Children support volunteer roles

Are you passionate about supporting young people and giving back to your community?

Whether you have experience in fundraising, governance, building corporate partnerships, or simply a willingness to get involved and make a difference – we’d love to hear from you!

About us

We’re part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, a national youth organisation empowering 12- to 20-year-olds through flying, adventure training, sports, and leadership development.

West Mercian Wing supports over 900 cadets across 27 Squadrons in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, the Black Country, and overseas in Cyprus.

Each squadron has a Civilian Welfare Committee, a team of trustees who support the squadron by overseeing governance, fundraising, and building community partnerships. Trustees are vital in ensuring squadrons can continue providing incredible opportunities for cadets.

Squadrons in this sector

• 24 (Market Drayton) Squadron, Hedley Way, Buntingsdale, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2HA
• 28 (Shawbury) Squadron, RAF Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4HL
• 79 (Whitchurch) Squadron, Old Drill Hall, Mill Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1SE
• 1165 (Oswestry) Squadron, Drill Hall, Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1AL
• 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron, Bligny House Army Reserve Centre, Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8LZ

Why become a trustee?

Volunteering as a trustee isn’t just about helping others - it’s about growing yourself too!

• Gain valuable experience in leadership, governance, and fundraising.
• Expand your network and become part of a supportive team.
• Make a lasting difference to young people in your community.
• Shape the future of an organisation with a rich legacy.

What’s involved?

Meetings are structured but friendly, typically every three months for around two hours. A typical agenda includes:

• Updates from the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Squadron Commander
• Funding requests and financial decisions
• Future planning, upcoming events, and key priorities
• Opportunities to contribute based on your skills and interests

Beyond meetings, involvement is flexible depending on your availability and expertise.

What we’re looking for

We welcome all backgrounds and skill levels, but we’d particularly love to hear from those with experience in:

• Fundraising
• Governance & charity compliance
• Corporate partnerships

No military background or youth work experience is required—just enthusiasm, reliability, and a passion for making a difference!

Opportunities for progression

Trustees can take on leadership roles within their squadron, support squadrons at sector or wing level, or even contribute to regional and national RAF Air Cadets governance. Some trustees also transition into squadron volunteer roles, working directly with cadets.

To join us, you’ll need to

• Be 20 years or older
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Attend an evening meeting every three months (varies by squadron)
• Bring enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to support young people.

Typical joining process:

1. Submit an expression of interest.
2. We’ll invite you to visit your chosen squadron to learn more.
3. Complete a simple online application if invited.
4. Undergo a DBS and basic security check.

This process usually takes a few weeks, depending on availability and checks.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re excited about supporting young people and helping your local squadron thrive, we’d love to hear from you!

Our Community Volunteers are vital in enabling us to continue to feed the 2.4 million children we feed every day and to help us reach the next child. They use their talents in their communities to spread the story of Mary’s Meals.

What is the role of a Community Volunteer?

Some of the things you can do as a community volunteer:

• Help us to share our story – arrange and give Mary’s Meals talks to local community organisations, schools, churches and faith groups to raise vital awareness and funds
• Use your networks and contacts to book talks, stalls and events and help us share our story
• Organise fundraising events in your local area such as coffee mornings, quizzes, supermarket bag packs and bucket collections
• Organise film screenings in your community to show Mary’s Meals films
• Volunteer at local fundraising and awareness events such as film screenings, bucket collections or concerts
• Promote Mary’s Meals’ fundraising campaigns and events in your community and across their networks and contacts
• Distribute and display promotional materials
• Place collection tins in local community areas
• Host community engagement events about Mary’s Meals’ work
• Come together as a group with other local volunteers to support each other with this work
• Lead a group in your community to fundraise for Mary’s Meals

What support and resources will I receive?

• Support, encouragement, and guidance from your local Supporter Engagement Officer
• A comprehensive induction to Mary’s Meals
• Opportunities to join online or in person volunteer meetings and briefings
• Training and if desired, public speaking training
• Resources to fulfil your role
• A regular volunteer update e-mail

What are the benefits of volunteering for Mary's Meals?

• Feeling part of the global Mary’s Meals movement to end world hunger
• Learning new skills and gaining experience as part of a growing and vibrant organisation
• Meeting new like-minded people
• Increasing confidence and team-working skills.
• Developing communication skills (verbal and written)
• Feeling empowered to have your voice heard, knowing that you are playing an active role in changing the lives of those who need it the most.

