Communications Volunteer Roles

If you have an enthusiasm and commitment to the environment and 'healthy streets' agenda or an understanding of the issues, we’re looking for a volunteer to support the London Healthy Streets Scorecard project. This highly influential project, now in its fifth year, is led by a coalition of major London and national environment and transport charities. It promotes six key actions we want London boroughs to take – and we publish data each year to show how they’re doing.

Your role will be to help make this project even more influential by supporting our Project Manager with tasks ranging from research and PR to communications, policy, and campaigning work. Ultimately what we need is someone who can help us ensure local borough councillors and officers feel public pressure.

About CPRE London

At CPRE London we campaign to save and promote green spaces in Greater London and make London a better, greener, and healthier place for everyone to live in, work in and enjoy.

We are part of the national network of CPRE, the countryside charity.

About the project

We’re looking for a volunteer to support the London Healthy Streets Scorecard project. This highly influential project, now in its fifth year, is led by a coalition of major London and national environment and transport charities. It promotes six key actions we want London boroughs to take – and we publish data each year to show how they’re doing.

Tasks associated with the project:

• Research
• Public relations (PR)
• Communications
• Policy work
• Campaigning
• Support for local campaigners

Benefits of the role

• You will work with some amazing campaigners across several high-profile and well-respected organisations and have the opportunity to network and gain contacts and skills in this increasingly important sector.
• You will be working on a project having a huge impact across London, on the lives of Londoners and our environment. 
• Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We can give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
• Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
• The opportunity to attend a volunteer induction run by CPRE’s national office
• We provide out-of-pocket travel expense

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who can help make this project even more influential by supporting our Project Manager with tasks ranging from research and PR to communications, policy, and campaigning work, and supporting our 350-strong network of local campaigners. We can be flexible and are open to creating a volunteer role reflecting a person’s skills and interests. Ultimately what we need is someone who can help us ensure local borough councillors and officers feel public pressure. 

What skills are we looking for? 

• Enthusiasm and commitment to the 'healthy streets' agenda
• Ability to perform a range of tasks
• Good written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Understanding of environmental issues

We are open to fitting around the skills that you have and supporting you to develop skills if you wish. Most of our volunteers and interns have gone on to find paid work in skilled jobs in related fields. We can fit around what you would like to do.

What commitment are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who can commit at least one day per week, some hours office based, but offer flexibility on any additonal hours. 

Are you someone who likes to raise awareness about a worthy cause? Can you always get people onboard with your good ideas and enthusiasm? If so, we’d love to hear from you! You don’t need an Armed Forces background, just a desire to support the serving community.

What is a Serving Community Team Engagement and Events Coordinator?

There is a SSAFA presence throughout the serving community, both in the UK and overseas. In many areas SSAFA have Serving Community Teams that offer financial, practical, and emotional support to serving personnel and their families. Each team is formed of a group of dedicated volunteers who make this possible.

Engagement and Events Coordinators are essential members of the Serving Community Team. They lead the development and delivery of an effective local publicity plan to raise awareness of SSAFA to potential beneficiaries, volunteers and funders in the serving community.

This role also has voting rights for the grant giving process.

What difference will you make?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of SSAFA. We have been involving volunteers in supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. Our beneficiaries come from all backgrounds and age groups and the number of people contacting us for help rises each year.

In order to keep providing help to those who need it most, we need Engagement and Events Coordinators who can raise awareness of SSAFA, and encourage people to seek or offer support.

What will you be doing?

Although every SSAFA Serving Community Team has different needs, below are the main activities of an Engagement and Events Coordinator:

• Planning and events: With the Serving Community Team, develop a publicity and events plan to raise SSAFA’s profile in the community.
• Engaging: Engage with the local community to publicise the Team’s work, events and fundraising initiatives where SSAFA is represented.
• Marketing: Identify and develop case studies and good news stories with support from Marketing and PR colleagues at SSAFA Central Office and liaise with them about any PR or press opportunities.
• Networking: Be the point of contact locally for engagement and events and develop and maintain networks with local stakeholders and media outlets, providing press releases, interviews and case studies.
• Coordinating and teamwork: Oversee and support the activities of Community Engagement Volunteers and the Digital Marketing Co-ordinator.
• Branding and publicity: With support from Marketing colleagues at Central Office maintain a stock of SSAFA branded publicity resources and copy to distribute locally.

