Communications volunteer roles in london

Contract/Expected Commitment - 3 years fixed-term

About us

SurvivorsUK exists for men and non-binary people who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual assault or rape, or any survivor who thinks we’re the right service for them.

We support – by providing services such as a helpline, counselling, ISVA and groupwork.
We challenge – by raising public awareness of the issue, and dispelling myths
We build – by creating and facilitating networks for better access to help

We provide emotional support, information and signposting to survivors and anyone worried about someone they know, through a national website and webchat service (open until 8pm most evenings). Last year, 2,600 people contacted us via our webchat services and social media.

In London, we are the only organisation providing specialist services for men and boys, including individual counselling and therapeutic group work. Across London, we provide the capital’s only Independent Sexual Advisor (ISVA) Service that helps men and boys through the criminal justice system.

Purpose of Role

This is an exciting time to be joining SurvivorsUK, as we look to expand our Board with committed professionals bringing their expertise in the following roles:

• Clinical Trustee
• Fundraising Lead Trustee
• Legal Lead Trustee
• Finance Lead Trustee

The organisation is currently reviewing our strategy and our new Trustees will bring complementary skills to help shape our work and plans for the future. SurvivorsUK is a well respected and financially stable charity delivering high quality, in-demand services to our beneficiaries.

We are looking for experienced people with passion, professionalism and commitment to help ensure we continue to deliver high quality services to those we support.

Main responsibilities of all Trustees include:

• To set and maintain the vision, mission and values.
• To ensure that SurvivorsUK pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.
• To maintain proper financial control and ensure that SurvivorsUK applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.
• To develop strategy and support the operational management of the organisation.
• To ensure that risk is assessed and managed effectively.
• To promote SurvivorsUK and its values, and act in the best interests of the charity.

To see the responsibilities and personal specification for each role, please click the specific job description below for more information:

Clinical Trustee recruitment pack
Fundraising Lead Trustee recruitment pack
Legal Lead Trustee recruitment pack
Finance Lead Trustee recruitment pack

Time Commitment

Usually there are six Board of Trustee meetings and one AGM per year. In addition, Trustees are expected to be part of a Board sub-committee.

Board meetings are generally held in the evening.

Trustees are also expected to attend occasional training and public or private events, e.g. supporter/fundraising events, strategic away days etc.

How to apply

To express an interest in the role and to be considered, please select your preferred application pack and submit the following:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A supporting statement that addresses the person specification in the recruitment pack and outlines your motivation for applying.

At SurvivorsUK, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We especially encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including men, non-binary, Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage, Trans, disabled people, and those from other marginalised groups. We recognise and value the unique experiences that arise from the intersections of these identities, and we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience or a strong understanding of the issues faced by our service users.

We also understand the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including job share opportunities, to support candidates with caregiving responsibilities or other needs.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or have any accessibility needs, please let us know. We are here to provide any support necessary to ensure the process is inclusive for you.

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

• CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
• The reading group is in Tooting and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education.
• Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
• The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
• The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
• Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
• Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates. 

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources; 

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• * Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.  

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish; 

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

We’re looking for passionate and insightful Advisory Board Members to help guide the growth and impact of our work. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or mental health professional, your perspective will play a vital role in ensuring our programmes remain grounded, relevant, and effective for the young people we serve.

In this role, you’ll provide strategic input, share your expertise and lived experience, and act as a sounding board for our team as we develop new initiatives. You won’t be involved in day-to-day operations, but your advice and guidance will help us make stronger decisions, deepen our impact in schools, and stay aligned with the needs of students and families.

This is a flexible, voluntary position with quarterly meetings (held online – with one being in-person), and you’ll be joining a supportive and passionate group of people who share a commitment to improving youth mental health.

We are particularly interested to see applicants who have experience in any of the following roles:

• Secondary School Teacher

• Middle/Senior Management in Education (e.g., Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher)

• School Counsellor or Wellbeing Lead

• Mental Health Professional (e.g., CAMHS clinician, therapist, nurse, psychiatrist)

• Parent/Carer with lived experience of supporting a young person’s mental health

• Youth Worker or Community Engagement Practitioner

• Academic/Researcher in child & adolescent mental health or education policy

Chair of Trustees - Terms of Reference

Introduction

Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN) is a well-established and highly respected UK-based charity working to reduce malnutrition globally. ENN strives to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition policy and programming by building evidence, convening critical actors and transferring knowledge. We are passionate about being field driven and are globally recognised as thought leaders and conveners in nutrition. Our vision is a world where ‘Every individual confronted by malnutrition has access to the knowledge, tools, services and resources they require to meet their needs.  We work with governments, civil society, UN, donor and academic organisations to achieve mutual goals. Through these collaborations we support agencies to implement evidence-based nutrition programming, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.

The Trustee Role

ENN is seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees to lead its Board with strategic insight, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the organisation’s mission. This is a significant and rewarding opportunity to guide the governance of a globally respected charity at a pivotal time in its journey.

