Community manager volunteer roles in cramlington, northumberland
Are you passionate about the natural world and inspiring others to engage with it?
Join us as a Trustee at the Field Studies Council and help shape the future of environmental education.
- You can be based anywhere in the UK
- You’ll need to commit approx. 10 days a year
- It’s a voluntary position but reasonable expenses are reimbursed
About Us
Field Studies Council is an environmental education charity. For over 80 years, we've been inspiring people to understand and care for the natural world. Through our network of centres across the UK, we provide fieldwork and outdoor learning experiences for all ages — from school groups and university students to families and lifelong learners.
We are a leader in biodiversity training, the publisher of best-selling wildlife ID guides, and a champion for accessible outdoor education, particularly for disadvantaged young people. Our mission is simple but vital: to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.
Your Opportunity to Make a Difference
We’re currently looking to appoint four new Trustees to bring fresh perspectives and help us grow in diversity, representation and expertise. As a Trustee, you'll help guide and shape our charity’s future.
While the day-to-day running of our charity is handled by our staff and volunteers, the Board of Trustees plays a key role in making sure everything stays on track.
That includes overseeing our work, making big-picture decisions, and ensuring we meet our legal and regulatory responsibilities. It’s an important role, but you won’t be doing it alone. You will:
- Provide strategic oversight and guidance to support our mission and values
- Use your insight and experience to influence decisions that impact tens of thousands of learners annually
- Act as an ambassador for environmental education and social inclusion
- Contribute to Board and committee meetings, and participate in key annual activities including visiting one of our field centres each year to see our work in action
- Use your knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to help us innovate, grow, and reach more people
Who We’re Looking For
You don’t need to be an academic, ecologist or environmentalist to join us or have charity trustee, company director or equivalent experience — we welcome applicants from all walks of life. We are especially interested in candidates with skills in:
- Charity governance
- Finance (qualified professionals – potential Honorary Treasurer role)
- Fundraising & stakeholder engagement
- Marketing & communications
Above all, we want individuals who are:
- Passionate about equal access to outdoor learning
- Ready to speak up and bring a new perspective
- Willing to give their time and energy to support the Field Studies Council
We’re committed to building a Trustee board that is inclusive, representative, and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.
We warmly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in charity governance — including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ communities, young people, and those with lived experience of social or economic disadvantage.
If you're excited by our mission and ready to help others experience the power of nature, we’d love to hear from you.
What’s Involved
- Approx. 10 days per year commitment for an initial 3-year term (this includes board and committee meetings, and a centre visit)
- Most meetings are held virtually, with one in-person event annually
- All reasonable expenses are covered
- Appropriate training and support will be provided
Please download the Trustee Candidate Information Pack to learn more and take the next step in helping us connect people with the natural world
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Background
Indigenous peoples and local communities are grappling with the constant threat of displacement from their lands in Tanzania. The Maasai communities in Tanzania's Loliondo and Ngorongoro regions are currently facing significant challenges, primarily due to government-led eviction efforts aimed at designating these areas for conservation and tourism purposes. The violations of human and land rights have left thousands of people vulnerable and in need of urgent assistance. These evictions not only disrupt the livelihoods of the affected populations but also undermine their cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. As these communities are forced from their ancestral lands, many lose access to vital resources such as grazing lands, water, and shelter, leading to severe socio-economic hardships. Not1More is working with a partner organisation, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania (TEST), in Tanzania to support their essential fundraising, advocacy and community development activities.
Your Role
We are looking for a volunteer who can dedicate time to this role through to December 2025. You will be a part of a team that works directly with Tanzania’s indigenous Maasai, and help to make a difference in key areas such as protecting ecosystems, preserving Indigenous knowledge, community capacity building and advocating for Indigenous rights.
The main objective is to help TEST diversify and increase their funding sources. This will include connecting with other enthusiastic team members online to develop a fundraising strategy and implementation of a fundraising campaign, including identifying grant funding opportunities, assisting in the preparation and submission of grant funding proposals, and pursuing philanthropic and corporate partnership funding opportunities.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Ideally you are a compassionate, organised, and resilient individual with strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with a passion for the cause. A proactive, positive personality with a can-do attitude, would highly suit this role.
