Finance manager volunteer roles in kensington and chelsea, greater london

The Landmark Arts Centre is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to continue their journey. The independent charity responsible for operating one of the largest multidisciplinary arts venues in south-west London.

Who they are

The Landmark is an independent Arts Charity responsible for operating one of the largest multidisciplinary arts venues in south-west London. For 30 years, they have been a vital cultural and creative hub for all. Housed in a stunning Grade II* listed building in Teddington, they welcome over 50,000 people annually to a rich programme of performances, classes, workshops, art fairs, exhibitions, and entertainment.

The role

They are seeking a Chairperson able to:

Be an enthusiastic advocate and ambassador of the Landmark Arts Centre and the arts in general.

Shape the future next steps to build on what they have already achieved and ensure they are able to deliver on the potential that their magnificent space offers to audiences and artists.

Work with the community and its leaders, the trustees, and the staff team in promoting well-considered strategic decision-making, effective oversight, and a culture of inclusion.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack. 

At PAS we believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly, properly and with respect. Prisoners can be ‘ out of sight, out of mind’, or considered to not be as deserving of good treatment as other people – but not for PAS; our reason for existing is ensuring that prisoners can fully exercise their rights.

It is my privilege to be Chair of Trustees for PAS, I believe that the work we do is fundamental to my belief that we judge our society by the way in which we treat the most vulnerable people. Contrary to popular culture, prisoners are some of the most vulnerable, neglected people in our society, and I am proud to be a part of an organisation that helps to protect them.

My fellow trustees are an impressive group of people, actively engaged with PAS, who energise me whenever I meet with them. However, our numbers have dwindled over the past year, as it can been difficult for people to fit in the demands of being a trustee around their busy lives. We also very sadly lost one of our most long-standing trustees to cancer – he is still sorely missed by us.

If you feel that you could offer your skills and experience, but most importantly your commitment and enthusiasm to our cause, we would be very interested in considering you joining us as a new Trustee.

As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic governance of the organisation and the setting and monitoring of overall policy; refine strategic priorities; agree targets and budgets; evaluate organisational performance and help the organisation fundraise.

Meetings take place quarterly in central London in the evening (with some virtual attendance), with additional attendance requested at Awaydays and PAS’s Annual Lecture and debates.

The Board encourages applications from candidates with disabilities or experience of mental health services, as well as black and minority ethnic applicants and ex-prisoners.

PAS does not accept Home Office or Prison Service money as this may affect its independence.

  Trustees are volunteers, but travel costs and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

The Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) is the only independent registered charity dedicated to offering free legal advice and representation to adult prisoners on their rights and prison rules in England and Wales.

Brent Foodbank are seeking to recruit two trustees - one to act as our Fundraising Lead, with the other supporting the work of the Board of Trustees more generally to support the food bank to meet its core purpose.

What will you be doing?

General Trustee Key responsibilities:

• As board members, we work to set a long-term strategy for Brent Foodbank, defining clear objectives and milestones to be monitored and refined.
• Managing Brent Foodbank’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk and not over-commit the charity.
• Ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as ensuring that the charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law.
• Adhering to best practice for governance of the Foodbank’s assets and staff.
• Ensure the Foodbank has appropriate procedures in place to comply with current legislation and best practice, including - employment, health and safety, safeguarding, equal opportunities and GDPR/data protection compliance.
• Ensure the Foodbank treats all its Clients with dignity and respect taking account of the diversity of our Clients.
• Acting with reasonable care and skill.
• Seeking to promote Brent Foodbank in the community. Acting as an ambassador for Brent Foodbank, promoting Brent Foodbank widely, for instance, on social media to our stakeholders, including: our Clients, Volunteers and potential funders/donors.

Note that if a Trustee becomes involved in making a Gift Aid claim for the Foodbank, a fit and proper person referral would be required.

Fundraising Lead Trustee Key responsibilities (in addition to the above):

• To work alongside the Treasurer and the rest of the Board to plan what level of funds are required to be generated to ensure the effective running of the charity.
• To work alongside the Trustee Board to ensure that any grants are sought and written with the purpose of meeting the charity's vision and objectives.
• To pilot the organisation of a fundraising sub-committee and lead on local fund-raising opportunities to support the running of the charity, including incorporating national Trussell fundraising campaigns/events throughout the year.
• To oversee, with operational management support, the writing of high-quality grant applications that align with the charity's vision and objectives.
• Regularly communicate with the rest of the Trustee Board via Trustee meetings or any other communication of any relevant information and/or developments regarding fundraising or grant applications.

