Governance officer volunteer roles in edinburgh

Ready to make a meaningful difference through purposeful leadership?

At Sight Concern Bedfordshire, we’re here to make sure people living with sight loss can lead full, independent, and active lives. Rooted in our local communities across Bedfordshire and Luton, we’ve been quietly making a big impact for over 25 years.

We’re now actively looking for a new Chair of Trustees to help shape our next chapter.

This is a special opportunity to bring thoughtful, grounded leadership to a charity with a clear mission and deep community ties. You’ll be stepping in at a pivotal point as we modernise, grow our partnerships, and explore how assistive technologies and accessible services can unlock new possibilities for those we support.

As Chair, you’ll work closely with our CEO as a trusted partner, someone who can offer encouragement, challenge when needed, and help build a culture of inclusion, community, and accountability. You'll ensure our governance remains robust and fit for the future, and that our Board continues to deliver collaboratively, constructively, and always aligned with our values.

You’ll also represent the charity externally to help us grow our network and strengthen local relationships, as well as amplifying our voice when the opportunity arises. You’ll also help us foster an environment where people feel valued, lived experience is in our central scope, and blind and partially sighted individuals remain at the heart of every decision we make.

We’re not just looking for someone to keep the wheels turning, we’re looking for a leader who understands how crucial it is to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. Someone who understands that the best kind of change evolves through collaboration, not control.

You don’t need to have been a Chair before, but you should bring experience as a senior leader in a professional setting or have worked closely with a CEO or senior executive. An understanding of charity governance is key, and we’re also looking for someone with flourishing people skills and a genuine commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

If you’ve got previous Trustee experience too, that’s a bonus.

Does this sound like you?

If the answer is yes, and you're ready to help guide our charity through a meaningful and exciting phase of its journey, we’d love to hear from you.

The official Recruitment Pack can be found on the Sight Concern Bedfordshire website.

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

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

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

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

Key Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

• Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development as needed

Person Specification & Requirements

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

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

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

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

• UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

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

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

What You’ll Gain

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

• Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees as Vice Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that
supports families across Suffolk. As Vice Chair, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and wider Board to
help shape our strategic direction, support strong governance and ensure we continue to meet the needs of
families in our communities.

We are specifically looking for someone with charity governance experience. You will bring a solid
understanding of how effective boards operate and feel confident supporting other trustees, offering
constructive challenge and helping to ensure the charity meets its legal and strategic responsibilities.
This Vice Chair role is part of our wider trustee recruitment and we welcome applicants who bring any of the
following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Interested?
We would love to hear from you. more information and a candidate pack can be found on our website.

Closing date: This is an open and rolling recruitment
Interviews: Held as applications are received
 

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK

Time Commitment: Approx. 3–5 hours per month (may be more during start-up and registration phase)

About Us

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

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Chair / Trustee to lead our board, provide strategic direction, and ensure effective governance. The Chair will guide the charity through registration and early operations while supporting the delivery of its mission.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead the trustee board and ensure effective governance

· Chair board meetings and oversee decision-making

· Support trustee recruitment, induction, and development

· Act as a primary contact for stakeholders and regulators

· Oversee compliance with charity law and CIO regulations

· Assist with reporting to the Charity Commission

· Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements

· Strong leadership, organisational, and strategic skills

· Familiarity with charity governance and trustee responsibilities (training can be provided)

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

· Ability to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

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

· UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

· 3–5 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain

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

· Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

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.

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK

Time Commitment: Approx. 2–4 hours per month (may be more during start-up and registration phase)

About Us

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

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Secretary / Trustee to join our board and ensure strong governance. The Secretary will help the charity meet its legal and regulatory responsibilities while supporting the delivery of its mission.

Key Responsibilities

· Maintain accurate records of trustee meetings and decisions

· Ensure compliance with charity law and CIO regulations

· Support trustee recruitment, induction, and governance processes

· Act as a point of contact for official communications

· Assist with reporting to the Charity Commission

· Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements

· Strong organisational and administrative skills

· Familiarity with charity governance and trustee responsibilities (training can be provided)

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

· Ability to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

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

· UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

· 2–4 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain

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

· Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

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.

We are seeking a new Chair to provide strategic leadership at a time when demand for our advice services is at an all-time high. Help shape our vision, champion our mission, and make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing challenges.

About Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Citizens Advice East Berkshire offers crucial help and advice when people need it most. No one but Citizens Advice sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems, and that gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today. 