As Chair, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring that the Board of Trustees operates effectively, provides strong oversight, and supports ENN to fulfil its charitable objectives. You will work in close partnership with the CEO and fellow Trustees to shape and monitor the delivery of ENN’s strategy, ensuring that the organisation complies with its purpose, charity law and company law and that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.

The Chair will also ensure that the Board functions properly and that effective decisions are made and implemented.

This role calls for someone with strong leadership presence, relevant experience, and a collaborative approach. Someone who can lead inclusive, focused meetings and create a supportive, respectful for both trustees and the senior management team.

A helpful summary of trustee roles and responsibilities can be found in Charity Commission guidance ‘The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do’

We are looking for a Chair who brings substantial leadership and governance experience, including at board level within the charity, public, academic, or international development sectors. While a background in nutrition or humanitarian work is not essential, a strong interest in global health, development, or social impact is important.

Your Responsibilities as a Trustee:

As Chair of the Board, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring the overall effectiveness of ENN’s governance and strategic direction. You will guide the Board in fulfilling its collective responsibility to uphold ENN’s mission and values, while supporting the organisation to thrive in a complex and evolving funding landscape.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Chairing the Board of Trustees: Leading quarterly Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting, ensuring well-structured and inclusive discussions, clear decision making, and effective follow-up on actions.
• Strategic Leadership: Working with the CEO and fellow trustees to shape and review ENN’s strategic direction and priorities, especially in light of changes in the global funding environment.
• Supporting Fundraising and External Relations: Acting as an ambassador for ENN, supporting engagement with key stakeholders including donors, partners, and networks. Where appropriate, the Chair and trustees may play a role in donor cultivation or advocacy.
• Governance and Compliance Oversight: Ensuring that ENN complies with its Articles of Association, charity and company law, and sector best practice. Overseeing the effectiveness of risk management and ensuring proper financial controls are in place.
• Board Development and Succession: Ensuring the Board remains diverse, skilled, and effective by leading on trustee recruitment, development, and performance review processes. Championing a culture of inclusion and learning.
• Relationship with the Executive Director: Building a strong, supportive, and transparent relationship with the CEO. Providing guidance and challenge as a critical friend and ensuring effective communication between the Board and ENN’s Management Team.
• Safeguarding and Ethical Oversight: Promoting and safeguarding ENN’s reputation, values and policies including its commitment to safeguarding, equity, and ethical conduct.
• Adaptability in Financial Stewardship: Supporting the Board and Executive Team to respond proactively to funding challenges and opportunities, including exploring alternative funding models and revenue diversification.

The Chair will be expected to attend quarterly Board meetings (held virtually and occasionally in-person), subcommittee meetings where relevant, and represent ENN externally when needed. This is a voluntary position, with reasonable travel and related expenses reimbursed.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrable experience of senior leadership, preferably at board level, within the non-profit, public, or international development sectors.
• Strategic vision and the ability to identify and understand response to changing contexts.
• Proven ability to chair complex meetings effectively, enabling inclusive, strategic, and outcomes-focused discussions.
• A strong understanding of governance responsibilities, including the legal duties of charity trustees, and a commitment to high standards of ethical and financial stewardship.
• Experience in guiding organisational strategy, change management, and performance monitoring at a senior level.
• Insight into the UK charity sector, the Charity Commission’s regulatory framework, and good governance principles.
• A good understanding of global development funding trends, with an appreciation of how geopolitical shifts have impacted international donors and the wider NGO landscape.
• Experience in supporting income diversification and navigating financial uncertainty, including stewarding fundraising strategy, major donor engagement, or building new funding partnerships.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to support and challenge constructively, build consensus, and maintain a strong, positive relationship with the CEO and senior management team.
• An ability to serve as an ambassador for ENN’s mission, engaging confidently with external stakeholders, donors, and sector leaders.
• A clear alignment with ENN’s values, commitment to equity and inclusion, and passion for reducing global malnutrition.

Previous experience of charity trusteeship is desirable but not essential if the candidate demonstrates equivalent governance or board leadership experience in another sector.

Membership and Operation of the Board

The ENN Board of Trustees comprises individuals appointed by the Trust Members, selected for their diverse skills, experience, and commitment to ENN’s mission and values. Collectively, the Board provides strategic leadership, ensures good governance, and supports ENN in delivering its charitable objectives.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of four years and are eligible for reappointment at the discretion of the Trust Members at a General Meeting, in accordance with ENN’s Articles of Association.

The Chair of Trustees is elected by the Board from among its members. The Chair serves for a term of up to three years and may be re-elected for one additional term. This ensures a balance of continuity and renewal in Board leadership.

The Board meets quarterly and may convene additional meetings as required. Trustees are expected to attend meetings regularly and actively participate in subcommittees, working groups, and strategic initiatives as needed.

Time Commitment – And our Commitment to You

Your commitment in an average year is likely to be 4 pre-fixed board meetings, each of half a day.  Each of these are preceded by sub-committee meetings, usually of ninety-minutes, and each trustee is expected to participate in one sub-committee. Other committee and ad hoc meetings and additional support will be arranged as agreed. We encourage active participation and engagement, and Trustees often give more time outside of this, on their own terms.

