Chair of trustees volunteer roles

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

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

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

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

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

We are looking for a Chair who:

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

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

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK
Time Commitment: Approx. 2–6 hours per month, including quarterly trustee meetings, occasional sub-committee meetings, and fulfilling trustee responsibilities. Time may vary slightly depending on organisational needs, but remains manageable alongside other personal and professional commitments.

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

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

Role Overview
We are seeking a Chair / Trustee to lead our board, provide strategic direction, and ensure effective governance. The Chair will guide the charity through registration and early operations while supporting the delivery of its mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the trustee board and ensure effective governance

• Chair board meetings and oversee decision-making

• Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development

• Act as a primary contact for stakeholders and regulators

• Oversee compliance with charity law and CIO regulations

• Assist with reporting to the Charity Commission

• Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements

• Strong leadership, organisational, and strategic skills

• Familiarity with charity governance and trustee responsibilities (training can be provided)

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

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

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

• UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

• 2–6 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain

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

• Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

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

Applications close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 15th October.

Time commitment: Chair (4 days a month) and Trustee (2 days a month)

We are the official charity of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, supporting St George’s Hospital, Queen Mary’s Hospital, and the wider community. We fund vital improvements to facilities, pioneering research, and innovative projects that enhance the experience of patients, families, staff and the communities served by our Trust.

St George’s Hospital Charity is currently recruiting for two key roles: a Chair of Trustees and an additional Trustee who will serve as Chair of the Grants Arts and Impact Committee.

The Chair provides leadership to the Board with prime responsibility for ensuring it has agreed 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.

The Chair of the Grants, Arts and Impact Committee provides leadership to the Committee on behalf of the Board, ensuring effective oversight of grants and arts activity, and the measuring and reporting of impact. This role also supports the Board in making informed, transparent decisions about funding and charitable programmes.

Both of these roles are crucial to the success of implementing our newly agreed, ambitious growth strategy.

Both of the roles start on Wednesday 1st April 2026.

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. Wednesday 15th October.

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK

Time Commitment: Approx. 3–5 hours per month (may be more during start-up and registration phase)

About Us

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

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Chair / Trustee to lead our board, provide strategic direction, and ensure effective governance. The Chair will guide the charity through registration and early operations while supporting the delivery of its mission.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead the trustee board and ensure effective governance

· Chair board meetings and oversee decision-making

· Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development

· Act as a primary contact for stakeholders and regulators

· Oversee compliance with charity law and CIO regulations

· Assist with reporting to the Charity Commission

· Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements

· Strong leadership, organisational, and strategic skills

· Familiarity with charity governance and trustee responsibilities (training can be provided)

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

· Ability to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

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

· UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

· 3–5 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain

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

· Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

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 Us

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

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

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

Background to the role

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

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

Qualities we’re looking for:

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

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

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

How to Apply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join the Board of an organisation that is changing places and changing lives.

Groundwork is the community charity with a green heart. Our mission is to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive. We believe that big global issues – the economy, the environment – have a big local impact. Groundwork East operates throughout the East of England helping communities find practical solutions to the challenges they face. We have a profound moral commitment to respond and grow to meet the anticipated demand for our services.

Role: Chairperson

Groundwork East has almost 40 years of experience in delivering bespoke projects that use the environment as a catalyst for building a more sustainable future.

Groundwork involves residents, businesses and other local organisations in practical projects that improve the quality of life, bring about regeneration, and lay the foundations to make sustainable development a reality in local communities.

Our mission has never been more important and we are seeking a passionate and committed Chairperson who wants to support us to drive growth and be part of our ambitious plans.

We are looking for a Chairperson to join our strong and engaged Board of Trustees to bring fresh ideas and new insights with skills developed through lived experience. As the main figurehead of the Trust you will attend formal events and maintain contact with Groundwork UK, sitting on the Groundwork UK Board. You will Chair our Board meetings ensuring that the Board gives appropriate attention to standards of Governance, safeguarding and legal compliance as is required of a charitable organisation. You will have proven leadership skills and excellent financial acumen with an ability to work effectively with the Chief Executive and the Board of Trustees to ensure full engagement and to develop and deliver on the strategic vision of the organisation.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to securing diversity amongst our Board of Trustees. We are deeply committed to being representative of the areas we serve and invite applications from all areas of society.

Play a vital part in this dual role for a pioneering social enterprise, and the leading charity supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of modern slavery.

Location: London / UK / Virtual

Applications close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 30th September 2025.

Who we are.

Clear Voice is an award-winning social enterprise offering high-quality interpreting and translation services across the UK. With a network of over 3,000 linguists and services available in more than 260 languages, Clear Voice delivers over 20 million minutes of interpretation annually. Our clients span the public, private, and voluntary sectors. What makes us different is our purpose. Clear Voice is wholly owned by the national charity Migrant Help, which supports refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of modern slavery. Every penny of Clear Voice’s profit goes back into supporting this mission. Together, we are committed to a world that protects displaced people, treats them with dignity, and helps them thrive.

