Community manager volunteer roles in city of london, england

This is an exciting time to be joining UoGSU as we are implementing our new strategy. As an organisation we have been focused on communities, change and the education of our members.

We are looking for a trustee with experience and expertise in finance – this trustee will sit on our Audit and Risk committee. You will be a qualified accountant with experience of financial management, governance and oversight and an understanding of financial audit best practice. Previous experience of Audit and Risk committee work is of interest but not essential.

The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the SU and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement; student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organize together to help make these values a reality.

The role requires a careful balance; trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creatively, challenge constructively and point out potential risk. The Board is comprised of External Trustees, Officer Trustees and Student Trustees and oversees the work of a team of permanent staff a led by the Chief Executive.

An eye for detail to ensure the SU is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.

The role is to serve on the board of trustees. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.

General candidate requirements:

All candidates will need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial information (or be willing to learn more about this aspect of the role). They should also have the following:

- An understanding of business management.
- A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend board andother meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings.
- A willingness to speak their mind and contribute.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement.
- An understanding and acceptance of the role of a Charity’s Board of Trustees (including the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship).
- A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service and the SU own values.

Desirable but not essential:

-Recent experience of the higher education sector or of Students’ Unions.
-Experience or knowledge of board governance.

Commitment required

Board Meetings: There are 5 scheduled hybrid meetings each year, usually held early evening and lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, with extra meetings added if required (although this is rare). Each meeting will have associated reading and preparation work. Meetings are usually conducted face-to-face, but trustees may participate remotely depending on their schedule and other commitments.

Sub-committees: All trustees sit on a remote board sub-committee – the Audit & Risk or People Committee. These committees usually meet up to 4 times each year and are scheduled to fit trustee availability.

Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings if required.
If feasible, Board members are also encouraged to visit the SU and observe major events such as Welcome.

ROLDA UK is seeking experienced and dedicated professionals to join the existing Board of Trustees.  This is an opportunity to use your expertise to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare whilst shaping the future of ROLDA UK.

ROLDA (Romanian League in Defence of Animals) is an animal welfare charity working to improve the lives of dogs, cats and other animals in Romania and internationally. Since its establishment in 2006, ROLDA has become a beacon of hope for the millions of vulnerable stray animals in Romania – one of Europe's economically poorest nations.  We also assist over 40 support groups helping abandoned animals in Ukraine.  Our mission is to manage the homeless animal population through six key focuses:  rescue, rehabilitation, sheltering, sterilisation, rehoming and education.

About the Role

The skills we are looking for include:

• Fundraising knowledge to help ROLDA grow its impact in the UK, especially digital marketing and campaign development.

• Governance of a Charity

• Experience of working in animal welfare.​

• Risk Management & GDPR

ROLDA UK is an equal opportunity employer.  We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Job Description:

Youth Advantage UK is seeking a Volunteer HR Officer to provide administrative support to the HR department. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with HR-related tasks such as recruitment, policies, onboarding, and maintaining employee records. The ideal candidate should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

Responsibilities:

• Lead internal communications initiatives to ensure cultural consistency and alignment.

• Work with the Policy and wider HR team on refining our end to end volunteer lifecycle processes to ensure better engagement from our volunteers. 

• Partner with leadership to craft sharp, impactful messaging for various internal initiatives.

• Partner closely with the L&D team to ensure content aligns with the organisational values and culture.

Requirements:

• Excellent writing and speaking skills.

• IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.

• Ability to work well independently and in a team.

• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.

• Interest in HR and the non-profit sector.

• Experience not required, but any previous experience in HR or administrative roles is a plus.

Benefits:

• Gain valuable experience in HR and the non-profit sector.

• Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.

• Develop professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, and time management.

• Flexible working hours.

To Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest.

The Volunteer HR position with Youth Advantage UK offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a fantastic team that is working on exciting projects aimed at empowering young people across the UK. By joining our team, candidates will have the chance to gain valuable experience in the HR and non-profit sector while developing professional skills and making a positive impact on the lives of young people. Youth Advantage UK is committed to providing opportunities for young people to reach their full potential, and the successful candidate can be a part of making that happen. This is an incredibly rewarding experience for anyone looking to give back to their community and make a difference.

About Us:

The Orpheus Centre is a specialist further education college and charity working to support young disabled adults, who are passionate about the arts, to achieve their potential and lead independent lives.

