Community services volunteers volunteer roles in kings cross, greater london

The Vision Friends project has been running successfully for the past five years, providing free, Welsh Government-funded training to health and social care professionals across Wales. The training is designed to help professionals better understand and support people living with sight loss.

This year, we are launching a new strand of the project: Vision Friends: First Responders. The aim is to adapt our existing training to specifically support first responder services to enhance their ability to support individuals with sight loss in emergency and urgent care situations.

We are seeking a committed and empathetic volunteer to help us shape a more inclusive future by gathering valuable feedback from blind and partially sighted individuals, as well as first responders via online forums. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact on how services are developed and delivered across communities in Wales and beyond.

What you will be doing:
Facilitate engaging and accessible online forums with blind and partially sighted people to gather feedback for an RNIB led project;
Run structured feedback sessions with first responders to understand the service experiences and identify areas for improvement;
Ensure participants feel comfortable, heard and respected throughout all discussions;
Capture key insights and report findings clearly and accurately to the health and social care training team;
Support RNIB in creating a positive and inclusive environment for all forum participants.

What you will gain:
Valuable experience in community engagement and facilitation;
The opportunity to influence real change;
Full access to training and ongoing support from the health and social care training team;
A supportive, inclusive volunteering environment.

Please note, this volunteering opportunity takes place on Fridays only and is expected to last until Autumn 2025.

How often will I be needed?

• 2 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This opportunity requires 2 references

Location

Region

• Wales

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Volunteering will take place remotely over Microsoft Teams or Zoom but there is also the option to attend Vision Friends training sessions and meet the team in person in Cardiff.

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Experience of Welsh language skills and/or Microsoft Teams or Zoom would be helpful but not essential. Previous experience of facilitation isn't essential as long as you have excellent communication skills including active listening skills and are confident in facilitating groups discussions and handling sensitive topics with empathy and discretion. You will also need to have strong organisational skills, be reliable and and are committed to RNIB’s values of inclusivity and respect

We are recruiting Youth Helpers to assist at our various Cadet and Badger groups in the Barking Dagenham and Newham Network.

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - to be discussed with candidate.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 14/12/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

About the Charity
The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre is a small, registered charity (Charity Number 1210189)
established to care for, rehabilitate, educate, and treat ill, injured, and unwanted reptiles in
Sussex County and its Surrounding areas.
Aims and Objectives
 To improve public perception of reptiles and amphibians
 To promote responsible pet ownership and exemplary animal welfare
 To deliver education that is “inclusive for all.”
 To promote positive values regarding companion animals and the responsibility of
pet care
What we do
 Reptile Rescue and Rehoming Services
o Taking in Sick, injured and unwanted reptiles -Finding, vetting and rehoming
reptiles
 Advice and Guidance
o Providing Advice and Guidance to reptile owners.
 Outreach and Education
o Going to Youth Clubs, Schools and Clubs to educate children/young people
about Reptiles
o Hosting events for the community, which will raise awareness of the charity
and the work we do.

About the role
We are looking for a qualified veterinary surgeon/professional to support The Sussex
Reptile Rescue Centre as a trustee & advisor.

Our trustees play a vital role in ensuring the Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre achieves its core
charitable purpose, overseeing the charity’s overall management and administration.

By joining as a trustee, you will help determine the charity’s overall direction and development
as a strong advocate for The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre and our work.

As you champion our cause, you’ll continuously strive for best practice in all areas of your
role whilst effectively evaluating and mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance to legal
obligations under charity law.

To lean more about becoming a trustee with us (and your commitments as a trustee), please
 

Qualifications and accreditations

• A qualified veterinary professional, with a specialisation in reptiles
•  Specialisation working with amphibians is a bonus, but not essential.
•  Experienced committing to the requirements and expectations of a charity trustee

Skills and qualities

• Have excellent communication skills, with a willingness to participate actively in discussion and exercise sound independent judgement
•  Able to offer well-informed and pragmatic advise regarding the animals in our care,

putting their wellbeing and quality of life at the forefront.

•  A strong advocate for the charity’s work and what we do, with an enthusiasm for the

Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre’s vision and goal

•  Be willing and able to attend regular trustee meetings (6 per annum, held remotely)

About DMAFB

From One Act of Kindness to a Global Movement

A stranger's simple act of helping someone find a home sparked a journey that would become DMAFB. Founded on the principle of "I help you, you help me. Everybody happy" - we're building a digital wellbeing platform that transforms micro-acts of kindness into tools for connection, cultural exchange, and mental wellbeing improvement.

