Fundraising events volunteer volunteer roles in Hackney, greater london

This Role Is Not Symbolic. It Is Structural.

Safeguarding is not a policy document. 

It is not a checkbox.

It is not a compliance exercise.

In this CIC, safeguarding is the infrastructure that allows the work to exist at all.

We work with:

• Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA)
• Vulnerable adults
• Young people
• Ex-offenders
• Volunteers with lived trauma
• Communities historically failed by institutions

If safeguarding fails, everything fails.

This role exists to make sure that never happens.

Purpose of the Safeguarding Officer Role

The Safeguarding Officer is responsible for designing, implementing, and protecting the safeguarding framework that allows the CIC to operate safely, ethically, and lawfully at scale.

This role ensures:

• Survivors are protected, not re-exposed
• Volunteers are supported, not exploited
• Risks are identified early, not ignored
• Safeguarding is embedded into every system, not bolted on

About the role:

To design and uphold safeguarding systems that protect survivors, volunteers and the organisation, ensuring safety, ethics and legal compliance are built into every practice as the CIC grows. Safeguarding is the infrastructure that allows the work to "SAFELY" exist at all.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

• Experience in safeguarding within:

 Charity

 Statutory services  

 Education

 Health

 Grassroots or community settings

• Experience working with vulnerable adults and/or children.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice.
• Ability to respond to disclosures calmly and appropriately.
• Experience writing and implementing safeguarding policies.
• Risk assessment and incident management experience.
• Understanding of UK safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Confidence challenging unsafe practice at any level.
• Ability to balance care with boundaries.
• Strong judgement under pressure.
• Clear written documentation skills.
• Capacity to work unpaid and full-time during build phase.
• Emotional regulation and professional restraint.
• Integrity, steadiness and clarity.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Design, implement, and maintain a safeguarding framework that protects survivors, volunteers, members and the organisation.
• Develop and own safeguarding policies, procedures and reporting pathways covering:

 Adults and children at risk

 Volunteers and peer supporters

 Digital spaces, storytelling, and online engagement

• Ensure safeguarding is embedded into:

 Recruitment and onboarding

 Training and supervision

 Programme design and delivery

 Digital systems and data handling

• Establish clear risk assessment processes for activities, campaigns, and content.
• Act as the safeguarding lead for concerns, disclosures, and incidents, ensuring:

 Timely, appropriate responses

 Accurate recording

 Correct escalation to statutory agencies where required

• Build systems that prevent re-exposure, re-traumatisation, or exploitation of survivors.
• Ensure volunteers are supported, supervised and not placed in unsafe or inappropriate roles.
• Advise leadership on safeguarding risks, capacity limits and ethical boundaries.
• Deliver safeguarding guidance and training proportionate to role and risk.
• Monitor safeguarding practice across teams and intervene early where drift appears.
• Work closely with Digital, Membership, Fundraising, and Social teams to manage risk in:

 Storytelling

 Online engagement

 Data use

• Maintain professional distance and emotional steadiness when handling complex situations.
• Review and update safeguarding systems as the CIC scales.
• Contribute to external accountability and transparency where appropriate.

You must:

• Be able to commit 80% dedication during the build phase
• Be comfortable working unpaid while the CIC is being built
• Be emotionally grounded and professionally boundaries
• Understand trauma without centring yourself
• Be able to hold complexity without collapsing into control or avoidance

You should have experience in some of the following:

• Safeguarding (statutory, charity, education, health, or grassroots)
• Working with vulnerable adults and/or children
• Trauma-informed practice
• Policy development and implementation
• Risk assessment and incident management

Formal qualifications are welcome but not essential.
Integrity, clarity and steadiness are.

This role is not for you if:

• You want safeguarding to be “light touch”
• You avoid difficult conversations
• You seek authority without responsibility
• You are uncomfortable challenging leadership when needed
• You are looking for a title rather than accountability

What You Gain:

• A founding leadership role in a CIC tackling real harm
• The chance to build safeguarding the right way
• Influence over how protection, care, and accountability coexist
• The opportunity to shape a future paid safeguarding role
• Deep purpose-driven work that actually protects people

As the CIC scales, this role is expected to evolve into a paid senior safeguarding position, shaped by the person who built it.

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

If you believe that well-organised, purposeful events can change communities, and that experiences inspire action, this role is for you.

A Final Word

Safeguarding is an act of love.
It is also an act of discipline.

If you know that:

• Survivors deserve better systems
• Vulnerable people deserve real protection
• Community work must be safe to be sustainable

PR )Help us raise awareness, grow our community and bring more smiles to children across the UK.

Make a Smile is looking for a proactive, creative PR Officer to help share our story. If you enjoy communicating, building relationships and spotting opportunities, this role offers a meaningful way to make an impact.