Set up by musician and songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus offers learning, supported housing and personal care on the same site in Godstone, Surrey.

Volunteer Role:

Collection Box Coordinator – 2 hours a week

Why volunteer:

Through volunteering with us you will gain a greater sense of purpose and help with fundraising for Orpheus. You will coordinate the regular collection and replacement of Orpheus donation boxes within the local area and liaise with other volunteers to inform them which boxes need collecting. You will also need to maintain our database, inputting current and new locations, reporting stolen or broken boxes, researching new locations to distribute boxes and inform the Community Fundraiser.

This role would suite someone who is self-motivated, have a confident manner and experience of dealing with the public face-to-face. Experience using excel spreadsheets or databases would be beneficial, however we can provide training if necessary. You’ll need to be reliable, an excellent communicator, have a friendly and enthusiastic personality and committed to helping. Being a car driver will help you within this role.

You will have a mentor who will help and guide you when you first start volunteering at Orpheus.

Training:

Role relevant training, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Safeguarding will be given prior to start date. There is also the opportunity to attend our Learning Support training.

On-going support will be available throughout your time at Orpheus.

Benefits/What you’ll get:

• Experience of volunteering in an education setting.
• Working within a team as well as independently.
• The opportunity to meet new people and having fun.
• Develop confidence, empathy, listening and communication skills through working with our students.
• Gain experience in the charity sector.
• Opportunities to volunteer at other fundraising or on site events at Orpheus.
• Free on-site parking and expenses claimed back.
• Discounted lunches.
• Volunteer social events, like our Volunteer Tea Party.

Safeguarding:

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all service users. We are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities.

This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  It is therefore subject to an Enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

Equality & Diversity:

• To enforce the zero tolerance policy of all forms of victimisation, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
• To be tolerant of differences and use respectful language.
• Ensure professional standards and boundaries are clear.
• To treat everyone respectfully.

Application Process:

Once your application has been received it will be reviewed, you may then be invited in for an informal interview.

Your references will be checked and you will need to complete the online DBS application before bringing the relevant documents in to be checked.

You will then need to attend all of our training. This can all take 3-4 weeks to be completed before you start volunteering with us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need.

IAPWA are currently seeking an Event Co-ordinator to join their UK team to support their ‘Dip for Dogs’ fundraising initiative.

From identifying locations to host a charity ice bath event, to recruiting and supporting volunteers to assist on the day, you will be part of a charity who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of animals in need.

Willow is special. We help make precious memories in the toughest times.

Our team works hard to provide fun-packed Special Days or quiet breaks, a chance to meet heroes and legends, or the opportunity to fulfil a lifelong dream. In the toughest times, Willow creates tailored experiences that give people a boost and bring families closer together. We are the only UK charity that supports seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds, creating magical moments which become shared memories that last a lifetime.

Since Willow was founded in 1999, we have provided more than 22,000 Special Days, Special Breaks and Special Treats, but we see this as only the first part of Willow’s journey and a base for further growth. We currently provide around 1,000 treats, days or breaks each year which means that we only reach a small percentage of those who would benefit from our services. We would love to be able to do more.

This is a pro bono appointment which brings rewards and if you would like to make a difference in our world, this is a great opportunity to bring your skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver on our mission.

Travel expenses directly incurred in our roles as Trustees on official business can be reimbursed. Board and Committee meetings are held in person or remotely with in person meetings normally held in London.

Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term with the opportunity to extend for a further two, three-year periods.

The time commitment is to attend 4 Board meetings a year plus relevant committee meetings. There are always opportunities to become more involved with specific projects, and trustees are strongly encouraged to attend at least 1 Willow fundraising event each year.

Specifics about the role

Willow seeks to appoint a new Board member as part of our succession planning. We are keen to hear from candidates who have skills or expertise in fundraising:

• Worked as a senior fundraiser in a charity with a range of public fundraising methods, and are used to setting targets and reviewing the effectiveness of different streams of income.  At Willow, you will help to scrutinise and enhance our fundraising strategy and may have experience of data insight and interrogation

You will be joining a dedicated team of Trustees. We currently have 10 board members with a variety of backgrounds and experience including finance, investments, fundraising, PR and communications, management consultancy, events, and legal.  Our trustees work closely with the Chief Executive, leadership team and senior members of the team.

