Governance volunteer roles

We are working in partnership with Guildford Sunset Homes (GSH) a small, well-respected charitable trust based in Merrow, near Guildford, registered under the Communities and Societies Benefits Act of 2014, and who provide 87 social rent apartments for retired individuals of limited means from the local area. The estate features a converted Grade II listed Manor House and several purpose-built apartment blocks set within peaceful and well-maintained grounds.

GSH now seeks a new Trustee to join their friendly and dedicated Board, to work alongside a supportive team and professional estate management company, ELM Group, who employ two members of staff to take care of the day-to-day running of the Estate.

This is an exciting opportunity, where you will help guide the development and direction of a thriving retirement community, and improve the estate for their residents.

They are looking for experience in the following areas:

• Housing associations
• Property sectors
• The charity sector

What’s in it for you:

• A chance to make a positive impact in the area.
• Gain additional experience in governance, leadership, and nonprofit management
• Develop valuable skills for your career and personal growth.
• Broaden your own networks

If you can commit to attend approximately 6 board meetings a year and are passionate about giving back to the community, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date for applications: 2nd November 2025

Join the Board of The Gestalt Centre as a Chair, and help shape their ambitious growth strategy with the life-changing approach to counselling, psychotherapy and organisational development.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th November.

Time commitment: Trustee: On average one day per month. Chair: On average two to three days per month.

About The Gestalt Centre

The Gestalt Centre is an established educational and therapy charity, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations.

Gestalt is a humanistic life-changing approach to life, counselling and psychotherapy. It enables people and organisations to manage change, develop meaningful relationships and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.

We are a dynamic organisation and run several accredited counselling and psychotherapy courses, along with professional development programmes for practitioners and organisations. We also offer affordable therapy and counselling and are a hub for a range of health and wellbeing practices for people in the community.

We value awareness and change, collaborative working, diversity and the view that we are all connected and therefore together responsible for our communities.

About the roles

The Gestalt Centre is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation carries out its purposes and for overall planning and good governance. The Directors (executive and non-executive) make decisions about strategy, the running of the organisation and oversee the work of the Psychotherapy faculty, the Counselling faculty and the management team.

Who we are looking for

• Chair of the Board of Trustees

Joining a newly refreshed Board, having just appointed five new Trustees, you will have the opportunity to help develop the strategy and direct the work of TGC.

The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees by working closely and constructively with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure the good governance of TGC. The Chair will lead Trustees to provide appropriate strategic input and oversight to ensure TGC is effective, innovative and continues to evolve to deliver TGC’s charitable objectives.

With a people-focused leadership style, you will support new trustees to connect to their roles and build an increasingly cohesive Board team. Leadership experience within a small, agile charity or a therapy-related organisation would be valuable, as you’ll have experience of adapting to shifting priorities and effectively reprioritising as circumstances change. You’ll use your experience to support the CEO and foster strong alignment between the executive team and the Board, helping to ensure the organisation works together as a cohesive team.

• Trustee (property experience)

We are also looking for an additional Trustee with knowledge of the property world and lease management. Alongside the other duties of a Trustee you will provide professional advice as we face the renewal of our lease and explore options regarding renewing/moving.

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

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th November.

Join us at this exciting time, to help secure the future of this vital work.

We are running our first fundraising campaign for our first paid member of staff, a Campaigns Manager, to help build a sustainable future for the organisation.

The Treasurer has a key role to play in supporting the team making key decisions as we move the charity forward into the next phase.

About Long Covid SOS:

Long Covid SOS (LCSOS) is a charity set up for the advancement of health and relief of need among people with Long Covid.

“Long Covid” means post-acute Covid-19 syndrome, where symptoms and/or long-term complications occur beyond four weeks from initial infection or symptoms onset to include any post viral illness with a suspected or evidenced link to Covid-19.

LCSOS aims to raise awareness of Long Covid, its treatment, recovery and rehabilitation among health policymakers, healthcare providers and the general public.

To do this we advocate for and make it known to healthcare providers, health policymakers and other relevant policy makers the views and lived experience of members of the general public suffering from or affected by Long Covid. We also support research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Long Covid, and publish results of such research.