What about training and support?

• Online, e-learning, training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep people and their personal information safe.
• Local induction and support.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, resources and local opportunities to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
• Ongoing support from SSAFA’s volunteering and operations colleagues based regionally and at our central office.
• Regular meetings and events to learn and share information.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFA's Public Liability insurance while carrying out their role.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others.
• Give back to the Armed Forces community.
• Become part of the SSAFA community and build networks across the serving community and local area.
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy regarding the needs and challenges related to serving community.
• Good IT skills e.g. ability to use Outlook and Excel – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Be an effective listener, respectful and have a non-judgemental approach.
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Depending on the needs of the team, this role would suit someone who would like to volunteer a few hours each week.

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

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.

Minimum Age: 18

Are references required? Yes. Two-character references from people who know you well (not family members).

Is a criminal record check required? No

We work to make SSAFA as safe as possible for everyone. Part of this involves volunteers attending an informal interview, providing two suitable references, and completing relevant training for your role. 

Are you someone who likes to raise awareness about a worthy cause? Can you always get people onboard with your good ideas and enthusiasm? If so, we’d love to hear from you! You don’t need an Armed Forces background, just a desire to support the serving community.

What is a Serving Community Team Engagement and Events Coordinator?

There is a SSAFA presence throughout the serving community, both in the UK and overseas. In many areas SSAFA have Serving Community Teams that offer financial, practical, and emotional support to serving personnel and their families. Each team is formed of a group of dedicated volunteers who make this possible.

Engagement and Events Coordinators are essential members of the Serving Community Team. They lead the development and delivery of an effective local publicity plan to raise awareness of SSAFA to potential beneficiaries, volunteers and funders in the serving community.

This role also has voting rights for the grant giving process.

What difference will you make?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of SSAFA. We have been involving volunteers in supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. Our beneficiaries come from all backgrounds and age groups and the number of people contacting us for help rises each year.

In order to keep providing help to those who need it most, we need Engagement and Events Coordinators who can raise awareness of SSAFA, and encourage people to seek or offer support.

What will you be doing?

Although every SSAFA Serving Community Team has different needs, below are the main activities of an Engagement and Events Coordinator:

• Planning and events: With the Serving Community Team, develop a publicity and events plan to raise SSAFA’s profile in the community.
• Engaging: Engage with the local community to publicise the Team’s work, events and fundraising initiatives where SSAFA is represented.
• Marketing: Identify and develop case studies and good news stories with support from Marketing and PR colleagues at SSAFA Central Office and liaise with them about any PR or press opportunities.
• Networking: Be the point of contact locally for engagement and events and develop and maintain networks with local stakeholders and media outlets, providing press releases, interviews and case studies.
• Coordinating and teamwork: Oversee and support the activities of Community Engagement Volunteers and the Digital Marketing Co-ordinator.
• Branding and publicity: With support from Marketing colleagues at Central Office maintain a stock of SSAFA branded publicity resources and copy to distribute locally.

What about training and support?

• Online, e-learning, training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep people and their personal information safe.
• Local induction and support.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, resources and local opportunities to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
• Ongoing support from SSAFA’s volunteering and operations colleagues based regionally and at our central office.
• Regular meetings and events to learn and share information.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFA's Public Liability insurance while carrying out their role.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others.
• Give back to the Armed Forces community.
• Become part of the SSAFA community and build networks across the serving community and local area.
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy regarding the needs and challenges related to serving community.
• Good IT skills e.g. ability to use Outlook and Excel – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Be an effective listener, respectful and have a non-judgemental approach.
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Depending on the needs of the team, this role would suit someone who would like to volunteer a few hours each week.

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

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.