What are we looking for?

The role involves acting as a charity trustee to set the strategic direction for the food bank.  Providing good governance, ensuring that the food bank meets its objectives and fulfils its charitable purpose.  Ensuring the food bank operates within its budget and in compliance with its charity, legal and operational goals.

Trustees are required to comply with the food bank’s governing documents, charity law and other relevant laws. They must act in the food bank’s best interests, including deciding what will best enable the charity to carry out its purpose, as well as making informed decisions to support food bank staff in achieving the vision/objectives of the food bank and ensuring there is a good relationship between the Trustee Board, food bank staff, and our stakeholders including: volunteers, our clients, funders, donors and the community in Brent.

Brent Foodbank are seeking to recruit Trustees with an interest in helping others, who are willing to uphold the food bank’s values, and who can bring life experience to the board of trustees. We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst supporting the food bank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• A commitment to the work of Brent Foodbank.
• A knowledge and passion for your local community.
• Passion for our vision and goals.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board.
• Independent judgement and ability to think strategically.
• Able to work effectively as part of a trustee team, contributing and considering others’ views.
• Able to commit the time and effort required.
• Bring relevant capabilities that help the board perform its role effectively and achieve the food bank's vision.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The food bank would particularly welcome applications from those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas: 

• Serving on a board of trustees or committee
• Strategy development
• Working or volunteering in a fundraising role
• Designing or organising events
• Grant writing

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Brent Foodbank.

We are looking for individuals to join our Board in 2025. In recent years we’ve increased and diversified the membership of the Board including the launch of our Associate Board Member programme in 2023. We are looking to continue this work with dynamic and committed people to support further growth and development, building on our achievements.

We want to recruit new Board Members, alongside an opportunity for two Associate Board Members.

Being a Board Member

Board Members play an integral role in providing robust governance and stewardship, in externally supporting future development through advocacy with regional, national and international stakeholders, potential funders and partners from the public and private sectors. Board Members benefit from working with a small, creative and enthusiastic team on the strategic development of the organisation.

What is an AND Associate Board Member?

We have developed a 12 month programme for two Associate Board Members. These roles will work alongside the AND Board of Trustees, and have been designed as a development  programme aimed to support potential candidates who do not yet have (sufficient) board-level experience, or the required availability, but have the passion and potential to be a future AND Board member.

The Associate Board Member roles have been created to support individuals who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector, providing greater access to training opportunities, and to add further diversity and richness of perspective to the organisation.

Associate Board Members will:

• bring unique experience from their field of expertise 
• share our passion for new ideas and artforms
• place inclusion and engagement at the heart of our culture and vision
• be provided with relevant shadowing, mentoring or training opportunities to support their skills development over 12 months
• attend quarterly AND Board meetings (without legal responsibility or voting rights) 
• have the opportunity to apply to become a Board Member after 12 months

It is not necessary to have governance/board-level exposure or experience, but a general understanding of how boards work is required.

If you feel that you don’t quite meet the person specification in the recruitment pack but you’re excited and interested in the opportunity, please get in touch following the application process outlined below.

Joining the AND Board as a Trustee

We are currently looking for individuals to join the AND Board with experience in the following areas: 

• Strategic Regional Public Sector Knowledge
• Environmental Sustainability
• Charity Finance 
• PR / Digital Communications
• Regional commercial business knowledge across the creative sector, immersive and digital technologies

This isn’t an exhaustive list, and we’re interested in hearing from anyone who believes they have skills or experience to positively contribute to the organisation. We’re also looking for candidates interested in exploring a Vice Chair role with a view to future succession planning for AND Chair. We’re committed to opening up opportunities to people who are currently under-represented in the cultural sector, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds, Disabled candidates and candidates under 30.

What is it like to be on the AND Board?

Read an interview with our Trustees Sam Bompass and Katie Moffat about being on the AND Board.

About AND

AND is an arts organisation known for creating radical, site-responsive projects at the intersection of art, technology and digital culture.

Working across the UK and internationally, AND commissions artists to explore the social, environmental and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Our portfolio includes large-scale outdoor artworks, exhibitions, research programmes, residencies, online projects and our flagship AND Festival — a nomadic biennial bringing cutting-edge digital experiences to diverse locations.

