Home volunteer volunteer roles in ilkley, west yorkshire

Purpose

Young Carers’ Crew is a registered charity (number 1176778) and runs a group which meets to provide emotional and practical support to Young Carers through recreational activities. We give support to local children and young people, who perform a caring role supporting another member of their household. 

Young Carers’ Crew is a small grassroots community group. We are hoping to bring in more people with diverse skills and experience to build sustainability.  

We are looking for Volunteer Trustees with a range of skills, to help steer and direct the organisation. 

The Board of Trustees takes on the ultimate legal and financial responsibility for all the activities of the organisation. They maintain an overview of policy and strategic direction rather than being involved in day-to-day operations. This position will not have any regular contact with the children or the volunteers running the Group activities. 

Role Description 

Volunteer Trustee for Young Carers’ Crew 

Volunteering is an unpaid position. Appropriate out-of-pocket expenses will be re-imbursed.

Location: Most tasks will be home-based.  Meetings will be held in and around Hitchin, Herts.

Hours: Up to 2.5 hours per month for Board meetings. Additional time for position is estimated to be 3 to 4 hours per month.

Reports to: Chair of Board of Trustees for Young Carers’ Crew

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirement: Appointment to these posts is subject to an up-to-date, satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with a check against the barred lists for children and adults.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking to fill these specific positions which are currently available:

• HR lead
• Safeguarding lead
• Fundraising
• Website Development

It is anticipated that the successful applicants will help to define the details of the position.

For all positions the following will be expected:

• Attend Board meetings as arranged. 
• Work as flexibly as may be required, also to carry out any other reasonable duties that may be required from time to time. 

The broad role of the Board of Trustees is summarised below:

• Be committed to the vision, mission and values of the organisation.
• Provide strategic direction, including agreeing and monitoring strategic plans.
• Keep informed of the activities of the organisation and the wider issues that affect its work.
• Ensuring that the work of the organisation is monitored and evaluated.
• Maintain that the organisation complies with its governing documents, e.g. constitution.
• Ensure the organisation complies with current Safeguarding Guidelines and Core Standards set out in the Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2013
• Ensure the organisation operates within the law.
• Safeguard the organisation in making efficient use of resources, in particular that all monies are applied to its objectives, agreed plans and budgets.
• Mitigate and manage the risks to the organisation, volunteers and service users.
• To be accountable to membership, funders and other stakeholders.

Person Specification

Please note all items are essential:

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.

• Ability to work effectively, both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Impartiality and fairness.
• Understanding of and commitment to the organisation’s mission & values.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and well-being of children and young people.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes equality of opportunity and respect for diversity.
• Commitment to continuing learning and training.

Experience

No experience is necessary for a general position on the Board of Trustees, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help the organisation grow and support the young carers.

For more specific positions; it would be highly desirable that you bring some experience in the charity sector, social care or in business development. 

So, for example, we would welcome someone with experience of working in a safeguarding role with young people specifically or from an HR background or someone who can help us raise money for the charity. .

Selection Process 

To ensure equal opportunities in recruitment, we request that all applicants complete the application form provided. A shortlist will be created and suitable applicants will be invited to interview.

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. As a small charity, who has big plans, we can’t do it without the support of volunteers and fundraisers. That’s where you come in.

Help Us Launch Our Postal Donation Project & Secure Business Sponsorship!

Are you a dynamic, results-driven individual with a passion for animal welfare and fundraising? Do you have experience in corporate relationships or securing sponsorships? Join our team and make a significant impact by helping us fund our exciting Postal Donation Project!

As part of our dedicated volunteer team, you’ll play a key role in enabling us to send donation packs to our supporters, who will fill them with preloved items and return them to us for our monthly auctions. But we need your expertise to secure the funding to make this project possible.

What You'll Do:

• Develop a Sponsorship Package: Create a compelling sponsorship proposal that outlines the benefits for businesses to support our project.

• Reach Out to Businesses: Approach local and national businesses for sponsorships, highlighting how their support will make a meaningful difference to our cause.

• Build Relationships: Cultivate strong, long-term partnerships with corporate sponsors, ensuring they feel appreciated and valued for their contribution.

• Collaborate with the Team: Work alongside other team members to ensure the successful execution of the project, including tracking donations and managing logistics.

• Help Us Reach Our Goals: Your efforts will enable us to distribute donation packs to supporters, resulting in more valuable items for our auctions and more funds raised for the animals we care for.

What We’re Looking For:

• Fundraising Experience: Ideally, you’ll have some experience in securing sponsorships or working with corporate donors, or a passion to develop these skills.

• Strong Communication Skills: You’ll be confident in reaching out to businesses and building relationships, whether in person, by phone, or via email.

