Board of trustees volunteer roles in manningtree, essex

We are seeking a proactive, strategic, and mission-aligned Funding Manager to join our growing team. This pivotal role will lead on identifying, applying for, and managing multiple streams of funding to support the delivery and expansion of our work. As a small charity with big impact, funding is vital to everything we do — from running support services to delivering education and campaigning for change. The Funding Manager will be at the heart of ensuring our sustainability and growth by securing the resources we need. You will be line managed by the Chair of Trustees, and work closely with the Treasurer and other trustees as needed to complete applications, manage current funding applications and report on grant outcomes.
 

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

• Identify and research suitable funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, statutory bodies, and other grant-makers

• Lead and coordinate the writing and submission of compelling funding bids, applications, and proposals.

• Manage and track existing grants, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.

• Work with trustees (e.g. Treasurer and Chair) to gather financial and impact data for applications and reports.

• Maintain a funding pipeline and reporting calendar, ensuring visibility of all application stages and deadlines.

• Build and maintain relationships with funders, providing updates on Hidayah’s work and impact.

• Monitor trends in the funding landscape and keep the charity informed of relevant changes and opportunities.

• Advise and support the Board in developing a long-term funding strategy.

• To maintain clear records on the organisation’s shared systems (Google Drive).

• Meet regularly e.g. monthly or bi-monthly with your line manager to discuss funding applications and progress

• To check and respond to funding application emails promptly and within deadlines set for funding applications

What do we expect from the Funding Manager?

Please note that you must agree with and fit the criteria below to be eligible to volunteer in this role:

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of successful fundraising from trusts, foundations, or statutory funders.

• Excellent bid writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate impact clearly.

• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Financially literate, comfortable working with budgets and data.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while collaborating with others.

• A commitment to the values and mission of Hidayah LGBTQI+.

• Knowledge of CRM or funding management tools.

Desirable:

• Experience working with grassroots or LGBTQI+ charities.

• Understanding of issues affecting LGBTQI+ Muslims or minoritised communities.

How much commitment is required?

This is a voluntary role with flexible hours, and can be carried out around your existing commitments. We are results-focused, so while you have autonomy over when you volunteer, we ask that funding bids and key deadlines are met in a timely and reliable manner.

Lead one of the UK's most influential social justice funders as Chair of LEF

Location: UK-wide (Remote with occasional in-person meetings)
Type: Voluntary (Expenses Paid)
Time Commitment: 14 days per year

Champion the power of the law as a tool for social justice
LEF is entering a bold new strategic phase, following a transformative rebrand and renewed focus on the power of communities to use and shape the law to achieve social justice. With financial assets exceeding £280 million, LEF is uniquely positioned to build bridges between the law and communities facing injustice, to tackle the root causes of inequality.

We are seeking a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to guide the foundation's governance, culture, and strategic direction. This is a rare opportunity to lead a values-driven organisation committed to equity, inclusion, and the power of the law to create a more just and equal society.

Why This Role Matters
As Chair, you will:
* Lead the Board in delivering LEF's mission, vision, and values.
* Champion inclusive, collaborative, and participatory governance.
* Strengthen LEF's commitment to community accountability and transparency.
* Ensure strong stewardship of LEF's financial assets and charitable objectives.
* Support the Chief Executive with strategic challenge and partnership.
Help build relationships that strengthen collaboration, collective voice and systemic impact.

Who We're Looking For
We're seeking a strategic and values-led leader with:
* Senior leadership experience in governance or strategy.
* Deep commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion.
* Financial literacy and confidence to engage with investment and audit reports.
* Understanding of law as a tool for systemic change.

Desirable qualities include:
* Experience in inclusive and participatory decision-making.
* Direct experience of investment or endowment management.
* Lived experience or deep connection to communities affected by injustice.
* Experience supporting anti-racism or inclusion work at a strategic level.

What You'll Gain
* Play a pivotal role in advancing systemic social justice
* The opportunity to align significant financial assets with a bold social justice mission.
* A platform to support organisations, closely connected to their communities, who are using - or would like to use - the law to drive wider change and greater equity. .
* A collaborative, intellectually rigorous and inclusive Board culture.

