Community advice volunteer roles in rotherhithe, greater london

Volunteer Lead for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership.

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact?

We are seeking an enthusiastic Volunteer Lead to support our charity, managing and supporting part-time staff that are involved in the recruitment,  retention and development of volunteers, and being part of a team that develops our strategy and volunteer roles as we evolve as a charity.

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) provides practical and emotional support, advice and befriending to refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum living in the Watford and Three Rivers area. We are a growing charity serving an increasing number of clients. We have been able to secure some funding which has enabled us to employ three members of staff, one full time Caseworker and a part time Office Manager and a part time Volunteer Coordinator.  We are based in St. Mary’s Church, Watford in the heart of the City Centre. For over 20 years we have had a strong volunteer base and as we grow,  we are navigating the change of continuing to work with a strong volunteer base as well as staff. We have over 70 volunteers currently, that engage in a number of roles ranging from Caseworkers, ESOL teachers, Social Hub volunteers and Fundraisers.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with some experience of managing staff and working with volunteers, to provide supervision to our Office Manager and our Volunteer Co-ordinator.  You will also help us develop our volunteers.

You will work closely with our HR Lead reviewing and updating our policies and guidance for volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

· Line manage and support two members of staff who are part time and are involved in the recruitment and support of volunteers.

· Have a strategic focus on Volunteer development

· Develop our training, support and retention of volunteers

· Identify gaps in roles in our organisation and develop new roles

· Foster a positive and productive culture within our charity

· Be part of a team to resolve issues with staff and volunteers using clear processes

· Become a Trustee of the Charity and attend meetings which are held in the evenings in Watford

Do you have these?

· Some experience of managing staff

· Understanding of working in a organisation with volunteers

· Some experience of managing volunteers (desirable)

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Desire to support the Charity grow and develop

· Experience of providing training and support  (desirable)

· Some occasional availability on Tuesdays for part of the period 11.00-14.00, when most of our volunteers are present (highly desirable).

Time Commitment

The hours would vary but at least 3-5 hours a week.

Committee meetings are on varying weekday evenings, currently 6 per year.

What you will gain:

· Satisfaction from being part of bringing positive change to migrants and asylum seekers in the local community

· Valuable experience in a charitable organisation – both strategic and practical

· Access to training with NCVO

· Being part of a team of trustees

Interested in the role?

If you would like to have an informal chat initially, please contact us, or you can apply via Charity Jobs.

Volunteer Befriender: Home-Start Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham

Do you have experience with young children and have two hours to spare a week?

Are you a compassionate and reliable person who wants to make a real difference in the lives of families?

Home-Start WKCHF is looking for volunteers to support parents and children who are facing challenges such as isolation, mental health struggles, or financial difficulties.

About the Role

As a Home-Start volunteer, you will provide emotional and practical support to families with young children in their own homes. Your role may involve:                                                                                                                                                     

• Offering friendship, a listening ear and encouragement
• Helping parents build confidence in their parenting skills
• Providing practical support such as accompanying families to appointments, family hubs or groups
• Signposting to additional services and community resources

What We’re Looking For

• A friendly and non-judgmental attitude
• Experience parenting or caring for children
• Good listening and communication skills
• Commitment to volunteering for two hour per week for a minimum of six months
• Willingness to attend free preparation course and undergo a DBS / reference checks

What We Offer

• Free Volunteer Preparation Training Course
• Regular 1-to-1 supervision and ongoing support
• Additional training opportunities to enhance your skills and experience
• Reimbursement of travel and out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteer Social Events
• A chance to develop new skills and meet like-minded people
• The opportunity to make a lasting impact on families’ lives

Join Us!

About Adventure Ashram 

Adventure Ashram is a small but mighty UK-based charity founded by adventurers in 2007. We support grassroots partners in India to deliver essential projects focused on: 

• Combating human trafficking 

• Supporting education for vulnerable children 

• Providing access to vital healthcare 

Our approach is bold, adventurous, and collaborative. We raise funds through exciting events, creative campaigns, and overseas adventures—like our flagship global initiative, Yoga Stops Traffick.

Role: Trustee – Finance Specialist (Treasurer Role Available) 

We are looking for a new Trustee with strong finance or accounting expertise to join our Board and help steward the charity’s finances. 

This is a key governance role. 