Board meetings are held virtually, with an intention to hold one facilitated face to face meeting at the ENN HQ in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, every two years. Additional sub-committee meetings will be convened remotely. 

Ideally you will join the Board in 2025, though we can show some flexibility on this for the right candidate, and in your first few months you should allow for additional time for induction and orientation (including meeting a number of the Leadership Team). 
Remuneration

This is an unpaid, voluntary position.  Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed for attendance at Board meetings and other Trustee activities in line with ENN’s policies.  Some employers encourage and enable trusteeship as part of wider career development and corporate social responsibility; please check with your organisation and their relevant policies. 

Our Values and Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

ENN is committed to diversity and inclusion, and to building a culture where every staff member and volunteer is recognised and valued as an individual.  We actively encourage applications from a broad range of experiences and backgrounds and are particularly interested in improving representation of younger people and minority ethnic groups on our Board.

To Apply

If you believe you’re the candidate we’re looking for please submit a CV and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages describing your motivation behind applying for the role, as well as explaining how you believe your skills and experience match what we are looking for.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th September 2025  

It is expected that shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal interview during the week commencing Monday 29th September 2025

Screening Checks

All candidates who we progress will be screened through Accuity World Compliance to comply with counter terrorism and financial sanctions regulations. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check (or equivalent criminal records check where available, for non-UK citizens) and 2 satisfactory references.  If you already have a transferrable enhanced DBS, please state this in your application.

Additional Information About ENN 

A Letter from the Board of Trustees

At ENN we are truly passionate about what we do. Over the past 27 years ENN has become a powerful and recognised name in the nutrition sector, working with others to influence outcomes around the world. We produce highly regarded research and publications that inform and inspire practitioners worldwide and we convene technical interest groups and communities of practice who are the ‘go to’ networks for their specialisms. Our partners know and trust ENN for quality, rigour and impartiality.  Our work makes a real difference in the lives of children in some of the most difficult parts of the world. The ENN-led Operational Guidance on Infant Feeding in Emergencies has become the key global policy guidance and has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly, and our technical leadership and convening has facilitated real change in awareness and a new narrative, challenging siloed approaches to Wasting and Stunting management.

Our work has never been more important. Nutritional challenges are growing across the world; undernutrition rates may be slowly decreasing but other forms of malnutrition are on the rise.  The positive progress that is being made is unequal and many countries are now facing the double burden of both under and over nutrition. Crises around the world are increasingly protracted and the historical and artificial silos of ‘humanitarian’ and ‘development’ don’t reflect real needs which are much more fluid. Emerging threats, such as the broader impact on nutrition of the COVID-19 pandemic bring new challenges to address.

At present our annual turnover is around £1.8m (c. USD2.27m), we employ 28 staff and engage 20 - 30 specialist consultants. With our new strategy, we are keen to drive even greater impact by exploring new and innovative approaches and increasing our reach further still. We do so with funding in place from a range of institutional partners and private foundations.

As an organisation working across numerous technical areas relevant for countries experiencing high burden of malnutrition, we look to the board, and those trustees with a more technical focus in particular, to discuss new technical gap areas with us to ensure we maintain a responsive and balanced portfolio, to help us further develop our network, funding and connections, and to help us navigate the important work we do to influence structural and impactful change in the sector, including advising in situations where there is potential for strategic risk. We are looking for a Technical Trustee to join the board who can bring their technical knowledge and extensive experience to this role.

We hope the enclosed information helps you to explore ENN and the role.

With best wishes,

The ENN Board of Trustees 

Vision

Our vision is  ‘Every individual confronted by malnutrition has access to the knowledge, tools, services and resources they require to meet their needs’

Our History

Founded in 1996 in Ireland, ENN has a long and rich history in global nutrition.  Following an evaluation of the Great Lakes Emergency in 1995, implementing agencies identified an urgent need to establish a vehicle for capturing programming experiences and preserving institutional memory in the emergency food and nutrition sector. This gave rise to ENN’s publication, Field Exchange, which was first produced in 1996, designed to stimulate critical thinking and learning, influence research agendas and cross-fertilise information and exchange.  ENN was generously hosted by Trinity College Dublin for its first eight years, before relocating to Oxfordshire in 2004 and is now a UK registered Charity. 

"To me, ENN is one of the most long-standing focal points for emergency nutrition technical information and coordination." (ENN partner) 

Who We Are Now

Our Strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition policy and programming by improving knowledge, stimulating learning, building evidence and providing support and encouragement to practitioners and decision-makers involved in nutrition and related interventions.  We take a particular lens on fragile and conflict affected, and high burden, states.  We have three core principles guiding our work:

· Independent, neutral and impartial

ENN is not bound by the views or positions of any one institution and is not a nutrition implementing agency. Any opinions expressed are based on the available evidence and the experience of our rich and diverse network.

· Driven by our network

ENN’s network is made up of practitioners, decision-makers and academics working on nutrition and associated fields all over the world. By supporting their learning and sharing their knowledge, ENN is able to make a unique contribution to turning knowledge into practice.

