Access to health volunteer roles

Are you a finance whizz looking for a rewarding trustee role? We have an amazing opportunity to be a Treasurer for our board, where you’ll have oversight of all financial aspects of the charity and advise the board accordingly. You’ll also be a proactive board member who shares our vision and values, and works with us to shape the charity’s direction. We look forward to hearing from you!

This role can be undertaken remotely for the most part, with quarterly in-person board meetings in London. 

Please apply via the brief application form on our website.

The main tasks you'll be required to undertake:

• Oversight budgeting, forecasting and reporting both internally to the Board of Trustees as well as reporting of the annual accounts
   
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly invested and economically spent
   
• Review of internal financial control environment ensuring continuous improvement and timely follow up of any actions
   
• Contributing to the strategic plan and advising on financial implications, and monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity
   
• Being a dedicated and proactive trustee of the charity, making meaningful contributions to meetings and discussions, and leading ad hoc pieces of work as required

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum of 2 court days per month attendance requiured. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Support Hongkongers to learn and practise English in a welcoming and friendly setting

Organisation: Meridian Wellbeing

Location: Remote (online sessions)

Type: Volunteer

Time commitment:

• 1 session per week (2 to 2.5 hours)

• Initial sessions are expected to take place around lunchtime

• Evening or weekend sessions may be introduced in future based on participant availability

• Final session times will be discussed and agreed in advance with each volunteer

Minimum commitment: 3 months

About Us

Meridian Wellbeing is an independent charity working to improve the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of individuals and communities in Barnet. As part of our ongoing support for Hongkongers who have settled in the UK via the BN(O) visa route, we are launching informal, volunteer-led online English sessions to help participants build confidence in using English in everyday life.

We know that many newcomers from Hong Kong face challenges accessing traditional ESOL courses due to long working hours, family commitments, or limited local services. Our project offers an alternative: flexible, accessible, and welcoming English learning spaces run by volunteers.

We are currently recruiting for two volunteer roles:

1. Volunteer ESOL Teacher (Online)

We are looking for a volunteer with a recognised English teaching qualification to lead weekly online ESOL classes (entry level). Sessions are informal but structured, with a focus on everyday communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver weekly English classes online (2–2.5 hours per session)
• Prepare simple, tailored lesson plans and resources
• Encourage participation in a safe, inclusive environment
• Collaborate with the team and help monitor engagement

Requirements:

• ESOL/TEFL/CELTA/TESOL qualification (required)
• Experience working with English learners (desirable)
• Confident using Zoom or similar platforms (training provided as required)
• Experience managing group sessions/classes
• Friendly, patient and culturally aware
• Fluent or highly proficient in spoken English (native-level fluency preferred)
• Available for lunchtime sessions, with potential flexibility for evening or weekend sessions in future.

2. Volunteer Conversation Café Facilitator (Online)

We’re also seeking facilitators to host informal group sessions where Hongkongers can practise English through conversation. No teaching qualifications are needed — just a warm personality and willingness to support others.

Key Responsibilities:

• Host or co-host weekly conversation sessions online (2–2.5 hours)
• Use topics or prompts to encourage group discussion
• Help create a welcoming, supportive environment
• Respect and support participants with different English levels

Requirements:

• Fluent or highly proficient in spoken English (native-level fluency preferred)
• Friendly and confident leading small groups
• Able to use Zoom (training provided as required)
• Available for lunchtime sessions, with potential flexibility for evening or weekend sessions in future.

What You’ll Gain:

• Make a real difference in people’s lives
• Develop skills in teaching and group facilitation
• Be part of a supportive and inclusive team
• Receive basic training and ongoing guidance

Note: All volunteers will need to complete a DBS check. Cantonese language skills are not required.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Living Reasons – What we are planning, who we are and where we are now:

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Who are we?

Well, it is a small operation at this point, there are three people that are working to set up the charity, but we are all neurodivergent and have disabling aspects to our lives and experienced lack of opportunity or presumed ideas based on others perception of us. We are just people who care in reality and want to make a true change in society for everyone we work with.

