Engagement volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Birmingham

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for user experience researchers to participate in our community-led working group who are growing support of the project. There is opportunity to lead on projects exploring how architects, ecologists, community researchers, political campaigners, fundraisers and communications professions come together to create community infrastructure.  Online meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?

Strong experience in qualitative/quantitative user research, research plan design/execution, data analysis, and synthesizing actionable insights. 

Proven ability to build rapport and engage diverse communities. Excellent collaborative spirit for multidisciplinary teamwork.

Genuine passion for community-led projects, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development.

By leading research projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local community. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

Upcycle Africa delivers an integrated, circular solution that transforms plastic pollution into affordable housing, dignified jobs, and sustainable local economies.

Africa faces interconnected crises of plastic pollution, unsafe housing, and high youth unemployment. In Uganda, hundreds of tonnes of plastic are generated daily, with most ending up in drainage channels or burned, leading to toxic emissions and frequent flooding. Simultaneously, millions of low-income households live in homes vulnerable to extreme weather, while the youngest population in the world struggles to find formal, dignified employment.

Upcycle Africa tackles these challenges through a community-led circular model. We establish collection hubs where youth and women are trained to process waste into raw materials. These materials are then used to manufacture eco-bricks and modular components for durable, flood-resistant, and thermally efficient homes. To date, we have diverted over 3 million plastic bottles from the environment, constructed 300 eco-homes sheltering 1,800 people, and integrated 2,500 waste collectors into safe, green value chains.

About the Role

We are looking for a creative and strategic Social Media & Digital Marketing Manager to help elevate Upcycle Africa’s global presence and strengthen our visibility among investors, partners, and impact communities.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and manage a consistent social media strategy
• Create engaging content (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, etc.)
• Share impact stories, project updates, and milestones
• Support campaign visibility (including Change 100)
• Improve engagement and audience growth

Ideal Background

• Experience managing social media for brands or startups
• Strong storytelling and content creation skills
• Understanding of sustainability or social impact space

Expected Impact

Stronger visibility will help attract investors, corporate partners, skilled volunteers, and global recognition.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the UK’s leading Badger charity 

Become a Trustee on our active board! 

Badger Trust celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. We are the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales, dedicated to promoting and enhancing the welfare, conservation, and protection of badgers, their setts, and their habitats. 

We have a network of over 50 local voluntary badger groups, growing all the time, supported by thousands of dedicated supporters and followers. 

We are now seeking new Trustees to join our Board.  These will support the current Trustees and Chief Executive in delivering the charity's objectives, ensuring we have the right mix of skills, experience, and people to achieve even more for badgers in the coming years. 

For these vacancies, Badger Trust is particularly interested in people with experience in charity fundraising, law, and development planning to help us achieve our goals in these areas, building on our research, citizen science, and campaigning work. 

Your skills 

Trustees with a focus on fundraising will have a strategic approach to opportunities, and might offer support through one or more of the following methods: 

- Identifying and reaching out to major donors and corporate partners 

- Assisting in writing bids for grants and trust applications 

- Offering guidance in planning and executing fundraising strategies and campaigns. 

We encourage members of badger groups to apply to ensure the group network is effectively represented. 

We are seeking applicants whose professional knowledge will bring value to our Board. 

You should be a strong strategic thinker, capable of working collaboratively, and willing to engage with the broader role of Trustee. Badger Trust values diversity and aims to broaden our Board in terms of skills, background, and life experience. 

We encourage all applications, especially from individuals of racially diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities, as these groups are currently under-represented on our Board. 

We also encourage applicants from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds across the UK. 

Time Commitment 

The Board typically holds four to six meetings each year on Saturdays. Most of these meetings are conducted online, with two in-person meetings scheduled annually. However, there may be occasions when virtual meetings are necessary outside of the regular schedule. 

We also conduct an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Symposium, which Trustees are expected to attend and support. The head office is located in Brighton, but in-person meetings are

generally held in central England. The 2026 Badger Trust Symposium is being held at the University of Northampton. 

