Board members volunteer roles

About the Minster Centre

The Minster Centre is is a registered charity that provides training in psychotherapy and counselling and an affordable therapy service. It is approaching its 50th anniversary and was founded in 1978 as the first Integrative psychotherapy and counselling training in the UK.  Now based in Queens Park, NW London, it runs  training ranging from open access introductory courses to post-graduate degrees and  provides a safe and affordable counselling service to people over the age of 18 who are experiencing a range of difficulties. The Centre is seeking a Treasurer to join  its lively and diverse Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary role.

The Treasurer role

As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of The Minster Centre’s financial affairs. The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Treasurer will work closely with the Head of Finance, the Chair and the Management Committee.

Key responsibilities

• Ensuring  the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management.
• Monitoring and advising the Board on the financial viability of the charity.
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the Head of Finance.
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised.
• Leading  on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors.
• Overseeing  the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting corporate risk.
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies; the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Office for Students.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Chair, Head of Finance and the Management Committee  to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

More information about the role of Honorary Treasurers can be downloaded from  The Voluntary Treasurers Association  

In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees.

The Trustee Role

The Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Centre as it seeks to fulfil its charitable objects, ensuring it operates in accordance with its governing document and meets its legal and regulatory requirements.

The Board of Trustees meets six times a year (January, April, June, July (full day), September and November) and are online aside from the full day meeting which is normally in person. Additional work on specialist working groups or committees is also undertaken, depending on Trustees’ personal interests, experience and availability. Trustees normally serve for a term of three years in the first instance but can stand for re-election up to a maximum of nine years.

Under the provisions of our governing document the Board can consist of a minimum of 7 trustees and a maximum of 14.  The Board is made up of:

• Up to 11 independent Trustees (elected by Minster Centre Members (alumni and psychotherapists who maintain their UKCP registration through the Centre)
• a member of staff elected by the staff
• a student, on a course at The Minster Centre extending over more than one year, elected by students attending a course extending over more than one year
• the Director

A list of current members of the Board of Trustees can be found on our website.

Qualities needed

We are seeking Trustees who are enthusiastic about The Minster Centre’s work and values, who understand the distinction between management and governance and can operate as an effective trustee across the range of subject matters that will be considered by the Board.

For the role of Treasurer we are seeking:

• A finance professional - Qualified accountant with Membership of a professional accountancy organisation. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage, otherwise an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of SMEs.
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity.
• A clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists.
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors
• Able to provide effective support and challenge to the management team and other Trustees
• Experience of fundraising and finance practices in the charitable or voluntary sector (including understanding of charity SORP) would be an advantage
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

The Centre has a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Trustees will be expected to share this commitment, and the Board would like this to be more fully represented in its composition. We would particularly welcome applications from people from global majority communities, the LGBTQI+ community, care leavers, people with disabilities and people from other underrepresented groups in the profession.

Our full Treasurer Pack is linked below and provides further information for applicants.

The application process

To apply, please submit your CV and a statement outlining why you wish to be a Treasurer and your suitability for the role (maximum two sides of A4). Please submit your documents to the HR & Governance Manager, Afua Pierre by email 

Closing date: Friday 11th July 2025

Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (remotely in the first instance) by the Chair and another member of the Board. The appointment will be made subject to two satisfactory references and confirmation from the whole Board.

Start of appointment: September 2025

Trustees will need to declare any conflicts of interest and not be disqualified from serving as a charity trustee. Reasons for disqualification include being bankrupt or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception), and being on the sex offenders’ register.  For further information see here

Do you want to share our passion for helping people to resolve their problems, and develop your leadership and strategic skills as a Board member in the process? Then we'd love to hear from you. Last year our team helped 6000 clients with over 93000 issues and demand is growing. 

Who are we?

We are part of the national Citizens Advice UK brand network, with a dedicated operational team of 40 staff and volunteers offering confidential advice to our community online, over the phone, and in person, free of charge. 

We are currently seeking a Trustee Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees to continue to deliver on our purpose and mission as a charity.

