Christian volunteer roles

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. 

NEAT is looking for people to take a leadership role as Chairs/Vice Chairs of our Local Governing Committees (LGCs). We're open to hear from any candidates who are motivated to contribute to the enhancement of education in our schools, whether that be with years of education experience, or with new insights and innovative thinking about how schools and Academy Trusts can and should support learners and other stakeholders.We are looking for people who can work with a range of people to support our schools, leading the governors and coordinating with school and trust leaders and external stakeholders. 

Our LGC members (school governors) come from a wide range of backgrounds. What they have in common is that they want to help our schools be the best they can be and our pupils to succeed. People who know our local communities bring real insight to the LGC. 

We're especially keen to support people who may not have much opportunity or experience with governing bodies, and those from underrepresented groups. If you have a passion for supporting pupils and some relevant skills or experience, we're keen to hear from you.

As a governance volunteer, our LGC members have the opportunity to use and develop their skills in:

• building relationships and networks
• teamwork
• communication and influencing
• strategic thinking
• problem solving
• using data
• leadership and Board practice
• specialist areas such as Careers, Health & Safety, Special Educational Needs (SEND), or Safeguarding

Being a school governor is not only a great way to use your existing experience and expertise in your community, but is a great way to learn new skills, receive training in leadership and board skills, upskill and make a difference. There's a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development, networking, and working with a range of people from different backgrounds, professions, and life experience.

Our governance volunteers (school governors) have direct impact in the community through:

• decision making in the best interests of pupils to improve their education, wellbeing and future prospects and raise community aspirations
• shaping school policies and aims, allowing teachers to focus on delivering high-quality educational experiences
• stakeholder engagement to ensure that the voices of staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders are heard

Most LGC members have a four-year term of office, except for co-opted members who are appointed for one year. They attend around four meetings each year, which are usually held late afternoon/early evening during term-time. LGC members are also involved in scrutiny activities in school, which usually happen once or twice a term during the school day. LGC members also participate in decision-making panels (for admissions and exclusions) for schools in the Trust. The average time commitment for our LGC members is 8-12 hours per month.

For LGC Chairs, there is need to be involved in contact with a range of stakeholders within the school, the community, and across the trust. This will include more frequent meetings in school, possibly during the day, although many of these may be outside normal school hours. Depending upon school priorities, we would expect the typical Chair time commitment to be around 15-20hrs per month, although some of this can be done online and by phone around work and home commitments.

NEAT takes safeguarding seriously, and all governance volunteers are required to undertake a vetting process (including DBS check) during appointment to best safeguard our pupils and schools.

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.

We are looking for volunteers interested in working with young asylum seekers and refugees to support our weekly youth club in Croydon, ‘Merhaba’. Merhaba Youth Club is a safe space where 18-25 year old refugees and asylum seekers living in contingency accommodation can come to socialise with their peers, develop friendships, build a better understanding of their rights and entitlements, gain new skills and access 1:1 support.

The club runs on Tuesdays, 2.30-5.30pm, and we ask that you come to Merhaba at least three times each month and attend the whole session. The role involves supporting staff to set up and deliver activities – including 1:1 English and games – as well as administrative support.

Do you have fundraising, communications, HR, IT or other skills and wish to become a trustee of a pioneering and ambitious charity which funds and develops girls’ education in South Sudan?  Friends of Ibba Girls School (FIGS) works to support a girls’ boarding school which provides free high-quality education for over 300 primary and secondary school girls, providing both education and a source of inspiration for the country.  Boarding provides safety and security for girls in a country emerging from war. FIGS works closely with Windle Trust International, a highly experienced UK charity which provides the practical support on the ground in South Sudan. FIGS must raise £400-500k each year to keep the school thriving, while longer-term plans are put in place for greater self-sufficiency within the country. The trustees are both strategic and operational, as the charity only has 2 employees (1.5 FTE). Fundraising skills and experience are particularly sought and the trustee will need to be prepared to give about eight hours a week to the work. Communications is also important and needs about four hours a week.  HR and IT are both valuable skills but do not have particular time requirements. Applicants with other skills and experience relevant to FIGS are welcome to apply. 

