Community volunteer roles in st leonards, greater london
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!
JOB TITLE: Volunteer Assistant Coordinator
REPORTS TO: Volunteer’s Coordinator or Program Manager
ABOUT SOLACE INTERNATIONAL
At Solace International, we are dedicated to empowering communities and driving meaningful change through impactful programs and initiatives. Our charity workers are the foundation of our mission, and the Assistant Coordinator plays a crucial role in supporting a committed team of volunteers who contribute to the success of our organization.
We are seeking a passionate, organized, and dynamic individual volunteer to assist with all aspects of volunteer management, including recruitment, training, scheduling, and ongoing support. This role ensures a positive and enriching volunteer experience while aligning with the organization’s mission and objectives.
JOB SUMMARY
The Volunteer Assistant Coordinator will support the Volunteer Coordinator in the recruitment, onboarding, management, and engagement of volunteers. This role involves building strong relationships with volunteers, coordinating their activities to support programs and events, and maintaining efficient administrative systems to enhance volunteer operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in recruiting, onboarding, and training volunteers.
- Maintain volunteer schedules and ensure adequate coverage for programs and events.
- Act as a liaison between volunteers and staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Support and oversee volunteer activities during programs and events.
- Maintain accurate volunteer records and assist in reporting on program impact.
- Help implement volunteer recognition programs and improve engagement.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Strong proficiency in spoken and written English.
Personal Attributes:
- Passion for volunteerism and community service.
- Friendly, approachable demeanor with a commitment to creating a positive volunteer experience.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Previous experience in volunteer management, customer service, or administrative roles is a plus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Primarily office-based, with on-site coordination during events and programs.
- Light physical activity may be required, such as setting up event spaces or carrying supplies.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
- Fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit:
- A letter of application explaining their interest in the role.
- A current resume.
- Contact details for at least two references.
Application Process:
- Applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an initial online interview.
- Successful candidates will proceed to a face-to-face interview (or an alternative arrangement for overseas applicants).
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 us
Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..
Address: 26 High Street, Ware
The role in a nutshell:
Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?
Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.
How would you be supported in this role?
When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.
Why do we need volunteers in this role?
Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.
Additional information:
We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.
What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.
Join the Board of The Gestalt Centre as a Treasurer or a new Trustee, and help shape their ambitious growth strategy with the life-changing approach to counselling, psychotherapy and organisational development – applications from first time Trustees are very welcome.
- Interviews will be held in June 2025
About The Gestalt Centre
The Gestalt Centre is an established educational and therapy charity, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations.
Gestalt is a humanistic life-changing approach to life, counselling and psychotherapy. It enables people and organisations to manage change, develop meaningful relationships and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.
We are a dynamic organisation and run several accredited counselling and psychotherapy courses, along with professional development programmes for practitioners and organisations. We also offer affordable therapy and counselling and are a hub for a range of health and wellbeing practices for people in the community.
We value awareness and change, collaborative working, diversity and the view that we are all connected and therefore together responsible for our communities.
About the roles
The Gestalt Centre is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation carries out its purposes and for overall planning and good governance. The Directors (executive and non-executive) make decisions about strategy, the running of the organisation and oversee the work of the Psychotherapy faculty, the Counselling faculty and the management team.
Purpose of the role
Trustees are legally responsible for all aspects of the Charity, including:
- agreeing the purpose and strategy
- ensuring the Charity is financially viable
- making sure a charity does what it was set up to, which includes making decisions about how it is run
Operational matters are delegated to the CEO and the Executive.
Who we are looking for
We’re also seeking new Trustees who can strengthen our expertise in critical areas as we look to strengthen our Board to devise and deliver our ambitious plans. We are keen to hear from people with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Events management
- Fundraising
- Property
- Higher Education
- Marketing and Social Media
We are looking for a new Treasurer who will be a strategic thinker with good knowledge of charity accounting and the Charity SORP, and can ensure sound financial management. You will bring commercial acumen to guide our financial strategy during a transformative period.
