Care management volunteer roles

Join disability and education charity National Star as a Trustee, guiding the organisation as it implements its recently agreed five-year strategy.

What will you be doing?

Do you want to play your part in supporting one of the UK’s leading disability charities to achieve its ambition for growth, providing more education and long-term living opportunities for people with complex disabilities?

National Star, whose headquarters is in Gloucestershire, is seeking several people who share its vision of a world in which people with disabilities are able to realise their potential as equal and active citizens in control of their lives. As a member of the Trustee Board, you will also be a company director as the charity is also a registered company.

Ideal Trustees will:

* Adhere to the charity's values

* Have personal integrity and be able to demonstrate a passion and commitment to National Star

* Prepare and participate actively in meetings

* Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees and Governors, demonstrating empathy and awareness of the needs of others

* Have good communication skills, tact and diplomacy

* Have experience, or a willingness to learn, about strategic thinking and risk

* Have knowledge, or a willingness to learn, about issues affecting people with disabilities and the specialist education sector

* Be prepared to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

What you will bring:

The charity is looking to recruit people with a broad range of experience and are particularly interested in attracting candidates with knowledge / experience of:

* Company law and the specific legal requirements for charities in special needs and social care sectors

* Marketing and communication expertise including networking and fundraising

* Business acumen with a strong financial background

National Star is a Disability Confident Employer. The charity is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, including those currently under-represented on o0ur Trustee Board, which includes women, people with disabilities and members of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

The Trustee Board meets four times a year, generally during the week between 4pm – 7pm. In addition, Trustees are expected to become active members of a sub-committee. Board papers are distributed in advance to allow Trustees to prepare for each meeting.

What are we looking for?

Ideal Trustees will:

* Adhere to the charity's values of ambition, collaboration, integrity, respect and sustainability

* Have personal integrity and be able to demonstrate a passion and commitment to National Star

* Prepare and participate actively in meetings

* Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees and Governors, demonstrating empathy and awareness of the needs of others

* Have good communication skills, tact and diplomacy

* Have experience, or a willingness to learn, about strategic thinking and risk

* Have knowledge, or a willingness to learn, about issues affecting people with disabilities and the specialist education sector

* Be prepared to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours.

We are recruiting several trustees with a range of skills.

What difference will you make?

By joining National Star's Trustee Board, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are playing a part in the future development of one of the leading disability charities in England and Wales as well as being able to develop your own skills in board level discussions, executive decision making and strategic planning. Your fresh perspective could help the charity to see things in a different light and your professional expertise could be utilised to support our staff team in delivering our vision and values.

You will gain a broad understanding of the challenges faced by young people with complex disabilities and be able to build your professional network.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance providing a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and a CV. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional application form

Windsor Horse Rangers is looking for a new Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. Our aim is to enhance Life Skills through Horse Skills.

Windsor Horse Rangers is based in Fifield near Windsor, Berkshire. The trustees, staff and volunteers are focused on providing a sustainable, inclusive and educative environment for 8–18 year olds to develop skills to ride and care for horses. 

We have 180 Horse Rangers attending weekly to learn horsemanship working with our 24 horses. We offer equine education in a safe and supportive environment that engages and empowers and which develops wider life skills, emotional resilience and positive wellbeing. Many  of our rangers have gone on to careers in equestrianism.

Our committed team of trustees are looking for a volunteer chair to lead and support the team, help with decision-making to deliver our mission, challenge us and bring fresh thinking to the role.

We are looking for a supportive leader who can bring experience from either another charitable environment or the commercial world.  Your responsibilities will include, providing leadership and ideas for the organisation and giving strategic direction to ensure a sustainable future.  You will represent and act as a spokesperson for the charity and chair and facilitate meetings of the trustees.  This is an exciting opportunity for an individual looking to apply their own skills and experience to enhance the life skills of young people and support a charitable institution.  A love and knowledge of horses is a bonus but not a pre-requisite. 