Want to be part of the action and make a meaningful impact? Volunteer at our Acorns Match Day Takeover

• Saturday, 20th September
• Walsall vs Tranmere Rovers
• 1pm to 5.30pm

What's Involved?

We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to support us at two exciting events. You’re welcome to get involved in just one—or both, if you’re available.

Role 1: 'Mile with a Mascot’ Event Volunteer

• Volunteer time: Around 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM
• Event time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Location: Along the event route

What you’ll be doing:

• Helping to guide and cheer on participants
• Bringing energy and encouragement along the route
• Chatting with families and interacting with our mascots
• We also need one volunteer to dress up as Alex the Acorn – you can either walk the mile or stay in one spot to wave and cheer

Role 2: Match Day Collection Volunteer – Walsall FC

• Volunteer time: Around 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
• Event: Walsall FC v Tranmere Rovers (Kick-off 3:00 PM)

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting our fundraising team with bucket collections
• Helping at the Acorns Tombola Stand
• One volunteer will be needed to dress up as Alex the Acorn again

We’ll provide a match ticket, water, and free car parking

Doing Both Roles? We’ve Got You Covered!

If you're happy to volunteer for both opportunities, we’ll make sure you’re looked after with:

• A free lunch and refreshments
• A space to relax in between the event

Am I Right For the Role?
We’re looking for volunteers who are:

•  Friendly & Approachable – ready to share the mission of Acorns
• Confident to collect donations outside – rain or shine!

Why Volunteer with Acorns?

Make a real difference in your local community
Gain valuable experience and boost your CV
Be part of something special with the chance to progress into other roles

Volunteer Walsall FC Match Day Takeover - 20th September

Join the Board of Hereward College – a further education college like no other – and support them as they continue to improve the life opportunities of young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Tuesday 26th August 2025

Location: Coventry, West Midlands

Time commitment: Chair (3 – 4 days per month), Governors (10 – 12 hours per month)

About Hereward College

Hereward College is a further education college like no other, passionate about improving life opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Our provision is delivered across a range of course areas, including Art & Design, Creative Media, Sport, Business Studies, ICT, Hospitality, Performing Arts & Music, English and Maths. This provision ranges from Pre-Entry Level to Level 3.

Our learners are supported by a dedicated team of 230 staff, many of whom deliver education, training, care and specific therapies. Whilst our learners may have a physical disability, a communication disorder or other learning difficulties, the one thing they will all have in common is a personal ambition to live a happy, independent and successful life. Through the dedication and passion of our staff, we can help our learners realise their ambitions by achieving some wonderful outcomes with our young people.

About the roles

To ensure that our SLT and wider staff team are supported in their continuous mission to deliver high-quality, individualised provision for our learners, support their families and retain our outstanding national reputation, we now seek to appoint a new Chair and additional governors to our board.

You will play a vital strategic role, offering insight and professional expertise to help our learners achieve successful outcomes, support their families, and help us to realise our ambitions whilst continuing to improve our outstanding national reputation.

Who we are looking for

There is a golden thread that continues to run throughout our board, and that is a passion for improving the life chances and opportunities of our learners. This ethos is something that all candidates will need to possess.

Given the varied, yet specialist nature of our provision, we would welcome applications from individuals with experience gained from a range of appropriate professional backgrounds.

Chair of the Board

Our new Chair should be someone with experience of the boardroom, preferably in a non-executive capacity as a member, committee lead or having been a Chair elsewhere previously. Alongside this, you will need to bring your experience as a senior, strategic leader who has had involvement in organisations of a similar size and complexity.

An understanding and knowledge of the SEND sector will of course be useful given our specialist context, and it will be important that the successful candidate can understand and support us within the landscape that we operate.

Given our ambitions for the future of our organisation which include estate development and the growth of our training subsidiary, we would be interested in receiving applications from candidates who have relevant business experience and who would be able to offer insight and support in realising these ambitions.

Governor roles

Having completed an assessment of the skills and attributes of our current board, we seek to appoint candidates with the following areas of expertise:

• Qualified finance professionals who are able to join not just our board but also our audit committee.
• Legal professionals.
• Those with experience of the FE and SEND sectors with specific knowledge of curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and internships.
• Experience of business growth and development who can offer insights and support with the growth of Hereward Training Services and who would be happy to become a non-executive Director of our subsidiary.

Candidates for these additional Governor roles do not necessarily need to have had boardroom experience as we will support them with a full induction process. However, professional experience at a senior, strategic level will be important.

