Chair and trustees volunteer volunteer roles

STAMMA is the leading charity for people who stammer in the UK.  We’re a small, award-winning organisation with big ambitions and a brilliant community, keen to create space and respect for people who stammer.

Stammering has historically been the target for humour and used to suggest inadequacy, leaving many who stammer facing daily ignorance, discrimination and disrespect.  This can affect job prospects and mental health, and cause depression and social isolation. It can make booking a GP appointment a nightmare, and prevent people from accessing a service altogether, leaving them feeling humiliated, degraded or disbelieved.  We’re here to change that.

We’ve a clear strategy for the next five years to achieve real and practical change for people who stammer by highlighting the inadvertent barriers they face within the workplace and as service users. We want to reach more people who stammer and grow our supporter base, but to do that we need to expand our training and advocacy services, whilst underpinning our helpline and family support.

We want to appoint a new Trustee with significant skills and experience within the charity sector to the Board. You’ll need to share our excitement and ambition for change. It isn’t essential that you stammer. This is an unpaid position, but travel expenses can be covered.  Trustee terms are for four years, and you will be expected to attend all Board meetings, up to five times a year, usually on a Saturday, either in-person at different locations across England, or online. There are also sub-committees and informal planning and preparatory discussions, usually held online.

We are looking for someone with experience of one or more of the following:

• Experience of working at a senior level in the voluntary sector, across more than one organisation, with a good understanding of how charities operate and are governed.
• Insight and leadership of people and culture (HR) function and/or service delivery and operations, and a passion for building inclusive, effective organisations
• Previous experience as a trustee or board member. Ideally having chaired a sub committee, board or similar.
• The ability to offer occasional support to the staff team during the working day (roughly two hour per month), providing guidance, insight or a sounding board when helpful
• Lived experience of stammering — whether personally or through close connection — so that the voices of people who stammer are at the heart of our work

Person Specification

• Values-led, with demonstrable passion and commitment to STAMMA and its strategic objectives.
• Proven track record as a senior leader with strategic experience within the charitable sector.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship with an ability to balance the boundaries between different leadership roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills (listening, tact and diplomacy) and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to challenge constructively and ask questions appropriately.
• Team player, who respects and values the views of others and is able to speak their mind with tact and diplomacy.
• A commitment to EDI values and principles, including an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to commit the necessary time to the role.

As a Trustee at STAMMA you would be expected to: 

• Develop and agree our long-term strategy.
• Ensure compliance with governing documents and regulations.
• Ensure that resources are spent in accordance with our Articles.
• Work with the Board to set goals and assess performance.
• Ensure that the organisation is run efficiently and financially stable.
• Protect the charity’s assets and ensure surplus funds are properly invested.
• Manage the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the CEO.
• Uphold STAMMA's values.

Help guide SUNSHINE’s mission to reduce loneliness and build a kinder, more connected community.

If you care about people, believe in the power of community, and want to help shape a growing charity, this leadership role offers a meaningful way to make a difference.

About the Role

As our Vice Chair / Co‑Chair, you’ll support the Chair and work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strategic direction, good governance and positive leadership for SUNSHINE.

You ideally need previous trustee experience as well as commitment, integrity, and a passion for our mission. We welcome people from all backgrounds who want to help steer a small but ambitious charity into its next chapter.

This is a supportive leadership role, not a full‑time commitment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting the Chair in leading the Board of Trustees.

• Helping ensure the charity is well‑governed, ethical and effective.

• Providing guidance on strategy, growth and long‑term planning.

• Acting as a sounding board for the Chair and Founder/CEO.

• Helping ensure decisions reflect SUNSHINE’s values and mission.

• Standing in for the Chair when needed.

• Helping build a positive, collaborative Board culture.

• Supporting the development of new programmes and initiatives.

You won’t be responsible for day‑to‑day operations — that remains with the CEO and volunteer team.

What You Don’t Need

• Formal qualifications.