· Based on experiential learning and evidence

ENN believes that policy and practice can, and should be, informed by evidence and experience. Where this exists, ENN seeks to share the learning from this evidence and experience; where it is missing, ENN advocates for it to be developed or directly supports, and often brokers, its development.

Our People

ENN’s team is made up of a range of technical experts in nutrition, with decades of collective experience, and a small operational team.  ENN’s Management Team comprises of the CEO, 2 Technical Directors, a Finance Manager, HR Manager & Projects Coordinator Lead. As well as our 28 staff, we engage a significant number of experienced specialist consultants on our projects.  ENN is highly committed to diversity and inclusion, to enabling and promoting flexible working for our staff, and to supporting continued professional development.

Our Finances

ENN is financially supported by a range of institutional donors (including the Irish and US governments), charitable foundations (including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Eleanor Crook Foundation), as well as UN agencies and INGOs.  Our income has grown over the last few years, with income in the current FY 2023 projected at around £2m (c. $2.5m).

Our Governance

ENN is a UK-registered charity (Charity Registration Number: 1115156) governed by the Board of Trustees and a set of ‘Articles of Association’. The Board is currently comprised of 8 Trustees and meets regularly throughout the year, with full board meetings on a quarterly basis. The Board currently has three sub-committees, one covering Governance & People, another Technical and the other Finance, which are responsible for ensuring the highest standards in terms of finance, personnel, and technical expertise and application.

As a UK-registered Charity, ENN also files accounts as a UK-registered Company with Companies House (Company Registration Number 04889844).

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer  Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual;

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering 

To Apply: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

Trustees at Bromley Experts by Experience play a vital role, collaborating with the Chair, fellow Trustees and the Senior Management Team to set a clear and strong strategic direction for the organisation. You will ensure that Bromley Experts by Experience is delivering against its charitable objectives and working in line with our governing documents. You will also support Bromley Experts by Experience to grow and develop as an organisation by combining your lived experience and professional expertise in a specific field, enabling us to become more impactful and effective.

As a trustee, you are also responsible for ensuring that Bromley Experts by Experience uses its resources effectively and efficiently to deliver its charitable purposes and continue to provide benefit to our members, beneficiaries and local Deaf and Disabled people.

Areas of expertise we are prioritising

We are especially seeking trustees with expertise in one or more of these areas:

• Fundraising Strategy:
  • Supporting X by X Bromley to sustain, maximise and diversify income streams and fundraising activity.
  • Supporting the development of a Fundraising Policy and Plan of Action.
  • Building and maintaining relationships with funders and commissioners.
• Human Resources:
  • Supporting the Deputy CEO and ensuring that X by X Bromley complies with relevant employment laws and regulations.
  • Advising on good practice in staffing and HR matters.
  • Supporting the development, and review of, HR policies and procedures.
• Legal and Policy:
  • Guiding on relevant legal and policy matters, including contracts and governance.
• Organisational Strategy:
  • Supporting Senior Management Team to shape our strategic direction and plan for implementation.
• Secondary and Further Education:
  • Supporting X by X Bromley with advice for a brand-new stream of youth work in education settings.

IMPORTANT: As a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation, our governing articles require that our staff, trustees and volunteers bring with them lived experience of disability (self-identified or otherwise). See how we define this below.

Responsibilities of Trustees:

• Ensure that Bromley Experts by Experience operates in accordance with its governing documents and the law
• Set a clear and strong strategic direction for the organisation
• Ensure that Bromley Experts by Experience uses its resources (financial and otherwise) effectively and efficiently to deliver its charitable purposes
• Manage risks responsibly, avoiding exposing Bromley Experts by Experience to unnecessary risk and taking appropriate steps to mitigate risks
• Make decisions about Bromley Experts by Experience’s policies and strategies
• Be an ambassador for Bromley Experts by Experience, promoting our work and values

What we ask of you:

• Trustee Board Members should expect to serve for a minimum of 12 months.
• Trustee Board Members are required to attend scheduled meetings with some ad hoc meetings where necessary.
• It is anticipated that the time commitment will be an approximate average 1.5 hours per week. This will mainly comprise of:
  • Board meeting attendance (plus preparation and minutes) every 8 weeks.
  • AGM attendance (plus preparation and minutes)
  • Supporting our annual Disability Pride event.
  • Occasional scheduled meetings with senior staff and/or Chair.
• As we are a very small charity, there could be occasions when extra time will be required (e.g. during the planning of new projects or dealing with any particular difficulties that arise), or where additional support would be appreciated (e.g. attending events, meeting members at project days)

Key Skills and Qualities:

• Lived Experience of disability (can be self-identified)
• A belief that Disabled people can and should be actively welcomed and included in our communities. An understanding that it is barriers in society that make that harder. This is called the Social Model of Disability.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Experience of how Trustee Boards operate and of effective charity governance
• Accuracy and efficiency with an eye for detail.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, communicating in a way that is accessible to you.
• Possess and demonstrate integrity, objectivity, accountability, and honesty.
• An effective team worker, contributing an independent perspective.
• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and the financial aspects of running a charity.
• A genuine interest in local communities and people.
• Commitment to Bromley Experts by Experience’s aims, objectives and values.