Objective: 

The Chair provides inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees in its accountability for Eikon’s vision, mission, charitable purposes and upholding its values whilst supporting Trustees individually and collectively in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity.

The Chair provides line management to the CEO, offering support, advice and appraisal, and with the SLT, when appropriate, to deliver its Strategy and achieve its Annual Plan goals and objectives. He or she will act as a champion, ambassador and the public face of the Charity in partnership with the CEO. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Oversee and ensure that duties are fulfilled, strategies are established and that the Board regularly reviews risks and opportunities.

Governance: Confirm the charity’s arrangements, Trustees and systems are effective and comply with the Charity Commission Governance Code.

External Relations: Represent Eikon as an ambassador and spokesperson with external stakeholders, when appropriate.

Efficiency and Effectiveness: Engage Trustees while chairing meetings and documenting decisions and actions arising.

Relationship with CEO and Senior Leadership Team: Establish a strong, open, collaborative, supportive relationship with key team members; agree objectives and goals for the CEO.

Person Specifications

Personal Qualities: Strong and visible passion, commitment and advocacy for Eikon and children and young people’s mental health.

Experience: Track record of operation and achievement at a senior strategic level including both internal and external presentations and representation.

Knowledge and Skills: Strong leadership and motivational skills combined with financial management experience; understanding of charity governance.

Location:               

The Eikon Charity is based in New Haw, Surrey, and operates throughout most of Surrey’s boroughs and beyond.

Remuneration

The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed. 

Time Commitment

Chairing, in person, four evening Board meetings per year, a Board and Senior Leadership Team away day and the annual Audit & Finance Committee meeting.  There are regular in person or online meetings and calls with the Chief Executive Officer and liaison with individual Trustees and senior staff on particular issues.  Together with the CEO, represent the Charity at events and meetings with key stakeholders.Standard appointment term is three years.

About QuilomboUK

QuilomboUK is a pioneering organisation committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion (D&I), and social justice. Through our People First philosophy, we foster workplaces where every voice is heard and valued. Join our remote team to amplify our mission through strategic, inclusive communication that drives engagement, equity, and belonging.

Role Overview

As the Specialist: Talent Communications, you will shape QuilomboUK’s narrative by designing and delivering impactful internal communications and HR marketing strategies. You’ll craft compelling messaging for talent initiatives (e.g., D&I, wellbeing, performance) and lead the creation of employee newsletters, alumni engagement, and employer branding campaigns. This role is ideal for a creative storyteller passionate about using communication as a tool for social justice and organisational change.

Key Responsibilities:

Internal Communication Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive internal communication strategy that aligns with HR and business objectives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and cultural relevance.
• Partner with HR, leadership, and cross-functional teams to communicate talent priorities (e.g., DE&I goals, wellbeing programs, performance frameworks).
• Use data-driven insights to refine communication channels for maximum engagement in a remote environment.

Content Creation & Distribution

• Design and distribute monthly newsletters for professionals and alumni ambassadors, highlighting key updates, success stories, and social justice initiatives.
• Create visually engaging content (e.g., infographics, videos, podcasts) to promote talent programs, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
• Maintain an editorial calendar to prioritise timely, mission-aligned messaging.

Talent Initiative Messaging

• Craft clear, inclusive messaging for HR campaigns (e.g., anti-racism training, mental health resources, recognition programs) to drive awareness and participation.
• Embed social justice principles into all communications, ensuring language reflects QuilomboUK’s values and amplifies marginalised voices.
• Develop toolkits for managers to cascade key messages effectively across teams.

HR Marketing & Employer Branding

• Collaborate with the Talent Acquisition team to design an HR marketing strategy that enhances QuilomboUK’s employer brand and attracts diverse talent.
• Produce content for careers pages, social media, and recruitment campaigns that highlight our culture, D&I commitments, and employee stories.
• Analyse retention and engagement metrics to refine messaging that supports talent retention.

D&I Integration

• Ensure all communications reflect QuilomboUK’s DE&I goals, using inclusive language and imagery.
• Partner with ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to co-create content celebrating diverse identities and perspectives.
• Lead initiatives to educate employees on equity topics through targeted campaigns (e.g., cultural awareness months, disability inclusion).