Previous experience with fundraising activities, preferably with an NGO is desirable but not necessary.
Mentoring
Support and mentoring to develop your skills will be available in this role as we aim to help you bring out our talents in this team.
Hours
As this is a volunteer role, time is flexible, but you would be expected to attend a bi-weekly check-in with someone from the Not1More team to ensure we are working in the same direction.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We’re looking for trustees
We’re looking to recruit dynamic, committed and motivated people with professional skills and experience who are as passionate as we are about empowering individuals to work through and beyond their experience of sexual abuse.
Specific qualifications are not necessarily required and we welcome applicants with lived experience. A genuine interest in learning about our charity and our services within the local community is essential.
These trustees will help to form a new board dedicated to supporting the charity and contributing to the effective and quality governance of Trust House. You will play an active role in developing the strategic direction of the charity and provide guidance to ensure the charity continues to support anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse in the Thames Valley area.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Pain Concern
Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work.
All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life changing results
Role purpose
We are seeking highly motivated individuals to join our social media team to help raise awareness of chronic pain and the work of Pain Concern to reach more people in need of the support we offer.
What you would be doing
• Help develop social media campaigns and day-to-day activities;
• Manage presence in social networking across all platforms;
• Prepare graphics for sharing across channels
• Monitor the impact of social media campaigns; Analyse, review and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize the charity’s reach.
• Scheduling and posting social media content
• Capture and report on monthly data from across all social media platforms
Is this role right for me?
We are looking for an individual who possesses some or all of the below experiences, skills and qualities.
• Excellent communication skills
• Good knowledge and understanding of social media platforms
• Knowledge of marketing
• Strong IT skills and knowledge of MS Office
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of / interest in pain and long-term conditions
Availability and location
• Minimum 2-4 hours per week
• Volunteer from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS or from your own location
Benefits to you
• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team
• Meet new people
• Build on your employability skills
• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you
• A job reference after 3 months of volunteering.
• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community
• On-site car parking
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy
How do I apply?
For more information, please visit our website
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need.
IAPWA are currently seeking an Events Co-ordinator to join their UK team to help them develop their range of adrenalin pursuits within their Adventures for Animals fundraising initiative. From identifying ways to find animal lovers to take part in our 2025 skydiving challenge to creating new, exciting events for our adventure community to engage with, you will be part of a charity who are passionate about making a difference to the lives of animals in need.
Please note: All expenses are covered, including free places on our Adventures!
IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK registered charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss. You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more. What you’ll be doing • Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events. • Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business. Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events. In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting. We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss. We would particularly like to recruit support volunteers within the Downpatrick area (last Wednesday of every month) What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people. • An empathetic and professional manner. • The ability to take the supportive and helpful role.
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Particularly looking for Volunteers in Downpatrick area - Last Wednesday of Every month
Haig Housing Trust provides housing for veterans and their families. We’re looking for a passionate, experienced individual to join our Board of Trustees and help us drive real change.
What will you be doing?
Our purpose is to provide quality homes to improve the lives of veterans and their families. We have a long and proud history of supporting our beneficiaries. We have over 1,500 properties across the UK on small well-managed estates, ranging from six houses to 360 homes on our largest estate in Morden. Homes are available at an affordable rent. We also offer extensive support, advice and signposting to assist those in housing need. We believe housing is fundamental to building thriving communities.
This is an exciting time to join our board. Now under the recent Patronage of HRH The Princess Royal we have ambitious plans to improve our housing stock, grow the support we offer our beneficiaries and ensure they remain at the core of everything we do. We have a strong leadership team, a robust financial base and are confident about our future.
Due to planned retirement we want to strengthen the Board. We want to stress that no board experience is necessary to apply – we will help you to learn and grow. What we do ask is that you are committed, curious and collaborative. If you have a legal background, that would be of particular interest.
We are on an important journey to improve our impact, growing investment in our properties over the next five years. We froze rents in 2022, allowing us to keep increases to below inflation over the last four years. We want to build our profile, thinking creatively about the needs of the veteran community and on how to innovate our service delivery for their benefit. With our new chair, the Board will shape our strategic goals, ensuring that we continue to deliver housing that is fit for the future.
