Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chair of the Board of Trustees
The Ripple Pond Charity - Supporting Armed Forces and Veteran Families
A Voluntary Trustee Position
With reasonable expenses reimbursed
Please note that although the closing date for applications is 11 September 2026, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply early, as the recruitment process may close once a suitable appointment is made.
Help Shape the Future of Support for Military Families
The Ripple Pond is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as Chair of our Board of Trustees.
This is an opportunity to lead a unique and growing charity that supports the families and carers of Armed Forces personnel and veterans who have sustained a service-related physical or psychological injury. Through peer support, advocacy, collaboration and innovation, we help military families feel seen, heard and supported throughout their journey.
We are looking for a values-driven leader with strategic vision, strong governance experience and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of military families and the wider Armed Forces community.
About the Role
As Chair, you will lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that The Ripple Pond remains focused on its charitable purpose, strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and fellow Trustees, you will help guide the charity through its next phase of development, strengthening our impact, partnerships and influence across the military, veterans, health and social care sectors.
You will function as an ambassador for the charity, helping to build relationships, influence decision-makers and create opportunities that support lasting positive change for those we support.
Who Are We Looking For?
The Chair of The Ripple Pond leads a small but complex charity that provides support to more than 1,200 Armed Forces and veteran family members across the UK. Around 20% of new Members joining our services live in environments that place them at high risk.
These challenges often arise from complex and overlapping circumstances, including addiction, suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns, risk of homelessness and wider welfare needs.
This places significant responsibility on the Chair to provide strong board leadership, support and develop trustees, maintain effective governance and strategic oversight, and work in close partnership with the CEO to ensure the charity remains focused on delivering meaningful impact for military families. The Chair also acts as one of the charity's principal ambassadors and public representatives.
We are seeking an individual with a broad range of experience and perspectives, ideally gained across multiple sectors. This might include commercial business, the public sector, healthcare, social care, the arts, the Armed Forces, emergency services or the voluntary sector.
You will have experience in developing and delivering regional or national strategies that have achieved sustainable and measurable positive outcomes, preferably through collaboration and partnership with a range of stakeholders.
You will have operated at executive or equivalent senior leadership level and be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, where success is achieved through influence, relationships and shared purpose rather than formal authority alone.
You will possess a strong understanding of risk, including strategic, organisational, and people-related risks, and be able to explain complex issues in a way that is clear, practical, and accessible to others.
Most importantly, you will demonstrate humility, integrity and compassion. You will care deeply about people, value the contribution of others and be motivated by a desire to serve the Armed Forces community and improve the lives of military families.
Role Profile
We are seeking an experienced senior leader who can provide effective governance, constructive challenge and confident stewardship to help guide The Ripple Pond through its next phase of development.
The successful candidate will bring:
Experience and Capability
Organisational Leadership and Change
- Significant executive, board-level or equivalent senior leadership experience.
- Experience of leading organisations through growth, transformation or periods of significant change.
- A proven ability to develop and deliver complex strategies, align stakeholders behind a shared purpose and achieve sustainable outcomes.
- The ability to balance organisational ambition, opportunity, risk and long-term sustainability.
Governance, Finance and Risk
- A strong understanding of governance, accountability and effective board leadership gained through charity trusteeship, corporate governance, public service or other relevant senior leadership experience.
- Experience of supporting effective decision-making, constructive challenge and organisational assurance.
- Financial confidence and literacy, including the ability to understand budgets, financial performance, investment decisions and long-term sustainability.
- An understanding of risk management and the importance of robust oversight.
Influence, Partnerships and Representation
- Experience of building effective partnerships and relationships across sectors.
- The ability to represent an organisation with credibility, authenticity and professionalism.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage and influence a wide range of audiences.
Leadership Style and Values
We are particularly interested in individuals who demonstrate:
Integrity and Accountability
A commitment to ethical leadership, transparency and maintaining the highest standards of governance.
Collaborative Leadership
The ability to build trust, bring people together and create an environment where trustees, Members, workforce, partners and other stakeholders feel valued and able to contribute. You will listen, encourage open discussion and help create a shared sense of purpose both within The Ripple Pond and across the wider community.
