Animal volunteer roles

We are looking for friendly, empathic volunteers to run our pet food bank, helping more animals stay with their families. The food bank is at Starbucks in Stroud town centre from 10am on the third Thursday of the month.

What you'll be doing:

Costs for pet insurance, food, and vet bills have soared over recent years, and every day we receive calls from people no longer able to afford their pet's care. To try and help keep animals in their homes with their own people, we run a pet food bank to provide people with dog or cat food.

You'll talk to people about their animals, offer support and hand out food. There's no means testing and food is available to all who ask. We will provide all you need to run the food bank including the food, leaflets and charity shop vouchers.

What you'll need:

• A friendly, non-judgemental manner

• A good listener, able to talk to others in a sensitive way

• A desire to help people and their pets 

What we can offer you:

• An induction, ongoing support, and training

• The chance to meet new people and make a difference in your community

• Gain experience, learn new skills, and make a difference to animals

• A reference for employment or studying

• A dedicated volunteer coordinator for check ins and support

For more information about the role, please see the role description, and if you’d like to join us, please apply now!

Volunteer Cat Fosterers Needed 

Do you have a safe, calm, and caring home where a cat in need could stay while we help them find their fur-ever home? The RSPCA is looking for new volunteer fosterers to join our team and provide temporary care for cats — from strays and abandoned pets to even feral cats who need patient, understanding fosterers. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Offering cats a safe, warm, and loving temporary home. 

• Helping cats build confidence, whether they are friendly pets or more nervous ferals. 

• Attending vet appointments when required. 

• Working with us to give updates on your foster cat’s progress. 

What we’re looking for: 

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who are confident and comfortable around cats — including strays and ferals. 

• No previous fostering experience needed — just patience, commitment, and a genuine love of cats. 

• Applicants must be available to foster for the RSPCA and not currently volunteering with other animal charities. 

• You don’t need to live alone, but all family members (and pets) must be cat friendly. 

• Located in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and surrounding areas.* 

What’s in it for you? 

• Make a real difference to the lives of cats in need. 

• Gain new skills, training, and experience in animal care. 

• Join a supportive community of fellow volunteers. 

• Enhance your CV with valuable volunteering experience. 

• All food, bedding, and equipment provided. 

Practical Considerations: 

• You may need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before fostering begins. 

• Ideally, you’ll have a spare room or calm space where foster cats can settle safely. 
  
  Our voluntary roles are subject to: 

• An informal interview and trial period. 

• Two referees – which may be sourced from an educational institution or as personal references 

• Completion of relevant training and assessments. 

**We kindly ask that only applicants residing in the UK, specifically in Barnsley or Sheffield, submit their applications. Our cats require regular veterinary visits, and it is essential that you are able to travel to these appointments. Applications from individuals outside this designated area will not be considered.**

RSPCA Lincoln Mid & Lincoln

Do you have an animal welfare background? Volunteer and pass on your expertise, help promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty. You will be able to influence how we do things and with your support, we will achieve so much more!

We are specifically looking for individuals with a specialism in animal welfare, for example, those with experience in, animal rescue, animal care, the veterinary industry, veterinary nursing, or as an animal behaviourist.

Using this expertise as well as other skills, as a Branch Trustee, you will influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Animal Welfare Lead

• Act as branch specialist to compliance animal welfare across the branch.
• Act as lead of animal welfare for the branch dealing with enquiries mail/phone.
• Creation and maintenance of any branch specific animal welfare standards.
• Ensure branch trustees are kept informed of any events of note, including requests for extraordinary expenditure or decisions as and when they happen.
• Lead and organise animal welfare branch sub-committee.
• Provide written animal welfare report for every branch meeting.
• Maintain control of all veterinary and other animal services provided to the branch.
• Maintain control of animal welfare vouchering schemes.
• Creation and contribution to the animal welfare promotional materials.
• Act as second reviewer for adoptors and fosterers.
• Act as main contact for RSPCA Inspectors, vets, boarding facilities.
• Creation and contributor to branch communications.
• Compliance with Data Protection Act 2018.
• Submission of the RSPCA Reports as required.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives, shares our passion for and knowledge of animal welfare, and who can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Animal Welfare Lead

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• You will need to be 18 or over
• Ideally, the candidate will be based in or around Lincoln, Mid, or North East Lincolnshire; however, we also hold meetings remotely.
• The position is unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• You must not be disqualified from being a Trustee. Please read the Charity Commission’s guidance on who can be a Trustee of a charity.
• References will be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

Our trustee applicants are encouraged to meet informally with the chair initially and then join a trustee meeting. We will take up references and undertake disqualification checks prior to co-opting you to our board. You will need to be a branch member to join our board.