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years in internal communications, HR marketing, or content creation, preferably in DE&I-focused or mission-driven organisations.
• Skills:
• Exceptional copywriting and storytelling abilities for diverse formats (newsletters, scripts, social media).
• Proficiency in design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and communication platforms (e.g., Google Chat).
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence leaders and collaborate across teams.
• Knowledge:
• Understanding of DE&I communication best practices and trauma-informed messaging.
• Familiarity with employer branding strategies and talent lifecycle touchpoints.
• Alignment: Passionate about QuilomboUK’s mission and the role of communication in driving equity.

Personal Attributes

• A creative visionary who balances innovation with cultural sensitivity.
• Empathetic listener who translates complex ideas into relatable, actionable content.
• Detail-oriented organiser who thrives in a fast-paced, remote environment.
• Advocate for inclusive language and accessible communication design.

Why Join QuilomboUK?

• Impact: Shape narratives that advance social justice and employee belonging.
• Creativity: Experiment with multimedia storytelling in a values-driven environment.
• Culture: Join a collaborative team where authenticity and courage are celebrated.
• Flexibility: Remote work with autonomy and opportunities for growth.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Amplify voices. Ignite change. #CommunicateForJustice #PeopleFirst #InclusiveStorytelling

Cystar

Help women with PCOS manage their condition through our health program

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women globally, yet it remains one of the most under-diagnosed and misunderstood hormonal disorders. Our startup addresses the social and healthcare inequality faced by individuals with PCOS, who often experience delayed diagnosis, misinformation, and a lack of holistic support. Many face chronic physical and emotional challenges—ranging from irregular periods and infertility to anxiety, depression, and body image issues.

Socially, PCOS is stigmatised and frequently dismissed, especially in low-resource settings, where access to specialised care is limited and digital health education is minimal. Environmental challenges also arise from a lack of culturally sensitive, inclusive, and personalised resources for managing lifestyle and medical interventions.

We aim to close these gaps by providing accessible, evidence-based tools and community support to help individuals manage PCOS proactively—supporting not just physical health, but also mental well-being, self-advocacy, and long-term empowerment.

Our startup empowers individuals with PCOS to take control of their health through a personalised, holistic digital platform. We combine science-backed tools, expert guidance, and community support to address the unique and complex challenges of managing PCOS.

We focus on three core pillars:

Education & Awareness – We provide clear, accessible content to help users understand PCOS, its symptoms, and treatment options. By demystifying the condition, we help users become confident advocates for their own care.

Personalised Health Management – Our platform offers customised lifestyle plans (nutrition, yoga, mental health support and supplementation guidance) tailored to the individual’s symptoms, goals, and health data. We also support symptom tracking and integration with healthcare providers for a more cohesive care journey.

Community & Mental Health Support – We create safe spaces for peer support and access to mental health resources, helping users feel seen, heard, and supported. This combats the isolation and anxiety that often accompanies PCOS.

By blending technology, empathy, and expert insight, we aim to close the care gap, reduce stigma, and help users lead healthier, more fulfilling lives—on their own terms.

We’re a health initiative delivering holistic, culturally relevant treatment options for Indian women with PCOS. Our digital presence is essential to reach the right audience—women searching for trustworthy, lifestyle-based PCOS solutions. We’re looking for an SEO-savvy volunteer to help drive organic traffic and grow our reach.

SEO Expert

Role Overview

As a Volunteer SEO Specialist, you'll help optimise our website and content strategy to attract Indian women struggling with PCOS. You'll perform keyword research, improve on-page SEO, collaborate with the content team, and monitor performance to drive sustainable traffic growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Keyword Research & Strategy
  • Identify high-volume, low-competition keywords relevant to PCOS treatment in India
  • Build topic clusters and content outlines for blog, social, and app-related pages
  • Support multilingual/localized keyword strategies (e.g. Hindi, Tamil, etc.)
• On-Page SEO
  • Optimize titles, meta descriptions, headings, alt text, and internal links
  • Provide SEO guidance on new pages, blogs, or educational content
  • Collaborate with content writers to ensure best practices are applied
• Technical SEO (Basic Level)
  • Audit site structure, page speed, mobile performance, and crawlability
  • Flag issues and recommend fixes to our development volunteers
• Off-Page SEO & Authority Building
  • Recommend backlink opportunities or partnerships (forums, blogs, health platforms)
  • Suggest strategies for growing domain authority in a nonprofit context
• Performance Tracking & Reporting
  • Monitor traffic, rankings, and click-through rates using Google Search Console and Analytics