Compassion and Respect
An understanding of the experiences of military families and carers, with genuine respect for different perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences.
Courage and Constructive Challenge
You will be confident asking the difficult questions, challenging thinking and encouraging open and honest conversations. You will build trusted internal and strategic relationships, using your influence to ensure the experiences of military families and carers are understood and reflected in wider conversations and decision-making. This will help ensure that The Ripple Pond continues to play its part in shaping a stronger support landscape for military and veteran families.
Self-Awareness and Learning Mindset
A willingness to listen, reflect and continue developing, recognising that effective leadership requires curiosity, humility and openness to new ideas.
Commitment to Our Purpose
A genuine desire to improve the lives of military families, carers and veterans affected by service-related injury. You will understand the importance of lived experience in shaping services, strategy and practice, ensuring that those we support remain central to organisational decision-making.
Experience within the Armed Forces, veterans, healthcare, social care, public service or charity sectors would be beneficial but is not essential.
Safeguarding and Creating a Safe Culture
The Ripple Pond is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all Members, volunteers, staff, trustees and partners. Safeguarding is fundamental to our work, and trustees share responsibility for ensuring that people feel respected, listened to and able to raise concerns.
The Chair will champion a strong safeguarding culture, ensuring the Board maintains appropriate oversight of safeguarding practice, risk management, policies and organisational culture.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Ripple Pond believes that diversity of experience and perspective strengthens our organisation and improves the support we provide. We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including those with relevant lived experience.
The Chair will help ensure equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded throughout governance, decision-making, culture and service development, creating an organisation where everyone feels valued, respected and able to contribute.
Time Commitment
The role of Chair is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of Armed Forces and veteran families. While voluntary, it carries significant responsibility and requires a consistent commitment throughout the year.
Key responsibilities include:
- Chairing at least four formal Board meetings annually.
- Participating in occasional committee, strategic planning and development meetings.
- Maintaining regular engagement with the Chief Executive, providing guidance, support and constructive challenge.
- Supporting trustee recruitment, development and succession planning.
- Attending selected events, conferences and stakeholder engagements.
- Acting as an ambassador for The Ripple Pond with partners, funders, supporters and the wider community.
- Providing occasional availability for matters requiring Chair input between scheduled meetings.
Many meetings are held virtually to maximise accessibility and efficiency, although some travel will be required for Board meetings, key events and stakeholder engagement.
Professional Practice
As a national charity supporting over 1,200 military family members across the UK, the Chair will maintain an informed understanding of The Ripple Pond’s work, operating environment, opportunities and risks to provide effective Board leadership and appropriate support and challenge to the Chief Executive.
Applicants should be able to commit sufficient time in line with Charity Commission guidance and recognised principles of good governance. The time requirement will vary throughout the year, with additional involvement likely during periods of strategic development, organisational change or significant emerging issues.
Above all, the Chair will view this not simply as a governance appointment, but as an opportunity to help shape and strengthen an organisation making a lasting difference to military families across the United Kingdom.
Digital Confidence and Ways of Working
The Ripple Pond is a digitally enabled charity, with services, meetings and engagement activity delivered predominantly through online platforms. The Chair should therefore be comfortable working in a digital environment and using technology to support effective governance and communication.
This includes participating in virtual Board meetings, reviewing digital reports and documents, communicating with the Chief Executive and engaging with stakeholders online. Confidence using video conferencing, shared document systems and online collaboration tools is essential to ensure effective participation, timely decision-making and organisational agility.
Term of Appointment
The appointment is for an initial term of three years.
Trustees may be reappointed for further three-year terms up to a maximum of nine years, subject to the charity's governing document and Board approval.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to lead the Board of a growing charity with a clear purpose and a strong commitment to military families across the United Kingdom.