Minimum Age: 18

Are references required? Yes. Two-character references from people who know you well (not family members).

Is a criminal record check required? No

We work to make SSAFA as safe as possible for everyone. Part of this involves volunteers attending an informal interview, providing two suitable references, and completing relevant training for your role.

We are working in partnership with Oxfordshire Youth, a boundary-breaking youth development charity, passionate about creating a future for and with young people that gives them the best possible opportunity to realise their potential.

Oxfordshire Youth support the youth sector across the county, working with grassroots leaders; it delivers innovative youth leadership programmes; and it provides a transformational supported accommodation service for young people. In everything it does, OY aims to meet the needs and aspirations of young people. All the charity’s work is grounded in best practice safeguarding and youth work principles and practice.

We are seeking a new Treasurer to join OY current board to provide high level oversight of the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.

 As a Treasurer you will have:

• Experience as a finance professional with a good understanding of business and financial planning, and financial management
• A good knowledge and experience in fundraising and finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations (this is not essential) 
• Good financial analysis skills
• Experience in advising others on financial matters, and being prepared to ask good questions that enable the board to have solid insight into the organisation's financial picture
• An ability to have strategic financial oversight without stepping on the toes of the finance executive - the Head of Finance

What do you get out of being a OY Trustee?

• Being a Trustee is a great way to ‘give something back’
• Developing your skills in leadership, influencing, debating, negotiating, strategic and organisational planning.
• You will have the opportunity to meet, network and learn from people who will have different professional backgrounds and life experiences to your own.
• Providing opportunities for training and development

This is a wonderful opportunity to join this very special charity that cares for children with life-limiting conditions and their families, through regular respite, end of life care and bereavement support. 

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

If you have the skills, experience and vision to join Oxfordshire Youth as their next Treasurer, please submit your application (CV and supporting statement) to Sandra Smith, on the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

Closing date for applications: 18 November 2024

Interview date with Charity: 4 December 2024

We are seeking to appoint a trustee with senior safeguarding expertise and experience, this may be from areas including social care, the Police, other statutory services, or the not-for-profit sector. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role of the Trustees is to develop Scouts in keeping with its charitable objectives and in the parameters of good governance. We are particularly looking for a Trustee to contribute their extensive senior level skills and experience in the area of Safeguarding and to Chair the Safeguarding Committee.

Main responsibilities

• To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation, and in providing direction for its ongoing development, in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To provide support as the Board’s safeguarding-focussed Trustee contributing specialist skills, experience and knowledge as required.
• With other Trustees, to ensure that the policy and practices of the Association are in keeping with its aims.
• With other Trustees, to exercise effective control, ensuring that the Association functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
• With other Trustees, to fulfil all other duties as laid out by law and in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To chair the Safeguarding Committee which is responsible for the strategic oversight and challenge to the organisation on the discharge of its safeguarding responsibilities.

Main duties

Developing and reviewing strategic aims

•  Consider the Association’s strategic plans and make sure they reflect safeguarding legislation, relevant regulations, statutory guidance, and the safeguarding expectations of the Charities Commission
• Work with the senior staff and volunteers to regularly review whether the practice of the Association is creating a safer culture and keeping people safe.
• Check that the Association’s risk register reflects current safeguarding risks appropriately and has put in place effective risk mitigations.
• Abide by the principles laid down in the person specification (and code of conduct).
• Attend meetings of the Trustee Board and the reporting committees (frequency varies).
• Reflect the Scouts’ vision, strategy, major policies and values at all times.
• Contribute specific skills, experience and contacts in support of our activities.

Ensuring policies and practice are effective and in keeping with aims

Make sure there is an annual review of safeguarding policies and procedures and that this is reported to trustees.

• Scrutinise the performance of the Association relating to safeguarding to see whether policies and procedures are effective.
• Make sure there is a regular effective (internal and external) quality assurance framework using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding practice.
• Learn from case reviews locally and nationally, to improve the Association’s policies, procedures and practices.
• Reflect the Trustees’ policies and concerns in all interactions with the Movement.
• Assist in the implementation of the Association’s strategic goals.