• To be an expert in charity law.

• A large time commitment.

We welcome people with lived experience, community insight, or a passion for reducing loneliness.

Time Commitment

• 6-12 Board meetings per year (remote or hybrid).

• Occasional check‑ins with the Chair and CEO.

• Optional involvement in sub‑groups or projects.

Flexible and designed to fit around your life.

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience at Board level.

• Insight into charity governance and strategy.

• The chance to shape a growing organisation.

• A supportive, friendly Board team.

• The satisfaction of helping people feel less alone.

Ideal For

• People who care deeply about community and connection.

• Those with leadership, strategic or governance interest.

• Anyone wanting to support a small charity with big ambitions.

• Someone who enjoys collaboration and positive influence.

How to Apply

If you’d like to help guide SUNSHINE’s future and support our mission to reduce loneliness, we’d love to hear from you.

TEAM

SUNSHINE

This is an unsalaried volunteer role.

Are you an experienced charity fundraiser? We are looking for a new Trustee with strong fundraising experience who shares a passion for our work and who, through their professional expertise, can offer support, guidance, and strategic insight to our Board, CEO, and senior management, helping to bring about positive impact and lasting change through the work of our Christian partners.

ROLE PURPOSE

Embrace the Middle East is a Christian Development charity (registered No. 1076329), established in 1854, with a mission to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the Middle East by working in partnership with local Christians, focussing on education, healthcare and community development. Its Board of Trustees (the Board) is responsible for the overall governance, monitoring and strategic direction of the charity. It works with the charity’s management to ensure that the charity fulfils the objects defined in its Articles, acts in accordance with the charity’s vision and mission, and complies will all legal and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities of trustees are:

To formulate and regularly review the strategic aims of the charity in accordance with its legal objects and to ensure that the policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims.

1. To monitor the performance of the charity against the agreed strategic aims.
2. To ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and regulatory requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
3. To act as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application

For further information about the role, please download the Candidate Pack.

To express an interest in becoming a trustee at Embrace the Middle East, please complete the online application form via the apply button.

The closing date for applications is 4 May 2026.

Trustees for innovative Charity reducing social isolation and loneliness

Haringey Circle is a membership-based charity with c.800 members, free to join, open to anyone over the age of 50 and disabled adults in Haringey. We provide social activities, events and information to help our members to connect, get active, keep learning, and to stay as independent as possible.

If you are over 50 years of age living in the London Borough of Haringey (member) or live outside Haringey and have knowledge and /or experience to contribute to the Board (co-opted member) we would like to hear from you.

We welcome applications from those whose voices are often unrepresented, and can provide a viewpoint from, for example our ethnic minority, from LGBTQIA+ or disability communities.

As a Trustee of Nottinghamshire Hospice, you will play a vital leadership role in shaping the future of our hospice. This is an opportunity to contribute to an established Board of Trustees who are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Hospice. 

You will use your skills and experience to guide the future of the hospice, safeguard its resources and champion a culture shaped by Compassion, Trust, and Ambition. 

About WAST

We are a grassroots organisation led-by and for women seeking asylum in Greater Manchester. We campaign for social justice and women's rights through a peer-led support model that helps women find their place in the UK. Women seeking asylum continue to live in a hostile environment where they often feel vulnerable and isolated. WAST (Women Asylum Seekers Together) seeks to combat this by offering a safe space where women can be heard, build confidence, and develop new skills.

The Roles

Due to the retirement of three long-standing trustees, we are recruiting four women to join our diverse Board of Trustees and help us deliver projects that the women themselves have identified as priorities.

One of these positions is for a Treasurer, who will support the Board in overseeing the charity’s finances, ensuring strong financial management and sustainability.

We are also particularly interested in recruiting more Trustees with lived experience of the asylum system, or the immigration system. WAST’s Chair and Honorary Chair have lived experience, and we would very much value more women with lived experience on our board. 

