Board of trustees volunteer roles in market estate, greater london
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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!
Help shape the future of cleft care worldwide – become a Fundraising Trustee at CLEFT.
Are you an experienced fundraiser looking to make a meaningful difference? Join a passionate Board of Trustees committed to improving cleft care and research in the UK and internationally.
CLEFT is a UK-based charity working to bridge the gap in cleft care and knowledge through sustainable, long-term partnerships. As we grow, fundraising has become a strategic priority – and we’re looking for a new Trustee with fundraising expertise to help us reach the next level.
As Fundraising Trustee, you’ll play a key role in:
- Strengthening relationships with donors and supporters
- Identifying and progressing new grant and fundraising opportunities
- Supporting fundraising committees and events
- Developing and coordinating a fundraising plan aligned with our budget and goals
- Ensuring donor reporting and compliance with fundraising legislation
You’ll also contribute to the wider governance and strategic direction of the charity, attending bi-monthly Board meetings (mostly via Zoom), quarterly fundraising committee meetings, and our annual Away Day in London.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities. If you’re proactive, creative, and passionate about equitable healthcare, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please send a cover letter explaining your motivation to join the CLEFT Board of Trustees and why you are the best person for the role, along with an up-to-date CV.
If you have any questions about the role or application process, feel free to contact us.
We aim to provide long-term, sustainable ways to bridge the gap in cleft care and knowledge in the UK and overseas.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Role of the Chair: The Chair of Trustees plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction, governance and impact of Success Club. Working closely with the CEO and the Board, the Chair ensures that the charity operates effectively and remains true to its mission and values. The Chair acts as an ambassador for Success Club, promoting its mission and values to key stakeholders. This is a rewarding opportunity for an inspirational and experienced leader to guide an ambitious charity through its next phase of growth to achieve its ambitions and influence positive change for young people.
About Charity Success Club: Success Club is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to supporting children and young people who are potentially at risk of under-achieving, both academically and socially. We became a charity in November 2018 but have been working in schools since 2014. We believe that, when children and young people succeed in the moment, they create templates that they can use at any time. Our team puts mindfulness at the heart of our intervention, teaching children and young people how to develop a better relationship with themselves. We help students understand the wider implications of negative attitudes, allowing them to find solutions to issues they may face now and in the future. During 2024 we have provided support and activities to 2970 children across 26 schools. Current tracking (for 2025 year to date) show that we are well on the way to surpassing those figures. We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers, supported by a committed Board of Trustees, working together to create lasting change.
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!
This is an exciting opportunity for passionate, innovative individuals to join our small but dynamic charity and make a lasting difference for people affected by alopecia.Alopecia UK is a national charity with a vision for a world where people affected by alopecia live the life they want. The charity’s mission is to offer support, community and education to improve the lives of those with alopecia.
We are seeking talented trustees to strengthen our strategic leadership and support smooth succession as current trustees reach the end of their terms. This is an ongoing recruitment process, and we welcome applications at any time, particularly from those with expertise in the following areas:
- Charity fundraising: Leadership in a fundraising environment, ideally within the charity sector.
- Communications & Marketing: Senior communications or marketing role, with strong audience engagement insight.
- Legal: Experience providing legal advice at a senior level, preferably with charity or governance exposure.
- Dermatology in the NHS: Experience of treating patients with alopecia, with a deep knowledge of clinical pathways and related challenges in primary and secondary care.
About Alopecia UK
Founded in 2004, we work to help adults, young people and children affected by alopecia. This includes those with alopecia, as well as their loved ones. We are a small charity, with an annual income under £500,000, working nationally across the UK. Despite being small, we are the largest alopecia charity in the UK and have big ambitions to continue our growth and development, reaching more people than ever before. We agreed a new strategy in May 2025, and are committed to our key goal, which is to increase our reach, particularly in the communities that haven’t yet found us.
We have a fantastic and dedicated staff team (5.4 FTE) and board of Trustees. We also rely upon the generosity of volunteers, many of whom have personal experience of alopecia themselves. Alopecia UK receives no statutory funding from the government and is funded by community fundraising, donations, funding grants, and corporate partnerships.
Alopecia UK Trustee Board
The Alopecia UK Trustee Board are a group of dedicated volunteers who are committed to Alopecia’s aims.
