Volunteering projects volunteer volunteer roles in lewisham, london
Build on Belief is a charity dedicated to helping people who have, or have had issues with drugs and alcohol use, working to improve and sustain their health and wellbeing in order they can recover to lead fulfilling lives. Bring your accountancy and financial experience and skills to become a voluntary trustee and Honorary Treasurer for a growing and innovative organisation and help make a difference across diverse communities in London and SE England. If you’ve experience in accountancy and finance and perhaps even your own lived experience, then you could help us take the organisation forward.
What we do
BoB helps build the “social capital’ of people who are on a journey of recovery from histories of alcohol, illicit or prescribed drugs. Many of our service users and volunteers across our fourteen London and South-East projects have associated mental and physical health problems, along with histories of homelessness and unemployment.
We largely operate a structure where we recruit volunteers from our service users, and our managers from our volunteer pool, once trained. Our CEO, most managers and some members of the Board have lived experience, and many have been through the drug and alcohol treatment system. This ‘unique’ structure, we believe, gives a high level of peer led understanding of needs and responses
What you will be doing
Purpose of the Trustee Role & Hon Treasurer
The role of a trustee is to ensure that the organisation fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on its vision, mission and values. The board of trustees are both jointly and individually responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing the organisation's aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.
The Hon. Treasurer plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the financial integrity and sustainability of the organisation. Their primary responsibility is to maintain strategic oversight of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring that it remains viable, compliant, and well-positioned to achieve its charitable objectives. This includes ensuring that robust financial systems, accurate records, and effective procedures are in place and consistently followed.
The Treasurer works closely with, and is, actively supported by the CEO and Head of Finance & Central Operations, collaborating on both strategic and operational financial matters to ensure sound governance and effective delivery.
Time Commitment
Trustees are expected to attend bi-monthly board meetings (Tuesday evening) at Earls Court and participate in ad-hoc task groups and occasional on-line meetings.
BoB Trustees are Required To:
Uphold the charity’s mission and ensure its effective governance, strategic direction, and legal compliance. Their responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership
· Ensure the charity pursues its stated charitable objects as defined in the Memorandum & Articles of Association.
· Establish and maintain a clear vision, values, and strategy, ensuring shared understanding among trustees, staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and associated personnel.
· Ensure operational plans and budgets align with and support the strategic vision.
· Define organisational goals and evaluate performance against agreed targets.
· Advise on and support fundraising efforts and project engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement
· Regularly seek and consider the views of external stakeholders and service users, staff, and volunteers.
· Uphold the good name and values of the organisation in all interactions.
Governance and Compliance
· Ensure compliance with the Mem & Articles of Association, charity law, company law, employment law, and other relevant regulations.
· Ensure resources are used exclusively to further the charity’s objects.
· Maintain appropriate governance structures that reflect the charity’s size, complexity, and diversity.
· Review the governance structure and board performance regularly.
· Ensure trustees adhere to an agreed code of conduct, with mechanisms for addressing non-compliance.
Risk and Oversight
· Identify and regularly review major risks to the organisation, ensuring systems are in place to mitigate or manage them.
· Monitor changes in the external environment (political, financial, demographic, competitive) that may impact the charity.
· Hold staff accountable for the management and administration of the charity.
· Consider external professional advice on matters presenting material risk or potential breach of trustee duties.
Staff and Operational Oversight
· Follow formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal, and remuneration of staff.
· Ensure the organisation exercises a duty of care to its employees.
· Support continuous professional development across the organisation.
Engagement and Representation
· Visit local services and attend key events to support the charity’s work.
· Actively engage with the charity’s activities and initiatives.
· Act as ambassadors for the charity.
The Hon. Treasurers Role
Strategic
· Assist and advise in the formation of the charity’s financial strategy, ensuring adequate resources to deliver services and that funds are spent on furthering charitable purposes.
· Advise on the financial implications of strategic and operational plans.
· Advise on the funding strategy and ensure alignment with the charity’s aims.
· Ensure the Board receives regular and appropriate financial information.
· Review and present the annual financial statements to the Board.
· Recommend appropriate accounting procedures, controls, and policies consistent with financial and regulatory legislation.
· Oversee the appointment and regular review of auditors.