We are in a strong financial position. Total income in FY 23/24 was £12M. We are debt-free with a strong balance sheet. We own our properties, have strong reserves and are diversifying our income, growing fundraising so that we can modernise our homes and increase our impact.
We are governed by a diverse Board of independent, non-executive trustees with a wealth of professional, charity and Armed Forces experience. Trustees meet formally every quarter and delegate specific issues to three committees (Finance and Risk, Estates and People) that report to the Board. Overall, we have c60 staff, based in Victoria, led by the Chief Executive and a Senior Leadership Team of four.
What are we looking for?
Person Specification
Essential
- Clear empathy for Armed Forces veterans and their families and a passion for our mission.
- A collaborative, engaging style that promotes positive relationships at all levels and with partners.
- A willingness to help us develop and deliver better customer service.
- Commitment to help us grow our standing with public, private and civil society organisations.
- Willing to learn about those areas of running a charity with which you are not familiar
- Personal integrity and credibility that grows confidence at all levels with everyone you meet.
Able to make the time commitments of the role.
Desirable
- Experience of operating in the charitable sector.
- Connections within the military and veterans’ sectors.
- Legal experience (in a relevant sector)
What difference will you make?
Trustees bring their own experience to a Board, using their skill and judgement to enable good decision-making and deliver impact. If you share our passion for helping those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families and want to play your part in delivering a better future for them, we’d love to hear from you.
We do ask that candidates commit to:
- Attending four board meetings, a strategy offsite and four sub-committee meetings a year.
- Developing a good understanding of our operations and the environment in which we operate.
- Meeting the people we help and the teams that support them.
- Helping the board ensure the highest standards of governance and strategic focus.
- Monitoring the performance of Haig’s activities in a constructive and collaborative way.
- Making time, skills, and experience available (in and outside of regular board meetings).
The overall time commitment is around 1 day a month on average. Board usually meets in person in London each quarter; committee meetings are remote. Trustees are appointed for renewable terms of office of three years. The role is unremunerated, although expenses are reimbursed.
Before you apply
To express interest please contact us via Reach. Applications by CV and covering letter (max 2-sides A4). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Help children as Trustee of an innovative, enterprising Tees Valley Charity that is increasingly supporting children in care through fostering and a planned residential provision. Join an agency that transforms children's lives.
What will you be doing?
You will join us at an exciting time as we pursue growth of fostering and residential services, as well as growth of our early help offer.
You will work across the Charity and the subsidiary fostering company (which we will amalgamate back into the parent Charity).
You will have a particular focus on helping the fostering agency drive growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver excellent care for children and support for foster parents. You will provide support and challenge to the management team.
You’ll contribute 2 to 6 hours a month. The Charity board meets every 8 weeks (shifting to quarterly after September) and the fostering board meets every 8 weeks.
You’ll join a Charity that’s brought £millions of investment into Tees Valley and that helps over 1000 local people a year. We’ve been runners up at the national Charity Governance Awards and ‘community’ winners at the Hartlepool Business Awards.
We are looking for experienced professionals who share our values and want to help.
What are we looking for?
At this time we are specifically looking for Trustees with some of these areas of skills or experience:
Business development
Safeguarding management
Fostering or children's residential care or childrens social work management
Financial management
What difference will you make?
We want to help children and family members heal from trauma, primarily through helping them develop a network of nurturing, loving and appropriately challenging relationships with people in their close and wider communities. Any small surplus we make from helping children in care will be diverted into work to help families stay together and thrive. You will join a team that strives to make this difference. You will help ensure the Charity keeps a strong focus on children and young peoples needs whilst being sustainability and ensuring the agency manages the risks associated with growth and investment in new services.
Before you apply
After expressing an interest through the site, we'd welcome an initial conversation with our CEO and/or Chair. After that, we usually take applications to the Board for consideration. This is usually quite a quick process.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Ethiqana
We are a fair trade social enterprise focused on preserving earth friendly handicraft by providing sustainable livelihoods to our artisan heroes.