The Trustee Board meets four times a year (two face-to-face meetings and two virtual meetings). Face-to-face meetings tend to be held on Saturdays from approximately 10am-4pm. Virtual meetings tend to be held midweek from approximately 6.30-8.30pm.
Trustees are encouraged to participate in charity campaigns and attend flagship events, e.g., our Big Weekend and Alton Towers trip. Trustees are not paid, but out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed. Trustees serve at least three years
To provide support, community, and education to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are a dynamic charity, focused on helping survivors of modern slavery rebuild their lives and achieve sustainable freedom by providing invaluable training, coaching, work experience and advocacy across the UK. It is now two years since we launched a new strategy from which we have increased our impact whilst strengthening and broadening our services for survivors of modern slavery. In these challenging times it is even more important that we continue to be bold, resilient and effective. We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who has the vision, passion and expertise to collaboratively lead the organisation during this exciting period. The Chair together with the trustees will work to ensure effective governance and provide guidance and support to the executive to ensure that we continue to support and advocate for survivors of modern slavery.
Chair Role & Responsibilities
SHF aims to work in a proactive and collaborative manner, and the Chair will play an important part in setting the tone and bringing all the stakeholders together. We are looking for someone who has considerable experience of leadership at an executive or board level in the charity or corporate sector and has an understanding of the modern slavery sector.
The people that we work with come from all over the world and have a wide variety of beliefs, experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to sharing in and reflecting this rich diversity amongst our staff, volunteers and trustees and would strongly encourage applicants from minority and under-represented groups, and from those with lived experience. We are committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are.
Governance and Culture
- Provide leadership and oversight to the board and executive team on strategy, governance and risk, ensuring that we meet our obligations and responsibilities, including but not limited to governance structures, financial responsibilities, ethos and charity law.
- Ensure that the charity is acting in accordance with its constitution and uses its resources responsibly and exclusively to further its charity objects.
- Support the strengthening of accountable and effective practice within the charity’s governance, helping to cultivate clear commitments, regular learningSustainable freedom from modern slavery 6 focused reviews, and a transparent understanding of impact against strategic priorities.
- Ensure effective scrutiny of finance at board level and that the charity is financially sustainable.
Board Effectiveness
- Facilitate and guide conversations in a way that enables constructive discussion, draws out diverse perspectives and supports informed, shared decision-making.
- Encourage full participation from all trustees, recognising and valuing different skills, identities and lived experiences.
- Work with the Chief Executive and committee Chairs to ensure that board meetings are well planned with agendas that reflect the priorities of SHF and the responsibilities of the trustees.
- Meet as appropriate with the treasurer and Chairs of any board committees.
- Build strong, respectful working relationships between trustees, addressing challenges or conflict with openness and fairness.
- Model and promote a positive and collaborative board culture based on mutual respect rooted in SHF’s values and an appropriate balance of support and challenge
Advocacy and Strategic Development
- Work with the CEO and trustees to strengthen understanding of modern slavery issues, build recognition of the impact of our programmes and influence key decision makers.
- Support the CEO when required to strengthen SHF’s advocacy impact.
- Ensure our strategy is ambitious and financially sustainable and that risks are identified and effectively managed by the executive.
- Bring strategic and planning expertise to the process of ongoing evaluation and refreshment of the strategy.
Development/Fundraising:
- Act as an ambassador for SHF by raising its profile through your networks.
- Build, maintain and develop partnerships which reflect our values and directly benefit our mission.
- Play an active role in supporting the executive to reach its revenue goals.
CEO Mentor and Constructive Friend to the Managing Executive
- Provide a supportive, confidential space for the CEO as a sounding board and constructive friend.
- Build a strong working relationship with the CEO to maintain an overview of SHF’s affairs, to support as necessary the management of sensitive, complex or contentious issues and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the CEO.
- Build a strong working relationship with the executive, offering constructive advice and support whilst maintaining the boundary between the operational decisionmaking of the executive and governance oversight of the Board.
- Lead the annual appraisal for the CEO in line with SHF’s appraisal process and in consultation with other trustees. Ensure that any identified professional development needs are put in place.
Safeguarding Ensure that:
- A Safeguarding Policy and Procedure is in place, is reviewed as least annually and is available to and understood/applied by staff.
