Charity volunteer roles

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy?

Volunteers are essential to Shannon Trust and bring their energy, ideas and skills to train mentors in prisons, support learners in the community and enhance our business support team.

As a prison reading coach your role will be at the heart of our organisation as you support our learners alongside our Shannon Trust prison facilitator in HMP Bedford. There may be some additional preparation and/ or administrative tasks in between volunteering days at the prison.

Our volunteers nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by delivering training sessions and offering ongoing advice, guidance and support through meetings.

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to work alone, able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons.  Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for safe, confident drivers to join our busy, friendly delivery team. 

We re-distribute tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester. This is an achievement of which we’re proud, and want to expand and is why we need your driving and delivery skills to support our growing operation, especially in these current times of increased need.

Key responsibilities

Driving a van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the various Community Food Members we support. 
Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

As a Delivery Driver at FareShare, you will be driving a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonnes Mercedes Sprinter van; working closely with a Driver’s Assistant to re-distribute food orders to the premises of a wide variety of Community Food Members. You will be involved with loading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are as follows. You must:

Be aged 25 or over, with a clean driver's licence (or a maximum of 3 points).
(Experience of driving a van is desirable though not essential).

Be reliable and be able to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts.

Be physically fit to take on moving and handling of food orders.

Possess the ability to follow procedures and instructions.

Have good verbal communication skills.

Have a high respect for Health & Safety standards and procedures.

Have an interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values.

In return you will gain:

Career, CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Drivers' 4 hour shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We especially welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Womankind is recruiting reliable and resilient women, who are able to commit to 1-2 daytime hours each week for six months, to join our Volunteer Befriending Service. Befrienders encourage and support vulnerable women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse, empowering them to make their own decisions and improve their mental health and wellbeing so that they can lead more fulfilling lives. 

Training: 

Befrienders attend an initial online meet & greet session and then receive 4 taught sessions of comprehensive training over Zoom. These sessions will take place over 4 weeks, starting in Autumn 2025 (DATES AND TIMES TBC). Befrienders will be expected to complete homestudy in between sessions. You will be part of a team of trainees and benefit from peer support as well as help and guidance from the Volunteer Coordinator. Our training comes with over 30 years of experience working in women’s mental health, giving volunteers the very best preparation for the role, and a support network of like-minded women. 

The Role: 

Upon the completion of training, each volunteer is matched with one woman who has experienced childhood abuse, trauma, sexual violence and/or domestic abuse, and will be experiencing mental ill health and social isolation. 

As a befriender you would be expected to commit 1-2 hours on a weekly basis for 6 months and attend monthly group and individual supervision. Many of our volunteers decide they would like to be matched with another woman after the completion of their first match and continue volunteering with us for another 6 months. 

You and your befriendee would start by getting to know each other gradually. Once you have built up your relationship, you would support her emotionally, using active listening skills and providing her with a space to express her feelings and feel heard. You would help her to believe that she can achieve her goals and have safer relationships. Part of your role would be demonstrating what a healthy and boundaried relationship looks like. 

You: 

You will be enthusiastic and interested in helping another woman improve her mental health and wellbeing so that she can lead a more fulfilling life. You will be friendly and non-judgemental, have good communication skills and be a reliable and patient listener. 

The befriending role can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming at times. Therefore, we need befrienders who have adequate life experience and feel emotionally robust and resilient enough to take on the role. We welcome volunteers with personal experience of mental health and other relevant issues but will require you to have at least a one-year period of stability and ideally to have received professional help like counselling in your recovery. 

As this is a remote service, we welcome applications from women who are based across the UK. 

Please note, there is very limited availability for women who can only volunteer during the evenings and weekends. 

Because of the nature of this role, it is only open to women applicants and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010. 

At Womankind we recognise that while women share many characteristics and experiences as a result of living within a patriarchal society, women belonging to marginalised groups experience discrimination on multiple fronts. It is really important to us that the women who use our services feel represented amongst our volunteers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, especially from groups which are marginalised and underrepresented in our organisation, such as working-class women and Black and Minoritised women. 