The current Board have a diverse range of skills. We particularly welcome applications from women with experience of campaigning, fundraising or human resources. However, this should not put off any potential applicants who may bring other qualities to the Board.

If you feel that you have the energy and time to contribute and are committed to improving the lives of women seeking asylum, we would love to hear from you.

Please see the Recruitment Pack and Role Description for further information. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an informal chat about the role please contact the email given in the Recruitment Pack.

Please note: This is a voluntary position. This role is also open to women only, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, in line with WAST’s commitment to providing programmes and initiatives led by and for women seeking asylum.

Epilepsy Action is a national charity with a bold vision: to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. In 2024 we launched an ambitious new strategy to grow our income and extend the support we offer. After a successful start, we are ready for the next stage in the strategy, and we are looking for new trustees to join our Board and help turn our ambition into lasting impact.

You will bring the skills, values and perspective to help our charity thrive, whether that’s a track record of leading growth and transformation, the ability to open doors through your networks, experience in health or the medical sector, or expertise in law, digital technology or fundraising.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and effective Board that reflects the communities we serve, and people affected by epilepsy. We welcome applications from everyone and are particularly keen to hear from people who are underrepresented on charity boards, including people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people of different ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe greater diversity makes for better decisions.

If you want to help shape a world without limits for people affected by epilepsy, and use your voice and influence to raise understanding of the condition, then we would love to hear from you.

Purpose of the Role 

The role of a trustee is to share the Board’s collective responsibility for the effective governance and leadership of the charity, setting our strategic direction and major policies in accordance with our objectives, vision, mission and values.

Epilepsy Action (registered as the British Epilepsy Association) is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. As such, trustees are both charity trustees and company directors and have the statutory and legal duties which these roles impose.

This is a voluntary (unpaid) role with a three-year term of office, renewable for up to two consecutive terms.

You need to be able to commit approximately 6–12 days per year, including: 

• Four Board meetings per annum, plus meeting preparation 

• Subcommittee meetings (if applicable) 

• Strategy days, training, and occasional events 

Meetings are a combination of hybrid and fully remote, with an annual in-person meeting in September in Leeds. Overnight accommodation will be booked for trustees and travelling expenses reimbursed for in–person meetings. 

To Apply 

For any questions in advance of your application please contact us via our recruitment email.

To make an application please send your CV and a supporting statement to our recruitment email.

Your supporting statement should answer the following questions:

· What has drawn you to apply to be a trustee for Epilepsy Action?

· What are the main skills and experience that you bring that could benefit the charity?

· How do you think your values align with Epilepsy Action’s values of being supportive, empowering, inclusive and ambitious?

We also ask candidates to fill in the Trustee Application Questionnaire as part of the recruitment process.  This form includes sections for diversity monitoring, as well as skills and experience.

If you need any adjustments to support you to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal meeting where they will have a chance to find out more about our work.

Formal interviews will be with the Chair, the CEO and relevant members of the Board and / or Advisory Panels will take place at the end of May and beginning of June.

As a Young Trustee for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, you will bring a strong and vibrant youth voice to our Board, helping to shape meaningful and lasting change. Your insight and leadership will support us in improving the lives of the young people and families we serve.

In this role, you’ll have a real opportunity to influence strategy while developing valuable experience in leadership and governance. You will play a key part in championing inclusivity and innovation, ensuring that young people remain at the heart of everything we do.

We will be offering a bespoke package of support to help the Trustee feel confident and well-prepared in their new role. This will include training tailored to their needs, a dedicated mentor from the Board of Trustees, connection with the leaders of Alder Hey's highly regarded Youth Forum and a comprehensive induction programme designed to ensure they are fully equipped to contribute effectively from the outset and feel comfortable in the role. 

We’re looking for an outstanding trustee who is a bold and visionary leader in their field to join our Board of Trustees. You will help us achieve our vision of making sure our members have an outstanding experience during their time at UCL and at one of the best student unions in the world.