• Organised and Motivated: You’ll need to stay on top of tasks, follow up on leads, and keep detailed records of your communications with sponsors.

• Team Player: You’ll be working with a small dedicated team, so a collaborative attitude is essential.

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Make a Real Difference: Securing funding can help us grow our Auctions for Animals fundraising potential. .

• Professional Growth: This role is an excellent opportunity to build on your fundraising and corporate relationship skills, while working with a supportive team.

• Flexible Commitment: Work on your own time and from home. We provide all the support you need to succeed.

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons.

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace.

The Personal Assistant role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to:

• Gain experience in the Third Sector.
• Develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Managing organisation of meetings and appointment
• Organising events and conferences
• Managing databases
• Implementing and maintaining procedures and administrative systems
• Liaising with staff
• Miscellaneous tasks to support the team.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• You will need to have good written skills.
• Well-organised, proactive, and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Good time management
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.
• Able to participate at least 12 hours a week (2 days, 6 hours each day)

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours of commitment per week across Monday and Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Benefits: Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote

Say Aphasia is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled volunteer grant writer to join our small but dedicated team. As a proactive member of our charity, you will help secure funding to support people living with Aphasia—a communication disability that affects over 360,000 people across the UK.

Job description:

As our Grant Writer you will be responsible for identifying appropriate grant opportunities, and managing the grant development and proposal process from research to submitting grant applications with any supporting documents.

As our grant writer, you will:

• Identify appropriate sources of funding where we fit their criteria. 

• Write appropriately tailored grant/funding bids that meet funders’ interests and requirements and to write any additional documents in support of funding bids.

• Help develop a Trusts and Foundations strategy to help create and maintain strong and diverse income that meets Say Aphasia’s funding needs.

• Create a calendar of grant deadlines and track submitted funding proposals.

• Help us develop a case for support.

• The bid writer will receive a percentage from successful funding received from their submitted applications.

If you are an experienced grant writer or you just enjoy researching and persuasive writing then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a someone who has:

• Experience of being a grant writer, project proposal writer, marketing, or nonprofit development.

• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential.

• Creative and persuasive written and spoken communication skills. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to inspire and engage diverse audiences.

• Self-motivated and highly-organised.

• Ability to work remotely.

• Ability to search online databases and other sources to identify appropriate funds.

• An understanding of how grant funding works, and the variety of requirements from different Trusts and Foundations.

• Ability to organise your own work, track and report back regularly. 

• Ideally have a good network of people, organisations and charities which can help us to support our projects.

• Determination to get the job done.

You would be working closely with the charity’s Service Manager, with regular updates and remote meetings as needed. We have an induction process that will help successful applicants to understand how our charity operates. We would like to offer the volunteer a commission on successful grant applications. 

Job description

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

Quilombo UK is looking for Legal Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole.

Quilombo UK is looking to recruit a Legal Assistant who helps organization in various legal matters.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. This will further help you to develop your professional development programme (PDP). Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• We are looking for an experienced lawyer to assist the organisation in overlooking projects, ensuring they are compliant with relevant and up to date legislation and regulations.
• The legal assistant will be responsible for making sure all contracts, legislations and documents are treated within correct legal standards. They are to make sure that all activities are being performed in line with contracts and the law.
• The Legal Assistant will work closely with the HR department in overlooking the volunteer forms, legislations and documents. They should also assist the different departments within the organisation(Marketing, Funding, HR, Finance) in upholding the legal requirements needed to run the tasks that they do.
• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• Well-organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Excellent researching skills
• Reading and report writing skills
• You will need to be an experienced lawyer or have a good legal understanding.
• You will be respectful of the confidentiality of the organisation.
• You will need to help deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organisation.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management & communication skills.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Can work without much supervision

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday to Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Legal Secretary: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Charity Trustee

You and Me Counselling are currently recruiting volunteer trustees to complement the committee members already in their role.

This is a home working role and will be for immediate start.

Our charity

You and Me Counselling is a charitable organisation established in 2011. We are a counselling and psychotherapy service based in Hornchurch, Essex that works with children, young people, adults, and their families in the boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. Our counsellors and therapists work both within schools and from our counselling rooms located in Hornchurch and Ilford.

