Community group volunteer volunteer roles in middlewich, cheshire east

We’ve been shaping social change since 1884.

In our 141st year, we are looking for new Trustees to us achieve our vision of a  fairer future for East London and beyond.

Vacancy: Finance Trustee x 2

About Toynbee Hall

Toynbee Hall works alongside people facing poverty and injustice to build a fairer future.

Based in the East End of London since 1884, we provide vital support to individuals through our advice and support services and work in partnership with local communities to tackle unfairness through research and advocacy. We are a place where people come together to work out solutions to the challenges facing us all and to shape systemic change.

As a charity we are governed by our Trustees - a group of volunteers who have responsibility for setting our strategy and ensuring we meet our charitable objectives.

However, with the pandemic's aftermath and the ongoing cost of living crisis, we face unprecedented challenges. The most vulnerable communities are hit hardest, and our role has never been more critical. We are constantly reviewing our own allocation of finite resources to ensure we are clearly and effectively focusing on where we can make the greatest impact. 

We are looking for Trustees with finance experience to join our Board; helping to shape our future plans and strategy.

Over the past five years, Toynbee Hall has undergone a significant renewal, revitalising our historical buildings, creating spaces that not only provide advice and community connections but also generate revenue to support the delivery of our services and research. Like many organisations we face challenges and some difficult decisions over this period but we are energised about the changes we want to see and how we can contribute. We are also keen to collaborate and grow our projects and thus have wider impact.

We have an engaged, diverse and skilled Trustee Board who are working alongside our senior team as we implement our new strategic plan and organisational priorities.

You can find out more about our existing Trustees on our website.

What we are looking for and what we can offer

It is important to us that we attract Trustees from a range of backgrounds. You don’t need to have previous experience of being a trustee, so please don’t let that put you off!

We will offer an induction program and support to take up the position.

We aim to have a trustee board that reflects the local community, so we especially encourage to apply if you live in Tower Hamlets or who have a personal connection with Toynbee Hall, Tower Hamlets or the East End. Our Board is currently diverse in age, gender and ethnicity and we are committed to maintaining that diversity. We particularly want to hear from potential Trustees who are Black or Asian.

The essential responsibilities of a Toynbee Hall Trustee is to ensure that the organisation pursues its charitable objectives and ensure we remain a going concern.

Trustees must be people with independent judgement, with an ability to think strategically and creatively about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

For this role you will have a financial qualification with at least 3 years’ experience in finance / accountancy. Ideally experience in financial decision making. An understanding of charity funding would be an advantage.

Above all you need to have real enthusiasm for our work and for supporting and guiding our Chief Executive and Toynbee Hall’s passionate and committed staff and volunteers so that they remain focused on tackling inequality and poverty in East London and beyond. And in return we are commitment to helping you gain experience in the non-profit sector strategy and decision making.

 The time commitment to be a Trustee

We ask our Board members to attend four evening Board meetings a year, an annual away-day and to be a member of one Committee. Our Committees meet up to three times a year. At the moment our committee meetings tend to be over video, where Board meetings aim to be in person. In person meetings take place at Toynbee Hall’s home in Commercial Street, E1. Board and Committee meetings are held in the evening.

Each Board member serves for a three-year term. This will then be reviewed by the Board with a maximum nine-year term.

Our Board members are also active ambassadors for Toynbee Hall. This means attending and supporting events and taking opportunities to promote and develop the work of Toynbee Hall through networks and contacts.

Next steps and what to expect

We will be accepting applications until midday on 9th June 2025. Interviews will be held with two of our trustees (online) and a second stage with the Chief Operating Officer (in person).

Outstanding in every area, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) are looking for new members to join their Board and support them as they navigate their strategic development and delivery on their journey for even greater success.

Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stafford

Time commitment: Approx. 10 hours per month

Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 25th June

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) is Staffordshire’s leading General Further Education College, with pass rates and student achievement rates amongst the very best in the country.