· Work in close partnership with the CEO and Head of Finance & Central Operations to support strategic goals.
· Ensure appropriate investment and reserves policies are in place.
· Monitor the performance of investments.
· Ensure all assets are adequately maintained and accounted for.
Governance
· Maintain effective governance of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring viability and proper processes for financial records, decisions, and delegations.
· Ensure the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and complies with all relevant legislations (e.g. Companies and Charity Law)
· Lead on the assessment and management of financial risk
· Ensure financial policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated
· Ensure compliance with charity accounting practices and statutory requirements
· Ensure recommendations from auditors are implemented
· Ensure accounts meet conditions of contractual agreements with funders and statutory bodies.
Experience, Skills & Behaviours required to fulfil the role of Hon. Treasurer effectively:
- Experience of charity accounting.
- Experience of financial control, budgeting, and risk management.
- Good communications and interpersonal skills.
- A willingness to be contacted on an ad-hoc basis.
- Ability to ensure financial decisions taken are followed up in a timely manner.
What we are looking for
Our Trustee Board comprises people who have good skills and experience in, corporate strategic marketing and communications, health care, HR, information technology, research and legal matters.
Our current Honorary Treasurer is standing down after seven years, and we are looking to replace him. The role of Honorary Treasurer is an important one, being the key person colleague trustees look to for professional advice about all things financial. We have a Head of Finance & Central Operations who manages the day-to-day financial management and reporting systems.
This year we have introduced two systems to underpin our growth to a nearly £2m business. These are Xero and PLEO, with PEOPLE HR for our associated HR functions.
If you’ve experience of senior financial management and leadership, then you could make a significant contribution to our development.
Essential experience & qualifications sought
We are open to a variety of professional financial backgrounds and qualifications with, ideally but not necessarily only, charities and including current registration as a member of the:
o Institute of Chartered Accountants.
o Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
o Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
o CIPFA
We are very open to bringing on board people who can support us becoming a more inclusive organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, women and other underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities and from LGBTQI communities. We are also very open to recruiting someone who may have their own lived experience of addictions and adversity to draw upon. What counts will be your enthusiasm, commitment, competence and interest in taking on a trustee and governance role.
A few more details on application process
Our deadline for applications is Monday 15 December 2025
· Please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 pages) which must address three questions (see below).
· We aim to be flexible with interview dates, to include early evenings but aim to hold them during January or early February.
· If you need any particular support if you are invited to an interview, then please make this clear in your supporting statement (see below).
· We plan to have an induction and familiarisation/onboarding process before final confirmation as a trustee. Once appointed, Trustees are expected to serve a minimum three-year term of office. This is a voluntary and non-paid position.
Please send your CV with covering Supportive Statement to our Chair, Roger Howard:
· Your Supportive Statement or covering letter should address three questions:
i. Why are you interested in becoming a trustee and treasurer of BoB?
ii. What insights and experiences can you bring to our charity Board?
iii. Is there anything in your background that we should be aware of that might be relevant to you becoming a trustee/company director?
Personal data statement: In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any informtion that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV and application documentation, apart from matters relating to your own experiences of addictions and matters which may arise during a subsequent DBS enhanced scrutiny.
Following this notice, any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/ application documentation will be understood by us as your express consent to process this information going forward.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
We are seeking a Director and Chair of Trustees Designate to help shape the future direction of our organisation. We are looking for an individual with proven senior leadership experience - ideally, though not necessarily, within the third sector - who can bring strong strategic thinking, sound judgement, and a collaborative leadership style.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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!
The Social Supermarket Initiative (SSI) is a community-led social enterprise tackling food insecurity and promoting sustainable community growth through our affordable supermarket model, outreach programmes, and ethical partnerships. We are seeking a Volunteer Fundraising Officer to support SSI’s financial sustainability and growth. This role will focus on securing funding through grant writing, donor engagement, and community fundraising initiatives, ensuring SSI can continue delivering its mission and expanding its social impact.
Key Responsibilities
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Identify, research, and pursue grant opportunities, donor funding, and community fundraising streams.
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Develop high-quality, persuasive, and compliant funding proposals and applications.
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Maintain SSI’s funding tracker, calendar, and reporting systems.