The role of a Trustee Treasurer

The Treasurer is a key Board member who is responsible for overseeing the Charity’s finances, and ensuring that fellow trustees can be confident that the Charity’s finances are used in the correct fashion and that the financial position of the organisation is secure. There is more detail about this on our website, including a Role Description, but in particular, alongside the general duties of a trustee, the role of Treasurer specifically involves

• Overseeing financial governance and strategy

• Working with our charity Finance Officer to ensure financial transparency; to develop and monitor realistic budgets and cash flow: and to maintain the charity’s financial sustainability

• Present financial data in an accessible format, and provide advice and guidance on financial matters, including risk, to the Board

• ensure that the organisation has an appropriate reserves policy 

• Lead our finance subcommittee

Who are we looking for?

You don’t need specific financial qualifications to be a Trustee Treasurer, but we are looking for someone with

• A strong background in finance

• a good understanding of the principles of sound financial management and strategic planning (essential)

• some knowledge or experience of charity finances, fundraising, financial consequences and pension schemes (useful)

• good numeracy skills to understand accounts

• an ability to explain complex financial information in an accessible way

What is in it for you?

We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a team with diverse experiences, opinions. and ideas to ensure that we make a positive difference to the communities we serve.

A personal testimonial below from our current Treasurer provides a great insight into the role;

“I learned so much in the first short months of my tenure as a Trustee it was very gratifying that I soon felt that I was contributing in a positive sense, not just to the activities of the Board but through them to the many clients who were benefiting directly from the support of the brilliant management , support workers and advisors working for the charity.

One of the most rewarding aspects is being part of a team of people jointly addressing a thorny problem, often from differing angles, utilising their full set of skills to arrive at a satisfactory resolution.

If you are in the process of building a career, finding a charity whose values you share, and supporting them as a Trustee Treasurer is an excellent opportunity to develop skills and expertise that can benefit you further along the line and to do something good for your community at the same time.” 

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack. 

This is an exciting opportunity to influence and impact the educational experience and outcomes of children in east Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Hartlepool. At the heart of our trust is the aim to nurture, educate, achieve and transform the lives of all young people within the communities we serve across the North East.

We are a mixed Multi-Academy Trust, with eight schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) and a mix of community and Church of England schools. We are a fully inclusive, working with a range of stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes and destinations for our pupils. We also have a national research school, which aims to build and strengthen networks of schools throughout the region and help them access effective education research and implement it in everyday practice.

The Chair of our Trust Board of Directors helps shape and guide our passionate volunteers and staff team through clear leadership to the trust’s Board of Directors, embedding the trust's values and culture throughout the organisation. 

In addition to the general role of all Non-Executive Directors/Trustees, the role of the Chair is:

1. Strategic leadership: To ensure the board and the CEO have an effective shared purpose, vision, values and strategic priorities.

2. Leading the governance team: To ensure the board has the right people with the right skills, attributes, motivations and behaviours to work effectively as a team and hold annual 1:1 conversations with non-executive directors and Local Governing Committee Chairs.

3. Working with leaders: To ensure professional relationships with the CEO and the Chairs of the schools’ Local Governing Committees. To lead the Chairs and Vice Chairs Forum.

4. Influencing improvement and outcomes: To ensure the Board is focused on the trust’s strategic priorities and the ongoing improvement of all of its schools and outcomes for pupils.

5. Leading governance business: To work with the CEO and the Clerk to the Directors to ensure the business of the Board and its Committees is planned, managed and actioned effectively.

6. To review the trust’s management accounts on a monthly basis, taking any appropriate action to maintain financial viability.

We are looking for new Trustees to join our brilliant Board!

Hope at Home is a growing and ambitious charity established in January 2018 (Charity no 1176802) which works to provide safe homes for survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK.

We are at an exciting phase of growth and development and are particularly looking for motivated, committed people with experience of:

• Lived experience of modern slavery or human trafficking, homelessness or the asylum & immigration system.
• Working knowledge of immigration / housing law.
• Working knowledge of marketing.
• Working knowledge of or experience in HR.
• Experience in developing a Major Donor programme or philanthropic support.

