Finance trustees volunteer roles

Trustees x2 – Money Advice Trust

Introduction from the Chair

At the Money Advice Trust, we are at the forefront of helping people and micro businesses facing financial difficulty. It’s a hugely exciting time for the charity – we’re helping more people than ever before, while also laying the foundations for a new era in our charity’s contribution to tackling problem debt in the UK.

Our National Debtline and Business Debtline services helped people through 271,000 advice interactions last year - an increase of 36% - and we have plans to significantly grow our services in the years ahead.

However, with around 8 million people in need of debt advice in the UK, we know there is more to do. We have therefore re-focused the charity’s mission - to help prevent financial difficulty and remove problem debt from people’s lives – and begun work on a clear new strategy to deliver this.

This will see us transform our National Debtline and Business Debtline services, through improved customer journeys, new technology and stronger partnerships, and broaden our reach, particularly with groups of people less likely to seek advice currently. We’ll also do more to prevent financial difficulty occurring in the first place, making this a priority for our influencing and campaigning work.

As Trustees, we play a key role in helping achieve these ambitions, shaping and overseeing the strategic direction, ensuring the charity has the capability and stability to keep making a difference to people’s lives.

We have vacancies for two new Trustees to help us achieve our ambitions. We are particularly interested to hear from people who could help us develop new corporate partnerships and help us grow our reach, and from those with financial qualifications who could succeed Laurence Burgess as our new Chair of Finance Audit and Risk Committee.

If you want to help build a better financial future for millions of people in the UK, then we would love to hear from you.  

Christine Farnish CBE

Chair, Money Advice Trust

About the role

Non renumerated (reasonable travel and expenses to attend meetings will be reimbursed)

Location: London, Birmingham & remote

Commitment: Board Member 0.5 -1 day per month

Finance Audit and Risk Committee Chair 1 day per month

The Money Advice Trust, a leading charity providing free, independent debt advice to UK consumers and micro businesses, seeks two talented people to join its forward-thinking board.

We have embarked on an exciting new strategy, focused on preventing financial difficulty and helping remove problem debt from people’s lives. If you want to be part of this important mission we would love to hear from you.

Applicants need to have a passion for our work, a strategic mindset, and relevant governance experience. In addition, we are specifically looking for:

1.  A new Chair of our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, to oversee our finances and ensure appropriate controls are in place to manage risk. You should have a background in financial management, audit and risk at senior level in a charity, public or private sector body*.

2.  A board member to help support work on income generation, commercial partnerships and business development. You should have a commercial mindset and experience in sales, commercial partnerships or similar at senior level.

For more information about the Money Advice Trust please visit our website and review our 2024 Impact Report

As a charity, these roles are unremunerated. However, you will gain valuable experience and the satisfaction of knowing you have helped make a difference to people’s lives.

To apply

*To be eligible for this role you will require a recognised accountancy qualification (eg ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Appointment will be subject to background checks, including a ‘fit and proper person’ declaration.

We will only use the data you supply to us in CVs for recruitment purposes. This data will be held for twelve months. For further information please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants, available on the vacancies page of our website.  

We take diversity seriously and are committed to making diversity and inclusion a part of everything we do and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Our vision, underpinned by our values, ‘We put people first, We support each other, We solve problems’ is to be a place where everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work and to make the Money Advice Trust an employer of choice.  

Job Description

A contracted Ministry of Justice Approved Premises and Housing Charity working with released offenders on prison licenses and ex-offenders, to break the revolving door of re-offending, homelessness, and prison. Trustees will use their knowledge, experience, and skills in an environment they may not have previously encountered.

What will you be doing?

Trustees meet every two months with the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Charity offices to monitor activities, finances, and development of the organisation, giving advice to the SMT and making such decisions as required to ensure the organisation is acting appropriately to meet the requirements of our stakeholders; Ministry of Justice, National Probation Service, Leeds Local Authority and within Charity Commission regulations. 

The Organisation has grown rapidly, and it is essential that the Board of Trustees develops to meet the broad needs of this Charity. 

New Trustees will contribute to the stability and support, advice, and opportunity that the Charity provides to enable vulnerable ex-offenders to do things differently and by offering their experience and specialist knowledge in the areas identified will add depth and breadth to the existing Board of Trustees.