The ideal candidate would live locally so could  attend face to face trustees meetings.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard and promote the Charity’s mission

• Act as the senior representative and spokesperson for Windsor Horse Rangers

• Ensure annual and longer-term strategic plans are developed, monitored and executed.

• Ensure Board operates to a high standard of governance and financial probity

• Ensure the Trustees have relevant skills and backgrounds

Skills and Experience

• Desire to empower young people to improve their skills, independence and self esteem

• Leadership skills to facilitate collaboration with trustees, staff and volunteers 

• Strategic and financial management skills.

• Governance at Board level with voluntary/non-profit organisations 

• Working understanding (or a willingness to learn) of UK charity law and legislation 

• Networking within equine community or charity sector desirable 

If you share our commitment, and feel your experience and skills meet the needs of the role, please get in contact. We would love to hear from you.

We are looking to recruit a Youth Programme Coordinator, for a minimum commitment of 6 months, to manage our Youth Programme. The Youth Programme works with young refugees and asylum seekers in the Epirus region of Northern Greece, providing them with a sense of community and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise receive!

In this role,  you would be coordinating the daily planning and delivery of activities for young refugees in the sites in which we're operating in the Epirus region of Northern Greece.

The programme usually consists of English classes, thematic and social and emotional learning workshops and excursions. The programme engages children between the ages of 8 and 16.

For this role, you would initially work as a Youth Programme team member so that you could develop an understanding of the programme, the people involved, and the organisation as a whole.

Your role would include:

• Coordinating, delegating, and managing a team of 2-5 team members in the daily operations of the Youth Programme

• Directly supervising and supporting team members, providing feedback to ensure the quality of the programme remains high

• Delivering effective inductions to transfer key skills/knowledge to team members

• Developing the current programme in coordination with the Education Manager and Youth Programme team members

• Assessing the impact and effectiveness of the programme in line with its objectives

• Planning and delivering effective and dynamic educational and outdoor activities, within a theme-based curriculum

• Training new team members in appropriate behavioural management techniques

• Capturing data and compiling evaluation reports on the programme

You should be able to:

• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively

• Manage a wide range of tasks and intense workload effectively and efficiently 

• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem solving is encouraged

• Oversee the delivery of programme activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks

• Be honest and transparent; be able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way

• Communicate in English, both written and orally

• Learn quickly, managing a wide-ranging and intense workload

• Understand what is required to work and effectively communicate in complex and volatile contexts

• Care for people: the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working with children specifically in the refugee context

• Experience in leadership roles and have knowledge in how to effectively manage a team

• Knowledge of pedagogical tools and programmes suitable to children in the refugee context 

What do we offer?

• A nurturing and collaborative working environment. We work hard to help our team members grow; investing in personal and professional development.

• Accommodation in a shared house

• Transportation to/from work

• After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, a small monthly expenses refund

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the shared houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the shared houses are full, this would allow us to offer an opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

Looking for an internship?

If, because of your degree or for any other reason, you would like to have your period at Second Tree credited as an internship, just apply to the vacancy that you’re interested in and mention this. We have agreements with several universities across Europe, and in many other cases, these agreements can be developed on an ad hoc basis.

Inspiring, supportive, and committed - just a few of the words we’d use to describe our volunteers. 

At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we’d love you to join us. 

About the role  

Do you enjoy meeting people, encouraging others, and supporting communities to grow stronger together? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help local peer-led support groups across Derbyshire to thrive. 

As a Group Development Volunteer, you'll: 

• Visit a range of peer-led support groups in your chosen district 

• Share updates and information from the Group Development Team 

• Report back any feedback, information, or concerns to staff 

• Encourage groups to build independence and sustainability 

• Promote the importance and benefits of peer support 

Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role. 

About the service  

The Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service (DRPSS) helps people improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing, and reconnect with their local community. We offer one-to-one support, telephone support, peer groups, and the development of peer facilitators across the county to anyone over 18 in Derbyshire who is experiencing mental ill health. 

By supporting local groups, you’ll help us strengthen the foundations of peer support so that people feel less isolated and more empowered in their recovery. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?  