We’re looking for an inspirational leader in a field related to one of our services or values to join us in our mission. That mission is to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for better.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the mission, vision and values of the Students’ Union and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose through our 2025-2030 Strategy, Making More Happen. The Trustees ensure development of, and agree, a long-term strategy and approve and monitor plans and budgets to deliver the strategy. There are five meetings a year, and as an External Trustee you will work with our Board and Senior Management Team to affect change and ensure everything we do for our 50,000 members is led by our values to be Community Building, Empowering, Inclusive, Democratic, Bold, Sustainable and Fun.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter by email no later than 17.00 on Tuesday 5 May 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview on Tuesday 19 or Thursday 21 May 2026 and will join our Board for a four-year term beginning in June 2026.

Please note that this position is only open to candidates who are neither a student, alumnus or employee of UCL.

CHASE Africa is a UK-based international NGO that supports local partners in East Africa to improve health and wellbeing in marginalised rural communities. We are looking for a Trustee with finance skills, to replace our current Treasurer. You will provide scrutiny and oversight of the work of CHASE Africa, with a particular focus on financial issues.  You will use your financial knowledge and experience to monitor the financial administration of the charity and report to the Board of Trustees on its state of financial health and provide the board with the confidence and knowledge to make good strategic decisions. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with extensive financial expertise, who is seeking a voluntary position where they can apply their skills to a meaningful mission.

Since its inception 12 years ago, CHASE Africa has grown from scratch to an income in 2025 of over £830,000 – delivering over 1.5 million healthcare and family planning services to often isolated rural communities. We have a strong and highly motivated staff team and a thriving network of local partners that has expanded from Kenya into Uganda and, later this year, Tanzania.

CHASE Africa’s projects have already brought healthcare and empowerment to tens of thousands of lives, particularly for women and girls, mitigating poverty and helping protect local environments.It has the capacity and opportunity to greatly extend its impact – both geographically and in terms of numbers reached.

We are a small but dedicated team based in Somerset, committed to a collaborative approach to partnership. We're currently going through an exciting period of transition and growth, with a new CEO in 2022, a new charitable structure in 2023, and a new Finance Manager at the start of 2026. Your role will be vital in helping us achieve our future goals.

The Role

• Liaise with CEO and Trustees to ensure the financial viability of the organisation’s strategy 
• Advise on the financial implications of CA’s strategic plan (3 year) 
• Present CA’s financial position and broader context at Trustees Board meetings 
• Support the finance manager with the production of an annual budget 
• Ensure that the Board is aware of its financial duties and responsibilities and the need to comply with all legislation 
• Take a lead in interpreting financial data for fellow Board members 
• Ensure that all financial policies, procedures and the appointment of external financial advisors are reviewed on a regular basis
• Ensure relevant financial policies are in place as required by the charity commission 
• Be willing to be available to support the charity’s CEO and Senior Finance Manager as needed 
• Review the monthly management accounts report and cashflow with the CEO and finance manager 
• Liaise with senior staff to ensure financial reports are user friendly for non-finance trustees

About You

• Good background in financial management and analysis
• Able to communicate financial information clearly and to people with different levels of financial and data literacy. 
• Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations. 
• Have an excellent ability to interpret financial information and the confidence to raise questions and challenge 
• Have a good understanding of, or be willing to learn, the rules and regulation around charity finance 
• Have the ability to think creatively and strategically, exercising good and impartial judgement 
• Knowledge of current accounting processes, tools and procedures 
• High proficiency in Excel, Powerpoint for analysis and presentation 
• Understands and accepts the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and the difference between governance functions and management functions  
• High level of integrity and sound judgement 
• Commitment to CA’s vision, purpose and culture and its way of working 
• Able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role 

Additional Desirable 

• CCAB/CIMA qualified professional or qualified by experience in financial management
• Awareness and understanding of the campaigning world and the health community in developing countries. 
• An interest in international development and the issues we are supporting our partners to tackle in East Africa. 

