Charity trustees volunteer roles

Are you passionate about ‘The Creative Arts’? At Bloomin’ Arts, we see and hear the difference made when ensuring disabled adults have opportunities to be artists and leaders within visual art, drama, dance, and theatre. As a Trustee you will share a responsibility to oversee how our charity is managed and run. Ensuring what we do is always in our participant’s best interest.

Do you recognising ‘art and culture’s’ place in society. Could you help us achieve our future objectives and impact our ability to empower the lives of disabled adults through the creative arts. As Chair, you will play a vital role in:

• · Supporting the development and growth of our charitable arts organisation.
• · Driving our commitment to disability provision and leadership within the arts.
• · Leading with empathy to tackle challenges and direct change where needed.
• · Leading governance and compliance in line with the charity commission.
• · Advocacy and support fundraising as an ambassador for the charity, leveraging your networks to advance the charity’s reach and influence.
• ·    Ensuring our values and disabled artists (participants) remain at the heart of everything we do.

We are seeking a candidate with:

• ·        Ideally experience of charitable sector and/or arts and culture management.
• · A strong connection to or lived experience of disability.
• · Ability to lead and inspire other trustees and our staff.
• · Dedication to the role to ensure your contribution and leadership makes a positive difference.
• · Ability to be in person at Trustee Meetings, held at our venue in RH7. 

Why it’s an exciting time to join us:

• · This is a time of growth for us as a charity.
• · The challenges we face, we approach positively and openly.
• · We are constantly working to improve awareness and build our relationships to increase our reach and impact.
• · We love finding people who share our passion and vision and will stretch our viewpoints.
• · We celebrate diversity and make inclusion part of what we do every day.

 Length of term and time requirements:

Chair to join ideally for a 3 year term and opportunity for a further two.

Approximately 4-6 hours per month inc preparation and attendance for trustee meetings.

Renumeration:

Your services are always hugely appreciated, but services are offered on a voluntary basis and receive no renumeration except expenses reasonably incurred.

The Guildford Institute is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to serve as Chair of its Board of Trustees. This important role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a charity that has been a pivotal part of the community for over 130 years.

Based in our beautiful Grade II listed building since 1892, we provide the local community with accessible cultural education and opportunities to build meaningful connections with others.

We’re seeking a distinguished leader with the following qualities: 

• Leadership & Governance

• Passion for the Arts, Education & Community

• Strategic Thinking

• Financial Acumen

• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion 

Play a vital role in guiding The Guildford Institute to continue to grow, secure its longevity and thrive.

Additional Documents:

Please read our Candidate Brief to find out more about us and the role of the Chair.

We are a small, friendly charity, run by four volunteer trustees and loads of volunteer fundraisers. We are a dynamic charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) based in Liverpool, dedicated to fundraising initiatives that create meaningful impact both locally and for baby and children’s hospitals in Sana’a, Yemen. Rooted in solidarity values, our work often aligns with principles of Islamic giving, including zakat, but is open to all who wish to give and support. On occasion, we co-fundraise with charities for Palestine.

We are seeking a volunteer treasurer to help us with financial management and reporting. Our turnover is less than £50,000 per year and we are therefore able to produce light touch accounts for the Charity Commission. We would like support with this, and with ensuring we remain financially compliant, as well as with ideas for sustainable fundraising. The trustees meet less than once a month and we anticipate a small time committment for this role. 

We are particularly keen to see applications from people who have a specific interest in health and wellbeing for people living in war affected states, especially Yemen; or who have a connection with Liverpool. We're a real passionate 'family' and look forward to welcoming a new member who shares our goals.

�� The Role

As our Volunteer Treasurer, you will play a vital role in supporting the financial health of the charity. You’ll oversee our finances, ensure transparency, and provide guidance to trustees on managing funds responsibly and in accordance with both UK charity law and, where relevant, principles of Islamic giving.

�� Key Responsibilities

• Maintain clear and accurate financial records using simple bookkeeping tools (e.g., spreadsheets or accounting software).
• Prepare simplified annual accounts and financial reports suitable for a small CIO.
• Advise the Board of Trustees on financial matters, ensuring informed decision-making.
• Oversee bank reconciliations, expense tracking, and budget monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission regulations and reporting deadlines.
• Provide guidance on zakat-eligible projects and ensure funds are managed in accordance with Islamic charitable principles where applicable.
• Help develop and review financial policies and procedures.
• Attend trustee meetings (typically quarterly) and provide financial updates.
• Brainstorm and share experience of novel and sustainable fundraising ideas.

�� Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Experience with bookkeeping, accounting, or finance (qualified accountant or qualified by experience).
• Familiarity with charity finance and reporting requirements (especially for small charities/CIOs).
• Strong attention to detail and ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Understanding of Islamic giving, including zakat, and ability to advise appropriately.
• Commitment to the values and objectives of the charity.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of digital accounting tools (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Excel).
• Previous trustee or treasurer experience in a charity setting.
• Experience of fundraising.
• Based in or familiar with the Liverpool community.
• Special interest in aligned issues or geographies.

�� What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to make a tangible difference through financial stewardship.
• Be part of a passionate and friendly team of trustees and volunteers.
• Gain experience in governance and charity finance.
• Flexibility and autonomy to manage your time and role.

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 67% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

About the Role

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Scotland (SWS) Board of Trustees as Trustee and Treasurer

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

As Treasurer, you will work with the Chair and Head of Smart Works Scotland to ensure the charity is well-run and effective, and with Smart Works Charity on key financial activities throughout the financial year.

The Treasurer has oversight of the financial strategy and management of Smart Works Scotland, monitoring the financial health of the charity and ensuring the wider Board are provided with the financial information they need to make well considered decisions. This includes producing monthly management accounts and monitoring monthly income with the Head of Scotland and the relevant staff members.

How to Apply

If you are interested in learning more about the role before applying, please email us to be connected with a member of the Smart Works Scotland Board of Trustees. You can also view the ful role descriptrion on our website. 

To apply for this position please apply via our online portal by Midnight on Sunday 6th July. If you require any adjustments for your application, please email us and we'd be happy to help. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a first interview on either 10th/11th July via Zoom and then final interviews will be week beginning 21st July.

Are you a committed environmentalist and a strategic thinker? Do you have skills in devising and managing or communicating about community based, environmental projects?

The Railway Land Wildlife Trust is seeking passionate and strategic individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

We’re particularly interested in those with skills in communications, fundraising or environmental projects. As a Trustee, you’ll help shape the future of our work, protecting and restoring habitats while deepening people’s connection to nature.

As a Trustee, you will:

- Support our strategic vision via one of our sub-committees (Project Strategy or Communications & Fundraising)
- Share your expertise to help us grow and diversify our impact
- Work collaboratively with a small, committed team driving grassroots environmental change

We are especially keen to hear from individuals based in East Sussex, as a strong local presence supports our hands-on, place-based approach. 
This is a voluntary role and a valuable opportunity to contribute to environmental leadership, gain experience in governance and be part of a meaningful local initiative.
 

The Vacancy

We are excited to announce that we are looking to appoint a new Clinical Trustee to our well-established Board. 

This vacancy has arisen as one of our existing Clinical Trustees has reached the end of their tenure and now we are seeking the ideal candidate to fill this position.

As a Clinical Trustee you will be required to provide expert guidance to our Board and will act as support to our Director of Care. You will often be required to act a sounding-board for the Julia’s House Team in matters impacting our Clinical Care and Team.

You will work alongside our other Clinical Trustees in respect of Clinical Governance providing input and advice around Clinical matters.

You’ll also build a strong relationship with the rest of the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team at Julia’s House.  

Qualifications/Experience:

Proven experience of working within a palliative care environment, ideally at a Senior level.  

Children’s palliative care not essential but advantageous if you have it.  

Application of sound judgement and collaboration with others is key to the success of this role.

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, renewal for one further term to a maximum of six years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending four Board meetings annually, typically scheduled in the evening.
• Attending four Clinical Governance meetings a year, typically scheduled in the evening.
• Attending annual strategy and training days.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Julia’s House achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, ensure that the charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.  So, if you have the skills and experience we need we'd love to hear from you.

The Great Friendship Project is looking for a dynamic and committed Chair of Trustees to guide our Board, support our CEO, and champion our mission to tackle loneliness and build real-world friendships across the UK.

