Communications volunteer volunteer roles in ilford, greater london

Lay Trustee role - Healthcare Infection Society - deadline: 23 September 2025

Our current Lay trustee demits in December 2025, and we are seeking a successor who is not from a clinical background but shares our values and vision This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to help shape HIS’s future, ensuring strong governance and supporting our ambitions for growth.

As a Lay Trustee, you will:

• Work with the Council and Chief Executive to uphold HIS’s vision, mission and values. Council meets quarterly.
• Work with Chief Financial Officer and serve on the Finance Committee, which meets quarterly to review financial performance, remuneration, and strategic and operational risks.
• Contribute to delivering the 2025-30 strategy.
• Oversee compliance with financial, legal and regulatory requirements.

No prior trustee experience is necessary – a full induction will be provided.

Who we are looking for

We are especially keen to hear from candidates with

• Financial investment and management experience (ideally in healthcare)
• Candidates should have no clinical background.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who support our mission and can actively contribute to our work. HIS is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture.

Join Design in Mental Health Network as a Trustee and help shape the future of mental health environments. Provide strategic guidance, support innovation, champion co-production, and ensure our work delivers real-world impact through inclusive, evidence-based design.

About DiMHN:

The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming mental health environments through inclusive, evidence-based design. Our network brings together professionals from healthcare, design, policy, and lived experience to improve mental health outcomes and create spaces that promote dignity, safety, and healing.

Role Overview:

As a Trustee, you will help guide the strategic direction of DiMHN, ensure effective governance, and champion our values. Trustees are expected to provide strategic oversight and contribute expertise to subgroups or advisory functions.

Why Join Us

Joining the Board of DiMHN presents an opportunity to shape the future of mental health environments across the UK and beyond.

You’ll be part of a passionate, forward-thinking community working at the intersection of design, care, and lived experience. 

As a Trustee, you’ll:

• Shape strategic direction to drive meaningful change in mental health environments across the UK and beyond.

• Collaborate with a diverse network of leaders, experts, and lived experience advocates, influencing the future of mental health design.

• Provide governance and oversight that ensures the charity’s growth, sustainability, and impact.

• Champion inclusivity by elevating voices often excluded from design and decision-making processes

• Influence policy, standards, and innovation at national and international levels to embed evidence-based design in mental health care.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people who believe in the power of design to change lives. Whether you come from healthcare, design, research, lived experience, or another walk of life, if you’re motivated by the idea of creating more inclusive, compassionate mental health environments, we want to hear from you.

We have two Trustee vacancies and warmly welcome applications from both first-time trustees and those with previous board experience. 

We value fresh perspectives and offer support to help you thrive in the role. We are especially interested in individuals who can bring insight in one or more of the following areas:

• Mental Health Services & Policy: Clinical, community, lived experience, commissioning, or estates, facilities and planning.

• Digital Health & Technology: Expertise in AI, immersive tech, digital platforms, or digital strategy in care settings.

• Finance & Commercial Strategy: Income generation, business development, or financial planning in health, social impact, or design sectors.

• Research & Evaluation: Academic or applied research, impact measurement, or policy analysis.

We’re also looking for Trustees who embody our values:

At DiMHN, our work is grounded in our core values. We’re looking for Trustees who reflect these values through both mindset and action:

Be Courageous – You’re willing to ask challenging questions, confront assumptions, and help push boundaries to make mental health spaces more inclusive and compassionate.

Empathy in Design – You understand that good design starts with empathy. Whether through lived experience or professional perspective, you value collaboration and co-production with those who access mental health care and support.

Evidence-Led, Impact-Driven – You’re curious, reflective, and motivated by real-world change. You use evidence to guide decisions and are focused on outcomes that make a difference.

Improve Together – You believe in learning together. You’re generous with your skills and committed to helping the DiMHN and the wider sector grow stronger through collective action.