You must be legally eligible to stand as a registered Company Director and Charity Trustee. Having had previous experience as a trustee of a voluntary organisation is an advantage.

We require a DBS Check to be completed for all Trustees.

We are especially seeking trustees with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising Strategy
• Human Resources
• Legal and Policy
• Organisational Strategy
• Secondary and Further Education

What we mean by lived experience of disability:

As we follow the Social Model of Disability, our definition of Disabled person includes anyone who is being discriminated against or disabled by barriers in society, including:

• People with physical impairment
• People with visual impairment
• Deaf people
• People with hearing impairment
• People who are neurodivergent
• People with learning difficulties/disabilities
• People who experience mental health conditions/mental distress
• People with long-term health conditions

We recognise that a lot of these impairments are invisible and many people have more than one impairment.

Ideal time commitment: approx. 10-15 hours per month; flexible

Responsible to: Fundraising Trustee

Bi Pride UK’s mission is to create spaces where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities. It’s not enough to be ‘welcome’ at Pride. We make up a very large proportion of the queer community – the 2021 Census actually shows we’re half of the community – and we deserve to be visible and celebrated in our own right.

There are many ways to make this happen, and we work in many ways to bring this change about:

• Outreach work with other Prides, LGBTQ+ organisations and bi organisations – our consultation work with local Prides, the UK Pride Organisers Network and local and national LGBTQ+ organisations works in a tailored way to make sure that bi-inclusion is a top priority and is being done well
• Organising a high-profile annual Bi Pride event – from September 2019, Bi Pride UK made history with the largest ever gathering of bi people recorded. A performance stage, a panel stage, stall village, street food, and over 1,300 attendees. After going virtual with the BiFi Festival for 2020 due to Covid-19 and running a virtual Pride event in 2021, we came back in person in 2022 with a hybrid event, and have been running the event in this format ever since
• Building a strong online and virtual community – just as important as the rest of our work is making sure that people hear about it! People need to know what resources and spaces exist for them, and how they can connect with other people like them

The role:

We are looking for a volunteer to lead our Fundraising team, a team which we envision comprising volunteers managing grants fundraising, corporate fundraising and community fundraising. At present we don’t yet have any volunteers working specifically on fundraising, making this an exciting opportunity to take on a new challenge of building up a crucial team of fundraisers enabling us to deliver our charitable work.

Our income streams at present have some healthy diversity, including corporate sponsorship, income from delivering training and consultation work, regular and one-off individual giving, merchandise sales, event revenue and other miscellaneous sources. We are particularly keen to increase our grants income from trusts and foundations and plan to bring in volunteer capacity and skills to allow us to develop this area.

The Head of Fundraising will be responsible for leading the direction of this team, thinking strategically about how to maximise income and recruiting and managing the volunteers who will lead on the different fundraising areas. Their first priority will be to begin to build a team of volunteers to support with fundraising activities, supported by Bi Pride UK’s Volunteer Management team.

Once the team has been built up, day-to-day responsibilities of the Head will include:

• Chairing regular fundraising team meetings;
• Working with the Chair and the Fundraising Trustee to set achievable fundraising targets for the team;
• Maintaining relationships with existing corporate partners and cultivating new relationships in line with Bi Pride UK’s values;
• Supporting other teams within Bi Pride UK to explore income generating opportunities in their own work.

The Head of Fundraising will have three primary objectives:

1. Expanding income from trusts and foundations;
2. Stewarding existing and new corporate relationships;
3. Facilitating other teams to increase income for Bi Pride UK.

Our team volunteers remotely from anywhere in the UK, with some travel required occasionally (primarily for our flagship Pride event in London in September). Our Trustees and Heads meetings take place via conference call on the third Monday evening of every month. All reasonable expenses incurred are reimbursed, including travel, lunch at away days and other all day events, and some childcare costs if required.

Volunteer specification:

• Interest and passion for tackling discrimination against and improving the visibility of people in the UK who experience attraction to more than one gender;
• An understanding of the needs of bi people and communities in the UK;
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Bi Pride UK;
• A creative problem solver, always seeking solutions;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Ability to self-motivate when working remotely;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Experience working in a targets-driven income generation context (either corporate or non-profit);
• Experience of managing a team delivering on multiple areas;
• Experience of building networks and relationships with a variety of clients and/or stakeholders with a long-term view to generating income.

The position is open to anyone over the age of 18. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially minority groups such as applicants of colour, trans and non-binary applicants and disabled and neurodivergent applicants. Bi Pride UK is aware of the barriers that can be faced in gaining traditional work experience, particularly for global majority, disabled and neurodivergent, and trans people. We will give weight to this and encourage people when applying to consider caring responsibilities, including parenthood, volunteering, and other non-paid experiences and responsibilities when making their application.

Could you help your local SSAFA branch recruit volunteers in your area? You just some basic I.T and admin skills, patience, the ability to get on with a wide range of people and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Recruitment Coordinator?

