Environmental volunteer roles

Looking to gain experience in the conservation sector and inspire people in Gloucestershire to stand up for nature's recovery? You’ve come to the right place!

We have two Wild Trainee roles currently vacant within our Engagement and Communications team – could you join our team?

The Wildlife Trusts have recognised that for nature to be put into recovery, we must better engage and inspire people on a local level – these roles form part of the Wild Trainees Programme, which is designed to provide valuable experience for young people in delivering nature’s recovery through practical work, communications, evidence, and engagement.

The Community Action Wild Trainee role is an essential part of our wider vision, inspiring communities across the county to take meaningful action for nature and creating bigger, better and more connected landscapes for people and wildlife.

Our Community Action and Communications Wild Trainees will work closely throughout their traineeship, collaborating and developing skills from all areas of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

How to apply: Please send us your CV and cover letter outlining why you’d like to be considered for the role and what applicable key skills and experience you have.

Application deadline: Tuesday 30th September

Date of interviews: Tuesday 7th October

Being a charity we hope all recruitment agencies will appreciate that we want to save money where possible - so thank you, but unless we get in touch, we don't need you help with this role quite yet.

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

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

Who are we?

Well, it is a small operation at this point, there are three people that are working to set up the charity, but we are all neurodivergent and have disabling aspects to our lives and experienced lack of opportunity or presumed ideas based on others perception of us. We are just people who care in reality and want to make a true change in society for everyone we work with.

Where are we now?

We are ready to become a CIO; we want to go straight to a fully incorporated charity so that we are able gain the most support as possible and open up opportunities for growth from day one as well as ensure people know they can trust us.

We need 3 trustees to start and understandably, two of us don’t want to be trustees due to personal reasons, so we need at least another two, maybe more, trustees to start up. That is hopefully where you come in!

We have our governing document, and we are still completing the further documents we want to launch with. We hope that new trustees will add to the plan and bring fresh ways of us working and how communicate the message of the charity.

The charity objects

· To promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.

For the purpose of this clause ‘socially excluded’ means being excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of one or more of the following factors: unemployment; financial hardship; youth or old age; ill health (physical or mental); substance abuse or dependency including alcohol and drugs; discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability, ethnic origin, religion, belief, creed, sexual orientation or gender re-assignment; poor educational or skills attainment; relationship and family breakdown; poor housing (that is housing that does not meet basic habitable standards; crime (either as a victim of crime or as an offender rehabilitating into society).

· The relief of financial hardship, either generally or individually, of people living in England and Wales by making grants of money for providing or paying for items, services or facilities

· The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit by conducting or commissioning research on equality and diversity issues and publishing the results to the public; advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity and promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds.

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)

So, who are we looking for?

The answer to this is complex. What we are looking for in a trustee is someone who is passionate about creating equity for everyone while sustaining equality, someone that has lived experiences that would mean they can relate to the objects of the charity, whether that be personally, as a support for someone that does or has struggled to be given equity in society or someone that works or has worked in an industry that has played a part in restricting others in society and want that to make real change.

We think this covers a large number of people.

The role of trustee in Living Reasons will always be a remote role, meetings will be held online as standard as we would like to have trustees that are from all areas of the UK and that anyone can be a trustee, regardless of any accessibility requirements.

Additionally, to the personal experiences, the below are also necessary for all trustees of all charities:

1) Must not have an unspent conviction

2) Must not be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults

3) Must not be in undischarged bankruptcy, or other debt management programme

4) Must not be barred from being a trustee or company director

The requirements of skills and understanding of the undertaking of trusteeship with Living Reasons:

1) Being a trustee comes with requirements and responsibilities in terms of acting in the best interest of the charity at all times in line with the law and the charity’s governing document, which will be supplied to all trustees before agreeing to be a trustee and will be discussed with any person selected to be a trustee before they agree to be a trustee.

2) An understanding of financial information is required, this is to ensure that financial reports are assessed correctly and that any anomalies are highlighted, this does not mean you need to have in depth accounting or finance experience by any means, but it is important that you are able to analyse financial reports and risk as they arise.

3) Specific to Living Reasons, you will need to be someone that thinks creatively and is not scared of challenging traditions and pre-existing ideas and open to hear from a wide audience to make informed but innovative changes that are sustainable, realistic but also dynamic and challenging the current societal norms.

Would you like to become a Trustee?

Each year we seek new volunteers to join our board of trustees, bringing with them the skills and experience we need to work for a better future for nature, people and the green spaces we all love across Rotherham and Sheffield.

As well as an enthusiasm and passion for our work, we are looking for people with the skills to help govern the Trust.Experience of working in a decision-making group is very helpful as well as a good local knowledge of Rotherham and/or Sheffield. You would need to be able to commit to attending our Annual General Meeting (held in October) and at least four board meetings per year, which require some preparatory work..