Additional time and specialist advice given as and when required, will enable the SMT to respond effectively to new challenges and external changes as they occur whilst the SMT concentrate on the day-to-day work of the Charity and its staff.

New Trustees must want to make a difference to individual lives and wider society by supporting the SMT and staff to help those vulnerable ex-offenders with very specific and high-risk offending histories, who are being released from long or repeated prison sentences, to believe that they can live positive fulfilling lifestyles.  It is essential that Trustees can view our service users with an open mind.

What are we looking for?

New Trustees are being sought with experience of Accounting and Auditing, Housing and Private Letting Legislation, accessing Funding opportunities, Police or Probation work, Mental Health, or Substance misuse fields.

It is vital that new Trustees have an affinity with the aims of the Charity and appreciate the value of giving individuals a chance to change their future and leave their offending lifestyle behind and the important role that stable accommodation plays in enabling individuals to turn their goals into reality. 

Not all skills need to be specialist and an understanding of the barriers to prison release re-settlement, housing, employment, and stable relationships that many disadvantaged or vulnerable people in society face on a day-to-day basis is helpful.   

Being able to work within a small team of Trustees and provide good interpersonal, supportive, and positive contributions is important.

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute and would like a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

What difference will you make?

The development and success of the organisation needs to be supported by maintaining the number of trustees and the range of expertise available to provide effective and sustainable governance going forward.  In an environment where government policies and funding strategies are susceptible to change, a robust Board of Trustees will help to maintain the Charity's ability to provide and sustain an effective service. 

This will thereby continue to increase the availability of stable accommodation with support; service user's ability to secure and maintain stable employment; build new relationships and increase access to healthcare and wellbeing support.  As a result, this can lead to reduced reoffending, reduced prison population and cost to the taxpayer and therefore has potential to actively achieve public protection, reduce the impact of offending on victims, families and children of both victims and perpetrators and local communities.

Before you apply

Previous experience of Charity Governance would be useful but not necessary.  Please contact us via Reach with any questions you may have, and we will be pleased to discuss the opportunity on offer.

Join Manor Gardens Welfare Trust (MGWT) as a Trustee and play a pivotal role in empowering communities to thrive. Help us deliver innovative, culturally competent services tackling inequalities and improving lives across Islington and beyond.

MGWT has been at the heart of community support since 1913, continuously evolving to meet contemporary challenges. Our dynamic hub in Upper Holloway supports over 2,600 people annually, promoting health, wellbeing, and social inclusion among diverse, underserved communities. Our services include multilingual advocacy, mental health support and therapy services, youth service provision as well as chairing Islington's award-winning Food Partnership working for a sustainable food system in the borough. 

Although MGWT is a local charity, we have a notable track record of innovation and wider impact. We pioneered the first LGBTQ+ youth group in Europe and launched the UK's first specialist psychotherapy service for survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Our groundbreaking work continues to inform practices and policies at both local and national levels.

We are particularly seeking trustees with skills in fundraising (including expertise in securing grants from trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, statutory funding, legacies, and major gifts), Human Resources, and communications. Knowledge, experience, and a thorough understanding of the charity sector are essential, alongside a demonstrable commitment to our values. Previous board experience is desirable but not essential. We particularly welcome candidates with lived experience of the issues we are seeking to address, including socioeconomic inequality, mental health, and the asylum process. 

Trustees commit roughly 6 hours monthly, guiding strategic direction, ensuring effective governance, promoting equality and inclusion, and serving as ambassadors for MGWT’s vital work.

Trustee

Woodgreen is a charity that’s here for pets and their people. We started our journey 100 years ago. We’ve done truly amazing work along the way, helping countless pets to get back on their paws. However, our mission remains as important, and urgent, as ever…

The landscape for pet rescue and support has changed greatly in the last few years. Our trustees’ expertise, passion, enthusiasm and strategic leadership is pivotal in ensuring that Woodgreen’s pet services are impactful, sustainable and adaptable.

It is an exciting time to join the Board of Trustees at Woodgreen as we move forward with a new pathway that empowers pet owners with the vital information they need at every step of the pet ownership journey – achieving better welfare outcomes for more pets.