As Chair, you’ll play a pivotal leadership role, helping steer the charity through its next stage of growth.

You’ll lead a passionate and capable Board of Trustees, ensuring strong governance, sound financial oversight, and strategic clarity - all while acting as a critical friend to the CEO and a powerful ambassador for our work.

This is an exciting time to join, with high-profile campaigns, powerful partnerships, and growing national recognition, we’re looking for someone who can bring wisdom, challenge, and vision to our leadership team.

What are we looking for?

What we're Looking For

• Proven leadership experience, ideally in a non-profit, public, or purpose-driven organisation.
• Strong understanding of governance, charity finance, and strategic planning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead with clarity and empathy.
• A commitment to inclusion, transparency, and social impact.
• Passion for tackling loneliness and championing authentic human connection.

Board Leadership & Governance

• Chair Board meetings every 1–2 months, setting clear agendas in collaboration with the CEO.
• Ensure meetings are purposeful, inclusive, and outcome-driven.
• Lead the Board in evaluating its performance and decision-making.
• Provide 1:1 support and mentorship to the CEO, fostering leadership development and succession planning.

Financial Stewardship

• Work alongside the Treasurer and CEO to oversee financial health and sustainability.
• Review quarterly management accounts and long-term forecasts.
• Support robust financial planning, risk management, and reporting.
• Present the Annual Accounts to the Board and ensure legal compliance.

Strategy & Development

• Guide the Board in shaping and reviewing the charity’s long-term vision and strategic direction.
• Monitor delivery against objectives and ensure mission alignment.
• Lead trustee recruitment, induction, and development to maintain a high-performing, diverse Board.

Risk & Compliance

• Lead quarterly review of the Risk Register and oversee the review of key policies.
• Ensure the charity meets all legal and regulatory obligations.

Reporting & Impact

• Oversee the creation of the Trustees’ Annual Report and support the CEO in developing an annual Impact Report.
• Ensure the charity is delivering meaningful results across programme impact, financial sustainability, and fundraising.

Rights of Women is seeking a new Chair to lead its Board in its 50th anniversary year. The only charity in England and Wales providing frontline legal advice to women experiencing violence, it plays a vital role in campaigning for justice and safety. The ideal candidate will have experience in governance, strategic leadership, and financial oversight. Applications are especially welcomed from women from diverse backgrounds and with lived experience relevant to the charity’s work. Regular travel to London is required.

Created in 1984, Taunton Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to help lead us into an exciting new phase.

We are a friendly and well-regarded chamber orchestra based in Somerset. We’re looking for someone with a passion for music and the performing arts, and an interest in helping a small charity to thrive.

You don’t need to be a musician — but it might help! Experience in leadership, charity governance, fundraising, finance, or community engagement would be very welcome.

What’s involved?

·Helping to shape the future direction of the orchestra

·Chairing trustee meetings and supporting the Board

·Acting as an advocate for the orchestra in the community

Practical details:

·Location: Somerset (some remote working possible)

·Time commitment: Flexible, part-time

·Salary: Voluntary / unpaid

·Closing date: 30 September 2025

Interested?
We’d love to hear from you! Please send a short note explaining your interest and any relevant skills/experience. Email can be found when clicking "How to Apply"

Our existing 12 trustees bring a variety of skills and experiences, such as fundraising, safeguarding, finance and investments and lived RAF experience to the Fund. Your background, skills and experience will further enhance this for the benefit of the RAF Family.

The successful candidates will:

• be aligned to our vision, purpose, key goals and values and be able to demonstrate their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion;

• be able contribute positively to the Fund in a non-executive capacity, operate strategically, be held accountable and hold others to account;

• be able to build supportive relationships and work as a team. This will involve working collectively with others, supporting collective decision-making, being comfortable in sharing your views and expertise with fellow trustees and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) trustees whilst still bringing your own ideas, perspectives and experiences to discussions;

• have the ability to analyse and interpret complex information and evidence, demonstrate impartiality, intellectual flexibility and sound judgment;

• have the ability to listen, communicate and influence effectively;

• have the capacity and skill to understand stakeholder priorities; and

• be a collaborative and pragmatic problem-solver and have the ability to adapt and respond to change.