Main duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer:

· Advising the Board about its financial duties and responsibilities

· Advising the Board on the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements

· Advising on the financial implications of LCSOS strategic plans and key assumptions in the annual budget

· Ensuring that all Board members have a clear understanding of the accounts presented at meetings and their implications

· Understanding the accounting procedures and key internal controls to be able to assure the board that the charity’s financial integrity is sound

· Ensuring that a realistic budget is produced which meets the needs of LCSOS and that there is an appropriate reserves policy

· Approving and, where appropriate, advising the Board on unbudgeted expenditure proposals in accordance with LCSOS financial procedures

· Ensuring that full financial records are kept for all transactions

· Ensuring that proper financial procedures and controls are in place to safeguard LCSOS

· Ensuring that money received is only spent on the purposes for which I was given, and, where required, ensuring that reports and accounts demonstrating this are submitted to funders

· Ensuring that accounts are prepared at year-end  in compliance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) and making arrangements for them to be audited or independently examined, as required by the Charity Commission

· Ensuring that annual accounts are submitted to the Charity Commission and/or Registrar of Companies, within the deadlines set

· Liaising with the Chair about financial matters

· Advising the Board on identifying and managing key risks effectively, and maintaining LCSOS’s risk register

· Leading on selecting and implementing a suitable financial accounting system

Personal skills and qualities:

· Commitment to the aim and goals of LCSOS

· Professional financial or accountancy qualifications or equivalent senior financial or accounting experience

· Experience or knowledge of charity finance

· Experience and knowledge of budgets and budgeting processes

· Ability to analyse proposals and anticipate their financial consequences

· Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the Board

· Willingness to be available to provide advice and guidance on financial matters

Other Information:

· The Treasurer is a full member of the Trustee Board

· Formal Trustee Board meetings are held online up to six times per year (or as required); Team meetings are held monthly and Trustees are invited to attend

· The Treasurer role requires approximately 2 – 4 hours work per month

· Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years and can be reappointed

· This is an unpaid position and out of pocket expenses are reimbursed to Trustees

For more information about LCSOS, please visit our website.

Are you passionate about the power of the arts to transform lives and do you have experience in one of the following: the arts, therapeutic arts, management, governance, EDI, the charity sector, developing partnerships, fundraising or safeguarding?

Talitha Arts is seeking volunteers to join the organisation as Trustees. We currently have five Trustees, with backgrounds encompassing human resources, finance, creative arts, coaching, and leadership. We are seeking trustees who would be interested in one or more of the following roles: Chair, Secretary, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Fundraising and/or Safeguarding.

Our Trustees meet formally four times a year; twice in person in London, Bethnal Green, and twice by video-conference. This is a volunteer position, and all reasonable expenses, including accessibility needs, travel and childcare will be reimbursed.

Who are We?

Talitha Arts is creative arts charity that delivers therapeutic arts workshops that benefit the mental health and wellbeing of those who have experienced trauma (through trafficking, living with dementia, domestic and sexual abuse, homelessness) and/or are living with mental health problems, addiction or disability. We are a small team comprising our Artistic Director (Executive), Fundraiser, and Therapeutic Arts Programme Manager.

Our Mission

We aim to use the power of the therapeutic arts to enable transformation in those in need of mental health support.

Our Vision

To empower all individuals and communities by providing excellent and bespoke therapeutic arts workshops that promote better mental health and well-being, enabling people to reach their full potential.

Equal Opportunities

At Talitha Arts we are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive environment and to celebrate diversity and the value of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage applications from all backgrounds - we are particularly interested in welcoming global majority candidates, those with disabilities and LGBTQI+ candidates.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our organisation's core values and the work we do.

Please apply with a CV and cover letter by the 20th May at 6pm.

Duties

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are).

• To contribute actively to the board of directors' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• To safeguard the good name and ethos of the organisation.

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation and to assist with fundraising, where necessary.

• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.

• To appoint the executive director and monitor their performance.

• In addition to the above statutory duties, each director should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of directors reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and other issues in which the director has special expertise.

Responsibilities

•  Trustees must have a good understanding of and be sympathetic with the aims and objects of the charity and act in accordance with the governing document at all times.

•  Trustees must act and make decisions in the best interests of the charity, present and future beneficiaries.

•  Where professional assistance is required for the Trustees to be able to make the most appropriate decision affecting the charity, that assistance should be sought and considered carefully.

