Board trustee volunteer roles

Trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District

Do you want to help us improve the lives of parents and young children in Wokingham and surrounding areas?

You could be a trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District, an local charity that gives every child the best possible start in life.

 Set up in 1996, we offer “a lifeline”, a free family support service to families with at least one child under the age of five, provided by volunteers who are parents themselves, to support other parents. That home visiting service is unique in Wokingham Borough, providing compassionate, confidential and non-judgmental help and friendship to local parents struggling to cope with the daily challenges of family life.

We are affiliated to national Home-Start UK, but we are an independent local charity responsible for our own governance and securing our own funding.

We are looking for new trustees to join our Board, as our longer-standing trustees stand down.

What we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education and business. We’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.

We are looking to refresh our Board as some of the trustees who’ve governed us for a while now stand down. If you can think strategically and help us plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees and will work collectively with all other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as support from local charity-support organisations is always available.  Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

We ask for about ten hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc., many of which are held online. You’ll need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Quick Apply, below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams or Zoom).

Trustees play a vital role in ensuring Middlewich and District Foodbank meets its core purpose by overseeing the management and administration of the charity and ensuring that the foodbank has a clear strategy in line with our vision and goals.

What will you be doing?

As a trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of the food bank and all decisions made by the board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, is compliant with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable. It is also the responsibility of the treasurer to work in partnership with the chairperson and other trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the organisation.

Key tasks

Trustee (Fundraising & Grants Lead) responsibilities:

• to work alongside the Finance Committee, treasurer and the rest of the board to plan what level of funds are required to be generated to ensure the effective running of the charity
• to work alongside the trustee board to ensure that all grants are sought and written with the purpose of meeting the charity’s vision and objectives
• to lead on the organisation of fundraising opportunities to support the running of the charity, with a specific focus on engaging with business and corporate partners
• to lead on incorporating national Trussell fundraising campaigns/events into the food bank’s fundraising calendar
• to oversee, with operational management support, the writing of high-quality grant applications that are in line with the charity’s vision and objectives
• to regularly communicate to the rest of the trustee board via trustee meetings or any other communication, any relevant information and/or developments regarding fund raising or grant applications.

Other responsibilities, along with the board of trustees, include:

• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives.
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity.
• to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored, and controlled appropriately.
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated.
• to review and approve financial statements.
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding and GDPR compliance/data protection.
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• an understanding of, and commitment to, the work of the Middlewich & District Foodbank
• a knowledge of, and passion for, fundraising and grant application writing
• an ability to lead on any fundraising and grants matters in a supportive and confident manner
• experience of liaising with business and corporate partners and the development of fundraising relationships
• excellent communication and collaboration skills
• the ability to engage with others and be part of a team, as well as being organised and motivated to complete tasks independently
• willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board
• the ability to listen and engage with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences
• willingness to act in the best interest of the charity
• sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively
• working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.

It is not necessary to have previous board experience as training and support will be provided. This role could support someone taking their first steps to develop wider board level and governance experience

Whatever your background, we want to make sure you are supported and empowered and enjoy your time volunteering with us. We know that having volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds, with varying experiences, can help to make what we do as effective as possible. As such, we welcome all applicants regardless of age, religion or beliefs, disability, ethnic background, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We also encourage those with lived experience of poverty to apply.

What difference will you make?

By leading on fundraising and grants matters for the food bank, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Middlewich & District Foodbank.

Cambridge Women’s Aid has been supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse for over 40 years. We are currently searching for new trustees to join our board.

Effective governance is key to the success and sustainability of our organisation. As a trustee, you will be able to use your experience, energy and creativity to shape our approach and help us to achieve our mission. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ trustee, and you don’t necessarily need previous board experience; we welcome women with a diverse range of backgrounds, skills and life experiences, who can commit and contribute to the success of our work.

At the moment, our Board of Trustees is particularly looking to build expertise in Legal, Finance, HR & Safeguarding. However, we welcome applications from all women with a commitment to our work and are interested in hearing about full range of skills applicants can bring.

