Board member volunteer roles

Make every moment matter for babies, children, young people and their families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire by becoming the new Chair of Acorns Hospices.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 6th May.

Who we are.

Since 1988, Acorns have been bringing lightness into the dark for babies, children, young people and their families through Three Children’s Hospices in Birmingham, Black Country & the Three Counties.

Acorns support children who are life-limited or life-threatened and they support their families. They have through seven crucial services. While these are set out individually, it is of course common for a child and family to access many or all of these supports:

• End-of-life and after-death care
• Rehabilitative respite stays
• Symptom management
• Specialist family support
• Outreach
• Therapeutic services
• Commissioned beds

Between 700 and 800 children are supported at any one time at Acorns, and 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved. Making them the biggest children’s hospice in Europe.

Acorns services are holistic, designed and delivered in response to individual needs with care tailored for each child and family. They include medical, emotional, cultural, religious and spiritual support. Services are provided in the hospices and in the wider community, including a family’s home.

The Chair role. 

Mark Hopton has been a remarkable Chair for Acorns and now that he has come to the end of a successful full-term, we are looking for his replacement. The new Chair needs to be highly motivated by Acorn’s purpose and bring excellent governance and skill as a Chair, helping to ensure Acorns meets the growing needs of babies, children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions and their families across Birmingham, Black Country and the Three Counties.

Acorns is held in exceptionally high regard, and the new Chair will recognise the value of this and build upon it to ensure the organisation can continue to grow and be there for children and families in the decades to come.

They will understand how to motivate fellow board members and the CEO and team. They will be active and empowering of others, bringing the ability to be objective, strategic and focused on what matters most and where they can add value as Chair and Ambassador.

Given the scale of Acorns’ impact on children and families and the limited statutory support available, financial management and fundraising will always be a crucial area for the Chair and Board to be supportive of and alert to. An understanding and track-record of significant financial oversight will be essential.

As Chair, you will make a long-term commitment to serving at least two of the three-year terms, subject to board approval at the end of the first three-year term.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 6th May.

Board Chair for Enterprise Oxfordshire

Are you an experienced business leader either living or working in Oxfordshire with a passion for driving economic growth, innovation, skills and employability that will enhance the area and prosperity of your community? 
Enterprise Oxfordshire is seeking a persuasive and influential senior business leader to join their Board as Chair. This is a unique opportunity to build your network and play a pivotal role in the sustainable development of Oxfordshire through the implementation of their strategic economic plan.

About Enterprise Oxfordshire:

Enterprise Oxfordshire, formerly known as the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, is committed to advancing economic growth and innovation within Oxfordshire. With a history of successful initiatives such as the City Deal and the Local Growth Fund, they have contributed over £1 billion to the local economy and secured an additional £2.3 billion in investments from both public and private sectors. Building on its significant achievements as OxLEP, Enterprise Oxfordshire now oversees a comprehensive suite of business, skills, investment, and trade support services. They also support various strategies aimed at realising Oxfordshire’s economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Role Overview:

As the Board Chair, you will bring energy and passion to their newly established Board, fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders and acting as a high-level advocate regionally, nationally, and internationally. You will lead the Board in delivering their original Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan priorities and driving prosperity through the Local Industrial Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan. 

The new Board is made up of 2 other members representing an elected member of Oxfordshire County Council and an Officer of County Council. The Board report into the Shareholder Committee who are made of elected members of the Oxfordshire’s County Council’s cabinet. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership to the Board
• Represent Enterprise Oxfordshire at external high-profile events and advocate for the interests of Oxfordshire's economy.
• Engage in high-level negotiations with key influencers in government, business, and community to drive a positive future for Oxfordshire.
   

