Information officer volunteer roles in crook, county durham

Join Our Board of Trustees and Help Drive Positive Change!

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives? Do you thrive in a team environment and want to give back to the community where you live, work, or study?

We are a local charity dedicated to providing social welfare advice, information, and support through our incredible team of staff and volunteers. We are now seeking two new Trustees to join our board and help guide our organisation forward.

Last year, we:

✅ Assisted over 15,000 clients in finding solutions to their challenges

✅ Addressed over 37,000 separate issues for those in need

✅ Secured nearly £2 million in additional income to support people during the cost-of-living crisis

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities across Cheshire West—your age, background, origins, or health conditions are not barriers. We actively seek diverse perspectives to better serve our community.

We are particularly interested in individuals with:

�� Experience in digital and AI solutions implementation
�� Expertise in volunteer engagement
�� A strong commitment to our mission, enthusiasm, and a supportive approach

However we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, skills and experience including lived experience.

What’s Involved?

As a Trustee, you will:

�� Attend at least five board meetings per year (in-person and remote, often in the evenings)

��Participate in one annual trustee development day

��Have opportunities for further involvement in shaping our work

This is a voluntary role, but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Volunteering does not affect state benefit entitlement.

If you’re ready to play a key role in shaping the future of our organisation, we’d love to hear from you! 

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

As a Data Protection Officer (DPO), you will be responsible for ensuring that Roots Academy complies with data protection laws and best practices. You will oversee data security policies, advise on compliance matters, and support teams in handling personal data responsibly. Your role is key in ensuring the organisation meets legal requirements and protects sensitive information.

Key tasks

• Compliance & Advisory
  • Ensure compliance with data protection regulations, including GDPR and other relevant laws.
  • Advise the Governance Lead and wider team on data protection policies and best practices.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for data protection queries and external regulators if required.
• Policy & Process Development
  • Develop and maintain data protection policies, privacy notices, and consent forms.
  • Ensure policies align with legal requirements and organisational needs.
  • Regularly review and update policies in response to regulatory changes.
• Training & Awareness
  • Provide training sessions for staff and volunteers on data protection principles and responsibilities.
  • Raise awareness about data security risks and how to mitigate them.
  • Develop guidance materials for teams handling personal data.
• Data Security & Risk Management
  • Support the organisation in identifying and mitigating data protection risks.
  • Conduct regular audits to assess data handling processes and compliance.
  • Assist teams in responding to data breaches, ensuring proper reporting and corrective actions.
• Record-Keeping & Documentation
  • Maintain records of data processing activities and ensure they are up to date.
  • Assist with data subject requests (e.g., access, rectification, and deletion requests).
  • Work with relevant teams to ensure secure data storage and handling.
• Third-Party Management
  • Assess and monitor the data protection practices of suppliers, contractors, and external partners.
  • Review contracts with third-party vendors to ensure appropriate data processing clauses and agreements are in place.
  • Work with legal and procurement teams to ensure compliance with GDPR and organisational policies when engaging external providers.

What we’re looking for

• Knowledge of data protection laws, particularly GDPR.
• Experience in data compliance, governance, or legal advisory roles.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate complex regulations in an accessible manner.
• Experience with risk management and security best practices (desirable but not essential).

What we have to offer

• Be part of a dedicated team of 90+ volunteers across the UK.
• Contribute to a growing organisation that educates and empowers the Muslim community.
• Access to in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.
• Receive continuous rewards for facilitating Islamic education through Roots Academy.

Please note: This is an unpaid volunteer position. Volunteers can claim expenses for food, travel, and equipment in line with the Expenses Policy.

We are looking for a lively dynamic individual to promote the activities of Sussex Area Ramblers by regular communications with members and engaging with local media by producing press releases and responding to enquiries. 

The main purposes of the role are (1) to maintain regular communications with Sussex Area Ramblers’ members by producing articles for the Area Website and sending email communications to keep members up to date with Area activities, including developing a social media strategy and (2) to communicate (together where necessary with Ramblers' Central Office) with media in the Area, including by way of proactive press releases, and deal with media enquiries, to ensure that the activities and charitable role of the Sussex Ramblers are given a high profile

EQUAL AQUA is an award-winning NGO providing equal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Uganda. Equal Aqua is managed by an international team of volunteers, based mainly in the UK and Uganda. Our mission is to tackle inequalities in access to WASH by providing safe and sustainable WASH facilities and services to those that need it most.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: We are recruiting a new Communications Manager in order to build awareness around WASH inequality, grow EAU's presence and income generation, and ultimately enable us to reach more communities and transform more lives.

• Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of an external and internal communications strategy to drive the strategy, vision and values of EAU;
• Oversee public communications channels, including social media and websites, working closely with the fundraising and programmes team to improve communication between stakeholders;
• Lead EAU's monthly newelstter to key stakeholders
• Oversee production of EAU’s Annual Report, raising awareness of WASH inequality and generating income for EAU.
• Build and maintain relationships with key partners and important contacts;

ABOUT: ‘Equal Aqua’ is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in the UK; it operates equally and in unison with ‘Equal Aqua Uganda’, a registered Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Uganda (‘EAU’ refers to both).

Our Vision: To become a leading organisation in Uganda in addressing inequalities in WASH, and interrelated issues of gender and sustainability

Our Mission: We will achieve this by working with partners and local communities to develop the required skills, knowledge and practical interventions 

Objectives:

• To improve access to safe and sustainable WASH for those facing the greatest inequalities in Uganda
• To strengthen the participation of local communities in WASH, in particular women and girls, and displaced peoples
• To take action to protect the natural environment, reduce pollution and tackle climate change

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 32,866 people with improved access to safe water
• 11,044 people with improved sanitation
• 11,755 people with improved WASH knowledge and skills
• 3,877 people with improved menstrual hygiene knowledge
• British High Commission award winner

VALUES: At Equal Aqua we champion bottom-up grassroots development. To make this possible, we have created a proactive and friendly environment, which strives to create practical and lasting solutions to WASH-related issues. Each member of Equal Aqua is passionate about WASH inequalities, and our values are a central basis for inspiration and the culture of the organisation.

Submit a CV and a cover letter to express your interest.

Those who submit their CV will be considered and will be invited to an informal insight event towards Janunary 2025 before interviews occur.

What does a Trustee do! 

A Trustee’s role is to act in the best interests of the organization. They are accountable for the organization’s finances, legal affairs, overall performance, and serious arising issues. Trustees must ensure that executives align with the organization’s purpose and mission, acting in ways that advance these goals and uphold the organization’s values. Statutory duties include ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, safeguarding assets, and maintaining accurate financial records.

Commitment

Each Trustee will attend Trustee meetings on a regular basis, a Trustee may also be appointed as a Co Chair and into other roles such as Treasurer and Secretary, and also may join a committee.

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation with the aim to become a CIO soon. We use a research-led approach promote and further the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work and research. We promote and empower change.

What we are looking for!

We are looking to appoint experienced Trustees with a background in one or more of the following areas: finance, law, academia, research, leadership, youth sector, policy, education, social action, human rights, issues facing young people and fundraising.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for Trustees to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. 

​What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to join us. By being a Trustee with us you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Sheila McKechnie.Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive. In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen. For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners. We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

The Chair will hold the Board and staff team to account for SMK’s mission and vision, provide inclusive leadership to the Board and ensure that Board members fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of SMK. The Chair will line manage and support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the Chief Executive and staff team to achieve agreed objectives. They may also be asked to act as an ambassador and a public face of SMK in partnership with the Chief Executive and the Board.

For further information, see our website and the recruitment pack. 

Are you passionate about standing in support of a fairer, more compassionate system for refugees - and want to be a part of making real, lasting change?

SolidariTee is inviting new volunteers to join our regional and central teams for the 2025/26 academic year!

Whether you're a current student, have recently graduated, on a year abroad, or you’re a self-identifying young person who didn’t go to university, we want to hear from you! We offer a range of flexible, meaningful roles (some remote and some in-person) where you can gain skills, build confidence, and help create real change.

Our current opportunities include:

Regional Teams:

• Team Lead
• Team Member

Central Teams:

• Events Officer
• Partnerships Officer (remote)
• Social Media Publicity Officer (remote)
• Social Media Digital Education Officer (remote)
• T-shirts and Logistics Officer

You can find full role descriptions and more information in our recruitment pack.

Who are SolidariTee?

SolidariTee is an entirely volunteer-run movement led by students and self-identifying young people who share a commitment to standing in solidarity with displaced people.

We support refugees and asylum seekers through advocacy, awareness-raising, and fundraising to provide grants to NGOs in Greece delivering vital legal aid and psychological support. We believe in the power of grassroots action - and in the ability of young people to drive real, systemic change.

Who are we looking for?

• Our applications are primarily designed for current students and self-identifying young people, but we warmly welcome recent graduates to apply too.
• You don’t need any prior experience to volunteer with SolidariTee - just passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Our goal is to empower individuals to develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to make a tangible difference.

