Chair of the board of trustees volunteer roles

Join Us as Chair of Trustees

SEAS Sailability & All Afloat – Merging for Greater Impact

About SEAS All Afloat

SEAS Sailability and All Afloat, two well-established charities operating across Wales since 2017, are merging to combine their experience, resources, and passion for inclusion on the water.

SEAS Sailability has built a successful partnership with a commercial activity provider, delivering weekly evening sessions and monthly weekend activities during the spring and summer months for disabled people, their families, and carers. Over the past five years, SEAS Sailability has secured approximately £200,000 in grants and donations to support this work.

All Afloat has focused on breaking down barriers to water sports and expanding access to sailing and boating for disadvantaged young people and those with disabilities. The charity has supported ten RYA Training Centres across Wales, delivering more than £150,000 worth of projects, providing over 4,500 sessions for more than 3,500 young participants, opening clear pathways to RYA qualifications from introductory sailing through to Dinghy Instructor certification.

As the new merged organisation, SEAS All Afloat will build on this strong foundation to secure sustainable funding that maintains current activity while enabling the growth of similar partnerships across Wales. Our ambition is to use our combined experience, equipment, and networks to expand opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the water safely and inclusively.

Through community projects and activity clubs, we will continue to deliver safe, engaging, and inclusive on-water experiences that build confidence, develop skills, and foster wellbeing — particularly for those facing barriers to participation.

The Role of the Chair of Trustees

Our volunteers and trustees play a vital role in steering the charity and ensuring we deliver on our mission.

The Chair of Trustees provides leadership to the Board, ensuring effective governance and strategic oversight. Working collaboratively with trustees, volunteers, and partners, the Chair helps set the vision and direction of the charity and acts as a key ambassador.

The Chair ensures that the Board operates effectively, decisions are well-informed, and the charity remains compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. They also represent SEAS All Afloat publicly, championing its values and strengthening its relationships with stakeholders.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• A passion for making outdoor activities accessible for all.
• Strong leadership and governance experience (charity, corporate, or public sector).
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to build consensus.
• Confidence in representing the charity externally and acting as a spokesperson.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach.

Experience in sport, youth development, disability inclusion, or fundraising would be an advantage, but is not essential.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a newly merged organisation at a pivotal stage in its journey.
• A meaningful and rewarding role that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
• The chance to work alongside a dedicated team of trustees, staff, and volunteers.

Time Commitment

This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. The time commitment is around 6–10 meetings a year, plus regular contact with the leadership team and occasional events.

Chair of Trustees  - Role Description and Person Specification

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership of the Board:
• Provide leadership to the Board, ensuring trustees fulfil their responsibilities for governance, strategy, and oversight.
• Facilitate effective, inclusive board meetings—ensuring decisions are made collectively and in the best interest of the charity.
• Provide leadership and clarity of purpose in decision-making.
• Strategy and Governance:
• Work with the board, staff and service users to develop and agree the charity’s long-term vision, strategy, and goals.
• Oversee compliance with governing documents, charity law, and regulatory requirements.
• Safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure sound financial and risk management.
• Promote effective governance practices and continuous improvement of the Board’s performance.
• Lead the recruitment, induction, and development of new trustees. Encourage succession planning and development within the Board.
• Representation and Advocacy:
• Act as a spokesperson and ambassador for SEAS All Afloat.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, regulators, and community partners.

Specific Tasks

• Chair regular trustee meetings and the Annual Wash-up.
• Work with the operations manager and secretary to set agendas and circulate meeting papers in good time.
• Monitor and follow up on Board decisions and agreed actions.
• Ensure financial reports and budgets are presented and understood by the Board.
• Act as the main contact with the Charity Commission on governance matters, ensuring annual report and accounts are submitted as required.
• Lead an annual review of SEAS All Afloat policies and procedures, ensuring that they meet best practice and the requirements of the Charity Commission, Welsh government and any specific grant funding bodies such as the National Lottery.
• Ensure fundraising processes (e.g. grant applications and reporting) are in place, appropriate, accurate, and delivered to a high standard.
• Represent SEAS All Afloat at external events, meetings, and within the community.
• Provide support and oversight to operations manager and senior volunteers involved in day-to-day operations.
• Be available to trustees and volunteers for ad hoc discussions between formal meetings.

