Charity shop volunteer volunteer roles

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

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

About the role:

As a community champion volunteer you’ll be supporting Sense’s fundraising team, playing a vital role in helping Sense to raise funds and awareness to support people with complex disabilities. 

You’ll engage with individuals, local businesses, and regional press to share our mission, organise events, and inspire others to take action. Whether you’re great at planning events, researching opportunities or connecting with your community, this role has something for you.  

This is a flexible role, with the opportunity to volunteer either virtually or in your local community. We are looking for volunteers able to offer a minimum commitment of 2 hours per month. 

We’re looking for people who are passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs and who have a calm, kind and friendly personality.

Please note that you will not be providing care for the people Sense supports as part of this role.

Due to the nature of the volunteer role, we cannot accept applications for anyone under the age of 18.

The four areas of the role:

As a Community Champion, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, organised into four main role categories. You can choose to get involved in one or more of these areas, and we’ll discuss your preferences with you as part of the application process. Please note, we don’t expect volunteers to take on every area. Instead, we’ll focus on what interests you most and shape the role around your strengths and skills.

Event volunteer:

Support Sense’s Community Fundraising team by:

• Organising your own fundraising events in aid of Sense.
• Supporting and participating in fundraising events at your local Sense services, and shops.
• Supporting with fundraising admin, for example sourcing prizes for Sense fundraisers.

Skills needed:

• Creative, with fresh fundraising ideas and enthusiasm.
• Organised, with the ability help co-ordinate multiple aspects of an event.

Local public relations (PR) volunteer:

Boost Sense’s profile in your local community by:

• Writing content for local press releases.
• Building a network of local media contacts.
• Supporting regional output of national campaigns. 

Skills needed:

• Strong written communication
• Able to follow branding and messaging guidelines.
• Self-motivated and proactive in seeking opportunities. 

Fundraising researcher:

Help boost Sense’s regional income by researching available grants, partnerships and other local connections. Responsibilities include:

• Researching local grants and business partnerships.
• Researching networking events.
• Helping us to source prizes for Sense fundraising events.

Skills needed:

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently.
• Organised, ensuring new leads are accurately recorded and shared. 

Community connector:

Act as an ambassador for Sense, attending events across your community to thank supporters, and forge new partnerships.

• Attending cheque presentations, thanking our supporters.
• Giving presentations about Sense to local schools and community groups.
• Engaging with local businesses and groups, to forge new relationships for Sense.

Skills needed:

• Strong communication skills and enjoys public speaking opportunities.
• Well-connected in their local area, and love engaging with people.

What we offer you:

As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles. 

• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

Our values:

Everything we do is underpinned by five core values. These values shape the way we work every day. Our values are:

• We include
• We collaborate
• We find a way
• We challenge
• We celebrate

RSPCA Alton, Haslemere & Petersfield Branch

We are looking for volunteers to join our Trustee board with expertise in any of these areas:

• Charity finance/ Treasurer
• Marketing/ Social Media
• Fundraising/Retail
• Project management

You will gain new skills and experience as a Branch Trustee whilst enabling us to help animals in our area.

Overview

We are looking for enthusiastic people to take the role as a Charity Trustee, who could devote some time to volunteer for the Alton, Haslemere & Petersfield Branch and support us in boosting our local animal welfare work. Alongside using your expertise, this role will enable you to enhance how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow Trustees, in the running of the Branch and the implementation of a development plan. At a minimum, you would normally be expected to attend a monthly online committee meeting and to spend further time driving forward our activities.

The Alton, Haslemere & Petersfield RSPCA Branch

We are the local branch of the national RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area.

The Branch is in an enviable financial position and employs an experienced member of staff as Branch Manager. Once additional Trustees are in place, we expect to move towards CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) status.