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Build and maintain relationships with funders, local partners, and community stakeholders.
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Support outcome and impact reporting to funders and the board.
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Contribute to SSI’s fundraising strategy and advise on opportunities for growth.
Core Duties
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Ensure fundraising and grant activities align with SSI’s mission and compliance standards.
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Exercise professionalism, diligence, and integrity in all fundraising matters.
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Safeguard financial accuracy and transparency in proposals and reports.
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Collaborate with internal teams to gather data, stories, and supporting evidence for applications.
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Create compelling marketing materials to promote fundraising initiatives across various channels.
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Join working groups or project committees related to fundraising and development.
Expectations of the Role
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Attend and contribute to team meetings and planning sessions.
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Stay informed about trends in funding, social enterprise, and community development.
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Participate in project groups or campaigns where relevant to fundraising objectives.
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Maintain confidentiality and uphold SSI’s ethical standards, including diversity and inclusion.
About You
Essential
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Commitment to SSI’s mission and community impact.
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Strong communication, collaboration, and organisational skills.
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Experience in fundraising, grant writing, or donor management.
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Solutions-driven mindset, with attention to detail and accuracy in proposals and budgets.
Desirable
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Knowledge of social enterprise, food systems, sustainability, or community engagement.
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Understanding of finance, governance, or nonprofit operations.
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Lived experience of food insecurity or involvement in community-led initiatives.
What We Offer
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Opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven social enterprise with measurable community impact.
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Hands-on experience in fundraising, grant writing, and donor management.
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Networking opportunities through community events and partnerships.
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Reimbursement of reasonable travel and meeting expenses.
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Training and professional development to support growth and impact on SSI’s mission.
How to Apply
Please send your CV (max 2 pages) and a short statement (max 300 words) outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
Many older people in our communities face significant challenges - from loneliness, isolation, and frailty to financial hardship and managing lifechanging conditions like Dementia. The work we do is vital in ensuring they have access to the support and care they deserve.
Our team is deeply passionate about this mission. Many of us have personal experience supporting older relatives through similar challenges, and these lived experiences fuel our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate services.
Following our successful merger in August 2023, our organisation is now moving forward with greater ambition and a renewed focus on expanding our reach. As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in shaping that future - helping us to serve more people, strengthen our services, and advocate for the needs of older people across Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Tonbridge.
We are looking for people from a financial background to help with oversight of our budgeting, planning, forecasting, investments, governance, reporting and financial decision-making. This is a great opportunity to work closely with organisational leaders to ensure every penny makes a difference.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We believe in the power of holidays to transform lives. Time away matters. For many families facing tough times -whether through financial hardship, illness or other challenges - a short break can feel out of reach. Yet, these moments of escape and connection are vital for well-being, resilience, and hope.
Our mission is simple but powerful: to provide families who wouldn’t otherwise get a break with the chance to spend quality time together, make memories, and return home stronger.
As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in shaping our future. You’ll help guide our strategy, ensure we remain true to our values, and support us in reaching even more families who need our help. Your expertise, insight, and passion can help us grow and innovate, so that no family is left behind when it comes to the simple joy of time away together.
About our Trustee Team
Our Trustees are a team of volunteers who use their diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to set the strategic direction of the charity and make sure it’s doing what it was set up to do in the best possible way.
Family Holiday Charity has an ambitious strategy over the next few years, which will see us expand our services to families, develop our influencing work within the travel and leisure industry and government, and evolve our ways of working so that we can accept and use gifted breaks, travel and other services at scale to give families who really need it a holiday.
To help us do all that we’ll need the guidance, challenge, connections, and support of all our Trustees.
Given our goals, we’re particularly looking to add the following professional skills and experiences to our team.
- Legal Expertise - Our Trustees have a duty to ensure the charity operates within the law and complies with regulatory responsibilities, including charity law, safeguarding and governance requirements. This may involve providing advice on legal risks and obligations, ensuring compliance with articles of association and relevant legislation, supporting decisions on contracts, partnerships, risk management and more.
- Family Charity leadership - the Charity's vision if that 'every family in the UK should have a holiday' and this bold statement reflects our belief that time away together is not a luxury but a lifeline. We're seeking experience from a family support base to help advocate for our beneficiaries needs and help us expand our reach.
