Board of trustees volunteer roles

Volunteer Trustee English Language Teaching Experience – International House London

Job Description 

Trustee - International House London (English Language Teaching (ELT) background preferred) 

International House Trust Ltd (trading as International House London, IH London), a registered UK charity is seeking passionate and dedicated new Trustee to join their Board and help drive the mission of delivering high-quality language and communication training that unlocks human potential. As a global leader in language teaching, teacher training, and trainer development, IH London is committed to creating meaningful change in the world by fostering effective communication. 

 We are particularly committed to creating an inclusive environment and are actively seeking applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women and individuals from underrepresented communities, to ensure that our Board truly reflects the communities we serve. Your unique perspective and expertise will help us expand our impact and create lasting change. 

Vision: Do you want to be part of an ambitious, forward-thinking organization that brings people together and acts as a force for positive change? If so, we want to hear from you! 

Specific Expertise: We are actively seeking for candidates with specific expertise and experience in English Language Teaching (ELT) to offer strategic oversight on language training programs. 

Location: Remote 

Report to: Chair of Board of Trustees 

Time commitment: Quarterly Board and Committee Meetings (normally remote), ad hoc issues etc. 

Remuneration: This is an unpaid voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed 

Responsibilities: As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of IH London. 

 Key responsibilities include: 

• Contributing to the strategic and long-term direction of IH London 

• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and aligning resources with objectives 

• Protecting and promoting the reputation of IH London and acting in the best interests of the charity 

• Ensuring financial stability, sustainability, and effective risk management 

Person Specification: 

We are looking for candidates who can bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to provide oversight at a senior level to join our strong and committed Trustee Board including: 

Essential 

• A strong track record in education, with clear evidence of career progression including teaching experience and holding a senior position of responsibility. 

• Proven leadership skills. You will display a record of leadership and a proven track record of working at strategic and senior levels, with an ability to provide sound governance and oversight alongside objective, independent judgment. 

• Communication skills. Demonstrable effective written and oral communication skills, the ability to influence others and to advocate on behalf of IH London. 

• Strategic thinking ability. You will demonstrate a proven ability to think strategically, analyse complex concepts and actively contribute to the strategic direction setting of IH London, both over the long and short term. 

Desirable 

• Extensive experience in English Language Teaching (ELT), both in the UK and internationally. 

• Demonstrated engagement with wider industry bodies and professional networks. 

• A history of sharing expertise and knowledge with colleagues and peers. 

• Experience of working within a commercial education environment. 

• Awareness of recent developments and innovations in learning technologies. 

Application process 

If you are interested in joining the Board of one of the world’s most respected English Language educational brands, please submit a CV and a brief covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how your skills can contribute to our success. 

Applications should be sent by 5pm 16 October 2025 

The selection process for shortlisted candidates will include an online conversation with the Chief Executive and a meeting with a group of Trustees. 

We are looking for new Trustees at Jessie May who share our passion and values, and who can bring expertise, insight and challenge to support our future.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Jessie May achieves its core purpose. They provide leadership, overseeing management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that Jessie May has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable the organisation to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission of, 'Providing the very best care and support possible, at home, for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions and their whole families – for the whole journey in life, at the end of life, and in bereavement.'

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

DUTIES

• Support and provide advice on Jessie May’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Approve operational strategies and policies, monitor and evaluate their implementation.

• Oversee Jessie May’s financial plans and budget, monitor and evaluate progress.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

 • Ensure that key risks are continually identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

 • Review and approve Jessie May’s financial statements.

 • Provide support and challenge to Jessie May’s CEO and the senior leadership team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

 • Keep abreast of changes in Jessie May’s operating environment.

 • Contribute to regular reviews of Jessie May’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

 • Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Jessie May’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of Jessie May’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

A basic level DBS check is required for this post, in addition to two references. Jessie May is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.  We are particularly interested in hearing from people who have lived experience related to the services we provide to families.