Volunteering with SolidariTee is a chance to:

• Build leadership, advocacy, teamwork, and event organisation skills.
• Join an international community which supports and upholds the rights of all those forced to flee their homes globally.

Our commitment to inclusivity

• We don’t want anyone to feel excluded from supporting a cause they care about, which is why we offer a range of roles with different levels of commitment - more details can be found in the role descriptions.
• We are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible volunteering community. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during (or beyond) the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to contact us - there is also a space to disclose this in the application form.
• We especially encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of displacement.

The Breastfeeding Network's services are essential for both families and reducing pressure on health services. We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure we can meet increased demand.

About The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is the leading charity providing infant feeding and breastfeeding information and support that women and families trust at one of the most vulnerable points on their parenting journeys.

We work across the UK and aid women and families to feel supported in their feeding choices and are able to breastfeed for as long as they choose. 

What will you be doing?

BfN is the leading charity providing infant feeding and breastfeeding information and support that women and families trust at one of the most vulnerable points on their parenting journeys. We work across the UK and support women and families to feel supported in their feeding choices and are able to breastfeed for as long as they choose. BfN is a Scottish registered charity and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered at Companies House. 

The Treasurer will work closely with the Finance and Systems Manager and CEO to provide effective leadership on the financial good governance and resilience of BfN. 

 Main duties and tasks

The Treasurer has specific key responsibilities relating to their financial knowledge and experience. These include inputting technical expertise and overseeing where appropriate:

· Budgeting, financial control and reporting; 

· Fraud risk reduction;

· Management of deposits and investments; 

· Contract review and management including potential VAT implications;

· Meaningful reporting to the Directors, regulators and high value/ risk donors; 

· Appointment and management of the auditors; 

· Managing short and long term cash flow and reserves policy; 

· Cost recovery of core expenditure needs; 

· Accounting systems, policies and records 

The Treasurer will also help the full Board to understand and consider the financial implications of significant decisions.

The Treasurer will be one of the counter-signatories for online banking and applications to high value funders. 

For full details, please request the candidate pack from the TrusteeWorks team at the email address provided.

This is a remote opportunity.

What are we looking for?

The successful candidate will have a background as a chartered accountant, with experience of risk and strategy. An experience of working with public sector or charities and an understanding of charity finance will be desirable.

Essential

Qualified accountant with hands on experience of managing the finances of an organisation (or equivalent level, Qualified by experience)

Understanding of charity and/ or public sector finances or chartered / management accountant, ready, and able to proactively gain the understanding and insight on charity and public sector finance required for this role

Basic IT skills relevant to the requirements of the role

Hands on experience of governance in a charity or comparable resource-constrained organisation

Experience of managing relationships with auditors and regulators

Strong affinity with and commitment to the work of BfN

Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to a board and other stakeholders

Understanding and commitment to undertake governance and legal duties, including Treasurer responsibilities in particular

Availability to attend Board, FAR and other required meetings, in person or virtual – dates agreed by consultation in advance

Ready, willing and able to provide ad hoc advisory input as required to the Finance and Systems Manager, CEO, FAR, Chair and wider Board by email and attend remote meetings with BfN        

Desirable

Hands on experience of managing or auditing a charity’s finance

Knowledge / experience of the charity SORP

Experience of contributing to business planning

Knowledge of the infant feeding, early years, health or similar sectors

What Difference will you make?

By contributing to a charity that achieves phenomenal impact for women and families, you will have a rewarding opportunity to apply your skills and experience in accounting and finance, for good. You will know that your expertise and insight can really support in an increasingly challenging operating climate, for charities as a whole, not least in the health and social care sector.

Becoming a Director of BfN you will join a charity which is trusted by healthcare professionals and parents alike for the consistent quality of the services we run through mums and parents who have breastfed themselves. You will know the charity makes a difference and has a track-record of effective management and governance.

Time Commitment

Hours: Anticipated to be between two and two-and-a-half days per month.

Deadline: 9am, Monday 12th May 2025

Thyroid UK is a small UK charity with a very wide reach and even bigger ambitions. Since 1998 we have become a leading source of support and information for many thousands of people seeking help with their thyroid condition each year.

As an Independent Examiner for Thyroid UK, you will review our accounting records and annual accounts to ensure they are accurate, comply with legal requirements, and provide an independent assurance to trustees and stakeholders that the charity's money is properly accounted for. 

Job Description:

Overview:

• The Independent Examiner plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust and confidence in charities by providing an independent scrutiny of their financial records. 
• The examiner's responsibilities include reviewing accounting records, comparing them with the annual accounts, and reporting any concerns to the charity trustees. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Review Accounting Records:

Examine the charity's accounting records to ensure they are properly maintained and support the annual accounts. 