As a trustee, you will receive training to carry out your role, have opportunities to represent CWA in the community, and be part of a supportive and welcoming board. Being a trustee gives you the chance to gain experience in strategic planning, develop skills in new areas, and add significant value to a thriving charity.

Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend and minimum of four in person board meetings per year, plus one away day and one Annual General Meeting. Most trustees will get involved in the work of sub-committees, such as the Employment or Finance groups, and will attend around six sub-committee meetings per year. The minimum commitment is 3 years.

Location

Cambridge city

Remuneration

This is a voluntary position, but expenses are reimbursed.

How to Apply

For more information about the trustee role, and to apply, please email to request an application pack from our website. 

CWA values diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination of all forms. We encourage and welcome applications from women of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants from minoritised women and younger women. We also welcome applicants with lived experience of VAWG services (though we ask that applicants have not accessed our service within the last two years).

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

An enhanced DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure will be required for this role.

Crossness Pumping Station (overseen by the Crossness Engines Trust) is a unique and valuable museum of UK and world reknown telling the history of how the ambitious management of sewage transformed London as a city of growth and innovation in the 1860s and helped eradicate cholera. Preserved and restored by a group of enthusiasts since 1987, we are now entering a second phase of major restoration and we need visionary trustees who can help us achieve it.

This role is one of three we have created for experts in their field to help us implement a major programme over the next 5-10 years. It really is your chance to be part of our history!

As well as the usual trustee roles (outlined in the role description attached) the specific skills needed for this role include:

Role Objectives

• Acting as lead expert on the Board in relation to fundraising (eg grant funding, legacy funding, onsite donations, but not commercial trading/visitor charges).
• Advising on good practice and regulatory and policy issues in charity fundraising.
• Identifying future fundraising prospects and working with volunteers to achieve these.

Responsibilities

• Work with a volunteer lead/team on identifying future funding sources from grant-making bodies.
• Develop a fundraising strategy with volunteers.
• Develop corporate fundraising targets with other trustees.
• Investigate legacy fundraising and other visitor/member/donor opportunities.

Candidate requirements

 Essential

• Proven success in heritage or similar charity fundraising.
• Good knowledge of the standards required by the Institute of Fundraising.
• Ability to develop fundraising skills in volunteers.
• Good knowledge of relevant stakeholders in the fundraising community.
• Excellent communication skills including with staff and volunteers as well as fellow trustees.
• An understanding of the importance of collaboration and problem-solving.
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office 365.
• Commitment to attend board meetings regularly and volunteer for other sub-committees as appropriate.
• Able to devote around 2-3 hours per week on preparing for meetings.
• Treating colleagues with respect and politeness.

Desirable

• Experience in the charity sector.
• Experience as a volunteer in a similar organisation.
• Experience in Digital, Marketing and Finance would also be useful.

Our Trustees perform a vital and fulfilling role, ensuring that Jigsaw4u fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on our vision, impact, goals and values.

About the Organisation

Jigsaw4u is a community charity in South West London that supports children, young people and families to put the pieces back together following complex social and emotional difficulties.

What you will be doing

Jigsaw4u’s Board of Trustees are jointly responsible for:

• The overall governance and strategic direction of the charity.

• Its financial health.

• The probity of its activities.

• Developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

All Trustees should also be aware of, and understand their individual and collective responsibilities, and the Board should not be overly reliant on one or more individual Trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity.

What's in it for you?

Trusteeship with Jisgaw4u offers the opportunity:

• To use your knowledge and experience to make a difference in the community.

• To gain Governance and finance experience and learn new skills.

• For personal growth and career development.

• To expand your network and work alongside people from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds.

What skills will you need?

We’re looking for passionate and committed individuals who believe in the work that we do, and who want to play a part in our future strategic development.

You do not need to have been a Trustee before or have previous Board experience.

We need people who are willing to devote the necessary time and effort to support the work of Jigsaw4u, that have an ability to think creatively and are happy to provide views.