The Ripple Pond exists because the experiences and challenges faced by families caring for injured serving personnel and veterans are often unseen and not fully recognised. As Chair, you will help shape our next chapter, working with an experienced team and community of Members to strengthen our impact, ensure the voices of military families and carers are heard, and help influence wider understanding, services and support.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a screening question to help us better understand your suitability for the role.
To apply, please submit:
A current CV.
A covering letter (maximum two pages), addressed to the Board of Trustees, explaining your interest in the role and how your skills, experience and personal qualities would enable you to make a positive contribution as Chair.
Following an initial review of applications, shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with members of the Board. The interview will provide an opportunity to discuss your experience, leadership approach and aspirations for the role, while also allowing you to learn more about The Ripple Pond.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Social Media/Marketing Manager
Challenge Adventure Group (“CAG” for short and the operating name of CAG Trust) is a voluntary youth organisation for Knowle, Dorridge and beyond aimed at boys aged 10 and above.
As our name suggests, we provide challenging, adventurous and fun activities and the D of E Award for young people in their leisure time. Taking part in fun experiential activities enables members to develop their physical and mental skills and capacities and reach their full potential of becoming positive, active and happy citizens.
Summary
CAG was formed in 2009 and became a charity, CAG Trust, in 2019. We are looking for someone to help us publicise CAG and what we do to build a consistent positive message about young people and Challenge Adventure Group and, ultimately, build a demand to be a part of CAG.
These messages and stories will be delivered through a variety of media. Additionally, we want to engage our current and potential audiences by creating and developing a compelling social media strategy and content. We want to get the CAG name and story out into the community to build long lasting and meaningful relationships with local organisations, community groups and other relevant parties and to establish CAG as a strong and vibrant participant of local life.
Description
We are looking for an experienced offline and online/social media marketer to work with us to maximise our presence in order to attract new members and volunteers and to advertise CAG to its full potential.
We would like you to:
- Develop and on and offline marketing strategy.
- Prepare and deliver on and offline marketing material and stories.
- Perform a social media audit: Assess the current state of our social media pages and make recommendations on how we might improve our presence and engagement and where we might focus our efforts.
- Help us develop and/or execute a social media campaign around, in the first instance, recruiting new members.
- Provide guidance/strategy on how we can manage our social media on an ongoing basis e.g. using a centralised tool, creating a content calendar, identifying easy and free graphic tools and images.
- Produce fresh and engaging content for our social media channels.
- Prepare graphics for sharing across channels.
- Engage with our followers and encourage interaction.
- Manage and maintain social media channels on a regular basis.
- Work with our Group Leader who will provide our existing brand/style guidelines and share the CAG ethos.
We are looking for a volunteer who has experience of:
- Writing and editing marketing content for social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok / across all platforms.
- Building strategies to increase social media following and build fundraising or awareness campaigns.
- Developing a coherent brand voice for social media, from content creation to community interactions.
- Using and setting up tools such as Hootsuite, Social Sprout, Canva, etc.
- Creating content calendars to help plan social media activity.
- Marketing specific events such as New Member Evenings and Duke of Edinburgh Introductory Presentations.
Ideally you should have/be:
- A flexible team player.
- A basic understanding of what CAG stands for and its place in the local community.
- A passion for the work of CAG and the importance of it to its members and volunteers.
- Experience of digital: social media marketing.
- Ability to engage and build a rapport with a wide range of people and organisations including local schools.
- Ability to build and maintain good working relationships.
- A car driver or have ability to travel to attend events and meetings.
- The post holder must be able to provide a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Check, either a current or new application that can be made through CAG.
Making a difference - what impact will the opportunity have?
Your input is key to the running of CAG as well as securing its future. You will shape how we present ourselves to our service users, stakeholders, funders and general public. With your help we will be able to continue to grow our membership through building campaigns to recruit new members who will be able to take advantage of all the challenging adventures we offer and help make the lives of these young people richer and more positive. You will build on the social media campaign we already have in place to help us raise awareness in the local community of what we do and why we do it and ensure that we become a key player in our community as a whole.
What's in it for you?
You would become part of our small, friendly team and you have the opportunity to use your time, skills and experience to make a real difference to CAG and the community in which we operate. This is a new role so you have the flexibility to make it your own under the guidance of CAG Committee.
