Area manager links volunteer roles
Located on the beautiful South Coast of England, the University of Plymouth offers a vibrant city experience steeped in rich maritime history. Surrounded by natural beauty, it provides students with unique opportunities for research and outdoor activities. The University is recognised for its research excellence, commitment to sustainability, strong industry links, and innovative teaching.
The University is seeking senior strategic leaders to join its Board of Governors, bringing expertise and experience in audit, finance, higher education, and the healthcare sector.
About the role
Governance at the University of Plymouth exercises accountability and oversight, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. It also prioritises effective decision-making and the efficient implementation of those decisions. Through strong governance, we maximise institutional performance and success.
The Board of Governors is composed of accomplished, strategic professionals from a wide range of fields, backgrounds and expertise, all united by one goal: to ensure the University thrives. In thriving, we will achieve our strategic objectives and continue to deliver excellence in education and research.
The University of Plymouth is an independent higher education corporation established under the Education Reform Act 1988. We are also an exempt charity under the Charities Act 2011. The Office for Students (OfS) serves as the principal regulator for universities that are exempt charities.
Who we are looking for
The University of Plymouth is looking to appoint several experienced and committed senior leaders to join the Board of Governors and collaborate with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Davies, and his senior team in shaping the University’s strategic direction.
We seek talented, connected, inspired and passionate people who care about the University, our students, and the community, to join us in our aim of advancing knowledge and transforming lives.
As a member of the Board of Governors at the University of Plymouth, you will leverage your experience and expertise to provide challenge, scrutiny, and support, ensuring the success, growth, and achievement of the University’s strategic priorities.
We seek candidates with expertise in the following areas:
- Audit: Partners or senior executives from audit firms or industry.
- Finance: Partners or senior executives from finance firms or industry.
- Higher Education: Individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach to the sector.
- Health Care: Senior executives with experience across various healthcare settings and systems.
This is an excellent opportunity to bring your expertise to a vibrant university, helping to shape the future of education and create a lasting impact. If you are a senior leader with a passion for strategic governance and a commitment to fostering a thriving academic community, we invite you to apply.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

As one of Britain’s most distinctive public art galleries, Pallant House Gallery offers critically-acclaimed exhibitions and a world-class collection of Modern British art, set within a beautiful 18th century Grade I listed townhouse and contemporary wing.
We are currently inviting applications from prospective new Trustees with skills and experience in the following areas:
- Fundraising and philanthropy in museums, galleries and the cultural sector, particularly in relation to major donor networks and/or trusts and foundations
- Capital redevelopment projects, particularly architectural design, project management and construction
- Digital communications and marketing
- Current professional experience of the museums, galleries and heritage sector, including knowledge of the public sector priorities and funding
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and previous Board experience is not required. The successful candidates will be given an induction into the working of the Gallery. This is a voluntary role but the Gallery will reimburse Trustees for reasonable travel or out-of-pocket expenses, in line with our expenses policy.
A recruitment pack and details of how to apply are available on our website - please see link below.
The deadline for applications is 9am, Monday 29 September 2025.
Pallant House Gallery is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace for our staff and volunteers. We want to ensure that opportunities to work with us are open to everybody. If you have any questions about the application process or need any support to make an application, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
At present we are working towards being fully operational, over the next year Living Reasons will be looking to expand its reach.
The role
As a Volunteer Outreach Coordinator with Living Reasons, you will play a key role in connecting people and communities with our mission. This remote role focuses on finding creative and innovative ways to engage new supporters, build partnerships with local businesses, and strengthen community links. Working primarily online, with opportunities to connect in your local area, you will help raise awareness of our work, communicate our message, and develop meaningful relationships that support the growth of the charity. By fostering engagement and exploring new ideas for community-led projects, you will contribute to building a stronger support network and, where appropriate, generate vital income through donations.
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
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)
To create equality and equity in all areas of society, opening opportunities that are less damaging and focused on the person as a whole.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees as Vice Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that
supports families across Suffolk. As Vice Chair, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and wider Board to
help shape our strategic direction, support strong governance and ensure we continue to meet the needs of
families in our communities.