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Do you love quizzes, entertaining people and raising money for animals? We’re looking for volunteers to run our regular pub quizzes and keep the fun going.

Quizzes are held at:

• The Barn Owl, Quedgeley – 6pm on the last Sunday of the month
• The Old Crown Inn, Uley – 7pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month

What you’ll be doing: Choose from two volunteer roles at each quiz:

1. Host – Read out the questions, keep scores, announce winners and keep things lively.
2. Welcome Lead – Sign in teams, sell raffle tickets and help answer any queries.

What you’ll need:

• Confident public speaking and a clear, engaging style
• Friendly and welcoming manner
• Organised, with cash-handling experience useful

What’s in it for you:

• Induction and support
• A fun way to meet people and get involved
• Build communication and event skills
• A reference for study or work
• Make a real difference for animals

Our volunteer cat fosterers play a vital role by providing a temporary, loving home for cats that are in the care of the RSPCA.

Why we want you 

We are the RSPCA South Bucks Branch and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteer fosterers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day and enabling cats to be rehomed. 

You could be fostering an animal for just a few weeks, or it could be a longer term placement for several months and in a few cases it can be longer. 

What you will be doing 

Providing care and suitable housing in a safe environment for cats while they are in foster care in accordance with Society policies and guidelines.

Feeding, watering, providing enrichment, socialising and grooming cats (as appropriate).

Liaising with your Cat Co-ordinator regularly. For cats ready for rehoming: sharing photos and videos to the cat coordinator to enable them to raise awareness and rehoming. 

If the animal has specific needs you will be supported by your local team of fosterers to enable you to provide the care needed.

Offering a separate room to keep the cat/s in and separate from your own animals.

Some cats may have had surgery and will need a period of cage rest. This will be provided.

Your family/household must be fully supportive (and checked/confirmed that there are no cat allergies within the household).

All members of the household should have an up-to-date tetanus injection.

Transporting your foster cat for vet appointments.

Allowing a potential adopter to enter your home to view a cat up for adoption after they have been assessed by the cat co-ordinator, a volunteer can support you in this. 

Completing the local branch paperwork relating to the cats in your care.

The skills you need 

Volunteers must be aged 18 or over. 

Previous experience of fostering would be beneficial, and experience caring for cats is essential. 

If you have existing cats, they must be spayed/neutered and vaccinated. 

If in rented accommodation, permission from the landlord must be obtained. 

You must live in or near South Buckinghamshire, please contact us to discuss your location.

What's in it for you 

Meet like-minded people and get to know more about the work of the RSPCA South Bucks Branch.

Add an important animal welfare role to your CV.

A great induction and training relevant to your role. 

Support from our local and national teams.

You’ll be making a huge difference to the welfare of animals. 

What we provide you

We provide all the food, litter, medication and equipment needed to foster cats in our branch.

A community of local fosterers to draw support and information.

Regular contact with your cat coordinator to support you.

Disclaimer 

Our fosterers are subject to an informal interview, home assessment visit, satisfactory references and completion of online induction training including Health and Safety. 

Calling all animal lovers! We're looking for passionate volunteers to join Team Teckels at our charity shop in Stroud.

Teckels rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of vulnerable cats and dogs every year. Your support in our charity shop will make a massive impact on their lives.

We have customer facing and non-customer facing roles available. Shifts will be planned according to your availability and the shop opening hours of Tuesdays to Saturdays 9am to 5pm. Ideally, this will be a morning 9am to 1pm or evening 1pm to 5pm shift once a week.

We welcome volunteers whenever the shop is open, but we are especially looking for help on the shop floor on a Saturday morning or afternoon, and with sorting donations on a Friday and Saturday.c

Help raise awareness and funds for Teckels in your local area. Our Community Volunteers champion our work, represent Teckels at events, and inspire others to get involved.

What you’ll be doing:

• Hosting stalls at local fairs and events
• Supporting supermarket collections or Pets at Home fundraising days
• Collecting donations and bringing them to the Centre
• Putting up posters, handing out leaflets, or sharing social posts
• Hosting fundraising events like bake sales or pub quizzes
• Supporting our fundraising events like the Spring, Summer and Winter Fairs and the Winter Ball

What you’ll need:

• Friendly, engaging, and confident talking to new people
• A passion for animals and Teckels’ mission
• Enthusiastic and proactive – happy to get stuck in

What’s in it for you:

• Induction, training and support
• New people, new experiences
• Skill-building and personal development
• A reference for employment or education
• A chance to help cats and dogs in your community

Do You Enjoy Driving?