Recruitment Coordinators help us find local people interested in supporting SSAFA and take them through our recruitment and selection process.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our beneficiaries come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

To offer the best possible service to our clients we need to match the right volunteers to the right role. Could you spare a few hours a week to help recruit new volunteers and welcome them to SSAFA by supporting them through their induction phase? We’d love to hear from you if think you could help with this important role.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The role is about recruitment and so will involve attending local recruitment fairs a few times a year as well as meeting volunteers both face-to-face and virtually. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but the administration part of the ole can be done form home.

What would you be doing?

• Be the first point of contact for all volunteering enquiries, ensuring that all potential volunteers receive a timely response.
• Supporting volunteers through the recruitment and induction process and ensuring volunteers are communicated with throughout.
• Arranging informal interviews for new volunteers conducted in-line with SSAFA policies.
• Conducting ID checks (where relevant) so the volunteer can begin the vetting process
• Supporting volunteers to book onto role specific training and ensuring they complete their mandatory training.
• Working with the VDM to ensure branch vacancies are advertised on the branch website and national websites and support any national recruitment campaigns
• Maintaining good relationships with local Volunteer Centres and other local sources of volunteer promotion and attend local recruitment fairs.
• Evaluating volunteer recruitment activity, experimenting with creative ways to recruit volunteers from a variety of sources to create a diverse network of volunteers.
• Treating all potential volunteers inclusively with respect and sensitivity, regardless of age or background
• Supporting any volunteers facing barriers to find a suitable role.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit others.
• Appreciate that your role has a positive impact on the quality of service we can provide to beneficiaries as well as providing volunteering opportunities.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. This training would take approx. 3 hours.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.  
• Access to a range of e-learning courses.
• Support from the Volunteer Development Manager and Trainer (per region)
• Access to the Volunteer Experience Team based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people, with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude  
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Good written and spoken English.
• Respectful and non-judgemental with potential volunteers, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and during the role, including accessing and responding to emails and using Microsoft offices software.
• Ability to encourage and motivate all volunteers to undertake training.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely., in line with SSAFA policies.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to meetings and events and t meet volunteers.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

· Develop your skills and competencies.

· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *

· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.

Inspiring, supportive, and committed - just a few of the words we’d use to describe our volunteers. 

At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we’d love you to join us. 

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 Befriending Service aims 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 to meet the needs of the service users

How to apply 

To apply, simply click the “apply now” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form. 

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. 

Trustees x 2 (Chair of Audit & Risk Committee and member of the Finance, Investment & Resources Committee)

Join our Board and support us as we embark on a new chapter; launching our ambitious five-year strategy focused on helping more children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability to live the best life possible.

• Location: Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5RU
• Applicatiosn close on Friday 17th October

Who we are

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability. With a clear vision for the future and a renewed leadership team, we are positioned to lead innovation in childhood brain injury and neurodisability rehabilitation. We have an ambitious new strategic direction focusing on innovative rehabilitation approaches that will help more children rebuild their lives after brain injury and neurodisability, and we’re seeking exceptional Trustees to help guide us through this transformational phase.

Every year, 40,000 children in the UK acquire a brain injury and neurodisability through accident or illness, often losing fundamental abilities like walking, talking, or feeding themselves. At The Children’s Trust, we help these children rebuild not just their skills, but their confidence and self-esteem. Through our unique combination of therapy, healthcare, education and joyful activities, we show children what they can achieve rather than focusing on what they cannot do.

Based at our specialist centre in Tadworth, Surrey, we deliver residential rehabilitation, operate a pioneering special school, and provide community services that reach families across the country. With recent CQC and Ofsted inspections continuing to be extremely positive, we are about to launch our ambitious five-year strategy, focused on helping more children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability to live the best life possible. There has never been a more important time to join us.

About the role

We have made a number of key appointments to the Board and senior leadership team in the last 12-18 months, including a new Chair and Chief Executive. With some of our longest serving Trustees approaching the end of their terms, we are looking to make further appointments to our Board and committees to bring fresh, external perspective, challenge and leadership.

We are seeking two outstanding individuals to join our Board as Trustees, each bringing distinct expertise to support our continued growth and excellence.

• Chair of Audit & Risk Committee:

This pivotal role will take over from our departing Chair of the committee when her second term concludes in April 2025. We need someone with substantial financial expertise and a deep understanding of governance and risk management who can provide both effective oversight and practical support. The ideal candidate will have recent experience with audit committees and external audits, bringing the technical knowledge and confidence to engage with auditors when necessary.

While we’re open to various professional backgrounds, some understanding of regulation and the charity context would be particularly valuable.

Above all, we need someone who understands what good governance, risk management and Board assurance looks like and can help us maintain the highest standards in a regulated environment.

• Finance, Investment & Resources Committee Member:

Our second Trustee will join a committee that covers not just finance, but the full spectrum of our resources, including estates, people, and digital infrastructure. This is very much about financial management and commercial acumen rather than purely technical accounting.

We’re looking for someone who has run operations and can contribute to the strategic changes we’re implementing. Whether you’re a CEO, COO, or senior leader with a financial background, we want someone who brings that broader perspective of leading and managing an organisation and can help support executive leaders.