You and Me Counselling are an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). This means we are fully governed by the BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

Job Description

As a trustee you will need to:

• Acknowledge emails at least once a day.
• Give a minimum of one hour per week to the role.
• Attend quarterly trustee meetings online.
• Ensure that You and Me Counselling pursues its stated objectives
• Ensure there is regular review of changes that might affect the organisation (political, financial, demographic, etc.)
• Ensure that the charity complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Monitor finance to ensure that the charity applies its resources exclusively for its charitable objectives.
• Uphold the good name and values of You and Me Counselling.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Supervise, support and appraise the chief executive officer.
• Hold the chief executive officer to account for the management and administration of the charity.
• Ensure that the organisation acts in accordance with employment law and exercises a duty of care to its employees.
• Identify major risks to the organisation and put systems in place to mitigate or minimise the risks.
• Ensure that the organisation has a governance structure that is appropriate to a charity of its size/complexity, stage of development, and its charitable objectives
• Regularly review your own training needs and create an expectation of continuous professional development throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that trustees have an agreed code of conduct and comply with it, and that there are mechanisms for the removal of trustees who do not abide by the principles stated therein.

Person Specifications

All trustees should demonstrate the following skills and values:

• A commitment to the organisation.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An ability to think creatively.
• A willingness to speak their mind.
• An understanding and acceptance of their legal duties and responsibilities as a trustee
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data.

Specific Skills

The ideal candidate would have one of more of the following:

• Experience in charity law and governance
• Experience in charity fundraising
• Knowledge of counselling or psychotherapy (as a therapist or client)
• Experience in accounting or financial management
• Experience in business development
• Experience in social media or marketing
• A parent of a young person who has experience of mental health issues

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 250 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated nearly 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for a new Trustee with a veterinary background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board. Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with clinical governance, particularly regarding compliance, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. As a young charity we still need practical, hands-on support from time-to-time from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role. Being a trustee can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, offering opportunities to help shape the future direction of the charity, enhance the lives of people in our local communities and gain valuable satisfaction of contributing to an effective and ambitious growing charity.

Role Description:

The Clinical Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s clinical governance for the benefit of the animal patient and the client owner. Practical guidance will be provided to enable StreetVet to help all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to understand clinical governance, whether they are in clinical practice, or not.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

• Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings)

• Act as a conduit for clinical governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Clinical Director.

• Meet with Clinical Director quarterly. 

• Ensure volunteers are familiar and coherent with the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons Clinical Governance Code and VMD requirements. 

• Keep up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and new developments relevant to the area of work. 

• Reflect upon the charity’s performance, making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Critically analyse the evidence base for procedures used and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with other members of the StreetVet team and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with clients and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Have clear protocols in place to ensure all staff are familiar with procedures for ensuring patient safety. 

• Communicate changes in procedure to the whole practice team. 
   

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience  

• A thorough understanding of the veterinary sector. 

• Knowledge of veterinary care within the charity sector would be beneficial. 

• Must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 

• Ability to advise and recommend clinical governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of RCVS code of conduct and VMD requirements.

• Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills

 Input and Time Commitment:  

• A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected. 

• Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

• Attend at least one outreach a year. 

• Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours. 

• Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees are to ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully. 

• Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London. 

• Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London. 

• Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

 
Personal Attributes: 

• Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation

• Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

• An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making 

• Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role 

• Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team 

• Up-to-date IT and digital skills to facilitate collaborative and remote working 

Potential Trustees must confirm that they are not disqualified under the automatic disqualification rules details on the government website - weblink included in the role description. 

Applications close: 31st July 2025. 

Join Design in Mental Health Network as a Trustee and help shape the future of mental health environments. Provide strategic guidance, support innovation, champion co-production, and ensure our work delivers real-world impact through inclusive, evidence-based design.

About DiMHN:

The Design in Mental Health Network (DiMHN) is a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming mental health environments through inclusive, evidence-based design. Our network brings together professionals from healthcare, design, policy, and lived experience to improve mental health outcomes and create spaces that promote dignity, safety, and healing.

Role Overview:

As a Trustee, you will help guide the strategic direction of DiMHN, ensure effective governance, and champion our values. Trustees are expected to provide strategic oversight and contribute expertise to subgroups or advisory functions.

Why Join Us

Joining the Board of DiMHN presents an opportunity to shape the future of mental health environments across the UK and beyond.

You’ll be part of a passionate, forward-thinking community working at the intersection of design, care, and lived experience. 

As a Trustee, you’ll:

• Shape strategic direction to drive meaningful change in mental health environments across the UK and beyond.

• Collaborate with a diverse network of leaders, experts, and lived experience advocates, influencing the future of mental health design.

• Provide governance and oversight that ensures the charity’s growth, sustainability, and impact.

• Champion inclusivity by elevating voices often excluded from design and decision-making processes

• Influence policy, standards, and innovation at national and international levels to embed evidence-based design in mental health care.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for people who believe in the power of design to change lives. Whether you come from healthcare, design, research, lived experience, or another walk of life, if you’re motivated by the idea of creating more inclusive, compassionate mental health environments, we want to hear from you.