Candidate Profile:

• The Board Chair must ideally live and work in Oxfordshire.
• Have significant and current experience of leading and SME and/or large business.
• Ideally be an influential and persuasive business leader with a high profile in Oxfordshire
• Ability to provide clear strategic vision, and a demonstratable understanding of the economic drivers and challenges facing Oxfordshire.
• Strong empathy and ability to work with and influence a wide range of stakeholders including business, local authorities, MPs, national government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrable track record of engaging and supporting communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; articulate and able to influence, broker, and build strong networks.
   

Commitment:

• Commitment 20-30 days per annum initially, including monthly Board meetings, external events, and committee engagements (once the board is established it’s expected to be more around 20 days).
• Serve for a minimum three-year term with an option to extend
• Unremunerated with reasonable expenses
   

Application Process
Please send an up to date CV. In the first instance you will be sent a link to a candidate pack microsite with further details on the opportunity and how to submit a formal application.

Application deadline is Tuesday 20th May at 5.00pm.

The team at TPP, Lisa, Sema and Matt are on hand to answer any questions.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Citizens Advice Plymouth employs 180 staff and has 50 volunteers, who work both locally and nationally to support people who have problems with debt, housing, welfare benefits, employment and many other advice areas.

We can all face problems that seem complicated and intimidating. At Citizens Advice Plymouth, we believe that no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.

We have a clear set of strategic aims. These allow us to provide the advice and support people need for the problems they face and work towards changing policies and practices that affect people’s lives. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

The Board of Trustees has an interesting and challenging task to ensure that the governance and finances of the charity are correct and to advise and support the senior leadership team

The Role

We currently have 9 Trustees and are looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees with 2 new Trustees, who can use their professional and lived experiences, skills and talents to contribute to the on-going success of the Charity. We are specifically seeking individuals who offer experience in one or more of the following areas:

- Chair designate to take over from the current Chair once inducted and has a full understanding of the organisation. We expect that to take approximately 6-12 months depending on time commitments.

- Finance and accounting (not necessarily within a charitable setting, but this would be beneficial) in order to succeed our current Treasurer in 2 years’ time.

- Leadership experience within a charitable organisation

- Previous experience as a Trustee or governor

- Local involvement in the City of Plymouth

We are committed to further diversifying our Board to represent the communities that we serve across Plymouth. We would particularly like to hear from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ groups. We are also currently seeking to redress our current imbalance so we would particularly appreciate female applicants or people under the age of 30.

Join Chailey Heritage Foundation as a Trustee and help shape the future for children and young people living with complex disabilities.

Applications close Tuesday 6th May.

Location: North Chailey, Lewes, Sussex, BN8 4EF

Who we are.

For over a century, Chailey Heritage Foundation has been a beacon of support for children and young people living with complex disabilities.

Our Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school, welcoming residential homes and bustling centre combining gym and art therapy, a farm and café create a thriving community of support.  Our expert teams dedicate time, patience and curiosity to nurturing the potential of every child and young person who comes to us.

Our expertise, innovation and unwavering commitment have made us a leader in our field.

Every day, we witness the extraordinary impact of our work—a child using assistive technology to communicate for the first time, a young adult gaining the confidence to take their first steps towards adulthood, or a family finding the specialist support they need to navigate a world that often feels inaccessible. None of this happens by chance; it is the result of dedicated professionals, pioneering approaches, and strong governance.

A Board for the Future

With the launch of our new 5 year strategy and with some retirements coming up on the Board, we are looking to expand our Board and bring in new expertise to help us navigate this next chapter.

The Role of a Trustee

Trustees at Chailey Heritage Foundation play a crucial role in shaping our strategy, ensuring our financial resilience, and maintaining the high standards that define our work. This is a critical time for us as we adapt to a changing landscape in education, healthcare, and social care. We need Trustees who are not only passionate about our mission but who can bring insight, leadership and challenge to our discussions.

About the role.