Our Mission: Prevent burnout, improve workplace morale, and make kindness a natural part of daily work life through science-driven, human-first interventions.

What we're building

We're developing an MVP platform that combines:

• Predictive analytics for early detection of workplace wellbeing issues
• Real-time monitoring and personalised intervention recommendations
• Time-series tracking of individual and team wellness metrics
• Pattern recognition to identify hidden risks before they become crises
• A lightweight, intuitive interface that seamlessly integrates into daily workflows

This isn't just another wellness platform - it's a proactive system that shifts organisations from reactive surveys to meaningful, data-driven support.

What we need

We're seeking a volunteer Full Stack Developer with experience in:

Recommended Tech Stack

Backend

Primary Framework Options:

• Python with Django/FastAPI - Ideal choice given the ML/AI requirements (predictive modeling, anomaly detection with auto-encoders)
• Node.js with NestJS - Good for real-time data processing and high concurrency
• Java/Kotlin with Spring Boot - Enterprise-grade with strong security

Recommendation: Python with FastAPI

• Excellent for ML integration (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Fast performance with async capabilities
• Native support for data science libraries
• Easy API documentation with OpenAPI/Swagger

Database Architecture

Primary Database:

• PostgreSQL - ACID compliance, excellent for complex queries and analytics
• Supports time-series data for tracking trends over weeks/months/quarters

Additional Data Stores:

• Redis - Caching layer for real-time scoring and dashboard performance
• TimescaleDB (PostgreSQL extension) - Optimized for time-series wellbeing data
• Elasticsearch - Fast searching through historical patterns and anomaly detection

Machine Learning & Analytics

• Python ML Stack:
  • scikit-learn for predictive modeling
  • TensorFlow/PyTorch for auto-encoder neural networks (anomaly detection)
  • pandas/NumPy for data analysis
  • SciPy for statistical analysis

Real-Time Processing

• Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ - Event streaming for survey responses and intervention triggers
• Celery - Asynchronous task queue for scheduled interventions and alerts

Frontend

• React or Vue.js - Interactive dashboards
• D3.js or Chart.js - Data visualizations
• Material-UI or Tailwind CSS - Component library

Security & Privacy (Critical for HR Data)

• OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect - Authentication
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) - Manager/employee/HR permissions
• End-to-end encryption for sensitive employee data
• Audit logging for compliance (GDPR, HIPAA if applicable)

Cloud Infrastructure

Recommended: AWS or Azure

• Compute: ECS/EKS (AWS) or AKS (Azure) for containerized services
• Storage: S3/Azure Blob for documents and resources
• CDN: CloudFront/Azure CDN for fast resource delivery
• Monitoring: CloudWatch/Azure Monitor + DataDog or New Relic

Architecture Pattern

Microservices Architecture:

1. Survey Service - Data collection
2. Analytics Service - Scoring and pattern recognition
3. Intervention Service - Triggered actions
4. Notification Service - Email/in-app alerts
5. Dashboard Service - API for frontend
6. ML Service - Predictive modeling

Key Technical Considerations

For the Item-Level Anomaly Detection:

• Auto-encoder neural networks to detect unusual patterns
• Real-time scoring with <100ms response time
• Batch processing for trend analysis

For Predictive Modeling:

• Time-series forecasting models (LSTM, Prophet)
• 1-4 week prediction windows
• Continuous model retraining with new data

For Privacy:

• Data anonymization at the database level
• Aggregation services that prevent de-anonymization
• Separate data stores for identifiable vs. anonymous data

What you'll contribute to

• Core platform architecture for our MVP launch
• Integration points for predictive models and analytics
• User-facing features that make wellbeing interventions effortless
• A scalable foundation that can grow with our community

What you'll gain

✨ Purpose-driven work - Help prevent burnout and improve lives globally
�� Ground-floor opportunity - Shape the technical foundation of a growing movement
�� Collaborative team - Work alongside ML specialists and wellness experts
�� Portfolio value - Real-world experience building AI-integrated healthcare tech
�� Potential equity - As we grow, early contributors will be considered for equity opportunities

This is an exciting opportunity to join a charity at the very start and to make a difference in shaping how we move forward.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working to secure funding that will see us through our first year, and the role will be an important part of the organisation's growth and ability to obtain funding for specific areas of work by ensuring people who volunteer or engage with Living Reasons receive a high level of training and development.

