Learning volunteer roles in workington, cumbria

Fundraising events helper

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· help set up and/or man stalls at events

· help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

· help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances

· promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food

· Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

● A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us

● Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction

● A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare

● Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home ● You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Are you obsessed with making short-form videos that grab attention, inspire action, and build communities? Do you thrive on creating reels, TikToks, and YouTube shorts that people actually stop scrolling for?

What will you be doing?

We’re breaking barriers to employment for jobseekers across the UK who are too often shut out because of age, background, or “imperfect” career paths. With your video skills, we can amplify their voices and show the world the value of untapped talent.

Your focus will be video-first content that connects, inspires, and drives growth:

• Filming, editing, and publishing short-form videos (reels, stories, TikTok/YouTube shorts) that showcase our work and motivate jobseekers.
• Repurposing longer content into bite-sized, shareable clips.
• Creating social-first trailers and snippets.
• Adding engaging captions, subtitles, and visuals that boost watch time and shares.
• Testing new video trends and formats to grow our reach on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

What are we looking for?

We’d love you to bring:

• Proven skills in video creation and editing (reels, shorts, TikTok-style).
• Experience with tools like Canva, or similar.
• A creative eye for storytelling and pacing that works in under 60 seconds.
• A collaborative, can-do mindset and great communication skills.
• The ability to adapt and deliver impactful content in a small not-for-profit environment.

What’s in it for you?

• A chance to shine as a video-first content creator with real creative freedom.
• Portfolio-worthy projects that showcase your ability to build audiences through video.
• Learning opportunities through our Practice Hub to grow your own skills.
• Collaboration with our Director, who will support you with strategy and ideas to fuel your success.

What difference will you make?

Your videos will do more than entertain; they’ll help real people get jobs, rebuild confidence, and prove that careers aren’t defined by age, background, or “perfect” CVs.

This is your chance to use your creativity, storytelling, and video skills to change lives, one reel at a time.

Please provide a brief cover letter explaining why you would like to volunteer with us. Interviews will be an informal online chat with our Director. 

Must have Right to Work in the UK.

UNIfied is FORWARD’s leadership programme for young women from African, Black and minoritised communities in UK universities.

Our Aim: To empower you as a leader, amplify your voice, and drive change on campus by tackling gender inequality and ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

What you’ll gain:

• Confidence and leadership skills
• Knowledge on gender justice & advocacy
• A supportive network of peers & mentors
• The tools to make a real impact on your campus

Who can apply?

• Young women from Black & minoritised backgrounds
• Studying at a UK university
• Passionate about gender justice and social change

Length: 1-year programme with training, regular meetings, and events as FORWARD ambassadors

Outcome: Lead your own campaign or awareness action at your university to challenge sexual and gender-based violence

Apply now and be part of a movement for change!

The Discord Community Manager will play a key role in bringing our online community to life. This role is all about creating a welcoming and friendly space where members will feel comfortable chatting and building connections. By sparking conversations and encouraging interaction, you’ll help turn our Discord into a lively community hub.
 

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

• Monitor Discord chats and threads to keep conversations safe, respectful and inclusive.

• Actively encourage discussion and help keep chats flowing by posting prompts, asking questions and joining in conversations.

• Maintain a positive presence online, ensuring members feel valued and engaged.

• Welcome new members, help them get settled and foster a sense of belonging.

• Share creative ideas to boost participation (e.g. themed discussion days, polls, mini-events, QOTDs).

• Support or host occasional online community events (e.g. group chats, Q&As, game nights, or discussion sessions) to bring members together.

• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to share feedback, insights and opportunities for community growth.

What do we expect from a Discord Community Manager?

Essential:

• Friendly, approachable and chatty communicator who enjoys starting and joining conversations.

• Enthusiastic about building an active and inclusive online space.

• Confident with Discord (or willing to learn) and comfortable with basic moderation tools.

• Reliable, proactive and able to use good judgement when managing online discussions.

• Passionate about the mission of the charity and technology.

How much commitment is required?

The role is flexible and can work around your current commitments.  On average it should take less than two-five hours per week depending on community activity and events.

How to apply

Along with your CV, please include a cover letter answering the following question:

“Share three ideas you would use to help engage the Discord community (e.g. Question of the Day themes, fun conversation starters, activities, or small online events).”

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Indo Naturals
Indo Naturals develops plastic-free and synthetic-free natural products for everyday living, demonstrating a commitment to ethical production and consumption. The startup addresses the dual challenges of increasing synthetic consumption, which harms the planet and people, and rising global inequality.

The solution is to partner with artisans and social production units in rural India to craft products using abundant renewable natural materials. Operating on a WFTO certified fair trade system, Indo Naturals ensures production partners are empowered through fair wages, ethical conditions, and capacity building.

The startup’s model aims to create a synergy between natural wellness, social impact, and environmental responsibility, showing that an alternative to the current "broken system" is possible. By sharing the story and impact behind each product, Indo Naturals seeks to strengthen communities—both producers and consumers—with the larger vision of a new economic system where people and planet are prioritised.