Could you use your leadership skills and experience to support Signals?

We’re looking for a new volunteer Chair to join the board of Trustees who is interested in helping to develop Signals.

The Chair will lead our board of nine trustees, ensuring that Signals is following correct governance and meeting its charitable duties.

By joining us you will work with an engaged, experienced and friendly board and staff team.

Signals is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all members of the community particularly from those currently under-represented on the board including Tendring residents and people from the global majority.

Who we are

Signals is a registered charity and limited liability company based in Colchester established 36 years ago. We specialise in filmmaking and digital arts for social, learning and creative outputs and work across the region but with a focus on Essex. We became an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) in 2023.

We work with children, young people, artists and community groups supporting creativity and learning at all levels. We are committed to increasing equal access to digital and creative experiences.  Our vision is to positively impact peoples’ lives by encouraging, diversity, creativity, experimentation, developing skills and raising aspirations through creative digital production and education.  This work is increasingly relevant in supporting those left behind in a digital age.

Current projects include working with local migrant communities, disability groups and communities in Harwich.

Chair role

• With other board members, CEO and staff, provide strategic leadership to the charity, ensuring that Signals achieves its objectives.
• Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for governance.
• Optimise the relationship between the board and Signals staff and volunteers.
• Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.
• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Signals.
• Appraise the performance of the CEO.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Board of Trustees.  

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of a day a month, with more time given at busy periods of the year. There will be a requirement to attend board meetings, with some trustees also sitting on subcommittees that meet around 4 times a year. In addition, there are events to attend and occasional additional duties to support our wider work. 

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you. 

Please see the job pack attached for full details and apply via the portal by 31st July 2025.

Become a Trustee or Chair of Lancaster Grand Theatre

Make a difference to Lancaster’s creative life. Bring your skills and passion to one of the city’s most loved cultural venues.

We are now recruiting new Trustees to join the Board of Lancaster Footlights & Grand Theatre CIO from September 2025, and a future Chair of Trustees to take up the role during 2026.

Applications close: 12 noon, 15 August 2025
Coffee Morning for prospective Trustees: Saturday 12 July, 9:30am

About Lancaster Grand Theatre

Lancaster Grand Theatre is one of the UK’s oldest working theatres, first opened in 1782. Today, our 460-seat Grade II listed venue stages over 250 events every year — bringing joy to thousands of people from across our community and beyond.

The charity that runs the theatre — Lancaster Footlights & Grand Theatre CIO — is powered by volunteers and driven by a commitment to making arts and culture accessible, welcoming and sustainable.

We are now looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees by welcoming new members with a range of skills, experience and perspectives. We are particularly keen to encourage applications from under-represented groups, to ensure our Board reflects the diversity of our community.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking Trustees from a broad range of backgrounds — you don’t need to have previous Board experience. We will provide induction and support to help you thrive in the role.

In particular, we are keen to add skills and expertise in:

• Chair of the Board (future appointment in 2026)
• Safeguarding
• Youth Engagement & Development
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Environment & Sustainability
• ICT & Data Control
• Constitutional Compliance & Insurance
• Arts, Culture & Heritage (including archiving)
• Fundraising and Grants
• Facilities Management

We are also looking for candidates who are passionate about the role of live performance in community life, and who can contribute to our mission and values:

Our Mission: To be a place of joy, and a cornerstone of cultural and artistic excellence, for our community and beyond.

The Role of Trustee

As a Trustee, you will be part of a voluntary team that:

· Provides governance and leadership for the charity

· Oversees the management of the theatre and ensures its sustainability

· Supports and champions the theatre’s values and mission

· Ensures good financial stewardship and legal compliance

· Contributes ideas, expertise and time to support our ongoing development

Trustees attend around 6–8 Board meetings per year (usually weekday evenings), plus occasional working groups and events. We aim to create a supportive, collaborative and enjoyable environment for all Trustees.

Chair Role: The current Chair of Trustees will progressively hand over the role during 2026. The incoming Chair will be selected by the Board after the AGM. Support and mentoring will be provided.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply:

Attend our Coffee Morning on 12 July (optional, but recommended)
Submit an application by 12 noon, 15 August 2025

Your application should include:

• A completed Charity Commission declaration form (we will provide this)
• A short statement (up to 500 words) summarising your skills and experience, and why you’d like to join the Board

DOWNLOAD Trustee & Chair Briefing Pack on website.