The Vacancy:

Emersons Green Village Hall is seeking to recruit a Chair of Trustees to build upon our success to date, provide visionary strategic leadership and steer the charity through its next stage of development and growth.

This is a voluntary role with a minimum time commitment of approximately five hours per month. We have up to six scheduled bi-monthly Board Meetings, which last up to two hours and are usually held on Tuesday evenings. In addition we have Committee Meetings to deal with faniances and operations, plus our AGM.  Meetings are held via Miscrosoft Teams or in-person at Emersons Green Village Hall. 

The Role of the Chair:

The Chair’s role is to lead the Board of Trustees, providing strategic oversight and governance, and creating a positive and inclusive culture. The Chair will be actively leading on shaping the future of our Hall, developing the business, and setting its strategic direction to ensure financial viability for the future.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a wide variety of skills who can be an enabler to oversee the charity and build on the progress we have made to date. Ideally you will have experience of being a Trustee. We are also looking for individuals with leadership, management, and organisational development skills. Experience in the voluntary sector, community facilities or running community projects would also be beneficial.

As a ‘hands-on’ Chair, you will bring your experience and skills to the role and will be supported by the Trustee Board, plus an established staff team including the Hall and Events Manager, plus the Treasurer and Company Secretary.

Please note that you must be aged 18 years or older.

About Emersons Green Village Hall:

Emersons Green Village Hall is a charity which runs the community centre with the same name. Our aim is to be at the heart of the community. We run our own events and activities and hire out our rooms.

How To Apply:

Please send your CV with contact details of two referees. While we do use LinkedIn, we will not accept your LinkedIn profile in lieu of your CV.

The first step is for our Company Secretary to show you around Emersons Green Village Hall and answer any questions about our operations and the building. If you wish to proceed with your application after your visit and discussion, we will take up your references. If these are satisfactory, one of the current Co-Chairs will interview you. The Board will then discuss any candidates proposed by the Co-Chair at our next Trustee Meeting and you will be notified of the outcome.

Our Company Secretary will then arrange for successful candidates to complete the necessary paperwork, including a basic DBS Check, before starting their roles as Trustees. 

About Us

Now in our 30th year, The Eikon Charity supports children and young people across Surrey to feel and be safe, heard, and supported.

Growing up in today’s world can be incredibly challenging. That’s why we empower children and young people to find the inner and outer resources they need – skills, knowledge and resilience – as they develop and navigate life. 

So, we create spaces for them where they can be themselves and talk about their thoughts and feelings. They understand better than anyone what’s happening in their own lives, so we listen, without judging. 

Background to the role

At Eikon we are poised to deliver an increase in our vital, evidence-based services across Surrey and the South-East, as well as to share our model of success and influence children and young people’s services across the UK. We know, and others know, that what we do has an impact on our children and young people who, tragically, need more of everything we offer as their challenges increase.

We are now looking for passion, commitment and bold leadership from our new Chair. You will have had a senior career in the public, private or voluntary sector, you’ll have grown an organisation sustainably, leading with vision and courage, and engaging and influencing stakeholders internally and externally. You will be entrepreneurial and forward-focused with ambition to effect the change that you will believe in as wholeheartedly as we do. You will lead the Board in a way that ensures we remain relevant and fit for purpose for our next season of growth and impact, while also retaining our resilience and sustainability. You will ensure our CEO and senior leadership team are empowered to lead as effectively as possible in an increasingly complex and challenging environment. 

Qualities we’re looking for:

• Visionary leadership: demonstrates bold, strategic thinking and the ability to inspire and guide the Board and executive team toward long-term sustainable growth
• Commitment to mission: passion for the charity’s purpose and a deep understanding of its social impact
• Influencing & advocacy: skilled in representing the charity externally, influencing key stakeholders, and acting as an ambassador for its work
• Integrity & diplomacy: exercises sound judgment, tact, and discretion in complex and sensitive situations
• Inclusivity & collaboration: fosters a collaborative and inclusive Board culture, encouraging diverse perspectives and constructive challenge

What your day to day in this role will look like:

You’ll show bold and strategic leadership and build a good relationship with our CEO, along with the rest of our leadership team. Efficiency and effectiveness will be key in this governance role, as well as maintaining external relations.