We are seeking to improve, amongst other things, the skill set and competencies of the board and the visible diversity of the board to ensure we more accurately reflect the make-up of the people that we serve. We will provide a full induction and training for any new Board member, including those with no previous experience of being a trustee.

For more information on the role and how to apply, please download our Trustee Recruitment Pack. 

Become a Trustee or Chair of Lancaster Grand Theatre

Make a difference to Lancaster’s creative life. Bring your skills and passion to one of the city’s most loved cultural venues.

We are now recruiting new Trustees to join the Board of Lancaster Footlights & Grand Theatre CIO from September 2025, and a future Chair of Trustees to take up the role during 2026.

Applications close: 12 noon, 15 August 2025
Coffee Morning for prospective Trustees: Saturday 12 July, 9:30am

About Lancaster Grand Theatre

Lancaster Grand Theatre is one of the UK’s oldest working theatres, first opened in 1782. Today, our 460-seat Grade II listed venue stages over 250 events every year — bringing joy to thousands of people from across our community and beyond.

The charity that runs the theatre — Lancaster Footlights & Grand Theatre CIO — is powered by volunteers and driven by a commitment to making arts and culture accessible, welcoming and sustainable.

We are now looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees by welcoming new members with a range of skills, experience and perspectives. We are particularly keen to encourage applications from under-represented groups, to ensure our Board reflects the diversity of our community.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking Trustees from a broad range of backgrounds — you don’t need to have previous Board experience. We will provide induction and support to help you thrive in the role.

In particular, we are keen to add skills and expertise in:

• Chair of the Board (future appointment in 2026)
• Safeguarding
• Youth Engagement & Development
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Environment & Sustainability
• ICT & Data Control
• Constitutional Compliance & Insurance
• Arts, Culture & Heritage (including archiving)
• Fundraising and Grants
• Facilities Management

We are also looking for candidates who are passionate about the role of live performance in community life, and who can contribute to our mission and values:

Our Mission: To be a place of joy, and a cornerstone of cultural and artistic excellence, for our community and beyond.

The Role of Trustee

As a Trustee, you will be part of a voluntary team that:

· Provides governance and leadership for the charity

· Oversees the management of the theatre and ensures its sustainability

· Supports and champions the theatre’s values and mission

· Ensures good financial stewardship and legal compliance

· Contributes ideas, expertise and time to support our ongoing development

Trustees attend around 6–8 Board meetings per year (usually weekday evenings), plus occasional working groups and events. We aim to create a supportive, collaborative and enjoyable environment for all Trustees.

Chair Role: The current Chair of Trustees will progressively hand over the role during 2026. The incoming Chair will be selected by the Board after the AGM. Support and mentoring will be provided.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply:

Attend our Coffee Morning on 12 July (optional, but recommended)
Submit an application by 12 noon, 15 August 2025

Your application should include:

• A completed Charity Commission declaration form (we will provide this)
• A short statement (up to 500 words) summarising your skills and experience, and why you’d like to join the Board

DOWNLOAD Trustee & Chair Briefing Pack on website.

Passionate about the power of the game and giving back? Suffolk FA is recruiting new Trustees to help shape the future of their charity and join them in changing lives through football. If you have skills within ESG, Funding & Partnerships or EDI, along with a passion for the beautiful game, we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

Suffolk County Football Association (Suffolk FA) is the not-for-profit governing body for grassroots football in Suffolk. 

Our purpose is to inspire positive change through football, by driving the local game to unite communities, tackle inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of people across Suffolk.

We provide the leadership, structure, and support that enable players, coaches, referees, and volunteers to thrive and enjoy the game. With over 330 clubs representing players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, we are proud to ensure football truly is for all in Suffolk.

Background to the role

Suffolk FA is supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers striving to enhance football across the county. The organisation is undergoing a transformative phase with the appointment of a new CEO who starts in August, the forthcoming appointment of a Commercial Funding & Partnerships Manager and the recruitment of three new Trustees to fill important skill gaps in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Funding and Partnerships.  Please see the candidate information pack for full information on the roles and requirements.

In addition to expertise in either ESG, funding and partnerships and/or EDI, we are especially looking for applications from women and people from minoritised communities as we are seeking to broaden both the diversity and gender balance of our Board.  Previous Board experience is not essential, and we offer a full induction and onboarding process. What is essential is a passion for our work and a desire for positive change through football.