What will you be doing?
We are at an important stage in our development and we are seeking a new Chair to replace our current Chair who will be standing down as her term finishes. We have ambitious plans for our future and we are looking for a Chair who can help drive our mission forward.

Building on our successes to date, we want a new Chair to lead us through the next exciting phase of our journey. You will have a strong background and track record of providing leadership at board and/or senior executive level and will have a passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges. You should have the judgement and vision to operate effectively at strategic level and you should demonstrate the skills and expertise to help drive our mission forward. We are looking for someone with 3 years+ professional experience in one of the fields of Fundraising strategy, Governance, Operations management or Advice / Advocacy. 

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges
• Ideally has served as a Chair or Vice Chair and is familiar with leading a Board

What are we looking for?

You’ll need to:

• Understand the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice and the Citizens Advice network
• Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee
• Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• Have a good basis of leadership skills (and preferably you have served within a Board, ideally as Chair or Vice Chair or led a Committee)
• Have the ability to facilitate and lead meetings
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have good listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Be able to exercise good independent judgment
• Have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the treasurer
• Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• Be willing to undertake mandatory training in your role
• Line manage and support the Chief Executive Officer

What difference will you make?
Citizens Advice East Berkshire makes transformational differences to people who need support when facing life crises. As Chair you will play a significant part in ensuring we are able to expand and grown our services to make a significant difference to many more individuals and families. 

CFO (Chief Financial Officer) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Do you have a passion for purpose and a talent for numbers?

Unlock YOUR Potential is looking for a pro bono CFO to oversee our financial strategy and governance. Your expertise will be critical in managing our budget, securing funding, and ensuring every penny is used to maximize our impact. If you are a qualified financial professional with a strong ethical compass and a desire to contribute your skills to a meaningful cause, your leadership is what we need.

Welcome to Unlock YOUR Potential, a bold new start-up charity on a mission to transform lives and empower individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As we prepare for our official charity registration, we are laying the groundwork for a movement that will redefine opportunity, inclusion, and personal growth.

Invest your financial expertise in a mission that pays dividends in human potential.

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Are you a visionary leader ready to build a movement from the ground up?

Unlock YOUR Potential is seeking an exceptional pro bono CEO to lead our mission to dismantle barriers to social mobility. We are looking for a strategic, inspiring, and hands-on leader to drive our growth, secure foundational partnerships, and bring our vision to life. This is more than a leadership role; it's a chance to build a legacy of change. If you have the passion, resilience, and executive experience to guide a start-up charity to success, we want to hear from you.

Welcome to Unlock YOUR Potential, a bold new start-up charity on a mission to transform lives and empower individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As we prepare for our official charity registration, we are laying the groundwork for a movement that will redefine opportunity, inclusion, and personal growth.

Apply now and help us build a future where potential is never wasted.

Location: UK-wide (remote, with occasional in-person meetings)
Time commitment: Approx. 2-3 days per month
Remuneration: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

The League Against Cruel Sports is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to provide strategic leadership to our board and support our CEO and senior team in driving forward our mission: to end cruelty to animals in the name of ‘sport’.

This is an exciting moment to join us. Following a reset earlier this year, our new CEO is reinvigorating our strategy, creating huge opportunity to build momentum and make lasting change for animals and nature. As our current Interim Chair prepares to step down, we are looking for a confident, compassionate leader to take up the baton and help shape our future direction.

We are proud to be Britain’s leading animal welfare charity tackling the use of animals in cruel sports. From securing the landmark Hunting Act 2004 to protecting animals at our wildlife reserves, through education, lobbying and campaigning, we are determined to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change.

As Chair, you will:

• Lead and support a committed Board of Trustees
• Partner with the CEO to ensure good governance and strategic progress
• Champion our vision, values and objectives with key stakeholders
• Help strengthen our impact and resilience for the future

We’re looking for:

• Experience of the charity sector, charity governance and an understanding of charity regulation 
• Channels and routes of influence to bolster the work of the organisation 
• A demonstrable commitment to the aims of the League, and ideally some background in the animal protection sector or adjacent sectors i.e. conservation, environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, integrity and a collaborative mindset

Its important that candidates are able to commit the required amount of time to support the organisation, particularly through the coming period.

If you believe in a kinder future for animals and are ready to make a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more:
A candidate information pack is available on request and you are also able to have an informal conversation about the role with our CEO.