This year we are especially keen to hear from people:

• Have expertise in strategic HR, staff health & wellbeing support
• Commercial, business acumen, profit for purpose experience (with reference to our consultancy)
• Have a good knowledge of communities and/or natural environment in Rotherham
• Can represent more of our diverse community in Sheffield & Rotherham

To find out more have a look at the role description visit our website

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK
Time Commitment: Approx. 2 – 4 hours per month

About Us
Unseen Expeditions UK is a newly forming Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) supporting mission-led charities and expedition projects across the UK and internationally. Our flagship initiative, The Unseen Mile, is a 4.5-year journey covering 25,000 miles across 37 countries. Through this and future projects, we aim to inspire, raise awareness for important causes, and share unique storytelling and learning experiences from the field.

We are currently recruiting our initial trustee board to help launch and register the charity.

Role Overview
We are seeking a General Trustee to join our board, support strategic decision-making, and help ensure effective governance. This is a key role in shaping the charity’s early operations, supporting registration, and contributing to the delivery of our mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Attend quarterly trustee meetings (in person or virtually) and participate in board decision-making

• Support governance, strategy, and operational planning for the CIO

• Contribute ideas, experience, and skills to help the charity grow

• Assist with compliance, reporting, and adherence to charity law and CIO regulations

• Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development as needed

Person Specification & Requirements

• Interest in charity governance, mental health, and expedition-led projects

• Willingness to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

• Commitment to the mission and values of Unseen Expeditions and its partnered charities

• Comfortable working remotely and communicating online with a UK-wide board

• UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

• Approx. 2 - 4 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

• Basic tools for communication (email, phone, video calls)

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to help shape and govern a new, high-profile charity from launch

• Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

• Contribution to awareness-raising and adventure-led impact projects

• Recognition for your role in mission-driven initiatives, including The Unseen Mile and future projects

• Flexible, fully remote role within a passionate, purpose-driven team

Hull College is a vibrant, inclusive further education provider based in the heart of Hull, serving a diverse urban population across the city and the wider East Yorkshire region. With one main campus (HU1 3DG), the College delivers a broad curriculum from entry level to higher education, including vocational, academic, and apprenticeship pathways. The College supports around 8,000 learners in total, including approximately 2,100 aged 16–19, 4,750 adult learners, 200 higher education students, and 800 apprentices. It employs around 500 staff, has an annual turnover of £30 million, and was graded Good with Outstanding features by Ofsted in October 2023. Hull College also holds an Outstanding financial health grade.

Hull College is defined by its "Hullraisers" spirit. This is an ethos of ambition, resilience, and transformation. The College is more than a place of learning; it is a thriving community committed to innovation and tangible impact. Its "Living and Thriving" personal development programme supports learners beyond academics, helping them develop confidence, promote their wellbeing, and prepare for the future. Strong partnerships with employers and civic organisations ensure the curriculum aligns with industry, while enrichment activities build learners leadership, digital, and employability skills. The College plays a critical role in meeting the skills needs of the region and is on a journey to be recognised nationally as a world-class institution.

Hull College has recently approved an ambitious Strategic Plan ‘Fearless by Design’ for 2025–28, with exciting developments underway including the launch of a new Higher Education strategy and brand, deployment of Microsoft Copilot, an AI Academy, and the start of an estate transformation. The College is also expanding local partnerships, aiming to grow its regional impact. Governors will play a vital role in overseeing delivery, monitoring key performance indicators, and championing the College.
Looking to the rest of a new governor’s term, priorities for the College include launching major capital projects, building international partnerships, and achieving national recognition in areas such as Construction. Governors will contribute to strategic decisions to drive development and support the College’s national profile. By 2027–28, Hull College aims to be a sector leader in AI, sustainability, and technical education. Governors will help shape the post-2028 vision, guide improvement, and ensure long-term financial resilience.

Becoming a Governor at Hull College is an opportunity to influence meaningful change and make a tangible difference in local lives. Governors help set the strategic direction of the College, ensure high standards of education and training, and support its financial sustainability. This is a chance to work alongside likeminded professionals, build networks across education and industry, while using your experience to support a vital community institution. It is a role where your insights matter, your contributions are valued, and your decisions shape the future of thousands of learners each year.

The College’s requirements

The Corporation Board at Hull College is seeking to appoint three new governors to support the College’s strategic growth, academic excellence, and governance capability. These vacancies include: an opening on the Higher Education Advisory Committee; a vacancy for the role of Chair of the Standards Committee; and a role as Vice-Chair of the Corporation. All roles require individuals who can act as a critical friend by providing robust challenge, strategic oversight, and constructive support to senior leaders while helping ensure accountability, compliance, and progress against the College’s objectives.