Where are we now?

We are ready to become a CIO; we want to go straight to a fully incorporated charity so that we are able gain the most support as possible and open up opportunities for growth from day one as well as ensure people know they can trust us.

We need 3 trustees to start and understandably, two of us don’t want to be trustees due to personal reasons, so we need at least another two, maybe more, trustees to start up. That is hopefully where you come in!

We have our governing document, and we are still completing the further documents we want to launch with. We hope that new trustees will add to the plan and bring fresh ways of us working and how communicate the message of the charity.

The charity objects

· To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).

· The relief of financial hardship, either generally or individually, of people living in England and Wales by making grants of money for providing or paying for items, services or facilities

· The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by conducting or commissioning research on equality and diversity issues and publishing the results to the public; advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity and promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds.

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

So, who are we looking for?

The answer to this is complex. What we are looking for in a trustee is someone who is passionate about creating equity for everyone while sustaining equality, someone that has lived experiences that would mean they can relate to the objects of the charity, whether that be personally, as a support for someone that does or has struggled to be given equity in society or someone that works or has worked in an industry that has played a part in restricting others in society and want that to make real change.

We think this covers a large number of people.

The role of trustee in Living Reasons will always be a remote role, meetings will be held online as standard as we would like to have trustees that are from all areas of the UK and that anyone can be a trustee, regardless of any accessibility requirements.

Additionally, to the personal experiences, the below are also necessary for all trustees of all charities:

1) Must not have an unspent conviction

2) Must not be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults

3) Must not be in undischarged bankruptcy, or other debt management programme

4) Must not be barred from being a trustee or company director

The requirements of skills and understanding of the undertaking of trusteeship with Living Reasons:

1) Being a trustee comes with requirements and responsibilities in terms of acting in the best interest of the charity at all times in line with the law and the charity’s governing document, which will be supplied to all trustees before agreeing to be a trustee and will be discussed with any person selected to be a trustee before they agree to be a trustee.

2) An understanding of financial information is required, this is to ensure that financial reports are assessed correctly and that any anomalies are highlighted, this does not mean you need to have in depth accounting or finance experience by any means, but it is important that you are able to analyse financial reports and risk as they arise.

3) Specific to Living Reasons, you will need to be someone that thinks creatively and is not scared of challenging traditions and pre-existing ideas and open to hear from a wide audience to make informed but innovative changes that are sustainable, realistic but also dynamic and challenging the current societal norms.

We are seeking a new Chair to provide strategic leadership at a time when demand for our advice services is at an all-time high. Help shape our vision, champion our mission, and make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing challenges.

About Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Citizens Advice East Berkshire offers crucial help and advice when people need it most. No one but Citizens Advice sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems, and that gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today. 

What will you be doing?
We are at an important stage in our development and we are seeking a new Chair to replace our current Chair who will be standing down as her term finishes. We have ambitious plans for our future and we are looking for a Chair who can help drive our mission forward.

Building on our successes to date, we want a new Chair to lead us through the next exciting phase of our journey. You will have a strong background and track record of providing leadership at board and/or senior executive level and will have a passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges. You should have the judgement and vision to operate effectively at strategic level and you should demonstrate the skills and expertise to help drive our mission forward. We are looking for someone with 3 years+ professional experience in one of the fields of Fundraising strategy, Governance, Operations management or Advice / Advocacy. 

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges
• Ideally has served as a Chair or Vice Chair and is familiar with leading a Board

What are we looking for?

You’ll need to:

• Understand the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice and the Citizens Advice network
• Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee
• Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• Have a good basis of leadership skills (and preferably you have served within a Board, ideally as Chair or Vice Chair or led a Committee)
• Have the ability to facilitate and lead meetings
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have good listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Be able to exercise good independent judgment
• Have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the treasurer
• Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• Be willing to undertake mandatory training in your role
• Line manage and support the Chief Executive Officer

What difference will you make?
Citizens Advice East Berkshire makes transformational differences to people who need support when facing life crises. As Chair you will play a significant part in ensuring we are able to expand and grown our services to make a significant difference to many more individuals and families. 

