Board member volunteer roles
Do you value supporting adults of all abilities with opportunities to grow in confidence, skills, and connection?
Millennium Farm Trust use the care farm environment to nurture both people and land.
If you have the ability to engage, inspire and lead in strategic decision-making – we could use your expertise as the new Chair of their Board of Trustees!
Who are the Millennium Farm Trust?
Millennium Farm Trust is the charity behind Depden Care Farm. It is a well-established, mission-led charity providing learning, training, and wellbeing opportunities through farming. For over a decade, we’ve supported people of all abilities to grow in confidence, skills, and connection — using the care farm environment to nurture both people and land. Based at Depden Care Farm in rural Suffolk, our programmes combine purposeful agricultural and horticultural work with personalised support.
At the heart of what we do
MFT’s vision: Everyone, whatever their ability, has access to meaningful work that builds self-esteem, self-confidence and self-care and has a place where their contribution to their community is valued and respected.
Our values: that by growing together we will foster a community at Depden Care Farm that promotes transformation, accountability, and integrity. A community which is built on: Respect, Wellbeing, Teamwork, Learning & Compassion.
So what does the role of Chair at Millennium Farm Trust look like?
This really is an exciting time to lead our charity’s Board and use your governance skills to make an impact on our organisation!
As the Chair of Trustees at MFT, you’ll lead our board in providing strategic direction and governance for our organisation, along with ensuring effective performance management. As well as chairing or board and relevant subcommittee meetings, you’ll act as an external ambassador and public face of our charity alongside the director.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Everyone in our organisation shares responsibility for maintaining the highest standards of care, professionalism, and accountability. We are equally committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and celebrate difference, recognising that varied perspectives and experiences strengthen our community and enrich the lives of those we support.
Who we’re looking for
Having strategic management experience, ideally in the voluntary or social care sector, along with a strong understanding of governance will be most beneficial as our new Chair. We need someone who encourages our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and representing the interests of the community served. You’ll also have the capacity to manage change and support the organisation through a period of transition, as well as the ability to inspire, engage, and draw out the skills of our board members.
Please read the candidate information pack for further information before you apply. Don’t think you quite meet all of the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out – we’d still love to hear from you and learn more about you and your interest in joining the Millenium Farm Trust!
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.
Eastside People is supporting Millennium Farm Trust in the recruitment of this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter, both in Word doc format.
Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:
- Why are you interested in the Chair role at Millennium Farm Trust?
- Having read the information pack, what relevant experience and skills do you feel you would bring to this role? This might come from paid work, study, community or voluntary work or other experience.
The closing date for applications is Mon 15th December. Shortlisting interviews with our recruitment partner Eastside People will take place shortly after, and shortlisted candidates will an interview with MFT during the week beginning first two weeks of January 2026.
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!
Overall purpose
To hold oversight of the financial operations of the Society and ensure transparency of this information.
Support and communicate with board members and staff/associates: Act as a reliable point of contact for understanding the financial status of the society.
Communicate financial information to the society’s members.
Assist with additional administrative tasks regarding managing the funds of the society such as bank accounts, mortgage accounts and share capital.
Organize and Chair the Finance Subcommittee.
Estimated time commitment is around 2 to 3 days per month and reports to the board.
Main Responsibilities
- Report regularly on the financial status of the society to the Board of Directors.
- Report at the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary General Meetings to the members of the society on financial matters.
- Act as a point of Contact for Financial questions of Directors, Staff / Associates and where applicable User Members.
- Ensure accurate recordkeeping, compiling of financial accounts and other reports as required by regulators and ensure submission of such documents on time.
- Chair and organize meetings of the Finance Subcommittee of the Society, collaborating with members of the subcommittee on relevant delegated tasks.
- Occasional Duties: Provide support to User Members on financial matters or questions.
Person Specification
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including breaking down complex financial information.
- Collaboration and teamwork abilities.
- Optional: Familiarity with cooperative principles and practices.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re Foothold, and we’re looking for a new Honorary Treasurer.
Our Trustees play a big part in helping us to achieve our strategic objectives and meet the needs of those we’re committed to support: engineers and their families worldwide.
What will you be doing?
Our Trustees get together five times a year for a mixture of virtual and in-person meetings (four Board meetings and one training day with staff), as well as spending time before meetings reading the Board papers and preparing, totaling a commitment of 50–70 hours a year of their time.
They’re responsible for providing strategic direction and making key decisions to ensure we’re delivering on our objectives.
They serve on three Committees.
What are we looking for?