Being a Trustee – what's involved

Every charity has a Board – a group of volunteers who ensure that the organisation is effective in carrying out the purpose for which it was set up. The trustees at Suffolk FA have responsibility for overseeing the work of the charity, ensuring that it is effectively and efficiently run, with the appropriate oversight and governance, in line with the requirements of the County FA Code of Governance.

A helpful summary of trustee roles and responsibilities can be found in the Charity Commission guidance for new Trustees: The Essential Trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do (CC3)

We are looking for 

• People with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead on the development and implementation of Suffolk FA’s strategy within your specialist area (ESG; Funding & Partnerships; EDI), in line with business and football development plans.
• The ability to challenge constructively and work collaboratively with a diverse Board and Executive team.
• Ability to assess proposed courses of action against the concerns of your specialist area.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with confidence in representing the organisation externally.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• A genuine passion for inspiring positive change through football.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Suffolk FA in the recruitment of these roles. 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 a Trustee role at Suffolk FA? 
• Which role are you applying for (ESG/Funding/EDI) and how do your skills and knowledge meet the specification?

Please note that we will focus on your demonstrable experience and potential in the areas listed under the Person Specification and do not expect candidates to have experience in all responsibilities outlined in the Job Description. We would discourage you from deselecting yourself if you are in doubt about meeting all the criteria. Instead, if you have specific questions about the role, please email John Sanger. Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application.

The closing date for applications is Friday 25th July with online shortlisting interviews with Eastside People taking place throughout the recruitment process and the week after. Face-to-face interviews with the recruitment panel at Suffolk FA will take place between the 1st and 6th of August.

Suffolk FA is an equal opportunities organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. We strive to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to equity and inclusion at every level of our governance.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident organisation. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

The Manor House Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (MHCPC) is an established training centre and clinical service. At a time when mental health provisions have been in increased demand, we have experienced exponential growth of our services and wish to develop these further.

We are ambitious to develop and raise our profile and influence to offer mental health support to those that need it most in our borough. The MHCPC are uniquely positioned to offer low-cost open-ended therapy to those who can least afford it.

The MHCPC provide long-term psychodynamic counselling rather than CBT, for those patients in the community for whom the former is more suitable. We provide a service which reduces the impact on NHS mental health provisions and thus supports patients who would otherwise face joining an unrealistically long waiting list for short-term work.

The MHCPC sets high training and clinical standards: our training programme is accredited by both the British Association for Psychotherapy and Counselling (BACP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). 

What are we looking for?

The MHCPC seek to appoint an enthusiastic and engaging Chair, with a passion for mental health and supporting the local community.

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees. The Chair’s aim is to enable the board to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.

The Chair will ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document and any other relevant legislation or regulations and to make sure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its constitution.

The Chair's role is to work in partnership with the Board of Management, helping them achieve their vision for the organisation.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause
• Personal gravitas to lead an organisation
• Exhibit strong inter-personal and relationship building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

Experience

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Experience of external representation, delivering presentations and managing stakeholders
• Significant experience of chairing meetings and events
• Experience of recruiting Trustees

Knowledge and skills

• Broad knowledge and understanding of the charity sector and current issues affecting it
• Strong leadership skills, ability to motivate staff and volunteers and bring people together
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity finance issues
• Good understanding of charity governance issues

What difference will you make?

The MHCPC has an active Board of Management responsible for the day to day running of the organisation. The Chair's role is to work in partnership with the Board of Management and, with the support of the Board of Trustees, helping them achieve their vision for the organisation.

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and passionate Chair of the Board of Trustees to provide leadership to the Board and to ensure that the organisation delivers its charitable purpose in close cooperation with the Board of Management.

A Chair is sought who has a strong empathy with the organisation’s objectives and has some understanding of, or interest in, talking therapies and mental health. We are looking to appoint a Chair who can provide strategic insight and expertise to the Board deliberations and support our growth and development at an exciting time for the organisation as we strategically plan how to expand our provision of affordable therapy.