• An interest in mental health and supporting those with lived experience 

• Knowledge of the local community and area 

• Excellent active listening and rapport-building skills 

• Understanding of the principles of Peer Support and Recovery 

• Ability to relate to people from all backgrounds with a non-judgemental, supportive approach 

• Respect for confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities 

It's not essential, but you may also bring: 

• Lived experience of mental ill health 

• Experience of working with groups or community organisations 

How to apply 

To apply, simply click the “apply now” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form. 

If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch

Who are we?  

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion    

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.  

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

• Provide strategic direction and governance oversight

• Ensure compliance with UK charity law (once UK registration is completed) and organizational policies

• Support fundraising, donor engagement, and advocacy efforts

• Contribute to financial oversight and risk management

• Attend 4–6 board meetings per year, plus ad hoc subcommittee meetings as needed

Coffee Shop Volunteer - Prevent Breast Cancer

Commitment/Hours

Morning 9.30am-1pm      Afternoon 1pm-4pm

Purpose/summary of the role

Assisting in the running of the Coffee Shop in a methodical and organised way.

The Coffee Shop plays a significant role in the promotion of the image and work of Prevent Breast Cancer whilst providing a vital service to patients of The Nightingale Centre and Prevent Breast Cancer.

The profits generated are used to support research into breast cancer prediction and prevention.

With this in mind, please find below a list of tasks/ activities which the Prevent Breast Cancer Volunteer will undertake in this area.

Main duties & responsibilities

• To assist and serve customers with food items and beverages.
• To ensure food safety and food hygiene at all times.
• To handle cash and card payments securely.
• To keep the Coffee Shop and areas around, clean and tidy throughout the day.
• To check, use by and sell by dates on all perishables and notify at the end of the day.
• Ability to work on own initiative regarding the upkeep of the Coffee Shop.
• To monitor and record fridge temperatures.

Training will be given on all aspects 

• An e-learning course to be completed
• Health & hygiene in regard to serving food and beverages
• Customer service
• Daily cleaning
• Handling cash and card payments, including training on using a tablet and card reader                        
• Monitor and recording of fridge temperature levels

Prevent Breast Cancer’s Volunteer Person Specification

Experience/Knowledge & Skills

 Essential: 

• Good communication skills
• Empathy with patients, carers and visitors 
• Integrity
• Good verbal and basic written skills
• Commitment to tasks involved 
• Patient, pleasant manner 
• Caring, compassionate and confident
• Honest and reliable in order to maintain confidentiality  
• Respect for the dignity, needs and decisions of customers 
• Provide information to customers 
• An understanding and considerate attitude towards patients, visitors and staff
• Pride in Prevent Breast Cancer, MFT and the NHS and the work volunteers carry out
• An interest in Prevent Breast and vision to prevent breast cancer for the next generation
• Patience and tolerance
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Desire and ability to liaise and work alongside hospital staff
• Good personal presentation and personal hygiene
• Willingness to attend meetings or training sessions requested by the Volunteer Management Team

Desirable: 

• Willing to get involved with other Prevent Breast Cancer events and other volunteer roles, as and when requested
• To have previously volunteered in a medical or care environment 
• Willing to shadow another volunteer and to allow new volunteers to shadow
   
   

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Retail Lead Volunteer - PDSA

Could you support your local PDSA shop - and help us care for the pets of people in need? 

Every PDSA shop needs an amazing team of volunteers to make it a success and we’re on the lookout for people to join us. 

Our shops raise funds to support our 48 pet hospitals and increase awareness of the work we do to get the nation PetWise. 

With some roles, you may have the opportunity to become a Lead Volunteer or to gain a nationally recognised qualification (NVQ). Lead Volunteers are trained in all aspects of running the shop and can deputise for the manager, so this is a fantastic opportunity that would really enhance your CV. There are many different ways you can help and even a couple of hours a week will make a difference. 

