Governance volunteer roles

Increasing your influence and network though Board membership

We are looking for five new trustees to join our Board and work collaboratively to support the Science Council to: strengthen the collective impact of the science community for public benefit; work effectively with our community of 35 member organisations (collective membership of over 320,000 scientists, technicians and educators); inspire and empower the science workforce to strive towards professional excellence.  Our ambition is to see a diverse and growing science profession that is trusted, respected and is equipped to deliver national ambitions.

We are committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and as such we welcome applicants of all backgrounds to represent the diverse population of people that we serve. This year, we are particularly keen to recruit people with experience in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Management.

You will be joining us at an exciting time, as we enter our new strategic period. Over the next three years, we will continue to focus on what we do best: upholding high professional standards, facilitating knowledge exchange, and strengthening connections across the science community and beyond. We are also looking to be more ambitious and widen our engagement with employers of scientists, and through our continued relationship with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, continue to increase awareness of careers in science through our technical pathways project.

This is your opportunity to join the Board of an ambitious and well-run organisation, and play a leading role in the shaping the future of the Science Council.

Being a trustee is an excellent way of developing skills, growing your network and learning about governance.  Whatever your background and experience, Board membership will enable you to influence the future direction of the Science Council and have an impact across the scientific community and beyond.

Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Science Council delivers on its charitable purposes and that it has the required governance and strategic direction to achieve its objectives. Trustees will be expected to use their expertise and experience to offer advice to the executive and provide oversight that ensures that the charity is resourced and administered appropriately.

Whether you are looking to take on your first trustee role or are an experienced trustee, if you have the time to commit to the role, we want to hear from you.

Could your experience and skills help us reduce homelessness in Brighton and Hove?

 If so, this is a truly exciting time to join our charity as we make progress against our 2024-2030 Strategy.

We are currently seeking volunteer trustees to join our experienced Board who oversee our organisation's governance, compliance, reach and impact.

Our Values​: Community​, Compassion​, Empowerment

If you share our values and have the passion and drive to help us achieve our vision, please send your CV and a covering Letter to our Recruitment Officer: Noeleen Anstee We look forward to hearing from you and would be delighted to have an informal chat about the role if required.

We value equity, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone, but to fully reflect our client group and the local population, we’re particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise in: Housing, Mental Health and/or have lived experience of homelessness and from people who identify as belonging to a Black and/or Minority Ethnic (BME) group.

The Caldecott Foundation provides specialist residential care, fostering families and education for disadvantaged, vulnerable and traumatised young people in the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of Trustees and staff helping some of the most vulnerable children in our society to build a future and reach their potential. We are keen to hear from anyone who shares our values and feels that their HR experience and expertise could be beneficial to our Board.

What will you be doing?

The Caldecott Foundation have a committed Board of Trustees with a wide range of experience and personal skills.

The HR Trustee will help to ensure the highest standards of governance relating to employee relations, recruitment, retention, reward and recognition as well as staff training and development. You will act as a critical friend to the CEO and Executives responsible for Human Resources whilst providing expert advice to Trustee colleagues in respect of HR best practice, regulatory compliance and employment law.

4 Board meetings per year would be the minimum commitment with most Trustees attending 8 meetings per year including committees.

What are we looking for?

· Up-to-date HR and Employment Law knowledge and experience, and ability to communicate this with Trustee colleagues

· Experience of operating at a senior level of business, preferably within an organisation which links to children and young people or someone who has worked with children and vulnerable adults in the past.

· Ability to provide strategic oversight on HR related policies.

· A good team player who can work with a small, committed Board of Trustees and Executive team.

· Existing Trustee experience is desirable but not essential.

· Having an interest in our cause is crucial for all Trustees.

What difference will you make?

Your experience and expertise will add immense value to the existing Board. The Trustee role is a critical one within the functioning of the organisation and as part of a group of volunteer Trustees you will be an important member of the leadership team. Through your involvement you will contribute to an organisation achieving outstanding long term outcomes for some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

Activity Alliance looking for a Chair and three new Trustees who will add value to the charity and exciting journey ahead. You will bring your expertise and/or lived experience to drive meaningful change for disabled people. Two Trustees will be Board-appointed, and one will be Member-appointed. Their start times will vary. We are pleased that you are interested in joining us to work towards our vision and thank you for your interest.