Deadline for applications: 19 September 2025

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK

Time Commitment: Approx. 2–4 hours per month (may be more during start-up and registration phase)

About Us

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

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Media Trustee to join our board and lead the charity’s media strategy and content creation. This trustee will help share the charity’s projects, expeditions, and mission with a wide audience, while having the freedom to retain their work for personal portfolio use.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and oversee the charity’s media strategy:

· Create or advise on multimedia content (photo, video, audio, digital)

· Support engagement with media outlets and online audiences

· Advise on storytelling, branding, and public-facing communications

· Assist with reporting and media-related updates to stakeholders

· Contribute to trustee meetings and governance

· Delegate to editing volunteers within the Media Committee

· Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements:

· Experience or interest in media production, content creation, or storytelling

· Strong communication and creative skills

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

· Ability to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

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

· UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

· 2–4 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain:

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

· Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

· Permission to retain media content created for personal portfolio or professional use

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.

Location: Fully flexible / Remote – open to applicants anywhere in the UK

Time Commitment: Approx. 2–4 hours per month (may be more during start-up and registration phase)

About Us

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

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

Role Overview

We are seeking a Communications Trustee to join our board and lead the charity’s communication strategy. This trustee will ensure the charity’s mission, projects, and stories are shared effectively with audiences, stakeholders, and partners.

Key Responsibilities

· Develop and oversee the charity’s communications strategy

· Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms and materials

· Support engagement with media, partners, and the public

· Advise on digital and social media presence

· Assist with reporting and communication to stakeholders

· Contribute to trustee meetings and governance

· Delegate to volunteers within the Communications & Fundraising committee

· Help guide the charity through its registration and initial set-up

Person Specification & Requirements

· Experience or interest in communications, PR, marketing, or media

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

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

· Ability to work collaboratively with a small, remote trustee team

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

· UK-based (required for legal trustee responsibilities)

· 2–4 hours per month commitment (more during start-up if possible)

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

What You’ll Gain

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

· Hands-on experience in charity leadership and governance

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

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

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

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.

Become a Trustee at Sunrise Multicultural Project

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community?

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the future of Sunrise Multicultural Project.

As a trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping our strategy, ensuring we stay true to our mission, and supporting the development of initiatives that promote inclusivity and integration. We are seeking individuals with a range of skills, backgrounds, and experiences – whether in community work, finance, governance, fundraising, or marketing – who share our commitment to empowering minority groups and fostering a more connected, diverse community. 

If you are eager to contribute your time, expertise, and passion, we would love to hear from you!

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an experienced and committed individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that supports families across Suffolk. As Treasurer, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO, Finance Sub Committee and wider Board to ensure strong financial oversight and governance.

You’ll help guide our financial strategy, support budget-setting and risk management, and ensure that financial information is clear and accessible to the Board. We are specifically looking for someone with experience in charity finance, ideally with a background in accountancy or financial management. You will bring a solid understanding of financial governance and charity reporting requirements and be confident in offering strategic insight as well as practical advice.

This Treasurer role is part of our wider trustee recruitment, and we welcome applicants who also bring any of the following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Chair of Trustees – School Library Association
Location: Remote, with occasional in-person events
Time commitment: One day per week
Term: 3-year term (term renewable once; a maximum of six years)

Remuneration: Voluntary (expenses reimbursed)
Deadline to apply: 25th September

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for reading and equity in education? Do you want to help shape the future of school libraries and support the next generation of readers?

This is a pivotal moment for the School Library Association (SLA). With a new CEO, a refreshed staff team, and bold plans to launch a new organisational strategy, we are looking for a dynamic and ambitious Chair of Trustees to join us.

We punch well above our weight as a small national charity with big ambitions. You will be joining at a time of transformation, as we strengthen our funding pipeline, build corporate and strategic partnerships, and grow our visibility on the national stage. We recently represented the SLA at Downing Street for the Government’s Year of Reading, and the opportunity to drive systemic change in support of school libraries has never been greater.

We are looking for a Chair who:

• Brings strategic leadership and sound financial oversight
• Can support and challenge the CEO in equal measure
• Has strong relationship-building skills and ambassadorial presence
• Is excited to help shape a new strategy and governance structure
• Shares our passion for reading, education, and inclusion

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.  Download the recruitment pack and apply by 25th September 2025.