Our main current activities are:

• Providing financial assistance to local people unable to afford unexpected vets’ bills. In the past year, we have allocated £40,000 to this area.
• Collecting petfood donations, which we collate and then pass to our local foodbanks.
• Re-homing cats in the Alton part of our area, organised in co-operation with the neighbouring RSPCA Branch.
• Some fundraising activities, including organising fun Dog Shows.
• We are looking to recruit at least three new trustees to work on significantly developing the Branch over the next few years. Initiatives we are considering are:
• Establishing a comprehensive fostering and re-homing network, across the entire Branch area.
• Major income generation initiatives, including opening our own shops.
• Developing our own animal centre resources, possibly in co-operation with private sector providers in the Branch area.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.
• Work in conjunction with fellow Trustees and Branch Officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interests of the Branch and the RSPCA.
• Assist the Branch, as appropriate, to work with and assist national RSPCA staff, including but not limited to Inspectors.
• Actively participate in Branch committee meetings and to attend the Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new Trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.
• In conjunction with fellow Trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions.

What we are looking for in a volunteer

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and encourages people from any background to apply. You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• Ongoing support provided by our Branch Manager and assistance from relevant national RSPCA staff.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that will enhance local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• To become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and have become a member of our Branch.
• Trustees are elected annually.
• You must not be disqualified from being a Trustee. Please read the Charity Commission’s guidance on who can be a Trustee of a charity.
• You will need to sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act, clarifying that you are not disqualified from being a Trustee.
• References will be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

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

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

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

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

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Alton, Haslemere & Petersfield branch

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

About WE Care Home Improvements

WE Care Home Improvements is a local, independent, and award-winning home improvement agency. Our mission is to enable more older and disabled people, those on low incomes, and other vulnerable people, to get the support they can trust to live independently in the home of their choice. We are also not-for-profit. Any money generated goes back into the organisation to support our clients and help vulnerable people pay for essential works that they couldn't afford themselves.

The impact of poor housing on health and well-being is well documented. It results in significant medical need, particularly for older people and is a contributory factor to a number of health conditions. The costs to the NHS are also very significant particularly around cold and damp homes and risks of falling. Falls are the largest cause of emergency hospital admissions for older people and are a major precipitant of people moving to long term nursing or residential care.

Our vision is that all homes enable safety and wellbeing. We deliver this mission by being a values-based organisation. We work in a collaborative way and value all our colleague’s individual skills, experience, and knowledge. We also understand how important it is to support each other in order to deliver the best outcomes for clients. And we have flexible working arrangements to help ensure that our colleagues can maintain a good work/life balance.

Our colleagues know what a difference their work makes to the lives of local people. We live and breathe our organisational values, which guide our work from day to day. These are:

· We are experts

· We are resourceful

· We are caring

· We act with integrity

We provide home improvement services and products to increase independence, comfort, and mobility in the home. We support everyone aged over 60, as well as people of all ages who have a disability, are on a low income or coming out of hospital. Our support includes specialist advice on home adaptations and accessible bathrooms.

We also provide home improvement and repair services in the Bristol, Bath and Northeast Somerset, North Somerset, Gloucestershire, and South Gloucestershire areas. We provide help for individuals that are leaving hospital and completing minor repairs such as fixing a leaking tap. 

About the Making Space project

​​As the name suggest, our innovative Making Space service helps people with hoarding tendencies make space in their homes. This project was developed in partnership with the Psychology Department of Bath University and is funded by Bristol City Council. Compulsive hoarding is a hidden issue and can severely impact on people’s quality of life preventing them from living safely and comfortably in their homes. Hoarding is also associated with shame and people can be reluctant to work with support services.

We offer comprehensive training to our volunteers to help them build the trust of the clients they work with and develop a more complex understanding of an individual’s life experiences (often traumas) that lead to accumulating possessions. 

Since Covid our service has experienced unprecedented demand, and we are urgently recruiting for more volunteers in the Bristol area. We are looking for committed, enthusiastic and passionate volunteers who, after training, will help empower clients to manage their clutter. We adopt a therapeutic and patient approach with everyone we work supporting them to make their homes safe and comfortable. 