We specialise in supporting people with visual impairment and complex needs in a range of services including Care Homes and Supported Living. Can you help support us in making a difference in the lives of the people we support?

What will you be doing?

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our experienced Board of Trustees. As a member of the Board, you will play a vital role in steering and supporting the Group. The Board is responsible for providing strategic direction, ensuring we meet regulatory requirements, and overseeing the work of the staff team, ensuring the Group's efficient administration and financial stability.

What are we looking for?

Ideally, we are looking for a finance professional with experience in accounting or financial analysis, who possesses expertise in financial principles and practices. Having a good understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting that will help support our strategic goals and direction. 

What difference will you make?

We are constantly striving to make a difference to people’s lives through the provision of aspirational services for people with sensory and other specialist needs. We want to enable people to live fulfilled lives in excellent quality accommodation, and our whole philosophy is based around person-centred principles. Your contribution as an experienced finance professional will help us maintain a forward looking approach to establishing financial stability and governance. 

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance and provide a covering letter detailing why you are interested in this role.

Be Part of Shaping the Future of Careers Education

We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st-century careers education. 

The Careers & Enterprise Company is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step. 

Are you passionate about improving careers education for all young people? Do you want to amplify youth voice, influence decision-making, and help shape a system that truly listens? If so, read on. 

Role Summary

The Careers & Enterprise Company is looking for passionate young people aged 14–25 who are interested in shaping the CEC’s work to join its Youth Advisory Group.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, your background, or how much experience you have with careers education – your voice matters, and CEC wants to hear it. CEC would love to hear from you whether you are still in education, you are embarking on your career journey, you’ve left education and are still deciding what to do, or whether you are now in employment. 

CEC welcomes applications from those with experience in secondary schools, colleges or further education, specialist provision (such as PRU or SEND schools), home-schooled, T Levels, apprenticeship programmes and other training. Whatever your experience, CEC wants to hear from you!

CEC would like to hear from young people who are:

• Between the ages of 14 and 25 years old.
• Living in England.
• Passionate about improving the careers education system for all young people.

As a member of the Youth Advisory Group, you will:

• Govern: play a key role in challenging and guiding CEC to embed youth voice at every level of its work.
• Enrich: help CEC design products and strategies that are more inclusive, effective, and impactful for all young people.
• Advocate: bring more young voices into the conversation and help to improve careers education for everyone in the system.

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to influence a national organisation.
• A platform to represent youth perspectives and inspire change.
• Access to training, skill-building, and leadership development.
• All travel, food, and event costs covered for in-person sessions.
• A chance to work as part of a team and be a part of a strong and supportive peer network.

If you're ready to make a difference, grow your skills, and help shape the future, apply now and bring your voice to the table.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday, 7th July 2025

It is our policy to review all applications within two weeks of the closing date. If you do not hear from us within three weeks following the closing date, then your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion. We are unable to provide feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted and attended an interview.

Are you keen to move the arts forward? Are you passionate about the role the arts can play in building a better society? Do you think that diverse voices deserve to be heard through poetry? Do you want to be an empowering advocate for poetry’s transformative power? Forward Arts Foundation – the charity behind National Poetry Day and the Forward Prizes for Poetry – is looking for a new Chair and Trustees to join its board. We’re a small, ambitious team working nationally and online to celebrate poetry, support new voices, and widen accessibility. With a reach of over 2.4 million people each year, we’re looking for board members who can help us grow and govern well. We're particularly keen to hear from prospective Chairs and Trustees with experience in education, digital, fundraising and philanthropy, or governance and leadership. We’d also welcome the chance to support people under the age of 30 take their first step into trusteeship. Our meetings are flexible, online-friendly, and inclusive by design. Poetry is for everyone – and we want our board to reflect that.
 

Are you passionate about creating a culture of welcome for refugees in the UK? Do you have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation? This could be the perfect role for you! 

STAR is a dynamic and exciting national charity which makes a huge impact on a small budget. We are looking for our new Co-Chair of Trustees. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about creating a culture of welcome in the UK for refugees ,who believes in the power of young people as changemakers and who wants to empower refugees to reach higher education to join our board of trustees. 