•  Trustees must not receive any financial or non-financial benefit that is not explicitly authorised by the governing document. Trustees should not exert any influence to garner any preferential treatment for themselves or their family.

 •  Trustees are jointly and severally liable for their decisions; therefore decisions should be taken together and communicated to staff, stakeholders and funders in a unified manner.

•  Trustees are accountable to stakeholders for their actions and as such decision-making and governance issues should be as transparent as possible, except for when confidentiality is required.

•  Trustees should be prepared to spend an appropriate amount of time reading papers and preparing for board meetings, which will be held on a quarterly basis. A minimum attendance of 75% meetings is required of Trustees to ensure that best practice in governance is reached and maintained.

•  Should a Trustee feel that they require further guidance or training in their role, they have a duty to inform the charity secretary and actively develop aspects for new training on an individual or group basis.

•  Any information of a confidential nature must remain so outside the confines of the Trustee meeting.

•  Trustees should familiarise themselves with the ‘Nolan Principles’, and act in accordance with them.

Person Specification

Each Talitha Trustee will have:

•  a passion for supporting survivors of trauma and people who are vulnerable (including trafficking, domestic violence and abuse, people recovering from addiction, refugees and asylum seekers, and people living with dementia)

•  excellent interpersonal and team-working skills

•   a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• strategic vision

•  good, independent judgment

•  an ability to think creatively

•  a willingness to speak their mind

•  an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship

•  sympathetic to the Christian faith and Christian ethos at the roots of the charity (Talitha Arts is not a religious organisation and is open to people of all faiths and none)

•  demonstrable commitment to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life (see ‘Code of Conduct – Citizens UK’ document); selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Our Story

Talitha Arts was founded by actor, Amanda Root. It began as a small volunteer organisation, primarily offering mental health support by facilitating arts workshops for International Justice Mission in India and working with professionals in aftercare homes for girls rescued from trafficking and violent abuse.

Over the years, our work has expanded to respond to the needs of U.K. organisations working directly with those who have experienced trauma, abuse, violence, homelessness; ex-offenders, refugees, children, and those who are living with dementia.

Every year as part of our mandate, we train new practitioners in the Talitha Approach to deliver our workshops. Our approach is 'person-centred', meaning it is tailored to the individuals we serve. Our practitioners are both professional creative artists and registered therapists who are passionate about the Talitha Mission.

​At Talitha, we aim to change the world one life at a time by providing mental health support through the power of the arts. 

​We do this by delivering programmes of workshops that support creative expression, foster community, and empower through music, movement, drama and the visual arts.

Join the Board at Sight Research UK and help our mission to fund vital research into eye disease and shape a future free from sight loss.

Location: National

Time commitment: Equivalent of one day a month.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November.

Who we are

Every 6 minutes, someone in the UK receives the devastating news that they are going blind. That’s 250 people a day.

Sight Research UK is a UK charity focused on funding research into any eye disease. Our vision is a clearer future for those living with sight loss. Our mission: Using our scientific network across the UK, we champion and accelerate innovative eye disease research. Through targeted investment into the most promising science, we will deliver meaningful impact for those living with sight loss.

We are proud to have grown significantly in recent years, doubling our income in 2023–24 and committing over half a million pounds to new research grants. Our innovative funding model is already delivering results, with a record eight Seed Awards and two Translational Research Awards funded last year, helping to bring forward new solutions for people at risk of sight loss.

About the role

Our Board of Trustees is made up of eight individuals who bring a wealth of skills and experience to the organisation. As we look to expand our profile as well as strengthen our governance and clinical expertise, we are now seeking to appoint an additional Trustee with a senior background in medicine, ophthalmology, optometry, or a related field. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping our funding strategy, advising on clinical and research priorities, and acting as an ambassador to grow our networks and influence.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a senior clinician, medical professional, or academic, ideally with expertise relevant to eye health, ophthalmology, optometry or translational research. You will bring knowledge and insight to strengthen our Board and help guide our ambitious research strategy. Knowledge of how grant funding is used within eye research from a clinical aspect, as well as knowledge of intellectual property, would also be beneficial. You will also be someone who shares our determination and will support us to raise awareness and increase the volume and quality of applications for grant funding.

If you are passionate about enabling medical research advancement, thrive on teamwork and relish an exciting challenge, we would love to hear from you.