To get an insight into the lives of people with hoarding difficulties, click the link to watch this video.

​​What will you be doing and how often?

​Volunteering for our Making Space project is a unique opportunity to make a difference. Not only will you be helping people struggling with hoarding make more space in their homes, but you’ll build up a supportive and trusting relationship with them helping to overcome the stigma associated with the condition:

• Empower clients to understand why they gather possessions and why they find it challenging to let go of them.
• Build a therapeutic relationship with the client and together form a plan for clearing areas of the house and organising their possessions.
• Coordinate the clearance of the client’s items; ensuring they have consented to which items are being cleared and agreed to how they are being distributed (i.e. charity shop, recycled etc.).
• The role involves working on a 1-2-1 basis with your client in their home and often alongside a Making Space Caseworker. We will apply for an enhanced-DBS check, and you need to provide us with details of two referees who will be asked to complete a detailed reference for you. 
• The length of a visit is flexible, usually 2hrs every 7-14 days with a client.
• We will review how things are going with your client every 6-9 visits.
• Volunteers will work in liaison with Caseworkers and our Volunteer Coordinator, with mutual support from other Making Space volunteers.

Personal qualities

• ​​A passion for supporting vulnerable people with complex needs.
• ​Have a warm, empathetic and non-judgemental manner.
• ​The ability to accurately record your visits, have access to email and demonstrate basic computer skills.
• ​Good listener and patient and reliable.
• ​Have confidence to support people with complex needs on a 1-2-1 basis in what can be a challenging environment.
• ​​Have access to a car, bike or able to travel on public transport (all travel expenses will be covered). 

We are looking for a patient and chatty volunteer to visit a lovely lady in Woodley, Reading. She loves soft, cuddly toys and rainmakers, and is known to enjoy a nursey rhyme or two! She is non-verbal, but understands everything you say to her, so a friendly and understanding approach is key. She would love to have you stop by for a cup of tea and a chit chat, and perhaps over time venture out for walks and shopping in the local community.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Stop and Stay visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you. The person you visit might choose to take part in simple activities or watch you doing the activities. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

Are you someone who loves getting creative, catching a show, or simply enjoying a good chat over coffee and cake? Maybe you enjoy painting, crafting, or exploring local galleries, or perhaps you love trying new cafés, going for walks, or just sharing stories and laughs. As a volunteer visitor, you can turn your passions into friendship, spending quality time with someone who’ll appreciate your company, your hobbies, and your enthusiasm.

Watch a video about this volunteer role here

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
• Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

**About Mencap ** Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us

We are looking for a befriending volunteer to visit a chatty and independent gentleman in Milton Keynes. On the days where he is not working in a nearby shop, he would like a kind and considerate person to chat to over a coffee at home or to join him for the occasional walk or meal out.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

- Sitting and having a chat

- Checking in on their well- being

- Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink

- Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.

- Enjoying a walk

- A craft activity at home                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

- Friendly and approachable

- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

- Reliable and patient

- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit

- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training

- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed

- Meet new people

- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Bring your clinical expertise to Weldmar Hospicecare and contribute to a thriving board and community across Dorset.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 9th February 2026

Location: Dorcester

About Weldmar Hospicecare

Weldmar Hospicecare is an independent local charity that cares for people living with a life limiting illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or motor neurone disease. We also support the loved ones of our patients. We have been providing our care for the people of Dorset since 1994.

Our individually tailored care – where we focus on the person, not just their symptoms and illness – takes place in patients’ own homes, in community hospitals and care homes, and at our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester.

Weldmar supports more than two thousand people across the north, south, and west of Dorset each year. All our care is provided free of charge. We help people live as good a life as possible when their illness cannot be cured.

Our team of staff includes specialist nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, counsellors, chefs, maintenance engineers, complementary therapists, retail professionals, and experts in fundraising, marketing, finance, people services, and more. A number of dedicated volunteers in many aspects of our work support us.