We have two Trustee vacancies and warmly welcome applications from both first-time trustees and those with previous board experience. 

We value fresh perspectives and offer support to help you thrive in the role. We are especially interested in individuals who can bring insight in one or more of the following areas:

• Mental Health Services & Policy: Clinical, community, lived experience, commissioning, or estates, facilities and planning.

• Digital Health & Technology: Expertise in AI, immersive tech, digital platforms, or digital strategy in care settings.

• Finance & Commercial Strategy: Income generation, business development, or financial planning in health, social impact, or design sectors.

• Research & Evaluation: Academic or applied research, impact measurement, or policy analysis.

We’re also looking for Trustees who embody our values:

At DiMHN, our work is grounded in our core values. We’re looking for Trustees who reflect these values through both mindset and action:

Be Courageous – You’re willing to ask challenging questions, confront assumptions, and help push boundaries to make mental health spaces more inclusive and compassionate.

Empathy in Design – You understand that good design starts with empathy. Whether through lived experience or professional perspective, you value collaboration and co-production with those who access mental health care and support.

Evidence-Led, Impact-Driven – You’re curious, reflective, and motivated by real-world change. You use evidence to guide decisions and are focused on outcomes that make a difference.

Improve Together – You believe in learning together. You’re generous with your skills and committed to helping the DiMHN and the wider sector grow stronger through collective action.

Your internship role within Concordis will be shaped by what is happening on Concordis programmes during the six months you spend with the organisation and by your interests, experience and abilities.  As a team, we rely on each member to contribute their skills to our work and we will look to make the most of what you have to offer, while at the same time giving you opportunities to develop new skills and to challenge yourself.

You may be asked to carry out research and analysis into countries in which we are active, guided by our research managers and following our research methodology.  Your role may include assisting with the development of project proposals, monitoring international news outlets and researching potential new project areas.  You may be asked to help with monitoring and evaluating our programmes, working with the programme managers and programme officers to understand and capture results from our programme activities.

You may also be required to give practical, logistical and administrative support to the programme team to which you are allocated, including helping to set up data collection systems, analysing the data collected, preparing and sharing reports, liaising with project partners, preparing for dialogue or training sessions, translating peacebuilding material and taking notes at internal and external meetings.

You will attend team meetings and programme update meetings where you will hear from the Director of Programmes and other members of the programme teams, giving you the chance to understand what is happening on the programmes and to ask questions about any aspect of peacebuilding. 

You will be asked to research sources of funding and may be involved in drafting applications for funding, including generating ideas for new programmes that meet the needs of communities and donors.

You may be required to attend external meetings, seminars and conferences and to contribute to website and social media content.  You will be given opportunities and time to attend virtual training on peacebuilding and related topics.  You will be asked to be part of the Security Monitoring rota whereby we take turns to track the movements of the in-field staff.  This does include occasional essential weekend working.

You may also be asked to assist with HR processes such as evaluating applicant CVs and be given the opportunity to attend interviews as an observer/interviewer.

The internships are designed to give you concrete experience in research, programme management and funding within the international development sector. 

The role will require you to work virtually with our UK team, with programme teams in one or more of the countries in which Concordis operates and with your fellow interns.  If you live in or are visiting London, we will be delighted to welcome you to join some team meetings in person.

Join us and help lead change for anyone affected by ME.

Can you help us deliver our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME by becoming a new Trustee on our Board?

With the recent launch of the UK Government Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, and some critical research partnerships on the horizon, now is an exciting time to join us and play a pivotal role in our work to secure a better future for people with ME.

As a Trustee, you will have a vital role within Action for ME, establishing a clear and shared vision, setting policies and acting in the best interests of Action for ME and people with ME. We are particularly looking for people who bring: Scientific and/or research expertise; healthcare and/or information, support and advocacy experience; Policy experience at local or national level; Communications and/or marketing expertise.

If you have experience in any of these areas and share our ambition for a better future for people with ME, we want to hear from you.

Trustee - Role Description

Duties of a Trustee are as follows:

• To ensure that Action for ME complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association,charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• To ensure that Action for ME pursues its charitable objects as defined in its Memorandum of Association
• To ensure Action for ME applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role in establishing a clear and sharedvision for Action for ME, giving firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against the agreed targets
• To act in the interests of Action for ME and for people with ME in general
• To safeguard the good name and values of Action for METo ensure the effective and efficient administration of Action for ME
• To ensure the financial stability of Action for ME
• To protect and manage the property of Action for ME and to ensure the proper investment of charity funds
• To appoint the Chief Executive and to monitor his or her performance and determine his or her remuneration.
• In addition to the above statutory duties of all Trustees, each Trustee should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions
• To represent Action for ME as appropriate.