What You’ll Do

• Seek out PR opportunities locally and nationally
• Build relationships with newspapers, radio, TV, university media and online platforms
• Pitch stories, arrange interviews and support chapters with media engagement
• Help organise university Instagram/TikTok takeovers and newsletter features
• Attend networking events and build connections with supporters and public figures
• Ensure our social media pages are high‑quality and on‑brand
• Work with the Website and Video Officers to share media features and create inspiring content
• Add interested contacts to our mailing list and help produce a monthly newsletter

Who This Role Suits

You don’t need formal PR experience - just enthusiasm and confidence. You’ll thrive if you:

• Enjoy writing, storytelling or creating content
• Feel comfortable reaching out to people and building relationships
• Are proactive and organised
• Have an interest in media, marketing, journalism or communications
• Want to gain experience in PR within a supportive charity environment
• Care about Make a Smile’s mission and want to help us reach more families

What You’ll Help Us Achieve

• Greater visibility for Make a Smile 
• Stronger volunteer recruitment and fundraising 
• Consistent, high‑quality branding across chapters
• More opportunities to showcase the impact of our work

We are looking for our next Chair of Trustees – someone who will work closely with our Executive Team and Board to guide the organisation through what is both a challenging and genuinely exciting time. The funding environment is tough. The political context is difficult. And yet the need for what we do has never been greater.

This is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.

The successful candidate will lead a vibrant, well-established, national charity as it navigates the next chapter of its story.

Main tasks

• Developing and setting our future strategy, alongside the Executive Team and other Trustees
• Helping shape and deliver our future, identifying opportunities in an evolving landscape
• Leading the Board of Trustees, including regular 1:1s and providing space for reflection
• Acting as a 'critical friend' to our Executive Team, as well as formal line management to the CEO (and COO in their absence)
• Acting as an ambassador for the charity – raising awareness of what we do and engaging potential supporters and other key stakeholders
• Responsibility, along with the other trustees, for the governance of the charity
• Contributing to the ongoing strategy of the charity, in line with our charitable objectives
• Participating in board meetings and sub-committees in an inclusive and thoughtful way

Please download our Chair Application Pack for more information.

We’re looking for a new Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee who can use their skills to support our growing charity. In early 2026, CLAPA relaunched with a new brand identity. This role will ensure that our team are supported in brand and content strategy and making the most of the new brand for growth and engagement.

The Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee will participate in all areas of the charity’s governance with a special interest in brand strategy, content, communications and creative to support with the Board’s understanding and interpretation.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we continue to implement our 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

About CLAPA

The Cleft Lip and Palate Action (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone.

Interested in supporting victims/survivors of domestic abuse?

We are currently recruiting Trustees to help us take the charity forward into the future.

Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline is a registered charity led by a Board of Trustees.

The Trustees (all unpaid volunteers) act individually and collectively, to provide overall stewardship of the charity, in accordance with our governing document and relevant legislation. In essence we look after the staff, volunteers and the organisation, so they can support the community.

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience to be a trustee and we welcome people of all ages, backgrounds and experience.

Prospective candidates will need to:

• Have empathy with the work of the Helpline

• Be able to devote the necessary time and effort

• Have well-developed communication and interpersonal skills

• Have good judgement

• Be able to work as a team

• Have the ability, commitment and drive to take the organisation forward

Trustee Opportunities

For any charity succession planning is important and with that in mind we are currently looking for people to join our Board as Trustees.

1. Chair: Our Chair will be stepping down soon after 15 years and we are looking for someone to learn the ropes beside her before taking on the role. 

2. Treasurer: After 10 years, our Treasurer is looking to retire in the next year. The Treasurer’s role description is on our website.  

3. General Trustees: Please see the role description on our website

If you would like to apply please complete the application form on our website.  You are welcome also to email Chris Roach, Chair, at that address to arrange an informal chat.

Volunteer Opportunity: Social Media Lead

Are you a creative thinker with a passion for digital storytelling and leading online engagement? We’re looking for a Volunteer Social Media Lead to take ownership of our social media presence and guide our online strategy.

Role Overview:
As the Social Media Lead, you will oversee the planning, creation, and delivery of content across our social platforms. You’ll lead a small team (if applicable), shape our digital voice, and ensure our messaging effectively engages and grows our audience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a social media strategy aligned with organisational goals

• Oversee content planning, creation, and scheduling across platforms

• Lead and support Social Media Officers or volunteers

• Ensure consistency in tone, branding, and messaging

• Monitor engagement, analytics, and performance metrics

• Identify trends and opportunities to grow audience reach

• Coordinate promotion of events, campaigns, and key updates

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong understanding of social media platforms and trends

• Excellent written communication and creative skills

• Experience managing or leading social media accounts (preferred)

• Ability to analyse performance data and adjust strategies

• Leadership or team coordination skills

• Proactive, organised, and able to work independently

What You’ll Gain:

• Leadership experience in digital marketing and communications

• Opportunity to shape and grow an organisation’s online presence

• Development of strategic thinking and analytical skills

• Enhanced CV with hands-on leadership experience

• A chance to make a meaningful impact through digital engagement

Time Commitment:
Flexible, with regular weekly involvement and additional time during campaigns.

