Human resources volunteer roles

Are you passionate about supporting and managing volunteers in a small charity? Our Volunteer Coordinators will recruit, support & develop a team of volunteers, to enhance our work supporting people impacted by a chronic pain condition

What will you be doing?

We are looking for 1 volunteer coordinator to join the coordinators team who will volunteer to support our volunteers in various roles. The volunteer coordinators will 

• Help to recruit, and assure the adequate training of suitable, reliable volunteers
• Co-ordinate the volunteers to ensure that there is always someone available to support all our services 
• Help to create and distribute information regarding volunteer policies and procedures
• Monitor volunteers during their appointments to retain or replace candidates
• Meet with volunteers to assess their progress and satisfaction, as well as to conduct evaluations or skills audits
• Help to assess organisational and programme needs to determine number and range of volunteers needed for particular projects
• Induction of new volunteers
• Maintain regular communication among volunteers and between an organisation and its volunteers, in order to share news, progress, and available positions
• Maintains a database of volunteers and projects and track metrics
• Help to promote the charity and its volunteer accomplishments 
• Set up and arrange any relevant training required for volunteers

What are we looking for?

The Volunteer Co-ordinators role requires proactive and detail orientated individuals with an organised approach and an interest in supporting small charities. They will have good communication skills. The Volunteer Co-ordinators are responsible for the volunteer aspects of Burning Nights CRPS Support to ensure the smooth running of the charity’s services and ensuring that the volunteers are used optimally.

Our Volunteer Co-ordinators are also responsible for ensuring that suitable volunteers have DBS checks where needed and they are adequately trained to do their role working with our Charity Administrator.

Essential

• Experience in volunteering or HR and recruitment
• Managing and supporting volunteers
• Time manage effectively
• Supporting and advising others on policies and procedures
• Ability to motivate and encourage
• Working knowledge of databases
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisation and team building skills

Desirable

• Facilitation and/or training skills
• Personal experience of volunteering

What difference will you make?

You most likely will not have heard of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and you wouldn’t be alone in this! But we see and know first hand the impact it has on those living with it and on those caring for someone with the condition. We know the huge challenges they face even with simply getting a correct diagnosis, let alone the appropriate treatment and relevant support. 

You will join the charity during a challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we can maintain our support services and become a sustainable charity to allow us to fulfil our aims. 

What's in it for the volunteer?

This role is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer with a small but ambitious charity, developing and honing your skills.

You could gain experience in the charity sector, a broader C.V, or a sense of accomplishment from using your skills to help people affected by a very painful condition.

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or the condition. You would have a key role in developing a volunteering team. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.

A few more details

If you don't have the exact experience, but are interested to volunteer with us, please apply! We would be thrilled to find out about how your interests and experience match with our needs or what we are doing. 

This role is done remotely using Zoom, phone and email. You would be working closely with the volunteers and trustees. However we would have regular updates and remote meetings with the Chair and/or Trustees.

We have an induction process to help successful applicant to understand how our Charity operates.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team here at Youth4Youth to drive positive change in all things volunteer engagement. As an entirely volunteer run organisation, positive engagement with volunteers is absolutely fundamental in allowing Youth4Youth to achieve its mission. It is so fundamental that one of our overarching strategic goals is to ensure that all volunteers have a positive and meaningful volunteering experience when working with us. The Volunteer Experience Director will play a critical role in setting strategy and executing solutions to improve the overall volunteer experience. 