For full information, please see the attached information pack.

To apply for this post, please submit a CV and covering letter by email by the 27th March 2026. The cover letter should be no longer than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Greatwood & Horseclose Communty Centre sits in a well established friendly community, made up of home owners, private rental and six various Housing Associations.

The Friends of Greatwood and Horseclose are looking for a new Volunteer Secretary to play a vital role in making sure that the community centre achieves its core purpose of benefitting the local community of Greatwood and Horseclose.

This role is for someone who is organised and methodical, with an eye for detail. They will plan, organise and take minutes at our meetings as well as playing an important part to develop our strategic goals.

Tasks and activities will include -

· Planning, arranging and producing meeting agendas for our trustee meetings, any sub-committees and our AGM with the Chair, in line with legal, and other regulatory requirements, and in accordance with our governing document

· Assist with any official correspondence

· Supporting our trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities

· Organising trustee induction and ongoing training

· Support the Chair to ensure we comply with the relevant charity regulations, including all our reporting responsibilities

Are you the new Chair-designate for Reading Community Learning Centre?

Do you have enthusiasm, skills and time to cooperatively govern and lead our charity that supports women learners?

You could be the Chair-designate of Reading Community Learning Centre, a charity serving the needs of local refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant women. We stand proudly for equality and women’s rights, and are looking for a woman Chair-designate to take on the role of leading our Board, supported by our outgoing Chair for a handover period of up to 6 months.

About us:

Set up in 2007, we are a Charitable Company that helps often-marginalised women to achieve their individual potential, through helping them improve their English, building confidence, making friends, volunteering locally, gaining qualifications or securing a job.

In 2025 we supported over 595 women from 41 different countries of origin, through our charitable spending of £244k.

About the role:

We’re looking for a woman to volunteer to lead our Board of Trustees, to work with other trustees and our CEO to shape our future supporting and empowering women. Women from global-majority/minority-ethnic communities are especially encouraged to apply.

If you can think and lead strategically, help us plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our Chair. Support from our employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Experience of committee or similar work, an understanding of cooperative leadership and a strong focus to shape the forward-looking Board, are what we are looking for. You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as induction will be provided, plus specialist guidance as a new trustee, including access to external training.

This is a high-profile appointment, with strong commitment to the future of Reading Community Learning Centre an essential quality, and having a good understanding of the value for the women we help. Trustees make the top-level decisions for our charity: our Board includes women with understanding, skills and experience of our support, and we require new trustees to have empathy with our cause. 

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We encourage women from all backgrounds to apply, particularly Black, Asian and global-majority women, and those who have previous experience of engaging and working collaboratively with our beneficiaries.

The Board meets online every six weeks, and we ask you for up to sixteen hours per month; this includes all meetings, correspondence, communication, etc. Our Chair does need to be able to visit the Centre regularly, so should have access to Reading.

How to apply:

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

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references to satisfactory completion of an Enhanced DBS check.

Your CV and supporting statement will be read by our current Chair and trustees; an informal discussion followed by a more-formal interview can be offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more:

Contact Mike Allen via Apply Now, below, for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams or Zoom), explanation about this important role and any assistance or advice you may need to apply.

Honorary Treasurer (Trustee)

Foundation for Science and Technology

The Foundation for Science and Technology is at the heart of the UK’s science and technology policy landscape. For nearly 50 years, we have provided an independent platform bringing together Parliamentarians, civil servants, industry leaders, researchers and charities to explore the most pressing issues shaping the future of science, innovation and public policy.

From artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, to net zero, research culture and skills, the Foundation convenes informed, cross-sector debate and supports the development of future leaders across the UK science and technology ecosystem.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, we are seeking an Honorary Treasurer to join our Trustee Board and play a key role in supporting the Foundation’s continued impact and sustainability.

The role

As Honorary Treasurer, you will be a full member of the Trustee Board, sharing collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the Foundation.