Luminary provides training, employment and community to some of the most disadvantaged women in London. We work alongside women who have experienced gender-based violence and live with ‘multiple disadvantage’ - a term that recognises that many women experience multiple forms of social and economic disadvantage which interlink, intersect and
drive a cycle of deprivation. Our primary focus is helping these women achieve employment and reach independence - breaking the cycle of poverty, violence and disadvantage, once and for all. 

OVERVIEW
The Charities Act 1993 defines charity trustees as those responsible under the charity's governing document for controlling the administration and management of the charity. For Luminary Limited, the trustees oversee and support the operations of the charity, our Employability Support Programme, 1-to-1 holistic support, Mentor Scheme & next steps Progression Support Programme. 

We work in collaboration with, but independently of, the Board of Directors of the business, Luminary Bakery Limited, who oversee the governance of the bakery, café business and commercial operations.

**Please note: Due to the role responsibilities, it is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post holder is female, permitted under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010**

How we achieve our Mission
We use baking as a tool to guide women towards employability and independence. Over our two-year programme, women learn to bake, gain a catering qualification and develop transferable skills such as budgeting, interview techniques, working as a team, and resilience. Women gain valuable work experience through our sister organisation, Luminary
Bakery, as well as being paired with a volunteer mentor who helps her develop her career next steps.  However, our programme goes far beyond job skills. We offer access to highly-trained counsellors and each woman is supported by a dedicated Progression Support Worker to help her navigate the broader challenges she will face including housing and debt.

THE ROLE OF LUMINARY LIMITED’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
At its simplest, the role of the Trustee Board is to receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purposes of Luminary Limited. The Trustee Board must always act in the best interests of Luminary Limited, exercising the same standard of duty of care that a prudent person would apply if looking after the affairs of someone for
whom they have responsibility. The Trustee Board must act as a group and not as individuals.

DUTIES OF A TRUSTEE BOARD MEMBER
The duties of a Trustee Board member are to:
 Ensure that Luminary Limited complies with its Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
 Ensure that Luminary Limited pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
 Ensure Luminary Limited pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
 Ensure Luminary Limited applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects. 
 Contribute actively to the Trustee Board by giving firm strategic direction to Luminary Limited, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
 Safeguard the good name and values of Luminary Limited.
 Ensure the financial stability of Luminary Limited by opening up its network.
 Stay up to date with matters of charity law and issues affecting Luminary.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Trustee Board reach sound decisions, and to support Luminary Limited staff when necessary. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the Trustee has insight, experience or expertise.

DIVERSITY IN LUMINARY LIMITED’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
We are committed to building a diverse team and seek to be representative of those we are supporting, so we would especially like to hear from applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including the global majority. We also recognise the importance of lived experience in all roles within our organisation, and therefore welcome applications from
those with lived experience of disadvantage or gender-based violence.

Diversity brings together the rich mix of qualities that make a healthy and effective board, and therefore allows us to work to the best of our ability for Luminary Limited. Luminary Ltd and Luminary Bakery were originally established and founded as part of the Christian church community and were inspired by their faith to create opportunities for women who experienced disadvantage. Luminary supports applicants of all or no faiths and continues to be respectful of all faiths and beliefs, offering an inclusive space for everyone.

MINIMUM TIME COMMITMENT OF BEING A LUMINARY TRUSTEE
Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are held four times a year on weekday evenings, with some shorter meetings in between as necessary. The meetings last approximately two hours and are usually in Camden, London (physical attendance is preferred, but flexibility can be given in certain circumstances). Trustees are also expected to
attend the yearly Graduation Ceremony and 1-2 other social events, including Luminary staff gatherings.

In addition, each Trustee must:
 Be committed to the mission of Luminary Limited.
 Be able to commit for a minimum of three years on the Board.
 Be willing to meet the minimum time requirement.
 Have integrity and independent judgement.
 Be able to think creatively and speak their mind.
 Have an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
 Be able to work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of Luminary Limited.