Responsibilities 

Short term objectives:

• Define the volunteering proposition for the Charity, helping new and existing volunteers to understand the impact of working with Youth4Youth
• Manage a project to understand gaps in volunteer engagement and experience, generating recommendations back to the ELT
• Develop a volunteer experience strategy that improves engagement and the overall volunteering experience of all involved with Youth4Youth

Overall objectives and responsibilities:

• Lead a team of volunteers who are involved in supporting a positive volunteering experience with the charity
• Develop and execute a volunteer experience strategy that seeks to attract, engage and retain high-quality volunteers into all teams across the charity
• Partner effectively with the broader charity leadership team to understand engagement challenges and implement solutions to close engagement gaps
• Report to the CEO and the Board of Trustees on any strategic progress made around improving volunteer engagement

Skills 

• Ability to manage complex projects, including the direct and indirect management and coordination of people resources
• Ability to understand complex problems and articulate solutions in a clear, concise and understandable manner
• Demonstrable blue-sky thinking that encourages the implementation of new solutions that may not have been considered before
• Ability to influence both with and without authority to drive positive and meaningful change at all levels and across all departments

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Do you want to support a local school in enhancing its outcomes for its students? Do you want to develop your board level experience? Have you got a passion for making a difference in your communities?

As a school governor, you’ll operate at board-level and develop strategic leadership skills and assist in making decisions on a wide range of topics; all while collaboratively improving education within your local community.
We’re currently recruiting volunteers for schools in Spalding to strengthen their governing boards and enhance outcomes of pupils within your communities. If you feel, you want to make a difference within your community, read on for more details about the role of a governor 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 governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role as well as have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand. 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 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 governor as long as you’re over 18 and happy to have a DBS check, you can 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. As a governor, you’ll be supported by the Chair, head teacher and the rest of the governing team.

This vacancy is for a primary school looking to find a governor to sit on their board with experience of SEND and Safeguarding. The school is a small friendly village school set in an old building and embraces the natural environment to ensure the children have a strong relationship with their communities. 

If you’re interested in becoming a school governor, fill out the short application form on our website.

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 Derby 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 Derby 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 Business and Finance. They would ideally like their chair of governors to have had previous experience of being a governor. The school is proud of the outcomes it offers for its children, including use of a forest school, creating life long learners.

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 Derby. 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.

The VP's role is to aid the president with all of their responsibilities in overseeing the chapter. VP might help run the chapter and become responsible for some activities. Helping to coordinate their committee to ensure that all of the needs of the charity are met and the law, constitution and handbook are not broken.

This role is important in order to have a smooth running chapter, so that the magic of our visits are at their full potential! We are searching for a enthusiastic and hard working volunteer to support the President in London!

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to encourage people to join our charity. You’ll organize and run engaging Introduction training sessions to welcome new members. The role involves seeking and managing recruitment opportunities, such as hosting stalls at recruitment fairs and Open Days. You’ll also motivate trainees to complete essential training and attend their first event. We’re looking for a charismatic, organized go-getter with excellent communication skills and a passion for building community.

We are searching for an enthusiastic, hard working volunteer to take on President’s responsibility and oversee the chapter in EXETER. They will run the chapter and ultimately be responsible for activities carried out by committee members and volunteers. The President must coordinate with their committee to ensure that all of the needs of the charity are met and the law, constitution and handbook are not broken.

Being a Trustee

IRMO’s Board of Trustees is made up of six to nine Trustees, who work together to ensure the charity is run properly. As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to support IRMO’s strategic development and oversee its finances. Trustees meet every two months (usually online in the evening) and are asked to commit an additional eight to ten hours between meetings to follow up on actions and provide advice and input on strategic documents and areas of work relevant to their areas of expertise.

General Responsibilities 

• Stay up to date with and assess the political, economic and social contexts that affect IRMO’s work

• Support the development of and approve IRMO’s key strategic documents

• Annually review and approve IRMO’s budget

• Review, update and approve major policies

• Approve salaries, benefits, terms and conditions for staff

• Ensure that IRMO’s financial structure is adequate for its current needs and long-term strategy

• Ensure that the organisation has the necessary resources in place to meet its long-term goals

• Ensure that the Board of Trustees is adequately informed of the condition of the organisation and its operations

• Ensure that published reports adequately reflect the nature of the services and the financial condition of the organisation

• Approve major actions of the organisation, such as capital expenditure over authorised limits and major changes in activities and services 