* Report progress monthly with data insights and recommendations

Ideal Skills and Experience

• Experience with SEO tools (e.g., Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, SEMrush)
• You'll have access to RankMath premium for optimisation
• Understanding of on-page, technical, and off-page SEO best practices
• Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
• Strong analytical and communication skills

* Bonus: Experience targeting Indian digital audiences or working with wellness/healthcare content

What You’ll Gain

• A real-world portfolio demonstrating SEO impact for a mission-driven initiative
• Data-driven results and progress reports you can showcase
• A letter of recommendation and LinkedIn endorsement upon successful completion
• The satisfaction of helping Indian women discover a credible, holistic PCOS care solution

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

Balance Support CIO is a specialist provider of learning disabilities services across SW London. We are seeking new trustees to support the charity's widening strategic partnerships and business growth.

What will you be doing?

Reshaping our Board

Balance has trustees with substantial experience across a range of disciplines from housing law to management consultancy and information technology. This experience and knowledge have been critical in supporting the charity's executive leadership restructure operations and qaulity assurance standandards.

As a result they have steered the charitys growth and development increasing turnover from £2.3 Million in 2022 to £4.2 Million in 2024. With additional new work likely in 2025, the board see's strengthening it's knowledge and specialisms as critical in leading this new phase of our development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for new trustees who have a commitment to driving high quality and empowering social care services. You will recognise the importance of your role in being both a critical friend to the executive leadership as well as an expert in your given field.

Following some recent resignations the board is looking for trustees who can bring backgrounds: 

• finance -  insight, support and guidance to help develop a sustainable and financially resilient charity
• marketing - knowledge of and ability to support the charity's approach to marketing its services to new customers, commissioners and other business partners
• human resources - a background in HR that provides guidance and support to board in ensuring our personnel governance aligns with our legal obligations

Previous experience as a trustee is not necessary as we will offer training and support where there may be gaps in knowledge. However we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who may be from a black and minority ethnic background, women and people living with a disability. 

Where you live

We are a charity based in Kingston with operations across a number of boroughs in SW and Central London. Whilst insight and knowledge of SW london may be an advantage, our flexible approach to attending board meetings in person or online offers wider opportunities for participation from beyond the charity's base. 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for trustees with the following experience and skills:

Financial

• Strong commercial background in a senior finance role.
• Knowledge of (or willingness to get to grips with) charity SORP and any impending changes.
• Strong ability to communicate financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of fundraising governance and good finance practice.

Marketing and Communications

• Knowledge and experience in a marketing and/or communications role
• Can provide industry knowledge and adivce on marketing and communications to grow brand and public awareness.
• Understand the role of strategic planning in relation commuications and market development.

Human Resources

• Experience and knowledge of HR management at a senior level
• Able to provide insight and strategic direction on our governance obligations in relation managing our workforce and supporting their development.

General

• Skilled in analysis, evaluation, and sound judgement
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a trustee, or a willingness to undertake training at their appointment.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management.
• The Board meets at least 6 times a year and each trustee is expected to attend all board meetings (even if remotely) to contribute to discussions and decisions and occasional attendance at other community events, service visits and away days.

The difference you will make

As a new member of our board you will be joining at an exciting time for the charity. We are increasingly recognised as a quality provider of services to people with a range of specialist and complex needs. 

The roles we are looking to fill on the board will provide expertise and insight key to our growing portfolio. You will support our growing level of privately sources income, the charity's social enterprise arm and the charity's push to grow its brand for generally.

Your commitment to transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities and/or enduring mental health support needs will also inform your application. As a trustee you will instrinsically align with our 6 values:

• Idependence
• Empowerment
• Staff Recognition
• Professionalism
• Sustainability
• Partnership

And be able to mobilise you knowledge in maximising the boards ability to lead our development in relation to them.

Before you apply

Trustee applicants will be invited for an informal discussion with the CEO prior to a more formal discussion with a selection of trustees. This will enable any candidate to find out a little more about the charity, to discuss dates when they can meet with trustee's and ensure they have space to ask any questions necessary to inform their decision making.

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.

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. 

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the Medway and Swale Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the West Hertfordshire Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.