Our work often takes place in unexpected settings, from post-industrial towns to natural landscapes, creating space for bold experimentation and critical reflection. At our core, we champion interdisciplinary collaboration and are committed to inclusive, sustainable practices that challenge what is considered ‘normal’ in culture today

Practical Details

AND’s Board currently meets for a minimum of four times a year, through a mix of online, and in person meetings in Manchester (UK). There are additional, occasional meetings and sub-committee groups which can be attended via video call. We are particularly interested in hearing from North-based candidates, especially those with regional public sector or commercial business expertise, although we are open to applications from candidates from across the UK.

This is an unpaid role. You’ll need to commit around a day a month to the role. AND will reimburse reasonable travel expenses to meetings in full.

How to apply

• Read our AND Board Membership Recruitment Pack or our AND Associate Board Membership Pack
• If you’d like to speak informally about becoming an AND Board Member or Associate Board Member, you are welcome to request a conversation by Friday 30 May 2025
• Following this, we ask for a CV along with a short written statement (max 1 page) / video (max 3 minutes) to be submitted by Midnight Sunday 22 June 2025 with AND BOARD MEMBER ROLE or AND ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBER ROLE as the subject field.
• Complete an Equal Opportunities Form (submitted anonymously)

About you:
Are you passionate about supporting young people and families? Do you have a desire to see people flourish and empower change in your community? Have you experienced the care of a friend in difficulties or overcome some hardships and want to give back? If so, being a Family Friend could be the next adventure you embark on this year.

Volunteering activities and commitment:
Our Family Friend volunteers work directly with families by coming alongside parents and children when they need it most, making sure they feel less isolated. This can involve sharing a hot drink to hear about their day; helping a single dad or mum to get out of their home to a local park; or doing an activity with their children that would brighten up their day.

Every family support is unique to you and the family to help them achieve their goals, and always with your agreement. Practically speaking, being a Family Friend is a flexible role that can be fitted in with your other commitments and doesn't have to take up much of your time. 

You will be trained and supported by a local Engagement and Support Coordinator and Family Support Manager who will support you throughout your volunteer recruitment journey and whilst you are volunteering.

Our vision:
Safe Families believes that no one should feel alone. We work with local councils to come alongside isolated and overwhelmed families to create relationship and connection because everyone deserves to belong.

As a Christian Charity, we also believe in the power of the Church community. Does your church have a passion to support, love and welcome newcomers? If so, you can help to be a bridge between your church community and the people you volunteer with. We know this is especially needed at a time when loneliness is an endemic in the UK. 27%
of adults report feeling lonely ‘always, often, or sometimes’, and this can be as impacting on a person’s life as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.  Loneliness steals joy, destroys self-confidence, and limits potential. The cure is community and a sense of belonging. Being a Family Friend is a great way to showcase care and compassion to others.

We look forward to welcoming you as our new Family Friend and celebrating and honouring the milestones in your journey.
 

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $6.9t into the fossil fuel industry. At Bank.Green, our mission is to lower this vast carbon footprint via technology and consumer action. We empower bank customers with the tools and insights they need to influence their banks towards sustainable lending, or switch to greener alternatives. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used over 500,000 times by bank customers worldwide, while we have shifted a at least $35,000,000 towards banks who are financing a greener future.

Through transparency, engagement, and innovation, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the fight against climate change.

Role Overview

We have a need for a senior Frontend Engineers to take ownership of the Bank.Green frontend website. The website is builtin Vue.js with Nuxt.js and deployed via Cloudflare. We use prismic.io as a headless CMS and connect to internal graphQL and REST APIs. Because of the large number of pages (~5000) we serve, we have to pay special attention to our prismic.io CDN traffic and caching with automated builds.

Taking ownership of the website will mean:

• understanding the vue.js lifecycle
• understanding cloudflare deployment
• understanding the nuxt build pipeline
• carefully authoring and reviewing PRs
• mentoring more junior frontend developers

For internal communication, we use slack, linear.app, and, when necessary, MS365.

Functionally, the website allows users to see how their current bank, and potential new alternative banks, rank on environmental issues - primarily fossil fuel and related sectors support. It also provides suggestions on how to talk to your current or potential future bank about your environmental concerns.

Commitment

This role is unpaid and volunteer-based. We are seeking a commitment of 10-20 hours per week. We are looking for somebody to come on long-term, for at least a 6 month commitment.