The key responsibilities of the Chair will be:

• Provide visionary leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that Activity Alliance fulfils its mission and objectives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within  the organisation.
• Oversee the governance framework, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the Board in monitoring organisational performance and  ensuring effective risk management. 
• Act as an ambassador for Activity Alliance, promoting our vision and mission. This includes being a spokesperson for the charity with the media and at events.
• Champion the voices of disabled people, advocating for change and influencing policy and decision-making at the  highest levels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, funders, and government bodies.

The key responsibilities of the Trustees will be:

• Have outstanding commitment to Activity Alliance with a strong understanding of the organisation’s values as well as of the Nolan Seven Principles of Public Life.
• Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall  policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets. 
• Ensure that the organisation complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. 
• Safeguard the reputation and values of the organisation. 
• Represent the organisation at functions and meetings when appropriate, and act as an ambassador for Activity Alliance.

Currently, we are particularly interested in recruiting Trustees with understanding, skills, and/or experience in one or more  of the following areas: 

• Legal 
• Commercial and corporate affairs 
• Income generation 
• Application of AI and technology

The posts are for an initial term of up to three years, which may be extended for two further terms of three years.

The Finance Trustee will participate in all areas of our governance but take a special interest in the financial  strategy and governance. They will use their sound financial skills and experience to support the Board’s understanding and interpretation and to ensure legislative compliance.  Knowledge of UK wide midwifery provision would also be an advantage but not essential.

The Finance Trustee will support the Board to oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice, the Articles of Association and legal requirements, The Finance Trustee will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and are appropriate for the charity.

The Finance Trustee should adhere to the role description of a trustee and in addition has the following key responsibilities:

• To support the Board to oversee and to ensure appropriate presentation of budgets, accounts, management accounts and financial statements.

• To ensure appropriate presentation of accounts and records, ensuring that financial resources are spent in accordance with the charity’s policies, good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.

• Liaising, where applicable, with the Chair or other appropriate members of staff and supporting on financial matters

• Supporting the Board to monitor the financial viability of the charity.

• Creating in conjunction with relevant trustees and staff sound financial processes and procedures for the control of the charity’s assets.

• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan.

• Reviewing the annual accounts are, where applicable, liaising with the charity’s external bookkeeper to ensure the accounts are compliant with the current charities’ SORP.

• Ensuring that sound financial management is maintained and ensuring expenditure is in line with the charity’s objects.

• Authorisation of charity expenditure and banking transactions set up on online bank accounts

• Liaison with the fund manager responsible for the charity’s investment portfolio - we are currently working towards an ethical investment portfolio and the Finance Trustee is leading on this

• Oversight of payroll, HMRC reporting and operation of auto-enrolment pension scheme for all members of staff

• The Finance Trustee will need to attend the following meetings (all meetings with the exception of the October AGM/Board meeting are held online)

  2 Board meetings (March and October - which is the AGM/Board meeting)

  1 business meeting held in the summer 

  3 Finance sub committee meetings held approximately 10 days before the Board/Business meetings

  The Finance Trustee also sits on the newly established Fundraising Sub Committee (meeting schedule to be agreed).

• Desirable skills (trustee)

• Make your own views known and make decisions in a group environment, in line with strategic objectives 

• Listen intently, carefully and objectively 

Finance Trustee additional criteria

Essential

• You must have a Bachelor’s degree and be either ACA or ACCA qualified or equivalent with 10 years PQE UK experience.

• Expertise in Finance and relevant UK regulations

• Personal Integrity

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Convey ideas, information and opinions clearly and concisely 

• Work as a team with the chair, fellow board members and members of staff 

• Challenge the views of others appropriately

•  Commitment and ability to work and effectively as a member of a team.

Desirable

• Experience working at board level with small non-profit organisations.

Volunteer Role Profile

Volunteer Role: Branch Trustee

Volunteer Manager: Alongside other local Branch Trustees

Where you will be based: Community

Why we want you

We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

As a trustee of a branch you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals. We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds, with a variety of experience and skills to draw on, whether these have been formed through life or work situations.