We are specifically looking for someone with charity governance experience. You will bring a solid
understanding of how effective boards operate and feel confident supporting other trustees, offering
constructive challenge and helping to ensure the charity meets its legal and strategic responsibilities.
This Vice Chair role is part of our wider trustee recruitment and we welcome applicants who bring any of the
following:
- Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
- Understanding of family support or volunteer management
- Strong networks and connections within local businesses
- Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
- A passion for making a difference in your community
Interested?
We would love to hear from you. more information and a candidate pack can be found on our website.
Closing date: This is an open and rolling recruitment
Interviews: Held as applications are received
To empower parents with the skills, knowledge and emotional resilience to raise their children to flourish
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Events Volunteer
We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.
About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit an Event Volunteer for the Hambleton and Richmondshire Group. As an Event Volunteer, you will be participating in events and promoting them locally.
We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally.
You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers.
You’ll be friendly and welcoming and able to work as part of a team.
Apply
- Read through the role description and project brief carefully
- Apply by clicking the ‘Apply’ link provided.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
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!
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 500 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!
Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.
You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.
Why we want you
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
What you will be doing
- Work on the till processing sales and returns
- Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
- Create stylish window displays
- Replenish stock on the shop floor
- Stock-take and other administrative tasks
The skills you need
- Friendly and helpful
- Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
- Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
- Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks
What's in it for you
- Have fun and meet new people
- Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
- Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
- Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
- Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer
Disclaimer
We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please visit your local store for a paper application form or contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on our website.
Location:
Unit 6 Warwickshire Shopping Park, Kynner Way, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 2TA, United Kingdom
Minimum age: 14
Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK
Being a trustee of an arts charity means helping to shape its future — bringing your skills, experience and ideas to support our work and champion our impact.
At Storyhouse, this means making sure we stay creative, inclusive and sustainable, so we can keep inspiring people, connecting communities, and opening our doors to everyone.
As a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, our Trustees are also directors of the company, with legal responsibilities for our governance and finances. The role is voluntary, but the difference you make will be lasting – for Storyhouse and for the communities we serve.
What’s involved:
- Board meetings – four per year
- Committees – the option to join at least one, to focus on specific areas
- Working groups - sometimes short-term ‘task and finish’ or working groups for particular projects
- Preparation - reading papers in advance and contributing actively to discussions
- Ambassadorship - staying connected with our work between meetings, championing Storyhouse in your own networks. Most of the year the rhythm of meetings is regular, but during extraordinary moments — like a leadership change or major challenge — Trustees may be asked to give a little more time and support.
Storyhouse is one of the UK’s foremost cultural charities, incorporating a library, theatres and a cinema. We are also an acclaimed theatre producer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available across England.
Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?
By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.
Why it’s relevant to professionals like you
Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.
As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.
This is an opportunity to:
- Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
- Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
- Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
- Support a vital sector during a time of transformation
What you’ll do
As part of a governing board, you’ll:
- Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
- Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
- Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
- Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance
You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.
Who we’re looking for
We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Finance, Audit & Risk
- HR, People & Culture
- Strategy, Transformation & Operations
- Technology, AI & Digital
- Legal, Governance & Compliance
- Marketing, PR & Communications
- Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses
What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.
Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.
Time commitment
Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:
- Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or hybrid)
- Reading papers and preparing questions
- Participating in training and occasional college visits
The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.
Where you’ll be needed
We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. We’ll work with you to match your skills and location with a college in need of your expertise.
What’s in it for you?
· Enhance your board-level and governance experience
· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role
· Expand your professional network
·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact
· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors
Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?
If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available at colleges England.
Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?
By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.
Why it’s relevant to professionals like you
Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.
As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.
This is an opportunity to:
- Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
- Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
- Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
- Support a vital sector during a time of transformation
What you’ll do
As part of a governing board, you’ll:
- Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
- Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
- Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
- Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance
You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.
Who we’re looking for
We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Finance, Audit & Risk
- HR, People & Culture
- Strategy, Transformation & Operations
- Technology, AI & Digital
- Legal, Governance & Compliance
- Marketing, PR & Communications
- Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses
What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.
Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.
Time commitment
Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:
- Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or remote)
- Reading papers and preparing questions
- Participating in training and occasional college visits
The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.
Where you’ll be needed
Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly.
What’s in it for you?