• Review staff results in relation to IRMO’s aims and objectives, as well as annual and long-term goals

• Appoint, supervise, support, and appraise IRMO’s CEO

• Provide candid and constructive criticism, advice, comments and praise

• Ensure that the CEO has established appropriate policies to define and identify conflicts of interest throughout the organisation and are administering and enforcing those policies

• Appoint independent examiners/auditors subject to approval by members

• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation affecting the organisation

• Annually review the performance of the Board of Trustees and take steps to improve its performance

Person Specification

• Commitment to IRMO’s mission, values and vision

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

• Understanding of the challenges facing small to medium UK charities 

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties 

• Integrity 

• Strategic vision 

• Good, independent judgement

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills

• Personal/professional networks that will enhance IRMO’s positioning

• English (essential), Spanish and/or Portuguese (desirable)

• Knowledge and experience in one of the following areas is also desirable: Corporate and Major Donor Fundraising, HR, Finance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Campaigning and Community Engagement.

Shape the future of anticipatory grief  support in Staffordshire for children and young people – Join us as a trustee 

Hillingdon Women’s Centre is seeking to recruit enthusiastic new Trustees to join our existing Board and actively contribute to the existing strength and growth of the charity!

About

Trustees typically attend monthly board meetings, with occasional activities between meetings. The estimated time commitment is around 2 hours per typical month. New trustees will be supported with induction and access to ongoing training, including safeguarding and governance. We particularly welcome applications from women with lived experience of the issues we work on, and from those connected to the communities we serve in Hillingdon and surrounding boroughs. As a trustee, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of the Centre and ensure we continue to provide vital, trauma-informed support to women in Hillingdon and beyond.

About Hillingdon Women’s Centre

Hillingdon Women’s Centre is a women’s charity based in the London Borough of Hillingdon. For almost 40 years, we have been supporting the needs of women in our community. We provide access to services and work with women to help them overcome barriers in their lives and thrive. We are a proudly feminist, safe, and women-only space, inclusive of all women.

We are passionate about gender equality and ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Our services are client-led; we listen, provide information, and enable women to make their own choices and take control of their lives.

Purpose of the Trustee role: 

Trustees have independent control over, and legal responsibility for, a charity’s management and administration. As such, they are required to:
 

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for public benefit

• Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law

• Act in the charity’s best interests

• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly

• Act with reasonable care and skill

• Ensure the charity complies with statutory accounting and reporting requirements

Key Trustee responsibilities: 

• Definition and review of a strategy/business plan for the charity in line with its objectives

• Set and maintain the vision, mission and values.

• Definition and review of charity policies and procedures

• Review and management of risks

• Attendance at board meetings, including the AGM

• Recruitment and management of the Centre Manager

• Review of financial processes and accounting

• General oversight and management of the charity premises

• Generation of funding for the charity, i.e. completion of grant applications, execution of fundraising activities, securing donors and ambassadors for the charity

• Promotion of the charity externally

We’re particularly seeking individuals with expertise in:

• Fundraising and income generation (e.g. donor engagement, campaign development, marketing strategy)

• Financial audit and compliance

• HR and people management

• External/public affairs and advocacy

• Governance and charity finance

• Strategic thinking and change management

• Lived experience of domestic abuse or connection to the communities we serve

Person Specification

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate:

• Integrity

• Strategic thinking and the ability to see the bigger picture

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of a Trustee

• Willingness to devote the time and effort to the role

• Good independent judgement and creative thinking

• Ability to constructively contribute to conversations

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

We are committed to creating a board that reflects the diversity of our community. If you have access needs or require support with the application process, please let us know.
 

How to apply

• Please send a short expression of interest and your CV 

• If you’d like to have an informal conversation before applying, we’d be happy to arrange a chat.

• Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone with transferable experience and a passion for our mission, we would welcome your application. If you’re passionate about gender equality and want to help shape the future of HWC, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note: This is a voluntary role, open to local female UK residents only. This is to ensure compliance with governance, legal, and operational requirements relevant to our charity’s work. 