- A culture of safeguarding is championed, where wellbeing and psychological safety is prioritised and staff, volunteers and people with lived experience can raise concerns without fear of judgement or reprisal.
- There is a staff Code of Conduct and policies such as Speaking Out (formally Whistleblowing) and Safer Recruitment are in place.
- Safeguarding concerns are managed effectively; there are systems in place for its management; safeguarding resources including training; a DSL is appointed whose role is stated in their job description.
- Regular feedback on safeguarding activity is received (such as gaps, threats, risks), oversee a risk register and the remedial actions required and the track progress.
- Chair of Trustees undertakes enquiries in the event of an allegation being made against the CEO
- Compliance with the Charity Commission serious incident notification requirements, and other bodies such as regulators, commissioners, grant makers, and insurance companies
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!
The Board of Trustees plays a vital role by steering and supporting the charity development. We are seeking to appoint a Chair or a Vice Chair. The Studio Upstairs Board is drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and has a variety of skills. To complement the current Board, we would envisage that the Chair had a wide experience of running organisations and a particular interest in the charity sector. We are keen to hear from candidates with skills in the areas of Corporate Governance and Business Development ie: Partnership working or Fundraising as well as those within Digital Technologies, Health or Legal expertise.
The Board Meetings are to be held four to six times a year in London or online. In addition to the full board meetings there may be occasional committee meetings or meetings of specific task groups. It is expected that the Chair will also maintain regular contact with the Managing Director and other Board members.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
PDA Society are excited to share that we are looking for 2 new Trustees to join our board.
Trustees play a key role in providing strategic direction, oversight, and support to ensure that the PDA Society continues to grow sustainably and deliver real impact for the community we serve.
Following the retirement of two Trustees we’re keen to broaden the range of skills and experiences represented. Our work is guided by people with lived experience, and our Board of Trustees plays a central role in shaping our strategy and ensuring that our values are embedded across everything we do.
Appointments are made on merit, and we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive Board that truly reflects the communities we serve.
We particularly welcome applications from anyone who has experienced marginalisation due to their race or religion, as these voices are currently underrepresented on our Board.
This is a voluntary position, and Trustees are not remunerated, although reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Trustees are appointed for an initial 3-year term.
Our mission is to improve the lives of PDA children, PDA adults and their families. We are working hard to build awareness and understanding.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
RLS is seeking to recruit up to four new Trustees to join our Board from early 2026. We are looking for individuals who share our values and bring passion, perspective, and a commitment to supporting our mission.
We are particularly looking for new trustees with experience in one or more of the following areas: UK legal aid, the Greek immigration and asylum system, fundraising, HR, communications, or financial oversight. We value lived experience of the asylum or immigration system and encourage applications from those who can bring this perspective to our work.
About RLS
RLS is an international legal support organisation, with operations in Greece, the UK and Northern France. We are registered in both the UK and Greece, reflecting our international scope and impact.
We’re committed to ensuring access to justice through expert legal information and advice to people seeking safety and family reunification. Our casework is a tool to tackle individual and systemic injustice in immigration systems. We strive to develop inclusive, sustainable and regenerative ways of working which are directly informed by those with lived migration experience. We support the global movement that fights entrenched inequalities, racism and other forms of discrimination that force people to migrate. In doing so we recognise that immigration systems are weighted against those forced to migrate and stand in opposition to hostile policies, along with all forms of violence against people compelled to migrate.
We continuously think and challenge ourselves in how we develop our anti-racist practice and empower refugee leadership. We recognise that climate justice and migrant struggles are interconnected and view our work through this lens.
To get a fuller picture of our financial health and impact, have a look at our most recent accounts on the charity commission website. (Refugee Legal Support, Charity number: 1191680)
Equality, Inclusion and Representation
RLS is committed to ensuring that our governance reflects the communities we serve. We strongly welcome applications from:
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People with lived experience of migration, displacement or the asylum system
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Black people and people from minoritised ethnic communities
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LGBTQ+ people
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Disabled people
You do not need to have previous board experience. We are committed to supporting new Trustees with a full induction and training.