Would you like to help RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch raise money locally by moving stock between our two shops, taking excess stock to storage and collecting donations from local businesses?

If you have a valid driving licence, can spare 2-3 days a week, and live in or around South Bucks, you could support our vital work.

Our volunteer drivers get to meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, and animal care professionals in the South Bucks area. You'll also get a buzz knowing that your efforts are directly helping animals.

Why We Want You:

We are RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, and our vision is to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible—they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Stock and Donation Transport:
• Move stock between our two shops (Chesham and Burnham) and their storage facilities, as required by the Shop Managers.
• Collect and deliver donations from around South Bucks to our shops.
• Remove over-sized rubbish from the shops and take it to the Amersham dump.
• Pet Food and Supplies Delivery:
• Ensure there is sufficient stock in the RSPCA Pet Food Store.
• Plan and deliver food and litter to cat fosterers at regular intervals.
• Collect and deliver bedding for small animals on a regular basis.
• General Duties:
• Carry out ad hoc transport requests from the management team.
• Undertake appropriate training as directed by the management team.

The Skills You Need:

• Aged 18 or over with a valid driving licence, happy to drive our van.
• Ability to lift, carry and handle boxes, bags and other items, safely.
• Good communication, friendly with organisational skills.
• A careful and responsible driver.
  
  What’s in It for You:
• Meet new people and be part of a dedicated team.
• Gain valuable skills and experience to enhance your CV.
• A comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role.
• Volunteer in a fun and rewarding environment at the heart of RSPCA South Bucks.
• The satisfaction of making a real difference to the welfare of animals.
• Reimbursement for any reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.

Practical Considerations:

• Volunteers will be required to undertake an online and practical driving assessment.
• This role involves lifting items of various sizes and weights.
• Volunteers must use the van provided for RSPCA purposes only.
• Volunteers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving the vehicle.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.
• Submission of two referees’ contact details.
• Completion of a simple online Health & Safety assessment.
• Online and practical driving assessments, after which you will receive a copy of our volunteer drivers’ handbook.

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is a small but mighty animal welfare charity that runs projects and campaigns to create a better future for animals in need around the world.

We’re looking for a Celebrity & Media Partnerships Volunteer to help raise IAPWA’s profile by building relationships with celebrities, influencers, and media contacts. This is a new area for us, so you’ll have the chance to shape it and make a real impact on how our campaigns, appeals, and projects reach the public, as well as amplifying the success of our fundraising initiatives.

Key Tasks

• Researching, identifying, and approaching potential celebrity, influencer, and media contacts.
• Building and maintaining long-term, positive relationships with celebrity ambassadors and public figures.
• Coordinating their involvement in IAPWA’s campaigns, appeals, fundraising and education initiatives, and major announcements.
• Helping to secure interviews, features, and other media opportunities that highlight IAPWA’s work and impact.
• Maintaining a database of celebrity and media contacts, keeping track of activity and outcomes to help us learn and grow in this area.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in PR, media, or celebrity engagement.
• Ideally an existing network of contacts, with the confidence to expand this further.
• A proactive approach and enthusiasm for using your skills to support animal welfare.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to use your experience and connections to make a real difference for animals worldwide.
• Flexibility to volunteer around your own schedule.
• The opportunity to help shape a brand-new area of growth within IAPWA.

Branch Trustee – Community Outreach (Chatham) RSPCA Medway West

This is an exciting opportunity to be able to influence how we do things whilst helping the RSPCA to; identify animal welfare needs in the area, prevent animal cruelty, and reach out to more supporters.

Overview of the Branch Trustee – Community Outreach opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with professional expertise, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our RSPCA Medway. You would be supporting us with establishing connections in the local community and determining what animal welfare needs there are in the area so we can help more animals in need.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Medway Branch

The RSPCA Medway Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is on

• Helping people on benefits and low-income to afford veterinary bills.
• Providing support for people to neuter their animals.
• Providing support to the inspectorate to help get animals treated.
• Access to a pet food bank, working alongside local human foodbanks.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Community Outreach

• Take the lead on matters relating to community outreach:
• Establish connections with the local community.
• Help the Branch determine what the local animal welfare need is.
• Where there are opportunities for improvements in animal welfare.
• Assist the Branch in setting strategies to tackle the identified animal welfare needs of the Branch area.
• Work closely with other organisations (other welfare charities, other welfare providers, vets etc) to develop mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for the Branch to engage with those living within the branches area to develop its supporter base.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society, and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside professional experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Community Outreach