You'll be passionate about animal welfare and alongside other trustees, will manage the affairs of a local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary dependent on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties such as the role of chairman, treasurer or secretary.

Trustees are elected for a 12 month term each year.

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it’s the right decision for you, we recommend visiting the YouGov website

What you will be doing

• Familiarising yourself with and supporting the aims and policies of the RSPCA
• Familiarising yourself with the branch rules and following them at all times
• Working with your fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly acting in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.
• Ensuring the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, working with national RSPCA staff to meet them as soon as practicably possible
• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Support Specialist (BSS), writing, adopting, monitoring and reviewing a branch development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch
• Actively participating in branch committee meetings and attending the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.
• Having an awareness of the outcomes of regional board meetings and supporting regional initiatives.
• Actively promoting and advertising to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers.
• Welcoming new trustees and volunteers to the branch.

The skills you need

• Aged 18 or over
• A current member of the RSPCA (please see RSPCA website for details on how to become a member)
• Able to work with people from all backgrounds and have good interpersonal skills
• Specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful to help ensure we have a sound and robust business model and long term strategic development plan, however they are not essential.
• Commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital
• Creativity, innovation. A person who can bring different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action

What's in it for you

• Meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare
• Use your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare
• You will be volunteering at the heart of the local community
• Full training via our trustee course
• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to additional training provided by the relevant branch

Disclaimer

Before you can start volunteering you’ll need to complete our simple online Health & Safety course and any associated training required for your role.

New RSPCA trustees are provided with a link to our intranet to view our Guidance for Branch Trustees and are also asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post.

Tetanus is a life threatening bacterial disease caused by an infection in an open wound. All volunteers must be suitably protected. We recommend that volunteers check their vaccination history with their GP. If a volunteer has not had the required doses, the GP should offer them free of charge as part of the UK vaccination schedule.

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.

Buttle UK: Giving children in crisis a chance for change

Are you driven to champion children and young people and possess the strategic leadership skills needed to create change for those facing poverty and crisis? We're looking for a passionate and strategic individual to Chair our Board of Trustees at Buttle UK.

For over 70 years, we've been a lifeline for vulnerable children and young people across the UK, providing vital support through our Chances for Children grants. Building on our strong foundation and a period of reflection, Buttle UK is evolving. We will continue providing crucial, flexible grants but also use our expertise to understand and address the systemic issues that lead to poverty for the young people we support. Our 2025-2030 strategy positions us, not just as a grant-maker, but as a changemaker, committed to ensuring that no child’s future is determined by poverty and crisis. 

The Chair of Trustees is a vital role, inspiring and leading our Trustees and staff team, and ensuring we stay focused on our mission. You will work closely with our CEO to achieve our goals, and champion Buttle UK's vital work. 

We’re looking for someone with:

• strong leadership abilities

• a strategic mindset

• experience in supporting and mentoring

• exceptional communication skills

• a background in governance (Chair experience is not essential, but charity board experience is strongly preferred).

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your expertise and passion to a charity where you can truly see the impact of your contribution and help us drive systemic change for vulnerable children and young people across the UK.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from all applicants, regardless of race, sex or gender, sexuality, socio-economic background or any other minority or protected characteristic. We look forward to reviewing (and can make reasonable required  accommodations) for members of any such groups.

The candidate pack, which includes information on how to apply, can be downloaded from our website

Closing date for applications: midday on Wednesday 4th June

This is a voluntary role

We’re currently seeking a new Chair of trustees, and three additional trustees to complete our board and help us lead the charity over our next phase of development. We would be especially interested to hear from applicants with experience of managing change, as the local government reorganisation currently underway is likely to impact us.

Chair

As our Chair, you’ll have excellent communication skills with great leadership qualities, strategic and analytical skills, be able to deliver the vision of the charity, help us to ‘live’ our values, and bring people together. Previous experience of being a Chair is essential and experience of the voluntary sector desirable and we welcome applications from anyone who feels they have the skills to fulfil the role.

Trustees

We’re also looking for three additional trustees to join our board. We want our board to have a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, so if you think you’re not a typical trustee, then you might be just what we’re looking for! You don’t need to have had experience of Citizens Advice, or of being a Trustee – just a commitment and enthusiasm to help us shape the work and strategic direction of our forward-thinking charity.