You will also oversee our financial governance, reserve investment, and risk management while contributing your broader strategic insights and experience across all aspects of our work.
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.
Interviews will be held in June 2025.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

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!
This volunteer role is designed to provide vital operational and logistical support to the CEO’s Personal Assistant, ensuring that both day-to-day and ad hoc matters requiring a physical presence or UK-based coordination are managed smoothly. As the CEO’s primary PA is remote, this role will act as an essential on-the-ground extension of the executive support function, helping to manage communications, logistics, administrative tasks, and in-person coordination.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build experience in executive support, charity operations, and stakeholder engagement in a forward-thinking and dynamic third sector organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Support (In-Office & On-Site)
- Serve as the local point of contact for tasks requiring physical presence – such as receiving mail, managing office-based documents, collecting/delivering resources, and setting up meeting spaces.
- Assist in coordinating in-person meetings, events, and visits, ensuring smooth logistics and professional presentation.
- Support the maintenance of filing systems and physical records in alignment with digital processes.
Remote Administrative Support
Assist the Personal Assistant with diary management, follow-ups, and meeting coordination.
- Draft correspondence, schedule appointments, and prepare briefings or summaries as needed.
- Maintain records, digital filing, and update cloud-based systems (e.g. Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint).
Communication & Liaison
- Support communication between the CEO's office, staff, volunteers, trustees, and external stakeholders – particularly where in-person contact or faster turnaround is beneficial.
- Relay key information between the remote PA and UK-based teams or partners in a timely and professional manner.
General Tasks
Assist with preparing for workshops, club events, and community engagements.
- Maintain confidentiality and represent the CEO’s office with professionalism and discretion at all times.
- Attend internal meetings or external events as delegated, capturing notes and key actions for follow-up.
Person Specification
Essential
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Clear and confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Comfortable working independently and taking initiative.
- Based in London with the ability to work both remotely and in person as required.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and general digital platforms.
Desirable
- Experience in administrative, PA, or coordination roles.
- Interest in the charity or youth/community sector.
- Familiarity with platforms such as Teams, SharePoint, Trello, or CRM tools.
What You’ll Gain
Hands-on experience supporting executive functions in a respected charitable organisation.
- Opportunities for personal and professional development, including mentoring and training.
- Exposure to high-level operations, event delivery, and partnership engagement.
- Reimbursement of reasonable travel and agreed expenses (per Volunteer Policy).
RollaDome All Skate is committed to creating inclusive, safe, and empowering environments where children, young people, and families can experience th




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Spires, a South London homelessness charity, is seeking trustees to support its mission and growth.
About Spires
Spires is an award-winning charity that has been working with homeless and disadvantaged people in Streatham, South London, since 1990. Working with some of the most isolated and vulnerable in our society, we support over 900 men and women every year.
Our vision and aim is to be the best support that we can in helping people move from lives of distress, isolation and insecurity to a future of greater stability and hope. The majority of our clients are homeless or have insecure accommodation, with many also facing complex issues such as long-term unemployment, problems with poor mental and physical health, addiction and substance abuse, or they may even be imprisoned by sex work.
What will you be doing?
Trustees at Spires are responsible for overseeing the charity’s strategic direction and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Key responsibilities include:
- Strategic oversight: Help shape and support Spires’ evolving strategy
- Legal and regulatory compliance: Ensure adherence to governing documents, charity law, and relevant regulations
- Financial oversight: Together as a board, approve annual budgets, monitor financial performance, and support the Treasurer in maintaining financial health
- Resource management: Ensure that the charity’s resources are used effectively to meet its mission
- Support and challenge: Engage actively in board meetings, offering advice, support, and constructive challenge
- Ambassadorship: Promote Spires within your networks, helping raise its profile and attract support for its mission
- Uphold best practices: Ensure high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability throughout the organisation
This role is mainly home-based
The board meets six times a year, with an estimated time commitment of around 4 hours per month.