We provide a wide range of academic, vocational and apprenticeship qualifications from entry to degree level, along with support services to help our students achieve their goals. The College has grown significantly over the past 10 years and is currently home to a population of over 8,000 students studying full-time, part-time, higher education and apprenticeship programmes with us.

Who we are

In 2019, NSCG became the first further education provider in England to achieve the top grade of Outstanding in every area of Ofsted’s reformed Education Inspection Framework.

When we were inspected again in October 2024, we were able to demonstrate the continued consistency of our provision by once again achieving the same result – Outstanding in every area!

The latest inspection report praised all areas of our provision, acknowledging the pace at which our students make progress in their learning as well as the high aspirations that our leaders have by commenting that “with clarity and passion, leaders set high expectations for staff and learners” whilst also highlighting the extensive investment we have made in state-of-the-art facilities across the college.

The philosophy underpinning everything we do, whether you are a student, a lecturer, a member of our support staff, a manager or a Governor, is to be ‘committed to excellence’.

Our continued aim is to be recognised nationally as an outstanding organisation where students and staff thrive, achieve and make a positive contribution to the cultural and economic prosperity of Staffordshire and beyond.

About the role

The NSCG Corporation is the College’s governing body and currently comprises 16 members. Our board members provide representation from local businesses, local councils and community groups as well from our staff team and our student body.

Through their role on our Corporation Board, our members represent the particular interests of the local community and public interest in general. They oversee the way the College is run, ensuring it meets the needs of the local community, school leavers and employers.

It ensures the highest professional and ethical standards as well as the effective use of resources. Governors are responsible for the financial solvency of the institution, the proper use of public funds, sound management and the quality of education, training and business service provided. Perhaps even more importantly, our Governors set the tone of our organisation, shape our culture and help define the values through which we work.

Who we are looking for

Successful candidates will be those who can offer their commitment to supporting the College’s ambition to build on our successes and drive forward our aspirations to be an even more effective and impactful organisation.

These roles offer a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and committed Corporation and become a member of one of the College’s committees allowing you to genuinely have an impact on the success of our College, the achievements of our students and the future prosperity of our local communities.

This passion and commitment should be underpinned by a track record of significant expertise and impactful leadership that would be relevant in relation to the following committees.

Audit Committee

Firstly, we will welcome candidates with expertise and experience gained in the areas highlighted below. Candidates will not only be motivated to join our Board but will also be able to commit the time to joining our Audit Committee.

• Qualified senior audit professionals
• Senior risk and compliance professionals
• Senior professionals with expertise in data protection and/or cyber security
• Qualified finance professionals

Education & Standards Committee

We also seek applications from strategic leaders from across the wider education sector. This experience could come from those working within the higher education sector, in local secondary schools, multi-academy trusts, independent training providers, specialist SEND providers, or the further education sector itself.

We will also welcome applications from candidates who are based within large employers but who have an understanding and appreciation of the impacts that our provision has on their workforce. We believe such candidates will offer valuable insights into the future development of our curriculum.

Successful candidates with this particular experience will be appointed to our full Board as well as our Education & Standards Committee, which currently has eight other members.

Finance & General Purposes Committee

Finally, we also seek to appoint a new member to our board who is an experienced, senior and strategically focused, qualified, finance professional. Whilst candidates may have professional expertise as a senior financial leader, they may also have additional experience of working in more board operational roles which encompass responsibilities linked to estates and resource functions.

The successful candidate will be appointed to our full Board as well as our Finance & General Purposes Committee, on which there are currently six other members.

Expectations and commitment

Successful candidates will be appointed on the basis of a four-year term of office.

Whilst previous governance experience is not essential, candidates will need to be able demonstrate an understanding of the principles of good governance and how these should be implemented to discharge fiduciary responsibilities in the context of a non-executive board.

You will be able to apply your specialist knowledge and expertise to contribute to strategic discussions and decision-making by working constructively as part of a non-executive team whilst demonstrating an understanding that Governors must act fairly and impartially, with a commitment to the principles of safeguarding, equality and diversity.