We are very lucky to have a Board of varied backgrounds, experience and skill sets and we are looking to add further skill sets and replace those of Trustees who leave when their terms come to an end. It is important that individuals have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liability of being a Trustee (we can provide further information on those duties and responsibilities).

We particularly welcome applications from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds in order to reflect the diverse nature of our beneficiaries. The young people we work with come from a broad range of backgrounds, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, young people with mental or physical disabilities, or those experiencing complex issues and low levels of agency.

To best support all the people we work with, our Trustees need to come from a wide range of ages and backgrounds themselves.

DBS check required.

About the Role 

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in the governance and strategic direction of Sense. You will work alongside a diverse and committed Board to ensure the charity continues to deliver high-quality, person-centred support to disabled people with complex needs. 

We are looking to recruit up to four new Trustees to join our Board. The Board meets a minimum of four times a year in person — twice in Birmingham and twice in London — with an annual away day, which may be residential. Meetings are held during the working day and typically last around 6 hours, including breaks. 

In addition to Board meetings, you will also join at least one of the following committees, which meet online four times a year, online, in the lead-up to each Board meeting: 

• Finance and Audit Committee
• Operations Committee
• Engagement Committee
• Nominations and Remuneration Committee 

 As Sense is both a registered charity and a company, Trustees also serve as Company Directors, with names publicly listed at Companies House and the Charity Commission. 

Expertise and knowledge and experience 

We are particularly looking for the following experience for new trustees; 

• Finance
• Social Care
• Campaigning
• Fundraising
• Safeguarding 

Your Impact 

As a Trustee, you will help shape Sense’s strategic priorities, hold leadership to account, and act as a champion for the values and mission of the organisation. You will also have the opportunity to engage with Sense’s services directly, visit local centres or shops, and see first-hand the difference we make. 

Access and Inclusion 

We are committed to making this opportunity fully accessible. Sense will cover all reasonable adjustments required to enable disabled people to fully participate as Trustees. We recognise that needs may change over time, and we are prepared to provide ongoing support and flexibility. 

We strongly encourage applications from disabled people and women, as well as individuals from other underrepresented backgrounds, to help us build a more diverse and inclusive Board. 

If you’re ready to use your experience, insight or passion to help break down barriers and make a real difference, we would love to hear from you. 

About Sense  

Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.  

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.   

This is an exciting time to join Sense as we continue to deliver our bold strategy, guided by our vision of a world without limits for disabled people with complex needs. As a Trustee, you will help shape and support Sense on this journey, ensuring our plans are ambitious, inclusive and achievable. You will play a key role in guiding the organisation’s future direction, ensuring our strategy reflects the voices and experiences of the people we support and that our work continues to deliver lasting impact. 

• Bristol
• Voluntary role (expenses covered)
• Closing date: Midnight, 27th November 2025

• Commitment – 4  meetings per year

Moon Exec Search is proud to be partnering with Sight Research UK, a charity that’s been funding pioneering eye disease research for nearly 40 years. As they enter a bold new phase of growth, we’re supporting them in the search for a new Trustee to help raise their profile and expand their reach.

This is a strategic governance role for someone with a background in business development, marketing, or corporate partnerships. You’ll work closely with the Board and Executive Team to help shape the charity’s future, championing science that delivers real-world impact for people living with sight loss.

We’re looking for candidates with:

• Experience in business development or partnership building (charity or commercial)
• Strategic thinking and strong communication skills
• A passion for medical research and social impact
• Energy, ideas, and a collaborative spirit

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a small but mighty charity with big ambitions.

To apply, please send your CV and Expression of Interest to Gemma Wilks or Sandy Hinks quoting reference JO2664.

Sight Research UK has retained Moon Exec Search to manage this campaign and cannot accept CVs from third-party agencies. All applications will be forwarded directly to Moon Exec Search for consideration.

War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve the nation's 100,000 war memorials. It is looking for new Trustees, with the right skills, experience, enthusiasm and commitment, to join the Board and help guide the charity's efforts. 