We know that this a lot to ask. Bank.Green is a passion project of many people including other developers and data scientists. Many of our volunteers who are a) (f)unemployed and want to keep their fingers warm by doing something good for the world, b) otherwise trying to break into tech or environmental fields. We hope that you’re coming with some industry experience for this particular role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Frontend Engineer, preferably in a mid to senior level capacity.
• Proficiency in JavaScript programming language.
• Familiarity with Vue.js + Nuxt is nice to have but experience with React+Next also works well
• Experience working with and mentoring more junior colleagues
• Experience working asynchronously with colleagues in different time zones - through Slack, MS Teams, or similar.
• Experience working in Agile environments and using collaborative development tools (e.g., Linear or Jira, Git).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Passion for sustainability and environmental advocacy.

Immediate Theatre is a Hackney based community arts organisation with almost 30 years’ experience of providing quality arts opportunities in East London.  We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. Estimated time commitment 25 hours a year.

We are particularly keen to engage people with at least one of the following attributes:

• Young people under 25 interested in developing leadership skills.
• Lived experience of the issues facing our participants e.g.:
  • 90% of our youth theatre participants are from diverse ethnic backgrounds and a high proportion experience economic disadvantage, we know of 115 regular participants who access Free School Meals.
  • 32% of registered participants have special educational needs or a disability
  • Many participants on our Pathways to Employment programme have mental health challenges
  • We work with over 60’s including those experiencing long term illness
• Knowledge about education, we are keen to engage someone with knowledge of Secondary Education and/or academic connections with a relevant University
• Experience of managing a similar size organisation or team
• Experience of marketing.
• Experience in the community arts sector

A full breakdown of the trustee role can be found on Immediate Theatre's website.

Nabweru Community Initiative for Youth Empowerment

We empower youth in Uganda through entrepreneurship, child advocacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, climate action, sports, culture, and capacity building.

While NCIYE promotes good agricultural practices and empowers youth in farming, there is a significant challenge in providing adequate resources, training, and tools for youth to fully implement sustainable and effective farming methods. Many youth lack access to modern farming technology and knowledge about advanced agricultural practices that could help them increase productivity and improve income. Health Awareness and Accessibility:

Despite efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other diseases through community sensitization, many youth still face barriers in accessing reliable healthcare services and preventive resources. The ongoing stigma surrounding diseases like HIV/AIDS and limited access to treatment continue to hinder the effectiveness of awareness campaigns. Limited Opportunities for Youth Engagement in Sports and Culture:

Although sports competitions and environmental conservation activities are part of NCIYE’s current offerings, the organization faces challenges in scaling up these programs. The lack of adequate facilities, funding, and structured opportunities for youth to engage in sports and culture means that these initiatives do not reach their full potential for personal and community development. Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship:

NCIYE strives to provide entrepreneurial skills to youth, but the challenge remains in connecting these young entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start and grow successful businesses. Issues such as limited access to capital, markets, and mentorship programs hinder the ability of youth to translate entrepreneurial training into successful ventures.

At Nabweru Community Initiative for Youth Empowerment Ltd (NCIYE), we believe in the power of collective action and the incredible impact that volunteers can have in transforming communities. We are always open to passionate and dedicated individuals, as well as organizations, who share our vision and goals for creating lasting change in the lives of youth, women, and communities at large.

Grant Writer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Research and Identification

• Identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and private entities.
• Evaluate funding sources for alignment with the organization's mission, goals, and programs.

Proposal Development

• Write and edit grant proposals tailored to specific funders’ requirements.
• Develop narratives that clearly describe the need for funding, project objectives, methods, evaluation plans, and budget justifications.
• Gather supporting documentation, such as financial statements, staff bios, and letters of support.

Project and Budget Coordination

• Work with program staff to outline project details, goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with finance teams to develop accurate and persuasive budgets.

Compliance and Submission

• Ensure proposals comply with funder guidelines and deadlines.
• Submit applications through various platforms (e.g., Grants, foundation portals).

Grant Management Support

• Track proposal submissions and funding status.
• Assist with reporting requirements, including progress reports and financial updates to funders.

Relationship Management

• Communicate with grant officers and funders.
• Help maintain long-term relationships with funding agencies by ensuring transparency and delivering outcomes.

Capacity Building

• Train or support staff in grant-related processes.
• Stay updated on funding trends and share insights with the organization.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 weeks

Could you make a difference and help to improve the public’s health? 

