Community development officer volunteer roles in battersea, greater london

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to become a Trustee at The Goldfinch Trust, a newly-forming Multi-Academy Trust in South London with a distinctive and vital mission: to deliver exceptional education for some of the country’s most vulnerable and medically complex children and young people.

Initially comprising two sites and formally launching in September 2025, new Trustees are sought to help ensure strong and robust governance structures, helping to shape future growth and planning. The Trust will have an annual budget of £3m, expected to rise with expansion of the organisation.

About The Goldfinch Trust

The Goldfinch Trust is a new Multi-Academy Trust with a distinctive and vital mission: to deliver exceptional education for some of the country’s most vulnerable and medically complex children and young people. The Trust will formally launch in September 2025, initially comprising two highly specialist settings: Maudsley & Bethlem Hospital School (MBHS) and St Peter’s Centre, with strong collaboration already in place with a third school, Kings College Hospital School (KCHS), which is expected to join formally in due course.

MBHS supports children aged 4–19, predominantly of secondary age, many of whom are hospital in-patients receiving treatment for severe psychiatric conditions. The school’s model is designed for short- to medium-term placements, with a key goal of reintegration into mainstream or alternative education once pupils are well enough to transition. The school currently supports up to 64 pupils, with a truly national intake reflecting the specialist nature of its provision.

St Peter’s Centre provides a more community-based education offer, supporting around 32 pupils with complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, including autism, anxiety, depression, and school-based trauma. The school supports KS1–4, although current placements are all in the secondary phase. A flexible, part-time attendance model allows the centre to double its reach and offer individualised support.

Kings College Hospital School (KCHS), working under a service-level agreement with MBHS, delivers bedside and on-site education for children with serious medical needs, including cancer and other life-limiting conditions. While not yet a formal Trust member, KCHS is fully aligned with the Trust’s mission and is expected to transfer formally following due diligence.

The Trust’s strategic direction is rooted in partnership with the NHS and regional local authorities, offering a model of educational support that could influence national best practice. The Trust will also relocate MBHS into a purpose-built setting at the hospital’s new development in 2026, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed in collaboration with school leaders. While future expansion is not mapped, the Trust has hosted visits from other hospital and special schools exploring academisation, and organic growth is a realistic possibility over the next few years. A formal growth strategy is yet to be defined, providing incoming Trustees with a unique opportunity to shape the Trust’s long-term development.

The new Board of Trustees will replace the current interim shadow board and will initially comprise seven non-executive directors, with scope to grow to 11 as needed. Local governance arrangements will remain in place at the school level, helping to ensure that Trustee responsibilities are strategically focused.

The Trust will open with an annual income of approximately £3 million, rising with expansion, and enters its incorporation phase with comfortable reserves and prudent financial oversight. The CEO-designate (currently Headteacher at MBHS) is a respected leader in the sector, advising the DfE on hospital school operations and funding, and will work closely with the new board to shape the Trust’s systems, culture, and impact.

The Trust’s Requirements

The Goldfinch Trust seeks dedicated and skilled Trustees to form its inaugural Board. This is a rare opportunity to help establish a new Trust from the ground up – setting its vision, guiding strategy, and developing systems to support the education of children and young people with serious medical and mental health conditions. While the Board will be supported by a team with expertise in finance, law, and HR, the Trust is particularly keen to hear from candidates with executive leadership experience in areas such as education, healthcare commissioning or procurement, charity governance, or growing organisations. Skills and backgrounds of interest include: strategic leadership in education, strategic growth, Healthcare commissioning or procurement, Safeguarding, SEND, Estates management/Health & Safety, Digital strategy Finance, and Audit.

Trustees will play a vital role in supporting and challenging the executive leadership team, ensuring high-quality provision and the effective use of public funds. A deep commitment to the Trust’s mission, supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable learners, is essential.

The full Trust Board will meet once per term (three times a year). In addition, Trustees will join one of two committees: Finance or Education Provision, which will also meet termly (three times a year).

There are plans for an annual strategy conference, likely to run over an extended half-day or full day. Meetings are expected to be scheduled in the early evening (5:pm–6.30pm starts) and last up to two hours. The precise meeting calendar is yet to be confirmed, but Trustees should expect a blend of face-to-face, online, and hybrid meetings. Some physical attendance will be required, so candidates should live within a reasonable commute of Beckenham (BR3 3BX) or Camberwell (SE5 8AB).

Trustees will be supported by a professional governance team, including external consultants currently advising on the Trust’s establishment. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new Trust that will provide life-changing support for young people with critical medical and psychiatric needs. By joining The Goldfinch Trust’s founding board, Trustees will not only help to define the strategic vision of the Trust, but also contribute to a pioneering model of integrated education and healthcare that could influence policy and practice across the country.