Recruitment Timeline
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold LEF's commitment to Power, Culture and Inclusion, they will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the interim Chair/CEO. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Wednesday 10th December and we will send you a link.

Application deadline: Thursday 15th January 2026
First round interview: w/c 12th February 2026
Final interviews: w/c 26th February2026

How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as recruitment advisor to LEF on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People

We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you require any assistance or adjustment to make the application process work for you, please let us know.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

At St Helena, we help local people face incurable illness, frailty, dementia, and bereavement with dignity and compassion. As a Trustee, you will:

• Embody our values (bold, passionate, caring) in every aspect of governance and public representation
• Use your clinical networks to unlock new opportunities and partnerships
• Provide strategic challenge, ask the right questions, and support sustainable growth
• Lead on a topic area and build a relationship with relevant teams within St Helena
• Attend monthly Board meetings and an annual development day
• Be comfortable using Microsoft Teams (used for meetings and papers)

Volunteer: The PR Officer of Hidayah plays a vital role in raising the profile of the organisation. The PR Officer will take the lead in managing relationships with external media, agencies, and partners to help Hidayah achieve its strategic aims. The PR officer will work closely with the Chair and two digital trustees, and focus on increasing visibility, strengthening our public image, and supporting advocacy through effective communication.
 

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

• Act as the main point of contact for external media outlets, journalists, and PR agencies on behalf of Hidayah.

• Work with the Chair to help implement their media strategy and PR aims.

• Draft, review and issue press releases, statements, and media content as needed.

• Identify media opportunities that can help platform Hidayah’s work, voices, and campaigns.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with media partners, influencers, and relevant organisations.

• Provide PR advice and guidance to the Chair and help ensure consistent messaging.

• Contribute to the development of key messaging and ensure alignment with organisational policies and values.

• Help monitor media coverage and report back to the Chair on PR impact and reach.

What do we expect from the PR Officer of Hidayah?

Please note that you must agree with and fit the criteria below to be eligible to volunteer in this role:

Knowledge:

• Experience in PR, communications, journalism, or media relations, ideally in the voluntary, charity or advocacy sector.

• Understanding of media landscapes, both mainstream and community-based, with an awareness of LGBTQ+ and/or faith-sensitive contexts.

• Knowledge of reputation management and crisis communications.

Personality:

• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to represent Hidayah with professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity.

• Friendly, enthusiastic, dedicated, and committed to Hidayah’s mission and values.

• Creative thinker who can identify innovative ways to promote Hidayah’s work.

Personal Skills:

• Strong writing and editing skills for creating press releases and media content.

• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with external partners.

• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, equality and diversity in communications.

• Ability to respond to media challenges and opportunities with diplomacy and care.

Administration Skills:

• Organised and methodical in managing media contacts and communications records.

• Competence in using email, social media platforms, and shared systems such as Google Drive.

• Ability to draft reports on PR activity for Board meetings.

• Familiarity with digital tools to track media coverage and public engagement.

How much commitment is required?

We are flexible around your own schedule. One average the role will require 2-4 hours per week. The following commitments are in place for all Hidayah volunteers:

• To be available for media requests or to coordinate timely responses as needed.

• To support Hidayah events through PR activity and promotion. 

• To help with fundraising efforts by securing media coverage for campaigns and initiatives.

• To check and respond to PR-related emails promptly.

• To maintain clear records of media engagement and press materials in the organisation’s shared systems (Google Drive).

We're recruiting two non‑executive Co‑Directors to help guide Studio Lutalica's next chapter. You won't run day‑to‑day ops; you'll bring clear, values‑led oversight so our team can focus on impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Co-Directors form our board and are collectively responsible for the governance and strategic direction of Studio Lutalica. This is a non-executive role, akin to that of a trustee in a charity. You will play a crucial part in ensuring we remain true to our values, legally compliant, and financially sustainable, all while helping to steer our long-term vision. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of a ground-breaking design studio and contribute to our community impact.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL DIRECTORS

Strategic Leadership + Governance

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the organisation's strategic plan.
• Act in the company's best interests and in good faith to achieve its community purposes.
• Ensure the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements for a CIC in Scotland.
• Exercise independent judgment and reasonable care, skill, and diligence in your duties.