What Trustees Do
As a Trustee of RLS, you will:
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Attend four Board meetings each year (hybrid)
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Provide strategic direction and oversight of the charity’s activities
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Support and hold the Executive Director accountable
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Review and approve budgets, policies and risk management
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Join at least one Board committee (Finance, Risk, Casework or HR), which may involve additional meetings
If you join as a Finance Trustee, you will also:
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Review monthly management accounts and annual budgets
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Provide advice on financial controls and strategic financial planning
Skills and Experience We Are Looking For
All Trustees should bring:
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A strong commitment to our mission and values
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Good judgment and the ability to work collectively
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Energy and enthusiasm for our work and an interest in using their skills to contribute to our organisation
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A willingness to learn and support others
We are particularly seeking individuals with any of the following:
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UK legal aid experience under an immigration contract
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Knowledge of the Greek immigration and asylum system
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Fundraising, philanthropy or communications expertise
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HR and people management experience
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Financial oversight and planning experience (for Finance Trustee role)
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Knowledge of charity governance and risk
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Legal background (especially refugee, immigration, or human rights law)
Time Commitment
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Approx. 8 hours per month
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Board meetings held quarterly (a mix of in-person and online)
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Participation in one subcommittee
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Ad hoc support via email or calls, as needed
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Initial term of three years, renewable once
Location
Our board is UK-based, with some trustees based in London. We welcome applicants from across the UK, and will support remote attendance at meetings where needed. Trustees may occasionally be invited to attend events or team meetings in London, though this is not essential.
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.
Use your financial expertise to shape the future of a national bereavement charity. Aching Arms is seeking a volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and provide strategic financial leadership.
Aching Arms is recruiting a committed and experienced Treasurer to oversee the charity’s financial affairs and support the Board in ensuring long-term sustainability, transparency, and compliance. This is a significant governance role within a respected organisation that provides vital support to bereaved families across the UK.
As Treasurer, you will play a central part in strengthening our financial stewardship. You will provide oversight of budgets, forecasts, cash flow, reserves, and investments, ensuring the charity has a clear and accurate financial position at all times. You will review management accounts, annual reports, and audited statements in preparation for Board approval, and ensure effective use of accounting systems such as Xero.
Working as a full member of the Board of Trustees, you will contribute to the charity’s governance, strategic planning, and risk management. Your expertise will help inform key decisions, ensuring they are financially sound and aligned with our charitable objectives. You will also maintain oversight of statutory and regulatory compliance, offering clear, accessible financial reporting during Board meetings.
The role involves constructive liaison with auditors and independent examiners, along with providing professional guidance to the Executive Team and Finance & Operations function. You will help strengthen financial controls, policies, and procedures, while offering appropriate scrutiny and challenge to support robust decision-making.
This opportunity is well suited to an individual with strong financial acumen, ideally with experience in accountancy, financial management, or charity finance, who would like to contribute their skills at a strategic level. By joining Aching Arms, you will play an essential role in supporting a charity dedicated to helping families through some of their most difficult moments.
If you are motivated to use your professional skills to deliver meaningful impact, we would welcome your application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Hummingbird Project – Recruitment of two trustees to join the Board of Trustees
The Hummingbird Project is looking for two trustees with lived experience of displacement to join the Board of Trustees.
About the Hummingbird Project
The Hummingbird Project supports young people from a refugee background, many of whom arrived in the UK as unaccompanied children. We also actively campaign for the rights and protection of young refugees at a local and national level. We are based in Brighton and we work across East and West Sussex.
Trustee recruitment
As part of our work, we acknowledge the importance of building a Board of Trustees that has lived experience of the issues that our young people face in the UK. We are looking for two new trustees to join us who have lived experience of the asylum process and of being a refugee.
The Board of Trustees guides the organisation, making sure its mission, vision and core principles are applied. The Board is responsible for the organisation’s strategy, operations, adherence to law and regulation and financial management.
This is an exciting opportunity to help lead the Hummingbird Project in the next phase of its development, and to use your skills and experience to make a lasting difference to the lives of the young people from a refugee background.
Commitment to the role
The Board of Trustees meets five times a year in a hybrid format, and we request a commitment to these meetings. We value trustees who invest in the charity’s mission between those meetings, whenever possible, for example by joining and contributing to subcommittee work, supporting ad hoc working groups and supporting the team to face emerging challenges.