About the location - Where will you be working?
The volunteer will work from home will be required to attend meetings within the Solihull area.
Travel Limit
This role is partly remote but ideally the candidate should be available for face to face Committee meetings and attending CAG events and other meetings.
When will you be working?
- Flexible so during office hours if necessary for certain events but evenings if preferred.
- You would need to be available to attend Committee meetings which normally take place in the evening.
- Occasional weekends to attend recruitment/marketing events.
Estimate of time commitment
- 2-3 hours per week
Details
The volunteering could be long term.
Application details
Successful applicants will require an enhanced DBS and two references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Make a difference in the lives of children, families and women. Become a PACT Trustee.
We are seeking two voluntary trustees to join our exceptional Board of trustees: One with professional experience in Safeguarding and one with professional experience within the Violence Against Women and Girls sector, or closely aligned areas.
If you are committed to making a lasting impact and guiding a charity that makes a positive difference to hundreds of lives every year, this is an incredible opportunity to join us on our mission.
You do not need previous trustee experience as we provide a full induction and ongoing training. This is a unique chance to apply your expertise at strategic level, playing a pivotal role in ensuring we continue delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services, championing the welfare of vulnerable families, and shaping supportive policies that protect children and strengthen communities.
PACT (Parents and Children Together) has been building and strengthening families since 1911 through outstanding adoption services and specialist therapeutic and trauma informed support services across Reading, the Thames Valley, and southern England. As one of the UK’s leading voluntary adoption agencies, we place children with loving, permanent families (over 81 placements last year) and offer lifelong specialist support through services like our Strengthening Families Team, CATCH and Adopter Champions. Alongside our adoption service provision, we empower women facing multiple disadvantages through our Alana House women’s centre and help children and their non-abusing parents recover from trauma via our Bounce Back 4 Kids programme.
Who we are looking for
We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups, including those with lived experience of adoption, care or disadvantage to apply. Diversity of thought and experience strengthens our Board, and we value perspectives from different communities, cultures and lived experiences. Your expertise will help us deliver inclusive, high quality services for children, families and women.
These trustee roles are voluntary positions that are home-based with occasional travel to our Reading head office for in person board meetings or to collaborate with PACT colleagues relevant to your lead role (reasonable expenses covered) and support for our events. The time commitment is around one day per month, including quarterly Board meetings and input into wider charity matters. We aim to be flexible and will make adjustments where we can support accessibility and your availability.
For the Safeguarding Lead Trustee role, we would welcome applications from interested individuals who have current strong understanding and experience of safeguarding legislation, especially in children’s social care.
For the Violence Against Women and Girls Trustee role, we are looking for individuals with demonstrable experience of working in this sector, or in closely aligned areas (e.g. domestic abuse, sexual violence, women in the criminal justice system, safeguarding, trauma informed services). You will have a strong understanding of the policy, commissioning and funding landscape relating to this field.
What would you get as a PACT trustee?
· Satisfaction of helping vulnerable children, women and families, and giving something back
· An opportunity to exercise your skills and knowledge, possibly in a different environment or context
· A chance to contribute to the charity’s strategic growth
· A chance to expand your experience of charities and gain new skills
· An opportunity to work alongside other skilled and committed trustees
· High-quality induction, training and support from us and other charity-support organisations
· Being a Trustee can support the acquisition of valuable skills and experience that support career development
We understand that becoming a trustee is a commitment and you want to ensure that you are applying for a role that matches your values and requirements. You will find lots more information about PACT on our website and one of our trustees also kindly provided this short video with further details.
If you believe you can contribute to the skills and diversity of our Board and would like to apply, please visit the volunteer page of our website where you will find the trustee recruitment pack and application form.
We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need the information in a different format or require adjustments during the application process, please let us know.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The closing date for applications is 9am on Tuesday 01 September 2026.
Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.
Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
Registered Charity
an adoption charity and family support provider helping hundreds of families every year through outstanding adoption and adoption support services
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.