Person Specification

• Essential Skills and Experience:
• Proven leadership ability, including chairing meetings and facilitating consensus.
• Understanding of trusteeship and charity governance (or willingness to learn).
• Strong strategic thinking skills with experience shaping vision and direction.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent the charity externally.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to analyse information, assess risks, and make impartial decisions.
• Strong teamworking and collaboration skills.
• Willingness and capacity to commit sufficient time to the role.
• Desirable Skills and Experience:
• Understanding of, or lived experience with, issues relating to disability and accessibility, especially in the context of outdoor or water-based activities.
• Experience or awareness of fundraising and income-generation processes, including grants and reporting.
• Previous experience as a trustee, chair, or senior volunteer.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Welsh (spoken and/or written)
• Maritime, water sports, or youth development experience (professional or voluntary).
• Local community links and networks to strengthen partnerships.
• Advocacy and influencing experience with funders or stakeholders.
• Personal Qualities:
• Passion for the mission of SEAS All Afloat.
• Integrity, objectivity, and openness.
• Ability to inspire confidence and trust.
• Respectful of diverse views and skilled at building consensus.
• Resilient and able to handle sensitive matters with discretion.

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.

About Bliss

With an impact in all corners of the UK, Bliss is the leading national neonatal charity, championing and developing the services for the 90,000 sick and premature babies born each year, supporting both them and their families. At Bliss, we are committed to improving care, giving voice to babies, and supporting parents to be partners in care. 

This is a really exciting time to join our board. We’ve just launched our new four-year strategy, which puts equity at the heart of everything we do. With NHS reforms underway, a new 10-Year Plan on the horizon, and growing attention on maternity and neonatal care, there’s a real opportunity to raise Bliss’s profile and make a lasting difference for premature and sick babies across the UK.

Chair opportunity

Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member with proven ability to manage meetings effectively and foster productive, inclusive discussions. They will bring energy and drive, ensuring robust governance and alignment between strategy and operations. They will enjoy leading inclusive and thoughtful discussions, and share our passion for giving every baby the best possible start in life.

You can find more information about Bliss and the Chair role in our recruitment pack.

Don’t think you quite meet all of the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out – we’d still love to hear from you and learn more about you and your interest in joining Bliss!

Ready to apply?

Eastside People is supporting Bliss in the recruitment of these roles. Please by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.

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

• Why is Bliss’ work important to you and how can you contribute to the charity as our Chair?
• How do you ensure board meetings are focused, inclusive, and lead to clear decisions?
• How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level?

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

Bliss’ Chair, CEO and Trustees will be hosting a 30-minute drop-in session on Mon 8th December at 12pm via Teams. This is an opportunity to learn more about Bliss and what’s involved in joining our Board. You can register to attend here.

The closing date for applications is Mon 5th Jan. 

Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place mid-January, with shortlisted candidates invited to panel interviews with Bliss during the week commencing 2 February.

Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to take part in open sessions with staff and Board members, with final interviews scheduled for the week commencing 23 February.

Bliss is an equal opportunities organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. We strive to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to equity and inclusion at every level of our governance.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Join St George’s Hospital Charity Board and help us build a healthier tomorrow for the communities we serve.

St George’s Hospital Charity is currently seeking a Chair of Trustees to join the charity at a crucial time, as we seek to implement our newly agreed-upon, ambitious growth strategy.

The Chair provides leadership to the Board, with primary responsibility for ensuring it has agreed-upon priorities, appropriate structures, processes, and a collaborative, productive culture. The Chair also acts as a key ambassador for the Charity, working closely with the Charity CEO and other stakeholders.

Our new Chair will start in the role on 1 April 2026. Time commitment will be around 2 days a month.

About the role

The new Chair will support and empower the executive team and Board members through the next phase of the Charity’s development. Partnership with the NHS Trust, City St George’s, University of London and the community of current and potential supporters and beneficiaries is vital, and the new Chair and Board will work with the Executive Team to enhance these.

St George’s Hospital Charity already makes a vital difference, but growing its value, reputation and impact further is key. To grow as a Charity, fundraising and diversifying and enhancing income-generating streams will be crucial over the next few terms of the Board. These are areas that the new Chair must be motivated to champion in line with the Charity’s potential and ambitions.

We are looking for an individual with:

• Significant chairing experience across sectors and good Charity governance knowledge. Gravitas, diplomacy and the ability to chair a meeting well and galvanise an effective Board Team are required key attributes.
• Experience of being an ambassador and/or senior representative of a significant organisation.
• Commercial growth skills and mindset to empower the expansion and diversification of the Charity financially.
• Understanding of the NHS/healthcare and/or the impact of health challenges.
• Passion for the ambitions of St George’s Hospital Charity and local community engagement.
• Appreciation of EDI and diversity of thought at the Board.
• Ability to give 2 days per month and to lean in more when needed.