Peridot Partners and Hereward College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

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 these roles close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 26th August 2025.

Are you passionate about photography and eager to make a real difference in the lives of sick and premature babies? Join us at Ickle Pickles, where our small but mighty team is committed to improving neonatal care. We are excited to invite parents of premature and sick babies to participate in a professional photo shoot for our new 2026 fundraising calendar, in London.

Location: Central London (near London Bridge)
Schedule: Available Mondays or Fridays throughout July and August

Potential Dates:

• Friday, 1st August

• Monday, 8th August

• Friday, 15th August

• Monday, 18th August

• Monday, 1st September

Responsibilities:

• Conduct professional photo shoots for our calendar project with babies and young children

• Utilise your own portable lighting equipment for high-quality images

• Edit images to ensure the best possible presentation

Why Your Support Matters

Each year, over 90,000 babies in the UK are born sick or prematurely. At Ickle Pickles, we help hospitals raise funds for lifesaving equipment. By joining this fundraising initiative, you will help us increase support and boost donations to make a significant impact.

Winners Group Initiative

Winners Group Initiative works to improve the lives of marginalized youth, women, children, and people living with HIV/AIDS through education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable, community-driven change. Addressing challenges such as poor-quality education, inadequate healthcare, discrimination against marginalized groups, and lack of skills, they run four key programs. Education provides resources and support to 10 local public primary schools, with special focus on girls’ education. Community Development fosters collective action and skills training for employment. Advocacy empowers marginalized voices to influence decisions. Health promotes preventive care, strengthens local facilities, and extends grassroots services—creating lasting, equitable improvements in the community.

Volunteer Board Member

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

In their capacity, they will offer guidance to the organization, manage international partnerships, and use they experience to strategize and implement action plans that will assist the organization in meeting its objectives and goals. This is a flexible role only 10 hour per week, there are no monthly meetings unless you request for it to communicate with the organization on your progress. The organization will be sharing with you of all their work through your desired communication mode regularly.

Weekly Time Commitment

10+ hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Join us and help lead change for anyone affected by ME.

Can you help us deliver our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME by becoming a new Trustee on our Board?

With the recent launch of the UK Government Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, and some critical research partnerships on the horizon, now is an exciting time to join us and play a pivotal role in our work to secure a better future for people with ME.

As a Trustee, you will have a vital role within Action for ME, establishing a clear and shared vision, setting policies and acting in the best interests of Action for ME and people with ME. We are particularly looking for people who bring: Scientific and/or research expertise; healthcare and/or information, support and advocacy experience; Policy experience at local or national level; Communications and/or marketing expertise.

If you have experience in any of these areas and share our ambition for a better future for people with ME, we want to hear from you.

Trustee - Role Description

Duties of a Trustee are as follows:

• To ensure that Action for ME complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association,charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that Action for ME pursues its charitable objects as defined in its Memorandum of Association
• To ensure Action for ME applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in establishing a clear and sharedvision for Action for ME, giving firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against the agreed targets
• To act in the interests of Action for ME and for people with ME in general
• To safeguard the good name and values of Action for METo ensure the effective and efficient administration of Action for ME
• To ensure the financial stability of Action for ME
• To protect and manage the property of Action for ME and to ensure the proper investment of charity funds
• To appoint the Chief Executive and to monitor his or her performance and determine his or her remuneration.
• In addition to the above statutory duties of all Trustees, each Trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions
• To represent Action for ME as appropriate.

Time Commitment:
The time commitment expected of a Trustee is approximately six days per annum, including an AGM, preparing for and attending Board meetings, and involvement in at least one of the sub-committees: Audit, Finance & Fundraising; Public Affairs & Communications; Research; Healthcare Services; or Remunerations & Nominations.

We hold an away day once every two years. Additional time may be required dependent on circumstances/needs. You will receive a full induction and support upon appointment.

We do ask that Trustees make a commitment to at least one, three-year term of office.

Trustee - Person Specification

All Trustees must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the organisation, its cause and demonstrate an understanding of MEand its impact
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort Strategic vision Good, independent judgment
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak their mind
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A willingness to participate in at least one sub-committee, as appropriate
• A commitment to working within Action for ME’s values and principles of working,including Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’:

             a. Selflessness
             b. Integrity
             c. Objectivity
             d. Accountability
             e. Openness
             f. Honesty
             g. Leadership.

• Be willing to sign relevant statutory and other forms (eg for opening bank accounts).