St Giles Trust is seeking passionate, committed individuals to join us as a Trustee on our Board of Trustees. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for trustees who bring fresh perspectives, lived experience, and specialist expertise to help guide our strategic direction and strengthen our governance.

About Us

St Giles Trust is an award winning, national charity working to empower people facing adversity. We believe in second chances, equity, and the power of lived experience. Our work spans criminal justice, poverty, exploitation, and violence—supporting people to build better futures.

Who We’re Looking For

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human Resources / Organisational Development

• Senior Organisational Leadership

• Criminal Justice System

• Poverty, Exploitation & Violence

• Lived Experience

We welcome applications from people of the global majority (Black, Brown, Multi-heritage), those who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, or who face social barriers. We value the empowering impact of diverse thought and lived experience.

What You’ll Do

As a trustee, you will:

• Attend quarterly board meetings and contribute to strategic decision-making.

• Champion our mission and values.

• Provide insight and challenge to help us grow sustainably and inclusively.

• Support our visibility and credibility with funders and stakeholders.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 9.00am, Monday 29 September 2025

• Interviews: Week commencing 13 October 2025

• Meet the Executive Team: Week commencing 20 October 2025

How to Apply

Please send a covering letter (max 1 page) and CV (max 3 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements via the apply button. For full information see our Trustee Information Pack attached. 

Would you like to improve the urban walking environment and our quality of life? Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced person to chair our board of voluntary trustees. 

We are a charity that can influence anyone’s daily life. Our mission is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more. 

This is a pivotal time in our history: with a dynamic and experienced new Chief Executive, Catherine Woodhead; and a period of development, with a new strategy incoming that will take us towards our centenary in 2029. 

With our thousands of members and supporters we run campaigns for positive change and influence policies that improve our streets such as encouraging families to walk to school, 20mph speed limits and controlling pavement parking. 

We manage innovative national projects, engaging schools, communities and workplaces to encourage more people to walk short journeys. Our year-round walk to school challenge captures the imagination of children in over 2000 schools. 

We work with local authorities and businesses to improve streets and public spaces. Our reports, such as The Pedestrian Pound, make a substantial contribution to the active travel agenda. 

We are seeking someone with strong leadership and networking skills, with experience of good governance and helping organisations through growth. You will possess a substantial reputation which will add to the credibility of Living Streets. The role is a voluntary unpaid position, though reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. The term of office is for six years.

Closing date: 03/11/2025 (12pm)

Interviews: 20/11/2025 

Interview Location: London Head Office 

Hull College is a vibrant, inclusive further education provider based in the heart of Hull, serving a diverse urban population across the city and the wider East Yorkshire region. With one main campus (HU1 3DG), the College delivers a broad curriculum from entry level to higher education, including vocational, academic, and apprenticeship pathways. The College supports around 8,000 learners in total, including approximately 2,100 aged 16–19, 4,750 adult learners, 200 higher education students, and 800 apprentices. It employs around 500 staff, has an annual turnover of £30 million, and was graded Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted in October 2023. Hull College also holds an Outstanding financial health grade.

Hull College is defined by its "Hullraisers" spirit. This is an ethos of ambition, resilience, and transformation. The College is more than a place of learning; it is a thriving community committed to innovation and tangible impact. Its "Living and Thriving" personal development programme supports learners beyond academics, helping them develop confidence, promote their wellbeing, and prepare for the future. Strong partnerships with employers and civic organisations ensure the curriculum aligns with industry, while enrichment activities build learners leadership, digital, and employability skills. The College plays a critical role in meeting the skills needs of the region and is on a journey to be recognised nationally as a world-class institution.