This is a varied and responsible role where you’ll be supporting the Shop Manager and Assistant with the day-to-day running of the shop. You’ll be encouraged to lead on new projects and may be asked to provide cover when the Manager is absent from the shop. 

What skills do I need? 

• Are you a natural team leader and problem solver? 
• Do you have great communication skills? 
• Do you have previous management experience? 
• Are you commercially aware? 
• Do you have good IT skills? 
• Are you confident working independently? 

If the answer is yes to most of these, this could be the ideal role for you. We provide training and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket 

We can offer you the chance to: 

• Develop fantastic retail and supervisory skills for your CV 
• Work flexible hours that suit you. 
• Make new friends. 
• Gain a qualification (if you meet the requirements)  

We’re looking for people who are: 

• Positive and friendly 
• Willing to take responsibility and manage others 
• Confident with cash handling 
• Aware of health & safety issues 
• Happy working as part of a team 
• Flexible and keen to learn 

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our stores, we’d love to hear from you! 

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. 

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks. A basic DBS check is required for this role.

Join the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital person-centred and well-being care to people and communities affected by substance use across the UK.

Applications for this role close Monday 10th November.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Who we are

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

Our Approach Makes Us Different

At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.

Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives; they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guide everything we do.

The opportunity

As we have experienced growth and welcomed a new Chair to the Board, we are looking to appoint new Trustees. We are looking for three dedicated trustees to join our Board, each bringing distinct expertise to support our next strategic phase. We are particularly looking for trustees with:

• clinical experience in substance misuse or mental health services, who can provide valuable insights into clinical risk and governance, and service delivery.
• HR expertise, specifically in organisational development, who can guide our people strategy and support our workforce development initiatives.
• legal expertise, ideally someone with in-house legal experience who understands corporate operational challenges and can provide challenge and support.

These roles offer the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing your professional expertise to advance our strategic objectives and ensure we deliver the highest quality services to those we support.

This is an exciting time to join with a new Chair, and next summer we will begin to plan our next strategy.

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

• Time Commitment: The equivalent of a day a month

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of a day per month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy away day
• Preparation for meetings
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via as we expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Monday 10th November.

What will you be doing?

This role involves leading on Human Resources (HR) within the organisation, ensuring the highest standards of governance in policies and practice related to employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward, recognition and staff/trustee development.

It is the HR trustee’s responsibility to assess risks and measure the impact of HR interventions, implement organisational policies and practices in the context of furthering charitable objectives and evaluating how they impact beneficiaries and staff. The HR trustee needs to ensure the long-term strategic oversight of the organisation’s staffing requirements in relation to the goals of the charity.

HR Lead Responsibilities:

• To review and recommend current and future strategic resourcing, training and development and annual budgets and plans to the Trustee Board
• To actively contribute to policy setting, strategic direction, goal and target setting, and evaluate performance against targets, budgets, plans and charitable objectives
• To ensure that HR activities and interventions are linked to the organisation’s charitable objectives and complement the organisational culture
• To ensure the Trustee Board monitors and reviews the performance of the charity’s Chief Executive, rewards performance accordingly and identifies development opportunities
• To monitor whether the service complies with its governing document and standards and if the needs of the beneficiaries are being met

Other responsibilities, along with the Board of Trustees, include:

• To ensure the Trustee Board develops a long-term strategy for the food bank with clear objectives which can be monitored and adapted
• To work alongside the Treasurer and the Trustee Board to ensure the organisation’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for and on time, independently examined (on income over £25k) and made publicly available when necessary
• Ensure your charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law
• To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as looking after contractual agreements with external partners that award money for core costs and additional projects
• To help promote the organisation to a wider audience of potential funders and beneficiaries
• To ensure the food bank has appropriate procedures to: comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding & GDPR compliance/data protection etc.
• Act with reasonable care and skill, giving your time, thought and energy to your role
• To serve as an additional promoter of the food bank in the community

Candidates would ideally live or work within the city of Leeds or its surrounding area. Candidates living and working more broadly within Yorkshire will also be considered.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people who want to help their local community. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate: 

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of the Leeds North & West foodbank.
• a knowledge, ability and passion for people and human resource management
• experience of working in a HR role, including knowledge of managing risk, and overseeing organisational policies, strategy and practice
• confidence to actively participate in discussions concerning the needs of the charity, always acting in its best interests
• experience of working effectively with others
• sound, independent judgement and the ability to think creatively

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?