Financial and audit/risk experience (a recognised financial qualification is desirable) and strong knowledge of Statements of Recommended Practice, charity and company law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Experience gained as Trustee or Non-Executive Director in a similarly complex service-orientated organisation.
Strong understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
What difference will you make?
Being a Trustee can bring unique opportunities
Develop skills you wouldn’t necessarily build in other roles, learn from and work with people from all walks of life. On top of this, you’ll also:
use your passion to help build a brighter future for engineers and their families
play a big role in strategically leading our charity
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 trustees play a vital role in making sure that ESS Education and Support Services achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that ESS Education and Support Services has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable ESS Education and Support Services to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.
Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.
Duties:
· Support and provide advice on ESS Education and Support Service’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
· Oversee ESS Education and Support Service’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
· Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
· Review and approve ESS Education and Support Services’ financial statements.
· Provide support and challenge to ESS Education and Support Services’ CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
· Keep abreast of changes in ESS Education and Support Services’ operating environment.
· Contribute to regular reviews of ESS Education and Support services’ own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
· Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect ESS Education and Support Service’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
· Contribute to the broader promotion of ESS Education and Support Services objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.
As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
What we are looking for
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.
ESS Education and Support Service are looking for Trustees from the following backgrounds: Legal, Financial.
Personal skills and qualities
· Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
· Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
· Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
· A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
· Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
· Willingness to lead according to our values.
· Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Terms of appointment
Terms of office
· Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term of office, renewal for 2 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.
· This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment
· Attending 6 Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held virtually.
· Attending charity events and other such commitments.
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!
Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is seeking an experienced and dedicated academic with a strong interest in paediatric palliative care, or related field to join our Research Governance Committee as a Volunteer Academic Member. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the strategic development of research at a research active children’s hospice, to ensure that our research activities meet the highest standards of integrity, ethics and governance.
You will work with the Committee Chair, the Research Fellow, and other committee members to support research that makes a meaningful difference to children with life-limiting conditions and their families as well as bereaved families, including those where a child died unexpectedly.
Appointment to the Committee will be subject to confirmation by the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Trustee Board.
Duties and key responsibilities
· Participate in quarterly meetings: Attend and contribute to online committee meetings held four times per year (papers and slide deck will be prepared by the Chair).
· Review research proposals: Provide expert review of project proposals, contributing to the assurance of ethical and governance standards.
· Support research oversight: Help ensure that all research complies with regulatory and ethical requirements and reflects best practices.
· Contribute academic expertise: Share your knowledge and experience to strengthen the quality and impact of the charity’s research portfolio.
· Promote collaboration: Encourage partnerships between Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and wider academic, clinical, and research communities.
· Champion good governance: Actively promote equity, transparency, and excellence in research oversight.
Essential skills and experience
· Proven experience in academic research, research governance, and research ethics.
· Strong academic background in higher education, and health or social care research.
· In-depth understanding of research compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HRA, UKRIO, Caldicott Guidelines, or equivalent).
· Ability to evaluate research proposals and provide constructive feedback.
· Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
· Confidence using virtual meeting platforms and digital collaboration tools.
Desirable attributes
• Academic research background with a track record of publications in the area of paediatric palliative care or related field.
• Previous experience serving on or chairing a research committee or governance board.
• Commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.
Commitment
• Quarterly committee meetings (Approximately 1 hour per meeting).
• Reviewing project proposals (Approximately 1 hour per month).
• Email communication and ad hoc queries (Approximately 1 hour per month).
• 2–3 years in the role would be appreciated for both parties to gain the most out of this experience.
• This is a voluntary role. Reasonable expenses related to attendance and participation will be reimbursed.
We believe every life-limited or dying child and their family should have the opportunity to make every moment count and get the support they need.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Hospice care for local people
Rowans Hospice is dedicated to improving the lives of people with a life-limiting illness. We are a registered Charity, operated as a company limited by guarantee. The Board of Directors of the company are also Trustees of the Charity.
Established since 1994, our purpose is to enable support for those people in Portsmouth and Southeast Hampshire who need palliative and end of life care, irrespective of their diagnosis, ethnicity, religion, or age. Our services are provided free of charge, but each year it costs more than £7 million to continue our vital work.
Would you like to join us?
To help us in our endeavours, we need experienced members of the public to join our Board. We have a strong and committed group of Trustees, comprised of people with varied professional expertise and backgrounds. Working closely with the Hospice Senior Leadership Team, our Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the Charity and our strategic direction.