The appointed candidates will be expected to attend five meetings of the Board each year, and the frequency of our Committee meetings varies as below:

• Education & Standards Committee: four meetings per year
• Audit Committee: three meetings per year
• Finance & General Purposes Committee: three meetings per year

We try to always ensure that meetings are held in person as this allows governors to experience the vibrant College atmosphere whilst on site.

Governors usually dedicate an average of around 10 hours per month to their role, which includes meeting preparation, attendance and follow-up. However, we are privileged that our Governors also dedicate additional time to the College. They each spend time each term, visiting our sites, engaging with our staff and students, and use this as a chance to see our impacts first-hand. We hope to receive applications from individuals who would be open to offering a similar level of commitment to our organisation.

All of our Governors are supported throughout their terms of office. Induction, training and development opportunities are all available, as well as the invitation to attend a range of exciting events and ceremonies throughout the year. This type of engagement by the governing body with the wider College community is both encouraged and supported, and allows our governors to fully appreciate the vibrancy, inclusivity and success of the organisation.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to join our Board, to better reflect our communities and welcome different thinking to ensure we include all voices of our society.

Peridot Partners and Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Chair for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation. 

Role Description and Person Specification

Role Title: Trustee (volunteer)

Reports to: Chair of the Board & Chief Executive

Based at: Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Hours of work: 3-4 hours per month

Remuneration: This is a voluntary position and no payment will be made to the post holder,

other than genuine expenses, as set out in the volunteer policy

Overview

North Staffs Mind has been delivering mental health services to both adults and young people for almost 50 years. We have recently merged with Mid Cheshire Mind which will enable us to widen our reach across Staffordshire and Cheshire, ensuring we can provide support to even more people in need of our services.

We pride ourselves on our relaxed and friendly atmosphere and our commitment to delivering high quality, client focused, professional services that can adapt to meet the changing needs of the local community.

Time commitment

Typically Board meetings are held four times per year, plus additional time for our annual general meeting, sub-committee meetings, events, and occasional ad-hoc tasks. The role may require additional time commitment for reading papers, preparing for meetings, or representing the charity at external events.

Meetings are usually held in-person at an external local venue, with occasional opportunities for remote participation.

Role Purpose

As a Trustee, you will play a critical role in overseeing the strategic direction and governance of North Staffs Mind. Your responsibilities include ensuring the charity meets its objectives in supporting individuals with mental health challenges, maintaining financial stability, and complying with legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees act in the best interest of the charity, making decisions that align with its strategic plan, aims and values.

Key Responsibilities

Governance and strategic oversight:

· Contribute to setting the charity’s strategic direction, ensuring that it remains focused on its mission; we won’t give up until everyone with a mental health problem gets support and respect.

· Monitor the charity’s performance against its objectives, reviewing key performance indicators and assessing the impact of its activities.

· Hold the Chief Executive and senior leadership team to account.

· Ensure robust and effective governance policies and procedures are in place, regularly reviewed, and adhered to.

Financial Stewardship:

· Oversee the financial health of North Staffs Mind, ensuring resources are used effectively and that the charity operates within its means.

· Approve budgets, annual reports, and financial statements, ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial matters.

· Ensure the charity has adequate risk management processes, including the identification and mitigation of financial risks.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

· Ensure the charity complies with its governing document (articles of association), charity law, and other relevant legislation and regulations.

· Keep abreast of changes in the legal and regulatory landscape that may affect the charity, ensuring that necessary adjustments are made.

Fundraising and Advocacy:

· Support and participate in fundraising efforts, helping to secure resources necessary for the charity’s operations and growth.

· Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work to external stakeholders, including donors, partners, and the wider community.

Human Resources and Staff Wellbeing:

· Ensure the charity has appropriate policies in place for the recruitment, management, and development of staff and volunteers.

· Uphold and champion a culture of inclusivity, respect, and wellbeing within the organization.

Risk Management:

· Identify and evaluate risks to the charity’s operations and reputation, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.

