Community development team members volunteer roles

Volunteer Role

Till Volunteer

Volunteer Manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based 

Shop: Oxfam Boroughbridge Shop

Why we want you.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a

difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full.

training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a

passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be.

looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep.

active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces

you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst.

learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:

Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.

Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.

Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.

Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors

and asking them a few questions.

Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise

income.

This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe

working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety.

training to all volunteers.

The skills you need.

We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.

Full training and support are given for this role - no prior experience is

Required.

Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.

Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a

task.

What's in it for you.

Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to

understand what is covered)

Access to training and development

Grow your confidence and meet new people.

Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle

Free confidential support by the Retail Trust

Possible references for future employers

Disclaimer

Additional information:

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an

inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs,

please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon

application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please.

speak to a manager for assistance.

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

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

What 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

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example:

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 
• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations
• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press
• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.

Volunteer Role

Till Volunteer

Volunteer Manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based

Shop: Oxfam Shop Helmsley

Why we want you.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a

difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full.

training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a

passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be.

looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep.

active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces

you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst.

learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:

Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.

Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.

Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.

Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors

and asking them a few questions.

Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise

income.

This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe

working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety.

training to all volunteers.

The skills you need.

We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.

Full training and support are given for this role - no prior experience is

Required.

Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.

Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a

task.

What's in it for you.

Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to

understand what is covered)

Access to training and development

Grow your confidence and meet new people.

Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle

Free confidential support by the Retail Trust

Possible references for future employers

Disclaimer

Additional information:

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an

inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs,

please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon

application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please.

speak to a manager for assistance.

Parkinson's UK local groups offer friendship, support, and numerous activities for people affected by Parkinson's.

In Winchester, the group is a core part of the local Parkinson's community. As a committee volunteer you'll help connect people to the group, whilst making sure existing members stay up to date with the activities provided. You could have a hand in arranging activities too, whether it's seated yoga, or a chance for friends and family of those living with Parkinson's to meet - and all activities are open to you too.

You'll build existing connections, and meet new people in your local area, all whilst making a difference to those living with Parkinson's in Winchester.

The group meets each month, but many of our volunteers undertake parts of their roles from home - at a time that suits them. This is a flexible role, and you could be doing any or all of the tasks on the role description - speak to your staff contact for more detail.

More about this role

Volunteer role

Branch Committee Volunteer

Volunteer manager

Local Network Support Officer

Where you will be based

Community

Why we want you

Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends. Each group has a committee, who work together to plan the groups activities or fundraising - all in line with Parkinson's UK guidelines.

What you will be doing

• Keep up to date about the news and developments of Parkinson's UK more widely, sharing these with the group
• contributing ideas for fundraising, activities and speakers
• sharing experiences with the committee and connecting with the local community
• helping to prepare for and clear up after group meetings
• assisting at fundraising events and any activities arranged by the branch
• taking notes / minutes at meetings and events

The skills you need

• be a good communicator, as you will be working with a wide range of different people
• Honest; you'll know when to ask for help, or when tasks might be seen as less important, and able to share that with Parkinson's UK and your group
• be collaborative and team focused, as you will take part in regular meetings and discussions
• be motivated and reliable, and able to show patience and empathy when dealing with sensitive situations

What's in it for you

• Play a crucial role in the local Parkinson's community, making new friends and building connections
• You'll be part of a pioneering organisation, committed to finding a cure and improving life for everyone affected by Parkinson's - in your local area and beyond
• Gain valuable organisational, administrative and people skills

Disclaimer

It's important that people affected by Parkinson’s can trust us with their personal information. In this role you could be handling personal or sensitive data, so by undertaking this role you'll need to complete our Advanced Data Protection training. Your Parkinson’s UK staff contact can help you do this.

Breadwinners Finance Trustee & Vice Chair Role - Aug 2025

Job title: Finance and Vice Chair Trustee  - London & Brighton

Reporting to: Board of Trustees and Managing Director

Remuneration: £0 (Pro-Bono, Volunteering role)

Duration: 3 years, with a potential further 3 terms extension as per the board of Trustees Decision.