Please request the candidate pack for more information.
What are we looking for?
We’re seeking trustees with the following attributes:
- Commitment to Spires and its mission
- Good, independent judgment and strategic vision
- Willingness to speak up and share your opinions
- Understanding of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to duties as a trustee
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds but are particularly interested in those with experience in marketing, social media, fundraising, finance, governance, or legal compliance. Additionally, lived experience of homelessness or related challenges is highly valued, as we strive to ensure our board reflects the community we serve.
No prior trustee experience is required - just a willingness to contribute time, expertise, and fresh perspectives.
What Difference will you make?
By joining Spires as a trustee, you will directly influence the charity’s ability to support homeless and at-risk individuals. Your contributions can help shape policies, enhance fundraising efforts, and strengthen governance, ensuring Spires can continue providing life-changing services. Whether by improving financial oversight, increasing community engagement, or advocating for those in need, your involvement will play a vital role in improving lives and preventing homelessness in South London.
The TrusteeWorks team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Spires with their Trustee recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance.
To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills and experience would add value to the board.
Please send applications and enquiries to the email address provided.
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!
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.
Copywriter
Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)
We are looking for a copywriter to optimise our landing pages.
Are you passionate about women’s health and skilled at writing persuasive content? Join us as a Volunteer Sales Copywriter and help us amplify our mission to support women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
At Cystar, we provide resources, support, and advocacy for women navigating life with PCOS — and we need a talented storyteller to help us reach more hearts (and inboxes).
What You’ll Do: Write compelling copy for our website, email campaigns, social media, and landing pages
Help craft messaging that educates, inspires, and drives action (e.g., donations, sign-ups, downloads)
Collaborate with our passionate team to grow awareness and engagement
Support a mission that empowers women to take control of their health
What You’ll Gain: Meaningful portfolio work in a purpose-driven space
Flexibility — fully remote, with a schedule that works for you
A chance to make a difference in the lives of women around the world
Experience working in health and wellness advocacy
Ideal for: Copywriters who care about women's health
Students or recent grads in marketing, communications, or public health
Freelancers looking to add mission-driven impact to their portfolio
If you believe in the power of words and the strength of women, we’d love to have you on our team.
Weekly Time Commitment
7-9 hours per week
Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)
1-2 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
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!
Do you have a great idea to benefit people living with MS? At the MS Society, we campaign on a range of issues like welfare, treatments, care and support that people with MS need. We want to do more locally and want to support your ideas on making change happen. Together we can do more.
Perhaps you’ve spotted there are no blue badge spaces at your local supermarket? Or maybe your neighbourhood has no kerbs easy for wheelchairs to use? In this volunteer role, you’ll help drive change for people with MS in your community and develop your networking and influencing skills along the way.
As a campaigner you’ll bring your own ideas, local knowledge and personal experience to your campaigns. You’ll make decisions about your own campaign activities and collaborate with other campaigners in your area.
This role is flexible and aims to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities and the campaigning you’d like to do. This is an ongoing role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully (available via file attached on the right hand side)
2. Apply online, and have a welcome chat with your support staff member
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!
Sutton Mental Health Foundation is looking to recruit a volunteer secretary position to the Trust Board, to support and assist the Chair and CEO. This is an important and confidential role within the Trust. The main areas of the role are, in consultation with the Chair and CEO, the preparation of all Board/AGM meetings, the preparation of Board/AGM papers, minute taking and writing up the minutes in a timely manner. Other duties involve the support to the Trustees, as well as updating of trustee records. Th board of trustees meets in-person, approximately every six weeks, in the London Borough of Sutton. A full role description will be provided on application.
As background information, Sutton Mental Health Foundation was established as a charity in 1994 and the aim of the Foundation is to support people with mental health needs in the Borough of Sutton, helping to keep them well and active and helping them to have a voice in mental health care in the Borough. Our vision is to provide a community in Sutton which values mental wellbeing and understands how to respond positively to anxiety and distress. The Foundation works together to promote mental wellbeing resilience and recovery from mental distress.