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.

Can you help shape the future of The Pony Club?

Join our Board of Trustees and play a vital role in guiding the organisation and supporting the delivery of our ambitious 2026-2030 strategy, continuing to nurture the next generation of equestrians.

The Pony Club is a voluntary youth organisation where young people develop, learn, and grow through engagement with horses. Founded in 1929, we are proud to be planning our centenary celebrations while expanding an inclusive community of over 30,000 members, supported by around 10,000 volunteers.

Our Vision is to provide everyone with the opportunity to develop a lifelong love of horses through fun, friendship, horsemanship and sport.

Our Charitable Purpose has three strands:

• To promote and advance the education and understanding of the public, particularly children and young people, in all matters relating to horsemanship and the horse.
• To encourage the development of sportsmanship, unlocking potential by building resilience, confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• To support and develop the volunteering network to strengthen The Pony Club community and sustain lifelong engagement with equestrianism.

Our purpose and strategy are underpinned by organisational foundations: strong governance, digital innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, ensuring The Pony Club remains resilient, responsible, and equipped for the future.

We are seeking to appoint one or more Trustees for the period commencing 1st January 2026 to replace those due to retire and to strengthen our existing Board of eight Trustees. We welcome applications from individuals who share our Vision and are eager to help deliver The Pony Club’s charitable purpose and ambitious 2026–2030 strategy.

We are especially interested in Trustees who can bring a variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives, including expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Qualities and Experience

• Governance and compliance – previous experience in charity governance, risk management, or legal frameworks
• Finance and business management – including financial planning, reporting, or HR expertise
• Digital innovation and IT – experience leading digital transformation, platforms, or technology initiatives
• Marketing, communications, and brand strategy – including digital and social media campaigns
• Membership and volunteer-led organisations – experience supporting, contributing to, or leading volunteer or membership-based groups
• Equestrian knowledge – understanding of the equestrian sector and horse welfare
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion – ability to enhance the Board’s inclusivity and reach

Expectations of Trustees

• Pony Club Trustees are elected for an initial term of three years and may offer themselves for re-election for further three-year terms, up to a maximum of nine years.
• The Board of Trustees meets six times a year, a mix of virtual and in-person meetings.
• Trustees may be invited to attend Pony Club events such as the Championships, the Pony Club Conference, and Trustee away days.
• New Trustees will attend an induction at The Pony Club Office in Warwickshire and are expected to complete NCVO Charity Trustee Induction Training if new to the role of Trustee.
• The role is voluntary, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Role of Trustees

• To contribute to the effective and efficient governance of The Pony Club.
• To play a vital role in delivering The Pony Club’s 2026-2030 strategy, ensuring strong governance and long-term sustainability.
• To bring skills, knowledge, and experience that strengthen decision-making and strategic implementation.
• To act as an ambassador for The Pony Club, promoting its values and representing the organisation as required.

Deadline for applications: 7th November 2025

Are you looking for a skilled volunteering opportunity to support your career progression? Do you have a passion for improving outcomes for all children? Could you use your professional skills to help shape the future of education?

As a school governor, you’ll operate at board-level and develop strategic leadership skills and assist in making decisions on a wide range of topics; all while collaboratively improving education within your local community.
We’re currently recruiting volunteers for schools in Eastbourne to strengthen their governing boards and enhance outcomes of pupils within your communities. If you feel, you want to make a difference within your community, read on for more details about the role of a governor 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 governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role as well as have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand. 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 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 governor as long as you’re over 18 and happy to have a DBS check, you can 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. As a governor, you’ll be supported by the Chair, head teacher and the rest of the governing team.

This vacancy is for an alternative provision looking to find a governor to sit on their board who is passionate about making a difference. The school is passionate about offering young people the chance to realise their unique talents and potential. 

If you’re interested in becoming a school governor, fill out the short application form on our website.

​Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.