- Influencing / Campaigning - We are seeking experience and ambition that will help us influence policy and industry practices through the development of relatinships with policymakers, travel and tourism industry and media etc. Also shape campaigns, raise awareness, drive systemic change and support advocacy strategies to remove barriers for families.
- Digital Transformation - We wish to evolve and develop our digital strategy and technology adoption. A key priority is to ensure our digital growth is considered and aligns with accessibility and security.
Your Skills and Contribution
You'll need:
- Strategic vision, independent judgement, and an ability to think creatively.
- A proactive attitude, willing to bring new ideas and perspectives to our Board, and confident about challenging decisions, where necessary, in the best interests of the charity.
- Willingness to understand and take on the duties and responsibilities of trusteeship.
- Commitment to the charity and our mission, and the ability to devote the necessary time and effort to do the role well.
The Commitment
We’ll ask you to participate in four two-hour Board Meetings per year, typically in person at our office in London or remotely.We also get together for a Strategy Day in September/October, which is held on a weekday in London, and you’d need to attend that in person.
We can support with any access needs for in-person meetings.,
There are two Board sub-committees- one which focuses on our Finances and Risk, and one which considers our people (Trustees and Staff). Once you’ve settled into the role, most Trustees join one of them. They meet remotely around four times a year.
Outside of formal meetings, you’ll be warmly encouraged to get to know the staff team, and attend fundraising events
or other events to meet referrers, families, and supporters wherever possible.
Overall, you’ll need to be able to commit around 6 hours each month for a mix of meetings and events, contributing
your skills and perspective to projects, building your knowledge of the charity and developing as a Trustee.
See the trustee pack for more information and for the application and interview process - click apply to see this. Please note the deadline has been extended to midnight on Sunday 4th January 2026 to ensure the professionals skills and areas of experience (as listed above) are captured.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We help families get time away together, often for the first time ever, helping to create confidence and hope for the future.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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!
The Jawbone Collective seeks a Volunteer Bookkeeping / Financial Recordkeeping support person to join our thriving arts organisation. As we continue to expand activities and our reach across the Southwest of England, we need someone with financial expertise to help strengthen our operational foundation.
You will work remotely alongside our dedicated management team to develop robust financial processes that will support our journey toward becoming a self-sustaining arts organisation. Your expertise will be instrumental in supporting us in managing our diverse revenue streams, including workshop fees, journal and poetry publications, grants (hopefully we get some soon) and event income.
As part of our inclusive creative community, you'll contribute to an organisation that champions diverse voices, including neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and working-class writers. While a love for literature isn't required, you'll be supporting a mission that makes literary opportunities accessible to all through affordable programs and free submission opportunities.
Role Description
- Initially organising a transition to accounting software
- Train team members in maintain financial records and bookkeeping
- Assist with financial reporting and planning
- Support budget management for our various programmes and publications
- Help track expenses related to workshops, events, and publishing activities
- Contribute to funding applications and financial governance
What We're Looking For
- Experience in financial management and
- Governance required for a CIC (desirable, or be willing to learn)
- An ability to train team members in necessary software for bookkeeping
- Strong organisational skills
- Ability to work with our creative community-focused team
- Understanding of arts organisation operations (desirable)
About Us
The Jawbone Collective is a dynamic arts organisation dedicated to nurturing creative voices across the Wessex Region. Founded in 2022, we've evolved from our initial mission of publishing the poetry collections of under represented groups to becoming a comprehensive creative hub offering multiple platforms for artistic expression. Our initiatives include the upcoming Jawbone Journal - May 2025; developing a Substack community, Jawbone Radio for spoken word performances; plus workshops - in person and online; and mentoring programs. Based in Dorset, we've established strong creative communities in Dorchester and Bridport as well as attracting attendees to real world activities coming from Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset, whilst also maintaining an active online presence attracting people from the UK and across the world.
At our core, we're driven by a commitment to diversity and accessibility in the arts. Our community of 15 core creative members represents a rich tapestry of voices, including creatives from neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+, female and working class creators from various age groups and backgrounds. We are actively challenging publishing industry 'norms' by offering affordable and free submission opportunities. We are bridging the gap between performance and page poetry, and creating inclusive spaces where every creative voice can flourish. Through our various platforms and initiatives, we're building a supportive environment where artists can develop their craft, share their work, and connect with a broader creative community.