How to Apply:

Eastside People is supporting The Eikon Charity in the recruitment of this role. Please click here to apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following: 

○       Why are you interested in the Chair role at Eikon? 

○       Having read the information pack and understanding who we’re looking for, what relevant experience, skills and personal qualities would you bring to this role? 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

The closing date for applications is 27 October. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with the panel at Eikon during the week beginning 3 or 10 November.

The Trustees of Omega are volunteers who lead and manage the charity, ensuring it is well-run and achieves its purposes. They are responsible for the charity's governance, strategy, and overall direction, making decisions that impact the charity's beneficiaries and the wider community. Trustees are ultimately responsible for the charity's legal and financial well-being, and they must act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries.

Our trustees are the guardians of the charity, responsible for ensuring it is well-managed, financially sound, and fulfilling its charitable purposes for the benefit of its beneficiaries and the wider community. We look for trustees who have a particular area of experience or skillset so we have a good range of professional expertise represented across the board of trustees at any point in time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance and Strategic Direction: Trustees set the charity's strategic aims and direction, plan and review its work, and make decisions about its activities and resources.
• Financial Oversight: Trustees are responsible for the charity's finances, ensuring they are managed responsibly and used to support the charity's purposes.
• Compliance and Legal Duties: Trustees ensure the charity complies with its governing document, relevant laws, and regulations.
• Accountability: Trustees are accountable to donors, regulators, beneficiaries, and the public, ensuring the charity is transparent and operates ethically.
• Safeguarding: Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity has appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place to protect vulnerable individuals.
• Risk Management: Trustees must identify and manage potential risks to the charity, including financial, reputational, and operational risks.

Qualities we are looking for in our Omega Trustees:

• Commitment: Trustees are volunteers and must be committed to the charity's mission and goals.
• Good Judgment: Trustees need to be able to make sound decisions based on available information and their understanding of the charity's needs.
• Integrity and Honesty: Trustees must act with integrity and honesty, putting the charity's interests first.
• Understanding of Governance: Trustees need to understand their responsibilities and the principles of good governance.
• Communication and Collaboration: Trustees need to be able to communicate effectively with other trustees, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) is seeking people with a passion for sex workers’ rights and
safety to join our Board of Trustees.

About NUM and the role of trustees
NUM is a UK-wide charity working with sex workers to end all forms of violence against them. We design and deliver safety tools, carry out research, and provide specialist support services for people in adult industries. We serve sex workers of all genders, ages, abilities, cultures, and modes of work. Our secure digital reporting and alerting system warns communities about dangerous individuals, while our experiential support staff and trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) offer one-to-one, trauma-informed advocacy. We ensure sex workers have the information and resources they need to make informed choices about their lives.

Our wellbeing drop-in service (first launched in Glasgow) has now expanded to Manchester and London, alongside the addition of our dedicated vocational support programme for people looking to transition, diversify, or leave sex work. Our racial justice programme reclaims narratives on sex work and race through in-depth conversations, research, and collaborations between racialised sex workers and anti-racist activists, focusing on experiences across five key areas of public life. We conduct research, deliver education packages for professionals, and advocate for policy change to improve safety, rights, and recognition for sex workers across the UK.

We place lived experience at the heart of all services and decision-making, ensuring our
work reflects the needs, priorities, and expertise of the communities we serve.

Trustees at NUM play a vital role in helping us fulfil our core mission of ending all forms of violence against sex workers. They support NUM as an organisation and the members of the NUM team by providing support, advice and guidance through our day-to-day operations and the overall strategic vision of the charity. Some of that takes place at quarterly trustee meetings, where the CEO reports on NUM’s work and brings decisions and choices to the board for discussion and advice, and some takes place between meetings when individual trustees have skills or experience that can support team members and have the time to take on a supportive or mentoring role. Our current trustees bring with them a wide range of
experience from sex worker organising and advocacy, media and public engagement,
campaigning and social justice, academia, finance, and other aspects of the third sector.
They also oversee legally required duties such as approving the annual report, reviewing
risks and finances, and ensuring the charity complies with the law and meets its charitable
objectives.
Trustee roles are voluntary positions. However, NUM will pay for any reasonable expenses incurred as part of the role.