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Medway West branch

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

RSPCA Barnsley & District Branch – Trustee (Treasurer)
Help us improve the lives of animals in our community

The RSPCA has been protecting animals since 1824 and remains the UK’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity. Our Barnsley & District Branch works locally to:

• Rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals rescued from cruelty and neglect
• Provide subsidised neutering and emergency treatment for pets in need
• Support local food banks with donated pet food
• Run two successful charity shops to fund our work, supported by volunteers

The role of a Branch Trustee

Branch Trustees are volunteers who govern the charity, ensuring we are well-managed and making a real difference for animals. As Treasurer, you will play a key role in overseeing our finances, helping us operate effectively and sustainably.

Responsibilities include:

• Acting as the link between our accountant and the trustee board
• Attending monthly trustee meetings (usually online, 90 minutes on the 2nd Wednesday evening)
• Preparing and reviewing relevant financial documents for meetings
• Supporting decision-making with financial insight

Who we’re looking for

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those with local knowledge. You don’t need prior trustee experience—training and induction are provided.
We are particularly seeking someone with financial knowledge (ideally charity finance) who is enthusiastic about animal welfare and keen to use their skills to make a positive impact.

What you’ll gain

• Full trustee induction and ongoing training
• Opportunity to develop new skills and build experience in charity governance
• The chance to directly shape local animal welfare services
• A supportive team of like-minded people
• The reward of knowing your work makes a real difference

Practical details

• Must be 18+ and a branch member for three months before election (usually June)
• Trustees are elected annually at our AGM (with the option to be co-opted before then)
• Reasonable expenses reimbursed
• References and a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act required

To apply, please send your experience and relevant information via this advert. Suitable applicants will be invited to an online interview.

Closing date: 09/12/2025 at 5pm

Are you passionate about animal welfare and skilled at creating engaging Instagram content?

IAPWA is looking for a talented Instagram Manager (Volunteer) to help us grow our audience on this platform, strengthen supporter engagement, and above all, develop this channel into a source of vital fundraising income.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience managing and growing Instagram accounts
• Can create high-quality, tailored content that aligns with our brand and mission
• Understands how to drive engagement and build online communities
• Is enthusiastic about using social media to make a real impact for animals in need

We’re ideally looking for someone who can fully manage this channel as their own project, offering a small amount of time each day to post, respond, and engage with our audience. As social media and fundraising are dynamic and fast-moving, this regular attention will help us build momentum and maximise opportunities for growth.

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your creative and strategic skills to support a global animal welfare charity and make a difference to the lives of so many animals in need.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Who we are:

The Humane League UK (THL UK) is dedicated to ending the abuse of animals raised for food by influencing the policies of leading food companies, advocating for stronger animal protection laws, and encouraging individuals to take action. We are part of a global network of organisations working to create a future where all animals are treated with respect and compassion.

Thanks to our effectiveness, The Humane League has been named Top Charity by the independent evaluator Animal Charity Evaluators for every rating period since 2012.

THL UK is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to furthering equity and inclusion, and we value diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the team, not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. 

​We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer, demonstrating our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, based on their skills and talent.

You can read more about how The Humane League UK is working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion via our website.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via our website and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.

The Position

We are seeking two new Trustees to add to the current Board of five voluntary members.

Board members (trustees) of THL UK are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring strong governance, and safeguarding the organisation’s mission, values, and financial sustainability. This is a voluntary position, and trustees are expected to act in the best interests of the charity and in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
 

Whether you are an experienced charity trustee or looking for your first board position; if you believe you can share our commitment for ending the abuse of animals raised for food and have the qualities, knowledge and experience we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.

For full details on the role of trustees please view our information pack which is available in the application resources.

We will be holding a webinar on Thursday 6th November at 7pm GMT for you to find out more about the role and ask any questions you may have. The webinar will be hosted by Sean Gifford, Managing Director and our Board Chair Ben Wickham. If you’re interested, please visit our website via the 'Redirect to recruiter' button.

As it’s a webinar you’ll only be able to see the presenter and not others watching. The webinar will be recorded and available on our website, with captions, within 48 hours of the event.

Person specification and requirements for this role

While specific experience in animal protection is not essential, all Board members must:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the aims and values of THL UK.

• Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

• Bring a strategic mindset and the ability to make well-reasoned, independent decisions.