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience in the following areas – you could come with a variety of the following skills:

• Education, SEND: experience in special educational needs, disability policy, or practice
• Clinical: medical, nursing, therapy, or allied health professions
• Social Care: understanding of policy, and best practice in social care for children and adults
• Safeguarding: understanding of safeguarding of children and adults
• Finance: a Chartered Accountant with recent or current leadership experience
• Digital: IT, data, or technology transformation including assistive technology

A Rewarding Commitment

The role of a Trustee is voluntary but highly rewarding. On average, Trustees contribute around one day per month to the role, attending at least three Board meetings per year and participating in one or more sub-committees focused on key areas such as safeguarding, finance and quality standards. Overall, including ad hoc conversation with Board Members and the executive, we expect the time commitment to be the equivalent of a day a month.

Interviews will include a tour and round-table discussion with a small panel consisting of the Chair of Trustees, CEO, and one other Trustee relevant to the skills we are seeking.

We understand that joining a Board is a significant commitment, which is why we provide a comprehensive induction programme and ongoing support to ensure new Trustees feel confident in their role. You will be joining a highly engaged, committed group of professionals who work together to ensure that Chailey Heritage Foundation continues to make a life-changing impact.

Join Us

If you believe in what we do and want to use your skills to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are an experienced Trustee or considering your first Board role, we encourage applications from individuals who share our commitment to enabling children and young people with complex disabilities to thrive.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Tuesday 6th May.

Become a trustee and support our governance and fundraising activities with your expertise to impact transformational work to end poverty and injustice all around the world.

If you’re an experienced professional in one or more of these areas: like finance and operations: audit, charity and company law regulations; digital transformation & IT; people: EDI and health safety, this is your opportunity to join the Board of Trustees of All We Can and use your expertise to help us raise more money to support our partner organisations transform their communities and work to end poverty and injustice all around the world. 

Being trustee of All We Can is a rewarding role as you get to play your part in doing international development differently based on our relational and long-term partnership model. If you’re looking for a sense of purpose, fulfilment derived from being part of a movement which is transforming international development, this can be a role for you. 

 As part of the Board of Trustee’s, you will help govern All We Can in line with its charitable objectives and to maintain oversight of the organisation’s financial affairs on behalf of the Board. You will work with other trustees and the chair across all board’s areas of responsibility and contribute within your specific area of expertise.

We’re currently preparing for an ambitious five-year strategic plan covering 2025 - 2030, and we need your challenge, championing and support to deliver it.

We are committed to equity and inclusion and to continually improving the diversity of our board. We are specifically eager to receive expressions of interest from people of colour. We also specifically welcome those who are looking to use their potential in support of our cause, as first-time Trustees. To perform the role, you will need to be supportive of working in a Christian faith-based environment, but do not need to be a Christian.

The Caldecott Foundation provides specialist residential care, fostering families and education for disadvantaged, vulnerable and traumatised young people in the UK.

We are seeking a Trustee with risk management and/or auditing experience. You will join a team of Trustees and staff helping some of the most vulnerable children in our society to build a future and reach their potential.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leading role for the Board on organisational risk management and audit arrangements. Whilst the organisation currently has expertise in finance and business who can contribute to discussion around organisational risk, the Caldecott Foundation is seeking to add to this expertise, primarily regarding risks concerning Ofsted regulations, reputational and service delivery risks pertaining to working with vulnerable young people.

Whilst applications from all sectors will be considered, it is hoped that this important role can be filled by someone with expertise in social care and, ideally, someone who understands the organisational challenges and risks inherent in working with children and young people.

Our Board meetings are held four times a year. You will also Chair the risk and audit committee, which meet 4 times a year.

Person Description

• Someone with a passion for helping the most vulnerable children build a future and reach their potential.
• Someone with significant experience of operating at a senior level of business, preferably within an organisation which links to children and young people or someone who has worked with children and vulnerable adults in the past.
• Experience of risk management and/or auditing (preferably in a service industry other than finance).
• Experience of working with committees and chairing committees.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of people with different roles.
• Someone with the ability to listen to others and bring in external expertise when needed.

What impact the opportunity will have?