What we’re looking for 

We’re seeking someone who can provide financial oversight and strategic advice to ensure our resources are used effectively and transparently. 

You might have experience in: 

• Charity finance, audit, or financial management 

• Budgeting and forecasting 

• Risk management and financial reporting 

• Strategic financial planning 

• Investment, reserves or funding models for small charities 

• Serving as a Treasurer or Finance Trustee (desirable, not essential) 

A recognised accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) would be valuable, but we welcome applications from those with relevant experience regardless of qualification status. 

Trustee Commitment 

• Board Meetings: 4 per year (weekday evenings, usually online) 

• Committee Involvement: All trustees join a committee (Finance, Fundraising, or Programme Management). The Finance Committee meets every 2 months. 

• Events: Attend 1–2 UK-based Adventure Ashram events per year (where possible) 

• Approximate time commitment: 1–2 hours per week 

Why Join Us? 

By joining Adventure Ashram’s Board, you’ll: 

• Play a vital role in ensuring good governance and financial health 

• Help steer a unique, adventure-fuelled charity into a sustainable future 

• Contribute to life-changing work supporting survivors of trafficking and vulnerable communities in India 

• Gain experience in nonprofit governance and leadership 

“Adventure Ashram is a brilliant small charity; it supports fantastic projects in India and manages to have a lot of fun in the process. Volunteering as a trustee gives me a chance to do something meaningful with good people—and I can’t wait to welcome more members to the team.” 
— Current Trustee 

Play your part in harnessing the value of the UK’s natural environment for everyone 

Recently celebrating its 10 year anniversary, the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN) has gained widespread recognition as a trusted source of insight for all with role in the stewardship of land, water and nature. Through our events, resources, advice and communications, we support a wide range of people, from volunteers in small local environmental initiatives to representatives of big businesses. Our job is to help them harness the value of the environment for everyone’s wellbeing and prosperity. We are a registered charity and a growing social enterprise. 

From architecture to agriculture, ecology to engineering and finance to fisheries, EKN is a diverse network of professionals. We run pioneering events on ‘frontline’ topics not addressed by others, enabling mutual understanding, collaboration, and action between different sectors and interests.  For example, convening events on the role of games and gamification in nature recovery, and running the renowned series of conferences on the rapidly growing topic of nature finance (now into the sixth year).  

We think the natural environment has huge untapped potential to help resolve issues of concern people and businesses in this part of the 21st Century. The current Board is now recruiting up to three new trustees to guide EKN in this endeavour and to deliver to its 4,000+ members and stakeholders. The role includes attending quarterly Trustee meetings (normally online) and we are seeking candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

1. Skills and knowledge development 

1. Treasurer - financial and commercial oversight 

1. Rural land and communities 

We are looking for people who are committed to using their expertise and professional networks in support of our charitable objectives and social enterprise goals. 

In accordance with Charity Commission rules, Trustees are not entitled to receive remuneration. All reasonable expenses incurred in relation to the role will be reimbursed. The positions are open to anyone who resides in the UK and has the right to work in the UK. 

New members of the Board will be asked to complete a declaration of their business interests. They will need to fulfil their role in accordance with the rules and guidance set of charity trustees in the UK. It is important that they are able to safeguard the independence and impartiality of EKN. 

At EKN we know that diversity of thoughts, perspectives and lived experience fosters innovation. We are committed to fairness, equal opportunity and inclusion and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, abilities and identities across all UK nations

Clinical Trustees

We have a vacancy for clinical trustees who have worked in health or social care to join our board of trustees, to be part of the full board and our clinical sub-committee. We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic to support the organisation with their skills and knowledge to continue to deliver a service that is safe and meaningful to its service users. We are particularly keen to meet a candidate who has experience in community neurological services and safeguarding.

We are a charity with 30 years’ experience of providing physical, emotional, and social support to adults with long-term neurological conditions in Richmond and neighbouring boroughs. Our passionate, professional service helps individuals and their carers to achieve a greater quality of life, enhancing their long-term well-being. INS has up to twelve trustees and has three subcommittees Clinical, Finance and Fundraising and Marketing.

 We are looking for a trustee who is initerested in

Working with fellow trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity’s strategy.

Commited to attending 3 Clinical Committee meetings per annum (on average lasting 1.5 hours), as well as four full board Trustee meetings (1-2 hours) • Prepare for and participate fully in board and sub-committee meetings.