 What Past Befrienders Say: 

“I loved the training, that was possibly one of my favourite things about this whole experience...it was really thorough. I loved being in a space with like-minded women – and it was also challenging, which I liked.” 

“In terms of supervision and knowledge, how to prepare the role – it was much more prepared, much more in depth than other places I’ve volunteered.” 

“It’s been a pleasure, I love volunteering with you guys. It’s special being part of this – in a world where are so few spaces where you can have a direct impact on someone’s life, doing this role is really special.” 

Closing Date: 31/08/2025 

Job Type: Volunteer 

Work Location: Remote, must be UK-based 

Befriend a housebound older person at their home near you in Coventry - any day or time, from 30 min/fortnight. You'll be carefully matched by shared interests & supported.

Befriending an older person in your local area takes just 30-60 minutes, fortnightly or weekly. It fits into your life, and you gain a new friend. You can learn more about Coventry life & history, and feel great that you've made a housebound older person feel less lonely. Volunteers and older people come from all backgrounds. They could take short walks, bake together, watch sport together, discuss literature, learn to crochet...

You will be carefully matched by your shared hobbies and interests, and logistical factors such as shared language, how close to home or work you'd like to be, and when you'd each like to chat. Support is available at any time, should you need it.

Visits can take place during evenings & weekends, though our most popular request is for daytime visits. We also offer telephone befriending. Volunteers must be 18+, but children can come along when accompanied. Dogs are welcome too!

Visits can simply include chat and a cuppa, or can involve going for a short walk together, doing crafts, playing games, gardening together, or watching sport. It's up to you!

Please note that despite the January deadline on the job description, this role now has a rolling deadline and will be actively interviewing until the position is filled.

About TLC 

The Trans Legal Clinic is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice and registered charity in the UK. The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans* people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender. 

Service Introduction 

The Casework department is the core of our organisation, working directly with clients by offering them support and advocacy. We have assisted over 70 clients since October 2023 and will be re-opening our referrals in January 2025 to new clients seeking our support. 

Our Casework department is divided into four teams. Each team constitutes of one Specialist Caseworker who oversees 5-15 casework volunteers. Our four teams are: 

Housing and Homelessness 

Discrimination 

Gender Recognition: legal transition and healthcare advocacy 

Gender-Based Violence: domestic abuse and hate crime 

Our Gender-Based Violence team provides specialist support to trans* individuals who have experienced hate crime, domestic abuse, and/or sexual violence. We work with compassion and care to empower our clients, often in extremely distressing circumstances, offering practical assistance in navigating the criminal justice system, obtaining protective orders, and accessing support services. Recognising the unique challenges trans* people face in these situations, our team works to address systemic inequalities and ensure that all clients feel safe, heard, and supported throughout their journey to justice and recovery.  

Key tasks and responsibilities 

Support and outreach 

Be fully aware of safeguarding issues and lead on client risk management within the service. 

Update the Gender-Based Violence client database to ensure client records are updated within agreed timeframes and that they accurately record interventions and demonstrate progress. 

Liaise with our team of solicitors when requesting advice and guidance on a case. 

Reach out to organisations that specialise in gender-based violence, especially hate crime, domestic abuse, and/or sexual violence and trans* specific services, to collaborate and share knowledge and resources.

Teamwork 

Lead the Gender-Based Violence team by supervising caseworkers.

Support caseworks by setting clear objectives and holding team and individual supervisions regularly. 

Set and moderate team performance targets. 

Attend department meetings and contribute to discussions. 

Be respectful to colleagues and support good communication between all stakeholders. 

Research 

Create and deliver training for current and future caseworkers in the Gender-Based Violence team. 

Create resources for caseworkers on relevant legislation, case studies, and good practice, to allow them to become more knowledgeable and independent whilst working with clients. 

Create resources for clients and those seeking information on our website about hate crimes, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. 

Conduct general research into hate crimes, domestic abuse, and sexual violence experienced by trans* people in the UK. 

General 

Ensure you approach to contact with clients is trauma-informed and person-centred. 

Adhere to Trans Legal Clinic’s Policies and Procedures at all times. 