Your experience and expertise will add immense value to the existing Board. The Trustee role is a critical one within the functioning of the organisation and as part of a group of volunteer Trustees you will be an important member of the leadership team. Through your involvement you will contribute to an organisation achieving outstanding long term outcomes for some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting The Caldecott Foundation with their Trustee recruitment and applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.

To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills and experience would add value to the Board.

Please let us know if you need any support with your application or to apply in a different way and we will be pleased to work with you to ensure this is possible.

Trustee at The Abbeyfield Norwich Society

Do you have a passion for supporting older people? Do you want to improve the lives of people wishing to live together for companionship and support in an independent living arrangement? Have you worked with vulnerable older people and wish to uphold and improve the governance as a trustee? If you do, then The Abbeyfield Norwich Society invites you to apply for the Role of Trustee of the Board.

Located in the beautiful city of Norwich, the only English city that is in a National Park, part of the Norfolk Broads, with the river Wensum winding through the heart of the city, Abbeyfield House is a stunning Victorian property nestled within the magnificent grounds of Norwich Cathedral.

We have been providing sheltered housing in our Grade II listed building since 1973 and have nine good sized rooms each with their own en-suite or designated private bathroom. Our dedicated, caring and professional team of staff make the home friendly and welcoming.

The Abbeyfield Norwich Society is looking to expand its board of trustees, with particular interest in applicants who have knowledge, expertise and a general background in Adult Social Care, supported living and working with older people. Further skills such as a working knowledge of how local authorities, operate and impact on the lives of older people, or legal, financial knowledge.

The main duty for this role is to attend 6, in person board meetings. These may require reading and research prior to the meeting itself, which will be provided for you.

The successful candidate would have an understanding of Abbeyfield England’s ethos, culture, aims and ambitions for older people. As well as an insight into Abbeyfield England, we would expect the successful applicant to have a proven background in a management or senior management setting.

If you believe you have the skills and qualities outlined, we would like to here from you and invite you to complete an application form and send in to -

The Abbeyfield Society Norwich NR1 4EH

Join Us as Treasurer Trustee – Help Secure the Future of Sherwood Forest for People & Nature

Do you have strong financial acumen and are passionate about conservation and heritage? Since 1995, our charity has been at the heart of protecting and preserving the rich natural and cultural heritage of Sherwood Forest. Through dedicated conservation projects, community engagement, and educational initiatives, we work to restore threatened heathlands, expand woodlands, and inspire people to connect with this historic landscape.

With funding from the National Heritage Fund, we are embarking on an exciting programme to restore lowland heathlands across the Sherwood National Character Area. As Treasurer Trustee, you will play a vital role in ensuring the charity’s financial health, sustainability, and strategic growth—helping us make the most of our resources to continue this important work for future generations.

We have a high-performing staff finance officer so this is not a Treasurer role where you are required to do the book keeping. Instead you will be the key link between the staff team and the Board as you support your fellow Trustees in the performance of their governance duties and understanding of the charity’s finances.

You’ll be joining a passionate, committed and experienced board of trustees who are in close connection with our CEO led staff team. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your financial expertise to shape the future of a well-established charity. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to apply your skills in financial oversight, strategic planning, and governance - while making a real impact on the environment we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive board and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with varied professional expertise and lived experiences. We encourage applications from individuals who can bring different perspectives to our work and help us better serve the communities we support.

If you would like an informal chat around the role, please contact our CEO, Helen (contact details on the next tab). To apply, please send your CV or Linkedin profile accompanied with a letter explaining why you want to become a trustee and what you hope to bring to the Board of Trustees.

Lead the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital substance use, mental health and well-being services across the UK, and help provide high-quality, person-centred care to the people and communities affected.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Closing date: Tuesday 27th May

Who we are.

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

Our Approach Makes Us Different

At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.

Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives – they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guides everything we do.

The opportunity.