Ensuring the proper management and administration of the charity.

Using any specific skills, knowledge or experience you have, to help the board of trustees reach quick and sound decision by leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Reviewing funding applications, agree the allocation of funds and have oversight of the progress of funded projects.

Promoting the work of INS externally

Participating in sub-committees.

Ensuring that the charity’s mission, values, and the principles of best practice are upheld in the delivery of its objectives. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately cats can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

• Going out to scan cats; own transport is needed

• Delivering donated food to stray cats being fed by households, if required

• Providing a quarterly update report to the local volunteer committee

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Responding to enquiries from the public about lost and found cats
• Keeping up to date records of lost and founds cats
• Matching cats that are reported lost with those reported found
• Advertising lost and found cats
• Providing help and information to owners about their lost cats

Time expectation 

Our lost and found volunteers usually spend between 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

HR Lead for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact?

We are seeking a Human Resources lead to support our charity in developing and managing our HR strategy, policies and processes.

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) provides practical and emotional support, advice and befriending to refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum living in the Watford and Three Rivers area. We are a growing charity serving an increasing number of clients. We have been able to secure some funding which has enabled us to be able to employ three members of staff, one Full time Caseworker, a part time Office Manager and a part time Volunteer Coordinator.  We are based in St. Mary’s Church, Watford in the heart of the City Centre.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with the passion and drive for Human Resources, who will play a key role in shaping our HR policies and practice, supporting our team, and ensuring a positive and effective work environment.  As well as paid staff, we have a pool of dedicated volunteers that support the charity and there will be some policies that will need reviewing that apply to both staff and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop HR policies and procedures aligned with best practice

· Guide the Trustees on performance management and development

· Provide guidance on employment law, contracts and HR compliance

· Foster a positive and productive culture within our Charity

· Be part of a team to resolve issues with staff and volunteers using clear processes

· Become a Trustee of the Charity and attend meetings which are held in the evenings in Watford

Who We’re Looking For

· HR experience (manager level desirable)

· Knowledge of HR policies, employment law, and best practice

· Ability to adapt to the context of the Charity, and working with volunteers

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Someone who is interested in supporting the Charity grow and develop

Time Commitment

The hours would vary and initially may be more whilst our policies are developed and reviewed.

3-5 hours a week.

Committee meetings are on varying weekday evenings, currently 6 per year.

What you will gain:

· Satisfaction from being part of bringing positive change to migrants and asylum seekers in the local community

· Valuable experience in a charitable organisation – both strategic and practical

· Access to training with NCVO

· Being part of a team of trustees

Interested in the role?

If you would like to have an informal chat initially, please contact us, or you can apply via Charity Jobs.

We are looking for individuals to join our Board in 2025. In recent years we’ve increased and diversified the membership of the Board including the launch of our Associate Board Member programme in 2023. We are looking to continue this work with dynamic and committed people to support further growth and development, building on our achievements.

We want to recruit new Board Members, alongside an opportunity for two Associate Board Members.

Being a Board Member

Board Members play an integral role in providing robust governance and stewardship, in externally supporting future development through advocacy with regional, national and international stakeholders, potential funders and partners from the public and private sectors. Board Members benefit from working with a small, creative and enthusiastic team on the strategic development of the organisation.

What is an AND Associate Board Member?

We have developed a 12 month programme for two Associate Board Members. These roles will work alongside the AND Board of Trustees, and have been designed as a development  programme aimed to support potential candidates who do not yet have (sufficient) board-level experience, or the required availability, but have the passion and potential to be a future AND Board member.

The Associate Board Member roles have been created to support individuals who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector, providing greater access to training opportunities, and to add further diversity and richness of perspective to the organisation.

Associate Board Members will:

• bring unique experience from their field of expertise 
• share our passion for new ideas and artforms
• place inclusion and engagement at the heart of our culture and vision
• be provided with relevant shadowing, mentoring or training opportunities to support their skills development over 12 months
• attend quarterly AND Board meetings (without legal responsibility or voting rights) 
• have the opportunity to apply to become a Board Member after 12 months

It is not necessary to have governance/board-level exposure or experience, but a general understanding of how boards work is required.

If you feel that you don’t quite meet the person specification in the recruitment pack but you’re excited and interested in the opportunity, please get in touch following the application process outlined below.