• Compare Accounts with Records:

Verify that the annual accounts accurately reflect the financial position of the charity as shown in the accounting records. 

• Consider Unusual Items:

Identify and seek explanations for any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. 

• Assess Compliance:

Determine whether the accounts comply with relevant legal requirements and accounting standards, including the Charities Act 2011. 

• Prepare Examiner's Report:

Prepare a report for the charity trustees outlining the findings of the examination, including any matters of concern or material significance. 

• Maintain Independence:

Ensure that the examination is conducted independently of the charity's management and administration. 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Financial Awareness and Numeracy: 

Must be appropriately qualified in matters of accounting and financial administration. 

• Understanding of Charity Accounting: 

Should have experience of working with small charities, plus knowledge of charity accounting principles and regulations. 

• Analytical Skills: 

Must be able to analyse financial data and identify potential issues. 

• Communication Skills: 

Should have the ability to clearly and concisely communicate findings and recommendations to the charity trustees. 

• IT Skills: 

Must be familiar with Xero or similar cloud based accounting software.

Reporting:

• The Independent Examiner's report will be submitted to the Charity Commission along with the charity's annual accounts. 
• The report should clearly state whether the examiner has reasonable cause to believe that:
  • Proper accounting records were not kept. 
  • The accounts do not accord with the accounting records. 
  • If accruals accounts were prepared, they do not comply with the legal requirements and the applicable SORP. 

Location: The examination can be done remotely.  Our office is based in Frating, Colchester, Essex.

Closing Date: End of August 2025. Thyroid UK reserves the right to close for applications at any time should the position be filled.

Start Date: ASAP

Why we want you

Prison in reach volunteers support members of the Armed Forces community who are in prison. They make a real difference by providing essential support during these incredibly difficult times.

Our volunteers work closely with veterans in custody support officers, attending veteran forums, and offering one to one support, including making applications for financial assistance. We also connect clients with organisations, to help support pathways for positive change.

Come and join our team! We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

We are keen to increase volunteer diversity, especially from under-represented groups such as young people, those of working age and individuals from minoritised groups.

What you will be doing

• Attend group forums for veterans within the prison environment.
• Complete individual assessments and complete one to one personalised support for veterans within the prison environment, which includes casework.
• Promote the services available to family members.
• Establish an agreement around the rate of visits with the VCJS team and the prison.
• Record the support offered to veterans accordingly and appropriately.
• Complete monitoring reports.

The skills you need

• Be over 21.
• Have a good level of fitness to able to move around a prison quickly - including stairs.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Awareness of boundaries and confidentiality.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, including prison staff, other agencies, SSAFA colleagues and clients.
• Positive, committed and non-judgemental. Non-judgemental and empathetic attitude.
• Good IT skills.
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role. Individual prisons will determine if they authorise individuals to be based in their facilities based on security considerations. Security Vetting by His Majesty’s Prison Service is often required. For further discussion, please get in touch.
• You will need to declare potential conflicts of interest, for example any family connection with the prison.

What's in it for you

• Full training provided with regular ongoing support.
• You gain criminal justice sector experience and build your CV.
• You can make a real difference to the lives of Veterans who are in the justice system.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost for you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

About The Role

 At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close and let it do the talking. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference.

By providing an excellent visitor experience as a member of the visitor services team, you will be encouraging our visitors to make the most of their visit to Washington Wetland Centre, and to understand and support our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.  

About You

To carry out this role, you will need:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Good listening skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit your audience
• Confident in the use of multi operation tills
• A confident attitude and/or experience of successful face-to-face contact with the public
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• An interest in and enthusiasm for the work of WWT
• The ability to work under your own initiative under the direction of the Visitor Services and Engagement Officer
• Commitment to undertake relevant training

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

About Access Academia

Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK. 

Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!

What is a Volunteership?

A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.

Volunteership: Events & Programmes Coordinator
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

• Strong interest in event planning, programme coordination, and nonprofit work.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.

• Prior experience in event planning or project coordination is a plus, but not required.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.

• A passion for contributing to social impact and supporting charitable initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Event Planning & Execution:

  • Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of monthly charity events. This is a minimum of 1 online event per month.

  • Work closely with team members to ensure events are organized efficiently, within budget, and aligned with the charity’s mission.

  • Help with logistics, setup, and support during events.

  • Manage guest lists, invitations, and event communications.

• Annual Research Programme Coordination:

  • Support the coordination of the charity’s annual research programme. This is currently an annual programme, the Social Justice Research Fellowship, running in 2025 from June 2nd - August 8th.