Becoming a Trustee will give you the opportunity to gain experience in leadership, governance and strategy and is a great way to give something back to your local community – some employers may even give you time off to volunteer for a local charity.

Citizens Advice Winchester District provides free advice to over 5,000 local people each year, many of whom are in desperate or challenging situations and have nowhere else to turn.

Academy trustees are volunteers. The Charity Commission defines trustees as the people responsible for governing a charity and directing how it is managed and run.

The purpose of the board of trustees is to provide:

• Strategic leadership of the academy trust
• Your role is to help set and embed your trust’s vision and strategy, and use these to monitor how the trust and its schools are progressing towards your strategic goals
• Accountability and assurance, meaning the board has robust oversight of the operations and performance of the trust, including education, pupil welfare and finance
• You'll monitor these areas and hold trust leaders to account for performance and compliance in them
• Engagement
• This means your board has strategic oversight of relationships with the trust's stakeholders: parents, pupils, staff, local communities 
• You'll make sure your schools and your trust are communicating with and involving these groups, so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement

Responsibilities

• Develop the trust’s vision and strategy
• Establish a culture of high educational standards, which promotes staff and pupil wellbeing
• Set the trust’s strategic aims and objectives
• Make sure all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum
• Monitor provision for pupils with SEND
• Monitor educational performance of the trust’s academies, using a range of data sources
• Ensure stakeholders (parents, pupils, staff and the local community) are informed and consulted as appropriate
• Approve the budget for the academy trust and, where relevant, for academies within the trust
• Monitor and evaluate the trust’s financial performance 
• Approve and review trust policies, and hold staff to account for their implementation
• Ensure the trust is compliant with legal requirements, including that all statutory policies and documents are in place
• Make sure the trust complies with laws that apply to charities and companies, and with its funding agreement
• Carry out the appointment and performance management of the principal/chief executive
• Be a source of challenge and support to the principal/chief executive
• Monitor and evaluate the trust’s staffing structure(s)
• Monitor health and safety in the academy/across the trust
• In a multi-academy trust, work with those involved in local academy governance, supporting and holding them to account

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Critical listening and ability to ask effective questions
• Strategic thinking
• Excellent communication
• Problem-solving and analysis

Desirable:

• Understanding of data
• Information Technology expertise 
• HR experience
• Knowledge of education
• Leadership and management skills
• Risk management skills
• Legal expertise, particularly knowledge of charity law
• Marketing and communications skills

Benefits to you

New skills you’ll gain:

• Strategic planning
• Experience on a board
• Holding senior leaders to account and ability to provide challenge
• Finance, and maintaining oversight of potentially multi-million pound budgets
• Analysing data
• Human resources and performance management 
• Project management
• Marketing
• Communication and teamwork
• Decision making
• Problem solving

Time commitment

The time commitment for the trustee role will vary. However, all trustees must attend at least 3 meetings of the full board per year. The term of office is 4 years.

Usually trustees sit on a committee focused on an area they have knowledge of, or are particularly interested in – for example, the finance committee. Committees generally meet up to six times a year.

Preparation for meetings includes reading papers and preparing questions for senior leaders. 

You will also be expected to undertake any training required to enable you to discharge your role effectively.

Additional information

Academies are both charities and companies limited by guarantee. Academy trustees are therefore both charity trustees and company directors, and must comply with company and charity law. 

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.

Citizens Advice Plymouth employs 180 staff and has 50 volunteers, who work both locally and nationally to support people who have problems with debt, housing, welfare benefits, employment and many other advice areas.

We can all face problems that seem complicated and intimidating. At Citizens Advice Plymouth, we believe that no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.

We have a clear set of strategic aims. These allow us to provide the advice and support people need for the problems they face and work towards changing policies and practices that affect people’s lives. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

The Board of Trustees has an interesting and challenging task to ensure that the governance and finances of the charity are correct and to advise and support the senior leadership team

The Role

We currently have 9 Trustees and are looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees with 2 new Trustees, who can use their professional and lived experiences, skills and talents to contribute to the on-going success of the Charity. We are specifically seeking individuals who offer experience in one or more of the following areas:

- Chair designate to take over from the current Chair once inducted and has a full understanding of the organisation. We expect that to take approximately 6-12 months depending on time commitments.