Our trustees provide clear strategic direction and ensure that our work stays true to our mission. To match our ambition and commitment to the welfare of pets and their people, we are seeking new trustees from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and experience within these key areas:

•  Accountancy and charity finance

•  Charity fundraising and income generation

•    People

With 5 Council meetings per year and up to 5 additional committee commitments our trustees support and challenge our Executive Team to set policy, strategic objectives and goals whilst evaluating performance against them.  They ensure that we carry out our activities and use our resources solely for its charitable purposes – the relief of the needs of pets through care and rehoming, and the education of the public as to responsible ownership and care of pets.

We aim to make becoming a Trustee a thoroughly rewarding experience and it’s a great way to expand your professional and personal network, through meeting and working with likeminded people that share a passion for promoting animal welfare.  With a strong commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion we welcome applications from a wide range of candidates to help us scale our impact and delivery of our mission.  We are always seeking new talent and are open to applications from candidates who may combine any of the above skills/expertise with other experience or talents that may benefit our charity.  If this sounds like you, please still apply.

Previous experience of charity boards or governance would be advantageous but is not essential as training will be provided.

The role of a Trustee is not accompanied by any financial remuneration but reasonable expenses for travel will be reimbursed.

To find out more please contact our Talent team.

Please note that you will need to have existing Right to Work in the UK to apply to become a Woodgreen trustee as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Woodgreen is committed to making our recruitment processes accessible to all and, as part of this, we are flexible in the ways we give and receive information. If you would like to apply using a different format, please contact the Recruitment Team and we will do our best to put any reasonable adjustments in place.

Woodgreen is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Role Overview:

The Chair will ensure that the board functions effectively, maintains high standards of governance, and that the charity's mission and goals are achieved.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Board Leadership:

   • Lead the board in setting and implementing the charity’s culture, direction, and strategy.

   • Ensure the board operates inclusively and effectively.

   • Chair board meetings, ensuring decisions are made and actions are followed up.

2. Strategic Direction:

   • Guide the development and implementation of the charity’s strategic plan.

   • Ensure the charity’s activities align with its mission and goals.

3. Oversight and Accountability:

   • Monitor the charity’s activities and ensure high standards of governance.

   • Hold staff members accountable and support their professional development.

   • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (this includes Charity Commission and companies House requirements).

4. Close Supervision:

   • Ensure that all members of staff have adequate line management and supervision (not necessarily by the Chair as this may be allocated to another trustee).

   • Act as the primary point of communication between the board and the staff.

5. Direct Involvement:

   • Take a hands-on approach to day-to-day operations, as necessary.

   • Assist in tasks typically handled by additional staff due to the charity’s limited resources.

6. Enhanced Communication:

   • Ensure clear and consistent messaging between the board and the staff member.

7. Financial Oversight:

   • Oversee the charity’s finances, possibly taking on some treasurer responsibilities (currently the board has an appointed treasurer and an honorary accountant).

   • Ensure the charity operates within its financial means.

8. Volunteer Coordination:

   • Recruit and manage volunteers to support the charity’s activities as and when appropriate..

9. Policy Development:

   • Ensure the development, implementation and review of policies to ensure effective and legal operation of the charity.

10. Annual Review:

    • Lead the board in reviewing its structure, effectiveness, delegations, and key policies annually.

Person Specification:

• Leadership Skills: Proven experience in leadership roles, preferably within the charity sector.

• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and guide the charity’s direction.

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial management and oversight.

• Commitment: Dedication to the charity’s mission and values.

• IT competency: Able to use cloud-based systems (currently Google Drive)

Join Us in Empowering Inclusive Employment Through Hospitality

Fair Shot is a London-based charity on a mission to transform the lives of young adults with learning disabilities by breaking down barriers to employment. Through our training café and hospitality-based social enterprise, we provide real-life work experience, skills training, and supported internships that lead to meaningful jobs and independence.

Now in our fourth year and led by our Founder & CEO, we’ve grown to a team of 24 and operate with a hybrid income model: 50% from our hospitality revenue streams and 50% from fundraising.