Hull College has recently approved an ambitious Strategic Plan ‘Fearless by Design’ for 2025–28, with exciting developments underway including the launch of a new Higher Education strategy and brand, deployment of Microsoft Copilot, an AI Academy, and the start of an estate transformation. The College is also expanding local partnerships, aiming to grow its regional impact. Governors will play a vital role in overseeing delivery, monitoring key performance indicators, and championing the College.
Looking to the rest of a new governor’s term, priorities for the College include launching major capital projects, building international partnerships, and achieving national recognition in areas such as Construction. Governors will contribute to strategic decisions to drive development and support the College’s national profile. By 2027–28, Hull College aims to be a sector leader in AI, sustainability, and technical education. Governors will help shape the post-2028 vision, guide improvement, and ensure long-term financial resilience.

Becoming a Governor at Hull College is an opportunity to influence meaningful change and make a tangible difference in local lives. Governors help set the strategic direction of the College, ensure high standards of education and training, and support its financial sustainability. This is a chance to work alongside likeminded professionals, build networks across education and industry, while using your experience to support a vital community institution. It is a role where your insights matter, your contributions are valued, and your decisions shape the future of thousands of learners each year.

The College’s requirements

The Corporation Board at Hull College is seeking to appoint three new governors to support the College’s strategic growth, academic excellence, and governance capability. These vacancies include: an opening on the Higher Education Advisory Committee; a vacancy for the role of Chair of the Standards Committee; and a role as Vice-Chair of the Corporation. All roles require individuals who can act as a critical friend by providing robust challenge, strategic oversight, and constructive support to senior leaders while helping ensure accountability, compliance, and progress against the College’s objectives.

The successful applicant to the Higher Education Advisory Committee will bring significant knowledge of Higher Education regulation and governance, including the Office for Students (OfS) conditions of registration, QAA frameworks, and statutory guidance. With experience of governance or leadership in HE or FE, they will contribute a strong understanding of academic assurance, compliance, and risk. Their role as a critical friend will involve offering independent insight, questioning standards where appropriate, and supporting the continued delivery of high-quality, compliant HE provision.

The incoming Chair of the Standards Committee will be an educationalist, ideally from a FE background, with substantial experience in curriculum quality, student outcomes, and sector-wide benchmarks. They will be confident in scrutinising performance data, challenging achievement rates, and applying their knowledge of Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework. This individual will be responsible for leading rigorous, evidence-based discussions and ensuring continuous improvement across teaching, learning, and progression. They will support the executive team while holding them accountable to high expectations for learner success.

The future Vice-Chair of the Corporation will be a senior leader with strong governance experience and a background in complex, high-level corporate or public sector settings. They will bring expertise in leadership resilience, talent management, and succession planning, and will Chair the Remuneration Committee. This role requires strategic thinking, a deep understanding of governance and accountability, and the ability to work collaboratively with the Chair, Board, and senior leaders to ensure effective leadership continuity and organisational stability.

New governors are supported through a structured induction to help them quickly understand their role, responsibilities, and the college’s strategic priorities. Before appointment, they receive a recruitment pack outlining the role and expectations. Once approved, they are welcomed with an appointment letter, key documents, and early meetings with the Chair and Director of Governance to explore board culture and key issues. An induction pack and mandatory training in areas like safeguarding, GDPR, and finance ensure a strong foundation.

To build college familiarity, governors tour facilities, meet staff and students, and observe meetings before active participation. A buddy system and specialist link roles (e.g. safeguarding or finance) deepen engagement. Throughout the first year, regular check-ins, ongoing development opportunities, and an appraisal support their growth.
These are vital roles for the next phase of Hull College’s journey; ideal for professionals who want to make a tangible impact on education, the community, and the region’s future skills landscape.

Time commitment and meeting schedule

On average, the DfE expect governors to commit up to two days per month to effectively contribute to their role, including meetings, any preparation, committee involvements and on-site visits.

Hull College estimates that governors typically volunteer around two days per month to fulfil their responsibilities. While expectations may vary depending on the individual’s committee involvement or role, we encourage all prospective candidates to discuss their availability and capacity during the application process and the College has already laid out its 2025/2026 meeting schedule.