Joining the AND Board as a Trustee

We are currently looking for individuals to join the AND Board with experience in the following areas: 

• Strategic Regional Public Sector Knowledge
• Environmental Sustainability
• Charity Finance 
• PR / Digital Communications
• Regional commercial business knowledge across the creative sector, immersive and digital technologies

This isn’t an exhaustive list, and we’re interested in hearing from anyone who believes they have skills or experience to positively contribute to the organisation. We’re also looking for candidates interested in exploring a Vice Chair role with a view to future succession planning for AND Chair. We’re committed to opening up opportunities to people who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds, Disabled candidates and candidates under 30.

What is it like to be on the AND Board?

Read an interview with our Trustees Sam Bompass and Katie Moffat about being on the AND Board.

About AND

AND is an arts organisation known for creating radical, site-responsive projects at the intersection of art, technology and digital culture.

Working across the UK and internationally, AND commissions artists to explore the social, environmental and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Our portfolio includes large-scale outdoor artworks, exhibitions, research programmes, residencies, online projects and our flagship AND Festival — a nomadic biennial bringing cutting-edge digital experiences to diverse locations.

Our work often takes place in unexpected settings, from post-industrial towns to natural landscapes, creating space for bold experimentation and critical reflection. At our core, we champion interdisciplinary collaboration and are committed to inclusive, sustainable practices that challenge what is considered ‘normal’ in culture today

Practical Details

AND’s Board currently meets for a minimum of four times a year, through a mix of online, and in person meetings in Manchester (UK). There are additional, occasional meetings and sub-committee groups which can be attended via video call. We are particularly interested in hearing from North-based candidates, especially those with regional public sector or commercial business expertise, although we are open to applications from candidates from across the UK.

This is an unpaid role. You’ll need to commit around a day a month to the role. AND will reimburse reasonable travel expenses to meetings in full.

How to apply

• Read our AND Board Membership Recruitment Pack or our AND Associate Board Membership Pack
• If you’d like to speak informally about becoming an AND Board Member or Associate Board Member, you are welcome to request a conversation by Friday 30 May 2025
• Following this, we ask for a CV along with a short written statement (max 1 page) / video (max 3 minutes) to be submitted by Midnight Sunday 22 June 2025 with AND BOARD MEMBER ROLE or AND ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBER ROLE as the subject field.
• Complete an Equal Opportunities Form (submitted anonymously)

Become our Trustee Tresurer and chair our Finance Committee.We need a Trustees with energy, enthusiasm and commitment to help accelerate our influcence on wildlife and nature recovery issues in the country and beyond.

With a refreshed 3-year strategy (23-26), “A Wilder Herefordshire, More Nature Everywhere” we’re working hard to recover nature at scale through deeper collaborations, working with local community organisations and networks to develop a clear plan for nature’s recovery. We are also working with neighbouring Wildlife Trusts, river partnerships and national partners such as the Woodland Trust, National Trust, and Duchy of Cornwall.

So, with lots happening, it’s an exciting if challenging time for the Trust.  Urgent action is needed to address the decline of wildlife in our beautiful county – and we need to muster all the resources and skills we can to succeed.

We are a welcoming board who support and challenge each other to do better for wildlife.

We look to recruit trustees from a range of backgrounds, life stages and skills to join us.

At this time, we wish to recruit someone to take on the role of Treasurer, and chair our Finance Committee. You would need the following skills and qualities:

· A strong commitment to wildlife conservation and the Vision of the Trust;

· Demonstrable experience of financial management;

· The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences;

· A good understanding of governance, gained either as a Trustee of another charity, a director of a company, or as a manager who has worked with Boards;

· The ability to apply clear logical thinking and creativity to developing our strategy

If you are successful, you will be welcomed and supported by a talented and committed board of trustees, a strong and experienced staff team and an active and expanding band of volunteers and by the wider Wildlife Trust movement. We hope you are inspired to apply, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Alison McLean OBE, Chair, March 2025

The Night Stars is a volunteer night-safety initiative run by Westminster City Council. The program aims to provide a welcoming place for all and collaborate to ensure that Westminster’s nightlife remains a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike. Volunteers are there to help anyone who finds themselves in a vulnerable situation, whether they need water, someone to talk to, or a safe place to sober up.  It is delivered across the West End, and focuses on areas such as Soho, Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and Embankment, and operates on Fridays from 19:00 pm to 04.00am. 