As an organisation, Living Reasons believe that your individual skills are more important than experience. With this in mind, this role would suit someone who enjoys helping, engaging and passing on knowledge as well as researching and creating new ways of communicating with people, whether you have experience in learning and development is not important as they are skills that can be built on and are able to grow with the organisation. 

Living Reasons – What we are planning, who we are and where we are now:

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

As a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, the Trustee will have the expertise to ensure the strategic oversight of Foothold’s finances and to support appropriate decisions and good governance by the Board. This includes:

· overseeing and presenting budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements;

· providing advice and information to the Trustees on their financial responsibilities;

· leading in the Board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept and financial resources are properly managed, controlled and invested, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements;

· acting as the link between the Trustees and the management on financial matters;

· keeping under review the effectiveness of all internal control systems, including financial operational and compliance controls;

· liaising through the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee with staff, including CEO and Head of Business and Volunteering and with Foothold’s accountants and independent auditor.

We are looking for an experienced person to join WellChild as a Digital Trustee. They will be a trusted advisor to the Board and a supportive, critical friend to the Senior Management Team (SMT), helping WellChild navigate the evolving digital landscape.

Purpose of the role:

The Digital Trustee will advise on the use of AI and digital technologies to build internal capability and efficiency, improve service design, enhance data-driven decision-making, and expand our fundraising and communications impact. They will play a vital role in shaping WellChild’s digital and AI roadmap. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of strategic insight, ethical awareness, and hands-on digital experience, along with a strong network of digital professionals. They will be a trusted advisor to the Board and a supportive, critical friend to the Senior Management Team (SMT), helping WellChild navigate the evolving digital landscape.

We are looking for volunteers who can spend time with our clients  in and around Central London.  Meetings are  regular over a period of 6 months; weekly or fortnightly.  Many volunteers stay involved for much longer but only because they enjoy what they do! 

Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who is lonely or socially isolated and your gift of time, will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once told us, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  

Your meetings could be in the local community, having chats in a coffee shop, visiting places of interest, or in our client’s home; all activities are risk assessed so what you do together will depend on the results of this, and / orour clients abilities and interests. Most of our clients are older 1st and 2nd generation Scots living in London who simply want to do the activities that most of us take for granted but have no-one to do them with.

ScotsCare works across London and beyond so we're looking for volunteers who live in the area or can travel to the following areas; Lambeth, Islington, Camden, central London and Broxbourne EN10. We may have clients in more locations so please contact us to learn more if you want to be involved in this rewarding and impactful activity. 

We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters to keep you informed.

This could be the ideal opportunity to gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyone who enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter. 

Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must be living in or around the London area. 

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!

Skills & Characteristics Required for Befriending are:

• English spoken, good communication skills for listening and talking 
• Friendly, warm, non-judgemental 
• Honesty, reliable and committment to helping others
• Empathy and patience
• An ability to follow policies and procedures

We will process a DBS check for all successful applicants and request two references.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Do you have the skills to lead an established board of governors? A school in Barking in Essex is looking for a skilled volunteer to drive school improvement by becoming a chair of governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

· Ensuring accountability

· Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team

· Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress

· Budgetary allocation and control

· Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation

· Setting the school’s aims and values

· Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, and the local community.

What are we looking for?

This vacancy is for a Primary School and nursery (ages 3-11).  The school would ideally like to find someone who has experience in safeguarding and anti-bullying.

You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have children of school age. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs. Professional experience in areas such as safe guarding, change management, and leadership skills are all useful to a school. Soft skills such as communication and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Chair of Governors work in partnership with Head Teachers and the Senior Management Team to help deliver the best possible education, and help children realise their expectations and aspirations.

Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend.

As a chair of governors, you will be encouraged to visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a chair of governors is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

· Have support from the vice chair(s) and the clerk, to ensure the effective functioning of the board by keeping it focused on its core functions. You will also encourage the board to work together as an effective team, building its skills, knowledge and experience.

· help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community

· work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network

· gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

About Governors for Schools

Objectives

Governors for Schools exists to improve educational standards so that children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors we help to drive systematic change in how schools operate. We have been connecting schools across England for over 20 years, and expanded our service into Wales in 2020, with skilled and committed volunteers, supported by our business and university partnerships.