Who we are looking for

Both roles require Trustees who align with our mission and are genuinely excited by our work with children with brain injury and neurodisability. You’ll be joining a Board that’s been significantly refreshed over the past two years. We’re particularly committed to increasing diversity on our Board and would be especially pleased to hear from candidates with lived experience of brain injury, neurodisability, disability or neurodiversity, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, lower socio-economic backgrounds, or who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ communities.

You’ll need to be an effective communicator who can build relationships across our organisation, absorb complex information, and think laterally to find pragmatic solutions. Most importantly, you must be able to commit the time needed to help drive the charity forward through this period of change, demonstrating high ethical standards and a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Time Commitment

We estimate both roles require approximately the equivalent of two days per month.

This includes preparation for and attendance at board meetings, which typically meet 6 times a year, including our annual strategy away day, and committee meetings (committees typically meet 4-6 times annually). Outside of the formal meeting schedule,  it is likely that additional time for relationship building and ad hoc discussions with the executive team and fellow board members.

Board meetings take place in person at our Tadworth site, in Surrey, though we maintain flexibility for online participation where appropriate. Committee meetings are generally held online.

This is an ideal time to join The Children’s Trust. We have stable finances, a clear strategic direction, and the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation in childhood brain injury rehabilitation.

If you’re looking for a trustee role where you can make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable children in our society, where your expertise will be valued and utilised, and where you’ll be part of a forward-looking organisation with genuine ambition for the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close Friday 17th October.

Your role

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just 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 

As a Regional Fundraising Volunteer, you will support Rethink Mental Illness in generating income, raising awareness, and building community engagement through local fundraising initiatives. The role will involve event planning and support, and public engagement to help achieve regional fundraising goals. 

You will play a major part in bringing to life regional fundraising activities in line with our “Rethink in the Community" concept and increase regional awareness to generate much needed additional income and amplify the impact of the work Rethink Mental Illness do.

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. 

Regional locations

Whilst this is a home based role, you will occasionally attend events within your region. We're particularly interested in receiving applications from people who live in the following areas:

Yorkshire & Northeast: Newcastle, Gateshead, York, Sunderland

Northwest: Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent

Midlands: Birmingham, Solihull, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Walsall

Southwest: Gloucester, Bristol, Plymouth, North Devon, South Devon, Cornwall

East of England: Norfolk, Norwich, Ipswich

What you will be doing as a Regional Fundraising Volunteer: 

• Support and assist in organising and participating in local fundraising events.

• Help with event logistics, set-up, and participant engagement to ensure smooth delivery. 

• Take part in local initiatives acquiring donors and do it yourself fundraisers. 

• Increase awareness of the organisation’s work by helping to promote regional fundraising activity. 

• Represent the organisation at schools, community groups, and public events, delivering presentations to inspire support. 

• Communicate with supporters via phone, email, and face-to-face interactions. 

• Attend and contribute to meetings with the fundraising team and supporters to share updates and ideas. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?  

You will have good knowledge of your local community and be passionate about making a difference to those severely affected by mental illness. You will also have:

• The ability to organise events and activities

• The ability to inspire and motivate others

• Good communication skills

• Creative ideas to promote diverse fundraising activities 

• Dedication to our cause 

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. 

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Fundraising Chair to lead our newly established Fundraising Committee. This is a voluntary leadership position that will play a crucial role in securing the financial resources needed to expand our impact and support more young people in their journey to employment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building and chairing a dedicated fundraising committee, developing strategic fundraising initiatives, and driving our organization's revenue generation efforts to support our mission.

About Shadow to Shine

Shadow to Shine is a dedicated charity committed to supporting young people aged 16-25 into meaningful employment opportunities. Through our programs and initiatives, we help bridge the gap between education and career success for 120+ young people each year, providing vital resources, mentorship, and pathways to sustainable employment.

In our 5 years of running we have delivered over 

50+ programmes for 1130+ young people

10+ corporate partnerships 

300 hours of mentoring 

And are getting ready to kick start the next phase of our growth!

Key Responsibilities

Committee Leadership

• Recruit, build, and lead a volunteer Fundraising Committee of 5-8 committed members

• Chair regular committee meetings and ensure effective governance

• Provide strategic direction and vision for all fundraising activities

• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented committee culture

• Report regularly to the Board of Trustees on fundraising progress and strategy

Fundraising Strategy 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy

• Identify and prioritize diverse revenue streams including grants, corporate partnerships, individual donations, and fundraising events

• Set ambitious yet achievable annual fundraising targets

• Oversee the planning and execution of major fundraising campaigns and events

• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporate sponsors, and grant-making organizations

Stakeholder Engagement

(Potential & current donors, community, funders)

• Represent the charity at fundraising events, donor meetings, and community gatherings

• Cultivate long-term relationships with current and prospective supporters

• Work collaboratively with the CEO/Executive Director and Board of Trustees

• Serve as an ambassador for the charity's mission and impact

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with relevant regulations and charity law

• Maintain high standards of donor stewardship and transparency

• Oversee proper acknowledgment and recognition of supporters

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives

Essential Experience

• Proven track record in fundraising, business development, or senior leadership roles

• Experience in recruiting and leading volunteer teams or committees

• Strong network of professional and personal contacts

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Ability to develop and lead multi-stream fundraising strategies across event corporates and grant channels. 