This is great opportunity for students to gain volunteer experience and key skills necessary for future success. We have many volunteers, and it is a wonderful way for them to make friends and new connections, as well as learn more about London's night-time economy.

The role is highly flexible, but your aim will be to:

• Act as an ambassador for the night-time economy and interact with visitors and local businesses to create a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Provide information, advice and practical support to visitors and vulnerable people
• Signpost people to support services if required.
• Be part of the wider strategic partnership in the area which is supporting and protecting visitors. In other words, interacting with emergency services such as the police, ambulance services, BIDS, and council enforcement staff, to ensure that Westminster remains safe.
• Look after those who are unable to keep themselves safe, and support them to get home without coming to harm

During patrols, volunteers may engage with:

• Intoxicated or Lost Individuals in need of assistance 
• Victims of Crime, such as theft and assault
• Individuals in Need of Emotional or Mental Health Support
• Venue Security and Emergency Services
• Council Enforcement Staff, such as City Inspectors or Anti-Social Behaviour Officers

Skills Required

• Empathy for the needs of vulnerable people.
• Excellent team player.
• Outgoing, friendly, and positive character.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to use your own initiative but able to ask for help when needed.
• Willing to work unsociable hours.

Training and support

• Alcohol and Drugs Awareness: Handling intoxication situations.
• Conflict Resolution: Managing aggression.
• Adult and Child Safeguarding: Ensuring safety and protection.
• Women’s Vulnerability Awareness: Intervening in vulnerable situations.
• Anti-Sexual Harassment: Preventing and addressing harassment.
• Communication: Effective interaction techniques.
• Emotional Support: Assisting distressed individuals.
• First Aid: Basic emergency medical skills.
• Equipment Use: Proper handling and operation.
• Counter Terrorism: Guidance on safety procedures.
• Employee Assistance: Access to the council's support services.

These trainings ensure that volunteers are well-prepared to handle various situations effectively and safely.

Benefits to volunteers

• The satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference to vulnerable people.
• Building self-confidence and the ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to undertake specific training and gain experience of supporting the vulnerable and conflict resolution.
• Opportunity to meet new people and learn more about London’s night-time economy.
• Working as part of the team and wider strategic partnership for the night-time economy.
• Offers great experience to anyone considering a career in the social sciences, health or social care, medicine, public engagement, crime prevention or a career that requires effective communication, dynamic problem solving, and teamwork.

We are a successful and professionally run charitable preschool at the heart of Walthamstow with a strong ethos and excellent reputation. We’re here to make sure everyone has access to high quality and affordable early years education and childcare.

The treasurer's role is to oversee the financial health of the organisation and ensure that it's managed in a way that protects its financial integrity. This is one of several trustee positions that we are currently advertising for.

What we are looking for:
• A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to balance risk and opportunity.
• A clear communicator with the ability to bring financial information alive to non-finance specialists.
• An individual willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting and setting budget

Duties include:

• Working with the Manager and bookkeeper on the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Ensuring, at a board level, that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the Manager and bookkeeper
• Being knowledgeable of the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised.
• Working with the Manager and chair to oversee the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting financial risk.
• Supporting the Manager/ Independent Examiner to ensure that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies e.g. the Charity Commission
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Manager and chair to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

Trustees - We are also looking for trustees to join as board members

To apply

Please send the completed application form outlining why you’re interested in our organisation and what you would bring to the Board along with a CV to our Manager, Lilijana Markaj

Deadline: Tuesday 29th April 2025

Ofsted Registration: 153685

Registered Charity No: 1123684

Company Number: 6420566

Haig Housing Trust provides housing for veterans and their families. We’re looking for a passionate, experienced individual to join our Board of Trustees and help us drive real change.

What will you be doing?

Our purpose is to provide quality homes to improve the lives of veterans and their families. We have a long and proud history of supporting our beneficiaries. We have over 1,500 properties across the UK on small well-managed estates, ranging from six houses to 360 homes on our largest estate in Morden. Homes are available at an affordable rent. We also offer extensive support, advice and signposting to assist those in housing need. We believe housing is fundamental to building thriving communities.