We also seek someone with an appreciation for the needs of the local community that the charity serves, as well as an understanding of the socioeconomic and health challenges they face. Our beneficiaries come from diverse backgrounds, and we are committed to continually enhancing our knowledge of their needs across the charity and through the Board.

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.

This is a rolling application recruitment process. We will move to interviews as soon as we receive enough suitable interest and will contact you as soon as possible regarding the next steps. 

We are seeking a Director and Chair of Trustees Designate to help shape the future direction of our organisation. We are looking for an individual with proven senior leadership experience - ideally, though not necessarily, within the third sector - who can bring strong strategic thinking, sound judgement, and a collaborative leadership style.

Role Overview

Organisation: EmbraceAbility

Role Title: Chair of Trustees

Location: Remote with occasional meetings (UK-based preferred)

Hours: Approximately 4–6 hours per month

Expiry Date: 31 March

About EmbraceAbility

EmbraceAbility supports disabled children and their families through inclusive programmes, safeguarding guidance and community-led care. We work to strengthen wellbeing, promote dignity and ensure that every child has access to safe, nurturing and empowering support. Our approach centres the voices of families, builds long-term resilience and encourages inclusive, sustainable change.

We are a disability-led, community-rooted organisation working in Cambodia and Malawi. Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to build a world where they are included, resourced, and recognised with dignity, agency and justice.

Role Purpose

The Chair of Trustees provides leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance and strategic oversight of the organisation. The Chair works closely with the Director to support strong decision-making, accountability and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Board of Trustees to ensure effective governance and alignment with EmbraceAbility's mission.
• Support the Director by providing guidance, oversight and strategic leadership.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its legal, financial and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Facilitate productive Board meetings, including agenda-setting and follow-up actions.
• Champion inclusive, disability-led approaches and ensure lived experience informs governance decisions.
• Represent EmbraceAbility externally where appropriate.

What You Will Help Us Achieve

• Stronger governance structures rooted in justice and inclusion
• Improved strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability.
• Greater visibility and advocacy for disability rights within our programmes.
• Support for our work in Cambodia and Malawi to grow responsibly and ethically.

Benefits to the Volunteer

• Opportunity to drive meaningful, rights-based change in disability inclusion.
• Experience in governance, leadership and international development.
• Working alongside a passionate, disability-led team.
• Flexible, remote role that fits around other commitments.

Support and Training

You will receive support from the Director and the Board, including safeguarding training, organisational induction, and ongoing guidance relevant to governance and disability-inclusive practice.

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.

Chair of Trustee Board

The Board of Trustees plays a vital role by steering and supporting the charity development. We are seeking to appoint a Chair or a Vice Chair. The Studio Upstairs Board is drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and has a variety of skills. To complement the current Board, we would envisage that the Chair had a wide experience of running organisations and a particular interest in the charity sector. We are keen to hear from candidates with skills in the areas of Corporate Governance and Business Development ie: Partnership working or Fundraising as well as those within Digital Technologies, Health or Legal expertise.

Studio Upstairs exists to transform lives through creative communities. We have branches in Bristol, Dalston and Croydon. In addition to the full board meetings  there may be occasional committee meetings or meetings of specific task groups. It is expected that the Chair will also maintain regular contact with the Managing Director and other Board members.

The Board Meetings are to be held four to six times a year in London.

A clear empathy with the aims of the charity are essential. 

Selection Criteria

Candidates must meet all essential requirements and demonstrate expertise in at least three (3) of the Core Knowledge/Skill areas.

Essential Requirements

• Legal Eligibility (Must be legally permitted to act as a charity trustee).
• Strong alignment with the organisation's mission, vision, and values.
• Willingness and capacity to commit the necessary time (attending 6 annual board meetings plus committee and preparation work).

Core Knowledge and Skills

• Financial Expertise: Senior experience in finance, audit, risk, or treasury management.
• Governance & Compliance: Knowledge of charity law, regulatory frameworks, and governance best practice.
• Strategic Planning: Proven ability to develop and execute long-term organizational strategy.
• Income Generation / Fundraising: Expertise in developing sustainable income streams, commercial activity, or major donor relations.
• Service Delivery / Operations: Relevant professional or lived experience within the sector we serve.
• Technology / Digital: Senior experience in digital transformation, IT governance, or cyber-security.

