Activities volunteer volunteer roles in chingford, greater london
Letter from Imelda Redmond, our chair of trustees
The current Board is a welcoming, collegiate and energetic group, working hard to make a positive impact on the lives of older people in Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney. I joined the organisation a year ago as chair and am enjoying steering the organisation through an exciting period of transformation as we implement our new, and ambitious, five year strategy. AUKEL has sound finances and a strong reputation for its service delivery (Hospital to Home service, community services, digital inclusion and Information and Advice). From this strong base, the organisation has an ambition to amplify the voices of older people within our communities and to create a more collaborative culture which both improves the connectedness of our services and also strengthens our relationships with local voluntary, statutory, community and faith groups. We are looking for someone with the time, passion and expertise we need to work collegiately with trustee colleagues to lead the organisation through this next exciting phase.
Yours,
Imelda Redmond
AUKEL Chair of trustees
About us Age
UK East London (AUKEL) is a local independent charity, which is part of the national Age UK network. We work across Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham to deliver services which support older people to live healthier, happier and more fulfilled lives.
Our work
Each year we support around 20,000 older East Londoners by providing flexible practical and emotional support in homes, hospitals and in the community.
Our boroughs have the country’s highest pensioner poverty in the country, further exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis.
How we help
1. We tackle poverty
Each year our advice service supports over 2,000 older people to claim £3.2million in welfare benefits, grants and relief entitlements. During the cost-of-living crisis we distributed £42,000 worth of emergency vouchers for food, helping older people ensure there was food in the fridge.
2. We alleviate loneliness
According to a national model, Tower Hamlets has the highest rates of loneliness in London and in England. Our East End Friends initiative teams housebound older people who’d like a bit more company with a volunteer to visit them at home. 92% of older people said they felt less isolated and lonely and 100% of volunteers would recommend the scheme.
3. We improve health.
Many older people in our boroughs have very poor health. For example, at age 65, women can expect just six more years of good health, which is the lowest in London and almost the lowest in England. This reduces their quality of life and can make it harder to remain independent. As well as increasing income and addressing loneliness (both determinants of health) we offer yoga, walking, and chair-based exercise groups at our community centre in Bow. 87% of participants said they are more independent as a result.
4. We increase independence.
Many older people live alone and struggle to manage around the home. Our home from hospital service supports 3,000 older people to return to a safe and warm home. Just 6% are readmitted to hospital within 28 days compared to 15.3% in areas where there aren’t these services.
The Team
We have an established and talented Senior Management Team, a committed staff team and an extraordinary group of volunteers. Two years ago, the board recruited a new Chief Executive. She is ambitious for the charity, comes with a great track-record of charity leadership, and has worked hard with trustees to develop our new organisational strategy.
Who we are looking for
We want our trustees to understand the community we serve and are therefore specifically looking for applicants who live in and/or have strong connections with Hackney, Tower Hamlets or Newham. Additionally, we are determined to increase the diversity of the current Board in line with our organisational EDI Objectives. For this reason, we are actively seeking candidates from the Global Majority (all non-white ethnic groups, including Black, Asian, and other groups previously labelled as "ethnic minorities" or ‘BAME’).
Previous experience in the voluntary sector, adult social care, NHS, or similar relevant experience to the work of AUKEL would be helpful. As would communications/marketing experience. However, this is potentially a developmental role where you will gain knowledge and experience of charity governance – so the most important thing is your commitment to our organisational aims and your local connection.
You must want to improve the lives of older people across East London and understand the impact disadvantage and discrimination has on the life chances of our local population. You will be curious, collaborative and ambitious and able to commit to an average of one-to two days a quarter (most meetings are in the evenings).
If you're new to being a trustee, we can offer additional training and pair you with a fellow trustee as a ‘buddy’ to help guide you. They’ll be there to walk you through trustee materials, answer any questions, and provide support along the way.