 The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation and be able to commit to at least 2 years in the role.

We are in particular looking for applicants who: 

• Have lived experience 
• Have HR experience 
• Have campaigns experience, in particular hybrid campaigning.
• Have charitable fundraising experience. 

 Applications from persons with lived refugee experience are highly encouraged. 

Role Description

To provide strategic oversight of:

• STAR’s compliance with its Articles of Association, policies, and law; 
• STAR’s compliance with all funding conditions and contracts;
• Whether STAR is best using its resources to meet its objectives; 
• The effective and efficient administration of STAR;
• Monitoring and reporting of financial information; 
• STAR’s funding and expenditure situation; and
• Implementation of STAR’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Safeguarding Policy in employment and service delivery.

Also to:

• Contribute actively to STAR by giving strategic direction and evaluating performance against targets
• Attend and prepare for board meetings
• Appoint board members and officers via the procedures in this policy
• Approve accounts
• Ensure that STAR and the board safeguard STAR’s values and reputation
• Provide any other assistance the board or STAR may require, as appropriate, particularly utilising any specialist skills or experience they may have.

Specific responsibilities of the Co- Chair

• Ensure the proper management of board meetings, including setting agendas in consultation with the Director, chairing meetings, facilitating discussions and decision;
• Oversee the administration and coordination of any sub-committees; 
• Monitor implementation of board and sub-committee decisions;
• Take "Chair’s action" between meetings, where an immediate decision is required;
• Serve as line-manager to the Director, and conduct regular planned supervision and appraisal;
• Represent Board as required to the public or external parties such as funders and government; and
• Keep other officers fully informed so that they can deputise if necessary
• Working alongside and in collaboration with the other STAR trustee co-chair, sharing responsibilities and ensuring excellent communicative shared working.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation
• A commitment to STAR’s values
• An awareness of issues affecting both STAR and the wider refugee sector, the ever shifting landscape of refugee policy and media coverage, or a willingness to learn and stay abreast of these current topics and new developments. 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend regular STAR meetings for at least 2 years
• Integrity and good independent judgement
• Strategic vision and an ability to stay focused on strategic objectives
• Willingness to take part in STAR discussions, contribute constructively and listen to others
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and liabilities of trustees of a charitable company
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• A commitment to the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the Equal Opportunities Policy
• Willingness to undertake training required to allow them to fulfil their duties.

Desirable 

Five years experience in one or more of:

• Working with people seeking asylum and refugees;
• Other work with the asylum/refugee/migrant sector;
• Charitable fundraising;
• Voluntary sector issues, such as trends for charities and partnership/network formation;
• Organisational development, growth or change;
• Human resources;
• Financial management/accountancy;
• IT;
• Negotiations;
• Marketing and public relations;
• Lobbying, advocacy and campaigning regarding social justice or social policy;
• Management and administration of a charity, for example as a director or trustee;
• Campaigning;
• Social Media/ Communications 

About Student Action for Refugees

STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is the national network of students building a society where refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed and can thrive. 

Set up by students at Nottingham University in 1994, STAR is creating a more understanding, just and welcoming society by: 

• empowering young people to be changemakers; 
• providing practical support and connecting local communities through volunteering and student volunteer led community projects; 
• challenging the structural barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking protection and building new lives in the UK; 
• Sharing trusted information about asylum and the lived experience of refugees to combat misinformation, hostile narratives and instead spread compassion and humanisation 

We have a small staff team who train and support the network and lead on national campaign and advocacy work, with expertise in improving access to higher education for forced migrants.

Here are just some of our highlights from last year:

• 37  STAR university student society groups, across 28  towns and cities, run by 222 STAR student leaders. 
• 262 events were organised by STAR groups to educate, campaign, and fundraise for a more welcoming UK, from art exhibitions to cookery classes and film nights.
• 1,280 refugees and people seeking asylum were supported by 413 volunteers  through 28 community projects and 25 one off volunteering events. 
• 100s of students mobilised to support calls for better treatment of refugees in the UK including standing against detention, for a fairer plan for refugees and to lift the ban on work.
• 88 UK universities now offer sanctuary scholarships for refugee students. The STAR staff team was involved in the development of many of these new scholarships and the improvement of  existing scholarships. We also ran workshops for hundreds of  university staff. 
• 15 STAR groups campaigned for Equal Access at their institutions and 4 won!
• 65 aspiring refugee students were supported by our mentoring project and we provided signposting and advice about accessing HE to over 470 people.