Marketing Manager

Do you have a talent for social media, graphic design, content creation, e-commerce, and ads? Do you want to show your skills to the world and help us create impact? Do you also think it’s time for a new way of producing, trading, and consuming where people and planet come first?

We’re on a mission to change how we produce goods and consume, making it easy to live mindfully and naturally while respecting the natural world and contributing to equality and strengthening people.

Our brand Indo Naturals, delivers natural everyday products free from plastic and synthetics. They are made ethically in rural India using mainly local raw materials.

In the position you will work independently with weekly meetings, creating content for social media, newsletter, and website blog, showcasing our products, spreading awareness,
The tasks largely revolve around Social Media planning, creating, and scheduling. It's a part-time, flexible, and remote position where independent thinking and strategic planning are important. The volunteer is encouraged to take charge of their own role and come up with new ideas and recommendations to continuously improve our marketing.

***

• Start: November
• Work times: partly flexible
• Work location: flexible (remote working/digital)
• Duration: 6+ months
• Workload: 12+ hours / week
• Meetings: about 1 / week (1 hour)

Skills:

• Driven on Social Media content creation
• Strategic thinker (works towards goals and can set up strategies to reach them)
• Detail-oriented (in the form of text writing and visual content)
• Text editor (like to look through texts and improve it)
• Experience with design on Canva
• Team player (active listening, active communicator, accepting that others edit your text and content)
• Ability to work independently
• Experience using Meta

Tasks - SOME:

• Actively use our marketing strategy and branding kit
• Strategic content creation
• Text editing and storytelling
• Simple photo editing and graphic designing (Canva)
• Posting on SoMe (Meta)
• Blog writing, planning, and posting
• Small webpage updates
• Possibly: photo content creation
• Actively use our marketing strategy and branding kit
• Text editing and storytelling
• Simple photo editing and graphic designing (Canva)
• Updating our profiles on different website marketing platforms
• Photo editing and graphic designing (Canva)
• Manage Ads (Google Merchant Center, Google Ads, Google tags, FB Ads)

What you get:

• A highly independent and flexible role that welcomes creativity and initiative
• Learn about product impact
• A steep learning curve - working in a start-up will give you both the freedom and responsibility to be innovative, yet follow a strategy and planning tool
• A reference letter for your CV

Application process:

• Share the link to your updated LinkedIn profile
• Answer a few questions
• Interviews on a running basis

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $7.9 trillion into the fossil fuel industry. At Bank.Green, our mission is to lower this vast carbon footprint via technology and consumer action. We empower bank customers with the tools and insights they need to influence their banks towards sustainable lending, or switch to greener alternatives. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used over 400,000 times by bank customers worldwide, while we have shifted a at least $30m towards bank who are financing a greener future. Through transparency, engagement, and innovation, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the fight against climate change.

Role Overview

As our Social Media Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in spreading awareness about banks' environmental impacts, amplifying our successes, and encouraging bank customers to demand more sustainable policies from their financial institutions. Success in this position means efficiently managing our online presence, producing compelling content, and engaging effectively with our community. Your work will drive our message, facilitating a broader understanding and tangible change within the banking sector.

Commitment

This role is currently volunteer-based and we are seeking a commitment of 5-10 hours per week. We are looking for somebody to come on long-term, but are open to shorter-term applicants.

Responsibilities

• Manage and curate content for our social media platforms, ensuring consistent brand messaging and tone.
• Create engaging and shareable content, including text, image, and video posts.
• Monitor social media channels for industry trends, competitive insights, and engagement opportunities.
• Analyze and report on social media metrics to measure the success of campaigns and identify areas for improvement.
• Stay informed about industry changes and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate social media into overall marketing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in content creation, social media management, or a similar role.
• Good knowledge of social media platforms, trends, and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative mindset with the ability to generate innovative content ideas.
• Proficiency in social media management tools and analytics.
• Basic understanding of finance or banking (optional but beneficial).

Volunteer Benefits

As a volunteer-driven organization, we are very focused on making all of our opportunities as valuable as possible for our volunteers. In this spirit, we will offer you:

• Opportunities to gain insights into sustainable banking practices and advancements in environmental advocacy through continuous learning.
• The chance to network with other sustainability professionals and advocates, enhancing your professional connections.
• Valuable experience in a critical climate-focused role, which will enhance your resume and skill set.
• Recognition for positive performance with supportive references and recommendations for your future career growth.
• A significant role in driving impactful changes in the banking sector to accelerate a sustainable future.

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available at colleges England.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you

Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What you’ll do

As part of a governing board, you’ll:

• Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
• Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
• Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
• Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• HR, People & Culture
• Strategy, Transformation & Operations
• Technology, AI & Digital
• Legal, Governance & Compliance
• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:

• Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or remote)
• Reading papers and preparing questions
• Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you’ll be needed
Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. 

What’s in it for you?

· Enhance your board-level and governance experience

· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

· Expand your professional network

·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact

· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.