Personal Attributes

• Independent Judgment and the ability to challenge constructively.
• Highest Integrity & Ethics.
• Collaborative Approach to teamwork and decision-making.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

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.

Community engagement charity Sobus is looking for talented, passionate individuals to join our Board of Trustees.  We are looking for a new Trustee Treasurer to help guide the charity through a time of exciting opportunity and development.

It's an exciting time for Sobus, as we look to refresh our service offer, and maximise the investment opportunity following the disposal of a property in 2024.

Our overarching aim is to “strengthen local communities”, through the provision of infrastructure support to the local voluntary sector in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and supporting business communities around our North Kensington hub. 

Our work is focussed on five main areas:

• Voice & Representation
• Information & Intelligence
• Brokerage & Partnerships
• Capacity Building & Business Support
• Affordable Premises (through the provision of our business hubs in Fulham and North Kensington)

Trustee Treasurer: We are seeking a committed individual with a proven, professional track record of financial management and leadership at the highest level, and a sound understanding and experience of the voluntary sector.  We need someone with significant experience of leading long-term strategic development and driving financial sustainability.

You will share our vision and want to take a leading role in our journey to be recognised as an outstanding organisation. It would be a significant advantage if you have an understanding or experience of working in the voluntary and community sector, and even more so if you are a current or former resident of Hammersmith & Fulham or have a tangible, established and current connection with the area.

Sobus was formed in 2014 following a merger between the Community & Voluntary Sector Association and Fulham Community Partnership Trust. However, we were first established as the local CVS in Hammersmith & Fulham in 1998. 

Sobus is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity to ensure that we reflect the full breadth of the people that we support. We therefore warmly welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Selection process:

Candidates are requested to complete an application and a equalities monitoring form., and if shortlisted, an interview with our outgoing Treasurer, Chair of the Board of Trustees and the CEO.  t

For an informal discussion about the position, of for the Job Description and application form, contact the Sobus CEO, Sue Spiller

Role description

All Abortion Talk trustees are responsible for ensuring that we:

● have effectively evaluated the success of our three-year strategy.
● develop and implement a new, 2027 - 2030 strategy for Abortion Talk, to help us achieve
our vision of a world free of abortion stigma.
● comply with our governing document (i.e. our charitable objects), charity law, company
law and any other relevant legislation or regulation.
● apply our resources only in pursuing our charitable objects and for the benefit of the
public.
● protect the pro-choice, feminist and inclusive values of our charity.
● effectively govern the charity, which includes making sure we have the proper policies
and procedures in place.
● ensure financial stability.

The role of the chair also includes:

● leading the board to develop our new, 2027 - 2030 strategy.
● providing leadership to the organisation and the board and ensuring that everyone
remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes to provide
greater public benefit
● chairing board meetings.
● ensuring that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
● making sure the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated
opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of
opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks.
● ensuring trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the
charity.
● appraising the performance of the trustees and the board on an annual basis.
● regularly reviewing and acting to ensure the board has a balance of skills, knowledge
and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively.
● representing the organisation at functions and meetings as an external representative of
the board. Acting as a spokesperson as appropriate.
● supporting the development of board members, individually and collectively.
● bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making.
● working with our lead freelancer, providing them with advice and support as needed.
● role model a commitment to Abortion Talk’s values, and advocate for this across the
organisation.

The above list is indicative, not exhaustive, and the Chair may be required to engage in
additional activities from time to time.

Time commitment: Four two-hour virtual meetings per year, plus one in-person strategy day
(held on a Saturday in London). Additional time to prepare for the meetings and provide ad hoc
advice to Abortion Talk’s lead contractor and volunteers as required, estimated to be around 20
hours per month.

Person specification

Essential
● Professional leadership experience.
● A full commitment to all of our values (set out above).
● A willingness and ability to dedicate the time and effort required to direct how Abortion
Talk is run and managed.
● Good, independent judgement and a willingness to speak your mind in acting as a
critical friend to Abortion Talk’s leadership (including other trustees)
● An ability to think creatively.
● An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of
trusteeship
● An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
● A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,
objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Desirable
● Professional leadership experience at small charities/helpline providers.
● Previous experience as a charity trustee.

Interviews
There are like to be two interview stages:

Stage one: A call with our current chair, lead contractor and an Abortion Talk volunteer or board
member. This is likely to take place between 5pm and 8pm on either Wednesday 14th or
Wednesday 21st January 2026.