Time Commitment:
The time commitment expected of a Trustee is approximately six days per annum, including an AGM, preparing for and attending Board meetings, and involvement in at least one of the sub-committees: Audit, Finance & Fundraising; Public Affairs & Communications; Research; Healthcare Services; or Remunerations & Nominations.

We hold an away day once every two years. Additional time may be required dependent on circumstances/needs. You will receive a full induction and support upon appointment.

We do ask that Trustees make a commitment to at least one, three-year term of office.

Trustee - Person Specification

All Trustees must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the organisation, its cause and demonstrate an understanding of MEand its impact
• 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 Trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A willingness to participate in at least one sub-committee, as appropriate
• A commitment to working within Action for ME’s values and principles of working,including Nolan’s ‘Seven Principles of Public Life’:

             a. Selflessness
             b. Integrity
             c. Objectivity
             d. Accountability
             e. Openness
             f. Honesty
             g. Leadership.

• Be willing to sign relevant statutory and other forms (eg for opening bank accounts).

Specific requirements:

While we are open to applications from people who meet the person specification, we regularly review the skills and backgrounds of our Board members and are specifically looking for people who bring:

• Scientific and/or research expertise
• Policy experience at local or national level
• Communications and/or marketing expertise.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, please submit:

• Your CV, including all employment/voluntary roles since you left full-time education ensuring any gaps or time out is accounted for and
• A completed ‘Equal opportunities monitoring and information form’ (provided separately)
• A covering letter outlining why you would like to become a Trustee and how you meet the person specification outlined above, including how you meet the specific requirements we are currently looking for.

Please also indicate any reasonable adjustments that you may require to enableus to provide a good recruitment process with you.

You will be informed of the outcome of your application and any potential interviewdates with the Chair, the Chief Executive and another Trustee. We will be invitingpeople for interviews as applications come in and will close recruitment when we fillthe current vacancies.

Equity of access

We strive to ensure equity which includes being as accessible as possible to attract Board members with a diverse range of experience and insight. If you don’t meet the person specification fully, please do consider contacting us for a discussion as youmay be our ideal candidate!

We will consider all requests for reasonable adjustments within the parameters ofensuring Trustees are able to enact their legal responsibilities and accountabilities.

Join Us as a Charity Trustee: Help Shape the Future of Befriending 

Are you passionate about building a more connected society, where no one feels forgotten or alone? 

Befriending Networks, the world’s largest network of befriending projects, is recruiting two trustees to help us champion the vital role of befriending in reducing loneliness and social isolation.

Around 1 in 6 people worldwide experience loneliness. Befriending services respond to this need by matching people in their communities for planned social activities that build meaningful connections.

Befriending Networks supports over 300 member organisations to deliver quality befriending services, through sector-specific training, events, resources, awards and 1:1 support. 

As a Befriending Networks trustee, you will be part of a welcoming and active board that enables befriending services across the UK and beyond to thrive. You will join us at an exciting time, as we begin to deliver our next strategic steps as an organisation. 

Following a recent board skills review, we are seeking two individuals who can offer skills in the following areas: 

• Income generation – This trustee will have an enterprising mindset, with experience of strategic fundraising, working with grantmakers, trusts and foundations or devising corporate sponsorships. Their guidance will help our charity to move into new ways of generating income, allowing us to become more resilient and advance our vision for a society where the importance of meaningful connections is valued. 
   
• Sector influence and advocacy – This trustee will be a great communicator, with a skill for forming and sustaining effective relationships. They will have a broad professional network which might include national or international connections. They may have connections which include the private sector, academia, thinktanks or investors interested in making social impact. Their experience might include research, policy making or campaigning. Their guidance will help us advocate for the befriending sector with greater impact and effectiveness. 

By joining the Befriending Networks board, you will play an integral role in moving our charity forward and helping us champion the impact of befriending on loneliness and isolation.  If you have the skills we’re looking for and are energised by working collaboratively to help organisations (and others) succeed, we’d love to hear from you. 

We are keen to hear from applicants with diverse lived experiences, especially those currently underrepresented in trustee boards. No previous board experience is required and you do not need to meet all requirements listed in the role descriptions to apply. 

Location: Remote/UK-wide (with one in-person meeting in Edinburgh per year) 
Time commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per month. We have 6 board meetings per year (5 online and 1 in-person) 

Applications close: Monday 18th August 2025 

Our Board Executive will review all expressions of interest and will want to set up an online call with applicants to discuss their suitability for the role.