Location:
REMOTE - UK ONLY

Take the lead in telling our story and building a strong, engaged online community.

HEAD OF SUNSHINE SERVICES (VOLUNTEER ROLE)

SUNSHINE Charity – Because No One Should Live in Lockdown Forever

Do you remember lockdown?

1. The quiet.
2. The worry.
3. The long days without connection.
4. The feeling of being cut off from the world.

Now imagine living like that every day, not because of a global crisis — but because loneliness has quietly become someone’s whole life.

At SUNSHINE, we refuse to let that happen. Not in London. Not in our communities. Not while we’re here.

We’re here to bring back joy, connection and human warmth — and we need someone extraordinary to help us build the services that will make that happen.

Who We Are

SUNSHINE is a brand‑new, grassroots, 100% volunteer‑powered charity on a mission to brighten the lives of people experiencing loneliness and social isolation. We’re small but fierce, hopeful, and building something meaningful from the ground up. We’re awaiting our charity number — but our purpose is already alive and growing.

Our services will be the lifeline people hold onto. And you will be the one who shapes them.

Your Role: Head of SUNSHINE Services

This is a rare opportunity to build a charity’s services from scratch — to design programmes that genuinely change lives and bring people back into community.

You will lead the creation, delivery and development of our pilot programmes, including:

• Digital Inclusion & Skills (6‑week programme) — helping people reconnect with the world through confidence, technology and support

• Wellbeing Wednesdays (12‑week programme) — a warm, uplifting space for emotional wellbeing, connection and growth

• Monthly Coffee Mornings — simple, joyful gatherings that remind people they matter

And that’s just the beginning.

You’ll work in co‑production with the people we serve — listening, learning, and shaping new services based on real needs, real voices, and real lives.

You will:

• Design, launch and oversee all SUNSHINE services and programmes

• Manage and support Programme Coordinators delivering each pilot

• Ensure quality, safety and impact across everything we offer

• Build a culture of compassion, empowerment and joy within our service teams

• Use feedback and lived experience to shape future services

• Be a key leader in how SUNSHINE grows and supports communities

Your work will directly help people feel seen, valued and connected again.

Who You Are

• You’re someone who cares deeply about people and community.
• You understand how powerful a simple act of connection can be.
• You’re organised, compassionate, creative — and excited by the idea of building something new.
• Maybe you’ve worked in service delivery, community programmes, wellbeing, social care, education, or project management.
• Maybe you’ve supported vulnerable people before.
• Maybe you’ve led teams or shaped services.

What matters most is your heart, your drive, and your belief that no one should face life alone.

Why Join Us Now?

Because this is the moment everything begins.

You won’t just be joining a charity — you’ll be helping to build it. Your ideas will matter. Your leadership will shape lives. Your work will bring sunshine into places that have been dark for far too long.

If you want to be part of something hopeful, human and life‑changing, this is your moment.

How to Apply

Send us your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life.

Let’s build services that bring people back to life — together.

Trustee (Non‑Executive Board Member) – Mitie Foundation

Location: UK (meetings in person at The Shard, London)
Time commitment: Approximately 4 Board meetings per year plus occasional sub‑committee/ambassadorial commitments; preparation required for papers and strategic discussion
Term: Three years, renewable once (subject to Board agreement)
Start date: April 2026

The Mitie Foundation is looking for passionate and purpose‑driven Trustees to join its Board. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who want to use their professional expertise to make a meaningful social impact and help people across the UK access brighter, more sustainable futures.

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding the Foundation’ as they enter new strategic phase, supporting inclusive employment programmes, and ensuring the charity delivers real, measurable change. You’ll collaborate with a committed Board, engage with senior leaders across Mitie, and contribute to initiatives that help people build confidence, develop skills and move into meaningful work.

Whether your background is in business, charity leadership, social value, finance, HR, community engagement or lived experience of overcoming employment barriers — your insights could influence national‑level social impact.

This is a rewarding, purpose‑led role where your contribution truly matters — helping to shape programmes, strengthen governance, and open doors for individuals who need it most.

About the Mitie Foundation
The Mitie Foundation is the independent charitable arm associated with Mitie Group which was established in 2013 to create meaningful, sustainable opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment.
The Foundation delivers programmes that improve employability, inclusion and opportunity for people facing barriers to work, collaborating with partners, communities and colleagues to create measurable social value.