About Classics for All

We believe that delving into the ancient world – through ancient history, classical civilisation, Latin and Ancient Greek – is not only enjoyable but also profoundly beneficial for all pupils. It enhances their cultural awareness, sharpens their language and analytical skills, and boosts their aspirations and achievements.

We are currently developing a new strategy, and as a trustee you will have an opportunity to help shape and deliver our new vision.

Vision

A future where every young person can unlock the wisdom, wonder, and imagination of the ancient world - regardless of background or circumstance.

Mission

We believe that discovering the ancient world can transform lives.

That’s why we work to:

• Ignite curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through the stories, ideas, and cultures of the ancient world
• Raise aspirations and broaden horizons by connecting students with the richness of the past
• Build cultural capital, giving every child access to the knowledge and confidence to thrive
• Empower state schools and teachers to bring Classics to life in every classroom
• Champion the value of Classics as a vital part of a broad, rich, and inclusive education

Our governance

Our Board members are all passionate about changing young people’s lives through accessing Classics education. They are responsible for the strategy and good governance of the charity, working in partnership with the Chief Executive.

There are up currently nine members of our Board, including the Chair and Treasurer. Trustees serve a three-year term which can be renewed.

The Board meets for formal meetings, both in-person and virtually, four times a year. Along with other duties, whilst voluntary, this represents a sizeable time commitment and hard work.

Board committees

In addition to the Board, there is a Finance and Operations Committee who meet quarterly. There are some other operational committees that support different aspects of our work. The committees are small groups of Trustees and volunteers, who focus on particular areas of the charity in line with strategic developments and make recommendations.

Trustees will be encouraged to join a committee best suited to their skills on appointment to the Board. Each committee will be led by a Chairperson who is responsible for the overall running of their committee.

• Finance and Operations Committee: develops and delivers the financial strategy of the charity, including the budget, financial controls and fundraising strategy. It is also responsible for risk management.
• Remuneration Committee: has oversight of the pay process for staff.

• Nominations Committee: responsible for leading Trustee recruitment.
• Philanthropy Advisory Group: supports our fundraising through activating networks and sharing ideas to develop our income generation activities.
• Events Committee: supports the ideation and delivery of events supporting our charitable goals.

Responsibilities of a Trustee

The Board of Trustees is legally responsible for the charity – this is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Trustees have responsibility for ensuring the charity is well run, financially secure, and doing the work it is meant to be doing. There are specific legal and other duties. It is recommended you look at the Charity Commission ‘The Essential Trustee’ guidance, which can be found online here.

You can also view our profile on the Charity Commission website. If you want to find out more about our current Trustees, visit our website.

Trustees are volunteers; they are not paid. Reasonable expenses can, however, be reimbursed (e.g. to cover travel costs).

As a Trustee, you will be acting collectively as part of the Board of Trustees. Together, the Board is responsible for all of the points above.

Role Description

Trustees are expected to:

• set the vision, mission, values and objectives of the charity.
• develop the strategic direction of the charity; establish and monitor policies necessary for the proper governance of the charity’s activities.
• ensure that Classics for All operates in accordance with its governing documents, and is accountable to its regulators, funders, members and beneficiaries.
• maintain oversight of the management of the charity’s financial and other resources.
• support the Chief Executive.
• maintain oversight of risks faced by the charity.
• have regard for how the charity contributes to public benefit.
• appoint from its members representatives to other committees.
• ensure suitable representation of the charity to other bodies.
• promote Classics for All to external organisations, acting as spokespeople as necessary, and to review and develop partnerships with other organisations.
• to regularly appraise their own work, delegating responsibility to committees where necessary.

Skills

• We need a well-rounded Board with a diverse skill set. No one individual is expected to have experience in everything, therefore we are always on the lookout for individuals who bring a range of experiences and differing perspectives to the group.
• We are additionally interested in those who can bring experience from the legal world, digital transformation and marketing and communications.

Diversity and inclusion

As a social mobility charity, being inclusive is a fundamental value of Classics for All. We welcome applications from all eligible people and are particularly keen to receive applications from those who are from communities that are less represented within charity governance and Classics education. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from those who attended a UK state-maintained school, regardless of if Classics was offered at their own school. You do not need to be a Classicist to join our Board – there will be no Latin tests! 