The successful applicant to the Higher Education Advisory Committee will bring significant knowledge of Higher Education regulation and governance, including the Office for Students (OfS) conditions of registration, QAA frameworks, and statutory guidance. With experience of governance or leadership in HE or FE, they will contribute a strong understanding of academic assurance, compliance, and risk. Their role as a critical friend will involve offering independent insight, questioning standards where appropriate, and supporting the continued delivery of high-quality, compliant HE provision.

The incoming Chair of the Standards Committee will be an educationalist, ideally from a FE background, with substantial experience in curriculum quality, student outcomes, and sector-wide benchmarks. They will be confident in scrutinising performance data, challenging achievement rates, and applying their knowledge of Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework. This individual will be responsible for leading rigorous, evidence-based discussions and ensuring continuous improvement across teaching, learning, and progression. They will support the executive team while holding them accountable to high expectations for learner success.

The future Vice-Chair of the Corporation will be a senior leader with strong governance experience and a background in complex, high-level corporate or public sector settings. They will bring expertise in leadership resilience, talent management, and succession planning, and will Chair the Remuneration Committee. This role requires strategic thinking, a deep understanding of governance and accountability, and the ability to work collaboratively with the Chair, Board, and senior leaders to ensure effective leadership continuity and organisational stability.

New governors are supported through a structured induction to help them quickly understand their role, responsibilities, and the college’s strategic priorities. Before appointment, they receive a recruitment pack outlining the role and expectations. Once approved, they are welcomed with an appointment letter, key documents, and early meetings with the Chair and Director of Governance to explore board culture and key issues. An induction pack and mandatory training in areas like safeguarding, GDPR, and finance ensure a strong foundation.

To build college familiarity, governors tour facilities, meet staff and students, and observe meetings before active participation. A buddy system and specialist link roles (e.g. safeguarding or finance) deepen engagement. Throughout the first year, regular check-ins, ongoing development opportunities, and an appraisal support their growth.
These are vital roles for the next phase of Hull College’s journey; ideal for professionals who want to make a tangible impact on education, the community, and the region’s future skills landscape.

Time commitment and meeting schedule

On average, the DfE expect governors to commit up to two days per month to effectively contribute to their role, including meetings, any preparation, committee involvements and on-site visits.

Hull College estimates that governors typically volunteer around two days per month to fulfil their responsibilities. While expectations may vary depending on the individual’s committee involvement or role, we encourage all prospective candidates to discuss their availability and capacity during the application process and the College has already laid out its 2025/2026 meeting schedule.

The Corporation Board meets five times per academic year, with one additional strategic away day and one SAR validation day. Committees meet between three and five times annually. Meetings are usually scheduled for Tuesdays or Thursdays at 4pm. Corporation meetings are encouraged in person at Hull College (Wilberforce Drive, Hull, HU1 3DG), though hybrid arrangements via Microsoft Teams are available. Committee meetings are primarily remote.

Some in-person engagement is recommended to build relationships, gain a deeper understanding of the college environment, and contribute effectively to the College’s strategic aims. If you are ready to take the next step in your governance journey and want to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Hull College and its wider community, we welcome your interest in these roles.

Establishment Information

• Unique Reference Number (URN): 130579
• Address: Wilberforce Drive, Hull, HU1 3DG
• Type of establishment: Further Education

What does the role include?

Governors work together as a board to provide strategic leadership, ensuring the College Corporation or company is legally compliant, financially sustainable, and delivers excellent value for public funds. FE College Corporations / companies operate as independent charitable institutions, with governors acting as charity trustees and the governing board ultimately accountable for overall performance. The principal regulator of FE and Sixth-Form College corporations is the Secretary of State for Education, and the Department for Education (DfE) works closely with the FE Commissioner and sector stakeholders to both regulate and support FE governance. Where needed, support is provided by the Commissioner’s team of advisers and National Leaders of Governance for FE, who offer peer-led mentoring. To read further about regulation, support and intervention please refer to the sixth-form College Corporations: governance guide, linked within the further reading on the GfS website. 

What are the benefits?

Volunteering on a College Corporation board is a meaningful way to shape learner’s lives and strengthen education in your community. You will play a vital role in setting strategic direction and holding executive leaders to account — ensuring the College delivers the best outcomes. This is a great opportunity to support your career development and give back to education.

Further information

You can also find out more public information about the College, along with useful resources, additional reading and interactive content about being a FE College Governor by clicking through to the GfS website.

We are looking for a Trustee who brings experience and insight in one or more of the following areas:

1. Leadership in the education sector, including schools, FE/HE institutions or youth services

2. Knowledge of arts-based pedagogy and creative learning methodologies

3. Experience with education and culture policy, or involvement in cultural learning partnerships.

This Trustee will also serve as our Board Safeguarding Lead, helping to ensure that our work with young people and vulnerable groups is safe, inclusive and aligned with best practice.