Creating the right culture

• Champion safeguarding throughout the Association.
• Attend relevant safeguarding training events and conferences.
• Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.
• Attend meetings, activities, projects to engage with staff, volunteers and young people to understand safeguarding on the ground.
• Support regular safeguarding updates for staff, volunteers and young people.
• Make sure you have ways of gathering the views of staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding and sharing these with the Board.
• Work effectively as a team member of the Trustee Board in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
• Protect the assets and integrity of the charity, with regard to best practice.
• Maintain good relations with Association staff.
• Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Trustee Board.
• Engage with members of the Movement at other levels in the organisation.

THE PERSON

As a Trustee of the Board, you should be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the following criteria listed under Part 1 within your written application. This will be tested further at the preliminary interview stage, along with the criteria listed under Part 2.

We are particularly interested in applications from candidates with strategic safeguarding experience in sectors such as Social Care (e.g. service manager to director role experience), Health (e.g. deputy or chief nurse experience), Police (e.g. Superintendent to Chief Constable experience) and Education (e.g. Head Teacher experience).

Part 1

• The successful candidate will be able to give evidence of:
• A record of proven and significant achievement and executive background in operational and strategic safeguarding.
• An understanding of the type of work undertaken by the Association and commitment to the values and ethos of The Scout Association.
• Successful experience of operating on a board or a major committee in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
• Confident and effective communication skills with a range of audiences, including Trustees, the Chief Executive, senior staff, senior volunteers and others, and the ability to challenge in a constructive way.

 Part 2

• An understanding of how to motivate and enthuse volunteers.
• A proven track record of sound judgement and effective decision-making.
• An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees, UK Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive.
• A track record of commitment to promoting inclusion, equality and diversity.
• Wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.
• Enthusiasm, energy and time to commit to this role.

Other essential criteria

• Commitment to attend four Board of Trustee meetings each calendar year, one of those will be a two-day residential held over the weekend).
• Attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the Council (AGM) held in the first week of September each year (this will be on a Saturday).
• Availability to chair the Safeguarding Committee, who meet four times per year. Three of these meetings are virtual and outside 9-5 working hours – the fourth meeting will be a full-day face-to-face session.

 APPOINTMENT TERM

Appointments are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of a further term of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal.

REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with the role, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties.

Do you enjoy being creative ?

Could you spare a few hours to help others enjoy art and craft sessions?

Purpose of the role

Our fun activity groups give people with additional needs the chance to make friends, enjoy social time together and try out a variety of activities.  

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for our friendly arts and crafts groups in Weoley Castle. You will be encouraging our citizens to take part and ensure everyone has a great time. You can also use your skills to deliver a creative session if you wish.

This is a great opportunity to volunteer in a friendly, person-centred team, providing fun activities for people with learning disabilities.

What would I be doing?

· Helping people to take part in various arts and crafts activities such as card making, model making, painting, and other creative groups

· Encouraging people to feel part of the group and take part in the activities.

· Helping to set up equipment and tidy away at the end of the session.

· Helping to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.

What do I need?

· An interest in helping people, being approachable and friendly

· Any creative skills or interests would be amazing, but not essential.

· Good communication skills

· Accepting of others who might be different to you

· The ability to work as part of a diverse team

· A willingness to learn and work within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap

· Honesty, integrity and trustworthy

· Good time management skills, reliability

· An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.

Where and when do you need me?

· We produce a weekly timetable with activities each day

· Ideally you can attend once per week for 1-3 hours

· Weoley Castle Community Hub, Bottetourt Rd, Birmingham B29 5TE

What’s in it for me?

As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:

· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers

· Improved health and wellbeing from doing positive activities

· A volunteering preparation session

· An induction and settling in period and any training and development that is needed

· The chance to develop your skills and gain experience

· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team

· Any out-of-pocket travel expenses

· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution

We're recruiting for new members of ReachOut's Board of Trustees, as well as members of our governance committees. 