As a member of our Board, you will support and shape our work, as well as help us to achieve our key ambitions. We want to further increase the diversity of thinking and range of skills and experience amongst our Trustees. No previous experience as a Trustee is necessary, as we will give you all the support you need. We are looking for people who have the capacity to contribute at Board level; who can think creatively and strategically; who share our commitment to providing high quality, compassionate care to those who need us; and who are able to devote the necessary time, effort and enthusiasm to the role.
Currently, we are seeking to appoint up to three new Trustees and are particularly interested to hear from individuals who have senior-level Clinical; Legal; Marketing and Sales; or Finance experience.
The Board of Trustees meets at the Hospice six times a year. Additionally, Executive and Trustee members of the Board’s sub-committees meet regularly to cover topics spanning Clinical Services; Governance; Human Resources; Income Generation; Retail; Estates and Facilities; and Finance and Audit.
Trustee roles are voluntary and unremunerated, but legitimate costs such as travel expenses can be paid.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Bring your senior-level expertise to a committed and forward-thinking Board.
Unlock has achieved a great deal for the people we support, thanks to the talents and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and trustees. By listening to and working alongside people who face difficulties because of their criminal records, we have built a strong track record of identifying problems, developing solutions, and turning those solutions into real change. We also influence national policy and drive systemic reform.
We are now seeking a new Chair of Trustees to join our engaged and committed board.
About the role
Trustees play a crucial part in shaping Unlock’s leadership, strategic direction, and governance. As Chair, you will work in partnership with the Chief Executive to provide clear and inclusive leadership, ensuring that the board operates effectively and that the organisation remains focused on its charitable purpose. You will help the board set strategy, scrutinise performance, uphold good governance, and support the CEO and senior team to deliver Unlock’s mission.
About you
We would love to hear from you if you can bring the following attitudes and skills:
· Experience as a trustee and of working with or managing senior leaders.
· A willingness to offer advice to staff when needed, and to get involved practically where appropriate.
· A strong commitment to Unlock’s vision, values, and mission.
· Experience in the charity sector is helpful but not essential. If you have the right leadership qualities and a passion for our work, we will provide support to help you step confidently into the role. So if you’re new to the voluntary sector, please don’t let that discourage you from applying.
· We are committed to increasing diversity across Unlock, including within our board. We particularly welcome applications from people who have themselves faced and overcome the disadvantages associated with a criminal record.
If you’re energised by the prospect of helping to lead a small criminal justice charity with an impressive national impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To help people overcome the long-term disadvantages caused by their criminal records, and work with government, employers and others to enable people


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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!
Become a Trustee at Dougie Mac Hospice
Help shape the future of outstanding palliative and end-of-life care across Staffordshire
Dougie Mac Hospice is looking to appoint new Trustees to join our Board and support the effective leadership, governance and long-term sustainability of our organisation.
For over 50 years, Dougie Mac has provided specialist, compassionate care for local people living with life-limiting conditions. Today, we are a multi-faceted, all-age hospice supporting children, young people, adults and families across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. With over 500 staff, 700 volunteers, and an annual cost of more than £23 million, strong governance has never been more important.
We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to our values — Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence — and who can bring insight, challenge and support to help us deliver our vision of being a centre of excellence in palliative and end-of-life care.
What Does a Trustee Do?
As a Trustee of Dougie Mac, you will play a key role in ensuring the hospice is well-governed, financially resilient and able to meet the needs of our community now and in the future. Trustees collectively:
- Provide strategic leadership and help shape organisational priorities.
- Ensure our resources are used effectively and in line with charitable objectives.
- Oversee organisational performance, risk management and financial sustainability.
- Support and challenge the Executive Team to deliver high-quality care.
- Uphold our values and safeguard the reputation of the hospice.
- Act as ambassadors for Dougie Mac in the community and within their networks.
This is a voluntary role that requires integrity, sound judgement, teamwork and a genuine commitment to supporting excellent hospice care.
Who Are We Looking For?
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, skills and lived experiences. You do not need previous trustee experience — just the right mindset, values and ability to contribute at Board level.
We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in:
- Senior leadership or board-level decision-making
- Strategy, governance or risk management
- Healthcare, palliative care or wider public sector services
- Finance, investment or commercial management
- HR, workforce, organisational development or culture
- Digital, data or information governance
- Community engagement, fundraising or voluntary sector work
Above all, you should bring curiosity, integrity, compassion, and the confidence to both support and constructively challenge.