As we have experienced growth and are launching our new strategy, we had new Trustees join our Board as others have come to the end of their terms. As our current Chair, Yasmin Batliwala MBE comes to the end of her term later this year, we are looking to appoint a new Chair.

What Makes a Great Via Chair

• A Strategic Leader with proven experience operating at a senior level with a successful track record of achievement. You’ll have the personal gravitas to lead a significant, complex, national organisation, alongside the ability to lead a newly evolving and forming Board.
• Passionate About Our Cause: You will bring your expertise and passion for improving lives and reducing inequality. You’ll be someone who understands the complexity of our work yet can think strategically about our future. Your genuine enthusiasm will inspire others and strengthen our impact.
• Governance Experience: you will bring the experience of being on Boards and will work to lead the board to ensure sound financial health and accountability while effectively managing risk and continuing to innovate in service development and delivery.
• An Inclusive Champion committed to fostering diversity that reflects the communities we serve, promoting DEI training and growth, and holding staff and trustees accountable to these practices.
• A Relationship Builder with excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic tact. You’ll develop a strong working relationship with the Chief Executive, maintain connections with key stakeholders, and represent Via as an effective ambassador.
• A Collaborative Leader who can bring people together, foster a team environment, and work in partnership with our board and team to drive our ambitious strategy.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of 2-3 days per month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy and away day
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via. As we implement our new 2025-29 strategy and expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close on Tuesday 27th May. 

Interested in and committed to supporting good mental health through counselling?

Could you be the next Chair of Sandhurst Counselling Services?

 We are looking for an entrepreneurial and dynamic individual to lead our charity through the next and exciting phase of our existence, as Sandhurst Counselling Service transforms onto a durable financial footing.

If you have the skills and enthusiasm to cooperatively govern, lead our trustee Board to bring our strategy into action, you could be the next Chair of our small and long-standing charity, based in Sandhurst, Berkshire. As we are also recruiting for a new Treasurer, you could be part of our new ‘transformation team’.

About us:

Sandhurst Counselling Service evolved from a drop-in service started in August 1990 by St Michael's church in Sandhurst, and provides a safe confidential space for anyone feeling anxious, stressed, depressed, hopeless or lost, to help people find their way. The charity is an unincorporated Charitable Trust with an income of  ~£60k p.a.

Trustees have set out a plan for our immediate and longer-term future that initially includes transforming our funding base between now and September 2025.

About the role

We’re looking for someone with an understanding of leadership for our charitable organisation. If you have previous experience of governance in an appropriate corporate or charity environment, or of general charity trusteeship, that will be highly-valued.

This is a high-profile appointment, with strong commitment to our values and to the future of our charity both essential qualities.

Our trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with understanding of our counselling services, and we require all new trustees to have strong empathy with our cause and our delivery.

If you can think and lead strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you also must be able to work collectively with other Board members.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles alongside our values to govern our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our Board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

The Board meets quarterly face-to-face at our premises, GU47 8HN, on a mid-week afternoon (this is flexible, and can be subject to future discussion/negotiation), for up to three hours.

As Chair you will need to dedicate approx. six hours per month to the role, and at key times, a little more. This includes preparation for and attendance at Board meetings; many of your duties may be carried out online and by phone/video, as well as at face-to-face meetings.

How to apply

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.

Your CV and supporting statement will be read by our existing trustees; an informal discussion followed by a more-formal interview can be offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more

Contact Mike Allen via Quick Apply, below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone), explanation about this important role and any assistance in your application.

Use your skills to ensure every child can grow up in the love of a family, never orphanages, and join the board of Hope and Homes for Children, a brave, can-do organisation with an ambitious and collaborative team.

Location: Open to applications from any global location

Time commitment: Up to a day a month

Closing date: Friday 2nd May

Who we are.