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is looking to recruit up to two new Trustees with a particular expertise in policy and public affairs to join its Council.

RSPH is the world’s oldest independent health charity, operating under Royal Charter, dedicated to improving and protecting the public’s health. We want everyone to have the opportunity to optimise their health and wellbeing.

Our vision, voice, and practice guides our work, enabling us to deliver our high-quality services whilst being a strong and sound organisation, so we can impact the public’s health for many years to come.

RSPH has a unique strong and well-established role as a respected, impartial, and trusted voice in public health and is particularly notable for its work with the wider public health workforce. We need to be agile and innovative in meeting the changing needs of our workforce and leading population health and wellbeing. 

Help us to build on this strong foundation and set a clear path to achieving our vision that all members of the population lead healthier lives for longer.

The Trustees of the RSPH demonstrate a commitment to public health and to using their specific skills, knowledge, and experience to help make collective sound decisions for the benefit of the charity. They are responsible for the governance of RSPH and for setting its vision and mission. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring financial probity and for the strategic direction of the RSPH. They are dedicated to working with the executive to support the objects of RSPH and to ensure that the organisation flourishes to improve and protect the public’s health. 

Time Commitment 

Every trustee is expected to participate in regular RSPH Council meetings (currently four per annum) and may be asked to serve on a sub-committee of the Council. Trustees may be asked to participate in the educational activities of the RSPH by supporting conferences, publications, external relations, or training programmes. 

Opportunities will arise for Trustees to support senior staff in specific projects/initiatives. We would expect you to be able to be able to commit to 8-12 days per year. 

Trustees are generally appointed for a three-year term which may be renewed once.

The Trustee skill mix at RSPH 

As well as the formal duties, Trustees have a key role both as expert advisers and as a 'critical friend' to the Executive Management Team. Therefore, in seeking to identify new Trustees, we are particularly looking to enhance our current range of skills and experience across the Council with Trustees with the following backgrounds:

• Policy/influencing
• Government relations
• Public affairs

Sub-Committees 

RSPH Council has five sub-committees comprising, Audit & Risk, Qualifications Governance, Nominations and Governance, Public Health Workforce and Policy and Impact. We are looking for Trustees who would be able to commit to participation in one or more of these committees. We are especially interested in someone with the expertise to chair our Policy and Impact Committee. 

Support from the RSPH 

In return for this commitment, the charity will:

• Provide induction, training and support to enable trustees to carry out their role as effectively as possible. 
• Give adequate notice of relevant dates and events.
• Provide reports and papers in advance of meetings.
• Respond to information requests and governance queries.
• Trustees at RSPH are unremunerated; however, reasonable expenses will be covered in accordance with our Expenses Policy.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to join our Council and help shape the future of public health, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

RSPH values and actively strives to have a diverse and inclusive Council and would welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Application is by CV, outlining how you can make a positive contribution to the Council. We are looking for Trustees to demonstrate that they: 

• Have an interest and enthusiasm in public health. 
• Can contribute effectively to the development of strategy and policy, and the scrutiny of their delivery. 
• Understand and uphold the principles of effective governance, including contributing openly and collaboratively to discussion, supporting collective decisions, and respecting the boundaries between non-executive and executive roles.

The closing date for applications is 26 May 2025

Interviews will take place via video conference during the week commencing 16 June 2025 

For more information on how to apply, please download our Trustee Candidate Pack or click on the link to our website.

If you want to make a difference to people living with a mental health condition then we’d love to hear from you!

About us

At The Mental Health Community we use our lived experience to build understanding and support for what it’s like to live and work alongside managing a mental health condition. 

We know that it can be difficult to get, or keep a job if your energy levels, how you’re feeling and your ability to go to a place of work every day are affected by a mental health condition like anxiety or depression. But we also know that having a sense of purpose and belonging can really help with the symptoms and impact that mental health conditions can have on you.

Our work is focused on helping people with a mental health condition who are in work or looking for work. We do this by supporting businesses to improve how they look after people, because we know that by creating inclusive and safe spaces at work we make it possible for people with mental ill health to stay in the workplace which helps keep them well and benefits the businesses too.