Specific requirements:

While we are open to applications from people who meet the person specification, we regularly review the skills and backgrounds of our Board members and are specifically looking for people who bring:

• Scientific and/or research expertise
• Policy experience at local or national level
• Communications and/or marketing expertise.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please submit:

• Your CV, including all employment/voluntary roles since you left full-time education ensuring any gaps or time out is accounted for and
• A completed ‘Equal opportunities monitoring and information form’ (provided separately)
• A covering letter outlining why you would like to become a Trustee and how you meet the person specification outlined above, including how you meet the specific requirements we are currently looking for.

Please also indicate any reasonable adjustments that you may require to enableus to provide a good recruitment process with you.

You will be informed of the outcome of your application and any potential interviewdates with the Chair, the Chief Executive and another Trustee. We will be invitingpeople for interviews as applications come in and will close recruitment when we fillthe current vacancies.

Equity of access

We strive to ensure equity which includes being as accessible as possible to attract Board members with a diverse range of experience and insight. If you don’t meet the person specification fully, please do consider contacting us for a discussion as youmay be our ideal candidate!

We will consider all requests for reasonable adjustments within the parameters ofensuring Trustees are able to enact their legal responsibilities and accountabilities.

CKT funds music lessons for children in Surrey who would not otherwise be able to afford them. We are looking for someone to manage our give a gig fundraising programme with the objective of maximising  the amount of funds raised  and developing long term relationships with gig givers

Specific tasks 

• Liaising with and between gig givers, speakers and other volunteers in advance of gigs to ensure the smooth running and maximise fund raising at gigs Working with the roster administrator to ensure that sufficient speakers and volunteers are available at each gig
• Ensuring that CKT team at each gig have necessary flyers, banners, buckets and gift aid Ensuring appropriate follow up after gigs including notifying the treasurer and trustees of sums raised, thanking gig givers and volunteers and banking cash collected at gigs
• Maintaining and keeping up to date the master give a gig spreadsheet, the summary list of recent and upcoming gigs in agendas and minutes and the list of past and upcoming gigs on the CKT website
• Helping organise fund raising concerts and donor events run by CKT itself from time to time
• Attending and contributing to board meetings as a CKT manager
• Attending concerts from time to time as a CKT volunteer
• Performing such other tasks and activities for CKT as skills and time allow

You will be guided in your role by the trustee or trustees with fund raising responsibilities The role may or may not include monitoring the health of the give a gig funnel and identification of and approaches to new and past gig givers for new gigs

Gig givers include all choirs, orchestras, bands, festivals and venues who have agreed to raise funds for CKT

Skills and experience required

Love for music and belief in the importance of music education for all young people You will probably enjoy going to concerts and gigs yourself

Good organisational skills, attention to detail, ability to methodically follow, apply and improve standard processes

High standard of written communication (by email)

Good people skills

Basic familiarity with operation of (non-numeric aspects of) simple excel spreadsheets and shared drives used for data and record keeping purposes

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best – whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• Marketing – spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• Completing administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Family Friends carefully recruit, train, and match volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our volunteer befrienders offer practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two volunteer opportunities - Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Volunteers will aim to help parents to discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties. Volunteers meet with their match weekly for a period of 6 -12 months.

Activities might include:

• Supporting a parent to take their children on days out.
• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear.
• Helping parents to build confidence in themselves.

Essential Criteria:

• You must be able to commit to the Parent Buddy programme for a minimum of 6 months.
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• DBS check
• Weekly supervision and support
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us - you can do that by contacting us here for an application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people? We are offering 1 young person aged 18–25 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 11 months with the Portuguese Red Cross in Guimarães, Portugal.

The Portuguese Red Cross in Guimarães supports the local community through a wide range of voluntary activities focused on social inclusion, education, health, and youth engagement.

Volunteers will be involved in several impactful projects, including:

• Supporting elderly people through digital inclusion and companionship
• Promoting healthy lifestyles and safety awareness among children and teenagers
• Assisting in shelters for homeless individuals and long-term care patients
• Organising creative and educational activities in schools, hospitals, and foster homes
• Helping with social media, fundraising, and community events.

Volunteers will stay in a shared house near the city centre, just a short walk from the Red Cross headquarters. The house includes shared bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and a terrace. Volunteering hours will not exceed 35 hours per week, and volunteers are entitled to two consecutive days of rest. While most weekends are free, occasional weekend activities may take place.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore your interests, develop new skills, and make a difference in a vibrant and historic city. For more details on the role and the projects available, please refer to the full role description. The most important thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!