If you would like an informal chat before applying, please get in touch.

Deadline for applications: 11th July 2025

Interviews: Rolling

Are you looking to volunteer your time and knowledge to support Age UK Oxfordshire who are seeking Trustees with specific skills to work closely as part of their Board.

Age UK Oxfordshire are an independent local charity supporting older people to maintain their independence and live life to the full, focusing most resource on reaching those older people who face a struggle, whether through low income, poor health or loneliness.  They are striving for a world where every older person and unpaid carer is seen, heard, included, and valued.

Trustees play a vital role as Board members, ensuring the organisation has solid plans in place to achieve their aims and that funding is being used positively to do this.  They are looking for enthusiastic individuals who will work in partnership with fellow Trustees, CEO and the Leadership team to ensure that Age UK Oxfordshire delivers on their vision, mission, and values.

Specific areas of focus for the board:

Given the needs of the charity and the skills of the current board members, they are looking for experience in HR, Governance, Adult Social Care and Lived experience is always welcomed.

They value and are actively seeking to increase diversity on their board in order to bring broader perspectives, achieve stronger community representation, inform sound decision-making, and help them serve more effectively and inclusively.

Could this be the ideal role for me?

To be considered for this role, you will require the following skills and competencies:

• Commitment to the organisation. 
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An understanding and knowledge of good governance.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.

What's in it for you

• Volunteering experience
• Interaction with leadership teams and board activity
• Working with different sets of people
• Annual strategic away day with Trustees and Leadership Team

Currently trustee meetings are held quarterly and alternate holding meetings virtually and in person in Abingdon. The meetings last about 2.5 hours. In addition, there are up to two away days a year and an AGM. Papers typically require about two hours reading per meeting.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law. 

These unremunerated roles are open to all.  To apply for these exceptional opportunities, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the Charisma website.

If you would like to have an initial discussion with Sandra Smith, Associate Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment, prior to submitting your application, please get in touch via the Charisma website.

Closing date for applications: 10th August 2025

Interview date: TBC 

CFAB Experts by Experience Advisory Group Member

Volunteer role

Could you be part of our Experts by Experience Advisory Group to help make a positive contribution to our efforts to protect children and reunite them with family overseas?

Children and Families Across Borders protects children who have become separated from their families across international borders. As the UK member of the International Social Service network, our specialist team inter-country social workers, work with over 130 partners around the globe to reunite families. Our work is complex but life changing.

CFAB is creating an Experts by Experience Advisory Group and is looking for people to join and support our work. The purpose of our engagement would be to would be to embed the voices and insights of individuals with direct and personal experience of aspects of our work into the service design and decision-making processes within CFAB. We believe that the insights and input from those with experience of our work will help to ensure that our services, our strategies and our messaging are grounded in real needs and experiences rather than assumptions and ultimately lead to better outcomes for children.

We would consider individuals with direct, personal experience of international kinship care, international adoption, alternative care, international migration and asylum as experts by experience.

Requirements:

The Advisory Group will meet twice per year (either remotely or in person) and there will also be opportunities to feed in and participate in other ad hoc projects.

Experts by Experience will:

• Provide advice and recommendations on policy, program design, and delivery.
• Review and contribute to strategic documents, reports, and evaluations.
• Identify opportunities for co-production and co-design within the organization.
• Act as advocates and champions for the integration of lived experience.
• Ensure diverse experiences are represented and inform inclusive practices.

What can we offer you?

Though this is a voluntary role, your participation will be compensated. Expenses will also be covered in line with CFAB’s expenses policy.

We will ensure we offer pre and post meeting support to experts to identify and reflect on any issues that require processing.

We will provide training to support your skills development based on the opportunities you would like to be involved with. We will share with you the impact of your participation on our work.