Migrant Help has been delivering services to vulnerable migrants since 1963. With a national reach and an income of over £58 million, the charity is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Under the leadership of Caroline O’Connor, recently named Charity Chief Executive of the Year, the organisation continues to grow in both impact and ambition.

About the role.

This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to shape the growth of a purpose-led business while contributing to the leadership of a national charity. We are looking for someone to Chair the Clear Voice Board and serve as a Trustee of Migrant Help.

As Chair of Clear Voice, you will provide strategic leadership during an ambitious phase of growth and service diversification. A key priority will be helping Clear Voice strengthen its competitive position in the interpretation sector, diversifying its client base and reducing reliance on Migrant Help as a customer. You’ll support the CEO and Board to set long-term goals, act as a constructive sounding board, and uphold strong governance. You will need to balance commercial sustainability with the governance responsibilities of a charity-owned enterprise, ensuring that growth enhances both impact and accountability.

Equally, as a Trustee of Migrant Help, you will contribute to the broader leadership of the charity, ensuring both organisations thrive in mutual alignment. This dual role involves working across charity and enterprise contexts, offering guidance on opportunity, risk, innovation, and long-term impact.

What we are looking for.

We’re looking for a thoughtful and commercially astute leader who can bring strategic insight, inclusive leadership, and strong business skills to a growing, values-led enterprise. You’ll be confident in helping shape future growth while ensuring that decisions are rooted in purpose, financial accountability, and impact. You will also act as a supportive but constructively challenging Chair, able to engage confidently with diverse stakeholders and provide a trusted sounding board for the CEO. Experience of social enterprise leadership or growth would be hugely valuable, alongside expertise in business development, marketing, or digital innovation in technology-enabled environments. Experience in a non-executive or trustee role is helpful but not essential.

What matters most is your ability to balance commercial focus with charity governance, and your motivation to contribute to Migrant Help’s mission. We want someone who believes passionately that people seeking asylum are human beings who deserve to be treated decently and have their rights respected. We would especially welcome interest from people with lived or family experience of migration or displacement, and from female leaders who are underrepresented in our governance structures.

Time commitment

Approximately 14–16 days per year, including:

• Quarterly Clear Voice and Migrant Help Board meetings (virtual or in London)
• Chairing Clear Voice’s Finance & Risk Group (every 6 weeks)
• Attending Migrant Help’s People & Remuneration Committee (2–3 times per year)

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 close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 30th September 2025.

Concordia offer life changing work and global volunteering opportunities. Join their Board as Chair or Trustee and help them fulfil their vision to create a world of peace, prosperity and opportunity.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 20th October.

Time Commitment: Chair 2-3 days a month and Trustees 1-2 days a month

Since 1943, Concordia has helped over 750,000 people through work and volunteering programmes across the world and around the UK. They have ambitious and exciting plans to expand their programmes and grow their impact.

Concordia’s mission is to support people to thrive. They achieve this by giving people, particularly young people, transformative experiences and skills.

They help connect UK Growers with a diverse workforce from across the world. They are a trusted recruiter of seasonal workers within the UK Agriculture Industry and have a welfare-focused approach to ensure migrant workers are treated fairly.

Concordia work with over 120 UK Farms to connect over 7,500 workers from 11 countries a year, on average.

About the roles

Concordia is in an exciting period of strategic growth and change. They have ambitions to grow their impact through a new and additional strategic Pillar. This new Pillar will relate to their core purpose of giving people, particularly young people, transformative experiences and skills. Concordia’s third Pillar will support the diversification of income, expand its impact and strengthen its sustainability.

They have a strong board with diverse skills and trustees who have served multiple terms. With their ambition for expansion and strategic diversification, they need a new Chair who has the motivation, skills and commitment to lead the board and support the Executive and staff team through the next phase of their positive development and growth.

The new Chair needs to be someone with excellent chairing skills who can lead the Board and CEO through change.  Strategic knowledge and influence, and an ambitious passion for supporting young people, international development and skills development are crucial too. They need to have credibility and bring gravitas to help represent Concordia and positively grow the reputation and value of the Charity, alongside the CEO. Most importantly, they need to be values-aligned, motivated and committed to the cause of supporting people to thrive and making global connections.

Trustees will have experience in the following areas:

• Safeguarding
• Human Resources (HR) to chair HR Committee
• Finance to chair 
• Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Who we are looking for

You will be a committed and well-motivated leader with cross-sector experience and understanding of the complexity of growing an organisation in partnership with the civil society and other partners. Experience on Boards, ideally as Chair, and a passion and willingness to learn and to develop others so that the board can thrive and support the executive and wider staff team.