- Finance and accounting (not necessarily within a charitable setting, but this would be beneficial) in order to succeed our current Treasurer in 2 years’ time.

- Leadership experience within a charitable organisation

- Previous experience as a Trustee or governor

- Local involvement in the City of Plymouth

We are committed to further diversifying our Board to represent the communities that we serve across Plymouth. We would particularly like to hear from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+ groups. We are also currently seeking to redress our current imbalance so we would particularly appreciate female applicants or people under the age of 30.

Are you passionate about supporting young people and giving back to your community?

Whether you have experience in fundraising, governance, building corporate partnerships, or simply a willingness to get involved and make a difference – we’d love to hear from you!

About us

We’re part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, a national youth organisation empowering 12- to 20-year-olds through flying, adventure training, sports, and leadership development.

West Mercian Wing supports over 900 cadets across 27 Squadrons in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, the Black Country, and overseas in Cyprus.

Each squadron has a Civilian Welfare Committee, a team of trustees who support the squadron by overseeing governance, fundraising, and building community partnerships. Trustees are vital in ensuring squadrons can continue providing incredible opportunities for cadets.

Squadrons in this sector

• 24 (Market Drayton) Squadron, Hedley Way, Buntingsdale, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 2HA
• 28 (Shawbury) Squadron, RAF Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 4HL
• 79 (Whitchurch) Squadron, Old Drill Hall, Mill Street, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1SE
• 1165 (Oswestry) Squadron, Drill Hall, Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 1AL
• 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron, Bligny House Army Reserve Centre, Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 8LZ

Why become a trustee?

Volunteering as a trustee isn’t just about helping others - it’s about growing yourself too!

• Gain valuable experience in leadership, governance, and fundraising.
• Expand your network and become part of a supportive team.
• Make a lasting difference to young people in your community.
• Shape the future of an organisation with a rich legacy.

What’s involved?

Meetings are structured but friendly, typically every three months for around two hours. A typical agenda includes:

• Updates from the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Squadron Commander
• Funding requests and financial decisions
• Future planning, upcoming events, and key priorities
• Opportunities to contribute based on your skills and interests

Beyond meetings, involvement is flexible depending on your availability and expertise.

What we’re looking for

We welcome all backgrounds and skill levels, but we’d particularly love to hear from those with experience in:

• Fundraising
• Governance & charity compliance
• Corporate partnerships

No military background or youth work experience is required—just enthusiasm, reliability, and a passion for making a difference!

Opportunities for progression

Trustees can take on leadership roles within their squadron, support squadrons at sector or wing level, or even contribute to regional and national RAF Air Cadets governance. Some trustees also transition into squadron volunteer roles, working directly with cadets.

To join us, you’ll need to

• Be 20 years or older
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Attend an evening meeting every three months (varies by squadron)
• Bring enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to support young people.

Typical joining process:

1. Submit an expression of interest.
2. We’ll invite you to visit your chosen squadron to learn more.
3. Complete a simple online application if invited.
4. Undergo a DBS and basic security check.

This process usually takes a few weeks, depending on availability and checks.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re excited about supporting young people and helping your local squadron thrive, we’d love to hear from you!

For nearly 39 years, Shama Women’s Centre has provided vital services for women across Leicester. We support women facing barriers including health inequalities, domestic violence, economic exclusion, and low employment rates, helping them gain confidence, skills, and independence. As we plan for the future, we are looking for passionate, committed, and skilled individuals to join us as Volunteer Management Committee Members to help guide our work, strengthen our governance, and ensure we continue delivering life-changing services.

What will you be doing?

As a Committee Member, you will be part of the governing body responsible for the strategic direction, decision-making, and oversight of Shama Women’s Centre. Committee Members work collectively to ensure that the charity remains legally compliant, financially stable, and true to its mission and values. Whether you’re an experienced board member or looking for your first Committee Member role, this is an opportunity to use your skills and expertise to make a real difference to the lives of women in Leicester.