⏰ Time Commitment
Trustees are expected to attend:
- 4 Board Meetings per year
- 2–4 Committee or Trading Board meetings
- The AGM
- The Annual Trustee Away Day
Additional preparation time and occasional hospice events are also expected.
Out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Training & Support
You will receive a full induction into the role and ongoing access to training, including mandatory governance modules and development opportunities. Trustees are well supported to thrive in their role.
Why Join Dougie Mac?
As a Trustee, you will:
- Make a real, lasting difference to local families at the most difficult times in their lives.
- Help shape services across a unique all-age hospice.
- Join a values-driven Board that works collaboratively and respectfully.
- Become part of a warm, passionate, community-centred organisation.
How to Apply
If you are inspired by our mission and believe you can contribute to the future of Dougie Mac, we would love to hear from you. See attached Trustee Application Pack.
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Dale, Assistant to Hospice Board
Our vision…to be admired as a centre of excellence for palliative and end of life care.
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!
Trustee with a focus on income-generation, for Home-Start Wokingham District
Do you want to improve the lives of parents and young children in Wokingham by focusing our charity on better income-generation?
You could be a trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District, an local charity that gives every child the best possible start in life.
Set up in 1996, we offer “a lifeline”, a free family support service to families with at least one child under the age of five, provided by volunteers who are parents themselves, to support other parents. That home visiting service is unique in Wokingham Borough, providing compassionate, confidential and non-judgmental help and friendship to local parents struggling to cope with the daily challenges of family life.
We are affiliated to national Home-Start UK, but we are an independent local charity responsible for our own governance and securing our own funding.
Our income in 2023/24 was over £100k, and we want to maintain at least that level in order to provide our services.
What we are looking for in an income-generation-focused trustee
Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in supporting parents, and we’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.
We’re looking for strategic focus on our income generation, for a trustee to guide and drive our plans to continue, and increase, our funding streams. You’ll offer support to our Fundraiser and Operations Manager, working with other trustees to develop and track all our income.
You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as support from local charity-support organisations is always available. Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee including access to external training.
If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join 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 focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.
We ask for about ten hours per month on average, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc. You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.
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 video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview 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 or Zoom).
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a highly experienced finance leader to join the UK’s leading campaign for assisted dying law reform, as their Treasurer. This organisation campaigns for a change in the law so that terminally ill, mentally competent adults can have the choice of a safe, legal assisted death. This opportunity to join their board comes at a pivotal time for them, as the assisted dying Bill continues its journey to becoming law.
Position: Treasurer
Location: National
Time commitment: 1-2 days per month
Remuneration: Reasonable expenses paid
Key skills required: Accounting, Financial Oversight, Governance, Risk Management, Knowledge of Healthcare or Legal Sectors
They are a not-for-profit limited company with a sister charity. Both organisations have a shared aim of improving dying in the UK by putting people in charge of decisions about the end of their life, but work towards their shared aim in different ways. They are legally separate organisations with separate boards and finances, however they share a CEO and some resources, such as an office and some staff.
The ideal Treasurer candidate will bring experience within the healthcare or charity sector, with a passion for patient choice. We are looking for someone with accountancy qualifications (or demonstrable experience). Prior Board experience is not essential.
Board members are required to attend five meetings per year, most of which are virtual or hybrid, with an away day held in person. In addition, the Treasurer chairs the Finance and Audit Sub Committee (FASC), which meets five times per year virtually.
With the organisation likely to see huge cultural and legal shifts around end-of-life care and choice in the coming years, all Board members need to be innovative in their approach to help build sustainable funding stream. The Treasurer will in addition have the following responsibilities:
- Oversee the finance functions of the organisation and ensure they follow accepted accounting practice
- Oversee the production of management accounts including annual budgets and quarterly forecasts
- Assist the Chair and CEO in ensuring that the board fulfils its duties and responsibilities for proper financial governance by providing advice to the board and senior management team on the financial implications of strategic decisions
- Chair the Finance and Audit Sub Committee
- Liaise, alongside the staff finance team, with external auditors annually to facilitate the creation of annual accounts
Recruitment timetable
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis, and encourage applicants to get in touch as soon as possible if interested
Estimated start date January 2026
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!
AMR Action UK (formerly Antibiotic Research UK) is the UK Patient Organisation for Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Its legitimacy to advocate for patients, with policy-makers and with NHS systems, comes from its insight, and therefore through its patient support services, patient-focussed research and direct patient and public engagement activities.