Full role description can be found in appendix 1
What I get out of being on the AUKEL Board
'I continue to be impressed with the extent of the help AUKEL provides in our communities. The need for the service is increasing as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. I see the Trustee role as an enabling role. I enjoy rolling up my sleeves alongside my fellow trustees to tackle some challenging issues with our combined skill sets. I particularly enjoy working on the new People sub-committee and I can sense a renewed enthusiasm for finding ways to optimise the Trustee contribution.' (Teresa, a current trustee)
New Trustees will complete an induction to the organisation and the Board. This will include site visits and meetings with the CEO, Senior Management Team, Chair and Board members. During your induction you’ll have the opportunity to really understand our services and get to know our team. You’ll be able to ask any questions you want and visit any service you wish!
Time commitment
The full Board meets quarterly on Wednesdays from 6.00 – 8.00pm in our Hackney centre.
We hope that all our trustees additionally sit on a sub-committee which reflects their interests and/or expertise. All the Committees meet quarterly the Finance Committee meets on Thursdays from 6.00 – 8.00pm usually face to face in Bethnal Green, the People Committee 5 meets quarterly on Mondays from 6.00-7.30pm online, and the Service Development Committee usually meets from 6.00-7.30pm on Thursdays online.
Travel expenses can be reimbursed.
Board members may be asked to commit additional time to support staff recruitment, review tenders and share expertise.
The agenda and papers for each meeting are usually emailed to Trustees a week in advance.
How to apply
If you are interested in being considered for this role please submit your CV/LinkedIn profile with a covering letter explaining why you wish to join the charity and the skills/experience you will bring to the Board.Please visit our website for the recruitment email address.
Potential candidates are welcome to have an informal conversation about the role. Please visit our website for the recruitment email address.
Closing date is the 30th of June.
Appendix 1
Trustee role description
The Board is responsible for the smooth-running of the organisation and supporting the Chief Executive. You will be supporting our 70+ members of staff and part of our 80+ strong volunteer team. You will also have the opportunity to learn about how to tackle the challenges that our beneficiaries face, and how to deliver appropriate co-produced services that enrich older people’s lives and enhance the whole community of East London.
Main tasks
- Contribute to Board meetings, helping to give firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting policy and targets and evaluating performance.
- Make decisions for the benefit of Age UK East London, exercising independent judgement and declaring any interests, exercising reasonable skill, care and diligence in carrying out activities.
- Be familiar with the rules that govern Age UK East London (Articles of Association) and make sure we follow those, Charity Law, Company Law and all other relevant legislation and regulations.
- Ensure the organisation’s financial stability, overseeing the setting of the budget and monitoring variance against the budget (the Board also has a Finance Sub-Committee to help oversee this).
- Ensure that we use our resources in line with our Articles and the requirements of funders, and that our accounts are a ‘fair and true’ representation of our finances.
- Safeguard the values of Age UK East London a maintain positive reputation for the organisation and its work.
Person specification
We’re looking for someone who:
- Cares about older people and wants to make a positive difference in their lives.
- Is open-minded, fair, and respectful, and values the opinions and experiences of others.
- Understands equity, diversity, and inclusion and its impact on older people and organizational practices
- Is committed to the charity’s mission, values, and social impact.
- Is reliable, committed and can dedicate some time to attending meetings and getting involved in the charity’s work.
- Is willing to learn about the charity’s work, the role of a trustee, and the challenges older people face.
- Can work well with others as part of a team, sharing ideas and supporting the charity’s goals.
It would be helpful (but not essential) if you:
- Have personal or professional experience with older people, or an understanding of the issues they face.
- Have lived experience or a connection to the charity’s mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Please read the attached Trustee Information Pack for more detail
As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in the governance and strategic oversight of the charity, ensuring that we operate effectively, achieve our mission, and comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees are collectively responsible for safeguarding the charity’s assets, ensuring they are used exclusively to further our objectives, and overseeing the charity’s financial health, including budgets, financial controls, and reporting. Acting with integrity and in the charity’s best interests is at the heart of the role.
To strengthen our board and support the growth of our charity, we have identified three key areas where additional expertise is needed:
- Marketing
- Legal
- Fundraising
Each of these areas play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission, enhance our impact, and ensure the charity’s sustainability for years to come. In the attached Recruitment Pack, we have outlined individual role profiles for each of these specialisms.
We welcome candidates from diverse professional backgrounds who share our commitment to supporting those affected by Body Dysmorphic Disorder. If your current or previous skills or experience align with any of these profiles, we encourage you to apply and join us in driving meaningful change.