  • Assist in organizing logistics, outreach, and scheduling for research participants.

  • Ensure that resources and materials are available for programme participants.

  • Track the progress of the programme and report on key milestones.

  • Contribute to planing and logistical initiatives surrounding expanding the provisions of research programmes, including brainstorming and coordination for potential new programmes.

• Collaboration & Teamwork:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure smooth event and programme execution.

  • Participate in regular team meetings, contributing ideas and insights.

  • Provide feedback and suggestions for improving the efficiency of events and programmes.

  • Participate in Outreach & Marketing meetings and follow direction provided from Senior Staff.

• Post-Event & Programme Reporting:

  • Help in post-event evaluations, collecting feedback from participants, and reporting on outcomes.

  • Assist in maintaining and updating event and programme documentation for future reference.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in event management and programme coordination.

• Networking opportunities with peers, university departments and professors, and other charitiable groups.

• Opportunities to develop key skills in project management, communication, and teamwork.

• A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.

• Certificate of participation of the volunteership.

• LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.

Join us as Dog A.I.D.'s new Honorary Secretary and you would be joining the Board at an exciting time as we have launched the charity’s Strategic Plan with a new CEO supported by a small but strong team, which we will be building further this year. As Honorary Secretary you would be using your skills and experience to support the leadership and strategic direction of our charity as we look to achieve ambitious strategic growth targets over the coming years, becoming a larger, more robust charity with increased profile and reach.

Dog A.I.D. empowers physically disabled people by coaching them to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, outcomes for our clients include:

 · increased independence and self-confidence

· improved mental well-being

· reduction in social isolation

· reduced reliance on family members and/or carers.

· increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work or education, supported by their accredited Assistance Dog.

We are looking for an active and well-organised Secretary who can provide support for our governance functions. You will be required to attend and minute online quarterly Board meetings and other ad-hoc meetings and strategic discussions.

HiDDEN are looking for an inspiring, forward-thinking Independent Chair to lead our growing network of heritage organisations into an exciting new chapter.

Job Description

HiDDEN is a dynamic and supportive network that champions Greater Manchester’s rare, overlooked, and underrepresented heritage. 

This voluntary leadership role is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a dynamic, mission-driven network that champions the hidden stories of Greater Manchester — stories that deserve to be uncovered, celebrated, and preserved. As Chair, you will bring strategic vision, support strong governance, and act as a key advocate for the network at both regional and national levels. You’ll play a vital role in steering our growth, deepening our impact, and ensuring that inclusion, integrity, and collaboration remain at the heart of everything we do. 

Key Responsibilities

• Governance and Oversight Ensure alignment with HiDDEN’s purpose, vision, and values.
• Oversee the adherence to the HiDDEN Code of Conduct.
• Facilitate the annual review of the members’ agreement and the Code of Practice.
• Meeting Facilitation Chair bi-monthly HiDDEN planning meetings, fostering inclusive and balanced discussions. Guide decision-making processes to achieve majority consensus in line with network objectives.
• Strategic Leadership Lead the development and refinement of HiDDEN’s strategic initiatives. Advocate for the network’s sustainability, identifying opportunities for growth and impact.
• Collaborate closely with Manchester Histories, the identified organisation for project management, to ensure effective implementation of strategies and initiatives.
• External Representation and Advocacy Represent HiDDEN at national and regional conferences, events, and within the heritage sector.
• Act as an ambassador for HiDDEN, promoting its mission and objectives to external stakeholders. Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders.
• Conflict Resolution Mediate disputes within the network, ensuring fair and transparent resolutions.
• Provide impartial guidance and support to members to maintain positive relationships.
• Evaluation and Reporting Report on network activities and outcomes at planning meetings to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Lead the process for reviewing and adjusting network goals and strategies based on the needs of the network 

Person Specification

Experience: 

• You may have gained experience in leadership, governance, or planning through a variety of paths — including study, early career roles, volunteering, activism, or community engagement. 
• A background in the heritage, cultural, or nonprofit sectors is helpful but not essential.  We value lived experience and insight into the challenges and opportunities facing small or underrepresented organisations. 
• Skills and Attributes:  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  Ability to facilitate inclusive discussions and achieve consensus. 
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to act impartially and mediate conflicts. 
• Passion for heritage and a commitment to HiDDEN’s values of inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and environmental responsibility. 
• Commitment:  Willingness to commit 1-2 days per month, including participation in bi-monthly planning meetings. 
• Enthusiasm for working with a network of small to medium organisations to achieve shared goals.