This is an exciting time to join our board. Now under the recent Patronage of HRH The Princess Royal we have ambitious plans to improve our housing stock, grow the support we offer our beneficiaries and ensure they remain at the core of everything we do. We have a strong leadership team, a robust financial base and are confident about our future.

Due to planned retirement we want to strengthen the Board. We want to stress that no board experience is necessary to apply – we will help you to learn and grow. What we do ask is that you are committed, curious and collaborative.  If you have a legal background, that would be of particular interest.

We are on an important journey to improve our impact, growing investment in our properties over the next five years. We froze rents in 2022, allowing us to keep increases to below inflation over the last four years. We want to build our profile, thinking creatively about the needs of the veteran community and on how to innovate our service delivery for their benefit. With our new chair, the Board will shape our strategic goals, ensuring that we continue to deliver housing that is fit for the future.  

We are in a strong financial position. Total income in FY 23/24 was £12M.  We are debt-free with a strong balance sheet. We own our properties, have strong reserves and are diversifying our income, growing fundraising so that we can modernise our homes and increase our impact.

We are governed by a diverse Board of independent, non-executive trustees with a wealth of professional, charity and Armed Forces experience. Trustees meet formally every quarter and delegate specific issues to three committees (Finance and Risk, Estates and People) that report to the Board. Overall, we have c60 staff, based in Victoria, led by the Chief Executive and a Senior Leadership Team of four.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification

Essential

• Clear empathy for Armed Forces veterans and their families and a passion for our mission.
• A collaborative, engaging style that promotes positive relationships at all levels and with partners.
• A willingness to help us develop and deliver better customer service.
• Commitment to help us grow our standing with public, private and civil society organisations.
• Willing to learn about those areas of running a charity with which you are not familiar
• Personal integrity and credibility that grows confidence at all levels with everyone you meet.

Able to make the time commitments of the role.

Desirable

• Experience of operating in the charitable sector.
• Connections within the military and veterans’ sectors.
• Legal experience (in a relevant sector)

What difference will you make?

Trustees bring their own experience to a Board, using their skill and judgement to enable good decision-making and deliver impact.  If you share our passion for helping those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families and want to play your part in delivering a better future for them, we’d love to hear from you.

We do ask that candidates commit to:

• Attending four board meetings, a strategy offsite and four sub-committee meetings a year.
• Developing a good understanding of our operations and the environment in which we operate.
• Meeting the people we help and the teams that support them.
• Helping the board ensure the highest standards of governance and strategic focus.
• Monitoring the performance of Haig’s activities in a constructive and collaborative way.
• Making time, skills, and experience available (in and outside of regular board meetings).

The overall time commitment is around 1 day a month on average. Board usually meets in person in London each quarter; committee meetings are remote. Trustees are appointed for renewable terms of office of three years. The role is unremunerated, although expenses are reimbursed.

Before you apply

To express interest please contact us via Reach. Applications by CV and covering letter (max 2-sides A4).  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Branch Trustees

RSPCA Stort Valley Branch – multiple opportunities

Help us make the world a better place for animals

RSPCA Branches rescue, rehabilitate and rehome those animals most at risk through clinics, animal centres, boarding and fostering facilities; offer advice and education on animal welfare; and support with microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments for animals owned by people in financial difficulty.

Each RSPCA branch (of which there are approx. 150) is a separately registered charity, operating at a local level across England and Wales. Branches did 78% of the rehoming activity across the RSPCA network in 2020 and took more than 31,000 animals into their care. There are also over 300 RSPCA charity shops, all of which are run by RSPCA branches. The RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare since 1824 when we were founded in a London coffee shop, and we’re proud to be the oldest animal welfare charity around.

What does RSPCA Stort Valley Branch do?

We cover an area either side of the M11 from Saffron Walden in the north to Harlow in the south and fundraise and offer welfare services within this area.

The animal welfare services that we offer are centred around our busy clinic in Harlow and include:

•  Subsidised routine veterinary treatment and microchipping for owned animals - in 2024, we made over 2,200 consultations at our Harlow clinic and administered more than 500 vaccinations and 250 microchips.
•  Advice and education
• Community outreach

We operate a charity shop in Bishops Stortford town centre, selling clothes, books, games and other items to help with our fundraising.