Who are we looking for?

At present we are working towards being fully operational, over the next year Living Reasons will be looking to expand its reach.

As a Volunteer Integrated Technology Project Lead with Living Reasons, you will oversee the project management of technology integration across all aspects of our operations, including both software and hardware. Working closely with the funding team, you will design and deliver project plans that attract funding and ensure resources are used effectively and in line with funding agreements. You will also lead on the procurement of hardware from third-party suppliers, including organisations that support non-profits with technology solutions.

In collaboration with Technology Coordinators, you will use user feedback to guide the development of software that is accessible, adaptable, and reliable for a diverse demographic of users. This role will also focus on driving innovation—creating solutions that not only strengthen Living Reasons but also have the potential to be developed and supplied to other businesses or end users through the organisation. By leading on strategy, coordination, and delivery, you will ensure that Living Reasons harnesses technology in innovative and sustainable ways that maximise impact.

What is the plan?

The person who is starting the charity up is autistic, has ADHD, CPTSD and also multiple physical conditions that effect daily life and is part of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced a lot of issues in life because of these things.

Living Reasons is being created to fix what we think is a challenging situation that is getting harder to achieve every week, month and year in the current economic, political, environmental and societal landscape. It is not easily defined but we hope the charity objects below will help put context to what we want to achieve, what we can say is that below are the issues we are trying to address, how we do this will change as quickly as society does, but the issues we want to tackle are these:

1) Outdated and damaging employment practices

2) Accessibility to services

3) Limited employment, training and education opportunities

4) Lack of support during times of crisis or need

5) Lack of equity and agency for many people in society

6) Institutional discrimination that is not challenged

7) Abuse of the legal system at all levels

8) Abuse of power in government bodies

9) Poor access to healthcare

10)  Unequal treatment of many people in society by large corporations

11)  Assumptions made by wider society based on incorrect, outdated or discriminatory rhetoric that is used in daily life

12)  Outdated company engagement with the public

13)  Lack of support that is not talked about and not being addressed

Our Living Values -

Creativity

1) Imaginative Development (Individual)

2) Instilled Collaboration (Internal)

3) Changing The Status Quo (External)

Prospectivity

1) What Can You Do (Individual)

2) What Can We Do (Internal)

3) What Can They Do (External)

Revolutionary 

1) Inspire With Confidence (Individual)

2) Boundaryless Innovation (Internal)

3) Challenge Traditions (External)

Attentivity

1) Analyse and Redesign (Individual)

2) Rebel and Reform (Internal)

3) Enquire and Reimagine (External)

Two in three of us will become carers. Bring your expertise to the Board of Carers First and help support and champion the UK’s millions of unpaid carers.

Location: Hybrid with some meetings in London

At Carers First, we have been working alongside unpaid carers for over 30 years, helping them find balance and live life to the fullest. With an estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, the need for our work has never been greater. We are looking for three new Trustees to join our Board and play a vital role in shaping our future. We are particularly looking for people with expertise in:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Legal
• Digital strategy (including AI and technology to enhance user experience).

As a Trustee, you will join a committed and diverse Board, ensuring our strategy and resources make the greatest possible difference to the lives of carers. You’ll bring your skills, experience, and values to support our work in providing support for carers, with carers, so they can lead fulfilling lives.

Who we are

Carers First is a dedicated charity supporting unpaid carers across England, helping them navigate the challenges of caring while maintaining balance in their own lives. We provide personalised information and tailored support in the way that suits them: online, on the phone, or face-to-face, in their local community.

Recognising that each caring journey is unique, Carers First works collaboratively with local councils, communities, and volunteers to deliver inclusive, accessible services. Our mission is to empower carers, and our impact is significant. Last year, we reached over 330,000 people to provide information about caring and 51,000 carers are registered with us to receive information and support. In addition:

• 96% of carers felt more resilient in their caring role after our support.
• 95% of carers felt listened to and that their own needs were taken into account through our interventions.
• 93% of carers felt more confident and informed in their caring role after our support.

Guided by values of positivity, collaboration and ambition, Carers First continues to innovate and expand its reach, championing the needs of carers nationwide.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of unpaid carers, ensuring that our work aligns with our mission and that our resources are used wisely and effectively. You will join a Board with a strong mix of skills and experience, including finance, communications, business, and health and social care.