We’re looking for an experienced Finance Director (volunteer, pro bono) to help shape our financial strategy and structure as we scale. You’ll play a vital leadership role in ensuring sound financial governance and driving our mission forward through strong fiscal stewardship.

Time Commitment: 10 hours/week
Start: Immediate
Location: Primarily remote, with initial onboarding and some in-person meetings in London
Minimum Commitment: 1 year (renewable)

Why This Role Matters

As we grow our impact and revenue model, your financial leadership will be instrumental in helping Fair Shot make strategic, sustainable decisions that expand inclusive employment opportunities across the UK.

What You'll Do

• Lead and oversee the charity’s overall P&L (profit and loss) and financial performance

• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies in collaboration with the CEO

• Improve and maintain financial systems, controls, and internal processes

• Manage the relationship with our part-time accountant (10 hrs/week), who handles:

  • Monthly reconciliations

  • Filing expenditures

  • Paying invoices

• Oversee two bank accounts — one for fundraising (restricted/unrestricted) and one for hospitality revenue

• Prepare for annual audits and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

• Guide cash flow planning, budgeting, and forecasting

• Present financial reports, risks, and insights to the Board of Trustees

• Work closely with the CEO and Head of Operations on all financial planning and decision-making

What You Bring

• 10+ years of experience in senior finance roles, including P&L ownership

• Ideally experienced in the charity and/or hospitality/social enterprise sectors

• In-depth understanding of UK charity finances, including restricted/unrestricted funds

• Experience improving financial structures and preparing for audits

• Comfortable advising founders, leadership teams, and boards

• (Desirable) Relevant qualifications: ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CFA, or MBA

What You’ll Gain

• Use your expertise to drive social impact through inclusive employment

• Play a key role in shaping the future of a fast-growing, purpose-driven organisation

• Join a collaborative, values-led leadership team

• Opportunity for this role to evolve into a Trustee position

EVERY WONDERED HOW YOUR SKILLS COULD TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES THROUGH SPORTS? 
BECOME A TRUSTEE A DFY SPORTS - Level the playing field for young people through sport

Are you passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation? Want to use your skills to support a grassroots charity doing powerful work with young people in London? DFY Sports is looking for new trustees to help us grow, reach further, and have even greater impact.

Who we are

DFY Sports helps young people aged 4–15 from underserved communities flourish through sport. Based in Brent and active across surrounding boroughs, we deliver PE sessions, after-school clubs, holiday camps, football training, and run an ambassador programme connected to our founding sports agency, ISC.

We’ve grown fast—and we’re just getting started. As we scale over the next 1–3 years, we’re looking for passionate trustees to help shape that journey.

Why join us?

• Be part of a hands-on, diverse and ambitious team making a real difference in London
• Use your skills for social good and gain board-level experience
• Support a charity grounded in community, inclusion and action

Trustees meet quarterly (with pre-reads shared a week in advance). You’ll bring your experience and perspective to guide DFY’s future and support our mission at a strategic level.

Diversity matters to us

We’re especially keen to hear from people whose backgrounds reflect the communities we serve—including people of colour, women, those with disabilities, and individuals with lived experience of socio-economic disadvantage.

That said, this isn’t an exclusive requirement. We welcome all applicants who believe in our mission and want to contribute meaningfully. Our goal is to build a board that’s balanced, representative, and full of fresh ideas.

We’re currently looking for trustees in the following areas:

✅ Safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding policies are robust, compliant and actively implemented
• Support our DSL to report risks, share learning and update the board
• Help shape a safeguarding-first culture across all activities

✅ Marketing & Communications

• Help define and strengthen DFY’s brand and public voice
• Grow our online presence and support outreach to media and partners
• Guide the team on strategic communications and storytelling

✅ Network & Fundraising

• Open doors to donors, sponsors and collaborators through your network
• Support events and campaigns that raise both funds and awareness
• Offer fresh ideas for sustainable income generation

✅ Finance

• Provide oversight of budgets, reporting, and financial controls
• Support long-term financial planning and risk management
• Ensure funds are well managed and spent with integrity

✅ Community

• Champion the needs and voices of the local community in Brent and NW London
• Build connections with local schools, grassroots groups and families
• Help us stay rooted, responsive and inclusive in everything we do

⚽ Your core responsibilities as a trustee will include:

• Attending quarterly board meetings
• Reading board materials in advance and actively participating
• Contributing to DFY’s strategic direction and key decisions
• Supporting your specific area of responsibility, as outlined above

You don’t need to have trustee experience, just care, commitment, and the willingness to bring your skills to a team working to create lasting change for young people through sport. Training and support can be provided.