Please download the recruitment pack below and visit out website for further information.

Safeguarding Panel Member
Volunteer role
3-year term

Location - The post-holder will be expected to participate in regular Panel meetings, held on a quarterly basis. Some meetings will be online, while others may be held at the Provincial Office at Callaghan Square, Cardiff or another suitable venue to facilitate travel by Panel members from across Wales. Expenses will be reimbursed to cover the cost of travel.

Hours - Meetings are normally scheduled for 2 to 3 hours. In addition, a further 2 to 4 hours reading time may be required to peruse meeting papers and casework in advance of discussion. Papers are circulated a week in advance of meetings.

The Representative Body of the Church in Wales is the national administrative body of the Church in Wales. We have an exciting opportunity for a Safeguarding Panel Member to provide independent scrutiny and expert advice in relation to Provincial safeguarding casework, including responses to concerns relating to clergy, church officers and employees of the Church in Wales, support for survivors, safeguarding risk assessment and offender management.

Additionally, the Panel Member will be required to review and make recommendations to Bishops made by Provincial Safeguarding Officers in respect of casework and safeguarding risk management.  (The committee does not hold decision-making responsibility for safeguarding concerns and risk management but exists to provide quality assurance of the response to safeguarding casework within the Church in Wales). 

We believe that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility, and that good safeguarding must be at the heart of all that the Church in Wales does.

The successful candidate will provide strong, and informed advice to our organisation and bring a breadth of experience and specialist knowledge that helps protect our staff and congregation.  We are therefore looking to recruit a person with experience within statutory safeguarding organisations.

If you can think at a strategic level, quickly absorb complex information, and be decisive in your decision making, why not apply to be a panel member.

The successful candidate will be required to complete a satisfactory Basic DBS check.

Closing date: 7 July 2023 at 10:00am

TO APPLY:Please see the job profile before applying.  We require a completed application form for this role.

Perinatal Support Volunteers provide one-to-one support to parents during pregnancy and up to nine months after the birth. These parents either have mental health issues or are at risk of developing them.

Perinatal Support Volunteers visit these families once a week (usually weekdays during working hours) for 2-3 hours, providing emotional support and practical help in the family’s home or local community. Support is aimed at empowering parents and building resilience beyond the support period.

The type of support Perinatal Support Volunteers provide to parents may include:

• An empathetic and non-judgemental listening ear
• Support to prepare for parenthood
• Support to build confidence in parenting skills
• Support to develop a positive relationship with their infant
• Support to establish daily and weekly routines
• Support to take time for self-care
• Support to manage the things that are causing stress
• Support to access relevant services
• Support to access local green spaces
• Support to make connections with other parents

No special qualifications are necessary to become a Perinatal Support Volunteer, but Home-Start volunteers are usually either parents or grandparents themselves, or people with experience of young children and family life. We particularly welcome volunteers with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges.

Join the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth as a Safeguarding Committee Member

We are seeking skilled and experienced professionals who are passionate and committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people, to contribute to the work of the Safeguarding Committee for the Diocese of Portsmouth.

Time Commitment

The Safeguarding Committee meets 5 times a year with a mix of ‘online’ and in person meetings. Members are required to attend a minimum of 3 meetings a year.

About the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth and Safer Recruitment

Portsmouth Diocese adheres to the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency safer recruitment policy and procedure. Protecting people and safeguarding is a priority.

As a Diocese, we work in accordance with the eight national safeguarding standards and are a regulated affiliate with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA).  As part of our regulatory agreement, we are subject of independent audit and review. 

We are governed by the Bishop of Portsmouth, Bishop Philip Egan. We belong to the One, Holy, Catholic Church, which is led by the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo.

Our Diocese is spread across five counties on England’s South Coast, and the Channel Islands. We are the local Church for the whole of Hampshire, Berkshire, the Isle of Wight, Jersey, and the Bailiwick of Guernsey as well as the Southern Part of Oxfordshire and the Eastern part of Dorset.