All Trustees are encouraged to contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to Concordia, in relation to specialist skills and role and setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets. Financial stability and protecting income, investment and the oversight of expenditure are the collective responsibilities of the board. Insuring against liability and ensuring compliance is also key. Support and line Management for the CEO is led by the Chair on behalf of the board, as is their regular performance review. The Chair also supports the recruitment and performance of Trustees.

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 20th October.

Are you interested in becoming Rowan's next Chair of Trustees? Discover how you can join our vibrant team and support adults with learning disabilities through the arts 

Ideally we are seeking applications from people with a background in the following:
• Interest in supporting adults with learning disability,
• Experience as a trustee, and / or previous experience as a Chair,
• Experience in some of the following: finance, budgeting, health and safety, governance, safeguarding and/or strategy.
• Willingness to attend and represent the charity at social events, sometimes in the evenings and at weekends,
• Ability to represent the charity in the community with local dignitaries,
• Interest in the arts.

Refugee Action has spent over 40 years supporting refugees and people seeking asylum to live with dignity and build safe, fulfilling lives in the UK. We stand up for rights, challenge injustice, and work alongside communities to create lasting change. 

Our current strategy is our most ambitious yet. We are delivering innovative services that refuse to compromise on best practice, strengthening and supporting hundreds of community-based organisations, and advocating for systemic change – intentionally led by the voices of people with lived experience. 

We are proud to have a majority of trustees with lived experience of forced displacement, and to be on a continuing journey to embed anti-racism into all we do. The Board is united in its mission, committed to inclusive governance, and determined to meet the challenges of a complex political and funding environment. 

Refugee Action is seeking a new Chair (or Co-Chairs) who can lead the Board into our next chapter – someone with governance experience, sound judgement and a deep understanding of commitment to the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum through their own lived experience of forced displacement. You will work closely with our Chief Executive to steer the organisation through both opportunity and challenge, helping ensure we remain bold, independent and effective in all we do. 

You will be the right candidate if you share our values, can bring your understanding of your own lived experience of forced displacement, and apply this to help shape the future of Refugee Action.  

Closing date: midnight, Sunday 28 September 2025. 

For a full description and details of how to apply please click 'redirect to recruiter' to see the full details on our website page. Thank you. 

Role specification 

The National Holocaust Museum is at a pivotal moment in its journey, rich in history, purpose, and potential. We are seeking a new Chair who can harness this momentum and lead the organisation into its next chapter of growth and influence. 

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic and values-driven leader to elevate an already respected institution to the next phase. The ideal candidate will bring a deep commitment to the Museum’s mission and will serve as both an ambassador and catalyst, aligning Board and executive leadership, strengthening governance, and unlocking new opportunities for reach and long-term sustainability. 

The Chair must be able to navigate the nuanced context of a Christian-founded Holocaust museum, appreciating both the complexity and the significance of this positioning. They will champion the Museum’s work with young people and wider audiences and support the leadership team to deliver on an ambitious vision with clarity, purpose, critical insight and unity. 

Core responsibilities 

As Patrick Dunne outlined in “Boards”, the role of a Board is to ensure the organisation has the right strategy, right governance and right resources. The main tasks required of the new Chair are: 

1. Align and develop the Board into a highly effective collective voice that provides professional governance in line with the expectations of the Charities Commission, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England for public money, and the Museum’s most loyal philanthropic funders. A careful review of Board effectiveness is needed to inform future Board diversity, development and ways of working, both as a Board and in collaboration with the Executive Team. 

2. Support the development of the Funding Strategy, identifying and working with a range of existing and potential funding partners, while contributing the Chair’s own set of networks and influence to support the future strategy.

3. Work with the Board and Leadership Team to build towards the next iteration of the strategic plan for the NHM of the future – which must focus on funding as a priority and consider the strategic prioritisation necessary given external and funding constraints. The plan should define clear KPIs, accountability, financial management process and ways to strengthen culture, people and workflow. Any such plan should also consider relationships and positioning within the wider Holocaust education sector.

Boards require clarity around their own purpose, process and people to operate effectively. As such, the main attributes required of the new Chair are excellent judgement and superb communication and people skills. This includes highly sensitive and strategic “antennae” for how groups can work effectively together, within organisations and across sectors including education, museums, inter-faith and security.