Location: Remote mainly, London coworking Office Space in Brixton, Brighton coworking space  in future expanding reach.

Commitment and Work Style: 3 years, approx 8 hrs per Quarter, 5 meetings per year. Both F2F and online meetings.

Start: Aug 2025 / Apply ASAP as we interview and recruit as applications come, no more applications will be taken after 15th July 2025

We are looking for the next Finance and Vice Chair Trustee to join our board and help lead the strategy, developing the core team to continue growing our support for young refugees across the UK.

About Breadwinners

Breadwinners is set up to tackle unemployment and poor well-being by providing young refugees and people seeking asylum with their first work experience in the UK, training and personal mentors so that they can start and progress in their careers. We achieve this goal through three consecutive programmes, using our award-winning bread stalls in markets across London and Brighton and wholesale for socially-minded cafes and restaurants

1. Risers programme: A two-month early intervention programme designed to provide structured work experience, training, and mentorship to newly arrived young people seeking asylum through our 18 stalls.

2. Breadwinners programme: The follow-up programme for refugees with the right to work, which involves working as a market stall manager for six months and earning the UK living wage.

3. Proofers programme: A progression programme that entails working remotely as part-time online sales representatives for six months, managing our wholesale delivery model.

Our programmes, delivered across London and Brighton, and over the last 7 years we have made a significant impact in supporting over 744+ programme participants, with an impressive 93% reporting notable improvements in their overall well-being, 76% of our Breadwinners programme progress into work, further education or volunteering, and all this while minimising our Carbon Footprint by 20.5% through the sale of organic goods. This year, we are planning to double our impact with young refugees, with recently secured funding, new markets, and focusing on our wholesale model.

You will be working directly with the Managing Director, Core team and Board of Trustees and volunteers to improve Finance Processes, set up and review Budgets, and lead board meetings structure and discussions, delivering the best strategy for the Breadwinners community. You will have the chance to see the impact your work has, meet and support amazing young people who deserve better opportunities, and work together on the strategy of Breadwinners. Please apply as soon as possible, by submitting your cover letter and CV accroding instructions. Please use “BW - Finance Trustee and Vice Chair” as the email subject. We will arrange interviews for great applications as they come in. No more applications will be taken after the 15th of July 2025.

We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from those with lived experience of migration, and from diverse applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy/maternity leave status.

We welcome informal chats about the role - please contact Martin Cosarinsky Campos.

Ideal candidates attributes

• Passionate about supporting refugees and young people seeking asylum.

• Knowledge and experience of finance best  practices for Charities and Social Enterprises.

• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management.(Xero, Quickbooks)

• Strong financial analysis.

• Ability to communicate clearly, setting agendas, and driving strategic conversations.

• Self starter with commitment, motivation and drive to upskill as needed to support the charity.

• Capacity to plan and drive the board meetings agenda liaising with the Managing Director and Chair, managing the appropriate regulatory documentation.  .

Your role 

Alongside the general responsibilities of a Trustee, you will: 

• Liaise with the Managing Director to obtain an overview of the ongoing financial affairs of the organisation to ensure its financial viability and that all processes are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.

• Support the Managing Director in the production of an annual budget and propose its adoption at the last meeting of the previous financial year.

• Support the Director to ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.

• Support the Director to monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation at board meetings, making fellow committee members aware of their financial obligations and taking a lead in interpreting financial data to them

• Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits together with auditors.

• Support and Guidance: The vice chair provides support and guidance to the chair, helping them to effectively manage the board and the charity's operations. They may also act as a "sounding board" for the chair and other trustees, offering alternative perspectives and insights. 

• Subcommittee Leadership: The vice chair may lead or be involved in subcommittees of the board, such as a finance committee or a fundraising committee. 

• Strategic Direction: The vice chair helps ensure that the charity operates within its charitable objectives and has a clear strategic direction. 

• Effective Governance: They contribute to the overall governance of the charity by ensuring that meetings are effective and that trustees fulfill their duties. 