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

Applications for this role close at  9 a.m. Monday 17th November.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Slough and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Do you have the skills to lead an established board of governors? A school in High Wycombe is looking for a skilled volunteer to drive school improvement.

As a Chair of Governors, you’ll operate at the head of a governing board and utilise strategic leadership skills, making decisions on a wide range of topics making a difference improving education within your local community.
We’re currently recruiting volunteers for a Chair of Governors in High Wycombe to strengthen their governing board and enhance outcomes of pupils within your community. If you feel, you want to make a difference within your community, read on for more details about the role of a chair of governors and how to apply.

Governors make decisions that affect schools and their pupils for years to come; our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. Becoming a governor gives you ample opportunity for personal and professional development, including exposure to finance and budgeting, safeguarding, HR, strategic planning, and more.
As a Chair of governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos as well as meeting children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand. Chair of governors act as a ‘critical friend’ to their head teacher ensuring accountability and helping to monitor and evaluate the schools progress, budget and staffing. You’ll also help your governing board to shape and implement future plans and guide the schools aims, ethos and values.

You don’t need to be a parent or have any specific skills to become a chair of governors, you’ll need to be over 18 and happy to have a DBS check to apply! Professional skills such as HR, finance, law or project management are useful but governing boards are often needing softer skills such as leadership, communication and problem solving alongside a fresh perspective and lived experience within their communities to help schools have a bright future. As a chair of governors, you’ll be supported by the Vice Chair and Clerk to help ensure an effective, focused board utilising and building its skills, knowledge and experience.

This vacancy is for a 7-11 junior school looking to find a chair of governor to sit on their board with experience of Leadership and organisation, along with having been a governor or having had board level experience. It would also be beneficial if you had knowledge of safeguarding. The school is excited abouts its future and enthusiastic about building a strong culture and school identity. 

If you’re interested in becoming a chair of governor, fill out the short application form.
We have vacancies available across England and Wales, including the roles listed above in High Wycombe. You can express your preference for location on the form itself.

Please note, this role may close early if we receive a high volume of interest.

Exciting opportunity as Chair of trustees of a small and dynamic arts and crafts re-use charity in SW London looking to take the charity forward and grow and diversify its income streams.The Chair will join an established and small board of trustees and must be experienced in leading a board in terms of strategy, risk and planning, financial governance, building positive relationships, one-to-one reviews with trustees to bring out the best in them, building the board and growing the charity's impact. 

The Chair will have a wide-ranging impact, shaping the charity's strategic direction and helping it achieve the charity's mission to promote artful re-use of waste materials diverted from landfiil and incineration for use with a wide range of beneficiaries for artistic, educational, recreational or therapeutic benefit throughout south-west London. Your leadership will ensure that the charity provides and extends its range of support and services to existing and future beneficiaries and maintains its role as an active participant in the circular economy. 

Two in three of us will become carers. Bring your expertise to the Board of Carers First and help support and champion the UK’s millions of unpaid carers.

Location: Hybrid with some meetings in London

At Carers First, we have been working alongside unpaid carers for over 30 years, helping them find balance and live life to the fullest. With an estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, the need for our work has never been greater. We are looking for three new Trustees to join our Board and play a vital role in shaping our future. We are particularly looking for people with expertise in:

• Fundraising and income generation
• Legal
• Digital strategy (including AI and technology to enhance user experience).

As a Trustee, you will join a committed and diverse Board, ensuring our strategy and resources make the greatest possible difference to the lives of carers. You’ll bring your skills, experience, and values to support our work in providing support for carers, with carers, so they can lead fulfilling lives.

Who we are

Carers First is a dedicated charity supporting unpaid carers across England, helping them navigate the challenges of caring while maintaining balance in their own lives. We provide personalised information and tailored support in the way that suits them: online, on the phone, or face-to-face, in their local community.

Recognising that each caring journey is unique, Carers First works collaboratively with local councils, communities, and volunteers to deliver inclusive, accessible services. Our mission is to empower carers, and our impact is significant. Last year, we reached over 330,000 people to provide information about caring and 51,000 carers are registered with us to receive information and support. In addition:

• 96% of carers felt more resilient in their caring role after our support.
• 95% of carers felt listened to and that their own needs were taken into account through our interventions.
• 93% of carers felt more confident and informed in their caring role after our support.