· Through feedback from the risk subcommittee, have an oversight of North Staffs Mind’s risk register, ensuring you are aware of any emerging risks.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

· Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees and the senior leadership team, fostering a culture of collective decision-making.

· Participate in subcommittees or working groups as needed, contributing your expertise to specific areas of the charity’s work.

Person Specification

Essential

· A commitment to North Staffs Mind’s aims and values, with a passion for supporting mental health.

· Strategic vision and the ability to think creatively and critically about the charity’s future direction.

· Strong understanding of governance, financial management, and legal responsibilities in a charitable context.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

· Integrity, impartiality, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Desirable

· Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies and organisations and with service users, their carers and families.

· Previous experience serving on a board or in a governance role.

· Knowledge of fundraising, marketing, or advocacy within the charitable sector.

· Understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with mental health conditions and the systems designed to support them.

Benefits

· Opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals affected by mental health issues.

· Gain experience in governance and strategic leadership within the charity sector.

· Network with like-minded individuals and professionals passionate about mental health.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack. 

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)

It’s an exciting time for the Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse: momentum is growing, with heightened public awareness of domestic abuse following the pandemic, increased government focus, and employers increasingly recognising their crucial role in enabling employees to recognise the signs of, and seek support on, domestic abuse.

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (known as EIDA) is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in our mission to empower employers to act effectively against domestic abuse. 

Our aim is to ensure that all team members, volunteers, trustees, job applicants and the people we come into contact with are given equal opportunity and that our organisation is representative of all sections of society.

We want our board to be representative of our society and membership and particularly welcome applications from people with lived experiences of domestic abuse, people based outside the southeast of England and in the nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and from people with experience as a people manager or employer, large or small.

Who we are

We are a free-to-join members' network of employers and a registered charity supporting over 1,500 large and small employers to take effective action on domestic abuse.  Our members collectively employ over 25% of the UK workforce.

Our mission is to equip employers to support their employees affected by domestic abuse and to share best practice with other employers.

We endeavour to bring about constructive change, leading to a society where survivors thrive, and where domestic abuse is not tolerated.

Our Trustees are volunteer board members who play a vital role in making sure that EIDA achieves its mission.  As a group, they:

• Oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.
• Ensure that EIDA has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.
• Provide support and challenge to the executive team, enabling EIDA to grow and thrive.

We are seeking up to two new Trustees to join the existing group of ten  You can see current members of our board on our website. 

EIDA has a UK-wide remit with a membership made up of employers, and we want to reflect that across our Trustees.

Trustee duties

Trustees are the people who lead our charity and decide how it is run.  We envisage the trustee duties broadly as:

• Support and provide advice on EIDA’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee EIDA’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve EIDA’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to EIDA’s CEO.
• Keep abreast of changes in EIDA’s operating environment.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EIDA’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Participate in periodic appraisals of the performance of the Board of Trustees, collectively and individually.
• Represent EIDA at external functions, meetings and events.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will contribute to the diversity of thinking on our board.

Whether you are an experienced trustee or are looking to take your first step at board level, we would like to hear from you. We ask for:

• Commitment to tackling domestic abuse and EIDA’s mission.
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and EIDA’s core values of Collaboration, Empowerment, Versatility, Openness and Kindness.
• Time to commit to supporting the organisation, including attendance at Board meetings (2 hours, 5 times annually), virtual and in-person events (4-6 annually) and any sub committees.
• Ability to build and maintain a healthy network that promotes the aims of EIDA across the business community, to drive member growth, and to enhance EIDA fundraising activities.
• Experience in leading teams, managing people, or influencing organisational culture.

Terms of appointment

Position: Trustee

Location: This is a hybrid role, with occasional travel required to Board and network meetings held in central London

Terms: A maximum fixed term appointment of one three-year term followed by a further three-year term

This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment: EIDA’s Board of Trustees meets 4-5 times a year within the working hours of 10-5pm.  Currently meetings are held in London and remotely (Zoom).

Closing date

9am, Monday 23 June 2025.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are appreciated.