By joining our board you will be: 

• Making a lasting impact by helping us make more workplaces safe and inclusive for people with a mental health condition
• Shaping the future of our charity as we expand our services and reach more people who need our support
• Using your skills and experience for good by helping guide the strategic direction of our charity.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for at least 4 new trustees to join our team. Whatever your skillset, we’d love to hear from you and there are some areas where we need particular help:

· Treasurer: oversee our financial health, provide guidance on building long term financial plans to help us grow and ensure appropriate financial management.

· Marketing and Communications: strategic oversight of our marketing and communications, raising awareness of our work and reaching new audiences through digital strategies and media engagement.

· Fundraising: develop our fundraising strategy and income streams, including grant applications, corporate sponsorship and campaigns.

· Governance: guide us in operating transparently and effectively whilst maintaining high standards of governance in compliance with our governing document and charity law.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental ill health, young people aged 18-30, people of all socio-economic backgrounds, genders and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

About the role

As a board of trustees we meet remotely every 6 weeks, there may be some activity in between meetings so the estimated total time commitment is 4 hours every 6 weeks.

In addition to using your specific skills to develop how we work, all trustees share responsibility for:

· Developing our activities to help us achieve our purpose and positive impact,

· Making sure we are compliant with our governing document and the requirements of the Charity Commission, and

· Being an active member of the board to help us make good decisions

What you can expect from us

We are committed to supporting our Trustees: you can expect an induction to the organisation and trustee role plus any additional conversations and support you need to help you feel confident in your role.

Our meetings are relaxed and informal; there are no expectations of ‘business clothes’, technical jargon or having all the answers.

We welcome and support your preferences for the way we work together, how you like to receive information and how we can make it easier for you to participate actively in our discussions.

One more thing

We know that great trustees come from many backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and that’s great - we really value people who bring different perspectives and add new voices to our team.

But you might not feel you ‘check all the boxes’ as you read this advert or the role description, especially if you’ve been marginalised or excluded. We get it, and we’ve felt like that too. But we hope you’ll apply anyway because we’d love to hear from you and will take care to help you feel welcome and included.

For more information on the role please see the role description.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Chair for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation. 

Who We Are

Sense International is the only international non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting people with deafblindness and their families around the world. Sense International supports programmes in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Romania, Peru, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Our vision
Our vision is of a world in which all people with deafblindness can be equal and active members of society. 

Our mission
Our mission is to work in partnership with others across the globe – people with deafblindness, their families, carers and other professionals – to remove barriers in societies and systems, so that people with deafblindness are fully included and can fulfil their potential.

What We Do

Sense International’s 2022-2027 strategy aims to remove barriers in societies and systems, so that people with deafblindness are fully included and can fulfil their potential, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The ambitions of our strategy are to uphold and realise the rights of people with deafblindness:

Innovate People with deafblindness are included in national systems

Inform People with deafblindness, and the people who support them, have more information, skills and knowledge

Influence People with deafblindness are recognised in laws, policies and budgets

The Role

Working alongside our Chief Executive, Kavita Prasad, and the Senior Leadership Team, our trustees steer the organisation in achieving its charitable aims and setting its strategic direction.

We are looking for three new Trustees to join us. We are looking for candidates with an interest in international development and disability inclusion. 

Based on our recent Trustee skills audit we have identified specific needs for Trustees with the following expertise and/or experience: 

• Business leaders with connections in the corporate world
• People with experience of fundraising
• People with experience of international development and disability  
• People with lived experience of disability and/or caring for a family member with disability
• Representation of the geographies that Sense International works in 

Key Responsibilities 

• Ensure the organisation carries out the statutory responsibilities of a trustee in an efficient and effective manner in keeping with its objectives and mandate
• Represent and promote Sense International’s vision and values internally and externally, and to serve occasionally as a spokesperson and public representative for Sense International when requested
• Contribute to development of strategy and setting the strategic direction and ensure high level oversight of delivery of the organisation’s strategy.
• Ensure good governance and compliance including risk management, identifying and addressing issues that require the attention of the Board
• Support Sense International’s fundraising efforts
• Contribute to sub-committees and ad-hoc bodies as considered appropriate by Board (e.g. Fundraising Advisory Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Programmes Advisory Committee).
• Bring specific skills and experience to the Board and to lead on issues connected to these if asked by the Chair. 

The Board meets at least quarterly in London, with meetings held late afternoon on a weekday. We prefer to hold our meetings face-to-face, with most of our Trustees attending in person.  However we can offer hybrid options and are flexible to accommodate the right candidates. 