We provide training on trustee roles and responsibilities at the start. Please note that the role is voluntary, but we can cover travel expenses.
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.
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!
Ealing Book Festival is a young organisation with huge ambitions. We're looking for someone with great organisational skills and experience to join the team and help us develop and achieve our objectives.
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the secretary are as follows.
·Preparing agendas in consultation with the chair and trustees and circulating them and any supporting papers in good time
·Making all the arrangements for meetings
· Ensuring the taking of, agreement and sign off of minutes
·Checking that trustees have carried out actions agreed at a previous meeting
·Circulating agendas and minutes of the annual general meeting and any special or extraordinary general meetings (where required)
·Fulfilling the functions equivalent to a company secretary, assisting the chair and other trustees with charity reporting requirements, monitoring the policy register
·Assisting the chair with board evaluation, succession planning processes and recruitment
Person specification
In addition to the person specification for a trustee, the secretary should have the following skills, experience and qualities:
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Experience of governance and compliance procedures
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Organisational ability
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Minute-taking and report writing experience, including preparation of annual reports
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Preparation of the policy register
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Experience of board evaluation and succession planning processes
Please Note. We are ideally looking for a secretary who lives in or near Ealing. We are a small team of local residents delivering a community festival keen to build relationships across the borough. The Trustee Board meets in person.
Ealing Book Festival is a volunteer led CIO, launched in 2023. Our purpose is to run an annual book festival and events for the enjoyment of reading.
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!
Bromley Arts Trust CIO Opportunity to join the Board of Trustees
Ready for a challenge? Good team player? Good at seeing the bigger picture ?
Consider joining our small Board of Trustees. The Board of Bromley Arts Trust is eager to expand the number of trustees and is looking for enthusiastic individuals with special skills and wide-ranging experience to enjoy finding solutions. Whether you are an experienced Trustee or are considering becoming one, we would like to hear from you.
If you have the time (estimated to average 2 to 3 days per month) to undertake this exciting role do complete the application pack and send this with your CV and covering letter to the Business Manager at Bromley Arts Trust.
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!
We are seeking motivated and skilled UK-based professionals to join our volunteer board. As a trustee, you will play a strategic role in guiding the organization, ensuring good governance, and supporting our mission to create meaningful social change in Uganda and the UK. This is a remote role, allowing you to contribute from anywhere in the UK.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide strategic direction and governance oversight
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Ensure compliance with UK charity law (once UK registration is completed) and organizational policies
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Support fundraising, donor engagement, and advocacy efforts
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Contribute to financial oversight and risk management
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Attend 4–6 board meetings per year, plus ad hoc subcommittee meetings as needed
To support vulnerable populations by enhancing their access to education, healthcare, and empowerment programs that enable lasting change.



Equality in Tourism is now going through a period of change, including some financial growth and are looking for a conscientious individual, committed to women’s equality, to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer.
The Treasurer will oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements, and report to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Treasurer will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place, and are appropriate for the charity.
Principal responsibilities:
· Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts, financial statements and financial reports to the Board of Trustees after discussion with the Directors
· Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and are within the charitiy’s objects
· Playing a key role in the development and implementation of appropriate financial policy and procedures, reserves policy and investment policy.
Main duties:
· Liaising with the directors about financial matters
· Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
· Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
· Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans and assisting with appropriate budgeting/forecasting
· Liaising with the charity’s auditors where appropriate
· Liaising with the chair and directors to ensure that the charities annual accounts are compliant with the current Charities SORP
· Ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured
· Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
Person specification
We’re seeking someone who has a strong commitment to gender equality and empathy with our mission. Experience in accountancy or bookkeeping is required. Previous experience working with a non-profit is preferred but not necessary.
· The capacity to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives
· Sound judgement and effective decision making
· Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences
· Commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
· Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board
· Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
· Good, independent judgement and strategic vision
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
· An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Directors
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thames Rivers Trust is looking for a new Trustee.
We are especially interested in people with a scientific background, ideally in Freshwater Ecology, Environmental Biology,
Environmental Science, Aquatic Conservation or Zoology.
We are looking to increase our Trustee Board's diversity and skillsets; strengthening TRT for a resilient future and supporting our mission to bring together organisations across the Thames River Basin, and foster collaborative working to benefit the environment, wildlife and communities.