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!
Our vision for volunteering
Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.
The difference you will make to cats and people
From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.
You can expect us to
- Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
- Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
- Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
- Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
- Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities
What we need from you
- You MUST live in the Grantown-on-Spey/Strathspey area of Scotland
- A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
- Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
- A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
- Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
- You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


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!
PINT (People In Need Today)
We create awareness for people experiencing homelessness through media, publicity and projects.
We aim to create awareness for those in need via promotion of our work to the homeless and those in need through media and publicity. The aim is to show the majority that what they see and hear is an actual myth of what they see and believe homelessness is. We also highlight the fact that so much is wasted that can go to help other especially people in need around the globe.
PINT aims to highlight that awareness can be created by team work showing the world that so much gets wasted daily which can be contributed towards many that are suffering without on a daily basis. Our project has been in existence for 15 years now in that time we have grown from feeding tans supporting those in need in the community to covering a number of areas in London and the United Kingdom.
Graphic Designer
Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)
As a charity one of the most driving aspect is the visual impact of what people see in front of their eyes. We are looking for a graphic designer who using the content we provide turn this into eye catching images and posters that will grab the attention of the viewer. As they say a photo speaks a thousand words. Experience essential and a good knowledge of graphic and digital motions images would be perfect.
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week
Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)
1-2 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
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!
We are currently recruiting volunteers to be part of our Governance team. The Data Protection Advisor will be responsible for overseeing the clinic's use of data and legal obligations under GDPR, maintaining high standards throughout. They will respond to the Governance and Compliance Manager.
We are a forward-thinking advice and support charity for the Trans Community. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Data Protection Advisor to consult on our data protection procedures to ensure we are compliant with all regulations relating to data privacy.
The Data Protection Advisor will play a pivotal role in guiding our clinic through the data protection processes. This entry-level position will involve overseeing the clinic’s data protection policies and procedures, ensuring best practices are followed, and fostering a culture of compliance. You will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategies for growth while safeguarding the clinic’s data protection.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing legal clinic through a pivotal stage of development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the clinic, ensuring it meets the highest professional standards while contributing to a meaningful cause. We offer a supportive and collaborative work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
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!
PINT (People In Need Today)
We create awareness for people experiencing homelessness through media, publicity and projects.
We aim to create awareness for those in need via promotion of our work to the homeless and those in need through media and publicity. The aim is to show the majority that what they see and hear is an actual myth of what they see and believe homelessness is. We also highlight the fact that so much is wasted that can go to help other especially people in need around the globe.
PINT aims to highlight that awareness can be created by team work showing the world that so much gets wasted daily which can be contributed towards many that are suffering without on a daily basis. Our project has been in existence for 15 years now in that time we have grown from feeding tans supporting those in need in the community to covering a number of areas in London and the United Kingdom.
Business Administration
Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)
We are looking for a Business Administration Volunteer with a hands on view of helping our organisation reach its goals and target. The role is administrative and require good communication skills as well as excellent grammar and knowledge of the English language. You will need to be able to evaluate, make reports and show metric details. This will include the compilation of databases. U.K. based applicants are requested but we are open to individuals that have exceptional knowledge of the U.K.
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week
Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)
1-2 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
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!
TikTok and Instagram Reels Content Creator (Volunteer, Unpaid)
Empathos Foundation is looking for a creative and enthusiastic TikTok and Instagram Reels Content Creator to help us craft impactful short-form videos that amplify our mission and campaigns. This is a volunteer, unpaid role designed for individuals passionate about storytelling, social media trends, and creating meaningful content. This remote position requires a commitment of approximately 4 hours per week, with access to Canva Pro for your video editing needs.
What You’ll Do:
- Edit and create a series of TikTok and Instagram Reels using post-event footage, photos, and media that we’ll upload to Google Drive.
- Transform raw content into engaging short-form videos that highlight events, promote campaigns, and resonate with our audience.