Who we’re looking for
The most important thing is that you believe in NUM’s work and want to join us to help us
continue this. We need people willing to volunteer their time to shape our practice and our services, and guide the charity as we continue to meet the needs of sex workers across the UK.

We particularly welcome applications from those with:

• Lived experience within sex worker communities
• Legal expertise (particularly relating to organisations, governance, and charity law)
• HR expertise (including recruitment, compliance, and employment law)
• Fundraising and income generation expertise

This experience may come from trustee roles, management positions in third-sector organisations, or other relevant voluntary or lived experience. You don’t need prior trustee experience — what matters most is commitment, skills, and a willingness to learn.

We value skills, competencies, and lived experience over job titles, and encourage applicants to draw on the full range of their background — including voluntary roles or sex work-based examples from their working history. We are looking for people who understand the realities of working within a charity and who can bring fresh ideas, insight, and expertise to support NUM’s mission.
If you don't have the specific skills listed above but believe you could contribute in other ways, we’d be happy to hear from you — please get in touch to discuss.

We are looking for Trustees who are proactive and solutions-focused. Individuals who, when they see a challenge, are willing to take the lead in mobilising others and driving practical action. Someone who doesn’t wait to be asked, but steps in with energy, clarity and a positive mindset to help move things forward collectively for NUM and in the pursuit of our
charitable goals.

Other skills and attributes that we would like from any prospective trustees are:

• A strong commitment to the mission and core values of NUM
• A high degree of integrity
• The ability to think strategically and plan for the future with good judgement
• Critical thinking skills
• Creativity
• The ability to work well as part of a team to collectively make decisions surrounding
• NUM’s future work, vision and strategy
• A willingness to undertake any necessary training
• An understanding of safeguarding
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a charity trustee

We know that great boards bring together a mix of perspectives, skills, and experiences - both lived and learned. We’re especially keen to hear from people whose voices are often underrepresented in leadership, including (but not limited to) people with experience in the sex industry, people of colour, LGBTQIA+ people, disabled people, people under 30 years old, and those from working-class backgrounds. If you care about our mission and meet the core criteria, please consider applying - even if you don’t tick every single box.

The responsibilities of trustees at NUM include:

• Attend four regular board meetings a year (online and/or in person)
• Advise on, and help develop, organisational strategy and delivery, including policies that fall within your expertise
• Ensure compliance with governing documents and the law
• Ensure accountability to funders, NUM members and wider movement
• Maintain proper fiscal oversight, signing off and scrutinising reporting against budgets
• Oversee the management of risks to NUM’s funding, reputation and delivery
• Exemplify NUM’s values and culture through ways of working and interacting
• Maintain effective board performance (including appointing new board members)
• Effectively work with, and respect the expertise of the NUM staff and volunteer team

We estimate that the role will require approximately 1–2 days per month, including quarterly meetings and some responsiveness between these. The standard term for a Trustee is 3 years.

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an experienced and committed individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that supports families across Suffolk. As Treasurer, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO, Finance Sub Committee and wider Board to ensure strong financial oversight and governance.

You’ll help guide our financial strategy, support budget-setting and risk management, and ensure that financial information is clear and accessible to the Board. We are specifically looking for someone with experience in charity finance, ideally with a background in accountancy or financial management. You will bring a solid understanding of financial governance and charity reporting requirements and be confident in offering strategic insight as well as practical advice.

This Treasurer role is part of our wider trustee recruitment, and we welcome applicants who also bring any of the following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Securing our Future: championing sustainable, innovative care and strengthening community impact.