Alongside wider trustee responsibilities for the overall governance of the food bank, you will actively support the board and the food bank team to focus on the strategic activity that will help reduce the need for our services locally. 

By leading on the HR matters for the food bank, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in the community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who encounters Leeds North & West Foodbank.

Branch Trustee – Community Outreach (Chatham) RSPCA Medway West

This is an exciting opportunity to be able to influence how we do things whilst helping the RSPCA to; identify animal welfare needs in the area, prevent animal cruelty, and reach out to more supporters.

Overview of the Branch Trustee – Community Outreach opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with professional expertise, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our RSPCA Medway. You would be supporting us with establishing connections in the local community and determining what animal welfare needs there are in the area so we can help more animals in need.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Medway Branch

The RSPCA Medway Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is on

• Helping people on benefits and low-income to afford veterinary bills.
• Providing support for people to neuter their animals.
• Providing support to the inspectorate to help get animals treated.
• Access to a pet food bank, working alongside local human foodbanks.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Community Outreach

• Take the lead on matters relating to community outreach:
• Establish connections with the local community.
• Help the Branch determine what the local animal welfare need is.
• Where there are opportunities for improvements in animal welfare.
• Assist the Branch in setting strategies to tackle the identified animal welfare needs of the Branch area.
• Work closely with other organisations (other welfare charities, other welfare providers, vets etc) to develop mutually beneficial partnership opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for the Branch to engage with those living within the branches area to develop its supporter base.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society, and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside professional experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Community Outreach

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Medway West branch

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

We are searching for an enthusiastic, hard working volunteer to take on President’s responsibility and oversee the chapter in LEEDS. They will run the chapter and ultimately be responsible for activities carried out by committee members and volunteers. The President must coordinate with their committee to ensure that all of the needs of the charity are met and the law, constitution and handbook are not broken.

We are looking for a creative and passionate volunteer illustrator to bring to life the stories of survivors, our campaigns and publications through visual artwork. You will shape the visual storytelling of complex messages across our website and social media channels, including Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. Your illustrations will play a key role in our advocacy, marketing and fundraising work. 

This role is ideal for an illustrator who wants to use their artistic skills to help shape compassionate narratives about people seeking asylum and refugees, and to support human rights and trauma-informed advocacy. 

MAIN TASKS AND ACTIVITIES 

• Create 20 original illustrations to be used for various purposes such as the charity’s social media posts, reports, campaigns and marketing. In interview, Communications Manager will share example of preferred style of images and will discuss with illustrator what their timescales/time commitment could be for completion. The illustrator can work remotely and the agreed time commitment for them can be discussed and agreed with the Communications Manager.

• The creative artworks must align with Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid’s tone, branding, and trauma-informed approach. 

• Help translate complex policies, personal stories and abstract concepts (such as trauma, recovery or community) into thoughtful and engaging imagery in the illustrations. 

• Contribute creative ideas on how the artworks can be used across our online platforms. 

• Conduct one or two workshops with our Ambassadors for Change, a group of survivors with lived experience of asylum system, to help them develop visuals that support their campaigns.

• Ensure all artwork respects the dignity and privacy of survivors and adheres to ethical storytelling and safeguarding principles.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED 

• Strong illustration skills and with an excellent understanding of visual storytelling.

• Experience of using digital illustration tools (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or similar) are essential. 

• Ability to work collaboratively, interpret briefs and respond constructively to feedback. 

• Understanding of inclusive and ethical design practices and demonstrate sensitivity when representing trauma and human rights issues. 

• Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation and Asylum Aid. 

• Demonstrable empathy for our clients, including people seeking asylum, refugees and survivors of torture and trafficking, and sensitivity when working on topics related to human rights, trauma, or lived experience. 