Stage two: If successful at stage one, you will be invited back to a call with our current chair
and two other trustees. This is likely to take place between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday 4th
and Thursday 5th February 2026

ECT is looking for new trustees to join our existing enthusiastic and dedicated board who share our ambition to provide top-quality, safe, affordable and accessible transport services for every community we serve. The range of perspectives and experience diversity brings is an asset to ECT and we want to create an inclusive, welcoming environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly those who share our values but may be new to a role as a trustee.

Our Board is forging exciting plans for the future, alongside our top-notch team of committed, professional managers, drivers, assistants and administrators. As new trustees, you will help steer our charity on the next stage of its important journey. 

We are based in Greenford, West London, and also operate in Dorset and Cheshire. There are no specific skills required, and we are very keen to hear from people new to the role of being a trustee who are active in their local communities and we are determined to provide better representation for the people we support. ECT has been going for over 30 years and we do a lot of work with young people, the elderly, community groups and charities but we are also very keen to see what other services we might be able to offer.

We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have experience in finance, charity management or governance, transport or have a personal connection in some way to community transport but above all else, we want you to feel motivated to be involved and make a difference.

Are you passionate about health equity and social justice? Do you want to use your skills to make a real difference in communities across the North of England?

BHA For Equality is seeking new Trustees to join our Board as we continue our vital work challenging health inequalities and supporting communities to improve their health and wellbeing

About Us

For 35 years, BHA For Equality has been at the forefront of addressing health and social care inequalities. As a user-led charity with £2.4M turnover, we deliver essential services in HIV and sexual health, cancer prevention, TB, mental health, and community engagement across Leeds, Manchester, Wakefield, Liverpool, Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Opportunity

As a Trustee, you'll help shape our strategic direction, ensure strong governance, and champion our mission to amplify the voices of Black and minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, and marginalised communities in health and social care.We're Particularly Seeking

• Individuals from the communities we serve who understand lived experiences of health inequalities
• Professionals with legal or HR expertise to strengthen our Board's skill set
• Leaders committed to equity, inclusion and social justice

What We Offer

• Opportunity to influence real change in health equity
• Join a dynamic Board leading an established, impactful charity
• Support communities whose voices are too often unheard
• Professional development and networking opportunities

Time Commitment:

Quarterly Board meetings, occasional sub-committee involvement and one away day per year     

How to Apply

Send your CV/LinkedIn profile and a short covering note explaining your interest and what you'd bring to the Board to CEO Aydin Djemal

Prefer an informal chat first? Just email to arrange.Join us in our mission for health equality. Your expertise and passion can help us build healthier, more equitable communities.

#TrusteeOpportunity #CharityTrustee #HealthEquality #BoardDiversity #NonExecDirector #CharityGovernance #SocialJustice #VCSE

Role: Trustee

Location: Hybrid (meetings vary between online, central London and The Cricket Centre, Wallington, SM6 8JQ)

Salary: Voluntary (reasonable expenses will be covered)

About Us

London was burning in 1981. The Brixton Riots exposed the deep cracks in our communities, and from that moment of unrest, a spark of hope emerged. A young cricketer invited local kids to join him on the pitch instead of moving them aside. That simple act became the London Community Cricket Association — now The Change Foundation — a charity that uses sport to transform lives, create safe spaces, and empower young people to grow free from fear. Today, we continue that legacy through innovative, values-led programmes that challenge broken systems and build lasting impact.

The Role

We seek Trustees who are passionate, courageous, and empathetic, and who can bring insight, challenge, and guidance to help shape the next chapter of our work.  We are particularly keen to hear from people with expertise in:

• Governance & compliance
• Human resources & organisational development
• Lived experience similar to the young people we support

We are committed to diversifying our Board and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Training and support are available to anyone new to trustee roles.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Trustee, you will help ensure that The Change Foundation:

• Pursues its mission and long-term objectives.
• Defines goals and evaluates our performance.
• Protects and champions the charity’s values and reputation.
• Oversees administration, policies, and financial stability.
• Ensures compliance with charity law, company law, and other relevant regulations.

All Trustees also contribute to one of our subcommittees:

· Risk, Audit & Governance – safeguarding, compliance, financial oversight, and operational standards.

· Programmes & Impact – reviewing programme design, delivery, and evaluation of social impact.

· Fundraising, Marketing, & Communications – overseeing fundraising strategy, marketing, and communications.

Subcommittees meet four times a year, in advance of quarterly Board meetings.