This is a pivotal moment to join St Helena. Under our Securing our Future programme, we took action to protect our specialist palliative care and bereavement support services for north east Essex. This has been a challenging period for the hospice sector as we navigate rising costs, increasing demand and evolving income streams. We have been innovating how we deliver truly person-centred care whilst diversifying our income streams, with an increasingly commercial focus to how we deliver our charitable purposes. 

This role forms part of the board of St Helena Hospice Trading Ltd, the wholly owned trading susidiary of St Helena Hospice. As we continue to diversify our income to support specialist palliative and bereavement care across north east Essex, our trading company plays a vital role in generating sustainable revenue through retail and enterprise.

To help us thrive, we are recruiting two new Trustees:

1. A philanthropic leader with a proven track record in major gifts, diversified fundraising strategy and nurturing high-net-worth relationships
2. A digital strategist skilled in digital transformation, data-driven decision-making and enhancing online engagement.

Please read the candidate pack for more information.

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Location: Nottinghamshire - we hope our Trustees have a deep understanding of local people. Our Board meetings and AGM take place in person (with the exception of the January meeting which is online).

Responsibilities within the role:

• To ensure Age UK Notts is accountable 

• To ensure our purpose and work is carried out for the public benefit 

• To ensure compliance with our governance code and any relevant obligations

• To act in the best interests of the charity, and maintain the professional integrity of the charity, when dealing with stakeholders, other bodies and individuals

• To manage the charity's resources responsibly 

• To act with reasonable care and skill

• To safeguard the good name and values of the charity

• To act as an ambassador for Age UK Notts and for the wider Age UK network

• To safeguard the good name and values of the charity

• To have a positive commitment to, and actively promote, Age UK Notts’ Equality Diversity and Inclusion policy

• To act as an Ambassador for the charity and the wider Age UK network

What is the time commitment? 

The charity holds four full board meetings per year in Nottingham, with each meeting lasting around 2 hours. Meetings take place quarterly on the third Thursday of October, January, April and July.

In addition, Trustees need to set aside a minimum of 2 hours reading time before each board meeting.

. The AGM follows the board meeting on the third Thursday of October, with the meeting lasting around 1.5 hours. In addition, a minimum of 1 hour reading time is required prior to the AGM.

• There may be specific occasions when a Trustee is required to attend an event to open/close it, such as our annual staff conference

• Get to know the charity’s services and infrastructure within the first 3 years/initial tenure of the post and continue to have contact with relevant departments during subsequent 3-year tenures. Feedback on service/infrastructure visits is a standard Board agenda item.

. The charity board also has a Finance & Audit Committee which has its own Terms of Reference and has meetings separate from the Full Board Meetings. The membership of this committee is determined by the Board

• Trustees serve a three-year term of office and can be re-elected to serve additional three-year terms

What training will you be given?

We offer a full induction programme and ongoing support from the charity, other Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team plus occasional external development.

Who we're looking for:

The Trustee role is open to all those who are either a trained lawyer or who has a strong legal background and in addition, the Board of Trustees particularly welcomes experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Issues relating to work with, and for, older people or lived experience and potentially any of the following skills.
• Legal Skills
• Fundraising
• Public Relations and Marketing
• Campaigning
• Education and Learning
• Digital Strategy
• HR
• Strategy and planning skills and performance monitoring in commercial and/or not-for-profit organisations
• Developing and monitoring budgets

We particularly welcome applications from diverse communities and are looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds to join our board and contribute towards leading the charity and delivery of services to the older people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

*Please note the following key information*

 • You must be at least 18 years old 

• You must be properly appointed following the procedures and any restrictions in the charity’s governing document 

• The role of a Trustee is voluntary and is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed

 • You must not act as a trustee if you are disqualified under the Charities Act, including if you have an unspent conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud), are bankrupt or have entered into a formal arrangement (e.g. an individual voluntary arrangement) with a creditor or have been removed as a company director or charity trustee because of wrongdoing.