The charity provides advice and expertise to help anyone who looks after a war memorial to manage, repair and conserve it for the benefit of those who live locally, those who are commemorated and their families and the wider population. Sadly, names are added on a regular basis, hence many are living memorials as well as commemorating those from conflicts past. It also encourages public engagement especially through its website War Memorials Online to which anyone can add information and upload photographs. So, if the Trustee role isn't for you, you may still be able to contribute by signing up to War Memorials Online. 

A skills audit has identified key areas of expertise that the Board needs to enhance as

• fundraising expertise to ensure we are here for the long term 
• legal expertise to support the charity deliver its objectives appropriately

If you have a sympathy with our vision and have skills which match those we are looking for, we would love to hear from you. We can consider wider enquiries but those are our current priorities. 

This role is home based with board meetings rotating between in-person at the London office and online, although all can be joined online. Some attendance at events or visits to war memorials may be undertaken. Reasonable expenses related to the role will be available. Minimum engagement is for four, two-hour board meetings per year (plus reading of papers beforehand). Additional input will be welcomed and Trustees may be approached by staff, on a collective or an individual basis, between meetings, particularly in relation to their expertise.

Full details of the role can be found on War Memorials Trust's website via the 'Redirect to recruiter' button.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Board of Trustees as Treasurer.

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of two days a month, with more time given at busy periods of the year. There will be a requirement to attend board meetings, with some trustees also sitting on subcommittees that meet around 4 times a year. In addition there are events to attend and occasional additional duties to support our wider work.

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you.

Please see attached job pack for more information and details on how to apply. 

It is an exciting and challenging time for the international development sector. Vision Action is seeking to appoint two new Trustees, one of whom will serve as Chair Designate, to bring experience, insight, and energy in support of our ambition to increase equitable access to basic eye care services in Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia (with plans to expand further).

Vision Action was born in 2022 out of the merger to two charities, Vision for a Nation, an award-winning charity founded by the philanthropist James Chen and operating in Rwanda which developed a unique model for providing basic eye care in under-resourced settings, and Vision Aid Overseas, founded in the 1980s to establish accessible vision centres across Africa.  To learn more about our work please visit our website at Vision Action. The role of the Board of Trustees is to oversee the direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team.

Terms of service

For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years.  Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.  Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online.  Papers are circulated for reading in advance. There may be other ad-hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics.

Main tasks

Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the two sub-committees (Finance and Fundraising; and Programmes and Research). The Committees meet remotely at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings. 

General Responsibilities

• Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Bylaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
• Appoint and support the Co-Chief Executive Officers and monitor their performance.

Additional Specific Responsibilities

In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair Designate and assume the role of Chair in December 2025.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Each Trustee must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the mission and values of Vision Action.
• A commitment to Vision Action’s key organisational policies, including those on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistleblowing, Recruitment, Child Protection, and Anti-Bribery.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Willingness to represent, advocate for, and support the work of the charity.

Desirable Experience

While not essential, experience in the following areas would be an advantage:

• Leadership or senior management experience in business, the third sector, or civil service.
• Understanding of the International Development or Global Health sectors.
• Fundraising, philanthropy, or partnership development.

1.  Terms of Service.

The Chair is appointed by the Board annually for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. He/she will normally assume his/her appointment at the Board meeting following the AGM in November.

2.  Main Tasks:

• To lead the Board in ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action.
• To ensure the Trustees set and regularly review policy, overall strategy and objectives.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s funding target.
• To guide the Co-Chief Executives, to help achieve Vision Action’s objectives.
• To monitor approved strategies and business plans.