Values and Ethics

• Champion our core values of intersectional feminism, trans inclusivity, and environmental justice in all decisions.
• Foster a culture of inclusivity, accountability, and wellbeing for the entire team.
• Uphold our commitment to design excellence and accessibility.

Operational Oversight

• Participate actively in quarterly board meetings and join our Governance + Finance subgroup meetings.
• Scrutinise board papers, ask critical questions, and contribute to collective decision-making.
• Avoid conflicts of interest and declare any interests in proposed transactions.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

We're specifically looking to fill expertise gaps in Finance and Fundraising + Income Generation, though we welcome a diverse range of expertise and lived experience.

Finance

• Review budgets, management accounts, and financial statements prepared by the executive team.
• Ask constructive, challenging questions and highlight risks and trade‑offs.
• Ensure appropriate internal controls and policies exist and are followed.
• Advise on the financial implications of proposed strategies, projects, or partnerships.
• Stress‑test scenarios and support sensible reserves and risk policies.
• Provide assurance that statutory filings and CIC obligations are being met by management.

Fundraising + Income Generation

• Develop and oversee the execution of an ambitious and achievable fundraising strategy in collaboration with the team.
• Identify and research potential funding sources, including trusts, foundations, corporate partnerships, and public sector grants.
• Provide strategic guidance on the preparation of high-quality funding applications and proposals.
• Act as a champion for Studio Lutalica, helping to build and maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on fundraising performance to the board, providing insight and recommendations.

DESIRABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We always welcome additional expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Governance + Policy
• Creative Practice + Client Delivery
• Communications
• Legal
• People + Culture
• Impact Data + Measurement

TIME COMMITMENT

Co-Directors are expected to attend a 90-minute board meeting each quarter. In addition, you will be expected to join at least one of the subgroups which meets regularly. The total time commitment, including meeting preparation and subgroup work, is anticipated to be around 5-6 hours per month.

WHY STUDIO LUTALICA?

Join us at Studio Lutalica, where your skills in communications and partnerships will directly contribute to creating a more inclusive world. We’re a feminist and queer-led organisation dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities. By joining our team, you’ll be part of a workplace that values creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration.

Could you be the new Chair of CPRE Buckinghamshire (one of the branches of CPRE – the Countryside Charity)? Do you care about your local community and environment?

We have a long and successful history of campaigning on items that matter to the local area – canvassing, prompting and lobbying local authorities, Councillors and MPs. In doing so, we have been able to ensure that the views of the people who depend on, work on and cherish the Buckinghamshire countryside are reflected in local decision-making.

The Chair role will suit someone living in Buckinghamshire or the Milton Keynes area, who has a keen interest in the countryside and is excited by the prospect of helping to direct the future of CPRE Buckinghamshire over the next 5–7 years. It is an exciting time to join our team, as CPRE nationally is celebrating 100 years in 2026; you can be involved in making plans as to how we will celebrate this with the Buckinghamshire community through various events and activities.

You will help to:

• direct our important campaigns, engaging the local community and raising awareness of the issues that the countryside faces
• lead our Trustee board, and recruit new Trustee members
• increase our membership, so that we can continue to do the work we are doing
• expand our team of volunteers, so that we can widen and increase the work that we do
• liaise with stakeholders and partners, and forge new partnerships
• ensure that we as a charity meet our legal requirements, adhering to our governing document, and have the necessary policies and resources
• nurture and shape the future of CPRE Bucks.

We estimate that the time commitment will be around 1 day a week, although this is variable and dependent on activities. You can of course do more if you wish! Our team works and meets remotely most of the time, but occasional travel may be necessary – to attend CPRE Head Office in London, for example.

This is a volunteer role in which you can really make a difference. We welcome applicants of any age, gender and background.