Since 2002, we’ve delivered a structured, high-impact, programme of mentoring, a paid internship, skills masterclasses, and workplace visits for young people from under-represented backgrounds.

Our programme empowers them with new-found skills, confidence, aspirations, and support networks, boosting their life outcomes. It also enables employers to engage with and shape future talent, adding value to their organisation, and make a positive difference in their local communities.

​

Our values

Our people are committed and passionate about changing the lives of young people. Our organisational values underpin how we work and are at the core of everything we do.:

· Trust

· Bravery

· Collaboration

· Empowerment

· Inclusion

We have 40 colleagues across the UK, and strong collaboration across a remote working environment is critical to our success. We champion flexibility and wellbeing, and strive to be a positive place work, both in terms of our mission and our culture.

Our impact and growth

Across the UK in 2024 we supported 4,238 young people across our two programme cohorts, with 4,395 volunteers supporting them. We worked with 374 employers to provide mentors and summer internships in 2024 and have 194 school and college partners. 

Thanks to the support of our network, we’re able to have the following impact for young people:

· 99% of programme graduates go into higher education, apprenticeships or work

· 90% of students said they felt more confident than before the programme

· Career Ready alumni have a professional network twice the size of their non-programme peers

· 90% of students rated their career skills a strength following their paid internship

Following a challenging couple of years in the charity sector and wider economy, we have just closed the 2024/25 financial year in a more positive position. We are set to embark on a new 2025-30 strategy which focuses around 4 key pillars:

· Income sustainability

· Digital enablement and adoption

· UK programme alignment

· People & Culture

We are looking for further brilliant people to join our Board of Trustees and help us excel our new strategic focus.

About the role

Role purpose

As a Trustee you will make a significant contribution to creating empowering opportunities for young people from under-represented backgrounds. 

The role of the Trustee is to ensure that Career Ready is carrying out its purpose, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and that it complies with the law.

Trustees must always act in the best interests of Career Ready, with reasonable care and skill, whilst also ensuring it is accountable.  They must also ensure that Career Ready manages its’ resources effectively and sets the forward direction of the organisation.

Main responsibilities and accountabilities

· Ensuring that Career Ready functions within the legal and financial requirements of a Charitable Company

· Account for the work of Career Ready to Companies House, The Charity Commission, OSCR, funders

· Managing risks, protecting assets (reputation) and people 

· Ensuring that Career Ready strives to achieve best practice in all aspects of its work

· Determining the overall policy and direction of the Charity

· Fixing the annual budgets and approving accounts

· Recognising and dealing with conflicts of interest

· Appointing the Chief Executive Officer when required

· Agreeing strategic and work plans

· Collaborating with members of the senior management team in the development of strategic plans 

· Hearing membership appeals against the decisions of the Chief Executive Officer

· Ensuring that Career Ready maintains and complies with a policy of equal opportunities in respect of staff, members and stakeholders

· Act as a champion and ambassador for the work of Career Ready 

Person Specification

We are looking for 3-4 Trustees who have:

· A commitment to the mission of Career Ready

· An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship

· Integrity

· Sound judgement

· Strategic vision

· A willingness to contribute ideas and challenge

· Willingness to actively participate in developing the senior leadership team through sharing of skills and expertise 

As part of this recruitment exercise, we aspire to have greater Trustee representation from the following sectors/areas of expertise:

· Digital/technology/systems

· Comms/marketing

· Fundraising

· Finance

· Government/Policy

· Operations

In addition, we welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, to align with the diverse range of young people we serve, for example, lived experience of social mobility.

Commitment

We’re looking for trustees who aren’t just interested—they’re invested. Our ambitions are big, and we need people who have the capacity and motivation to engage with us in achieving these.

At least four meetings per year plus AGM.  Usually held in person in London/other locations with opportunity to join remotely. 

Up to three-year initial term. 

Invitation to join Career Ready team at annual All-Colleague event. 

Encouraged to support and participate in Career Ready events.

Opportunities to join and influence other projects and governance committees.

Timetable

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 31st July.

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward if we receive strong applications.