 • The Charity Trustee role is open to all those who are either a trained lawyer or who has a strong legal background*

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK
Time Commitment: Approx. 2 – 4 hours per month

About Us
Unseen Expeditions UK is a newly forming Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) supporting mission-led charities and expedition projects across the UK and internationally. Our flagship initiative, The Unseen Mile, is a 4.5-year journey covering 25,000 miles across 37 countries. Through this and future projects, we aim to inspire, raise awareness for important causes, and share unique storytelling and learning experiences from the field.

We are currently recruiting our initial trustee board to help launch and register the charity.

Role Overview
We are seeking a General Trustee to join our board, support strategic decision-making, and help ensure effective governance. This is a key role in shaping the charity’s early operations, supporting registration, and contributing to the delivery of our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend quarterly trustee meetings (in person or virtually) and participate in board decision-making

• Support governance, strategy, and operational planning for the CIO

• Contribute ideas, experience, and skills to help the charity grow

• Assist with compliance, reporting, and adherence to charity law and CIO regulations

• Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development as needed

Person Specification & Requirements

• Interest in charity governance, mental health, and expedition-led projects

• Willingness to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

• Commitment to the mission and values of Unseen Expeditions and its partnered charities

• Comfortable working remotely and communicating online with a UK-wide board

• UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

• Approx. 2 - 4 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

• Basic tools for communication (email, phone, video calls)

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to help shape and govern a new, high-profile charity from launch

• Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

• Contribution to awareness-raising and adventure-led impact projects

• Recognition for your role in mission-driven initiatives, including The Unseen Mile and future projects

• Flexible, fully remote role within a passionate, purpose-driven team

We are seeking a Trustee to champion community engagement, partnerships, and communications to strengthen our impact and visibility. The role is unpaid and voluntary with an estimated time commitment of around 2 hours per week. 

What we are looking for

Essential 

·Experience in community engagement, public relations, or communications.

·Understanding of inclusive outreach.

·Strong advocacy skills.

Desirable

·Experience in co-operative or community-led initiatives.

·Knowledge of digital communications tools.

Responsibilities specific to the Community Partnerships & Communications Trustee role

·Oversee strategies for community involvement and representation.

·Build and maintain strategic relationships with community organisations, local authorities, other charities, and aligned organisations.

·Review and sign off partnership agreements.

·Lead on shaping the charity’s communications approach, including social media strategy.

·Collaborate with staff and volunteers to create compelling content.

·Advise on measuring and reporting the impact of community and communications work.

·Ensure compliance with GDPR and charity advertising standards.

·Ensure compliance with employment law and relevant charity regulations.

Wider Responsibilities (Shared with All Trustees)

·Support and provide advice on Paradise Cooperative’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

·Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

·Oversee Paradise Cooperative’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

·Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organization.

·Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

·Review and approve Paradise Cooperative’s financial statements.

·Provide support and challenge to Paradise Cooperative’s Executive Director in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

·Keep abreast of changes in Paradise Cooperative’s operating environment.

·Contribute to regular reviews of Paradise Cooperative’s own governance.

·Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

·Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Paradise Cooperative’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

·Contribute to the broader promotion of Paradise Cooperative’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Attributes and qualities

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will help broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

·Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organization.

·Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.

·Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

·A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

·Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

·Willingness to lead according to our values.

We are looking for a trustee who understands charity finance.   Ideally you would  be a qualified accountant, perhaps retired, but with a particular expertise in charity finance.  We have a bookkeeper who does the work for us, so we are not looking for someone to do our accounts but we need a trustee who can give them direction and ensure the Board has the necessary financial information.  

We are looking for someone who cares about and wants to  help young people who are in the care system to make it to and through university. This is not about helping individual youngsters personally. We are building and funding programmes to enable others to help them more effectively.  

You need to be willing to be a trustee. This involves preparing for meetings by reading the papers, speaking up in meetings and sharing your opinions and experience, working with others on the board and with our education partners to develop ways we can fulfil our goal of increasing the number of care-experienced young people who successfully complete a degree and find work.