In addition to routine Board activities, past and present Trustees have contributed to various initiatives and assisted with staff-led projects based on their skills, expertise, and interests. Examples of this work include assisting the creation of  our planning and development guide, updating the guide to badger rescue and rehabilitation, engaging with Government and Parliament on the Planning & Infrastructure Bill, scrutinising Government policy and commissioning information searches, taking legal action, and assisting in the recruitment and interviewing of specialised staff. 

Our Mission 

Our mission is to promote and enhance the welfare, conservation, and protection of badgers, their setts, and their habitats. 

Our Vision 

Our vision is a world where badgers are respected as part of our rich wildlife heritage and are safe from persecution. 

Chair, Rosie Wood, joined the board in 2021: 

“Being on the Board of Badger Trust brings with it plenty of opportunities to learn and collaborate with people of like mind, which I hope you would expect. But it also offers opportunities to open conversations with different decision-makers who can drive change. It gives me scope to remake our arguments in fresh and compelling ways, informed – in my case –by sharing the background of those I need to engage with. 

While we need people committed to protecting and conserving badgers, we also need them to understand those who can best help – funders, policymakers, lawmakers, and communicators. Don’t expect it to be a passive role – badgers need active friends and advocates. But it will rapidly build your skills, professional networks, and CV, and we will do our best to match your interests and availability to the Charity’s needs. 

Content publishing template for Badger Trust ©Cox and Co Creative 2023 updated 24.04.2023

Badger Trust Vice-Chair, Phil Loveday, who joined the Board in 2023, encourages you to get in touch: 

“I joined the Badger Trust board as I just love badgers and am a member of my local badger group. I also bring extensive organisational, educational and people skills gained during my career in teaching, including as a head teacher at large secondary schools in the Midlands. 

I feel passionately that we need the next generation to have the chance to enjoy nature, and to do that, we need to protect it now — that’s what Badger Trust is all about. We need more experienced people willing to help guide the charity in the years ahead.” 

Further information 

Find out more about our work on our website, where you can also see details of our current Board. You can connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. 

We are a registered charity and limited company, registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office for data protection compliance and with the Fundraising Regulator for fundraising compliance. We are also members of the Small Charities Coalition and NCVO for best practice, guidance, and support as part of our aim to be an effective and efficient charity. 

We encourage applicants to ensure they are familiar with the legal responsibilities of a charity Trustee, and more information can be found on the Charity Commission’s website. See Badger Trust’s registration with the Charity Commission. 

Trustee roles are voluntary and unpaid. Expenses for Board business will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy. The final appointment to the Board depends on the election of the recommended Trustees at the AGM of Badger Trust by member groups. 

How to apply 

Please complete the Trustee application form (provided as a Word document) and send it back as a pdf, with a copy of your CV.

Closing Date:

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and applications will be reviewed as they are received.

The Role:

We are currently seeking a Finance Trustee to join our Board as Treasurer. It’s a voluntary role that requires a committed individual with financial expertise to take a collaborative approach, supporting our Trustees, our Head of Finance and Governance, and our management team to oversee the financial affairs of our charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional, and within accepted accounting practice.

Our Organisation:

Greener and Cleaner delivers locally but thinks, and influences, nationally. Our vision is greener, healthier, better connected communities across the UK. We seek to achieve this through normalising 360-degree sustainable living, bringing the community together to make changes that can deliver a big impact. We have a non-judgemental peer-to-peer approach, so that all elements of the community feel empowered to take action in how they live, work, and play and in how they use their voice to push for change.

Treasurer Role:

The primary role is to ensure alongside other Trustees that they accept ultimate responsibility for the affairs of G&C and ensure that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls, and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements, as produced by the finance team or others where appropriate, to the Board of Trustees
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place. 
• Liaising with any paid staff about financial matters, as appropriate.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management. 
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems. 
• Drawing any major financial concerns to the attention of the trustee and the management team.
• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves in line with its reserves policy, and monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity. 
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process.
• Ensuring that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and that investments and assets are maximised.
• Leading on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors. 
• Overseeing the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating, and reporting corporate risk. 
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies – for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Supporting other Trustees in understanding the charity’s financial position and decision making.
• Contributing to the fundraising strategy of the charity and its ethical fundraising policy.
• Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the Annual General Meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way.