The Corporation Board meets five times per academic year, with one additional strategic away day and one SAR validation day. Committees meet between three and five times annually. Meetings are usually scheduled for Tuesdays or Thursdays at 4pm. Corporation meetings are encouraged in person at Hull College (Wilberforce Drive, Hull, HU1 3DG), though hybrid arrangements via Microsoft Teams are available. Committee meetings are primarily remote.

Some in-person engagement is recommended to build relationships, gain a deeper understanding of the college environment, and contribute effectively to the College’s strategic aims. If you are ready to take the next step in your governance journey and want to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Hull College and its wider community, we welcome your interest in these roles.

Establishment Information

• Unique Reference Number (URN): 130579
• Address: Wilberforce Drive, Hull, HU1 3DG
• Type of establishment: Further Education

What does the role include?

Governors work together as a board to provide strategic leadership, ensuring the College Corporation or company is legally compliant, financially sustainable, and delivers excellent value for public funds. FE College Corporations / companies operate as independent charitable institutions, with governors acting as charity trustees and the governing board ultimately accountable for overall performance. The principal regulator of FE and Sixth-Form College corporations is the Secretary of State for Education, and the Department for Education (DfE) works closely with the FE Commissioner and sector stakeholders to both regulate and support FE governance. Where needed, support is provided by the Commissioner’s team of advisers and National Leaders of Governance for FE, who offer peer-led mentoring. To read further about regulation, support and intervention please refer to the sixth-form College Corporations: governance guide, linked within the further reading on the GfS website. 

What are the benefits?

Volunteering on a College Corporation board is a meaningful way to shape learner’s lives and strengthen education in your community. You will play a vital role in setting strategic direction and holding executive leaders to account — ensuring the College delivers the best outcomes. This is a great opportunity to support your career development and give back to education.

Further information

You can also find out more public information about the College, along with useful resources, additional reading and interactive content about being a FE College Governor by clicking through to the GfS website.

Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair of the board at The Hardman Trust

• Are you keen to help people leaving prison and support them to work towards their goals?
• Do you believe that with the right support people can rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and break free from the cycle of reoffending?
• Do you share our conviction that no one should be defined solely by their past, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive?

If so, you could be one of the people we are looking for to help The Hardman Trust move into the next
exciting chapter of our work.

Who are we?
The Hardman Trust was established in 1994, with the aim of helping people leaving prison after long
sentences. Our founder, Guy Armstrong, was a prison Chaplain. He saw the challenges facing this
group: homelessness, a lack of workplace skills, stigma, isolation, low confidence, and poverty. A fund
was set up to provide financial assistance to purchase tools and equipment, offering a helping hand
into employment. We now know from experience that this practical approach works. The people the
Hardman Trust has supported over three decades have used this financial support to gain
qualifications, start their own businesses, find employment and a new direction in life. We are now
extending our reach so more people can benefit from our support and sharing our evidence and
insights to help shape a more effective, humane criminal justice system. Achieving this means securing
the right funding, building strong partnerships, and ensuring our resources are used with maximum
efficiency and impact.
We are looking for several new Trustees to join the Hardman Trust Board. If you want to support our
mission, and you feel that you have the commitment and the life or professional experience for the
role, we would love to hear from you. In return, you will have the chance to make a meaningful
difference to those serving long sentences; and you will be part of a passionate and committed team
of staff, trustees and volunteers. We offer support to all new Trustees and if you haven’t been one
before, don’t worry - we will make sure you have access to any training and development you feel you
need.
It is a privilege to be part of the Hardman Trust’s work. It is an incredible organisation making real
change in the criminal justice sector. It is an exciting time to join the charity – we have recently
appointed a new CEO, Annette So and we are looking forward to developing our direction for the
future and fulfilling our vision where everyone can achieve their potential within and beyond prison.