Trustees:
 May be asked to join a board sub-committee, which would meet in between board
meetings.
 Are expected to attend some training sessions.
 Review policies and other documentation relating to charity governance.
 Are invited to attend trainee graduations and other social events.
 Can claim out-of-pocket expenses incurred in travelling to meetings.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Following an audit of the current skills & expertise on the board, Luminary are seeking five new Trustees with experience in the following areas:
 Legal experience and current practice, primarily in employment and charity law, to be able to guide the Board and CEO on legal matters informally and liaise with Luminary’s lawyers on an ad-hoc basis to provide support as needed.
 Experience in policy work and advocacy on violence against women and girls and/or related social justice issues.
 Experience of charity governance, including growing and scaling up a charity.

 Building and drawing on a fundraising network or fundraising experience to secure further investment support.

 Safeguarding expertise and experience to be able to support the Board and staff in ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

Personal Attributes
 Able to work collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders and beneficiaries
 Be passionate about Luminary’s purpose and vision for growth, and commitment to the organisation
 Be an effective communicator
 Be a strategic thinker
 Able to act decisively and be responsive
 Be willing to use connections to promote and advance the work of Luminary Limited

We believe this is an exciting opportunity for individuals with a strongly held belief in the benefits that empowering leadership skills can have in shaping the future of the next generation. 

We are looking for individuals that can promote our cause and are willing to share their personal and professional experience and insights as part of the collaborative decision-making of our Board of Trustees.

We are committed to diversity in the workplace through a workforce that reflects the population and communities we work with across the UK.

Our board of Trustees is currently under-represented by individuals with black, asian, and ethnically diverse heritage in addition to people aged under 30 years of age.

As such, we would welcome applicants with these backgrounds to support our aim of a nationally representative organisation workforce.

Knowledge, skills and experience

While we are interested in the person, we are looking for individuals with specific skills and experience in one, some, or all of the following areas:

o Working with primary and/or secondary schools, colleges, and/or youth-development organisations.

o Working in or with Awarding Organisations.

An understanding or experience of financial oversight is considered desirable but not essential.

Trustee commitment and responsibilities

All Trustee positions are voluntary with reasonable expenses remunerated.

To be an effective Trustee, you will need to commit approximately 1-2 days per quarter to attend and prepare for board meetings which are generally held virtually.

Members of our Audit, Risk and Compliance committee additionally meet two weeks before each board meeting for finance and regulation focused discussions with the Executive team.

Effective Trustees support our work by:

· Ensuring we are working towards our vision, mission and values in everything we do.

· Supporting strategic decision-making by actively contributing advice, guidance, and opinion in the pursuit of the organisation’s objectives.

· Constructively guide the Executive in the delivery of the organisation’s strategy.

· Actively represent and champion the work of the Leadership Skills Foundation.

· Maintaining proper financial and regulatory oversight promoting best practice as a Charity to ensure our sustainability and longevity.

Our values

Created in collaboration with the Leadership Skills Foundation team, our cultural values are our ways of working that we expect in all aspects of our interaction with each other and with our delivery centres, tutors, partners, and learners.

• We are better together

Together, we do great things. Collaboration, belonging and individuality aren’t just buzzwords to us; they’re deeply held commitments in the way we work. As we solve problems together, we make sure everyone feels listened to and valued.

• We are guided by goals

Every initiative we developed is guided by clear aims. From giving young people the confidence to achieve, to bringing major change to communities, all our goals are significant and focused on improvement.

• We evolve and innovate

As the world changes, so do the opportunities and challenges of the people we support. As different times call for different skills, we are brave enough to be different and to innovate to be fit for the future. 

• We have pride in our programmes

We never forget how valuable everyone’s future is. That’s why we go above and beyond to deliver high-quality trustworthy and regulated programmes.

Know someone great for this?

At the Community Hospice we believe in making every moment count. We’re here to support people to live as well as they can, for as long as they can. Each year, we care for around 3,000 people with terminal illness, as well as their families. Our care isn't restricted to one place - we care for patients wherever they call home or wherever best suits their needs.

We are now looking for new trustees to help guide and grow the work we do across Greenwich and Bexley.