Typical tasks may include:

• Assisting with educational games and workshops in schools and hospitals
• Supporting digital literacy sessions for elderly people
• Helping manage donations of clothes, food, and essentials
• Creating engaging content for social media and awareness campaigns
• Participating in climate change and health awareness projects
• Designing and leading your own community-based initiatives.

The volunteers will be working in a range of projects, which will give them the chance to explore the different kind of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Guimarães.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in social action projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!

Please note that only young people (aged 18-25) based in Wales can apply for this role. Depending on the situation at the time, we will either run an in-person selection day or run Teams interviews with shortlisted candidates.

We’re seeking a bold, visionary volunteer to become the first ever Youth Charity Lead of Urban Youth—a brand new youth work charity in London. If you believe in the power of connection, creativity, and community to transform young lives, this is your moment.

Who Are We?

Urban Youth is a startup youth work organisation with a big heart and even bigger ambitions. We’re creating a vibrant space where young Londoners can unplug from the noise of social media and plug into real-life experiences—fun, interactive activities that build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills.

Why Volunteer Now?

London is bursting with potential, but many young people face barriers—rising costs, isolation, and limited access to safe, empowering spaces. Urban Youth was born from a desire to flip the script: to offer hope, connection, and opportunity through youth work that’s fresh, inclusive, and unforgettable.

What’s the Role?

As our Volunteer Youth Charity Lead, you’ll be the driving force behind our mission. This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role for someone who can:

• Set the Vision: Shape our direction, values, and long-term goals.

• Build the Foundations: Establish core systems, policies, and programmes from scratch.

• Lead the Team: Inspire and guide volunteers, youth workers, and collaborators.

• Champion the Cause: Represent Urban Youth to partners, funders, and the wider community.

• Create Culture: Foster a spirit of inclusion, energy, and purpose across everything we do.

Why You?

You might be a seasoned leader, a passionate youth advocate, or someone with startup experience and a heart for social impact. What matters most is your ability to turn vision into action, and action into lasting change.

If you bring:

• Strategic thinking and a collaborative spirit

• Experience in leadership, youth work, or charity development

• A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude

• A belief in young people and their potential

…then we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to build a charity from the ground up

• Real-world experience in leadership, strategy, and impact

• A community of passionate changemakers

• The deep satisfaction of knowing your work is changing lives

Ready to Lead the Way?

This is more than a role—it’s a community. Help us turn isolation into connection, worry into hope, and potential into reality.

Don’t just support the mission. Lead it.

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures

This is an exciting opportunity to influence and impact the educational experience and outcomes of children in east Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Hartlepool. At the heart of our trust is the aim to nurture, educate, achieve and transform the lives of all young people within the communities we serve across the North East.

We are a mixed Multi-Academy Trust, with eight schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) and a mix of community and Church of England schools. We are a fully inclusive, working with a range of stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes and destinations for our pupils. We also have a national research school, which aims to build and strengthen networks of schools throughout the region and help them access effective education research and implement it in everyday practice.

The Chair of our Trust Board of Directors helps shape and guide our passionate volunteers and staff team through clear leadership to the trust’s Board of Directors, embedding the trust's values and culture throughout the organisation. 

In addition to the general role of all Non-Executive Directors/Trustees, the role of the Chair is:

1. Strategic leadership: To ensure the board and the CEO have an effective shared purpose, vision, values and strategic priorities.

2. Leading the governance team: To ensure the board has the right people with the right skills, attributes, motivations and behaviours to work effectively as a team and hold annual 1:1 conversations with non-executive directors and Local Governing Committee Chairs.

3. Working with leaders: To ensure professional relationships with the CEO and the Chairs of the schools’ Local Governing Committees. To lead the Chairs and Vice Chairs Forum.

4. Influencing improvement and outcomes: To ensure the Board is focused on the trust’s strategic priorities and the ongoing improvement of all of its schools and outcomes for pupils.

5. Leading governance business: To work with the CEO and the Clerk to the Directors to ensure the business of the Board and its Committees is planned, managed and actioned effectively.

6. To review the trust’s management accounts on a monthly basis, taking any appropriate action to maintain financial viability.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers in the Horsham and district area
• Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• Keeping financial records from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

A bit more information about this role and the team

• This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
• There may be opportunities for your activities to be fully remote and/or admin based if you'd prefer.
• You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
• We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
• Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.