Trustees are encouraged to support other Sense International events and provide ad-hoc support to the Executive and Senior Leadership Team in between meetings. They are also encouraged to join the board sub committees who support the work of the board. These committees meet at least quarterly. 

Trustee roles are not paid but reasonable expenses can be paid. There is no requirement to have served on a Board previously, and we are keen to diversify the range of voices, perspectives and backgrounds represented. 

Person Specification

Essential

• Ability to consistently devote time and effort to the role
• Ability to contribute to strategic thinking
• Ability to communicate your area of specialism to other members of the board with different specialist knowledge
• Evidence of personal integrity and high ethical standards and strong values consistent with those of Sense International
• Ability to understand financial information
• Commitment to diversity and for the respect and dignity of our stakeholders and their experience and expertise
• Open to learning
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including teamwork.
• Ability to mobilise personal networks for fundraising and advocacy purposes. 

Desirable

• Experience of charity governance and understanding of the respective responsibilities of Trustees and staff.
• Knowledge of international development, disability or other human rights issues.

Experience of working in the international development sector or a background in any of the eight countries where SI works.

Join the Board of Governors of Croydon College as the new Chair to play a key role in supporting students achieve their potential and positively contribute to society.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 9th May 2025

Location: Croydon, South London

Who we are

Croydon College was formed from a merger between Croydon College and Coulsdon Sixth Form College in 2019. Both Colleges continue to deliver high-quality education, building on their proud history of serving the local community whilst becoming an anchor institution for the local area.

Our College consists of two campuses in South London offering distinctly different provisions. Our Croydon Campus provides general further education with a focus on vocational and skills education, and our Coulsdon Campus is the home of our sixth form college. We offer a wide range of provision, including vocational and academic programmes for young people, courses for adults to upskill or retrain, higher education, apprenticeships, and a specific curriculum for learners with high needs.

About the role

As Chair, you will have a responsibility to ensure the Governing Body upholds the educational character of Croydon College whilst working with our Director of Governance to ensure that, as an organisation, we are acting in accordance with our governing documents and national regulatory frameworks. Alongside this will be your responsibility to collaborate with Committee Chairs and senior leaders to ensure that agendas are effective and meetings are run efficiently with full engagement and contribution encouraged.

Our new Chair will play a vital role not only in leading our Governing Body but also in offering their expertise as an experienced strategic leader, supporting and advising our senior leadership team as they navigate the many challenges and opportunities they will face in the years ahead.

Who we are looking for

We are looking to engage candidates to become our new Chair and lead our governing body with enthusiasm, energy and dedication. You will be innovative in your thinking, curious in your questioning and bring your growth mindset to share in our ambitions. Like all of our Governors, you will understand our longer-term vision and share our aspirations and ambitions for both the College and our students.

Whilst our new Chair will share our passion for education, and particularly further education, we are keen to attract candidates with a wide-range of experience be it commercial, third or public sector or educational.

Our new Chair will need to have previous board experience, preferably in a leadership role such as Chair, Vice Chair or Committee Chair. Coupled with this experience, you will bring a keen understanding of our local ecosystem and be able to appreciate the impact that our College can have on the communities that we serve while also understanding how local demographics and economics impact the decisions we take.

In addition to being a successful strategic leader, you will bring an understanding of organisational transformation and development and be well-placed to act as a trusted advisor to our senior leaders as we seek to navigate our growth and development in the years ahead.

Whilst we will welcome applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds, we are especially interested in those individuals who live or work within our local area and who have a particular interest in supporting the development and growth of their local College.

Expectations and commitment

Our Governing Body meets a minimum of four times per year in person. Our meetings are held outside of the working day from 6 pm and always take place on a Wednesday.

We hold two strategy days per year in March and December, one at each campus, and our board meetings are incorporated into these.

As well as leading our Governing Body as Chair, the appointed candidate will be asked to join a number of committees, which may include Finance and Resources, Learning and Quality, Search and Governance and Remuneration. These Committees meet in person three times a year and a schedule for these is available in the key documents section of this site.

It is anticipated that our new Chair will need to be able to dedicate between three to four days per month. As we continue on our journey of improvement, it is expected that in the early part of your term of office, the commitment could be slightly more. The time you need to dedicate will be influenced by meeting schedules, academic cycles, and other ad-hoc support needs. As with any Chair role, a key aspect of this role will be flexibility and accessibility. Governors are asked to commit to a four-year term of office.

We very much welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 9th June 2025.