Ethiqana is a platform for artisanal revival. The business was established in March 2017 and started trading in August of the same year. We strive to solve two problems:
- Help reduce plastic pollution - Our aim is to rediscover sustainable materials and art forms that are on the verge of extinction These earth-friendly crafts can help in reversing the effects of climate change and ease the plastic pollution - perhaps even make a huge dent in it too.
- Help provide a better life to artisans - Ethiqana works with small scale artisan producers to help preserve their crafts through sustainable livelihoods. This can help bring about social parity and equity in the artisan community that has no way of competing with mass industrialisation. Talented and skilled artisans have to abandon their art and go and work in some big nameless factory to make ends meet. Their wonderful earth-friendly craft is lost to future generations. Establishing it as a social enterprise gives Ethiqana a clear social and environmental mission. We do not just want to sell and make a profit. We want to bring about positive social and environmental change. We invest and re-invest in our artisans - economically and socially.
We work with small artisan producers carefully selected based on eco-friendliness of their methods & the need for creative and economic empowerment. Since our inception our artisan base has grown from 35 to over 150 this year. We work with the artisans very closely in developing products that not only highlight their skills but also relevant for the modern world. Our work with small scale artisan producers and the impact it has had on their socio-economic conditions has been recognised by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers (BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK), Good Market Global and Social Enterprise World Forum through a strong vetting process. This also helps cement our position as a unique artisan platform.
At Ethiqana, we've been passionate about ethical and sustainable products since our inception. We're a social enterprise, which means our mission goes beyond profit. We work to empower artisans, promote eco-friendly living, and create positive change in the world, one beautiful product at a time.
Your time and talents are invaluable to us. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation, and with your help, we can continue to connect talented artisans with a global audience who appreciates their work.
Thank you for considering Ethiqana. We look forward to working with you to make a difference!
Digital Marketing Specialist
Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)
About Us: Ethiqana is a purpose-driven social enterprise that connects conscious UK shoppers with artisan partners from the Global South. We're dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship through fair trade and sustainable practices.
Role Overview: We're seeking a passionate Digital Marketing volunteer to help drive our online presence through paid advertising and email marketing campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a meaningful social cause.
Key Responsibilities: -Managing and optimising Meta (Facebook/Instagram) advertising campaigns -Creating and managing email marketing campaigns -Analysing campaign performance and providing insights -Contributing to our digital marketing strategy
Required Skills & Qualities: -Passion for digital marketing and social enterprise -Basic understanding of Meta Ads Manager -Familiarity with email marketing platforms (MailPoet or similar) -Self-starter mentality and ability to work independently -Strong communication skills -Interest in fair trade and sustainable business practices
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week
Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)
3-5 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have fundraising, communications, HR, IT or other skills and wish to become a trustee of a pioneering and ambitious charity which funds and develops girls’ education in South Sudan? Friends of Ibba Girls School (FIGS) works to support a girls’ boarding school which provides free high-quality education for over 300 primary and secondary school girls, providing both education and a source of inspiration for the country. Boarding provides safety and security for girls in a country emerging from war. FIGS works closely with Windle Trust International, a highly experienced UK charity which provides the practical support on the ground in South Sudan. FIGS must raise £400-500k each year to keep the school thriving, while longer-term plans are put in place for greater self-sufficiency within the country. The trustees are both strategic and operational, as the charity only has 2 employees (1.5 FTE). Fundraising skills and experience are particularly sought and the trustee will need to be prepared to give about eight hours a week to the work. Communications is also important and needs about four hours a week. HR and IT are both valuable skills but do not have particular time requirements. Applicants with other skills and experience relevant to FIGS are welcome to apply.
Please download the recruitment pack below and visit out website for further information.
Friends of Ibba Girls School, South Sudan aims to improve the opportunity and quality of primary and secondary schooling for marginalised girls.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Position Summary:
Leads the Talent Acquisition team to deliver efficient, compliant, and inclusive recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with workforce planning forecasts and organisational goals. Manages sourcing, selection, and candidate experience while collaborating with the Workforce Planning team to anticipate future talent needs.
Key Responsibilities:
Recruitment Strategy Execution
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Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes for assigned business units, from job briefings to offer management.
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Partner with the Workforce Planning team to align sourcing strategies with long-term talent demands and skills gap analysis.