Cover for other members of the team and department as necessary. 

Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying upon areas for improvement and development. 

Undertake any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the role and/or reasonable required by more senior members of staff. 

Attend and participate in external meetings and briefings as required. 

The duties listed are not exhaustive and may be varied from time to time as dictated by the changing needs of the Trans Legal Clinic. The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as appropriate and as requested by their line manager. 

We are seeking a volunteer Trustee and Treasurer to help us manage the iconic Winterbourne Medieval Barn. You will join an experienced Board of Trustees who have developed activites to create a successful Community and Heritage Centre.

We run a programme of events for the benefit of the local community, as well as offering commercial hire  opportunities. The activities are  largely volunteer run and are supported by three part time staff. Our aim is to use this magnificent building for the benefit of all visitors and it ensure that it is preserved and managed so that it will continue to  inspire people for many generations.

As a Trustee and Treasurer you will use your skills and experience to ensure that the charity is run in a way that is responsible, effective and meets its legal and statutory requirements.

What Are we Looking For?

We are looking for someone with:

•  Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations 
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management 
• Good financial analysis skills 
• Ability to communicate clearly.

The main elements of the role are:

Summary

•  Oversee the financial affairs of WMBT and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice 
• ·As part of routine financial control ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial policies and procedures are in place 
• Monitor and report on the financial health of WMBT 
• Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns and accounts 
• Chair the Finance committee. 

Specifically 

•  Ensuring that finance systems and processes which support the Financial Procedures Manual policies are set up, documented and implemented
• Ensuring that sufficient records are maintained to show and explain WMBT’s transactions, in order to disclose accurately, the financial position of WMBT at any time 
• Managing the budgeting process for the annual budget 
• Presenting financial reports at each Trustees’ meeting which give the Board of Trustees an understanding of WMBT’s overall finances, and giving advice and information to support decision making 
• Liaising with the independent examiner to produce the statutory accounts.
• Provision of overall management of the Trusts’s bank accounts 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with:

•  Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations 
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management 
• Good financial analysis skills 
• Ability to communicate clearly.

What difference will you make?

The continued success of the Trust depends on the maintenance of  strong financial support to ensure that the building is maintained and managed in an appropriate manner. The business plan requires a mix of heritage and commercial activities to achieve this and to ensure that the Trust continues to serve the community.

What is involved

Much of the role can be performed remotely, but there will be a requirement to attend 8 meetings a year at Winterbourne (4 Finance Committee meetings and 4 Board of Trustee meetings)

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

Job Title: Non Executive Director – Nistad Foundation

Location: Remote (with potential occasional travel for board meetings) Commitment: Part-time, Voluntary

About the Nistad Foundation

The Nistad Foundation is at the forefront of fostering a Responsible, Ethical, and Safe approach to Artificial Intelligence (RES AI) globally, with a particular focus on the United States, United Kingdom, and Africa. As emerging technologies reshape industries, societies, and economies, the foundation is dedicated to preparing communities and institutions to navigate this new frontier responsibly. Our vision is to be a leading global organization in talent and leadership development, equipping individuals and organizations with the skills necessary to engage AI with ethical foresight.

Through initiatives focused on digital skills development in cybersecurity, software development, data science, and policy advocacy, the Nistad Foundation seeks to close the digital skills gap, especially in underrepresented communities. We champion youth and women as key contributors to digital transformation by providing them with training, mentorship, and pathways into the technology workforce. A central part of our mission is to build evidence-based policy frameworks guiding safe AI deployment and advocating for inclusive and sustainable technological growth.

Role Summary

As a Trustee of the Nistad Foundation, you will play a critical role in overseeing the governance and strategic direction of the charity. Trustees ensure that the foundation remains compliant, financially stable, and aligned with its charitable objectives. You will act as a proactive advisor to the executive director and staff, advocate for the foundation’s work, and contribute your expertise to support the foundation’s mission.