Interested?

Apply now or pass this along to someone who’d be a great fit. We're excited to hear from people who want to make a difference and bring something fresh to the table.

Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
Unremunerated | Approx. 1 day per month | Hybrid meetings (alternating between remote and in-person)

Our client, a specialist grant-making charity, is dedicated to supporting women’s financial resilience and tackling gendered poverty in the UK. Since 2016, the organisation has awarded over £26 million in grants, delivering impact through individual hardship funding, community-led partnerships, and long-term systems change.

The charity is now seeking a new Chair of its Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, a pivotal governance role with responsibility for overseeing financial strategy, controls, and sustainability at Board level.

This is an opportunity for an experienced financial leader to contribute to a well-governed, values-driven organisation at a meaningful point in its development. The Chair will work closely with the Chief Executive and fellow trustees to ensure effective financial oversight, risk management, and robust decision-making. Beyond technical governance, the role also involves helping the Board to engage in thoughtful, forward-looking discussions around financial health, long-term planning, and asset management.

A recognised financial qualification (such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) is essential. The organisation would particularly welcome candidates with experience of managing endowed funds or financial leadership within asset-holding organisations.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• Senior-level experience in financial leadership, with the confidence to guide the Board through complex financial decisions

• A track record of chairing or contributing to Finance, Audit or Risk Committees

• Knowledge of financial governance and risk management within the charitable or not-for-profit sector

• The ability to provide both support and constructive challenge, acting as a strategic partner to the executive team

• Sound judgement, personal integrity, and a strong alignment with the charity’s mission and values

This is a vital role in helping to ensure the organisation remains financially resilient, transparent, and focused on delivering meaningful impact for women facing poverty and inequality.

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please visit the dedicated microsite by clicking 'redirect to recruiter'.

Hardwick Trust is recruiting for charity Trustees

Hardwick Estate is a 900 acre organically-managed Estate and thriving rural community in the South Chilterns near Whitchurch-on-Thames, which is in the process of becoming England's first community-led Estate.

We have recently elected seven Interim Trustees from the Hardwick community and are now seeking three further external Trustees to co-opt onto the Interim board. This Board will steer Hardwick Estate through the transition and into the Charitable Company (Hardwick Trust) including setting up policies and procedures and doing due diligence on the Estate as a 'going concern' in order to receive the gift of land and assets.

We are seeking Trustees with good knowledge and experience in any of these areas:

• Setting up and/or running a complex charity.

• Legal, regulatory and policy issues affecting us as a Charitable Company.

• Good networks with relevant people and organisations that could support us.

• Financial auditing.

In addition it would be desirable if Co-opted Trustees also had any experience in:

• The main fields of the Trust’s charitable objectives: organic land management and environmental protection; public education; and/or delivering affordable housing

• Regulatory and/or policy issues in Estate Management.

The role entails attending 12 meetings per year, with a strong preference for in person attendance. There is no minimum or maximum term but we would expect co-opted Trustees to serve for at least a year.

Please contact us to request an application pack or further information. Applications to be received by 1st September 2025 for interviews in mid September.

Thackray Museum of Medicine is the UK’s largest independent medical museum. We inspire people with the passion and purpose of medicine and healthcare of the past, present and future. Through play, creativity and experiences we celebrate our health heroes and inspire the next generation of big thinkers.

Thackray Museum of Medicine is looking for a new Board Chair to lead our dedicated and skilled Board of Trustees. Alongside the typical qualities expected for the role, the following areas of expertise are sought in particular: charity governance and experience leading a Board. 

The new Chair will:

• Ensure the Board operates effectively in the consideration, iteration and  approval of the strategy proposed by the CEO in support of Thackray Museum of Medicine’s mission and values.
• Ensure, with Trustees, Thackray Museum of Medicine operates efficiently and effectively to fulfil  its objectives.
• Ensure high standards of governance and risk management.