For almost 30 years, Hope and Homes for Children has been driven by an unwavering belief: every child deserves to grow up in a loving family, never in orphanages. We’re working to transform care systems and eliminate orphanages worldwide because we know that the last thing an orphanage can provide is the first thing a child needs – someone to love them. We help to bring millions of separated children back to family.

Our unique strength lies in our practice base – hands-on experience in successfully closing orphanages and reforming childcare systems. An estimated 5.4 million children live in institutions around the world. We’ve already helped reduce the number of children in Romanian institutions from over 100,000 to less than 4,000, and we’re close to eliminating ALL orphanages entirely in Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Rwanda whilst scaling our work across India, Nepal, South Africa, Kenya, and Ukraine to support overhauling their child care systems.

Our advocacy reached a watershed moment when all 193 UN member states unanimously agreed that orphanages must be eliminated – a historic first in global child welfare. Now, with refreshed branding and strategic partnerships that amplify our impact, we’re embarking on our most ambitious decade yet. Our goal? To create a decisive shift in how policymakers, businesses, and society view institutional care, establishing family-based care as the only acceptable standard.

We’re architects of systemic change, successfully influencing EU funding regulations to prioritise family-based care over institutions. We’re also working closely with governments to ensure child care reform remains central to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, and spearheading major conferences across Asia.  We’re building unstoppable momentum for change.

While our achievements are significant, they’re just the beginning of our journey to ensure every child grows up where they belong – in a loving family.

The opportunity.

As poverty deepens and discrimination persists, an estimated 5.4 million children remain confined in orphanages – 80% of whom have at least one living family member who could care for them with the right support. This is why our work has never been more critical.

We stand at a pivotal moment. By 2030, we aim to build a global consensus that orphanages are an unacceptable way to care for children. Working as a catalyst, our strategy ‘Alive With Hope’ focuses on three key objectives:

• Implementing national reform across 9 countries.
• Building influential partnerships to secure significant commitments to make child care reform a human imperative.
• Developing innovative financing mechanisms to support global reform.

To help drive this ambitious agenda forward, we’re seeking three exceptional individuals who share our unwavering commitment to transforming children’s lives to join us as trustees.

Who we are looking for.

As we drive toward this ambitious goal, and current board members come to the end of their terms, we are looking for someone to join us with the following skills and experiences:

• Strategic Leader: We’re seeking an individual with significant experience in one or more of the following areas; governance, risk management, partnerships, advocacy, or NGO leadership to strengthen our strategic oversight and help drive our ambitious plans forward. Understanding of the charity sector would be particularly valuable.

While Board meetings are usually held in London, there are options to join virtually, and we are open to applications from individuals based in any location.

We’re looking for individuals who:

• Bring energy, rigour, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Can act as critical friends, asking the challenging questions while remaining supportive.
• Are willing to invest time in understanding our work.
• Share our ‘can-do’ mentality and belief that change is possible.
• Can contribute to a collegiate board culture that values robust discussion and mutual support.

You believe fundamentally that children belong in families, never in orphanages. Beyond this commitment to our cause, you bring strategic vision coupled with practical insight and the ability to work collaboratively as part of our dedicated Board.

While Board meetings are usually held in London, there are options to join virtually, and we are open to applications from individuals based in any location.

If you share our values of courage, integrity, and excellence, we want to hear from you. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe this strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. We’re particularly interested in hearing from candidates from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds, women, and younger trustees who can bring fresh perspectives to our work.

You’ll join a high-calibre Board where your contribution will be valued. We provide comprehensive induction, including opportunities to visit our programs and see first-hand the transformation we’re achieving.

Time commitment.

Our Board meets quarterly in London (with an option to join virtually), with meetings designed to maximise engagement and impact. We also hold an annual two-day away day, either in the UK or one of our operational countries, providing valuable insights into our frontline work. Subcommittees meet virtually, 4-5 times annually, ensuring efficient use of trustees’ time while maintaining robust governance. Overall, we expect the time commitment to be up to a day a month, including board and committee meetings, ad hoc discussions and preparation for board meetings.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Friday 2nd May.