The organisation is at an exciting stage of its development. Following the appointment of a new Chief Executive in late 2024 it has a new strategy in place and by greatly increasing its impact over the next 3 years intends to significantly reduce the harm from AMR across all four nations of the United Kingdom. The charity is also committed to expanding its services to meet the growing demand from patients and families directly impacted by AMR. This growth will be underpinned by a new name and new brand, a fresh approach to communications that will greatly increase awareness of the charity’s work with the UK public, and a new fundraising strategy that will both grow and diversify income and also increase sustainability.
The charity is now looking for a dynamic new Chair of Trustees who is excited by our plans, and by the difference this will make to peoples’ lives. Given the growth agenda for the period 2025-28, the suitable candidate at this point in time is likely to come from a commercial background, with a strong understanding of strategy, investment, business development, and communications in the context of a rapidly changing environment. They are also likely to have a track-record of successfully managing risk v reward in a growing business. Increasing donations from corporates and philanthropists is important to the charity at this stage in its development and the new Chair will be comfortable operating in these environments.
A key part of the role will be to support the new senior executive team charged with delivering the growth agenda, including establishing and maintaining a strong working relationship with the CEO.
This is a fully remote role, but the successful candidate must live in the UK. You would be expected to attend 1 strategy away day per year, and also to support the CEO in in-person meetings in London as and when required.
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!
Trustee with an HR-skills focus, for Home-Start Wokingham District
Do you want to help us improve the lives of parents and young children in Wokingham and surrounding areas, by helping us support our volunteers and employees?
You could be a trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District, an local charity that gives every child the best possible start in life.
Set up in 1996, we offer “a lifeline”, a free family support service to families with at least one child under the age of five, provided by volunteers who are parents themselves, to support other parents. That home visiting service is unique in Wokingham Borough, providing compassionate, confidential and non-judgmental help and friendship to local parents struggling to cope with the daily challenges of family life.
We are affiliated to national Home-Start UK, but we are an independent local charity responsible for our own governance and securing our own funding.
As our services to local parents are delivered by our volunteers, who are in turn supported by our small employee team, we want to better aid of recruitment of both, and assist those who help our communities.
What we are looking for in a new trustee
Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education and business. We’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.
We want to increase the recruitment, retention and training of our volunteers and employees, and are looking for a trustee to lead that strategy, develop our policies and help enhance the organisation’s ‘people offer’.
If you can think strategically and help us plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees and will work collectively with all other Board members.
You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as support from local charity-support organisations is always available. Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join 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.
We ask for about ten hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc., many of which are held online. You’ll need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.
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 video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview 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 or Zoom).
Be Enriched - recent recipients of The Kings Award for Voluntary Servie 2025 - are seeking an inspirational Chairperson to lead our Board of Trustees and guide our next phase of strategic growth. We use food as a tool to bring people together, cultivate joy and dignity whilst fighting food waste and nourishing the community.
What will you be doing?
The Chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board, ensuring the charity is governed effectively and remains true to our vision and mission. With an inclusive leadership style, the Chair will foster a collaborative atmosphere within the board, while offering both support and constructive challenge to the CEO. Additionally, the Chair serves as a passionate ambassador for the charity, representing its values and goals.
What difference will you make?
Since 2013, we have been dedicated to enriching our communities through food. Our work tackles critical issues head-on: alleviating food poverty, combating social isolation, and empowering individuals through practical skills training. We believe in the power of food to bring people together, share knowledge, and cultivate lasting connections.
As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering our ambitious strategy, working closely with an active and committed Board and our dedicated staff team. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills to strengthen our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our vital community services.
Scope of Responsibilities
Governance and Strategic Leadership
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Provide leadership to the board in the establishment of organisations overall strategy and policies.
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Direct boards policy-making process and guidance to ensure strategic alignment.
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Monitor decisions taken by the board to ensure effective execution.
Board Management
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Build and develop the board by leading efforts in recruiting new trustees and ensure the board is diverse, skilled, and working cohesively. Foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
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Plan annual schedule of board meetings and establish agendas.
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Chair and facilitate board meetings.
Representation and Advocacy
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Act as Ambassador for Be Enriched at external events, meetings and functions when required.
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Actively participate in and show support for the charity's events and projects, demonstrating leadership and commitment to its mission.
Executive Liaison and Oversight
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Liaise closely with CEO to maintain strategic overview and provide appropriate support.
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Serve on senior appointment panels as needed.
Formal Procedures
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Act as the final stage adjudicator in formal disciplinary and grievance procedures, in accordance with the organisation’s policies.
What We Are Looking For
Essential Qualities
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Proven experience as a trustee, with a passion for governance and making a difference. Prior Chair experience is welcome but not required.