By joining our Board, you will:

• Influence the direction of a bold, innovative charity.
• Work alongside passionate staff, inspirational young people, and committed Trustees.
• See first-hand the impact of your guidance and support.
• Expand your leadership skills and professional networks.
• Be part of a movement that redefines what sport can be: a place where every young person matters.

Chair of the Board of Home-Start Berkshire East

Are you our new Chair of the Board?

Can you lead a charity that supports parents of young children in east Berkshire?

Home-Start in Berkshire East is an empowering, visionary, family support service built on trusted relationships and rooted in the community. We are a local charity, also part of the national Home-Start network of 180 groups. Our Board of trustees is fully responsible for governing our independent organisation, which focuses support to parents with young children, through a range of volunteer and employee-supported services, primarily in the east of Berkshire.

With a turnover of £300k+ in 2024/25, we’re a medium-sized charity, with 14 paid staff and over 30 regular volunteers, offering over 3,000 volunteer hours to more than 300 families per year.

We are looking for a new Chair for our Board of Trustees, as we continue to grow after our recent merger, and as our current Chair reaches the end of her Term of Office. You’ll have a leadership background and an understanding of (charity or corporate) governance. It is vital that you are able to lead cooperatively and work with other Trustees, the CEO, our employee and volunteer team, to shape our vision and strategy. Whilst we’d appreciate some experience within the charity sector, as either a trustee, volunteer or employee, that is not absolutely vital  – we don’t want to preclude appropriate experience from other sectors that clearly fits our current and future needs.

This is a high-profile appointment, with strong commitment to the future of families and children, and an appreciation of Home-Start’s work both important.

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

The focus of a trustee is strategic, and our Chair will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with other trustees and our CEO is expected.  

We ask for at least eight hours per month, rising up to sixteen hours per month at times of year-end and the AGM, plus other occasional promotional & celebratory events. You will need good access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion. A detailed Chair’s Recruitment Information Pack can be made available to you upon request.

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

Your CV and Supporting Statement will be read by our existing trustees; an informal discussion, followed by a more-formal interview can be arranged 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/Zoom), explanation about this important role and any assistance in your application.

The Farm Animal Sanctuary was established nearly 40 years ago. We have, since then, rescued animals from neglect, abuse, or offered a forever home to those who need it. The animals are cared for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The animals who live with us are more than just residents—they’re part of our family. They are cared for by a truly dedicated team of staff and volunteers. We are entering a new and exciting phase for the charity, where we are wanting to expand our reach, increase our visibility, and raise much needed funds for the charity to ensure the lives of our animals are supported for many many years to come. From Tiny the goat, Neville the sheep, Twiglet the pig, and Judy the chicken, they are all at the heart of what we do.  Trustees play a vital role in supporting our residents, its rewards are vast, and you'll be making a real difference.
 

Meetings take place 1x per month and are expected to last no more than 2 hrs. 
 

We have a long established board of trustees that are moving on and we have these new and exciting roles to fill. We would welcome CV's from anyone who feels they have skill and experience to share but we are looking for expertise and experience in the following areas:

- Finance

- Business

- Public Relations 

We are recruiting at this time an experienced:

- Chair 

- Co Chair

- Treasurer 

- Secretary

The Sanctuary is based in Middleton Littleton in Evesham, Worcestershire and people are more than welcome to arrange a time to visit via Natalie Pulfer (Trustee)

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Respect in their search for three new Trustees and their next Chair. For further information about the Chair role please visit our opportunities page. 

Respect is the umbrella organisation for the perpetrator sector, working with their members, partners and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse. They provide leadership and guidance to their members, and use their voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem.

Passionate about good practice, Respect works closely with a number of partners across the domestic abuse sector to develop strategic, multi-agency responses to domestic abuse including Women’s Aid Federation England, SafeLives and Social Finance and Safe & Together Institute.

About the Trustee roles:

As a Trustee, you’ll play an essential role in shaping Respect’s direction and impact. Working collectively with fellow trustees and the staff team, you’ll help ensure the organisation remains true to its mission of ending domestic violence, achieves its strategic objectives and maintains financial health and sustainability.

Trustees are responsible for setting the overall direction of the charity and working in partnership with the CEO and ELT, who oversee the organisation’s day-to-day operations and develop Respect’s strategic plans and budget for the Board’s consideration and approval.

We are seeking three trustees who can bring one of the following areas of specialism to the Board:

• Domestic Abuse / VAWG Practice and Sector Insight
• Charity Fundraising and Income Generation
• Digital, Technology and Artificial Intelligence