The Person We’re Looking For:

• A finance professional with a firm understanding of charity finance and some experience of fundraising and pension schemes.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising, bid writing, and/or other income generation and/or securing funding through creation or leveraging of partnerships and networks (at a national or local level).
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity and the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
• Clear communicator with the ability to explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, and liaising with auditors.

In addition, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all Trustees.

Responsibilities of All Trustees:

• Demonstrating a commitment to G&C’s objectives
• Contributing to setting the strategic goals and monitoring performance by active participation in Board discussions and decision-making
• Actively assisting the charity to build their connections and partnerships for the purposes of most effectively delivering their goals and fundraising
• Ensuring that G&C complies with its governing documents, the law, and all other relevant documentation
• Helping to identify risks and ensuring appropriate controls are in place
• Helping the Board to make sound decisions by making available their own personal knowledge and experience
• Assisting the Chair to appoint and appraise the performance of the Senior Leadership Team members
• Sharing relevant skills and expertise with the Senior Leadership Team members
• Making all reasonable efforts to attend Board meetings, away days, development meetings, publicity events, and other such public functions as requested by the Chair
• Ensuring the charity’s focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion remains at the heart of its strategy and delivery

Trustee Person Specification:

In addition to the Treasurer role specific above, our Trustees will ideally also demonstrate the following:

• A commitment to the objectives and activities of G&C
• A willingness to devote time and effort to G&C beyond attending board meetings
• Have strategic vision, an ability to think creatively, and an appropriate level of financial literacy
• Understanding of and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of their position
• Have good independent judgement
• Be willing to effectively act as part of a team
• Adhere to the Nolan Principles of public office: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership
• A willingness to allow the Employee/s to make reasonable decisions and to act within the limits prescribed by the Board

To Apply:

To see the full job advertisement with details on how to apply, and to learn more about the role and our organisation, please see the attached supporting documents.

Community researchers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park ensure our community-owned park is inclusive and welcoming for all.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for community researchers specialised to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on on a listening project to ensure often underrepresented voices in conservation and environmental projects are heard and centred. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Inclusivity Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While your experienced research skills are crucial, we also value your ability to engage with the community and build partnerships. Experience in conducting community-based research or working with community organisations is important. A strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively will be invaluable in ensuring your research findings are relevant and impactful. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your research expertise will be vital in shaping our new biodiverse park. By conducting listening research on community needs, and potential park uses, you'll help us create a sustainable and inclusive space. Your findings will inform our design, programming, and outreach efforts, ensuring the park meets the needs of our community and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

We are currently looking to recruit an external trustee to join our Board of Trustees and also act as chair to the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee. We will also require the trustee to support our whistleblowing policy, acting as the nominated trustee contact for whistleblowing concerns.  You’ll champion openness and ensure the organisation has safe, fair, and effective processes for raising and handling concerns.

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees, and our trading subsidiary (CUSU Services Ltd) is overseen by our Commercial Services Board . They are both made up of a collection of our elected Officers, students, university staff and external professionals that ensure the Charity and the Trading Subsidiary remain sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status.

You will be expected to attend Board meetings 4 times per year – these will be a mix of in person and Teams meetings. You will also be expected to support at least one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction. You will need some time to allow for prereading of reports and other documentation before meetings. 

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm. Most of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.) There is also a strategy day once a year as well as the occasional social activity!

For this trustee role, we are looking for an experienced professional ideally with third-sector governance experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees the trustee will be required to chair the Finance and Audit subcommittee and should possess a strong finance background with analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, including but not limited to those from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those from a Global Majority background. We hope that by enhancing our diversity we can extend our organisational creativity and problem solving through the different perspectives and life experiences which diversity brings.

Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.

For further information there is a full recruitment pack and role profile available to download or visit our website for more information.

White Ribbon Alliance UK are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join as Trustees. In this role, you will be instrumental in governing our charity and ensuring we achieve our mission to promote maternal health and rights. Trustees serve for a term of three years, with the possibility of renewal at the end of the term. We are looking to fill the positions of General Trustees, Board Chair, Treasurer, and Compliance Officer. Your strategic vision, commitment, and ambassadorial efforts will be vital in driving our organisation forward and making a significant impact on the communities we serve. Below is the role description and instructions on how to apply.

Statutory Duties of a Trustee 

Trustees share ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run. This includes: 

• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy. 

• Ensuring compliance with the governing document (constitution or articles of association), charity law, company law and other relevant legislation or regulations. 

• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects, for the benefit of the public. 

• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets. 

• Safeguarding the good name, reputation, and values of the organisation. 

• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including appropriate policies and procedures. 

• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation. 

• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of its funds. 

• Following proper arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of senior staff. 

• Scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, and providing independent, creative judgement on key issues.

• Offering advice and guidance on new initiatives, risks, or opportunities. 

Ambassadorial Contributions 

In addition to their statutory duties, Trustees are requested to use their specific skills, knowledge, networks, or experience to strengthen the board’s work according to their skills, capabilities, interests and available time. This includes: 

• Promoting the charity's mission and values: Trustees should consistently advocate for the charity's goals and principles in various settings, ensuring that the organisation's message is clearly communicated. 

• Representing the charity at external events: Trustees should attend and participate in meetings, conferences, and other events on behalf of the charity, acting as its official representatives. 

• Engaging with media: Trustees should be prepared to speak to the media about the charity's work, providing insights and information that highlight the organisation's impact and importance. 

• Leveraging personal and professional networks: Trustees should use their connections to support the charity's objectives, whether by opening doors to potential supporters, funders, collaborators, or influencers. 

• Cultivating strategic partnerships: Trustees should engage with stakeholders across healthcare, academia, government, and civil society to build and maintain relationships that benefit the charity. 

• Supporting fundraising efforts: Trustees should actively participate in fundraising activities, helping to secure the resources needed for the charity to achieve its mission. 

By fulfilling these responsibilities, trustees play a crucial role in enhancing the visibility and impact of the charity, ensuring its continued success and growth. 

 Skills and Capabilities Requirements 

Trustees are expected to bring both governance capability and a willingness to champion the charity externally. Essential qualities include: 

• A commitment to the organisation’s mission and values. 

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. 

• Strategic vision and the ability to see the “big picture.” 

• Good, independent judgement and the confidence to speak one’s mind. 

• Ability to think creatively and contribute fresh ideas. 

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship. 

• Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team. 

• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 

Desirable (but not essential): 

• Strong personal and professional networks, with the willingness to leverage them on behalf of the charity. 

• Experience in advocacy, fundraising, or public speaking. 

• Understanding of the wider charity, health, or social justice sectors in which White Ribbon Alliance UK operates. 

 Time Commitment 

• Statutory duties for general trustees: 6-8 days per year. 

• Statutory duties for Chair, Treasurer, and Compliance Officer: 10-12 days per year (inclusive of general trustee duties). 

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity and inclusion are central to White Ribbon Alliance UK’s purpose and how we work. We recognise that maternity harm, discrimination, and exclusion are produced by systems, and that governance must reflect the people most affected by those systems.

We strongly encourage applications from people who:

• Have lived experience of sexual and reproductive health and rights issues

• Are Black or from racially minoritised communities

• Are LGBTQ+, disabled, or neurodivergent or otherwise marginalised by society

• Come from communities underrepresented in charity governance

We value lived experience and community knowledge as expertise. You do not need to fit a traditional Board profile to be a strong Trustee.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to apply or to take part as a Trustee, we will work with you to put these in place.

Remuneration 

This is a volunteer position. Expenses incurred as part of fulfilling the role will be reimbursed.