Guided by values of positivity, collaboration and ambition, Carers First continues to innovate and expand its reach, championing the needs of carers nationwide.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of unpaid carers, ensuring that our work aligns with our mission and that our resources are used wisely and effectively. You will join a Board with a strong mix of skills and experience, including finance, communications, business, and health and social care.

In this role, you will play a vital part in shaping the strategic direction and governance of the charity, helping us deliver support to unpaid carers effectively and sustainably. You will be part of a committed Board that meets quarterly and is supported by two committees: Finance & Risk and People & Governance, one of which you will join.

Using your expertise, you will advise on key issues, support new initiatives, and help the organisation innovate and grow. Your impact will be felt directly by the carers we support, ensuring our services remain inclusive and accessible, our resources are managed responsibly, and our work continues to make a meaningful difference in carers’ lives.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for individuals who have a strong commitment to our cause and a genuine passion for supporting the needs of carers, while upholding the values that guide our work. In addition to the skills we are looking for, we seek people with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explore diverse perspectives, foster inclusive discussions, and make timely, well-informed decisions.

We are actively committed to increasing the diversity of our teams and welcome applications from all sectors, backgrounds and sections of the community. If you have caring responsibilities, then we welcome and value your experience and will be as flexible and accommodating as possible around your needs.

• Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, with an additional annual Development and Strategic Planning Day. Our two committees, Finance & Risk and People & Governance, also meet quarterly. Most meetings are online. One Board meeting and one Development Day are held in London. Trustees should expect to commit the equivalent of circa one day a month for meetings, preparation, Board development, engagement with staff and carers, recruitment activities, professional development, and occasional public events.

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

Applications for this role close Friday 14th November.

The Circle is a global feminist organisation supporting marginalised and vulnerable women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic injustice across the world. To help achieve that we are looking for two new Trustees, including a Vice-Chair, to join our board. We are particularly looking for one individual with overseas programmes and grant-making experience and one with public campaigning experience. 

About The Circle

The Circle is a global feminist organisation, founded by Annie Lennox and other leading women in 2018, supporting marginalised and vulnerable women and girls confronting gender-based violence and economic injustice across the world. What started as a small group of influential women, including activists, lawyers and creatives coming together, has grown into a global network of thousands.

The Circle brings together Global Feminist changemakers to use their resources, networks and creativity to cultivate long lasting change. Through the delivery of frontline services, fundraising, advocacy and convening and connecting, our global network supports each other on the journey towards a future where there is safety and equality for all women and girls.

We are on a mission to dismantle the economic barriers women and girls experience and end the pandemic of violence they face by funding & supporting frontline grassroots organisations in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. We advocate for long-term structural change and use our collective voices and those with lived experience to strive for progress. Global Feminism is our guiding light.

Since 2008, The Circle has supported over 1.5 million people directly on women’s rights and empowered more than 700,000 women and girls facing violence, discrimination and fear globally. The Circle has supported the creation of safe spaces and refuges, counselling, educational workplace training programmes, emergency assistance and much more.

Role Specification

• Ensure that The Circle is carrying out its vision and purpose. Understand its objectives, be able to explain them and ensure they are adhered to.
• Contribute actively to the Board in giving strategic direction to the charity, agreeing on overall strategy, policy, targets and evaluation performance.
• Ensure The Circle is complying with its governing document, legal obligations and statutory and accounting reporting requirements.
• Manage The Circle’s resources responsibly (including its finances, assets, reputation and value)
• Use any specific skills, knowledge, and experience to offer challenge and advice to help the Board reach sound decisions
• To safeguard the good name and values of The Circle
• The Vice Chair supports the Chair and the Board, deputizes in the Chair’s absence, and helps maintain good governance and strategic direction.

Person Specification

We are seeking two new Trustees (including a Vice-Chair) to join our Board with energy, commitment and specific skills and experience in the following areas (with the understanding that candidates may have more than one of the skills listed):

• Senior experience in international development/gender programming, including grant-making
• Public or digital campaigns for advocacy
• Additional skills such a corporate connections and networks will also be desirable.
• We recognise the importance of having a diverse and inclusive Board, and The Circle is committed to achieving greater diversity. We welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief, or disability. Trustees will be required to be UK-based, but we welcome applicants with connections and heritage to the countries we work in. A commitment to our values of anti-racism, oppression and decolonisation will be essential.
• Most importantly we are looking for Trustees who share and want to be actively involved in our passion for an equal and safe world for women and girls.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Hampshire are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Surrey are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Join us in shaping the future of the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion (RBL) stands at a pivotal and inspiring moment in its history. As we deliver Our Strategy to 2035, we are evolving to meet the changing needs of the entire Armed Forces community – serving personnel, veterans, families, and the bereaved. Our vision is clear: to bring society together to recognise, remember and support the Armed Forces community, ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten.