Working remotely however we would love to meet up with you from time to time.
You are most welcome to attend any of our events and workshops at no cost to yourself.
Amount of hours approx 8 - 16 hours a month depending on projects.
Cover Letter... we would like a few paragraphs about you and your interest in applying for volunteer work and how you feel you can help a community organisation.
Also if you move forward in the recruitment process, we will be seeking references and contact information of two referees.
Non Charity Employer
11 - 20
A Poet’s journey to publication and the navigation to a profession in literature and the sharing of their work is at the forefront of our mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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!
We are looking for a finance professional to join our engaged and friendly board as Treasurer, with specific oversight of the charity’s financial management. While day-to-day financial administration is carried out by employees or external providers, the Treasurer works closely with them and the Board to ensure sound financial governance. The Treasurer provides financial leadership, helps trustees understand the organisation’s finances, and ensures that the charity meets its financial and statutory obligations.
You will have a qualification in Financial Management, Accounting, or Audit, and a strong understanding of financial management in the voluntary or business sectors. Previous charity experience is not necessary, but a willingness to undertake training is essential (usually one day).
You will have the ability to communicate financial information clearly to those without financial expertise and be a strategic thinker, with the ability to balance financial scrutiny with broader trustee responsibilities.
Our board meet once a month (either virtually or in person in London) for around 90 minutes. We aim to have strategy days twice a year. You will meet with the CEO and Finance Manager once a month, and be available for ad hoc emails, advice. Trustees are usually appointed for a three-year term, which can usually be extended.
We will provide access to training (typically one day) if you do not have direct experience in charity finance.
You will also bring a commitment to the values, aims, and objectives of the charity, and a desire to help children and young people who have experienced grief.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
Our mission is to provide early intervention to help young people everywhere feel less alone when their world is turned upside down.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for a new Governor for our voluntary-aided boys’ school who has an interest in the creative arts and cares deeply about transforming the lives of young people through education in some of the most disadvantaged and ethnically diverse communities in the UK.
What will you be doing?
About You
This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about the creative arts to join the governing body of a school that views the creative arts as an essential part of a rounded education.
Applicants must have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for students. Successful candidates will:
- be a member of the governing body
- join one additional sub-committee (Teaching & Learning; Pay & Personnel; Finance; or Pastoral, Premises, Health & Safety)
- act as link governors for the Creative Arts faculty (Link governors act as liaison between the governing body and a particular faculty)
- participate in a range of other ad hoc circumstances where governor involvement is necessary (e.g. periodic meetings with students, staff and parents that usually take place during the day).
Time Commitment
Governors usually spend ~20 hours per term on core governing duties. Successful candidates would be expected to attend up to 4 governing body/committee meetings a term, which usually take place on a Thursday (late afternoon/early evening). They would also need to allow time to read papers and prepare for meetings. The link governor role involves spending one morning or afternoon in school during the year, meeting with the faculty lead and visiting classrooms.
In addition, we are particularly looking for the successful candidate to be able to spend a further 8 – 10 hours per term on ad hoc matters requiring more 'hands on' governor involvement, including meetings with students, staff and parents which usually take place during the school day.
Skills and Background
With the recent launch of the Performing Arts Centre at the school, we are particularly interested in individuals with significant experience in the creative arts at this time.
We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.
Being a Foundation Governor
Governors come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and include some appointed by the staff of the school, parents and the Islington Local Authority. A majority of the governors are appointed by the Central Foundation Schools of London. As an Educational Charity we support two schools in inner London, the Boys' School and also the Central Foundation Girls' School in Tower Hamlets. This appointment will be a joint appointment by the Foundation and the boys' school governing body.
Training on the of role of governor will be provided for the successful candidates.
What are we looking for?
Applicants need to have a keen interest in the school and are prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for students.
We are particularly interested in individuals with significant experience in the creative arts. This is a great opportunity for anyone passionate about the creative arts to join the governing body of a school that views the creative arts as an essential part of a rounded education. We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.
What difference will you make?