We are made up of 87 Parishes in 24 Pastoral Areas, for a total of 136 Churches. We have 115 priests, 40 Deacons, 35 houses of religious brothers and sisters, and a Catholic population of more than a quarter of a million.

We belong to the province of Southwark, which covers the whole south coast from Kent to Cornwall. Our Metropolitan is the Archbishop of Southwark. Our province also includes the Archdiocese of Southwark, the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and the Diocese of Plymouth.

Role Profile and Person Specification

You will have a role in providing scrutiny and oversight on the work of the Diocesan safeguarding office, ensuring the arrangements are appropriate, continuously evaluated and developed.  Accordingly, you will be required to demonstrate skills and experience in the field of safeguarding, whilst being sympathetic to the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.

For more information, please refer to the attached Role Profile and Person Specification: Safeguarding Committee Member.

Safer Recruitment

Please refer to the attached Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency: Safer Recruitment Policy.

More Information

To arrange an informal chat with a member of the Diocese Safeguarding Team, or for more information about the role. Please find our contact details on the attached Role Profile and Person Specification: Safeguarding Committee Member document.

How to Apply

If you are ready to embark on a rewarding journey and contribute to the work of the Safeguarding Committee for the Diocese of Portsmouth, we would love to hear from you.

Please provide a CV and covering letter, detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role. Please apply via Charity Jobs, or apply direct to the Diocese of Portsmouth, contact details stated on the Role Profile and Person Specification document.

Your application will be reviewed and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal meeting with a member of the Diocese Safeguarding Team, to have the opportunity to find out more about the role and to discuss your application further.

Applications Close: Sunday 31st August at 11pm

We are seeking enthusiastic and committed volunteers to support our programmes in a variety of roles, including Subject Ambassadors, Front of House/Chaperones, and Stage/Production Crew.  These roles provide a fantastic opportunity to engage with students, parents, and MTA staff while contributing to a vibrant and inclusive learning and performance environment. 

Roles & Responsibilities: 

1. Subject Ambassador: 

· Actively participate in sessions to encourage student engagement 

· Champion an inclusive and fun learning experience for all

· Act as a classroom assistant to support our facilitators

· Provide pastoral care and learning support

· Lead by example with a positive and enthusiastic approach

· Depending on individual goals, work with MTA staff to develop a personal progression plan to gain relevant experience in key areas including (but not limited to): working with children, leadership, assistant directing, musical direction and more

· Actively represent and promote MTA at volunteer events and networking opportunities, engaging with attendees to share our mission and initiatives

2. Front of House / Chaperone 

· Help assist with events management in many areas which can align to your personal goals

· Potentially take on specific event tasks (i.e. events logistics including set up/pack down, running a stall at fundraising events etc.)

· Serve as a point of contact for students and parents ensuring a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.  

· Provide backstage support and supervision to children and young people – ensuring the children have a great experience

· Provide entertainment for groups (i.e. playing games, encouraging arts & crafts etc.)

· Help assist with moving children and young people to and from the stage and/or performance location

3. Stage / Production Crew 

· In line with your personal experience and/or personal development goals, help assist with the technical and/or logistical needs of performances  

· Support performance’s technical aspects; including set-up of equipment (lighting and/or sound), operation and pack down/get out

· Support performances with set design, build and/or production crew roles (stage management and stagehands)

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.

NEAT is looking for people to join our Trust Board of Directors. We're open to hear from any candidates who are motivated to contribute to the enhancement of education in our schools, whether that be with years of education experience, or with new insights and innovative thinking about how schools can and should support our learners.

We're especially keen to support people who may not have much experience on a Board, and those from underrepresented groups. If you have a passion for supporting pupils and some relevant skills or experience, we're keen to hear from you.

Our Directors work closely with our school governors and school leaders and have direct impact in the community through:

• decision making in the best interests of pupils to improve their education, wellbeing and future prospects and raise community aspirations
• shaping policies and strategic direction, allowing schools to focus on delivering high-quality educational experiences
• stakeholder engagement to ensure that the voices of staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders are heard

Do you want to make a difference and contribute to The Methodist Church?
Are you a keen and experienced individual who is interested in supporting the work we do to ensure that the Church is a safe place for all – children, young people, and adults?