In this role, you will play a vital part in shaping the strategic direction and governance of the charity, helping us deliver support to unpaid carers effectively and sustainably. You will be part of a committed Board that meets quarterly and is supported by two committees: Finance & Risk and People & Governance, one of which you will join.

Using your expertise, you will advise on key issues, support new initiatives, and help the organisation innovate and grow. Your impact will be felt directly by the carers we support, ensuring our services remain inclusive and accessible, our resources are managed responsibly, and our work continues to make a meaningful difference in carers’ lives.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to our cause and a genuine passion for supporting the needs of carers, while upholding the values that guide our work. In addition to the skills we are looking for, we seek people with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explore diverse perspectives, foster inclusive discussions, and make timely, well-informed decisions.

We are actively committed to increasing the diversity of our teams and welcome applications from all sectors, backgrounds and sections of the community. If you have caring responsibilities, then we welcome and value your experience and will be as flexible and accommodating as possible around your needs.

• Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, with an additional annual Development and Strategic Planning Day. Our two committees, Finance & Risk and People & Governance, also meet quarterly. Most meetings are online. One Board meeting and one Development Day are held in London. Trustees should expect to commit the equivalent of circa one day a month for meetings, preparation, Board development, engagement with staff and carers, recruitment activities, professional development, and occasional public events.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ 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 Friday 14th November.

We’re looking for our next Chair of the Finance Committee (FinCom) and Trustee.

London-based ¦ Voluntary ¦ ~1–2 days/month plus 10 scheduled meetings each year

At the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), we’re proud to be the UK’s largest charitable childcare social enterprise. With 43 nurseries, 1,000+ staff and a £37m turnover, we’re on a mission to change the world one child at a time - especially in London’s most disadvantaged communities.

We’re looking for a senior finance leader to join our Board of Trustees as Chair of FinCom, with Treasurer responsibilities. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who’s already served as a Trustee or Non-Executive Director and is ready to step into a leadership role with real influence.

What we’re looking for:

• A qualified accountant with senior-level finance experience (likely a current or former Finance Director)
• Someone who brings rigour to audit, risk, and financial oversight, and can lead strategic conversations at Board level
• A credible, thoughtful partner to our Finance Director - able to challenge, support, and collaborate on everything from acquisitions to reserves
• A confident chair and facilitator, who creates a positive, inclusive space for discussion and decision-making
• Someone with gravitas who’s interested in wider business and wants to advise (not run) ours. You understand the numbers, and bring commerciality and pragmatism
• A calm, grounded presence with high emotional intelligence, curiosity, and a genuine passion for our mission

Why join us?

• Use your skills to make a real difference to children and families across London
• Join a collaborative, professional, and down-to-earth Board and exec team
• Be part of a warm, values-led organisation that welcomes your ideas and energy

Interested?

If you’re the kind of leader others rally behind - calm, credible, and committed to making a difference - this is your opportunity to step into a role that matters.

Further details about the role can be found in our online info pack. We’re reviewing applications and progressing people in August – so don’t wait too long to express your interest. We’re hoping you will join us for key business meetings in September as part of the transition from our current FinCom Chair. 

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of people with refugee status and those seeking asylum in south west London? Consider joining our team at Refugee Action Kingston. We are always looking for dedicated individuals who share our values. We are a small, friendly team, driven by a passion to create positive and lasting change in our community.

Overview

Refugee Action Kingston (RAK) is an active and forward-looking charity based in Kingston Upon Thames. We help refugees and people seeking asylum to access essential services, including immigration and welfare advice, English classes, counselling and support into employment, volunteering and training.

We are a small charity that has significant impact: last year we assisted over 2000 individuals.  RAK won the Best in Supporting Young People award and was Highly Commended at the Kingston Borough Business Awards (KBBA) in 2025. 

The charity is seeking to recruit a volunteer chair of trustees, and would suit someone who has management experience in public or voluntary sector organisations. The chair will work closely with the CEO to help guide our next chapter of growth, providing governance and strategic direction inline with RAKs mission and values. Our board of trustees bring a wide range of expertise to the charity and work together, along with staff and volunteer input, to make decisions that inform its direction and achieve the best outcome for clients.  Your contribution will make a huge impact in shaping the future of those seeking sanctuary in our community, and we're excited to welcome someone passionate to the board. 