We’re looking for people who share our values and bring experience in the legal, estates/facilities, retail or commercial sectors or General Practice. Local knowledge is a bonus, but not essential.

Our trustees come from all walks of life, and we welcome interest from people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're an experienced trustee or looking to take your first step at Board level, we'd love to hear from you. To help broaden the diversity of our Board, we particularly encourage applications from people from marginalised communities—including those from Black African and other ethnically minoritised backgrounds, people from the LGBTQ+ community, people with neurodiverse and/or physical disabilities, and those with lived experience of hospice or palliative care services.

This is a real opportunity to make a difference in your community, apply your expertise and be part of a supportive, compassionate organisation.

Find out more about the role and how to apply by clicking on the link below to our application pack.

Applications close: 18 August

Join the board of the national charity dedicated to supporting disabled children, young people and their families.

Trustee

Employer – Kids

Location – London (Meetings in Person)

Salary - Voluntary (Reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Hours - Approx. 1 day per month

Trustees also take part in at least one committee—such as the Finance and Audit Committee, Services and Safeguarding Committee, or People, Culture and Governance Committee—which typically meet online up to four times a year

Who we are:

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of kids have all kinds of opportunities.

Founded in 1970, we have grown into a national organisation supporting over 22,000 children, young people and families each year across England.

We are on an ambitious journey to reach at least 120,000 disabled children, young people and their families each year by 2027. Our vision is bold yet achievable: a society where disabled children, young people and their families enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

Now in the fourth year of an ambitious five-year strategy, we’re pursuing four bold goals:

• Support – Delivering impactful, sustainable services
• Innovate – Designing new models to transform lives
• Speak Up – Empowering young people to be agents of change
• Sustain – Building the financial and structural strength to grow

The Role

As our next Trustee, you’ll play a vital leadership role in bringing our vision to life. Working closely with our Chair, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight, guide our governance, and help scale our impact.

Time Commitment

This role is about more than simply being available—it’s about being genuinely engaged. We're hoping to find someone who feels inspired to make this a meaningful part of their journey. It may be your primary board or leadership role, given the depth of involvement, but it also offers the opportunity to contribute in a truly rewarding way.

Who You Are

We’re looking for four passionate individuals who bring compassion, curiosity, and credibility. People who value respectful dialogue, champion inclusion, and lead with integrity.

You’ll bring your unique perspective to enhance our culture—not just fit into it. You’ll contribute to a dynamic board that balances strategic scrutiny, inclusive leadership, and good governance with genuine care and collaboration.

You don’t need to have all the answers, but you should bring:

• Experience in governance or senior leadership
• A passion for disability rights, equity, and inclusion
• A commitment to empowering diverse voices
• A collaborative spirit and systems-thinking mindset

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of disability, those from underrepresented communities, and individuals who reflect the diversity of the families and children we serve.

Our Culture

At Kids, we celebrate what makes each of us unique. Our culture is rooted in care, collaboration, creativity, and professionalism. We actively listen and strive to ensure everyone we work with feels heard, respected, and included.

We are committed to breaking down systemic barriers, including racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of injustice. This is an ongoing journey, and we’re dedicated to learning and growing together.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need information in an alternative format or adjustments at any stage, please contact us —we’d love to hear how we can support you.

In Closing

You’ll be joining a brilliant team of Trustees, a passionate leadership team, and an organisation ready for change. Together, we’ll help build a world where disabled children and young people are celebrated for who they are and supported to reach their full potential.

This isn’t just a role. It’s a chance to reimagine what’s possible.

Join us. Lead with us. Grow with us.

For more information about this role, please visit our careers page

Application & Recruitment Process

• Closing date: 30th September 2025
• Online Interview and Face-to-Face meeting: October 2025
• If you’re inspired to join our Board, please complete our online application and upload an up-to-date CV, with a 2-page limit on an A4 document. Shortlisted candidates will have the chance to showcase their strengths and discuss important topics alongside our leadership team.