Your impact matters
As a Foundation Governor you will play a critical role in fulfilling the Central Foundation vision that through an exceptional Central Foundation education, every student learns, develops, and grows so they can reach their full potential.
The Boys' School is a popular, over-subscribed, voluntary-aided, comprehensive school for boys aged 11-16, with a successful co-educational Sixth Form. A Central Foundation education involves providing students with a wide range of educational experiences not available to many state schools or students from the communities and backgrounds we serve.
As well as an outstanding academic offer, the support of the Central Foundation and its funding partners enables an extensive sporting, performing arts, careers, activities and wider programme to be offered. As a Foundation Governor, you will ensure that through this provision students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to lead successful lives and develop their own unique talents and confidence to forge their individual paths in life.
Underpinning a Central Foundation education is a rigour and a drive for excellence. We are proud of our students’ examination results. In the last few years these results have consistently shown Central Foundation Boys' School to be one of the leading educators of boys in the country.
Central Foundation Boys' School aim is that every single student can achieve outstanding outcomes in their education, both in terms of qualifications and the development of the skills, attributes, knowledge and understanding necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It is these outcomes that will transform their futures and your role as a Foundation Governor will oversee and ensure the character of the school is preserved and developed.
Please apply through Reach in the first instance.
In your application we would really like to hear why you are interested in joining the Central Foundation Boys School Governing Body and what you think you would bring so please send your CV with a short covering statement.
Interviews will take place in January 2026, initially with the Chair of Governors, Simon Dodds. An appointment confirmation meeting with the Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees and the opportunity to visit the school.
New governors will be invited to join the Governing Body at their spring term meeting in February/March 2026.
Please contact us via Reach with any questions.
Thank you!
With a goal to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people, the UK's leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society, is looking for three new Trustees to join the Board and help navigate their future challenges.
Applications close Monday 12th January
Who we are
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and one of the country’s major charities, with a turnover of around £100 million. Since 1962, we’ve been transforming lives, changing attitudes and helping to create a society that works for autistic adults and children.
We are active across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and have a network of volunteer-run branches across the UK. As well as adult services and schools, we run a range of programmes, have dedicated diagnostic services and run specialist helplines. We also work closely with businesses, local authorities and the government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws. And we improve public understanding of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face.
We’re continuing to advocate on longstanding issues such as social care funding and campaign for what autistic people need to see in the forthcoming autism strategy in England and its equivalent in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We’re also growing our branch network – including national online branches – and we are working on a new mental health programme combining research, digital guidance and policy influencing.
This is a truly transformational and vital time to be part of our Charity. We are in the latter stages of our Vision to Reality Strategy for 2023-2026, which sets out the role of NAS in creating a society that works for autistic people.
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved – but there’s always more to be done. As the economic, social and political landscape changes, our strategy must evolve to reflect changes. We need to ensure we continue to increase our fundraising and commercial activities to deliver the scale of impact required.
We’re looking for three new Trustees to join our Board to help us navigate future challenges.
Who we are looking for
- Our Schools Governance Group
We are also looking for two Trustees to join our School Governance Group, one who will chair the committee and one who will be a member of the committee. Our family of schools includes our four independent specialist schools, supporting children and young people from the age of 4 to 22. We aim to make sure we are continually challenging our schools, keeping everyone safe, monitoring their progress and getting the best possible outcomes for all of our pupils in all of our schools.
Previously, we carried out a review of the local governance arrangements of our schools. Historically, the independent schools in NAS were governed locally by an LGB, which brought excellent opportunities for partnership working; however, as time went on, we required a model that would ensure consistency of challenge, support and monitoring across all our schools. We have amended our LGBs locally; the groups focus on partnership working, whilst the strategic direction, development, challenge and support for the executive, assurance and governance sits firmly with our Schools Governance Group as a sub-committee of the trustee board.
Our new Chair of the Schools Governance Group will have strong knowledge and experience of schools, school governance, the DfE and Ofsted and be a senior leader with experience in education and special educational needs. The new Chair of the committee will work closely with our Director of Education and Children’s Services, Chief Executive, Chair of the Board, Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Committee and our Trustee with safeguarding expertise.