Key Responsibilities

The chair should lead or contribute to:  

• Regular trustee board meetings and key activities, including recruitment of trustees.

• Development and implementation of RAK's strategic plan.

• Governance of the charity to ensure it meets legal and regulatory requirements.

• Monitoring operational performance and implementation of a continuous improvement programme.

• Oversight of financial performance and fundraising strategy to ensure long-term sustainability.

• Promotion of relationships with key stakeholders, including funding bodies, suppliers, and contractors.

• Regular meetings with the CEO, with flexibility to respond swiftly when issues arise.

• Act as a spokesperson for RAK as needed.

Desirable

• Good understanding of issues and challenges faced by refugees and people seeking asylum in Kingston.

• Leadership qualities, including critical thinking and decision making.

• Experience of financial management and fundraising.

• Operational management experience gained in the commercial or voluntary sector.

• Experience of the principles and practices of governance in a commercial or voluntary organisation.

• Experience of being a trustee.

• Ability to use time and resources efficiently and responsibly to maximise the impact of our services for clients.

Core beliefs

• Commitment to promoting social justice and equity for all individuals, regardless of religion, culture, or background.

• Valuing and respecting diverse backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs, and fostering teamwork through inclusivity.

Please note that this is a voluntary role with reasonable volunteer expenses covered. The chair role requires a significant commitment of time and effort.

We seek individuals who are dedicated to contributing meaningfully and who are open to learning in areas where they may lack experience.Further information about RAK is on our website.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a personal statement of no more than 300 words that outlines your interest in becoming the chair of trustees.

Please note: RAK may hold interviews as and when volunteer chair of trustees applications are received. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

The Circle is a global feminist organisation supporting marginalised and vulnerable women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic injustice across the world. To help achieve that we are looking for two new Trustees, including a Vice-Chair, to join our board. We are particularly looking for one individual with overseas programmes and grant-making experience and one with public campaigning experience. 

About The Circle

The Circle is a global feminist organisation, founded by Annie Lennox and other leading women in 2018, supporting marginalised and vulnerable women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic injustice across the world. What started as a small group of influential women, including activists, lawyers and creatives coming together, has grown into a global network of thousands.

The Circle brings together Global Feminist changemakers to use their resources, networks and creativity to cultivate long lasting change. Through the delivery of frontline services, fundraising, advocacy and convening and connecting, our global network supports each other on the journey towards a future where there is safety and equality for all women and girls.

We are on a mission to dismantle the economic barriers women and girls experience and end the pandemic of violence they face by funding & supporting frontline grassroots organisations in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. We advocate for long-term structural change and use our collective voices and those with lived experience to strive for progress. Global Feminism is our guiding light.

Since 2008, The Circle has supported over 1.5 million people directly on women’s rights and empowered more than 700,000 women and girls facing violence, discrimination and fear globally. The Circle has supported the creation of safe spaces and refuges, counselling, educational workplace training programmes, emergency assistance and much more.

Role Specification

• Ensure that The Circle is carrying out its vision and purpose. Understand its objectives, be able to explain them and ensure they are adhered to.
• Contribute actively to the Board in giving strategic direction to the charity, agreeing on overall strategy, policy, targets and evaluation performance.
• Ensure The Circle is complying with its governing document, legal obligations and statutory and accounting reporting requirements.
• Manage The Circle’s resources responsibly (including its finances, assets, reputation and value)
• Use any specific skills, knowledge, and experience to offer challenge and advice to help the Board reach sound decisions
• To safeguard the good name and values of The Circle
• The Vice Chair supports the Chair and the Board, deputizes in the Chair’s absence, and helps maintain good governance and strategic direction.

Person Specification

We are seeking two new Trustees (including a Vice-Chair) to join our Board with energy, commitment and specific skills and experience in the following areas (with the understanding that candidates may have more than one of the skills listed):

• Senior experience in international development/gender programming, including grant-making
• Public or digital campaigns for advocacy
• Additional skills such a corporate connections and networks will also be desirable.
• We recognise the importance of having a diverse and inclusive Board, and The Circle is committed to achieving greater diversity. We welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief, or disability. Trustees will be required to be UK-based, but we welcome applicants with connections and heritage to the countries we work in. A commitment to our values of anti-racism, oppression and decolonisation will be essential.
• Most importantly we are looking for Trustees who share and want to be actively involved in our passion for an equal and safe world for women and girls.