) in ensuring that the board of trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity. 

Main Responsibilities & Tasks associated with the role

In partnership with the ED & Chair:

· Ensure that the charity operates within the financial guidelines set out in current legislation, by the charity commission, in the charity’s constitution and by the board

· To work with the Admin Manager and Book keeper to update and to test internally our financial management procedures to support strong governance and financial controls.

· Identify and bring to the attention of the board, any financial risks facing the charity

· Ensure that the charity’s financial resources are sufficient to meet our current and future needs, advise the board on the reserves policy, and to ensure that this policy is reviewed and monitored regularly

· Scrutinise the proposed annual budget, cash flow forecasts and financial reports and advise and guide the board accordingly

· Review longer term forecasts of capital resources and of income and expenditure, and to review and monitor financial trends within the charity and the sector within which the charity operates

· Contribute to the annual audit process, including meeting with external examiner.

To assist the chair, other trustees and the executive director:

· By ensuring that the board of trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity

· By ensuring that GNS has satisfactory control systems and procedures for holding in trust for the beneficiaries all monies, properties and other assets and ensure that monies are invested to the maximum benefit of the charity, within the constraints of the law and ethical and other policies laid down by the board

· By keeping the board informed of its financial duties and responsibilities

· By advising the board on the financial implications and operational risks arising from board decisions, especially the board’s strategic and policy decisions

· Working with the chair to advise the executive director on the level, quantity and frequency of financial information and reporting required by the board to allow the board to fulfil its legal and statutory responsibilities.