In addition to the attributes above, the Chair will ideally possess the following: 

• Chair experience or equivalent (e.g Deputy Chair or Chair of a Committee). Demonstrated ability to stimulate and manage productive conflict, avoid groupthink and build meaningful consensus among diverse voices. Must be experienced in Board agenda-setting that balances necessary strategic deliberation with fiduciary requirements.
• Expertise in governance including a minimum level of financial acumen and risk management experience, ideally from the public, private or charitable sectors, with an appreciation of the fiduciary requirements for the use of public or donor funding.
• Experience leading organisations through transition, at both Board and team levels, particularly in the context of shifting external trends, resulting in sharper mission clarity, ambition, execution requirements and accountability.
• An appreciation for the creative arts sector, and an ability to work with and nurture creative individuals and teams.
• Experience working with various funders and the ability to firmly enable constructive and mutually respectful relationships with them. 
• Willingness to bring and develop their network to support the organisation with influence, funding, or other relevant support. Key networks that are important to the Museum: national government and statutory funders (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Education, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England) and the Jewish community across the UK, whose generous support is vital to the organisation’s growth.
• The time and energy to fully engage, learn about the organisation, conduct the necessary reviews and any associated changes and build new and existing partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

Please follow the recruiter link to our website for full details on how to apply.

Chair of Trustees - Bristol Animal Rescue Centre
Voluntary – unremunerated
c6 meetings a year plus AGM and oversight of committees such as RemCo and Finance
Location: Bristol

For over 135 years Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (Bristol A.R.C) has cared for Bristol’s animals; helping, healing and homing those in greatest need at their Rescue Centre in the heart of the city. Their mission is to ensure animals in need in the community receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve.  Through the work of their outreach services, veterinary clinic and rehoming centre they help, heal and find homes for thousands of animals every year, as well as offering hands-on support and welfare advice to the people who love them.

Bristol A.R.C is about to embark on a huge project and after over one hundred years of rescuing and rehoming animals from its site on Albert Road, they are preparing for a monumental change: they are planning to move.

The historic Albert Road site has been home to the stray and unwanted pets of Bristol since 1901, a place where thousands of animals have found the comfort, care, and the second chance they deserve. But as the city grows and construction booms in the St Philip’s Marsh area, their surroundings have changed dramatically. Bristol A.R.C. are now enveloped by building works, heavy traffic, dust, and near-constant noise from the regeneration.

They now need a new Chair who will work with the Board and organisation as they look for a new site and fund raise to enable this to happen. 

As Chair, you will have the chance to influence their strategy and directly support our teams of experts in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming or release of animals that come into their care.

You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside your fellow Trustees, in providing the governance that supports the CEO and senior management team in the successful running of the organisation.

We are particularly interested to hear from candidates with relevant experience in the following areas: Property, Construction, Building works and development projects. 

For further details and to apply, please contact Sandy Hinks or Vanessa Moon quoting reference MC2632

 Closing date midnight, Sunday 26th October 2025

Bristol A.R.C has retained Moon Charity Practice to manage this campaign and are therefore unable to accept CVs from third party agencies. All CVs and expressions of interest received will be forwarded directly to Moon Charity Practice for consideration.

Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is the working name for our two linked charities, the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home and the RSPCA Bristol and District Branch.

The Vacancy:

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

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

The Role of the Chair:

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

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

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

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

About Emersons Green Village Hall:

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

How To Apply:

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

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

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

Join CARAS as Co-Chair of Trustees
Are you passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive environment for refugees and asylum seekers?
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is seeking a Co-Chair to join our Board of Trustees, working alongside our current Co-Chair, who has been in the role for two years and has served on the Board for nine years. Our outgoing Co-Chair will remain as a trustee, ensuring strong continuity.

About CARAS
CARAS works with people from refugee backgrounds to provide practical, educational, and social support. We build relationships, networks, and spaces that enable individuals to access what they need to improve wellbeing and safety. Our dedicated staff and volunteers offer a wide range of activities and services, creating a place of welcome and helping people recognise their skills and develop their potential.

As one of the largest providers of refugee support in South London—particularly for unaccompanied and separated children—we are proud of our agility in responding to changing needs.

The Role of Co-Chair

• Provide strategic leadership to CARAS and the Board, ensuring our mission is achieved.

• Work in partnership with the CEO, staff, and volunteers.

• Lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities.

• Strengthen the relationship between the trustees and CARAS’s team.

• Plan and chair Board meetings and the AGM (with others as appropriate).

What We’re Looking For

• Experience as a trustee (chairing experience is not essential).

• A strong sense of strategic purpose.

• Inclusive leadership skills that inspire equal participation.

• Excellent listening and engagement skills, with the ability to encourage healthy debate in a collaborative environment.

• Advocacy skills and willingness to champion CARAS’s work through personal and professional networks.

• A firm commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of a growing charity.

We especially welcome applications from people with lived experience of the UK asylum or immigration system, people of colour, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

Time Commitment

• Four evening Board meetings per year (alternating between online and at our Tooting office).

• One away day annually (usually on a weekend).

• Membership of working groups.

• Regular meetings with the Co-Chair, CEO, and other trustees.

• Occasional attendance at activities (daytime, evenings, or weekends).

How to Apply
You can also request a conversation with our current Co-Chairs, Helen Gribble and Keith McGuinness, for more information.

Closing Date 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we encourage early submissions.