Role: Trustee

Location: Winchester

Position: Voluntary

About us:

As one of England’s oldest charities, we are proud of our 900-year legacy of service. St John’s Winchester provides around 100 almshouses for older people, who have strong ties to the city. Our mission is to support residents to live independently for as long as possible, with 24-hour support delivered by our dedicated Welfare Team. Our residents form a vibrant and caring community, with many involved in faith-based and social activities, and in the wider life of Winchester.

Your role:

As a Trustee of St John’s Winchester, you share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction and planning for the charity. Trustees ensure the charity remains true to its purpose, and delivers meaningful, lasting impact for the people we serve. Trustees are required to abide by both company and charity law, exercising their legal and financial obligations as company and charity directors, adhering to corporate regulation and the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

About you:

We welcome interest from individuals from all walks of life. We recognise that great governance is shaped by diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. If you share our values and want to make a difference in the lives of older people in Winchester, we encourage you to get in touch.

We welcome expertise in:

· HR leadership roles, including HR Directors or People & Culture leads

· Workforce planning, talent management, or leadership development

· Organisational development in values-led environments

· Volunteer engagement, inclusion strategy, or staff wellbeing initiatives

· Employment law or charity HR governance

Why join us:  

Becoming a trustee at St John’s Winchester offers an opportunity to shape the future of one of England’s oldest and most respected charities, deeply rooted in Winchester. You will benefit from making a real difference in your community, be joining a legacy of local leadership, grow personally and professionally and be a part of a strong evolving organisation.

To apply:

Please send your application by 15 September 2025
 

The Honorary Treasurer is a key voluntary post within Mountain Training England and the wider network of related mountaineering organisations. As a member of the Board of Trustees, the Treasurer shares the responsibility for overseeing the management of the organisation and implementing the strategic objectives of its members.

The Treasurer has an oversight role over all aspects of financial management, working closely with other members of the Board of Trustees to safeguard the organisation financially. They act as an informed reference point for the Chair and other Trustees.

Although it is the Treasurer’s responsibility to ensure proper financial records and procedures are maintained, much of this work is delegated to the Finance and Audit Sub-committee and paid staff.

Our annual statement of accounts can be seen at Companies House.

Role of Mountain Training England Treasurer

• The Treasurer oversees the financial matters of Mountain Training England in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements of the Charities and Companies Acts and reports both quarterly to the Board and to the Members at three Council meetings per year about the financial health of the organisation.
• The Treasurer ensures that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are in place.
• The Treasurer takes the lead on the formulation of policies for finances, reserves and investments.

Specific Responsibilities

• To oversee/verify and present budgets, accounts, management accounts and financial statements to the Board and Members after discussion with the Finance Committee. 
• To ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• To ensure that full and accurate accounts and records are kept.
• In conjunction with the Executive Officer maintain sound financial management of MTE’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the charity’s objects.
• To ensure compliance with relevant legislation e.g. Companies and Charity legislation and contractual agreements with external agencies such as funders and statutory bodies

• Chairing the Finance and Audit Committee in line with its terms of reference and reporting back to the Board.
• Present the annual statement of accounts to the Members at the Annual General Meeting.
• To liaise with designated staff about financial matters.
• Advising on the financial implications of MTE’s strategic and operational plan.
• Ensure that the annual accounts are compliant with the current Charities Statement of Recommended Practice.
• Ensure any recommendations of the independent examiner are implemented.
• Contribute to the fundraising strategy of the organisation.
• Advise on reserves policy and investment policy.
• Ensure that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of MTE or partner organisations.
• Ensure that MTE has sufficient liquidity to meet its future commitments.

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE

Considerable experience as a treasurer of similar sized organisations

Some experience of walking, rock climbing or mountaineering.

OR experience of controlling a budget in a small-to-medium-sized (SME) organisation/business

Have an interest in the development of the Mountain Training awards

Financial accounting and reporting experience

Experience of working with charity or educational body accounts

Recognised accountancy qualification e.g. ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, AAT etc

DESIRABLE

Knowledge of Charity SORP

An understanding of Equity/Inclusion applicable to financial resources

Commitment

As Treasurer you will chair the Finance & Audit Committee, which meets quarterly. You will also be expected to attend four Board meetings and a minimum of one of three Members’ Council meetings per year.  Attendance at the AGM is expected to present the annual statement of accounts to members.

Occasional attendance at MTUKI Council meetings and Finance Planning Group meetings is required.

Term

Trustees serve for a maximum of three years and are re-elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. At the end of the first three-year term of office Trustees are eligible for re-election for one further term of three years. From time to time the positions of Treasurer, Vice-Chair and Chair become subject to renewal. The Trustees nominate these positions from the Board and the Council votes to approve them at the AGM.

Expenses

Reasonable travel, parking and subsistence expenses are paid to Trustees, in line with MTE expenses policy.