3.  Specific Duties relating to:

3.1 Ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action:

• To chair meetings of the Board, seeing that it functions effectively and carries out its duties.
• To ensure the Board works within the framework of law, Charity Commission guidelines and management best practice.
• To ensure that the policies of the Board are compliant with its charity objectives.
• To ensure the Trustees set overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them.
• In conjunction with the Treasurer, to ensure Vision Action’s financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for in compliance with legal requirements.
• Make recommendations on the composition of the Board, with a view to succession, and future Chair.
• To serve as an additional spokesman for, and promoter of Vision Action (Note: The Co-Chief Executives act as the primary spokespeople)

3.2 To ensure Trustees develop overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them:

• To incorporate the skills and experience of the trustees and the Co-Chief Executives’ team in the development of strategic objectives and planning processes.
• Identify with the Co-Chief Executives, clear objectives and key performance indicators

3.3 Helping the Co-Chief Executives achieve Vision Action’s mission:

• The Chair should always adopt an attitude of strategic overview and avoid becoming immersed in the day-to- day details of running Vision Action. Such matters are the responsibility of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To support and monitor the work of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To assist in the promotion of Vision Action to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s fundraising target.

3.4 Optimising the relationship between the Board, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders:

• In consultation with the Co-Chief Executives, to agree the annual calendar of Board meetings and major events involving Vision Action.
• To thank and encourage Vision Action volunteers, staff and other stakeholders as opportunities present themselves.
• To conduct the annual appraisal of the Co-Chief Executives and agree their annual objectives and performance measures.

This role is a unique opportunity for a motivated and experienced individual to guide Grow as we expand our mission. We are looking for a Chair who can bring strong leadership to our Trustee board and champion our nature-based youth work.

You will be responsible for creating an inclusive environment where every trustee's skills and voice are valued. This role involves providing overall governance for the board, offering direct support to our CEO, and ensuring our financial oversight and risk management are robust.

We are seeking a candidate who is passionate about our work and has a strong network. You will be instrumental in helping to shape and support our new five-year strategy and championing Grow in your personal and professional life, including connecting us with individuals who can help us grow our impact.

Role responsibilities

• Chair Grow’s Trustee meetings creating an inclusive environment where all trustees are able to contribute and their individual skills and strengths are appreciated
• Support Grow’s CEO
• Support Grow’s fundraising events
• Provide overall governance for the trustee group and the charity
• Help to develop and support the new 5 year strategy
• Champion Grow in personal and professional life linking in with large net worth individuals where possible
• Hold responsibility for the risk register and overall risk management for the board
• Have overall accountability for financial oversight of the charity - supported by the trustee in charge of finance

Become a Trustee at Living Reasons
Help us build a revolutionary new charity from the ground up.

About Us

Living Reasons is a new organisation currently in the process of registering as a charity. We exist to tackle some of the deepest inequalities in society, guided by lived experience and driven by our mission to create lasting, revolutionary change.

Our work focuses on issues such as:

• Outdated and damaging employment practices.

• Poor access to healthcare.

• Inequity, discrimination, and lack of agency across society.

• Barriers in education, training, and support services.

We believe in challenging the status quo, proving that change is possible, and creating solutions shaped by the people who experience barriers every day.

Why Join Now?

This is an exciting time to join Living Reasons as we build the organisation from the ground up. As a trustee, you will:

• Play a key role in shaping strategy, governance, and direction.

• Help embed our Living Values into everything we do: Creativity, Prospectivity, Revolutionary thinking, and Attentivity.

• Ensure our ethos of “Nothing about us, without us” is central to our work.

• Contribute your skills, insight, and experience to create a charity that is bold, ethical, and sustainable.

What We’re Looking For

We want trustees who share our passion for fairness, equity, and innovation. You don’t need prior board experience — what matters most is your commitment to our mission and your willingness to bring your skills and voice to the table.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of the challenges we exist to tackle, including disability, neurodivergence, long-term health conditions, mental health challenges, or discrimination.

Skills and qualities we are especially interested in include (but are not limited to):

• Governance, charity law, or finance.

• Campaigning and policy.

• Fundraising, income generation, or partnerships.

• HR, employment law, or organisational development.

• Communications, media, or digital innovation.

The Role of Trustee

As a trustee, you will:

• Ensure the charity is well run and compliant with charity law.

• Guide our strategy and oversee delivery of our mission.

• Hold the organisation accountable to our values and ethos.

• Support the team to deliver change effectively.

• Bring challenge, insight, and creativity to board discussions.