We are looking for candidates with prior charitable foundation experience who are committed to ethical governance and enthusiastic about the foundation’s mission. Trustees are expected to act as ambassadors, supporting fundraising efforts and leveraging their networks to help drive the foundation’s initiatives forward.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance and Compliance

• Ensure good governance practices are upheld, aligning with the foundation’s charitable mission and ethical standards.
• Confirm compliance with the Nistad Foundation's governing document, charity law, company law, and other relevant legislation.
• Monitor and manage risks, ensuring timely remedial action when needed.
• 2. Board Participation and Oversight
• Prepare for and actively participate in board meetings, contributing to discussions, working groups, and the development of board papers.
• Contribute to setting the foundation’s strategic direction and evaluating performance against charitable objectives.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and support for the Executive Director’s performance.

3. Financial and Resource Management

• Maintain oversight of the foundation’s budget and financial health, ensuring sustainability and stability.
• Ensure the effective and responsible use of the foundation’s assets, financial resources, and material and human resources.
• 4. Advisory and Strategic Support
• Offer guidance in areas of specific expertise, advising the Executive Director and staff on relevant policies and procedures.
• Lead and contribute to developing policies and procedures that reflect good practice, ensuring their implementation.
• 5. Advocacy and Fundraising
• Act as an ambassador for the foundation, advocating for its work and ethical values.
• Assist in diversifying and developing sustainable funding streams by promoting the
• foundation among personal and professional contacts.
• Support fundraising efforts by identifying opportunities, fostering relationships, and
• providing strategic insight.
• 6. Strategic Development and Performance
• Collaborate with the board to identify and monitor strategic risks, ensuring the foundation’s mission and reputation remain safeguarded.
• Contribute to the ongoing evaluation and refinement of the foundation’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with charitable objectives.
• Ideal Candidate Profile

- Connections within ai/Technology background

The Nistad Foundation seeks individuals with the following qualifications and experience:

• Experience in charitable foundation governance, ideally within the technology, policy, or social impact sectors.
• Commitment to the foundation’s mission and values, particularly in the areas of responsible and ethical AI.
• Financial Acumen with an understanding of budgeting, financial oversight, and resource management.
• Advisory Skills in areas such as fundraising, policy development, staffing, partnerships, or governance.
• Interpersonal and Advocacy Skills with a demonstrated ability to leverage personal and professional networks in support of a mission-driven organization.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking with the ability to assess complex issues, set priorities, and make sound decisions.
• Time and Dedication to devote to meetings, preparations, and proactive support as needed. Why Join the Nistad Foundation?

As a Trustee of the Nistad Foundation, you will have a unique opportunity to shape the ethical trajectory of artificial intelligence on a global scale. This is a chance to contribute your skills, insights, and network to a dynamic and impactful organization working to bridge the digital skills gap and champion responsible AI practices.

Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.

We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills. 

Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.

We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.

We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.

ABOUT IRMO

IRMO works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. We do this by offering high-quality information and advice services, opportunities for development and training, and a platform to seek social and systemic change.

Our work is organised across three main operational areas - Advice and Casework; Education, Training and Employment; Children and Young People - and a cross-cutting area -Advocacy, Research, Policy Mapping and Campaigning.

ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM

The Community Support team acts as the main point of contact for the Latin American community and IRMO, where we identify their needs and enquiries, triage the support and services to be allocated and share relevant information. The Welcome Area plays a key role in the daily operations of the organisation; offering a range of support services, which include interpreting, referrals and signposting, broadcast of information and events, amongst others.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Community Interpreter at IRMO, you will be a vital point of contact for our community of Latin American users. You will help users overcome the language barrier to access essential services to build a more integrated life in the UK.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● You will assist service users with processes such as opening a bank account, reporting hate crime, applying for National Insurance Number, driving license, Oyster card or Freedom Pass and understanding bills and making payment plans.

● You will also help to create informative materials to facilitate the effective delivery of our services. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to understand the challenges faced by our community, gain experience in customer service and use their language skills in a positive and impactful way.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
● Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Portuguese are essential (Spanish desirable).

● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and with a diverse population of users, staff and partners.

● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental approach.

● The ability to cope with stressful and emotionally challenging issues.

● Professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information.

● Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

● Ability to set their own work priorities, take initiatives and work with minimal supervision

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
● Two references from current/previous employers
● Enhanced DBS Check (completed through IRMO)
● Safeguarding Level 1 (completed through IRMO)
● One month trial period

BENEFITS FROM VOLUNTEERING AT IRMO
● Gives the opportunity of helping others and to give back
● Creates an ideal space to learn new skills in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring environment
● Get involved with the Latin American Community and increase knowledge of the situation of Latin American migrants in the UK
● Helps to gain experience and strengthen previous skills to face UK’s competitive job market;
● Enhance CV and get references (after a 3-month period) for further impact on the employment status
● Participate in training sessions with high-quality learning outcomes (in-house and external) in areas related to the role
● Receive regular supervision and support.

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent. 

As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering. 

You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust, Central and North West London (CNWL).

The aim of the Befriending Service is to;

• Reduce social isolation of service users
• Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
• Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users 
• Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
• Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
• Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:

• Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
• Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
• Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
• Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
• Act as a community connector to local services

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• You will have good communication skills
• You will be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service users

If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

We’re looking for new Trustees! We’re looking for people who support our mission and values, and who can act as ambassadors for YHA.

What will you be doing?

We’re looking for new Trustees

YHA enables everyone, especially young people, to connect with each other, nature and heritage through hostels in amazing places throughout England and Wales. Since 1930, we’ve been increasing access to travel and adventure. It’s our aim to reach and positively impact the lives of more people from more diverse backgrounds. And we target our support to young people and groups from under-served communities.

It’s a really exciting time to join YHA as we’ve just launched a refreshed strategy that will see us focus our activities and deepen our impact with the aim of growing people’s confidence, connection and sense of belonging - outcomes vital to wellbeing in this uncertain world.

What you’ll get from joining our Board

• the opportunity to contribute to the success of a national charity
• the chance to use your knowledge to make a valuable contribution to society
• a full induction and membership of an inclusive, welcoming Board

This could be a great fit for you You don’t need to have been on a Board before to become a YHA Trustee. We’re looking for people who support our mission and values, and who can act as ambassadors for YHA.

What matters most is that you bring good communication and listening skills, fair and reasoned decision-making, the confidence to challenge and support constructively, and time to commit to the role.

Diversity We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people from the global majority to apply. These voices are currently under-represented on our Board, and we are committed to changing that.

Valuable additional strategic experience We’re also looking to strengthen the Board with Trustees who bring strategic insight in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance
• Hospitality
• Information technology, cyber security and data protection
• Leadership in a schools environment

Please note, you don’t need to have all these attributes to apply. Candidates must be over 16 years of age. 

Experience comes in many forms. Whether you’ve taken part in a community group, student council, parent committee, trade union, local campaign, or formal Board settings - those insights are all valuable here. 

What are we looking for?

You don’t need previous Board experience to become a YHA Trustee. What matters most is that you bring:

• a strong belief in YHA’s mission and understanding of our strategic direction
• good communication and listening skills
• fair and reasoned decision-making
• the confidence to challenge and support constructively
• time to commit to the role (including preparation and attendance at meetings)
• a commitment to YHA’s HEART values: Helpful, Efficient, Authentic, Respectful, and Team-spirited

We believe diversity in all its forms makes us stronger, more effective, and better able to deliver our mission. We care about who you are — not just what you’ve done.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. In particular, we strongly encourage people from the global majority to apply. These voices are currently under-represented on our Board, and we are committed to changing that.

We’re also looking to strengthen the Board with Trustees who bring strategic insight in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance
• Hospitality
• Information technology, cyber security and data protection
• Leadership in a schools environment

You don’t need to have all these desirable attributes to apply. We welcome applications from candidates who have relevant work and life experiences and have the passion to make a difference with YHA.

What difference will you make?

Becoming a Trustee is both deeply rewarding and genuinely enjoyable. This is an opportunity to help shape the direction of YHA — a charity dedicated to connecting people with each other, the outdoors nature and heritage.

Our Trustees hold overall legal responsibility for YHA. The Board sets and oversees the delivery of our strategy, and provides guidance across key areas such as impact, finance, risk management, property, hospitality, and performance.