About the role
The Methodist Church in Britain seeks to ensure that the Church is a safe place for all – children, young people, and adults. The Safeguarding Committee plays a critical role in ensuring good governance of safeguarding and provides scrutiny and oversight of safeguarding across the Church.

About You
We are looking for an experienced, committed person with deep expertise in safeguarding and the ability to support and challenge effectively, make good judgment and come to sound decisions.
We advise you to review the candidate pack, the role description and person specification ahead of completing and submitting your online expression of interest form. The candidate pack includes some useful information about our processes.

Please note that where appropriate, successful nominees will be asked to undertake further checks, including references and a DBS check.

If you have questions about the role or require reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact HR - details available on our website.

We are aiming to have a breadth of experience and backgrounds among the members of the Connexional Council, and therefore we particularly welcome applications from minority ethnic members of the Church, women, those with disabilities, and those who are still developing their careers.

Indicative Recruitment Timetable:
Closing date: 26 June 2025
Interviews Date: 28 July 2025
Provisional appointment start date: 1 October 2025

This is a voluntary position which in non-remunerated, but expenses are paid.

Are you passionate about creating a culture of welcome for refugees in the UK? Do you have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation? This could be the perfect role for you! 

STAR is a dynamic and exciting national charity which makes a huge impact on a small budget. We are looking for our new Co-Chair of Trustees. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about creating a culture of welcome in the UK for refugees ,who believes in the power of young people as changemakers and who wants to empower refugees to reach higher education to join our board of trustees. 

 The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation and be able to commit to at least 2 years in the role.

We are in particular looking for applicants who: 

• Have lived experience 
• Have HR experience 
• Have campaigns experience, in particular hybrid campaigning.
• Have charitable fundraising experience. 

 Applications from persons with lived refugee experience are highly encouraged. 

Role Description

To provide strategic oversight of:

• STAR’s compliance with its Articles of Association, policies, and law; 
• STAR’s compliance with all funding conditions and contracts;
• Whether STAR is best using its resources to meet its objectives; 
• The effective and efficient administration of STAR;
• Monitoring and reporting of financial information; 
• STAR’s funding and expenditure situation; and
• Implementation of STAR’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Safeguarding Policy in employment and service delivery.

Also to:

• Contribute actively to STAR by giving strategic direction and evaluating performance against targets
• Attend and prepare for board meetings
• Appoint board members and officers via the procedures in this policy
• Approve accounts
• Ensure that STAR and the board safeguard STAR’s values and reputation
• Provide any other assistance the board or STAR may require, as appropriate, particularly utilising any specialist skills or experience they may have.

Specific responsibilities of the Co- Chair

• Ensure the proper management of board meetings, including setting agendas in consultation with the Director, chairing meetings, facilitating discussions and decision;
• Oversee the administration and coordination of any sub-committees; 
• Monitor implementation of board and sub-committee decisions;
• Take "Chair’s action" between meetings, where an immediate decision is required;
• Serve as line-manager to the Director, and conduct regular planned supervision and appraisal;
• Represent Board as required to the public or external parties such as funders and government; and
• Keep other officers fully informed so that they can deputise if necessary
• Working alongside and in collaboration with the other STAR trustee co-chair, sharing responsibilities and ensuring excellent communicative shared working.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation
• A commitment to STAR’s values
• An awareness of issues affecting both STAR and the wider refugee sector, the ever shifting landscape of refugee policy and media coverage, or a willingness to learn and stay abreast of these current topics and new developments. 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend regular STAR meetings for at least 2 years
• Integrity and good independent judgement
• Strategic vision and an ability to stay focused on strategic objectives
• Willingness to take part in STAR discussions, contribute constructively and listen to others
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and liabilities of trustees of a charitable company
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• A commitment to the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the Equal Opportunities Policy
• Willingness to undertake training required to allow them to fulfil their duties.