This is a voluntary role (reasonable expenses can be covered). Trustees meet around four times a year digitally, with additional input between meetings as needed.

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to be part of a transformative new organisation at its very beginning.

• An opportunity to influence real change in society.

• The experience of working with a passionate, diverse team guided by lived experience.

• A chance to contribute your skills and values to something bold, exciting, and revolutionary.

Founded in 1997, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants provides a place for refugees, migrants, and people seeking asylum to rebuild their life with support and community. From classes to casework to financial assistance, the Centre has a wide offering available for our community of over 200 people. Our approach is compassionate and human and the support we offer is long term - on average people stay with us around four years.

The current Board brings a wide range of charity and public body experience including strategy and fundraising and we are looking for skills to both enhance and complement these strengths.

The Centre has a dedicated and talented staff team led by our CEO, Andy Ruiz Palma, who joined in 2000 as an English teacher. In addition to this staff resource we have around 40 volunteers who provide direct support through activities. We also have in place accountancy support to the executive and a dedicated fundraising team.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong empathy with our client group and who understand how to work with organisations rooted in a local community. You will bring excellent people and communication skills and demonstrate good team-working.

We are open to applications from people looking for their first Trustee role or who may not have considered being a Trustee before and will provide mentoring to help trustees find their feet.

We are looking to recruit a deputy treasurer with:

A good understanding of financial management and reporting

A recognised accounting, finance or similar qualification

Ability to analyse and communicate financial information to the wider Board

Willingness to provide financial advice and support to the management team as needed

Knowledge and experience of fundraising finance practice in voluntary and community organisations (desirable)

Join the University of Cumbria Students’ Union (UCSU) as an External Trustee

About UCSU

UCSU is a vibrant, student-led charity representing over 10,500 students across our campuses and partner locations. We exist to ensure every student — from undergraduates and postgraduates to work-based learners — has the opportunity to make the most of their university experience. Whether it’s through societies, volunteering, representation, campaigns, or support services, UCSU works to amplify student voices and help them thrive academically, socially, and personally.

We’re looking for an External Trustee with experience in finance, accountancy or strategic business leadership to join our board - someone passionate about student life, who can bring fresh ideas, listen actively, and contribute thoughtfully to the future direction of our union. This is a fantastic opportunity to influence and enhance the student experience across our diverse community — from London to Ambleside, Carlisle to Lancaster — and help shape a union that truly reflects its members.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the strategic oversight, governance, and decision-making of UCSU.
• Provide challenge, guidance, and support to ensure sound governance and financial sustainability.
• Work collaboratively with Student Officer Trustees, Student Trustees, and senior staff to deliver UCSU’s mission and strategic goals.
• Champion UCSU’s values and promote a culture of inclusivity, transparency, and student empowerment.
• Act as an ambassador for UCSU within the University, local community, and wider higher education sector.

Candidate Profile

• Experience of operating at Board or senior management level within a charitable, public, or commercial organisation.
• Skills and experience in finance & accountancy – this will complement the existing skill-set of our current board
• Strong understanding of effective governance and the responsibilities of trusteeship.
• Strategic vision, sound judgment, and a commitment to UCSU’s values and student-led ethos.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an understanding of the needs and experiences of students today.
• An interest in and passion for the local area would be a big advantage

UCSU’s Commitment to Diversity

UCSU is committed to building a Trustee Board that reflects the diversity of its membership and the communities it serves. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including racially and ethnically minoritised individuals, women, non-binary people, and people with disabilities.

Time Commitment

• Approximately 5 Board meetings per year plus 2 finance sub-committee meetings (all remote)
• Trustees may also be invited to attend training, strategy sessions, and UCSU events.
• The role is voluntary, though reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

How to Apply

If you’d like to have an informal conversation about the role, please contact Jamie Reynolds at Marble Mayne Recruitment.

To apply, please send your CV to receive the full recruitment pack and application details.

Key Dates

Applications close: Friday 14th November at 12 noon
Interviews: TBC – likely week commencing 17th November (online)