This is a non-executive role, focused on governance, oversight and constructive challenge. As a trustee, you will contribute to the stewardship of the Foundation, helping to ensure its financial sustainability, integrity and long-term success.

In addition to your general responsibilities as a trustee, you will:

• Provide oversight and assurance on the Foundation’s financial position, ensuring appropriate controls and compliance with charity law and good practice
• Support the Board in scrutinising financial reporting, including budgets, forecasts and annual accounts
• Offer insight and constructive challenge on financial planning, risk and long-term sustainability
• Contribute to Board-level thinking on income generation, including sponsorship and grants
• Act as a source of financial insight and support to fellow trustees and the Chief Executive

About you

You will bring:

• Senior financial expertise, whether from accountancy, finance leadership or equivalent experience
• Experience of financial oversight and governance
• An understanding of, or interest in, the charity sector
• The ability to work effectively as part of a Board, providing both support and appropriate challenge
• An interest in science, technology, research or innovation policy

Just as importantly, you will bring sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative approach, with the ability to see both detail and the wider strategic picture.

Time commitment

Approximately three hours per month, plus attendance at three Board meetings per year, typically in London.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to contribute to an organisation that sits at the interface of science, technology and public policy in the UK, helping to ensure that important decisions are informed by evidence, insight and cross-sector collaboration.

Rainbow Migration, the longest-running UK charity dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system, is seeking a trustee who is or has been a refugee due to persecution as an LGBTQI+ person. This is part of an ongoing commitment to increase leadership in the organisation by people with lived experience of the issues we work on.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about our vision that LGBTQI+ people can settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives, and our mission to support LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system and influence policy and practice.

At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We particularly encourage applications from people who have sought asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. 

More information on Rainbow Migration is in appendix 1 of the application pack.

If you would like to find out more before applying, you can attend a webinar on Friday 17 April 2026 from 1 to 2pm. This is an opportunity to meet Rainbow Migration’s Executive Director and a trustee and ask us any questions. It is not part of the application or selection process. Please register using the form linked in the application pack and a Zoom link will be sent to you. If you cannot attend, you can still fill out the form and request a recording afterwards.

If you would prefer to have a one-to-one conversation, or have any questions about the role, the webinar or how to apply, please contact us using the email address in the application pack.

The role of trustees

Trustees are volunteers who bring their skills and experience to shape our strategic direction. They have legal responsibility for the charity, ensure good governance, and make sure our finances and resources are used well to implement our mission. Trustees also play a role as ambassadors for the organisation and our work.

Trustees do not get involved in operational decision-making. For example, decisions on which social media platforms we use or what group activities we run for service users are taken by staff.

Because trustees are volunteers, they do not receive payment for their time. Rainbow Migration can pay your costs when incurred solely for fulfilling trustee duties (e.g. travel, phone top-ups if needed exclusively for trustee work).

You can find out more information about what being a trustee involves at the links available in the application pack.

Time commitment

We are looking for people who can commit to being a trustee for at least three years. Trustees can then be re-elected for another three years. The maximum term limit for our trustees is nine years (in line with Charity Commission guidance).

Trustees meet on a weekday evening, from 6 to 9 pm, five times per year. There may be additional meetings in 2026 as part of our work on anti-oppression and to develop our next organisational strategy.

Meetings are usually held on Zoom except in December when we meet in-person in London, with an informal dinner first. For in-person meetings, travel costs (and meals and accommodation if relevant) can be covered.

You will need to spend two to four hours reading 8 to 30 papers before each meeting. Papers are provided a few days in advance of meetings. The “Board Buddy” (see below under Support for Trustees) can help with understanding them. You can also ask to meet with the Executive Director or Chair to explain them.

You can see examples of topics of discussion at board meetings in appendix 2 of the application pack.