Requirements

• Available to dedicate at least 8 hrs per quarter to Breadwinner's work. 

• Available to attend Trustee board meetings on weekday afternoons 5 times a year.

• Available to support Quarterly Team Wellbeing sessions.

• Committed to a 3-year term on the Board. 

Volunteer Role

Till Volunteer

Volunteer Manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based

Shop: Oxfam Shop Thirsk

Why we want you.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a

difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full.

training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a

passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be.

looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep.

active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces

you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst.

learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:

Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.

Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.

Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.

Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors

and asking them a few questions.

Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise

income.

This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe

working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety.

training to all volunteers.

The skills you need.

We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.

Full training and support are given for this role - no prior experience is

Required.

Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.

Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a

task.

What's in it for you.

Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to

understand what is covered)

Access to training and development

Grow your confidence and meet new people.

Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle

Free confidential support by the Retail Trust

Possible references for future employers

Disclaimer

Additional information:

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an

inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs,

please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon

application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please.

speak to a manager for assistance.

Volunteer Role

Till Volunteer

Volunteer Manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based

Shop: Oxfam Shop Ripon

Why we want you.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a

difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full.

training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a

passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be.

looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep.

active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces

you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst.

learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:

Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.

Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.

Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.

Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors

and asking them a few questions.

Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise

income.

This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe

working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety.

training to all volunteers.

The skills you need.

We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.

Full training and support are given for this role - no prior experience is

Required.

Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.

Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a

task.

What's in it for you.

Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to

understand what is covered)

Access to training and development

Grow your confidence and meet new people.

Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle

Free confidential support by the Retail Trust

Possible references for future employers

Disclaimer

Additional information:

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an

inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs,

please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon

application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please.

speak to a manager for assistance.

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

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups and teams, all of which help our cats in different ways. Our treasurer volunteers maintain the finances of local groups and teams, ensuring they hold the funds needed to continue their vital work. Cats Protection relies solely on donations from generous members of the public, and our treasurer volunteers help make sure these funds are spent in the most effective way. 

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Preparing budgets
• Keeping accurate financial records
• Reporting financial records via ‘Cashlog’ (Cats Protection supplied software)
• Paying invoices and volunteer expenses
• Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure
• Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds
• Managing and monitoring donations made to the group
• Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims

Time expectation

Our current volunteer treasurers usually spend between 2 to 4 hours per week in this role. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year but support is always available. 

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.

Martin Lewis' charity the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute are looking to appoint two or three trustees who bring the skills, insight and critical challenge to guide us through the next stage of our journey. The successful candidates will follow in the footsteps of two trustees who are leaving the board after multiple successive terms and will join our existing seven trustees on the board, chaired by Martin Lewis OBE and with Jo Hill as Vice Chair.

The role would require attendance at our quarterly hybrid meetings and availability from time to time to support the executive team through correspondence or ad-hoc meetings.

The position is not renumerated, however reasonable travel expenses can be claimed when attending quarterly meetings.

A comprehensive induction will be provided, and new trustees who are less familiar with charity governance will receive additional training as needed.

We are committed to further diversifying our board, and would particularly welcome applications from people from minoritised ethnic groups. We are open to this post being a development opportunity for someone who does not yet have significant board experience. If you do not have all of the skills and experience listed above, but you have a genuine commitment to the issues we work on and an ability to think critically, please do still consider applying.

We will be holding an anonymous ‘ask us anything’ webinar to learn more about the role and the organisation at 1-2pm on 26th June. Please click 'How to apply' for joining instructions.

Volunteer Role

Till Volunteer

Volunteer Manager

Shop Manager

Where you will be based :

Shop: Wetherby Oxfam Shop

Why we want you.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a

difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full.

training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a

passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be.

looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep.

active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces

you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst.

learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:

Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.

Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.

Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.

Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors

and asking them a few questions.

Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise

income.

This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe

working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety.

training to all volunteers.

The skills you need.

We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering.

Full training and support are given for this role - no prior experience is

Required.

Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others.

Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a

task.

What's in it for you.

Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to

understand what is covered)

Access to training and development

Grow your confidence and meet new people.

Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle

Free confidential support by the Retail Trust

Possible references for future employers

Disclaimer

Additional information:

We warmly welcome everyone to apply and are dedicated to creating an

inclusive and diverse environment. If you have any particular needs,

please talk to the Manager, and we can consider possible adjustments.

We conduct ID checks for all volunteers and require one reference upon

application. If you have any difficulties providing a reference, please.

speak to a manager for assistance.

Would you like to help end food poverty and tackle climate change and CO2 emissions in Greater Manchester, whilst at the same time gaining valuable CV-enhancing experience and skills?

What we offer you

Induction, training and support from the staff of FareShare and its parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

Practical experience and transferable skills in warehousing and food redistribution.

Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses up to £5.80 for travel and up to £3 for lunch, upon completion of a 4 hour shift. (We can also provide you with lunch if you don't bring your own).

A reference after 2 months with us.

An understanding of warehousing and logistics, and the importance of food surplus and recycling initiatives.

As a sustainability charity, we take surplus food that's donated to us and redistribute it to people in need. The front line initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities who, in turn, help people who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents perfectly good food going to landfill, where it would otherwise contribute to climate warming. 

We need helping hands in our busy warehouse to receive and catalogue supplies, to load and unload vans, and to prepare orders for delivery. In return we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience to boost your CV if you are seeking work. If you're not looking for employment, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to the work of FareShare, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is correctly sorted, labelled and organised into orders placed by our charities and community groups.

It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity.

b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing and customer service.

c) Wanting to help their community and/or help tackle global warming.

d) Wanting to make new friends.

e) Wanting to keep busy and/or physically fit.

Our volunteer opportunities are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am - 12:30pm and 12:30 - 4:30pm. Volunteers are typically involved for one day a week.

What will I be doing?

Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient surplus food in a warehouse, and preparing orders for delivery. You may also be assisting customers when they pick up their orders.

Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.

Sorting and unpacking deliveries, categorising and recording food.

Assembling food orders placed by charities and community groups.

Assisting our Community Food Members with their food order collections. 

Maintaining health and safety and food hygiene standards. 

Helping with cleaning and other tasks identified by warehouse staff.

Person Specification: 

Must be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.

Have a good command of English in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 

Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record quantities and types of food donated.

Able to work in a manner that respects Health and Safety standards.

Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.

Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.

Must be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

We are located in our brand new depot at Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us.
This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Voluntary role, c. 0.5 day per week
Meetings held in Macclesfield

The Silk Heritage Trust celebrates and shares the extraordinary story of Macclesfield; a story of creativity, industry, and enterprise. After a period of focused work, we are in healthy and optimistic position, with a clear strategic plan and the resources we need to achieve an ambitious step-change in the coming years. Support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund mean that we’re able to look forward to a transformed future at the heart not only of the North West’s industrial heritage, but also the wider international patrimony of textile design and manufacture.

With a new lease in place on Paradise Mill, and a significant opportunity to restore and commercialise the looms and pattern books we hold, we are preparing to make a once-in-a-generation investment in the future. Our goal is to create a unique, integrated visitor experience, with the breathtakingly atmospheric Paradise Mill complementing the wider story of Macclesfield’s heritage and people, as told in the neighbouring Silk Museum. The Old Sunday School building, one of our town’s landmark buildings, will be sensitively transformed so that it will continue to be a popular and much-loved community hub.

We are looking for an energetic individual who can act as a figurehead for the Trust, help strengthen and develop our networks, develop our landmark buildings and gain support for our vision. Our new Chair will bring skills and experience as a strategic leader, community and sustainability champion and entrepreneur.  If you share our passion for the regenerative power of heritage and culture, and can help drive our vision, then we look forward to hearing from you.

Expressions of interest should be received by 19 July 2025.
Interviews are expected to be held in Macclesfield between 21 - 28 July 2025.