If you’re passionate about supporting young people from under-resourced communities to thrive, and you have the skills and experience to help shape and guide our organisation to achieve our vision, we’d love to hear from you. 

We’re currently recruiting for the following roles:

• Trustees.
• Committee members for our Programmes and Impact Committee and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

For more information on the roles please download our information pack. 

DCF are a family-founded charity focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

This is an exciting, key opportunity to develop our income generation, therefore supporting us to reach more young people.

We are looking for a Trustee to lead on financial oversight of the charity, set up financial controls and processes and oversee our treasurer.  

Our board currently has six Trustees however, the two who oversee financial controls and treasurer responsibilities are stepping down in May.  We currently have a lack of financial oversight which impacts on grant applications and planning.  We have a need for trustees with specific skillsets so that each board member can take ownership of their areas related to the charity.  Currently our CEO has a very active role within Board meetings and would benefit from support from proactive members.

We would like to grow the Board to around nine members and create processes and procedures that diversify our income and sustainability. We currently deliver services in two boroughs (Croydon and Merton) and have a 5 year plan to expand to four boroughs.  

What are we looking for?

This individual should have:

Knowledge and experience of charity finance practices
Professional accounting, finance or similar qualification
Strong understanding of financial management and reporting
Experience in establishing and setting out strategic goals and direction in organisations
Ability to explain financial procedures to other Board members
Experience of providing Governance to organisations 
Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to exercise good, independent judgement.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

The role will involve:

Supporting the Treasurer
Providing overview of income, expenditure, reserves, balance sheet, and cashflow
Recording transactions
Monitoring spend for various projects
Providing reports to the Treasurer and Board 
Forecasting project and operational spend with CEO 
Attending 'monthly' meetings (10 per year)
Providing information to HMRC and Pension providers 
Monitoring compliance with local accounting laws and regulations

DCF are a family-founded charity focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

This is an exciting, key opportunity to develop our income generation, therefore supporting us to reach more young people.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop and lead our fundraising approach as an organisation.  Our CEO currently has a very active role overseeing all areas of the charity.  We are looking for someone to take the lead on developing our fundraising strategy and submitting grant applications.

There is flexibility in how the role could develop and we would value your expertise in how best to diversify our income and sustainability. 

We currently deliver services in two boroughs (Croydon and Merton) and have a 5 year plan to expand to four boroughs. 

The role would include: 

1. Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the financial needs of the organisation.
2. Identify grants and funding opportunities and draft, submit and manage application forms.
3. Support the Income Generation Volunteer to identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and partners to expand our donor base and increase fundraising opportunities.
4. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising efforts, tracking key metrics and making necessary adjustments to improve results.
5. Stay informed about trends and best practices in fundraising, incorporating innovative approaches to enhance our fundraising strategies.
6. Maintain accurate records of donors, donations, and fundraising activities.

What are we looking for?

DCF are a family-founded charity focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

This is an exciting, key opportunity to develop our income generation, therefore supporting us to reach more young people.  

We are looking for someone to take the lead on planning events and managing donor relations.  There is flexibility in how the role could develop and we would value your expertise in how best to diversify our income and sustainability. 

We currently deliver services in two boroughs (Croydon and Merton) and have a 5 year plan to expand to four boroughs. The role would include: 

Work with the Fundraising Strategic Lead to develop a range of fundraising strategies
Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and partners to expand our donor base and increase fundraising opportunities.
Plan and execute various fundraising campaigns, events, and initiatives.
Collaborate with the team to support creation of compelling fundraising materials, including solicitation letters, email campaigns, and social media posts.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising efforts, tracking key metrics and making necessary adjustments to improve results.
Maintain accurate records of donors, donations, and fundraising activities.

DCF are a family-founded charity focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

This is an exciting, key opportunity to develop our income generation, therefore supporting us to reach more young people.