• Be able to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust, and contribute positively to collaborative team working.

• Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

• Be committed to moving forward with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices.

Specialist Expertise Sought

In addition to the general requirements above, we are particularly seeking candidates who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

1. Charity Governance

• In-depth knowledge of charity governance best practice, preferably gained through prior trustee, board, or senior charity leadership experience.

• Understanding of regulatory compliance and governance frameworks for UK charities.

• Legal skills relating to charity law, contracts, risk management, or related fields (desirable).

2. Charity and Fundraising Finance

• Experience in charity finance, fundraising finance, or non-profit financial management.

• Ability to read and interpret management accounts, budgets, and forecasts.

• Understanding of financial controls, audit processes, and risk management within a charitable context.

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and with a range of perspectives. Having reviewed existing Trustees' diversity we would particularly welcome applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and marginalised groups.

Where candidates bring similar skills and experience, we may take lived experience or background into account to help us build a more representative and inclusive board.
 

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance.

• Ensure that THL UK complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Oversee the financial health of the charity, approving annual budgets and monitoring financial performance.

• Champion the fundraising work of THL UK in various ways–for example by introducing new donors from your network, actively promoting THL UK’s fundraising initiatives (like our end of year appeal), or by donating directly if you have the means to do so.

• Protect and promote the charity’s values, reputation, and effectiveness.

• Support and challenge the executive team to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

• Act as an ambassador for THL UK, promoting its work to stakeholders and the public.

• Participate in Board meetings (typically four per year) and occasional sub-committee meetings, as well as contributing advice and guidance outside formal meetings when required.

Key competencies

• Strategic thinker: Looks at consequences, implications, interdependencies, and indirect effects, all in both the short and longer term. Looks beyond the immediate goal or issue and with the greater context, not just the content of the moment. Is able to think and act creatively in difficult situations.

• Problem solver: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyses information to produce insights and generates wise, actionable recommendations. A forward-looking thinker who anticipates the needs of the organisation.

• Effective: Strategically able to focus our energy, resources and talent toward impactful actions that will reduce, and ultimately end, the abuse of animals for food.

• Communication and strong interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate in ways that build understanding and trust and can adapt to different tones and styles and be able to engage with people from all walks of life.

The commitment

We are looking for trustees that are able to commit the time needed to support the growth and aims of our charity.  You should be able to spend about four hours per month on regular trustee business. In addition to this, we also ask trustees to commit to: 

• Four quarterly Board meetings per year, plus preparation time. Quarterly board meetings tend to happen in the evenings between 6:30 - 9 pm. 

• Two other ad hoc board meetings throughout the year, which may happen in the evenings or during regular working hours. 

• Participation in sub-committees or working groups where relevant.

• Attendance at our in person all team summer workshop, held at the end of July.

• Occasional attendance at in-person fundraising or public engagement events.

The Interview Process

• The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd November 2025.

• We will be carrying out telephone screening calls from Monday 24th November to Thursday 11th December 2025.

• We will inform all candidates if they will be invited to interview by Thursday 18th December 2025.

• Interviews will be held remotely from Monday 12th to Thursday 22nd January 2025.

• The successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting in February 2026 before being voted in.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us via our website and we will be happy to discuss, via email or telephone, reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the process.

Purpose of the Role

Trustees are the people who share ultimate responsibility for governing a charity and directing how it is managed and run. As a trustee of The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre, you will help ensure the charity is well-run, financially sound, and working effectively to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for reptiles.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit

• Comply with the charity’s governing document and relevant laws

• Act in the charity’s best interests at all times

• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly and ensure financial stability

• Safeguard the charity’s reputation and values

• Contribute to setting the charity’s strategy and long-term plans

• Monitor the charity’s performance against objectives

• Attend trustee meetings, read papers in advance, and contribute constructively

• Represent the charity positively in the community and at events

Skills & Experience

We welcome applications from people with a variety of backgrounds. Skills that are particularly helpful for our board include:

• Finance, accounting, or business management

• Fundraising or marketing

• Animal welfare knowledge (especially reptiles)

• HR, governance, or legal expertise

• Networking and relationship building

• Strategic planning

Qualities Needed

• Commitment to the charity’s aims and values

• Willingness to dedicate time and effort to the role

• Ability to think strategically and make balanced decisions

• Good communication and teamwork skills

• Integrity and sound judgement

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare

• Opportunity to use your skills and experience for a good cause

• Experience in charity governance and strategy

• Being part of a supportive and passionate team