As an independent charity, we rely on donations, fundraising events and our charity shops to fund our work.

About the role

Weldmare Hospicecare services are rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, and we are seeking a clinically experienced Trustee to join our Board.

This is an exciting time to join the hospice; we are in a strong financial position, with many exciting priorities underway, including a big project in the Inpatient Unit and the creation of new outpatient services. We are currently refurbishing and updating our retail outlets and have good partnerships in our bordering counties of Somerset, Hampshire, Devon and Wiltshire.

To support our plans, the Board is now looking to appoint a new clinical Trustee to replace those whose terms have come (or are coming) to an end.

First-time Trustees and those seeking personal development would be welcome to apply.

Who we are looking for

We seek individuals with a fundamental alignment with our charitable purpose and values. With well-honed interpersonal and communication skills, you will bring sound judgement, the ability to think strategically and offer constructive challenge and debate to the Board and senior team.

We are also looking for those with senior experience in the health care sector, with experience working at a cross-agency level. We are open to a broad range of senior leadership experience, particularly nursing and allied health professionals. Whilst prior experience of end of life/palliative care would be advantageous, it isn’t essential.

You will act as a strong sounding board to the Chair, fellow Trustees and the executive team, and be able to provide strong strategic advice and overview.

We particularly welcome applicants from those who are under-represented on our Trustee Board, such as women, disabled people and individuals from black and minority ethnic communities.

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 9th February 2026.

We are looking for a friendly, patient befriending volunteer to visit a lovely gentleman in New Southgate. He is keen to find an attentive listener who will show an interest in hearing his imaginative stories and will giggle at his jokes. He would love for someone to accompany him to McDonalds for a treat, to join him in a bit of music trivia, or sometimes for just a cup of tea and a chit chat.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

- Sitting and having a chat

- Checking in on their well- being

- Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink

- Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.

- Enjoying a walk

- A craft activity at home

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

- Friendly and approachable

- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

- Reliable and patient

- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit

- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training

- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed

- Meet new people

- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

This is an opportunity for a female befriender to visit a lovely, chatty lady in New Barnet. She’s a lover of all things crafty, including making jewellery and painting, but her absolute favourite are jigsaw puzzles. She would love a visitor to do these things with her, as well as going for walks to the local coffee shop for a slice of cake or spending some time in the garden on a sunny day.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Stop and stay, let’s get busy visitor role which means the person you will be visiting can communicate actively with you and take part in choosing or planning activities.  As you get to know each our you may choose to ‘go out’ either with or without support from the staff that supports the person you visit.  Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around an hour or longer, depending on what you do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat

• Checking in on their well- being

• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink

• Enjoying a walk

• A craft activity at home

• Reading a book/magazine together                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

- Friendly and approachable

- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

- Reliable and patient

- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit

- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training

- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed

- Meet new people

- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Role Description

St Edmundsbury Cathedral became a registered charity on 1 May 2023 and is looking to appoint additional independent non-executive members to join Chapter which is the Board of Trustees. Chapter is accountable for the governance, strategic direction and management of the Cathedral, and has ultimate responsibility for the care, maintenance and development of the Cathedral estate, all aspects of Cathedral activity, and for securing its long-term viability and financial sustainability.

The objects of the Chapter are:

(a) to advance the Christian religion in accordance with the faith and practice of the Church of England, in particular by furthering the mission of the Church of England;

(b) to care for and conserve the fabric and structure of the Cathedral Church building;

(c) to advance any other charitable purposes which are ancillary to the furtherance of the purpose referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b).

Membership

The Chapter consists of the Dean, the Residentiary Canons and other lay members holding appointed or elected positions. The constitution allows for between 8 – 12 members of Chapter. Currently, membership comprises the Dean and the Residentiary Canons (4 clergy) who serve as executive members. One member serves as the senior non-executive member who is a lay person appointed by the Bishop. Two of the other non-executive members are directly elected from the congregation. We are now seeking to appoint an non-executive safeguarding member.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals with substantial experience in safeguarding. This individual will provide strategic oversight and assurance in safeguarding practice, ensuring that the Cathedral continues to uphold the highest standards of safety, care, and compliance for children, young people, and vulnerable adults, in line with national and diocesan requirements.