You need to be able to meet the time commitment which is to attend our (virtual) trustee meetings.  These are held on a Wednesday afternoon once a quarter – the dates are published well in advance.  We also get together, in person, for up to a full day once a year – again usually on a Wednesday. You will need to prepare for meetings and there may be the occasional other tasks so we recommend thinking of a time commitment of 2 -3 hours a month.

Previous experience as a charity trustee is highly desirable, but not essential, as you will have a full explanation of the duties and responsibilities of trustees during your induction.

Chair of Trustees – School Library Association
Location: Remote, with occasional in-person events
Time commitment: One day per week
Term: 3-year term (term renewable once; a maximum of six years)

Remuneration: Voluntary (expenses reimbursed)
Deadline to apply: 25th September

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for reading and equity in education? Do you want to help shape the future of school libraries and support the next generation of readers?

This is a pivotal moment for the School Library Association (SLA). With a new CEO, a refreshed staff team, and bold plans to launch a new organisational strategy, we are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Chair of Trustees to join us.

We punch well above our weight as a small national charity with big ambitions. You will be joining at a time of transformation, as we strengthen our funding pipeline, build corporate and strategic partnerships, and grow our visibility on the national stage. We recently represented the SLA at Downing Street for the Government’s Year of Reading, and the opportunity to drive systemic change in support of school libraries has never been greater.

We are looking for a Chair who:

• Brings strategic leadership and sound financial oversight
• Can support and challenge the CEO in equal measure
• Has strong relationship-building skills and ambassadorial presence
• Is excited to help shape a new strategy and governance structure
• Shares our passion for reading, education, and inclusion

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.  Download the recruitment pack and apply by 25th September 2025.

Few institutions are or Students Unions are developing as fast as we are. Both UCB and the Guild of Students aspire to being models of excellence serving our unique a diverse student body.

We serve students from 6th form, vocational courses and degree and post grad, local and many international students. We have an exciting plan to take us into the next few years and need someone brilliant, experienced and enthusiastic to help steer us on this ambitious, challenging journey.

We think someone with experience as a senior Students' Union and perhaps some broader experiences and interests too would be great for the role but we would be happy to talk to someone who has a good understanding of governance and students' unions acquired during their varied history.

About the Guild of Students

Since becoming an independent charity six years ago, the Guild of Students has become a hub of student life and advocacy, in line with our mission to help every student at University College Birmingham achieve their potential. We run a Course Representative scheme of over 400 volunteers, lead change campaigns in students’ interests, facilitate around 25 student-led clubs and societies, and organise exciting social opportunities.

We’ve been recognised with several accreditations, including Investors In People, Disability Confident, and most recently the National Union of Students’ ‘Quality Students’ Union’ status.

The Guild is led by three elected full-time Officers: an Education Officer, Equalities and Wellbeing Officer, and Societies & Activities Officer. They, in turn, are supported by a team of 6 part-time volunteer Officers and a small but dedicated staff team, which we are keen to expand to develop the quality and breadth of our services.

About our Members

UCB is home to a wide range of courses with a particular emphasis on skills-based education. We are proud to welcome a diverse student body, including many from the West Midlands who have traditionally faced barriers to accessing further or higher education.

The Guild represents around 10,000 students, including apprentices, college-level students, UCB’s new Sixth Form, and university-level students. We engage with a clear majority of our members each year, and are keen to deepen our reach — especially with FE students.

About the Role

As Chairperson, you will lead a Board comprising external trustees, student trustees, the three full-time Officers, and a member of UCB’s governing body. The Board meets quarterly for around three hours, and the chairperson will be expected to provide additional support and guidance between meetings (which can be done remotely).

The initial term of appointment is four years, with the option of renewal.

We ask candidates to note the following key dates:

• Applications close: Friday 7th November, 16:00
• Interviews: Week commencing 17th November (to be confirmed)
• First Board meeting (if appointed): Thursday 27th November in an observing capacity

Further Information and Adjustments

For an informal conversation about the role or to discuss the appointment process in greater detail (including any adjustments we can make to ensure accessibility) please send us a message for the attention of Alex Harden-Way, Guild Director.