· Enhance your board-level and governance experience
· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role
· Expand your professional network
·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact
· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors
Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?
If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available across England.
Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?
By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.
Why it’s relevant to professionals like you
Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.
As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.
This is an opportunity to:
- Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
- Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
- Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
- Support a vital sector during a time of transformation
What you’ll do
As part of a governing board, you’ll:
- Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
- Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
- Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
- Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance
You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.
Who we’re looking for
We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Finance, Audit & Risk
- HR, People & Culture
- Strategy, Transformation & Operations
- Technology, AI & Digital
- Legal, Governance & Compliance
- Marketing, PR & Communications
- Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses
What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.
Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.
Time commitment
Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:
- Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or hybrid)
- Reading papers and preparing questions
- Participating in training and occasional college visits
The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.
Where you’ll be needed
We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. We’ll work with you to match your skills and location with a college in need of your expertise.
What’s in it for you?
· Enhance your board-level and governance experience
· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role
· Expand your professional network
· Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact
· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors
Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?
If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Richmond Carers Centre, a network partner of Carers Trust, is a registered charity providing information, support, advice and a voice for carers living and caring in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Helping Carers to Live Well is our organisational aim. We are looking for someone with the skills and ability to offer a coordinated approach in supporting unpaid and family adult carers in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Carers provide vital support and can come from all walks of life and be of any age.
As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will be part of a small dedicated team and directly deliver our counselling service to adult carers. You will provide regular counselling sessions for carers each week. These will either be face-to-face at our centre or can be via a remote offer using either a video platform such as MS Teams or by telephone. The counselling service is part of a range of services offered to support carers with their emotional wellbeing. This work helps to enhance carers’ health and wellbeing. It also provides carers with a much needed break from their caring responsibilities, in a safe environment where they can focus on their wellbeing.
With your proven experience of working with carers or other vulnerable groups on an individual and/or group basis, you’ll recognise the importance of being client focused and have a commitment to enhance the lives of carers. You will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of carer’s needs and a wide range of skills in relation to working with individuals and groups.
You will be self-motivated and positive in your approach to working with both carers and staff and have a willingness to embrace our organisational values. Strong administrative, time management, IT and organisational skills are essential.
Benefits of volunteering for Richmond Carers Centre:
- Clinical supervision every fortnight
- Flexible working with counselling either offered face-to-face or remotely
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Training and personal development opportunities
- Access to shared resources and training opportunities
- Supportive and friendly working environment
- Staff and volunteer socials
Please use the application form only. CVs will not be accepted
Closing date – Tuesday 30th September 2025
Shortlisting – Week commencing Monday 6th October 2025
Provisional interview date – Monday 27th October 2025
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call us and ask to speak to Sophie Richardson, Operations Manager or Ellie Wright, Interim Adult Carers Support Team Leader.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Are you a strategic thinker with an enquiring mind and the ability to act as a critical friend? Are you passionate about encouraging neighbourly support to relieve loneliness and isolation? Would you be prepared to join a Board of Trustees taking responsibility for the delivery of the charity’s aims? If so, you could be just the person we’re seeking.
As Trustee and Company Director you will join the a team that exercises a legal duty to:
· Ensure it understands the charity’s purposes as set out in its governing document
· Plan what the charity will do, and what you want it to achieve
· Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
· Ensure the charity is complying with the law
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!
Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.
Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.
What you will do as a prison volunteer:
- Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
- Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
- Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
- Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
- Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.
Who we are looking for:
- Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
- Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
- Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
- Someone who is an excellent team worker.
- Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.
Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.
You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.
Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers.
At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
GACD (the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases) is the only alliance of international research funders jointly funding, developing and facilitating global research collaborations to tackle the growing burden of chronic ‘non-communicable diseases’ (NCDs) including heart disease, diabetes, cancers and mental health conditions. The worldwide burden of NCDs is increasing, but doing so most rapidly in poorly resourced countries where they are a significant risk to health and wellbeing. GACD aims to provide essential evidence on the most effective ways to prevent or manage these chronic conditions and improve health equity.
As a member of the GACD Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for GACD as it seeks to fulfil its charitable objects. You will ensure GACD operates in accordance with its governing document and meets its legal and regulatory requirements.