- Stay on top of TikTok and Instagram Reels trends, incorporating music, transitions, and styles to increase engagement.
- Collaborate with the team to align your work with our branding and objectives.
- Produce visually compelling and shareable videos to promote events, initiatives, and impact stories.
The Impact of Your Work:
Your contributions as a volunteer will help us:
- Amplify our mission: Use engaging videos to highlight our work in academia and welfare, inspiring wider support and participation.
- Promote events effectively: Showcase event highlights and key moments to attract and engage audiences.
- Expand our reach: Build a stronger social media presence, reaching new audiences and increasing our visibility.
- Foster community engagement: Use storytelling to connect with supporters and encourage their involvement.
Skills, Experience, and Qualities:
- Video Editing Skills: Proficiency with Canva Pro, CapCut, Adobe Premiere, or similar tools to create professional-quality videos.
- Social Media Trend Knowledge: Awareness of TikTok and Instagram Reels trends, including popular music, challenges, and editing techniques.
- Creative and Organised: Ability to create engaging narratives from raw footage and maintain consistent quality and branding.
- Passion for Storytelling: Strong enthusiasm for using video to inspire change and communicate our impact.
- Time Management: Commitment to approximately 4 hours per week, with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Collaborative Mindset: Comfortable working remotely with a team and open to feedback.
While this is an unpaid role, it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, grow your portfolio, and make a real difference by contributing to meaningful causes.
Join Empathos Foundation as a TikTok and Instagram Reels Content Creator. Help us turn post-event media into inspiring stories that engage and empower communities!
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!
Dear Prospective Trustee
Thank you for your interest in Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth (CAML). This pack sets out more information about the charity, the board, the role of a trustee, and how to apply.
We are excited about the future and are looking for energetic, talented and committed individuals to help support the charity as trustees to continue its incredible work for the people of Merton and Lambeth.
What we do
CAML is one of the busiest advice charities in London. We support individuals and families who live, work or study primarily in the London Boroughs of Merton and Lambeth and also elsewhere (dependent on service). We also work to raise awareness and understanding of the challenging issues affecting individuals and our communities.
We were one of the first Citizens Advice services to open our doors over 85 years ago. We have had an extremely busy few years, with individuals and families increasingly seeking our support with the cost of living crisis. Our support and services are as important today as they were when our work began.
We are part of the national Citizens Advice network of over 240 local charities that deliver advice across the country.
In FY 23/24, we supported over 25,000 individuals. Our information, support and advice services are provided via telephone, online, video conferencing and face-to-face. We provide face-to-face support from two CAML offices and multiple outreach venues in local communities. Our aim is to empower people to better help themselves, but we are always here with further support if needed.
CAML in 2025
CAML is at an important point in its history. Demand for our services continues to accelerate as high levels of hardship become an established reality for many people living in our boroughs. The two boroughs we serve contain pockets of wealth and affluence, but also feature areas of significant poverty and deprivation where our services are most depended upon.
At the same time, similar to many charities, we face funding challenges – not least given the majority of our funds come from our local authorities. Our current turnover is over £1.2m a year. Like others, CAML faces funding challenges often related to changes in central government policies and local government financial challenges, with a need to look at new ways of diversifying income streams.
The organisation has a strong foundation from which to deliver in this difficult environment – particularly with a team that is committed to our clients and expert in giving quality advice. We also have positive working relationships with our funders, councils and partners, and a strong local reputation.
Our leadership
The operational leadership and management of CAML is carried out by our CEO, Simon Shimmens, with three senior managers and a team of around 40 staff and 20 volunteers. Short biographies of our existing trustees are available on our website.