To apply for this role, please submit the following documents:
- An up to date CV outlining your relevant experience and qualifications.
- A cover letter of no more than 800 words indicating which role you are applying to, explaining why you are interested in the Trustee role, what you would bring to the board, and how your skills align with the needs of the charity.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview. The interview panel will include:
- Dr. Rob Willson (Chair of the Board)
- Dr. Amita Jassi (Vice Chair of the Board)
- Kitty Wallace (Managing Director)
- Gemma Ponting (People & Projects Manager)
Interviews are due to take place week beginning 16th & 23rd June 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.
The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.
For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack.
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 Trustee with wide-ranging digital expertise and a career background to that enables them to bring expertise, vision and leadership in all matters digital to the Board. We see this as covering, in particular, CRM systems, social media, GDPR, digital advertising and marketing and AI.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone to champion digital, assess the opportunities and the risks that may arise and support Age UK Islington in keeping up with the rest of the charity sector.
The trustee will work with the Board of Trustees and management by maintaining an overview of the organisation’s digital systems and social media presence, ensuring effectiveness, advising and guiding on requirements and best practice and providing advice, assistance and information to the staff team and trustees.
Age UK Islington contracts IT support from two external providers – one for Microsoft Office 365 and the other for Microsoft Dynamics
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Chair of the Middlesex FA should bring genuine enthusiasm for grassroots football and a willingness to drive forward our four-year strategy, with ambitious targets to continue to raise standards across the game, improve local facilities and drive growth in participation, helping to ensure everyone has access to a safe, fun and inclusive place to play. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Chair, proficient in good governance and able to bring together and bring the best out of a committed Board. An accomplished relationship builder, they will support the County to deliver the best possible service to the game at the local level, working in partnership with a diverse array of stakeholders across the community. They will have the energy and ability to support and guide the Executive in shaping a modern and effective organisation that is fit for purpose through this strategic cycle and beyond, ensuring a positive long-term future for the game.
It is expected that the Chair will:
- Be an experienced non-executive with Chair experience.
- Be an accomplished and inclusive leader, able to bring the best out of board colleagues Have a good grasp of good governance
- Be an effective decision maker, able to achieve consensus around outcomes
- Have the energy and desire to act as an ambassador on behalf of Middlesex FA Act as wise counsel and critical friend to the Chief Executive
What will you do?
- Ensure the Board provides effective governance of the organisation and supports the development and execution of the new strategy within the scope of its Terms of Reference.
- Support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board’s work supports the objectives of Middlesex FA.
- Help the Board’s development and ensure a diverse and complementary skillset across its membership.
- Contribute to the promotion and positioning of the organisation with a wide range of external stakeholders.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure the Board sets Middlesex FA’s vision, mission, values, and standards and that its obligations to its stakeholders and others, including any funders, are understood and met.
- Promote good governance and ensure that Middlesex FA remains compliant with the highest tier of sports governance, as set by Sport England and UK Sport through the Code for Sport Governance and the FA through the Code of Governance for County FAs.
- Contribute to the effective governance of Middlesex FA through membership of committees or sub-groups. Ensure that the business of the Board is conducted efficiently and foster an inclusive environment where all Board members are given the opportunity to express their views.
- Lead the Board in the approval of the long-term financial plan and annual budget. Monitor the delivery of the strategic plan and objectives of the Association.
- Lead the annual review process of Board members, and take an active role in Board renewal, recruitment, and succession planning.
- Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring that Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information and that adequate time is available for discussion and time is used productively.
- Oversee the production of Board paperwork including the development of the agenda and papers with the Chief Executive Officer.
- Ensure that the Board receives professional advice when it is needed from external sources. Is a visible and known presence to members of the Middlesex FA Council and can champion change initiatives with them.
- Conduct an annual appraisal of the Chief Executive Officer and their remuneration, and should the occasion arise ensure a new Chief Executive is recruited in line with Middlesex FA’s employment policies.
- Act as an ambassador for the Middlesex FA and help build its brand and public image. Appoint Chairs to the various committees in consultation with members of the Board.