Help shape a charity that unlocks potential, removes employment barriers, and creates life‑changing opportunities.

Purpose of the role
Trustees work collectively to ensure the Mitie Foundation is well governed, financially sound, and achieving its charitable purposes. The Board provides strategic direction, oversight and constructive challenge so the Foundation delivers meaningful social impact while operating with integrity and independence.

We are seeking Trustee’s within the following key areas to support and form the Mitie Foundation Board;

• Finance & Risk Trustee – bringing specialist financial governance expertise, oversight of risk management, and assurance in line with Charity Commission expectations. 

• Trustee with Lived Experience – ensuring the views, needs, and realities of the communities we serve are represented at Trustee Board level. Anticipated to Chair a lived experience working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance. 

• Campaigns & Events Trustee – providing expertise in public engagement, fundraising, and brand-led campaigns to support the Foundation’s growth and visibility. Anticipated to Chair a campaigns and engagement working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance. 

• Inclusive Hiring Trustee – contributing specialist knowledge in fair-chance recruitment and employment pathways, supporting the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive hiring and social mobility. Anticipated to Chair a referral partner working group to provide insights and feedback to inform Foundation activities and support Foundation leadership and Governance. 

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & governance: Shape and review the Foundation’s vision, mission and strategy; ensure alignment with charitable objects and Charity Commission guidance, uphold high standards of transparency and accountability.
• Oversight & assurance: Monitor performance against strategic priorities, outcomes and impact measures; approve budgets, management accounts and the statutory report and accounts; oversee risk management and ensure compliance with governing document, law and regulation.
• Executive support & challenge: Provide guidance and robust, respectful challenge to the Head of Foundation and team; maintain a clear distinction between governance and operations; participate in leadership appraisal/objective‑setting where appropriate.
• Representation & advocacy: Act as an ambassador for the Foundation within Mitie Group and externally; use professional networks to build partnerships and unlock opportunities for collaboration, funding or volunteering; protect and promote the Foundation’s independence and reputation.
• Conduct & integrity: Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across governance and programmes; uphold the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life—selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Person specification
The Board seeks a balanced mix of skills and backgrounds; individual trustees will bring some (not all) of the following:

• Strategic or senior leadership experience in business, charity or public sector
• Charity governance and/or financial oversight
• Expertise in one or more of: HR, social value, finance, legal, ESG, communications, or programme delivery
• Ability to analyse complex information and contribute to sound, evidence‑based decisions
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to collaborative, inclusive Board culture
• A demonstrable passion for social impact, employability and inclusion aligned to our mission

Eligibility, standards and conflicts

• Candidates must be eligible to serve as a charity trustee under the Charities Act and willing to declare/ manage conflicts of interest, particularly given the Foundation’s corporate linkage.
• Appointment is subject to reference and other checks as appropriate to the role and the Foundation’s policies.
• Trustees are expected to prepare for meetings, attend regularly and contribute actively to collective decision‑making.

Remuneration and expenses
This is a non‑executive, pro‑bono trustee role. Reasonable expenses incurred in the course of duties will be reimbursed in line with policy.

Help us support families to get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

We are seeking new people to join our Board of Trustees to support the good governance of our charity. It is an exciting time to join us as we work to launch our new strategy; an important timeframe as we review the Government’s White Paper on SEND and consider how best to adapt our services to ensure we reach those who need us most.

Who we are

Founded in 1983, IPSEA is a leading national charity focussed on supporting families to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the education they are legally entitled to. Since our formation, we have actively helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people with SEND. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

Who are we looking for?

We wish to recruit a number of new trustees who are committed to our vision and values and who bring complementary skills to those of our current Board members.

Trustees are expected to gain an understanding of the organisation’s purpose, and to contribute their own expertise, ensuring IPSEA fulfils its objectives, and in accordance with our charitable objects and Articles of Association

Whether you’re an experienced trustee or wanting to take your first step at Board level, we are particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise and skills in one or more of the following areas:

• IT / Digital transformation / cyber security
• Governance
• Marketing and social media
• Equality, diversity and inclusion

Please note: a lack of expertise in these areas does not mean that an application will not be considered.

Our Board should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• an in-depth induction programme, training and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
• the opportunity to be involved in making strategic decisions and developing new skills
• the opportunity to apply your knowledge and experience to an important cause
• a buddying system for new trustees as you settle into the role

The expected time commitment is six trustee meetings per year (meetings are held on weekdays in central London or at IPSEA’s office in Takeley, Essex with the option to join some meetings virtually), usually one strategic planning/training day and some other ad hoc time for occasional meetings and events.

To apply 

​Please visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form. 

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 29 May 2026

First-round interviews: week commencing 29 June 2026