At this time, we are particularly looking to attract a candidate with a strong understanding of the UK charity sector, including experience with charity governance and best practices in charity management.
This is a voluntary role and the position is expected to start from December 2025/January 2026 for a three-year term, in the first instance.
You can find full details of the role by downloading the role description.
Closing date: 26 September 2025 at 12 noon
Interviews (virtual): w/c 13 October 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: N/A This is an unpaid volunteer role
Location: UK-based. Meetings are held in London, Manchester, Bradford, and Birmingham
About Refugee Action
Refugee Action exists to work with refugees and people seeking asylum who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes. We are a national charity with more than 40 years’ experience of empowering people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes to secure the protection and support that they need to live with dignity and respect and build a new life in the UK. We do this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of partner organisations and campaigning on the policies that affect them.
Our new 2030 Strategy
Here is the link to our 2030 Strategy; you can read more here.
Everyone involved in developing our new strategy was clear that if we want to create the future that refugees and many people in the UK want, we must demolish the hostile environment. It’s an environment that manifests itself in the racist rhetoric of our leaders and the systems they create; systems that are dehumanising and complex, which segregate people and sap their spirit.
Our current leaders may be stooping to new lows with their words and policies, but they are simply repeating the behaviour of previous Governments. The hostility has been ramping up for years. And that hostility is rooted in a racialised logic that underpins the entire asylum and immigration system.
As a trustee of Refugee Action
We are currently looking to recruit 2 new trustees to join the Board of Refugee Action. Both roles are for people with lived experience of displacement.
You will be responsible for developing and guiding the strategic direction of the organisation and steering the long-term stability of the charity. You will need to persuade, influence and communicate effectively with the rest of the board.
Please don’t be discouraged if this isn’t something you’ve done before, or if you don’t meet all elements of the role specification; we will provide mentoring and training to support new Trustees to understand their role. Please do consider applying if you have the courage and enthusiasm to encourage, challenge and support us to be the best we can be.
All our trustees are committed to being actively anti-racist and removing the barriers to power for people with lived experience. You will need to be committed to and demonstrate an understanding of shifting power to people with lived experience, anti-racist practice and decolonisation.
Overall duties of Trustees
Statutory duties
- To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
- To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document for public benefit
- To ensure the organisation uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are.
- To contribute actively to the board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
- To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
- To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
- To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds
Other duties
In addition to the statutory responsibilities outlined above, other duties may include:
- Lead and provide guidance to the board in a given area of expertise
- Meet with donors and any other stakeholders to represent Refugee Action and its beneficiaries
- Keep up to date with Refugee Action’s services to clients, Influencing and Fundraising work
- Attend 5 meetings a year– 4 board meetings and 1 away day.
- Read and scrutinise board papers before a meeting so as to be able to contribute fully in the meeting
- Occasional participation in a working group
- Occasional participation in staff interview, disciplinary or grievance panels
Skills, knowledge, and experience need for this role
- Commitment to Refugee Action’s vision, purpose and values and to act in a manner consistent with these, including being committed to shifting power to people with lived experience, anti-racist practice.
- Sound independent judgement with the confidence and insight to make positive contributions to board discussions.
- An interest in and some understanding of charity governance, the role and expectations of trustees.
- An ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a team.
- Ability and willingness to positively represent the organisation.
- A willingness to learn and to enable us to learn from you.
- Experience of strategic thinking and of setting monitoring and reviewing plans
- Ability to read and understand financial information, review organisational policies and practices and identify key areas of risk (Training also offered in these areas if needed)
- Understanding of the role of Trustee and the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities this involves. (Training also offered in these areas if needed)
To apply for the Trustee role
To apply for the Trustee role, you will need to submit a maximum of no more than 4 A4 pages explaining how you meet the Experience, Skills and Knowledge section outlined in page 3 – 4 of the Role Description.
Experience may be paid or voluntary, full or part-time, in the UK or overseas. Don’t be discouraged if this isn’t something you’ve done before, or if you don’t meet all elements of the role specification; we will provide mentoring and training to support new Trustees to understand their role.
Closing date: 23:59 28 September 2025
Interviews: 15 October 2025
Refugee Action only operates in the UK, so all roles are UK-based.