With Trustees from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds, boardroom conversations are rich and dynamic — and every voice contributes meaningfully to our progress.

YHA places access and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. As a Trustee, you’ll be part of an open, collaborative culture where diverse viewpoints are not only welcomed but essential to our success.

Join current Trustees for a special webinar on 23rd June 2025 at 6pm to find out more about the opportunity and what it’s really like to be a Trustee. Sign up via the link on the YHA website.

Before you apply

You don’t have to be a current YHA member to apply to become a Trustee. To be elected, however, you will need to become an Association Member of YHA before the AGM on Saturday 8 November 2025. 

Please apply via Reach, after which we will ask you to complete our online application form, which includes your personal details, diversity monitoring and candidate statement which will ask you some questions relating to your skills and experience. If you need support with the application process or to submit your application in an alternative format, please contact us via Reach.

NEW CHAIR WANTED FOR AGE UK MERTON’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who shares our values and passion for supporting older adults in Merton. The new Chair will formally take up the role at the AGM in November 2025.

About Age UK Merton

We are an independent charity operating within the national Age UK network providing services for older adults in the London Borough of Merton. Our role is to ensure older adults can access the support, services and care they need to help them to live active and fulfilling lives.

Our vision: Supporting our communities with opportunities to love later life.

Our mission: To provide quality advice and services that meet the needs of older adults in Merton.

Our values: quality, integrity, kindness, inclusivity and collaboration.

Our priorities

We are passionate about making a difference to the lives of older adults in Merton. Our Strategic Plan 2023-2026 outlines our three key priorities in support of our mission:

1. Providing high quality advice and practical support.

2. Building social connection.

3. Creating opportunities for lifelong active ageing.

Our services

Living Well: we deliver holistic person-centered home assessments creating a motivational action plan and supporting older adults to access services and improve their health and wellbeing.

At Home: we provide practical help to enable people to feel comfortable, safe and secure at home with domestic support, shopping and respite for carers.

Activity programme: our weekly-programme of activities includes chair-based exercise, Zumba, Tai Chi, social club with board games, craft club, quiz sessions, walking group, monthly special lunches and aqua fitness. We also run a wide range of out and about trips annually.

Information and advice: our trained advisers offer free accredited information and advice to older adults on benefits, health and end of life, housing, social care, local services and more.

Befriending and volunteering: we provide a high-quality, free, face-to-face and telephone befriending service, helping to reduce social isolation and promote independence.

Foot health service: we offer a low-cost paid-for foot health service for our clients.

Role description

As Chair, you will provide leadership and strategic direction to the Board of Trustees. Your regular responsibilities will include liaising with the CEO to set the agenda and agree the papers for Board meetings, chairing Board meetings, holding regular catch-ups with Trustees, and leading on Trustee recruitment and retention and Board development. In addition, you will also be the line manager to the CEO, holding regular meetings and undertaking the annual appraisal and objective setting. You will also sit on the Finance Committee (chaired by the Treasurer) and be responsible for determining complaints and grievances where a decision is appealed.

As a Trustee, you will have a number of core duties, including ensuring the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and relevant legislation; ensuring it pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document; ensuring the financial stability of the organisation; and ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential

· Previous Board-level experience, either as a Trustee or in another non-executive capacity

· Experience of chairing (either a Trustee Board or other professional experience)

· Strong leadership and interpersonal skills

· Willingness and capacity to devote the necessary time

· Good independent judgment

· A commitment to Age UK Merton and its vision, mission and values

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

Desirable

· Some experience or understanding of the adult social care or health sectors

· An understanding of Merton as a place

To find out more and to apply

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. While we would especially welcome applications from people who live in our local area, this is not essential to success in the role.

If you are interested in applying, please send a CV (maximum 2-sides of A4) and cover letter (maximum 1-side of A4) to our current chair. Please also contact our chair if you would like to have an informal discussion about the role. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 25th July 2025. Interviews will be held in August/September 2025 and the successful candidate will formally take up the role at the AGM in November 2025.