What are we looking for?

We welcome interest from anyone with a passion for empowering women and a commitment to Shama’s mission. In particular, we are seeking individuals with skills and experience in: 

• Finance & Accounting - with the potential to take on the Treasurer role in future (day to-day finances are handled by staff, so this is a strategic oversight role). 
• Business Development & Sustainability - helping us identify opportunities to strengthen and diversify our income. Fundraising & Grant Applications - providing insight and expertise to support successful funding bids. 
• Human Resources - supporting the development of policies and best practices to manage staff and volunteers effectively. 
• Health Sector Experience - particularly around health inequalities affecting racially minoritised communities. 
• Strong Communication & Report Writing Skills - helping ensure our governance documents, strategies, and reports are clear, professional, and aligned with our values.

Reflecting the Communities We Serve 

As Shama is a BAME-led organisation, we are particularly keen to recruit Committee Members from racially minoritised backgrounds, especially women with lived experience who understand the cultural and social challenges facing our service users. We are also happy to support first-time Committee Members, offering induction and ongoing training to help you succeed in the role.

By joining Shama, you become part of a movement transforming lives and uplifting communities, creating a lasting ripple effect of empowerment and opportunity.

Time Commitment:

• Four board meetings per year (held in person at Shama Women’s Centre, Leicester, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm).
• Attendance at occasional events, such as our Annual Celebration and AGM.
• Some voluntary input between meetings, typically a few hours per month depending on your role and availability.

Before you apply

The TrusteeWorks Team at Reach Volunteering are supporting Shama Women’s Centre with their Committee Member recruitment. Applications should be made via TrusteeWorks in the first instance. To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills and experience would add value to the board. 

Becoming a Trustee

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee with Citizens Advice Cheshire West. This information pack should provide you with useful and important information about our organization and what it means to be one of our Trustees. 

Citizens Advice Cheshire West Aims 

• To ensure the right advice for everyone, ensuring people do not suffer because they do not understand their rights and responsibilities, or because they are unable to express their needs effectively.
• To improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives by campaigning about issues that affect our clients and influencing decision-makers locally and nationally.

Our vision

• To be THE go-to charity for advice & support in Cheshire West

Our mission

• We advise, support and empower people to improve their lives
• We are accessible and known to all for the best, impartial advice
• We influence policy for a more equal and inclusive society

Our values

• We care about what we do and the people we work with
• We champion justice, fairness and equality
• We adapt to keep pace with a changing world

What skills/experience do you need to have?

You don’t need any specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:

• Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee.
• Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different from your own.
• Have good listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Be able to exercise good independent judgement.
• 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 training for your role.

What’s in it for you?

• Make a positive impact for local people by ensuring Citizens Advice Cheshire West is sustainable and able to meet the needs of the community.
• Build relationships with staff, volunteers and other trustees.
• Build on your governance, leadership and strategy skills.
• Increase your employability.

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

Citizens Advice Service

The Citizens Advice service is made up of national Citizens Advice and a network of around 290 local Citizens Advice members. 

The Citizens Advice service is based on four principles:

• Independent - We will always act in the interests of our clients, without influence from outside bodies
• Impartial - We don’t judge our clients or make assumptions about them.  Our service is open to everyone and we treat everyone equally.
• Confidential - We won’t pass anything on what a client tells us, or even the fact they have visited, without permission.
• Free - No client has to pay for any part of the service we provide.

We help resolve people’s problems by accessing a large electronic information system to ensure our clients are given accurate, up-to-date information on their rights and responsibilities. We also aim to change policies and practices that affect our clients, and we call this Research and Campaigns.

What does Citizens Advice Cheshire West do?

Citizens Advice Cheshire West provides general and specialist legal help to everyone in the Cheshire West area.

We give advice to help people overcome the problems they face, in areas such as benefits, debt, employment, housing, relationships and immigration.

We use our knowledge about our clients’ problems to identify trends and campaign to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives.

We have specialist services including money advice, welfare rights, and energy advice, Help to Claim and Pension Wise service. 

Our local service has over 100 trained volunteers and paid staff.  We deal with over 15,000 clients each year, via face to face interviews, over the telephone and through email & webchat.