• Understanding of charity sector regulations and best practices

• Strong understanding of ethical fundraising practices and donor engagement 

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous experience in charity or non-profit fundraising

• Knowledge of grant application processes

• Experience with corporate partnership development

• Background in youth development or employment support

• Professional qualifications in marketing, business, or related fields

Personal Qualities

• Passionate commitment to supporting young people into employment

• Natural leader with ability to inspire and motivate others

• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence

• Resilient and results-oriented mindset

• High level of integrity and professionalism

• Collaborative approach with strong team-working abilities

Time Commitment

This is a flexible role, requiring approximate 6-8 hours per month, with peaks during campaign period. Meetings are typical held in the evening or virtually, accommodating professional and family commitments. 

• 6-8 hours per month (Once the recruitment of committee is complete this will reduce)

• Monthly Fundraising Committee meetings (1hr)

• Quarterly Board of Trustees meetings for reporting

• Attendance at key fundraising events and donor meetings

• Additional time during major campaign periods

What We Offer

• Opportunity to make a significant and direct impact on young people's lives

• Meaningful leadership role shaping the future of a growing and dynamic charity

• Professional development and networking opportunities

• Recognition for your contributions and achievements

• Supportive environment with access to relevant training and resources

• Satisfaction of building something meaningful from the ground up

Reporting Structure

The Fundraising Chairman will work closely with the CEO/Executive Director and report to the Board of Trustees. The role involves collaboration with existing staff members and volunteers across all areas of the charity's work.

Application Process

To apply for this rewarding volunteer position, please submit:

• A covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience

• Current CV highlighting fundraising and leadership experience

• Contact details for two professional references

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our commitment to supporting young people into employment.

Who we are 

ECA offers a Social Centre that serves as a place for people to reconnect with old friends and meet new people in a secure and inviting setting. While activities are primarily aimed at elderly and vulnerable adults in the local area, the centre is open to everyone.

Our current programme includes

• Social gatherings at the Elleray Social Centre.
• Arts, crafts, educational talks, and workshops.
• Exercise Classes, Gentle fitness classes tailored for seniors, both indoor and outdoor.
• Counselling and support groups.
• Outings

Services like hairdressing, chiropody, and daily hot lunches

How we operate 

The Social Centre is managed by a Centre Manager, Administrator, Activity and Volunteer Coordinator, and a cook. They are supported by a team of approximately 40 volunteers who assist in the office, gardens, café, and facilitate daily activities. The organization operates as a Charitable Company regulated by the Charities Commission and has eight Trustees on the Board of Trustees. The Trustees meet six times a year, with additional meetings as needed.

To discuss the role further, please contact the current Chair, Joan Barnett.

Chair Role Description 

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that ECA achieves its mission.
• Work in partnership with the Centre Manager and team to achieve ECA’s mission.
• Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.
• Optimise the relationship between the board and ECA’s staff and volunteers.
• Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.
• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for ECA.

What we are looking for

• Ideally previous experience of being a trustee.  
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• Governance and committee experience in a charity or business setting.
• Strong in execution and managing transformation projects, including leading the charity in the new ECA building setting.  
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and ability to constructively negotiate and collaborate with various institutions, entities, and personnel.
• Affinity with and commitment to the local SW London and Teddington area.
• Business experience and awareness across finance, risk, IT, and people management, would be desirable.    
• An inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.  
• The ability to listen and engage effectively, comfortable with challenge and debate and able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.  
• In advocation, be able and willing to champion ECA’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.  
• Be available, responsive and flexible to advise, support or give consent to, as needed.

Terms of office  

• Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term of office, renewal for 2 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending [6] Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are generally held in person at the ECA building.
• Periodic meetings with the Centre Manager and management team, with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad-hoc issues.
• Other meetings, including on potential strategy and other charity-related issues.  

In addition to the above, the Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees:

Responsibilities of all trustees 

• Support and provide advice on ECA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.  
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation. 
• Oversee ECA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.  
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation. 
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively. 
• Review and approve ECA’s financial statements. 
• Provide support and challenge to the ECA’s management team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs. 
• Keep abreast of changes in ECA’s operating environment. 
• Contribute to regular reviews of the ECA’s own governance. 
• Convene and attend Board meetings, and be prepared to contribute to discussions and lead on proposed outcomes.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect ECA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests. 
• Contribute to the broader promotion of ECA’s objects, aims, and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.

Essential qualities and attributes of all trustees 

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and act in the best interests of the charity. 
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgment, and work effectively as a board member. 
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.  
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission. 
• Willingness to lead according to the ECA values.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

The Elleray Centre

The Centre will be fully accessible, featuring a lift to the first floor. It includes a large hall that can split into two rooms and two additional activity rooms upstairs. A café and lounge will also open onto a garden with outdoor seating.

The funding for the new centre comes from Richmond Council, acknowledging ECA's local contributions over three decades. The future centre is leased from the council.

Deadline 31/10/2025

Application includes CV and brief covering letter 

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.