Job title: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Term of office: 3 years minimum, up to a maximum of 6.

Remuneration: Unremunerated. Out of pocket expenses incurred in the course of  duties may be claimed.

Time commitment: 3-4 days per month.

Location: Within travelling distance of Leeds 

How to apply:

If you would like to receive an Information Pack on how to apply, please send a CV in confidence to Nick Shanks via the apply now button. 

Closing date for applications: 9am, Wednesday 30th July 2025

Both Thackray Museum of Medicine and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Join the Charity Tax Group as a Trustee

Be the voice of charities on tax. Shape the future. Make a difference.

Are you passionate about the charity sector and ready to use your expertise to drive real impact? The Charity Tax Group (CTG) is seeking a dynamic and committed individual to join its Board of Trustees at a pivotal time in their journey.

For over 40 years, CTG has been the authoritative voice of charities on tax, saving the sector over £10 billion. Now, as a newly registered charity with ambitious plans including launching a new website and recruiting Its first CEO. They are now looking for trustees who can help them grow and thrive.

We’re looking for:

• A Fundraising Expert to help CTG unlock new income streams through trusts, foundations, and member fundraising. Your strategic insight will shape our future sustainability.

What You’ll Bring:

• At least 5 years’ experience in your area of expertise
• Strategic thinking and a hands-on approach
• A collaborative spirit and commitment to CTG’s mission
• A desire to contribute to a small but mighty team making a big difference

What You’ll Get:

• A warm welcome and full induction
• A trustee buddy to support you through your first year
• Opportunities to shape national charity tax policy
• Flexible, remote meetings (with occasional in-person events)
• Reimbursed travel expenses
• A chance to be part of something meaningful

Time Commitment:

• Around 1 day per month
• Board meetings every 6 weeks (virtual)
• It is expected of Trustees to join at least one committee (e.g., Fundraising, Finance & Risk)

We Welcome All Backgrounds

CTG are committed to building a diverse board and encourage applications from all communities and experiences. If your charity isn’t yet a CTG member, joining is simple and affordable

How to Apply:

In the first instance, please send your CV/Profile to receive the candidate pack with further details and full application instructions.

Deadline: for applications: Monday 11th August at 5pm

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Trustees manage the affairs of our local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. 

We are the Surrey East Branch of the RSPCA, and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. 

Main activities: 

• To be familiar with and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA. 

• To be familiar with our branch rules and follow them at all times. 

• To work with your fellow trustees and branch officers to jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of our branch and the RSPCA. 

• To ensure the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, work with national RSPCA staff to meet the standard as soon as practicable. 

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch support specialist (BSS), to write, adopt, monitor and review a branch development plan setting out the short and long-term aims of our branch. 

• To actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting, and regional conference. 

• To be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives. 

• To attend the trustee training course. 

• To actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. 

• To welcome new trustees and volunteers to the branch. 

About the RSPCA

We’re proud to be the oldest welfare charity in existence

• We were the first to introduce a law to protect animals and we work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering. 

• Through our campaigns we raise standards of care and awareness of issues for the animals who have no voice. We push for laws to be changed, improving the welfare of animals on farms, in research labs, in the wild, in paddocks or in our homes. 

• Through investigations and prosecutions, we stand up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - we will not tolerate animal abuse. 

• Our highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty at every level and are working hard to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty. 

• We believe every animal has the right to be counted as an individual. Animals can rely on us to rescue them when they need us most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

What are we looking for? 

• Most people aged 18 or over are eligible to become a trustee. You will need to become a member of the RSPCA. Good interpersonal skills are important. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital. 

• Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, and awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential. 

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. 

• In addition to our standard declaration of willingness, trustees also need to complete a declaration from the Charity Commission and read their guidance for individuals on who can’t be a trustee or senior manager of a charity. 

What can we offer you? 

• It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. 

• You will have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals. 

• New RSPCA trustees are provided with a document “Trustees handbook” and asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. 

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch. 

• Volunteer at the heart of the local community. 