To help drive this transformation, we are seeking to appoint two Trustees to join our Board.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking candidates with senior-level experience and strategic insight who can provide constructive challenge, independent judgement and guidance as RBL continues to modernise.

In addition to strong governance skills, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

· Strategic transformation and technology: guiding organisations through complex change programmes and digital evolution.

· Government and public policy: operating at a senior level in government or a devolved administration, with experience of ministerial engagement, policy development, or public affairs.

· Brand, marketing, or income generation: delivering sustainable growth through engagement, communication, and innovation.

Candidates will also have:

· The ability to collaborate effectively with others.

· Strong influencing and communication skills.

· Genuine commitment to RBL’s mission and values.

· Sound and relevant knowledge of good governance practices, law and fiduciary duties.

· Good powers of judgement, insight, and vision.

· Excellent listening skills and openness to diverse perspectives.

Successful candidates will be expected to attend six Board meetings per year and actively contribute as a member of at least one Board committee. Trustees also participate in commemorative and membership events throughout the year. Overall, the anticipated time commitment is approximately 20 days annually, including preparation and engagement outside of formal meetings. 

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

Closing Date: 9th November 2025

Interview Date: 18th November 2025 (in person). Haig House, London

Application: Candidates should email a CV (no more than 3 sides) and a supporting statement (no more than 2 sides) which sets out why you think this role is the right move for you and how you meet the skills and experience required.

Join the Board of a high-performing, ambitious and award-winning charity, that is financially sound, and innovatively changing social care throughout the UK to make a difference in others’ lives.

Location: The Exchange, Barnard Street, Darlington Co Durham, DL3 7DR

Applications close on Monday 10th November.

Who we are

We are a growing charity with a range of housing and support services across England and Scotland.

We are ambitious for the people we support, and at at our core we are a charity built upon our key value of hospitality. Every day we say, “Come in. You are most welcome. How can I help?”

We have a history of innovation, 140 years old and counting, and in recent years we’ve built on our long history of providing support to disabled people, autistic people and providing specialist dementia services to support people with experience of homelessness and has become a leading provider of safe houses for people subject to modern-day slavery.

We are primarily funded through contracts with over 90 local authorities, Integrated Care Boards and UK government departments, though we are starting to invest in fundraising. We have worked hard to build our financial strength that in recent years has resulted in opening 27 new services, creating over 200 new jobs within the charity, resulting in 630 colleagues adding new stories to the legacy of the charity every day.

The quality is good too, with all of our regulated services rated as good or outstanding across all areas by the Care Quality Commission, and most importantly a focus on the quality of life of the people we are here to support.

We’re at the point of renewing our strategy and are looking for new Trustees who can bring skills and experience to a strong Board, particularly people with expertise in finance, governance, and fundraising with a focus on trusts, grants and foundations.

Who we are looking for

We want our Trustees to reflect the people and communities we are active in, and are always looking to increase the diversity of the Board; and to embed lived experience within our decision-making.

Our Board and colleagues are people from all religions and none, but they share our values. We are underpinned by catholic social teaching and would welcome applications from people who can help us strengthen the Board’s understanding in this area.

Successful candidates will be strategic, curious, ambitious and want to be part of our next period of growth, as we look to continue to innovate services for high-quality impact in the communities we support.

• Time Commitment

The Board meets four times a year for c.3 hours in Darlington; however, we are open to exploring new venues for in-person meetings. One of these meetings is our full-day strategy away day. Trustees all sit on a subcommittee, of which there are four: Quality, Finance, Audit & Risk, Governance, and the newly created Fundraising Committee. Committee Meetings are 4 times a year and tend to be held virtually.

We expect that with reading, calls, informal conversations and other ad hoc activities, the time commitment will be up to 1 day a month.

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

Applications close on Monday 10th November.