A fantastic opportunity to build knowledge of the UK asylum system, gain experience of casework and deliver an essential service to young asylum seekers.
About Care4Calais
Care4Calais is a volunteer-based charity providing essential aid and support for refugees in France and the UK.
In northern France we operate year-round from Calais, providing warm clothing, bedding, food and assistance to refugees who live in appalling and dangerous conditions.
Across the UK we collect and distribute clothes, shoes, mobile phones and other essential items, as well as offering social support and interaction, including language lessons, sport and music workshops. We also help with vital access to legal, medical and educational services.
Our Legal Access Department is an access to justice project that exists to arrange critical legal representation for people seeking asylum and, more than this, to support people through the hostility and difficulty of claiming asylum. The department, made up mostly of volunteers, works tirelessly to ensure that people feel informed, empowered, and far less isolated and alone.
About the role
This role provides crucial one-to-one casework and support to people seeking asylum in the UK. Our Age Dispute Team assists young unaccompanied asylum seekers whose age is disputed, and are subsequently treated as adults though they are children, to access the support they deserve through referrals to local authorities and legal representatives. The casework support provided is invaluable and ensures that clients have someone to turn to and someone advocating for their safety and care in a confusing and often scary system.
You’ll have the chance to gain broad experience of working in a fast-paced and experienced team while meeting the ever-changing needs of those we support. So, if you thrive in a collaborative environment and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you!
We ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 6 hours per week. We can be flexible in how this time is allocated. Successful applicants will be provided with the induction and training needed for them to succeed in the role.
We are looking for people who have a genuine passion for human rights and refugee protection. If this is you, please get in touch.
Responsibilities:
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Supporting people seeking asylum to understand the process and ensuring that they are able to make their own, informed choices.
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Attend induction, ongoing training and keep up to date with resources and procedure to ensure you can carry out the role effectively and efficiently.
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Working independently and managing your time, sometimes working to tight deadlines.
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Taking on new cases regularly, whilst also providing ongoing support to existing clients.
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Sorting and organising client’s paperwork and accurately maintaining client records.
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Liaising with other professionals including lawyers, Migrant Help, children's services and other C4C teams.
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Following safeguarding procedures and reporting safeguarding incidents appropriately.
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Provide emotional support and reassurance and make referrals and signpost to more appropriate support if needed.
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Keeping the management team updated of any issues that may impact your ability to carry out the role effectively.
Person Specification
Essential criteria:
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Ability to use spreadsheets, Google Workspace, messaging platforms and secure databases.
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Dedication to social justice with a clear understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, or a willingness to learn about these.
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Ability to work sensitively with a diverse range of clients, demonstrating cultural competence, respect and compassion.
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Experience or transferable experience in efficiently managing high volume caseloads while maintaining a high standard of care and attention.
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Resilience in the face of challenging and emotionally demanding situations, with a positive and solution-oriented mindset.
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Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative.
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Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate with people who do not have English as their first language, working alongside interpreters to ensure clients’ understand the process.
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Professional and dedicated to ensure that the best interests of the clients and Care4Calais are represented at all times.
Not essential but we welcome individuals with the below skills to offer:
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Proficiency in one or more of the languages spoken within asylum seeking communities, such as but not limited to Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya, Amharic, is a strong asset.
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Having experience of the asylum system in the UK is a strong asset.
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Knowledge of local authority's responsibilities to unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
Lived Experience Inclusion:
We are an anti-racist organisation and a proud member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (EBE), which aims to create a charitable sector led by individuals with lived experience of the asylum system.
As part of our membership, we are dedicated to creating inclusive employment practices that recognise and accommodate the unique circumstances and strengths of people with lived experience. We actively move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, supportive, and accessible.
We warmly encourage applicants with lived experience to make use of the guidance and resources available on the EBE website (ebeemployment)
In addition, applicants with lived experience are welcome to connect with the EBE support team for tailored assistance with completing the application form and, where available, one-to-one interview preparation.
Importantly, we recognise the significant cultural, linguistic, and experiential insights that individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system bring to this role. As such, all applicants from this background who meet the essential criteria will be automatically shortlisted and invited to interview.
Application Instructions:
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form in full. Kindly note that incomplete applications (i.e. missing a completed form) will not be considered.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a volunteer Trustee to join the Board of Trustees at WORTH to collectively oversee the administration and financial governance of the charity. The board is our governing body, providing strategy and direction and ensuring WORTH is run according to the rules.
We would particularly welcome applications from individuals with business, finance and fundraising experience in corporate or charity sectors to join us.
About WORTH
WORTH is a charity providing long term aftercare to women affected by Domestic Abuse. We offer clients 1-1 support and a range of wellbeing groups including art, writing, music and self-defence to help rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
We provide a safe space for clients to share experiences, give and receive practical and emotional support, learn new skills, reduce isolation, build friendships, and give women their voice back. It is a space where women can focus on their future and we can support our clients in their healing, post abuse.
To be able to provide this support we rely on a great team of volunteers with a wide skill set and a whole lot of passion to enable our services to work effectively.
Our Board of Trustees play a vital role in making sure that WORTH achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management, administration and governance of the charity. They also ensure that WORTH has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the CEO to enable WORTH to grow and thrive and support more women in need.
Trustee Duties:
- Support and provide advice on WORTH's purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Oversee WORTH's financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Review and approve WORTH's financial statements.
- Provide support and challenge to WORTH's CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
- Keep abreast of changes in WORTH's operating environment.
- Contribute to regular reviews of WORTH's own governance.
- Attend regular Trustee Board meetings and be adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect WORTH's interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
- Contribute to the broader promotion of WORTH's objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
As a small charity, there will be times when trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Trustee Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising meeting papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
What we are looking for
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking and skills on our Board of Trustees. We are particularly interested in candidates with business, finance and fundraising experience.
Previous governance experience is preferable but not essential. The role is open to remote and local applicants.
Applicant minimum age is 18.
Personal skills and qualities
- Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as a Board of Trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
- Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
- A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
- Willingness to lead according to the values of WORTH.
- Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Knowledge and experience of business, finance and/or fundraising.
- An understanding of Domestic Abuse is an advantage but not essential as training will be provided.
- An understanding of client confidentiality, safeguarding, diversity and inclusivity in the services provided by WORTH.
Terms of office
- Trustees are appointed for a two year term of office, with eligibility to renew and serve for two further terms to a maximum of six years.
- This is a voluntary unpaid position.
Time commitment
- Attending a minimum of six trustee board meetings annually, meetings are held remotely via Zoom once every two to three months.
- Attendance at ad hoc trustee meetings in addition to the minimum six annual meetings.
There are currently two Trustee positions open.
You can expect to hear from the Chair of Trustees within three weeks of application submission.
All appointments are subject to references and DBS check.
We aspire to remove barriers and be open to all so we strongly encourage applications from individuals of Global Majority heritage and/or disabled backgrounds.
Please note, this post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact us via the WORTH website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.