The role will involve:

Supporting the Finance & Accounts Controller Trustee
Presenting financial reports to the board in a format that helps the board understand the charity’s financial position
Advising the board on how to carry out its financial responsibilities
Overseeing the preparation and scrutiny of annual accounts
Taking on day to day financial duties, such as book-keeping, budgeting and preparation of reports

Are you an experienced professional with expertise related to teaching and learning / social, emotional, or mental health needs? Then you may be able to use those skills to make a positive difference at Inscape House School in Cheadle.

Inscape House is a non-maintained special needs school based in Stockport, Cheshire. It’s one of the specialist education services provided by the charity the Together Trust. We cater for children and young people with autism from Year 1 to Year 14 with an Education Health and Care Plan and whose needs require a higher level of support than local authority education settings can provide. At Inscape House School we recognise that every child is different. Our team of educationalists and therapists work together to meet the individual needs of students and support them to overcome barriers to learning.

This is a strategic role offering a great chance to make a real difference to the education of young people with support needs, and also an excellent opportunity to add strategic level leadership experience to your CV or Linked In profile.

Please note, if your application is successful we will carry out an Enhanced DBS check and Section 128 Check before you start in this role. Whether you’re new to school governance or have experience of this type of role we’d love to hear from you!

Why we want you

Collectively, individual governors contribute their professional, specialist and general management skills to the College (and its sub-groups) in a non-executive role. Governors advise, challenge and support the leadership of the school / college and hold them to account for its management, the quality of the teaching and learning and the achievement, wellbeing and safety of pupils. Governors uphold the values and ethos of the College and ensure it works within its allocated budget, approving targets, policies, and monitoring the progress the school / college is making.

What you will be doing

• Advising on and monitoring the operation and the internal management of the school / college, including number of teaching and support staff, curriculum, safeguarding arrangements, and health & safety
• Approving policies and the school/college quality improvement plan
• Promoting the well-being of students including independence, participation, diversity, inclusion, equal opportunities, and community cohesion
• Monitoring arrangements for safeguarding of children and young people
• Attending all full Governing Body meetings and subgroups of which they are members
• Attending induction and relevant training events

The skills you need

• Strategic perspective
• Constructive evaluation skills
• Leadership and influencing skills
• Interpersonal and teamworking skills
• Planning and organisation skills
• Ability to demonstrate a full understanding and appreciation of the principles of governance
• Determination

What's in it for you

• Demonstrable leadership and strategic experience for CV
• Insights into special education
• Opportunity to have an influence in an important arena

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.

About us

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

About the opportunities

WGN is now looking for additional committed women professionals to join our existing dynamic and dedicated Trustees, we are seeking number of trustees including treasurer. We are in particular encouraging Black African or Caribbean candidates  to apply to align with the agenda of WGN.

Our ideal trustees:

• Are committed to supporting women and girls affected by gendered-based violence
• Have feminist/womanist and anti-racist values and principles
• Have a strong understanding of intersectionality
• Have the ability to think strategically and creatively about service delivery and development
• Have an understanding of the women’s / VAWG / voluntary sector
• Want to advance WGN’s aims and objectives
• Have well-developed leadership skills
• Have previous governance experience (desirable).

About you

The ideal candidates will also offer expertise, skills and experience in one of the following areas:

• Financial management
• Human resources management
• Strategic development
• Safeguarding
• Legal
• Policies and procedures related to WGN’s work.

Additional information

Trustees are required to attend six meetings a year. In addition, trustees are required to attend induction training and Away Days are usually held once a year. There may also be sub-committees that Trustees wish to join, and one Trustee member is invited to be on interview panels for any senior management recruitment. Trustees are also required to read documents and emails between meetings.

How to apply

Please visit our website to download the vacancy documents. Completed applications and equal opportunities monitoring forms should be submitted by 9am on Monday 21 October 2024.

Further Information

We will aim to get back to you within four weeks of your application with an invitation if you are successful. If you have not received a response to your application within 4 weeks you can assume your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion.

Please note if you are successful at the application and interview stages, you will be required to attend WGN’s Induction Training.

All posts are subject to pre-volunteering checks including DBS, references, and social media background screening.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

The above post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1