• Organised, dependable, and proactive in meeting deadlines. 

HOW TO APPLY 

• To apply please send us a CV along with a short cover letter (max 300 words) about why you would like to volunteer as an illustrator with us. 

• A link or PDF portfolio with samples of your work. 

We will be conducting interviews for this role on a rolling basis so please apply early.

Join the board of YMCA and help its work supporting communities through training, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Location: London, WC1H

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 17th November

Who we are

Established in 1844, Central YMCA is the founding organisation of the global YMCA movement, now present in over 120 countries.

Central YMCA works at local, regional and national levels, providing high-quality education, training and qualifications. As one of the largest charity Independent Training Providers in the country and the holder of substantial contracts from the Department for Education, Central YMCA provides education and opportunities for employment for young people and adults, irrespective of their background and experience. We work with some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and we believe we can have the greatest impact for those falling through gaps in provision or struggling to engage with mainstream provision.

The sectors in which we work have been carefully selected to reflect the Charity’s commitment to supporting careers in areas that are essential for building strong communities. We deliver employability courses, qualifications and apprenticeships in Health and Fitness, Health and Social Care, Early Years and Education, Horticulture and Business Services. We work with key partners in each sector to promote our courses and amplify our reach.

Some of our work is strategically based in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; supporting the vulnerable and those on low incomes, those who have low prior attainment and are facing personal challenges, alongside those needing support through life transitions.

Through our awarding and end-point assessment organisation, Central YMCA also develops qualifications and learning and assessment resources to enable learners to start or develop their careers, predominantly in the physical activity and wellness sector.

Founded in the heart of London in 1844, Central YMCA is the world’s very first YMCA. For over 180 years, we’ve been inspiring people to reach their full potential in body, mind, and spirit. From pioneering youth education and fitness programmes to supporting communities through training, wellbeing, and social inclusion, Central YMCA has always stood for positive change.

Today, we continue that proud tradition by offering recognised training and qualifications, and a range of community programmes that empower people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe in opportunity for everyone — no matter your starting point. Whether you want to improve your health, gain new skills, or make a difference, Central YMCA is here to help you grow stronger, together.

Central YMCA — A historic legacy. A modern movement. Your community.

About the roles

Chair of Trustees

As Chair, you will provide inspirational leadership and clear direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance, long-term sustainability, and strategic excellence across all that we do. You will play a pivotal role in supporting and constructively challenging our CEO and senior leadership team to deliver lasting social impact and drive performance across the organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to help guide one of the most respected charities in the UK as we continue our mission to break barriers to life-enhancing opportunities through education, training, health, and wellbeing.

As Chair, you will:

• Lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that governance is robust, inclusive, and forward-looking.
• Provide strategic oversight, helping shape the Charity’s vision, policy, and direction.
• Champion Central YMCA’s mission and values, ensuring decisions are aligned with our charitable purpose.
• Support and hold to account the CEO and senior team, ensuring effective delivery of the organisation’s aims.
• Represent Central YMCA externally – across the YMCA movement and with key stakeholders, partners, and policy makers.
• Oversee Board development, succession planning, and the recruitment of new Trustees to maintain a diverse and skilled team.

Chair of the Resources Committee

The Chair of the Resources Committee leads on financial stewardship, ensuring the Charity’s funds and resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in line with our charitable objectives and legal obligations. The Committee oversees finance, investments, HR, IT, and other resource-related areas.

As Committee Chair, you will:

• Lead the Resources Committee, ensuring meetings are well-organised, effective, and aligned with the Charity’s governance framework.
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight on finance, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of major decisions and long-term plans.
• Lead the annual budget review and monitor performance against financial plans and reserves policies.
• Ensure robust management of investments, reserves, and overall financial sustainability.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and senior team to support effective resource planning.
• Liaise with the Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee to strengthen financial controls and risk management.
• Support the preparation and presentation of annual accounts, ensuring clarity and transparency.
• Keep the Board informed of its financial duties and promote openness in public reporting.