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A keen sense of strategic purpose.
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An inclusive leadership style.
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The ability to listen and engage. Comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whist fostering a collaborative board environment.
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Advocate – be able and willing to champion Be Enriched’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
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A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
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Be proactive and responsive – as a small charity, there are times when issues arise that require the Chair's guidance, support, or approval.
In addition to the above, the Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees:
Responsibilities Of All Trustees
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Support and provide advice on Be Enriched’s visions mission and goals.
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Ensure the effective, efficient, and prudent administration of the organisations.
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Safeguard the organisations financial stability and ensure proper investment of funds.
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Ensure key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
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Provide support and challenge the CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
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Attend quarterly board meetings (online) and AGM (in-person), adequately prepared for group discussion.
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Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Be Enriched’s interest, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or third-party interest.
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Maintain a thorough and informed understanding of the organisation's activities, as well as the broader external issues that affect its work.
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Accept collective responsibility, as part of the board, for the actions and decisions of the organisations and its trustees.
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Participate in additional tasks as required, such as providing expert advice or assisting with fundraising initiatives.
Terms of Appointment
Terms of Office
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Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with renewal available at end of first term.
Time Commitment
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Attendance required at four quarterly board meetings (conducted online via Teams from 4:30-5:30pm).
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Attendance compulsory at the Be Enriched AGM (conducted in-person).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
A Trustee will bring an individual area of expertise to benefit our organisation. Among the many skills they may have relate to business development, financial management; charity governance, staff development, performance management, local government, disability service development and adult social care. The Trustees work closely with the Executive Management Team (EMT) on the strategic direction of the business. They coordinate and attend quarterly board meetings, through which they review the work of the charity and provide advice, support and focus attention onto the areas that the EMT needs to consider and prepare for, to continuously improve what we do and respond to the changing environment in which Bethphage operates. Bethphage is a values-based charitable business, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the community. The charity also needs to make a modest financial surplus to remain viable. The role of a Trustee is to be a critical friend to the management team, lending expertise and experience to help guide the organisation in achieving its aims and sometimes competing objectives. Some of our board members have been a part of Bethphage for many years, you will be joining a supportive, friendly, and collegiate team that will help you develop and grow your role as a Trustee. Trustees generally thoroughly enjoy the role and find that it is a very rewarding experience. The Trustees work on a voluntary capacity for the benefit of the charity, this usually equates to one day per month. All Trustees are requested to undergo a DBS check (Disclosure & Barring service). Currently, we are particularly interested in hearing from people with financial and/or legal experience and expertise.
Our Mission is to be an excellent provider of services for people with disabilities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for one Trustee & Deputy Chair to join our Charity Trustee Board to support the Union through its next steps. A strong and active Board is crucial for us as we develop and implement our strategy, face challenges, maximise opportunities and endeavour to create an even better Union; one that continues to be flexible and agile enough to react quickly to the changing needs and interests of our student members and achieve our vision.
The Person
The right candidate will thrive in a student led, highly responsive environment and have an enthusiasm for supporting and guiding a student organisation. They will command confidence, have sound judgement and strong communication and leadership skills. We are looking for a trustee with the following skills/experience
Finance Experience:
- Preferably financial experience from a charity outside of the SU sector
- Understanding of financial oversight
- Ability to interpret financial information to support strategic decision-making
- Awareness of charity finance and regulatory requirements
Chairing Experience:
- Ability to deputise for the Chair, and chair meetings of the Board
- Ability to build a strong and effective working relationship with the Board of Trustees Chair
- Ability to foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees
- Assist and support the Chair in providing leadership to the Board, through the governance arrangements, and also acting as a ‘sounding board’ and confidante to the Chair in the execution of their role
Due to the current make-up of our Trustee Board, we are not actively searching for candidates with skills, knowledge and experience related to the Student Union and HE sector and we would welcome candidates from other sectors or regions to apply. That said, we would very much like to encourage anyone who feels that they could bring something to our Board to apply, regardless of experience - our purpose and values also lead us to welcome first time Trustees too!
We are strongly dedicated to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within our community and we are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment which supports everyone from recruitment through to appointment, regardless of your background. We welcome applications from all talented people and as part of this commitment, we are working to improve the diversity of our Trustee Board to ensure that it is as relevant and representative of our student community as possible and are actively encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.
Further Information
Application is via a comprehensive CV plus a supporting statement (of no more than two sides of A4) detailing why you are applying for the position and what requirements you meet to carry out the role
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