The Trustee role
The Trustees work collectively as a Board. They have ultimate responsibility for governing the
Hardman Trust charity, directing its management, and ensuring it is well-run and operates according to
its purposes. They are legally responsible for the charity's finances, reputation, and compliance with
the law. Each Trustee brings their own lived experience and/or professional skills to support the charity
achieve its aims. Most Trustees also learn new skills during their time on the Board.
We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know
that diverse groups of people make better decisions. We are keen to hear from people who can bring
perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us
progress our vision.
Trustees are not usually involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. However, they work closely
with the Hardman Trust’s dedicated staff team, who are supported by a wider group of volunteers. The
Trustee role as in the majority of charities, is unpaid although legitimate expenses – travel costs for
example – can be claimed.

The Trustees’ key responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Board in setting the charity’s strategy and priorities
• Oversee a collaborative and effective Board that brings diverse perspectives
• Support the Chief Executive, offering guidance and challenge
• Champion the charity’s mission and values, acting as an Ambassador and building relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, donors and the wider criminal justice sector
• Ensure effective governance and decision making, including chairing quarterly board meetings
• Ensure compliance with the Charity Commission and relevant legislation.
• A full job specification is included below for further information.

What we are looking for

Experience of leadership, ideally at Board or senior executive level. You don’t have to have been a Chair before, but you do have to have experience of being a Trustee.

• Strong governance knowledge and an understanding of the responsibility of charity trustees
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and able to build relationships effectively
• Strategic thinking with the ability to support and challenge constructively, and an inclusive leadership style
• Someone who will act as an advocate for the charity and be willing to champion the Hardman
• Trust through personal networks, social media and other channels.
• The ability to be responsive and flexible – we are a small charity which sometimes requires the
• Chair to be available at short notice or out of hours to offer support or advice
• Commitment to equality, diversion and inclusion and to improving outcomes for people serving long prison sentences
• Experience of the criminal justice sector, prisons or related fields is desirable

Please review the document The Hardman Trust Chair Pack for more information about this position and details on how to apply. 

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Lead Volunteer Role Description

• To update the Volunteers’ Rota from the Court diary and ensure that each Volunteer in the team and the CCSS office has a copy. Wherever possible, the Rota should be kept on a computer for updating and emailed to the rest of the team and the office. 

• Ensure sufficient numbers of Volunteers are on duty for effective and appropriate support for bereaved families and witnesses who attend the Inquests.

• To arrange and re-arrange the Rota between the Volunteers, noting any holiday or leave of absence dates.

• Ensure a finalised Rota is sent to the office at the end of each month in order for volunteer expenses to be checked and processed.

• To ensure that all the Volunteers have each other’s contact details and the Volunteer emergency contact details are included in the court file and updated when changes occur.

• To ensure monthly and yearly statistics are kept up to date and to send the Monthly Statistics to the Volunteer who collates the stats at the end of each month.

• To ensure there are sufficient Report Forms for the Volunteers’ use if collecting stats in paper format.  If alternative methods of collecting stats are used, to ensure that the team are all using the same method.

• To inform the Operations & Training Manager and the CCSS office of the need for more Volunteers or of any leavers.

• To assist with the recruitment interviews and induction of new Volunteers.

• Responsible for the support of new Volunteers and their final sign off.  Where the Lead Volunteer has concerns about the level of support required or the competency of a new Volunteer, they should refer those concerns to the Operations & Training Manager.

• To organise Volunteer team meetings (minimum of 3 meetings per year) and to inform the Operations & Training Manager and the CCSS office via email of the dates of these so they can attend if necessary/appropriate.

• To immediately refer any serious concerns raised by the Coroner or Coroner’s Officers to the CEO.

• To inform the CEO immediately of any issues or concerns that arises at the Court that might impact on the CCSS.

• To provide local information for the Helpline Court Information Sheet when requested.

• To ensure the team follow the practices of the court and work in partnership with the court staff.
• To forward any testimonials about the support provided by our volunteers to the CCSS office.

• Responsibility for maintaining the stock of CCSS leaflets.

• Organise cover for themselves when they are on holiday or need to take time off.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.