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Implement proactive talent pipelines (e.g., LinkedIn, diversity networks) for critical and future-focused roles.
Team Management
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Manage and mentor Talent Acquisition Specialists/Coordinators, setting KPIs for time-to-fill, candidate quality, and diversity hiring.
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Conduct regular performance reviews and identify training needs to upskill the team.
Employer Branding & Candidate Experience
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Promote the organisation’s EVP through job postings, social media campaigns (in partnership with the Talent Communications Team), and candidate interactions.
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Ensure a positive candidate journey by resolving escalations and maintaining clear communication.
Compliance & Best Practices
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Ensure adherence to UK employment law (e.g., right-to-work checks, GDPR) and internal policies.
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Audit recruitment processes to mitigate bias and align with DE&I goals.
Stakeholder Collaboration
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Partner with hiring managers and the Workforce Planning team to define role requirements and refine selection criteria.
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Share talent market insights (e.g., competitor hiring trends, salary benchmarks) to inform workforce planning strategies.
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Collaborate with the Team Leader: Onboarding to ensure a smooth handover post-offer acceptance.
Requirements:
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Education & Certification: CIPD Level 3 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HR apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3 in HR).
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Experience: 3+ years in recruitment, including 2+ years in a supervisory role.
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Technical Expertise: Proficiency in relevant systems and programmes.
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Legal Knowledge: Working understanding of UK employment law and recruitment compliance.
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Collaboration: Proven experience engaging with workforce planning or HR analytics teams to align recruitment with business strategy.
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DE&I Focus: Experience designing inclusive hiring practices (e.g., blind CV screening, diverse interview panels).
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you like to be part of our future? After a period of growth Grassroots Suicide Prevention are seeking to recruit further trustees.
We are a national suicide prevention charity, and our vision is a future where more lives are saved from suicide. We empower people to help saves lives from suicide through connecting, educating, and campaigning nationally:
· Connecting: We listen and connect people to support through our Stay Alive app, tools, and resources to help keep people safe from suicide.
· Educating: We offer bespoke and evidence-based consultation and training, co-designed to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to develop the skills and confidence to help save lives.
· Campaigning: We help remove the stigma around suicide. We know that most suicides are preventable with timely intervention and the right support. We raise awareness through campaigning on the ground and influencing at a strategic level.
As a Trustee, you will be joining a charity in a strong position with an ambition to build on our successes. We will be looking to build on existing activities and developing new innovative projects.
Trustees are our most senior leaders. They set our strategic direction, make sure we’re using our resources effectively and ensure we’re having the greatest possible impact in the communities in which we work. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects GSP’s values and ethos.
We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills and experience in one of the following areas:
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charity experience, ideally a CEO or former CEO who has grown a local charity into a national
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fundraising and/or someone who sits across marketing, comms and fundraising but with more experience on fundraising than comms
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frontline support both online/digital and face to face in health and social care
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business development and networking
We are a friendly and welcoming organisation and are passionate about what we do. You’ll be joining our Board of Trustees at an exciting time with lots of opportunities to build on our success over the next few years. If you have the time and enthusiasm to be part of something amazing, please get in touch.
We welcome applications from those with lived experience.
If you would like to apply and/or find out more about this position, please see the job description attached.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Could you volunteer in your local PDSA charity shop and help us raise vital funds to treat pets in need?
PDSA is a charity with 48 pet hospitals that supports pets and people in need. All of our charity shops need an amazing team of volunteers to make them a success and we need you now more than ever.
By becoming a charity shop volunteer with PDSA you will:
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Gain retail experience
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Develop new skills and boost your CV
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Meet new people
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Support your local community
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Donate your current skills and knowledge
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Have fun
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Be part of a friendly team
Charity Shop Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each shop and even a few hours a week will make a difference.
On the shop floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.
Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing
We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket.
We’re looking for people who are 18 years of age or over that enjoy working as part of a team and making a difference.
Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our shops or to apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA
PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.
To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Lead the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital substance use, mental health and well-being services across the UK, and help provide high-quality, person-centred care to the people and communities affected.
Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)
Closing date: Tuesday 27th May
Who we are.
Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.
Our Approach Makes Us Different
At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.
Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives – they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guides everything we do.