- Represents Middlesex FA with key stakeholders, such as the Football Association, other Football Associations and other influential decision-makers. Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Board.
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential (Required to fulfil the role)
- Excellent meeting chairing skills including the ability to generate a productive group discussion ensuring that all voices and points of view are heard and given due consideration.
- Strategic leadership and management skills.
- The ability to facilitate a positive Board culture, and in particular the relationship between the Board and the executive workforce.
- Decision-making skills.
- The appropriate use of knowledge and experience to make informed decisions to the benefit of the organisation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including rapport-building, active-listening and incisive questioning.
- Recruitment and selection skills.
- The ability to form productive relationships both internally and externally and strategic partnerships for the benefit of the Association.
- Knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a Board Director.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Companies Act (2006).
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of the Safeguarding Requirements for the Association.
- Thorough knowledge of the Articles of Association and their application.
- Up to date and thorough knowledge of Grassroots Football and the role of the Association in its governance. Knowledge of the County FA Governance Code.
- Understanding of how to apply Principles of inclusive practice. Knowledge and understanding of financial accounts, management accounts and budgeting.
- An understanding of The FA National Game Strategy and how this affects the work of the County Football Associations.
- A sound understanding of the volunteer/ professional relationship and how this can best work to support the work of the Association.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Effective use of digital communication including email and the internet.
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.
This is an opportunity to become Chair of a Charity which has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. If you are someone who is looking to make a “real difference” for mothers/birthing people and their families facing one of the most challenging and unexpected periods of their lives, then we would like to hear from you. We are also looking for a Chair who can lead and “harness” the range of skills present within our existing Board members, who come with a range of experience.
Now into our second decade as a charity, it is exciting time to join Mummy’s Star as the Chairperson. We have broadened the conversation about cancer and pregnancy nationwide, and internationally too despite our small stature. We now must sustain what we have built and help take the charity to that next level where we can elevate the voices of those we support, so that their needs are not only understood, but are also prioritised and used to inform policy and planning.
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!
Gingerbread is the charity for single parents. We challenge discrimination, and campaign against the inequalities single parents face. We are seeking a Treasurer to join our Board. This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and inclusive organisation making a real difference to single-parent families across England and Wales.
What will you be doing?
Our Board combines their skills and experience to provide stewardship to Gingerbread and its staff.
The role of Treasurer is to enable the board to maintain an overview of Gingerbread’s affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
Trustees generally meet for full Board meetings a minimum of five times a year. Each of these meetings is two hours long. Trustees would need to allow for preparation time ahead of these meetings. We estimate there would be 2 hours of work a month outside of Board meetings.
What are we looking for?
The Treasurer should have the following qualities:
· A commitment to Gingerbread’s work and mission
· Financial qualifications and experience
· Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes
· The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
· Being prepared to make unpopular recommendations to the board
· A willingness to be available to staff and trustees for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
Gingerbread wishes to actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented communities and single parents. Previous Trustee experience is not essential. Full training and induction will be provided.
What difference will you make?
There are over 2 million single parents in England and Wales. Although the majority of them are working, they’re twice as likely to live in poverty as couple parents. And too many single parents experience loneliness, worry and the impact of negative stereotypes in the media and wider society.
As Treasurer, you will join us in leading the fight to create a society where all single parents and their children can thrive.
As you’d expect, we’re a family-friendly charity. We offer a supportive team culture and good work-life balance, while delivering impressive results.
Before you apply
The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Gingerbread with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.
To apply please send your CV/LinkedIn profile along with a supporting statement explaining why you are interested in the role, the skills and experience you will bring to the Board and what you would hope to get out of the role.
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!
What does a Trustee look like?
Look in the mirror!
Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.
We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.
It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in one or more of the following areas – click on the links for a fuller description:
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Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law.
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Marine Conservation – knowledge of the marine environment, with policy and/or practical experience of conservation. A network of contacts across the marine sector, particularly with business or government, would be an advantage.
What you can bring to our Board can be just as interesting as where you’ve been working. Ideally, you will have the relevant skills and experience set out in the profile but you should not feel prevented from applying if you do not have experience across all criteria. You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We tackle the ocean emergency by working with communities, businesses and governments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.