In addition to our Harlow clinic, we work closely with RSPCA animal centres and inspectors to support their work and to look after and re-home animals rescued in our branch area. We also support neighbouring branches by seeing some owned animals from their nearby towns at our clinic. We are working to improve our fostering network to help with rehoming, and are keen to step up our fundraising work to enable us to provide additional welfare support to the community.

What do RSPCA branch trustees do?

RSPCA branch trustees are volunteers who shape the work that the branch does, and are collectively responsible for governing and managing the affairs of the branch. “Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.” “Trustees are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run.” “They may be known by other titles, such as: directors, board members, governors, committee members” - Charity Commission. At Stort Valley, we have a lovely team of staff and volunteers with experienced, capable people managing our shop and clinic day-to-day. Trustees will set the strategy, make the big decisions and lead on new initiatives.

To find out more about being a Trustee, visit the Goverment Trustee - What's involved which explains what trustees do. There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

Stort Valley Branch is presently in the process of converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), the modern legal form for many charities - loosely equivalent to a Limited Company. We expect to complete the change in the second half of this year (2025).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for applications from people from all social and cultural backgrounds, who are passionate about improving animal welfare. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced trustee or not, as trustee training and induction will be provided. If you can bring relevant skills and experience from other aspects of your life, that’s great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll learn some new ones here!

Right now, we would like to recruit several additional Trustees. We’ll define and re-balance the roles of all the Trustees once our new Trustees have settled in, so we’re not necessarily looking for you to select a specific role at this stage. The opportunities could include taking the lead on fundraising, overseeing our clinic or shop, increasing our local outreach and education activities, enhancing our online presence and recognition, and more. Ideally, for some of the roles, you’ll be relatively local to the branch area; others can be done remotely.

We hold monthly Trustees’ meetings, which last 1.5~2 hours. We ask for Trustees to join as many of these meetings as possible. You’ll also need to allow time to prepare for meetings - creating or reading through any relevant documents in advance – and of course, for the specific activities you take on. We normally meet in the evening, online (Google Meet), at times chosen to suit Trustees’ availability.

Trustees are elected or re-elected for a 12-month term at the branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Between AGMs, branches have the ability to co-opt an additional three trustees who serve until the next AGM and can then be elected.

What’s in it for you?

There are lots of benefits to becoming an RSPCA Branch Trustee, including:

•  induction and trustee training
•  the chance to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare
•  the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones
• the ability to use your skills to improve the wellbeing of animals in your local area, and make a real difference to the lives of animals
•  the capacity to shape innovative projects, and be part of the RSPCA’s ten-year strategy - “Together for animal welfare”
•  access to our learning hub, which contains training materials and courses on a variety of subjects
•  the chance to shape the services in your local area
•  volunteering is good for your wellbeing.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Would you like to be part of our future?  After a period of growth Grassroots Suicide Prevention are seeking to recruit further trustees.

We are a national suicide prevention charity, and our vision is a future where more lives are saved from suicide. We empower people to help saves lives from suicide through connecting, educating, and campaigning nationally:

· Connecting: We listen and connect people to support through our Stay Alive app, tools, and resources to help keep people safe from suicide.

· Educating: We offer bespoke and evidence-based consultation and training, co-designed to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to develop the skills and confidence to help save lives.

· Campaigning: We help remove the stigma around suicide. We know that most suicides are preventable with timely intervention and the right support. We raise awareness through campaigning on the ground and influencing at a strategic level.

As a Trustee, you will be joining a charity in a strong position with an ambition to build on our successes.  We will be looking to build on existing activities and developing new innovative projects.

Trustees are our most senior leaders. They set our strategic direction, make sure we’re using our resources effectively and ensure we’re having the greatest possible impact in the communities in which we work. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects GSP’s values and ethos.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills and experience in one of the following areas:

•  charity experience, ideally a CEO or former CEO who has grown a local charity into a national

• fundraising and/or someone who sits across marketing, comms and fundraising but with more experience on fundraising than comms 

• frontline support both online/digital and face to face in health and social care 

• business development and networking

We are a friendly and welcoming organisation and are passionate about what we do. You’ll be joining our Board of Trustees at an exciting time with lots of opportunities to build on our success over the next few years. If you have the time and enthusiasm to be part of something amazing, please get in touch.

We welcome applications from those with lived experience.

If you would like to apply and/or find out more about this position, please see the job description attached.