We are working with the Board of the 31-school River Learning Trust to recruit an individual possessing legal qualifications to bring insight and expertise into its strategic policy and governance framework. This role involves analysing audit outcomes, reviewing data, and contributing to the development and implementation of risk mitigation strategies. The Trust supports around 16,000 young people in the Oxfordshire and Swindon areas and has an annual budget of £100m.

River Learning Trust is a well-established Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) operating for over 12 years, currently comprising 30 schools – 20 primary and 10 secondary academies, primarily located in Oxfordshire and Swindon. The majority of these schools are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

In addition to mainstream provision, RLT operates a multi-site Alternative Provision unit, is a Department for Education (DfE) Teaching School Hub, and manages an Ofsted-approved SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) – Oxfordshire Teacher Training – training up to 150 teachers annually.

RLT is considered a ‘mixed MAT’, including both maintained and Church of England schools. A quarter of Trustees and Members are appointed by the Oxford Anglican Diocese. The Trust serves a broad demographic, spanning both urban and rural communities, and educates approximately 16,000 pupils, with around 3,000 staff.

Socioeconomic diversity is significant, with areas of high deprivation particularly in East Oxford and Swindon.
The Trust serves a diverse student population with 22.9% eligible for Free School Meals and 20.8% identified with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), reflecting a strong focus on inclusive and supportive education.

Students from minority ethnic backgrounds make up 60% of the cohort, contributing to a culturally rich learning environment. Additionally, 18.7% speak English as an Additional Language (EAL), highlighting the importance of language support across schools.

These demographics shape the Trust’s commitment to equity, tailored support, and high expectations for all learners.

The Trust Board consists of 10 Trustees and five members – the latter akin to the shareholder role – with an ongoing process to strengthen Board expertise. RLT is currently seeking a new Trustee with legal expertise to enhance governance, policy scrutiny, and risk management.

The Trust maintains several Schemes of Delegation to govern its operations effectively, including tailored schemes for Church schools and its teaching/training arms. Governance is supported by a Lead Governance Professional, a Director of Finance, and a team of Directors of School Improvement. Safeguarding is a key priority, with regular audits and a dedicated Trustee lead.

RLT manages an annual income of approximately £100 million. The 2023/24 financial outturn was in line with expectations. Schools remained within their budgets, and the external audit confirmed sound financial management and compliance. Reserves meet DfE guidelines. Like many Trusts, RLT faces ongoing challenges, particularly regarding SEND funding and staff recruitment and retention.

The Trust’s Requirements

The Trust is seeking a legally trained individual to bring legal insight and expertise into its strategic policy and governance framework. This role involves analysing audit outcomes, reviewing data, and contributing to the development and implementation of risk mitigation strategies. The goal is to enhance the Trust’s decision-making processes and ensure that legal considerations are embedded at all levels of governance.

While the geographic location of the candidate is flexible, a connection to the Swindon area would be particularly welcomed. The appointment will play a critical role in supporting the Trust’s ongoing governance review and will contribute to strengthening Board capacity as the organisation maintains its current size and strategic direction.

Trustees are expected to commit to five Board meetings per year, along with termly sub-committee meetings. These meetings are held in the evenings and are a mix of in-person and remote formats. In addition, each Trustee is linked to two or three academies within the Trust, fostering meaningful relationships with school leadership teams. A structured induction programme is in place for new Trustees, which includes formal training, school visits, and engagement with senior Trust leaders.

The work of the Board is supported by several key committees, including:

• Impact Committee
• Resources Committee (covering Finance and Audit)
• Safeguarding Committee

Additionally, there is an Annual Trustee Strategy Day focusing on long-term planning and reflection.

River Learning Trust operates according to core principles that shape its strategy and culture: a commitment to Excellence, a belief in Everyone Learning, and a foundation of Respectful Relationships. These values guide the Trust’s ambition to deliver academic success and personal development for every pupil, ensure no school stands still in its improvement journey, foster high-quality collaboration that raises standards and reduces workload, and build a culture of joint accountability across all its schools.

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

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

What 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

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example:

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 
• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations
• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press
• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

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.