The additional member of this committee will be someone who brings strong experience and insight in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and safeguarding. Your expertise will play a vital role in ensuring that our culture and decision-making processes fully reflect best practice in supporting children and young people with SEND, and in maintaining the highest standards of safety and well-being across our organisation.
- Chair of Quality & Assurance Committee
Our current Chair of the Quality and Assurance Committee will shortly be completing their term and we seek a successor with a strong background in adult social care and safeguarding, as well as a solid understanding of commissioning.
This is an opportunity for someone who can offer both constructive challenge and thoughtful support — a person who brings insight, curiosity and a balanced perspective to complex discussions. The ideal candidate will combine strategic oversight with a collaborative and compassionate approach, helping to ensure that quality, safety and continuous improvement remain at the heart of our work. They will be confident in asking the right questions, guiding reflective debate and fostering a culture of openness and accountability across the Committee and the wider organisation.
We’re looking for people who can provide strategic direction, appropriate oversight, scrutiny, challenge, leadership and passion to support our development.
We’re keen to ensure our Board is diverse in every way and we’re committed to ensuring our Trustees reflect our society, our Charity and the people we represent and support. We welcome applications from autistic people, their families and carers. To achieve greater diversity, we’re actively encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds and regions. We can work with you to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you contribute fully to being a member of our Board. Our Pioneer project is focused on ensuring our organisation is an exemplary employer of autistic people. This also extends to our Board.
- Time Commitment
The National Autistic Society Board meets four times, with one overnight strategy away day every year. Our meetings are a blend of face-to-face and virtual meetings. Our Trustees with education experience will join our School Governance Group, which meets quarterly, usually online. Our Quality & Assurance Committee also meets quarterly. We expect the overall time commitment to be approximately one day per month, including reading board papers, ad hoc conversations with board members and the executive and the opportunity throughout the year to visit our services and schools, as well as represent NAS at events.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ 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 Monday 12th January.
Recruitment Agency
21 - 50
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.
Thank you!
The Opportunity
We are recruiting 3 lay Trustees! Do you bring skills and experience in communications, human resources or membership engagement? Would you like to use these at board level to shape a charity? We'd love you to join our Board of Trustees if so.
This is a fantastic opportunity to have a great impact on the UK’s mental health at the highest level!
Does this matter to you as much as it matters to us? Then a Trustee role with UKCP will give you the chance to support a cause with your professional skills.
Who is the UK Council for Psychotherapy?
UK Council for Psychotherapy is a leading organisation for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. We believe that psychotherapy can help us in profound ways. Solving immediate issues and transforming how we think, feel and behave is how we do this.
We offer professional support for our members here in the UK. We are also the leading research, innovation and educational body. UKCP continue working to advance psychotherapies for the benefit of all.
What matters to us
We see first-hand the power of psychotherapy to improve lives. We speak up for the importance of psychotherapy in national and local policymaking. UKCP also represents the social value of psychotherapy in the UK today.
If you join us…
You will be a part of a committed Board who is doing more to reflect the communities we serve. This is an opportunity to shape the work and direction of UKCP. Help us achieve our vision of a world in which emotional and mental wellness is a human right.
Equality, diversity and inclusivity are felt throughout our values and the culture of our work practices. So, you’ll enjoy the rewards of helping us to be a voice of change where it’s needed.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for three Trustees to join the UKCP Board, bringing any or a combination of the skills and experience listed below. All candidates will share our commitment to improving the UK’s mental health and understand the importance of high-level governance in achieving this.
We are particularly seeking:
- HR Trustee – Someone with proven experience and insight into human resources practices, people management, organisational culture, staff wellbeing, recruitment, and talent development.
- Communications Trustee – Someone with professional experience in communications, marketing, and/or public relations.
- Membership Engagement Trustee – Someone who can provide insight-led oversight of UKCP’s membership activities.
Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying, as it contains important details about the role and our organisation.
Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining UK Council for Psychotherapy!
What’s next?
Eastside People is supporting UK Council of Psychotherapy in the recruitment of these roles. You can click here/follow the link to apply today.
The closing date for applications is Monday 5th January. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after. Shortlisted candidates will then have an interview with UKCP shortly after this.
We acknowledge every application. You’ll always hear from us after taking the time to apply - we look forward to hearing from you!