Desirable 

Five years experience in one or more of:

• Working with people seeking asylum and refugees;
• Other work with the asylum/refugee/migrant sector;
• Charitable fundraising;
• Voluntary sector issues, such as trends for charities and partnership/network formation;
• Organisational development, growth or change;
• Human resources;
• Financial management/accountancy;
• IT;
• Negotiations;
• Marketing and public relations;
• Lobbying, advocacy and campaigning regarding social justice or social policy;
• Management and administration of a charity, for example as a director or trustee;
• Campaigning;
• Social Media/ Communications 

About Student Action for Refugees

STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is the national network of students building a society where refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed and can thrive. 

Set up by students at Nottingham University in 1994, STAR is creating a more understanding, just and welcoming society by: 

• empowering young people to be changemakers; 
• providing practical support and connecting local communities through volunteering and student volunteer led community projects; 
• challenging the structural barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking protection and building new lives in the UK; 
• Sharing trusted information about asylum and the lived experience of refugees to combat misinformation, hostile narratives and instead spread compassion and humanisation 

We have a small staff team who train and support the network and lead on national campaign and advocacy work, with expertise in improving access to higher education for forced migrants.

Here are just some of our highlights from last year:

• 37  STAR university student society groups, across 28  towns and cities, run by 222 STAR student leaders. 
• 262 events were organised by STAR groups to educate, campaign, and fundraise for a more welcoming UK, from art exhibitions to cookery classes and film nights.
• 1,280 refugees and people seeking asylum were supported by 413 volunteers  through 28 community projects and 25 one off volunteering events. 
• 100s of students mobilised to support calls for better treatment of refugees in the UK including standing against detention, for a fairer plan for refugees and to lift the ban on work.
• 88 UK universities now offer sanctuary scholarships for refugee students. The STAR staff team was involved in the development of many of these new scholarships and the improvement of  existing scholarships. We also ran workshops for hundreds of  university staff. 
• 15 STAR groups campaigned for Equal Access at their institutions and 4 won!
• 65 aspiring refugee students were supported by our mentoring project and we provided signposting and advice about accessing HE to over 470 people.

If you would like an informal chat before applying, please get in touch.

Deadline for applications: 11th July 2025

Interviews: Rolling

About Us

We care about our community; we care about our people.  Derby County Community Trust has a clear mission.  We harness the power of Derby County Football Club to improve lives and communities through sport, physical activity, health and education.  We help more than 25,000 people per year and our work is recognised and respected at regional and national levels.  Since 2008 we have been dedicated to fostering participation in sports, enhancing health and wellbeing, providing quality education and promoting equality and diversity.

About the Role

We are looking for a new Board Safeguarding Lead to join our award-winning organisation. As the charitable arm of Derby County Football Club, we aim to improve lives and communities through physical activity, sport, health and education. 

Working with over 30,000 participants each year, we have been a registered charity since 2008 - encouraging participation and achievement in sport, improving health and wellbeing, providing and enhancing education and promoting equality and diversity.

The trustee responsible for Safeguarding has delegated responsibility from the Board of Trustees to support the Safeguarding and Compliance Manager to ensure the organisation maintains high standards of safeguarding practices for the welfare and protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in its activities. 

Duties of the Role

• Policy Oversight: Ensuring the organisation has appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place and that they are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practices and legal requirements.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Monitoring compliance with safeguarding laws, regulations, and guidelines, and helping manage any safeguarding-related risks that arise within the Trust’s operations.
• Training and Awareness: Supporting the Safeguarding and Compliance Manager to ensure staff and volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding training to understand their responsibilities in protecting individuals at risk.
• Reporting and Accountability: Supporting the Safeguarding and Compliance Manager where required on safeguarding concerns or allegations, ensuring that any issues are reported and addressed appropriately in line with the Trust’s policies.
• Board Oversight: Reporting on safeguarding matters to the board of trustees, ensuring that safeguarding is a key part of organisational governance and decision-making.

The Safeguarding Trustee plays a critical role in promoting a culture of safety and ensuring that DCCT provides a safe environment for all its participants, especially those who are vulnerable. 

Click on Apply

To send a CV and covering A4 letter indicating why you are interested in joining the board and what skills and experiences could make you suitable for the role of Board Safeguarding Lead, to Paul Newman (Head of Community).