Safeguarding Trustee

The Safeguarding Trustee works closely with the CEO and Designated Safeguarding Leads to provide assurance to the Board that safeguarding remains a strategic priority across the Charity. They ensure our safeguarding framework is robust, effective, and fully compliant with legal, regulatory, and sector expectations.

As Safeguarding Trustee, you will:

• Provide assurance to the Board on the effectiveness of safeguarding practices and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Offer guidance and expertise in developing and monitoring the Charity’s safeguarding, child protection, and Prevent strategies, policies, and action plans.
• Ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded in all strategic decisions and risk management processes.
• Champion a strong, transparent, and inclusive safeguarding culture aligned with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitments.
• Ensure arrangements meet legislative and regulatory expectations, including Ofsted and statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Work with trustees and senior staff to embed safeguarding across all learning environments and youth-focused provision.
• Monitor the implementation of safeguarding and Prevent action plans, escalating risks or concerns to the Board where necessary.
• Provide assurance that safeguarding concerns are reported, escalated, and addressed appropriately, with clear routes for staff, learners, and the public to raise issues.
• Represent Central YMCA’s safeguarding commitment externally, promoting best practice with partners, funders, and sector bodies.
• Attend Board meetings, relevant sub-committees, and safeguarding briefings, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and Prevent developments.
• Support transparency by promoting public visibility of safeguarding arrangements, including statements and reporting routes.

Who we are looking for

Chair of Trustees

We are seeking a Chair who:

• Brings a strong commitment to Central YMCA’s values and purpose.
• Demonstrates inclusive, strategic, and inspiring leadership.
• Has experience of governance, either in a charity, public, or corporate setting.
• Is confident working with senior executives to balance support with appropriate challenge.
• Has the ability to represent Central YMCA with credibility and integrity across a wide range of audiences.
• Brings strong networks and the ability to connect the organisation to new opportunities and partnerships.
• Proven experience in governance — ideally as a Chair, Trustee, or Non-Executive Director — within the charity sector, social impact organisations, or relevant industries.
• The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
• The confidence to make informed decisions under pressure, even when challenging majority opinions, and to provide constructive challenge and influence at Board level.

Chair of Resources Committee

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or substantial senior financial management experience.
• A strong understanding of education and charity finance, SORP, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to exercise good judgement and interpret complex information.
• The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
• A solid understanding of governance principles, business models, finance, funding, and charity regulation compliance.
• The interpersonal skills to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Safeguarding Trustee

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Experience of overseeing safeguarding arrangements in an education or youth care setting (including children’s social services or local authority), with direct experience managing safeguarding issues affecting young people aged 14+.
• Strong working knowledge of government safeguarding, Prevent, and child protection strategies, as well as safer recruitment practices.
• Familiarity with Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding and governance expectations for trustees.
• Commitment to promoting and supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of the Charity’s work.
• Experience of working at a senior level in post-16 or vocational education, or within a local authority involved in education policy or strategy.

Why join Central YMCA?

At Central YMCA, we’ve been changing lives for over 180 years. Today, we continue to support people from all walks of life through education, employability, health, and wellbeing programmes. Joining us as Chair offers a unique chance to shape the next chapter in this proud history – ensuring we remain as relevant, inclusive, and impactful as ever.

If you are an accomplished leader who believes in the power of community and lifelong opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November. 

Branch Trustee (Lancashire)

This is an exciting opportunity to be a hands-on trustee at branch level, helping to promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things. With your support and expertise, we will achieve so much!

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims.

As a minimum, trustees are expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment will vary as they will play an active role supporting branch activities.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Preston and District Branch

The Preston and District Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.
• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with experience and skills in any of the following areas:

• Marketing communication including social media, PR, website;
• Fundraising including corporate fundraising, trust fund and grant applications;
• Local community and supporter relationships;
• Hands-on experience in growing charities; and/or
• Are or have been part of the groups and communities we would like to attract.
• You are 18 years of age

Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.