About Women’s Aid in Luton
Women’s Aid in Luton supports over 800 of society’s most vulnerable women and children each year, all of whom are fleeing abuse and violence. The charity offers refuge across five safe houses in Luton, a helpline, tailored support for families, and access to legal advice, mental health services, employment, and resettlement guidance. It also prioritises prevention and early intervention through education, working closely with schools to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

The Opportunity: Chair of Trustees
Women’s Aid in Luton is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead its Board and help shape the future of the organisation. This is a pivotal leadership role with significant influence over the strategic direction and governance of the charity. The incoming Chair will guide the Board in supporting the Executive Team to sustain and grow its essential services, ensuring women and children can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

The current Chair will conclude her term next year, and the charity is therefore inviting expressions of interest from those who are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector.

Candidate Profile

Experience:

• A strong understanding and commitment to the VAWG sector.

• Substantial non-executive experience.

• Knowledge of UK charity governance and experience of working with or serving on a Board of Trustees.

• A background in senior strategic leadership.

• Proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.

• Sensitivity and discretion when dealing with confidential matters involving staff and service users.

• A track record of successfully leading teams or groups in either a voluntary or professional context.

• Chairing experience, ideally at Board or committee level.

• Significant experience in motivating, managing, and developing people.

• Experience in shaping and evaluating strategic plans to maximise impact.

• Sound financial acumen, including an understanding of charity finance.

Skills and Abilities:

• Inspirational leadership with the ability to foster collaboration and, when needed, make difficult decisions.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate the charity’s vision and inspire others.

• Relationship-builder with the ability to form effective alliances and partnerships.

• Sound judgement and the capacity for reflective leadership.

• A supportive presence for both the Board and Executive, fostering their continued development.

• Ability to operate within the realistic capacities and constraints of a charity environment.

Personal Attributes:

• A dynamic and inclusive leadership style that inspires trust and accountability.

• A visible and unwavering commitment to the charity’s mission and strategic aims.

• Tact, diplomacy, and strong listening and engagement skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.

• Well-developed networking skills that can be leveraged to support the charity’s objectives.

• A personal commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

• Willingness and ability to dedicate sufficient time to the role, including travel and occasional out-of-hours engagement.

Terms of Appointment
The initial term of office is three years, with the possibility of reappointment for one additional term, up to a maximum of six years.

Eligibility
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1), this role is open to female applicants only due to the nature of the services provided. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Encouragement of Diverse Applications
Women’s Aid in Luton warmly welcomes applications from women of all backgrounds. The charity is especially keen to hear from women from Black, Asian and minoritised communities, as well as from those with lived experience of domestic abuse.

A Trustee's Perspective
“Joining Women’s Aid in Luton as a Board member has enabled me to use my professional expertise in a way that gives back to the community. I know that all the energy and time I give is helping to strengthen the organisation and ultimately the women and children it seeks to support. Joining the Board has been immensely rewarding and I highly recommend it as a valuable way to volunteer your time for a good cause.”
– Current Trustee, Women’s Aid in Luton

To Express Interest
Women who feel they can contribute to the ongoing success of Women’s Aid in Luton and are passionate about supporting survivors of domestic abuse are encouraged to get in touch. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference.

Our existing 12 trustees bring a variety of skills and experiences, such as fundraising, safeguarding, finance and investments and lived RAF experience to the Fund. Your background, skills and experience will further enhance this for the benefit of the RAF Family.

The successful candidates will:

• be aligned to our vision, purpose, key goals and values and be able to demonstrate their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion;

• be able contribute positively to the Fund in a non-executive capacity, operate strategically, be held accountable and hold others to account;

• be able to build supportive relationships and work as a team. This will involve working collectively with others, supporting collective decision-making, being comfortable in sharing your views and expertise with fellow trustees and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) trustees whilst still bringing your own ideas, perspectives and experiences to discussions;

• have the ability to analyse and interpret complex information and evidence, demonstrate impartiality, intellectual flexibility and sound judgment;

• have the ability to listen, communicate and influence effectively;

• have the capacity and skill to understand stakeholder priorities; and

• be a collaborative and pragmatic problem-solver and have the ability to adapt and respond to change.