You will also need to give some time between meetings. This includes, for example:

• Spending 10 to 30 minutes reviewing and correcting the minutes (written record) of the last board meeting
• Spending 30 to 60 minutes reviewing and giving feedback on documents, such as a new or updated draft organisational policy (e.g. data protection, safeguarding, health and safety)
• Reading and responding to emails within one or two days.

The board has two subcommittees: one on HR and one on finance. You may be asked to join one of these a few months after you become a trustee. If you do, there will be up to four more meetings a year and there will be papers to read for each of these meetings.

Support for trustees

We provide numerous resources for trustees. Below are some examples but they are not exhaustive and we are open to suggestions. Support can be accessed throughout the time someone is a trustee.

Training:

• We can pay for trustees to access training on good governance, the duties of a trustee, and charity finance.
• We give access to webinars and online training e.g. on safeguarding and cyber-security.
• We provide internal training (by staff) on areas such as safeguarding and data protection.

One-to-one support:

• New trustees have induction meetings with Rainbow Migration staff.
• An existing trustee can act as a “Board Buddy” for new trustees, which includes formal and informal meetings and support around board meetings and papers.
• We can help you to find a mentor e.g. The Experts by Experience Employment Initiative can provide mentoring for people with lived experience of migration.
• We can discuss accommodations that are needed for disabled people and other ways to ensure trustees feel fully included and able to participate

Equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-oppression

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we know this is ongoing work. We are also reviewing what we do and how we do it through an anti-oppression and anti-racism lens, as well as investing in being more informed and led by LGBTQI+ people who have sought asylum. We want our organisation — including our trustee board — to be increasingly shaped and led by LGBTQI+ people who have sought asylum. That is why this trustee position is specifically for someone who has been granted refugee status in the UK as an LGBTQI+ person.

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, identities and experiences – including from people who are trans (including non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender non-conforming and agender) and intersex. We recognise that people have different journeys, strengths and access needs, and we are committed to removing barriers wherever we can. If you share our vision, mission and values, we encourage you to apply and let us know how we can support you through the process.

To support candidates during the interview process, we send some of the questions in advance to give applicants more thinking time. You are welcome to bring notes with you and also take notes in interviews to help process information. Please let us know if we can make other adjustments to support you through the application and selection process.

Once appointed, trustees can continue to access a range of support options throughout their time on the board.

Person specification

Essential

For this role, we are looking for someone who has been awarded refugee status in the UK on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. At this time, we are not accepting applications from people who still in the process of applying for asylum, or who have leave to remain in the UK on other grounds (e.g. work, human rights, marriage) as these experiences are already represented on our board.

We welcome applications from people who have used our services as well as those who have never interacted with us before.

In addition to having been granted asylum in the UK as an LGBTQI+ person, the following are necessary:

• Commitment to Rainbow Migration’s mission, vision and values
• Ability to work constructively with other trustees and staff
• Good English (so you can understand spoken conversations in meetings and contribute)
• Ability to read and understand long documents (e.g. trustees must be familiar with our policies, such as our safeguarding policy, and the key points in our publications such as Still Falling Short)
• Courage and enthusiasm to learn, encourage, challenge, influence and support other people and the organisation
• Confidence to ask questions (this helps everyone learn and improve) or request training or support
• Ability to analyse and scrutinise information provided by staff and trustees (the Board Buddy and other trustees can assist you in this)
• Ability to use independent judgement and share your thoughts with trustees and the Executive Director
• Willingness to share your opinion and give guidance to the board in areas where you have knowledge or experience
• Commitment to speak well about the organisation to others (e.g. funders, other charities)
• Regular access to a secure, private email account and a quiet, private space for joining online meetings and telephone calls
• Be living in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Aged 16 or over
• Not be previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, have an undischarged bankruptcy or have unspent criminal convictions for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud).

Desirable

It would be beneficial if you have work or volunteer experience in an area relevant to Rainbow Migration’s work (e.g. service delivery, communications, campaigning, lobbying, fundraising, HR, IT) but this is not a requirement.