Our aim is to provide “impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities”, irrespective of who they are and what background they are from. We encourage all staff and volunteers to welcome diversity, to respect the individuality of each person and value their contributions.

Everyone that uses or needs our service needs to know that we are free, impartial, confidential and independent. We want people to feel comfortable using our service, know that they can get advice when they need it and receive a good service that meets their needs.

What does a trustee have to do?

• Complete an induction.
• Gain and maintain an awareness of how Citizens Advice Cheshire West operates.
• Read papers for Board meetings and attend 7 meetings per year.
• Be willing to work on projects with other trustees and/or paid staff.
• Attend 1 Trustee Development Day per year.
• Take an active discussion during board meetings and work with other trustees to: 
• set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of Citizens Advice Cheshire West;
• Make a positive impact for local people by ensuring Citizens Advice Cheshire West is sustainable and able to meet the needs of the community;
• Build relationships with staff, volunteers and other trustees;
• seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community;
• ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers; and 
• review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement.
• monitor the financial position ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, ensuring that there are clear lines of accountability for day to day financial management;
• ensure that all the finances and supporting financial control systems are in order including that full financial records are kept for all transactions, that money is only spent for the purpose given, and that proper financial controls are in place to safeguard the organisation’s resources;

How much time do you need to give?

• There are at least 5 two-hour Trustee Board meetings per year, usually held between 5pm and 7pm.
• 1 day per year to attend a Trustee Board Development Day.
• Trustees may be asked to attend additional meetings from time to time, including during office hours.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like to discuss flexibility and how we can support you, please contact us. 

Contact details

If you would like to discuss the role further please contact Nicki Berg, Head of People:

To apply 

To apply, please download and complete our application form on our website.

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.

The Millennium Point Charitable Trust invests in projects, events and initiatives that support the growth of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in Birmingham and across the West Midlands. With profits generated by the commercial activity at Millennium Point, a landmark public building and multi-award-winning venue in Birmingham city centre owned and operated by the Trust, over £40-million has now been re-invested into the region.

Our mission as a charitable trust is to advance education for the public benefit, with a particular focus on the industrial and technological processes that shape the modern world. This includes areas such as  Space Research, AI, Robotics, Life Sciences and to help the next generation to gain the qualifications and skills to equip them for whatever as-yet unknown career opportunities may present themselves. We are delighted to work with established partners including Birmingham City University and Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum in advancing our cause.

Millennium Point Trust are proud to support a wide range of students and young people through various activities, including providing bursaries, collaborating and partnering with relevant educational organisations that support development. More information on our work in this area can be found on the Millennium Point website.

The Trust is now seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees for an initial term of three years. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Board, delivering its responsibilities of governance and oversight of the Trust. The Chair will guide and support the Chief Executive Officer in shaping and delivering the Trust’s strategic plan, and where necessary challenge them to ensure the Trust’s financial health and that all operational activities are aligned to its mission and values. 

The Chair of the Board will act as a spokesperson, ambassador and advocate of the Trust to enhance its public profile and develop relationships, embodying the Trust’s values and representing its interests in the wider community, with corporate partners, educational institutions, and funding bodies.  More information on our project and partners can be found here: Case Studies | Millennium Point

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will be required to possess:

• A strong and genuine passion and commitment to the Trust’s mission and values.
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level, with a successful track record of achievement.
• Experience of governance in the charity sector, with experience at Board-level; either as a Board member or in a senior advisory role. 
• A broad knowledge and understanding of the not-for-profit sector, and the current issues effecting it. 
• Financial management expertise and a broad understanding of charity-specific finance issues. 
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to foster and promote a positive and collaborative team-working environment. 

For full details of the requirements of the role, please refer to the Job Description document.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will be required to commit to 2 to 4 days each month, including attendance at quarterly Board meetings and an annual general meeting. The Chair may also be required to attend sub-committee meetings and other meetings or away-days as deemed necessary. 

This role is unremunerated; however, expenses will be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses. The Chair will serve an initial three-year term, renewable for one additional term.

If you are excited by the opportunity to offer strategic leadership and oversight to one of Birmingham’s prominent charitable Trusts, please click on 'How to Apply' for more details.