The opportunity.
As we have experienced growth and are launching our new strategy, we had new Trustees join our Board as others have come to the end of their terms. As our current Chair, Yasmin Batliwala MBE comes to the end of her term later this year, we are looking to appoint a new Chair.
What Makes a Great Via Chair
- A Strategic Leader with proven experience operating at a senior level with a successful track record of achievement. You’ll have the personal gravitas to lead a significant, complex, national organisation, alongside the ability to lead a newly evolving and forming Board.
- Passionate About Our Cause: You will bring your expertise and passion for improving lives and reducing inequality. You’ll be someone who understands the complexity of our work yet can think strategically about our future. Your genuine enthusiasm will inspire others and strengthen our impact.
- Governance Experience: you will bring the experience of being on Boards and will work to lead the board to ensure sound financial health and accountability while effectively managing risk and continuing to innovate in service development and delivery.
- An Inclusive Champion committed to fostering diversity that reflects the communities we serve, promoting DEI training and growth, and holding staff and trustees accountable to these practices.
- A Relationship Builder with excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic tact. You’ll develop a strong working relationship with the Chief Executive, maintain connections with key stakeholders, and represent Via as an effective ambassador.
- A Collaborative Leader who can bring people together, foster a team environment, and work in partnership with our board and team to drive our ambitious strategy.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.
Time Commitment
The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of 2-3 days per month. This includes:
- Four Board meetings per year
- Quarterly committee meetings
- Annual strategy and away day
- Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
- Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.
Making a Difference Together
This is an extraordinary time to join Via. As we implement our new 2025-29 strategy and expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close on Tuesday 27th May.
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Aspens are looking for trustees to join us on the next exciting part of our journey. We'd love to hear from you if you have accountancy, social care, business development or fundraising experience.
What will you be doing?
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism? Do you have the skills, experience, and dedication to help guide a forward-thinking charity? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
About Aspens CharitiesAt Aspens we provide high quality care and support to people on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities; and their families; meeting their needs and aspirations and empowering them to learn and grow through an integrated network of services across the South-East.
Why Become a Trustee?As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in overseeing the governance and strategic direction of Aspens Charities. You will work alongside a committed Board to ensure our services remain impactful, sustainable, and aligned with our core values.
Your Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership, ensuring Aspens meets its charitable objectives.
- Oversee financial management, risk assessment, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
- Support and challenge the Executive Team to drive excellence in service delivery.
- Act as an ambassador for Aspens, promoting our work and values.
- Attend Board meetings and contribute to key strategic decisions.
What We’re Looking For:We welcome applications from individuals with diverse professional backgrounds. Key attributes include:
- A strong commitment to the aims and values of Aspens Charities.
- Strategic thinking and decision-making abilities.
- Willingness to dedicate time to Board meetings and governance activities.
- Integrity, good judgment, and the ability to work collaboratively.
We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in:
- Accountancy
- Health & Social Care sector knowledge
- Fundraising and business development
Time Commitment & LocationThis is a voluntary, unpaid role with reasonable expenses covered. The Board meets approximately three times a year, with 3 committee meetings and occasional additional meetings or events. Meetings are held in person and virtually.
What are we looking for?
- Commitment to the goals and aims of the charity.
- Dedication to the role and a willingness to devote the required time.
- The ability to make good independent judgements.
- Being able to think creatively.
- Understanding the importance of carrying out required legal duties.
- Proven strategic abilities that can be used to create effective plans.
- Strength of character coupled with the ability to voice concerns and opinions.
- Proven experience working as a member of successful teams.
- Integrity and objectivity which can be applied to all aspects of the role.
Experience of either accountancy or fundraising / income generation.
What difference will you make?
As a Trustee, your leadership will directly shape the future of Aspens Charities and the lives of the people we support. You will help:
- Improve Quality of Care – Ensuring individuals with learning disabilities and autism receive the best possible support.
- Drive Strategic Growth – Expanding and developing services to reach more people in need.
- Ensure Financial Sustainability – Overseeing resources to secure long-term impact.
- Strengthen Governance – Upholding transparency, compliance, and ethical leadership.
Your expertise will make a lasting difference, creating a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.