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.

Buttle UK: Giving children in crisis a chance for change

Are you driven to champion children and young people and possess the strategic leadership skills needed to create change for those facing poverty and crisis? We're looking for a passionate and strategic individual to Chair our Board of Trustees at Buttle UK.

For over 70 years, we've been a lifeline for vulnerable children and young people across the UK, providing vital support through our Chances for Children grants. Building on our strong foundation and a period of reflection, Buttle UK is evolving. We will continue providing crucial, flexible grants but also use our expertise to understand and address the systemic issues that lead to poverty for the young people we support. Our 2025-2030 strategy positions us, not just as a grant-maker, but as a changemaker, committed to ensuring that no child’s future is determined by poverty and crisis. 

The Chair of Trustees is a vital role, inspiring and leading our Trustees and staff team, and ensuring we stay focused on our mission. You will work closely with our CEO to achieve our goals, and champion Buttle UK's vital work. 

We’re looking for someone with:

• strong leadership abilities

• a strategic mindset

• experience in supporting and mentoring

• exceptional communication skills

• a background in governance (Chair experience is not essential, but charity board experience is strongly preferred).

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your expertise and passion to a charity where you can truly see the impact of your contribution and help us drive systemic change for vulnerable children and young people across the UK.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from all applicants, regardless of race, sex or gender, sexuality, socio-economic background or any other minority or protected characteristic. We look forward to reviewing (and can make reasonable required  accommodations) for members of any such groups.

The candidate pack, which includes information on how to apply, can be downloaded from our website

Closing date for applications: midday on Wednesday 4th June

This is a voluntary role

EDI Volunteer Role  - EDI Activity Group Member 

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, volunteers, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Join us today so that together we can stop MS.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team. As a volunteer you will play a crucial part in helping us deliver our EDI work. By attending four monthly meetings you will provide advice, feedback, guidance and personal opinion on our work. You will act as a bridge between our EDI activity group and our EDI reference group.

The EDI reference group is a group of people affected by MS who helped develop our EDI strategy and now help support our work towards its delivery. The EDI activity group is a staff group who have responsibility and accountability for the delivery of our EDI strategy.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of our work. We work with volunteers, professionals and people with lived experience of MS to guide and direct our approach to EDI.

This role is a home-based role, which will require attending four online monthly meetings, and up to an hour of pre-reading before each one. One of these meetings will be between 12-5pm.

What the role involves 

• Attending four monthly, online meetings
• Reading documents and preparing any feedback in advance
• Providing constructive and honest feedback on our ways of working, processes and future initiatives
• Representing the MS community with lived experience
• Taking comprehensive meeting notes, to share information between the EDI reference and activity groups
• Regular 1:1 catch ups with our EDI programme manager 

 What you need for this role

•  Confidence to speak and input into meetings 
• Experience of attending and reporting in meetings
• Passion for the MS Society and for EDI in our work
• Good IT skills
• Awareness of EDI in a broader context – provide challenge outside of lived experience 

 What you may gain from this role 

• Understanding of how we work
• Working in a professional environment
• Board room experience 
• References 
• Training 
• Improve understanding of EDI in corporate environment 

 In order to volunteer in this role, you will need to undertake:

Must do training  Role specific training  Data protection eLearningInduction with your volunteer Manager Cyber Security training 
EDI training 

Sources of support:

We will ensure that whist volunteering with us you will have access to all the support you need to feel comfortable, confident with what you are doing, and able to achieve the most impact though your time with us.

 Your staff contact is here to support you, answer any questions you might have about what you’ll be doing, your learning and where you can get more information.

 The Supporter Care Team is your point of contact for queries to other MS Society departments. They can signpost you to the right person:

Additional information about our volunteering programme:

  When you volunteer with us, you join our powerful community of people

living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers.

 Our shared commitments help keep our volunteering programme enjoyable, meaningful and safe for everyone.