This voluntary role is open to all qualifying individuals, including those with no previous Board or Trustee experience. We are looking for potential not perfection, we are happy to consider someone at the beginning of their career as well as seasoned professionals. If you will add value, we want your expertise to help achieve our vision!
Our Mission To bring together organisations across the Thames River Basin, and foster collaborative working to benefit the environment, wildlife and communities.
Our Vision Our vision is for a vibrant and healthy Thames River Basin.
Our Values Independence, Evidence-based, Sustainability, Trustworthy.
Who are we? TRT is a registered charity founded in 1986 and is part of The Rivers Trust movement. We are a Hub Trust for the Thames catchment, with our Key Partners we are dedicated to improving the Thames and its tributaries for the benefit of wildlife, communities and the environment. Rivers are vital, we all need cold, clean and plentiful water to thrive; for communities, for business, for farming and for a wealth of wildlife species; yet our rivers are facing a multitude of serious threats and challenges. Together we and our partners are striving at many levels to preserve and improve rivers now and for the future in the Thames catchment. TRT is committed to developing a collaborative, partnership approach that maximises the benefits of public, private and third sector organisations working together with communities to deliver integratedoutcomes. Our most recent flagship project was the successful Thames Catchment Community Eels Project, led by TRT this pilot project worked closely with 3 fellow rivers trusts, Zoological Society of London and Thames Estuary Partnership to strategically identify priority barriers for works to make migration upstream possible for the critically endangered European eel, trial a new citizen science ObstacEELS, monitor elver migration and run extensive hands on community and school eel education outreach. The project has led on to an exciting upscaled National Lottery Heritage Fund funded phase 2 project Development Phase, that is about to start! TRT is the convening body for the Thames Catchment Forum. This interactive regional forum brings together 27 catchment partnership hosts within the Thames for shared learning and development, themed panel discussions, expert guest speakers and Water Frame Directive updates from Thames Water and the Environment Agency, looking at issues and proposing solutions. TRT works in partnership, leading our Key Partners group of 11 organisations that through the group are more informed to do more and better from mutual trust and openness, sharing their specialist knowledge and expertise. This leads to development of strong, evidence-based projects at scale to improve Thames rivers and educate and involve local communities. Together we achieve more, increasing our positive impact sooner.
What is a Trustee? Charity Trustees are the people who share ultimate responsibility for governing a charity and directing how it is managed and run. This involves the Board of Trustees making decisions together, acting in the interests of the charity. Some charity trustees see their role as turning up to 4 meetings a year, but engaged trustees do a lot more than that. A Trustee might support a specific project’s development, attend events to network and represent TRT, have oversight of an area of TRT work that aligns with a trustee’s particular specialism and interest. Our Trustees use their skills, knowledge and experience to support TRT, helping the charity achieve its aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the Board.
What are we looking for? An applicant with a scientific background, ideally in Freshwater Ecology, Environmental Biology, Environmental Science, Aquatic Conservation or Zoology. A strong interest in the environment is essential and an interest in or knowledge of the Thames Catchment would be beneficial; in addition, do you possess any of the following skills or qualities? • Fundraising • Legal • A willingness to participate in discussions and decision making. If yes and you have time to commit to a growing and ambitious charity that is looking to develop and deliver more, we want to hear from you!
Our board of Trustees meets up quarterly in person, during the day in London and Reading. In between these meetings Trustees are in touch regularly with our small, but dedicated team. Time commitment is flexible, in addition to meetings, an average of 2 hours per month to read papers and participate in TRT business. Our Key Partners – Action for the River Kennet, Thames21, South East Rivers Trust, River Thame Conservation Trust, Cotswolds Rivers Trust, Crane Valley Community Interest Company, Zoological Society of London, Thames Estuary Partnership, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Thames Landscape Strategy and UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. TRT values its Trustees and their contributions and will offer support and guidance to all new Trustees. The role of a Trustee is a voluntary one, however the Trust provides indemnity insurance for Trustees and reasonable expenses incurred on authorised Trust business will be reimbursed. Application To find out more about us visit our website. The deadline for applications is midnight 31st December 2025. Please apply with your CV or an application letter.
To bring together organisations across the Thames River Basin, and foster collaborative working to benefit the environment, wildlife and communities.