Term of Office

Non-Executive Chapter members are generally appointed for a term of three years, and subject to the approval of Chapter and with the agreement of the non-executive member may serve a further three year term, which is the maximum permitted term of office. The role is voluntary and unremunerated. Expenses are paid in respect of some travelling costs, in accordance with the Cathedral’s policies. The appointment is subject to satisfactory references.

Time Commitment and Meetings

Chapter usually meets six times each year. Meetings are held in the Chapter Room within Abbey House beside the Cathedral and the business agenda rarely exceeds two hours. A light lunch or Evensong follows each meeting of Chapter, allowing time for members to socialise. Attendance at some sub-committee meetings as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Non-executive members of Chapter ensure that the focus of the Cathedral is the promotion of the Christian faith, maintaining an effective balance between that and its important financial and commercial obligations and ventures.

Members offer strategic advice and oversight on all aspects of the work of the Cathedral, including ensuring compliance with all regulations and statutory obligations and adherence to the highest standards of good governance. They also offer constructive challenge to the executive team, offering expertise and experience to help with evidence-based decision-making.

Chapter members advise and support the Dean, Residentiary Canons, and Chief Operating Officer on issues that are within their areas of particular expertise. This Chapter Trustee will also sit on the Safeguarding Committee, which meets four times a year.

Chapter members are invited to bring innovative thinking, together with new ideas and insights, to help secure the long-term future of the Cathedral and the delivery of its strategy through the Masterplan 2030. Particular emphasis will be placed on members promoting the life and work of the Cathedral at the heart of the Bury St Edmunds community, across the county of Suffolk and the wider eastern region.

Chapter members are welcomed as leading members of the Cathedral community and as such are expected to take part in meetings and events. Visible participation in the worship at the heart of the Cathedral's mission is an important expression of the non-executive membership of Chapter. Lay members robe and have individual stalls in the Quire of the Cathedral. We would hope for attendance at the Sunday Eucharist once a month; and at occasional Evensongs, Greater Festivals and civic occasions as personal circumstances permit.

Person Specification

Successful candidates must possess the following competencies and personal attributes:

• be a communicant member of the Church of England, or of a Church which is not in communion with but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
• have an empathy with and be a compelling advocate for the Vision of the Cathedral through the Masterplan 2030; to be able to inform, lead and direct the strategy of the Cathedral
• be competent and able to exercise the highest standards of good governance in a complex Christian organisation
• have the ability to gain the trust, respect, and support of fellow members of Chapter, and the wider Cathedral community
• have the capacity to work collaboratively with all members of Chapter to translate the Masterplans aims into tangible outcomes
• be able to show empathy in dealing with others and to engage diplomatically and with authority in dialogue and debate on critical issues
• be able to voice concerns appropriately, in a frank but professional manner and to deal with conflict constructively
• have the capacity to communicate clearly with other members of Chapter, the Senior Leadership Team and employees on technical, financial and business matters in accordance with the non-executive member’s particular skills
• possess the ability to communicate with confidence and to provide effective strategic guidance
• have strong intellectual and analytical skills with a broad-based and long-term view of strategic and organisational goals
• be able to grasp the bigger picture and avoid immersion in minute detail
• possess the highest levels of trust and integrity
• demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to safeguarding and the promotion of a safe culture within the Cathedral community.

Specific Competencies

In addition to the matters set out above we are looking to recruit a non-executive member with specific skills, expertise or experience in Safeguarding.

Applicants should bring substantial and demonstrable experience in safeguarding policy, practice, or oversight, ideally within a church, education, health, social care, or charitable context. They will provide independent assurance, constructive challenge, and strategic advice to ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of the Cathedral’s governance and mission.