Other requirements

There are just a few more requirements. We are seeking candidates who:

• will be aged 18+ on 1 September 2025.
• are allowed by law (both company law and charity law) to be a Trustee. This means that you must not be disqualified from being a Trustee or Director. Individuals are disqualified if:
  1. they have an unspent conviction for offences of dishonesty or deception (the same goes for attempting, aiding or abetting these offences);
  2. they are currently declared bankrupt or subject to bankruptcy restrictions or an interim order;
  3. they are subject to a debt relief order, a debt relief restrictions order or interim order;
  4. they have been disqualified from being a company director;
  5. they have unspent convictions for terrorism-related offences, money laundering or bribery;
  6. they have violated certain Commission orders relating to finances or property;
  7. they have committed misconduct in public office, perjury or perverted the course of justice;
  8. they have disobeyed an order or direction of the Commission on application to the High Court;
  9. they have committed civil contempt of court relating to false statements;
  10. they are a designated person for reasons linked to terrorist activity by the Treasury;
  11. Individuals who are subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2013
• are not subject to a disqualification Order under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 or Protection of Vulnerable Adults List.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is Monday 4 August 2025 at 12noon. Please complete thieonline form. The questions you will need to answer are listed below for ease of preparation. You will also be asked some diversity monitoring information. Please be assured that this information will not be used as part of the screening process.

Unfortunately, we are unable to give feedback to applicants not shortlisted for interview. We actively try to provide feedback to candidates interviewed.

By submitting an application, you are giving permission for your personal information to be stored and processed for the purpose of arriving at selection decisions, for it to be used as a basis for a personal record if you are successful, and for sensitive data to be anonymised and used for the purpose of diversity monitoring.

Questions

Each question has a maximum character allowance of 1,500 characters (approx. 300 words)

1. What motivates you to support the teaching of Classics in state schools, and how does this align with your personal or professional experiences?

We are particularly interested in how your experiences have shaped your views on educational inequality and social mobility. Please share any relevant experiences that have influenced your commitment to widening access to Classics. 

1. Trustees play an active role in the governance and strategic direction of the charity. Can you describe a time when you’ve taken on a leadership or governance role –formally or informally – and what you learned from that experience?

We are looking for evidence of your willingness to contribute time and energy to the work of the Board, and how you approach collaboration, decision-making and accountability. 

1. What unique perspectives, skills, or lived experiences would you bring to the Classics for All Board, and how would you hope to contribute to our future development?

We are especially keen to hear from candidates with expertise in marketing and communications, legal, or digital transformation, but we also welcome other skills and experiences that could enrich our Board’s diversity and effectiveness.

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.

Help transform access to classical education in state schools. Join Classics for All as a Trustee and support our mission to advance social mobility and educational equity across the UK.

Classics for All is a national charity working to ensure that every young person - regardless of background - has the opportunity to study Latin, Ancient Greek, ancient history and classical civilisation. Since 2010, we’ve supported over 1,300 state schools and reached more than 185,000 pupils, many in areas of high deprivation.

We are now seeking new Trustees to join our engaged and collaborative Board as we enter an exciting new phase of growth. Our focus is on expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and embedding social mobility and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.

We are particularly interested in individuals who bring:

• A strong commitment to educational equity and social justice
• Lived experience of the barriers we aim to address
• Skills in legal, digital transformation, or marketing and communications
• Strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset

We welcome applications from first-time trustees and are especially keen to hear from people based outside London and the South East, and from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the charity sector and Classics education.

This is a general trustee role. All Trustees contribute to strategic planning, support the executive team, and act as ambassadors for our mission. Board meetings are held quarterly (mostly online, with one in-person meeting per year), and we host an annual away day.

If you believe in the power of education to change lives - and want to help make classical subjects accessible to all - we’d love to hear from you.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Board of Trustees.  

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of a day a month, with more time given at busy periods of the year. There will be a requirement to attend board meetings, with some trustees also sitting on subcommittees that meet around 4 times a year. In addition, there are events to attend and occasional additional duties to support our wider work. 

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you. 

Please see the job pack attached for full details and apply via the portal by 31st July 2025.

Our existing 12 trustees bring a variety of skills and experiences, such as fundraising, safeguarding, finance and investments and lived RAF experience to the Fund. Your background, skills and experience will further enhance this for the benefit of the RAF Family.

The successful candidates will:

• be aligned to our vision, purpose, key goals and values and be able to demonstrate their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion;

• be able contribute positively to the Fund in a non-executive capacity, operate strategically, be held accountable and hold others to account;

• be able to build supportive relationships and work as a team. This will involve working collectively with others, supporting collective decision-making, being comfortable in sharing your views and expertise with fellow trustees and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) trustees whilst still bringing your own ideas, perspectives and experiences to discussions;

• have the ability to analyse and interpret complex information and evidence, demonstrate impartiality, intellectual flexibility and sound judgment;

• have the ability to listen, communicate and influence effectively;

• have the capacity and skill to understand stakeholder priorities; and

• be a collaborative and pragmatic problem-solver and have the ability to adapt and respond to change.