The role of the Board
Each trustee has a responsibility to contribute to discharging the Board’s responsibilities. We do this by:
● Regularly preparing for, attending and participating in meetings
● Understanding the business of CAML
● Contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance
● Monitoring our services, ensuring compliance with our governing documents and policies and monitoring maintenance of Citizens Advice standards
● Monitoring the charity’s financial position and ensuring it operates within its means and delivers on its objectives with clear lines of accountability for day-to-day financial management
● Supporting the charity’s development through participation in agreed projects
● Actively seeking to further CAML’s strategic objectives and acting in its best interest at all times
Above all we are looking for people with strategic vision and independent judgement who together can support the charity and its executive team. As trustees we are visible to our staff and volunteers, engaging and recognising the excellent work they do. Each trustee is expected to spend time with service delivery staff and volunteers, ideally at least once a year.
You will be a genuine team player, able to support colleagues, input constructively and positively to discussions and to support and uphold collective decisions.
As a trustee you will support the charity’s values and objectives and will act as a positive and genuine advocate promoting the work of the charity within your personal networks and to the wider world.
The commitment we need
Each trustee attends quarterly Board meetings and is a member of one of the delegated authority sub-committees – Finance and People – which also meet once a quarter.
While the precise nature will differ month-to-month, this is likely to average at eight to ten hours a month. This allows for board and committee meetings, reading papers in advance of these, ad-hoc actions and discussions, and visiting CAML’s services.
Board meetings are currently held in person in our Mitcham Office, with sub-committee meetings held remotely. Across the Board, we attend key events such as Volunteers’ Week and charity events/activities.
Particular skills/experiences we’re seeking
We are looking to recruit two new trustees to join our strong and dynamic Board.
We would particularly welcome applications from those with skills and experiences to help complement the current Board. Our priority recruitment areas are:
●HR: We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of governance in policies and practice related to employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward and recognition as well as staff and trustee training and development. We are seeking a trustee with senior HR experience to support the strategic oversight of our People approach.
●Accountancy: Financial oversight is an integral part of a well-functioning trustee Board. We are looking to further bolster this expertise within the Board to provide support for our Treasurer if required.
●Pensions: CAML has a legacy Defined Benefit pension scheme (closed to new entrants) and a Defined Contribution scheme. We are looking for an individual with actuarial or pension trustee skills to advise the Board with regard to our pension schemes, and whether we should be looking to make any changes.
●Legal: We are looking to further expand our legal expertise on the Board. We particularly welcome interest from individuals with experience in charity law however all applicants with legal experience are welcomed.
In addition to these skills, we would welcome applications from candidates with previous trustee experience and/or applicants who may be open to taking on the role of Vice-Chair (further information can be provided on this if requested).
The benefits of being a trustee with CAML
Although the role of a trustee is unpaid (reasonable out of pocket expenses are reimbursed), there are many reasons to join us, including:
● Being a trustee is one of the most powerful ways in which you can contribute to your local community and to a cause you care about.
● Corporations of all sizes take voluntary and community enriching activities seriously with trusteeship considered an effective method of professional development and community engagement.
● Being a trustee is a fantastic way of developing your strategic experience and oversight, giving you the opportunity to develop your critical thinking, problem solving and analytical skills.
● Being a trustee can open up your professional network.
How to apply
Follow the link to our website and complete the relevant documents at the bottom of the advert.
We are recruiting on a rolling basis and are considering applications as and when we receive them. This recruitment remains live until 30th June 2025.
All applications are considered by a trustee panel, with shortlisted candidates then invited to an interview, to take place within a month of receiving their application.
We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and will process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018. Please refer to our online Privacy Policy for more information on how your personal data will be processed and stored.
WE PROVIDE FREE, INDEPENDENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND IMPARTIAL ADVICE AND INFORMATION SUPPORT
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!
Information reviewers
We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.
About this opportunity
If you or a family member has MS, we need your help in reviewing our information.
Your ideas, your experiences and your feedback help make sure our info is clear, useful and appropriate for everyone living with MS.
You’ll have an impact on the info we can provide online and in print.
This is a great opportunity to get involved with a national charity. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people with MS.
About you
You’ll have MS or personal experience of supporting someone who has MS. You’ll want to share your thoughts on making information work better for people with MS.
Apply
- Read through the role description carefully
Fill out the application form
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.