Learning volunteer roles in wormley, hertfordshire

This flexible home volunteering role is worthwhile and rewarding. Make a real difference writing letters. As a Volunteer Penpal Writer you’ll be a key member of the Letterbox Team. Your letters will cheer someone up and establish a trusting, supportive relationship with a client who might be lonely or socially isolated.

What tasks can this role include (some or all of the following):

• Writing letters to clients
• Building trust and companionship with a client through correspondence. Omega befriends a variety of people including: caregivers, the lonely, isolated or people with ill-health.
• Liaising with the Letterbox Team by email or post.
• Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the policies and procedures that are necessary when befriending adults at risk.
• Making suggestions to help us improve the service we provide to clients and Volunteer Pen pal Writers.

This role could be for you, if you:

• Enjoy writing and receiving letters
• Are enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Associate strongly with Omega’s values and strategy
• Have knowledge or understanding about a variety of client issues including caring, feeling isolated and lonely and its impact on people and society
• Have satisfactory written and inter-personal communication skills
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can show this in practice
• Are committed to inclusion, treating people with dignity and respect

What support and training will be provided?

• Feedback from clients and colleagues
• Regular and ongoing support from Letterbox Team Leader
• Answering questions
• Stationary and pre-paid envelopes can be provided making the service free.
• Opportunity for peer support events and invitation to Omega events
• Reward system and opportunity for volunteer of the month rewards

What are the benefits for you?

• Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life by doing something you enjoy
• Joining the Omega Team, who are taking action against loneliness and isolation as well as helping people in crisis
• An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
• An opportunity to engage with your community

Location of the role:

• Mainly your home

When are you needed?

• At a time to suit you

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

As part of the role, you will be editing short videos, including promos and documentary style shorts, as well as longer podcast episodes for distribution on YouTube and social media. The role is hybrid, largely working from home but with the opportunity to work in studio doing live editing, file storage management and admin, as well as the chance to learn other production skills and gain experience in live broadcast, camera operation, lighting, and sound engineering and editing.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe After Effects
• Proficiency in Adobe Audition
• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop
• Experience with colour grading and mixing

Optional Skills:

• Proficiency with DSLR cameras and digital camcorders
• Previous broadcast, live streaming, or podcast recording experience
• Knowledge and experience of OBS and use of ATEM Mini
• Experience with USB microphones
• Experience with multi-mic setup
• Experience with audio mixing and audio mixing software

We are looking for someone who can offer 12 hours a week, Monday - Friday

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview and discuss the onboarding process.

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Social Hub Administrator at Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership

Location: St Mary’s Church, Watford

Time Commitment: Tuesday 10.30-2 and 2 hours admin from home

About Us:

We are a community-driven charity dedicated to supporting asylum seekers and refugees as they rebuild their lives with dignity, hope, and belonging. Our Social Hub offers a welcoming space where individuals and families can connect, access support, learn new skills, and build friendships.

Role Overview:

As a Social Hub Administrator, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of our weekly Social Hub. You'll help manage basic admin tasks, support event and activity planning, and act as a friendly, organised point of contact for both visitors, clients and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

· Welcome clients to the hub and provide general information about services and activities.

· Maintain up-to-date records of attendance, volunteer rotas, and bookings.

· Help coordinate schedules for activities, workshops, and social events.

· Support communications by helping with newsletters, flyers, and social media posts (optional).

· Assist with keeping the space tidy and organised.

· Apply for Social Hub expenses.

· Manage the Tuesday Social Hub when the Social Hub Coordinator is not present.

· Collaborate with volunteers, staff, and clients to create a warm, inclusive environment.

What We’re Looking For:

· Friendly, reliable, and well-organised

· Good verbal and written communication skills

· Comfortable using basic IT (email and Microsoft)

· Respectful of confidentiality and boundaries

· Able to work independently but also as part of a team

What We Offer:

· A warm, supportive volunteer environment

· Full induction and on-the-job training

· Opportunities to develop skills in administration, coordination, and community engagement

· A chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives

Applicants nee to be able to voluteer for at least six months and live in the Watord / Three Rivers area ideally).

If you are interested in becoming Social Hub Administrator, please apply via Charity Jobs

Refettorio Felix is a community kitchen with an open-door policy in the Earl's Court area. We provide a safe haven and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those facing homelessness and financial crises.

Using surplus food ingredients, our kitchen freshly prepares a three-course lunch for up to 140 people per weekday. We are looking for friendly and dedicated volunteers to support us in our mission to provide fresh and nutritious meals to our guests.

Your support will have a meaningful impact on the quality of lives of the most vulnerable members of the community. From trained and experienced Chefs to keen home cooks, we would love to hear from you!

Volunteer Befriender

Octavia works with people affected by unemployment, ill health, social isolation or low income to connect them with opportunities for positive personal change. Our vision is to build stronger, happier and healthier communities in central and west London to help create an enriched life where we live. Please help us to do this by volunteering to befriend a member of the local community, who is isolated and vulnerable, in Westminster or Kensington and Chelsea.

Reasons to volunteer

Would you like to assist an isolated person in your local area? Would you like to provide them with the emotional support, social skills and confidence that will help them to feel happier in their everyday life?

 You will know that you have helped someone to move on in their life and take part in society
 Full induction, ongoing training and support. This includes training on: communication, empathy, health and safety, confidentiality and safeguarding
 Opportunity to enhance your CV and to learn new skills
 We are able to provide references to employers and/or further education establishments
 Travel costs and out of pocket expenses reimbursed on the provision of receipts*

What would I be doing?

 Meeting once a week with the person you have been matched with, in their own home or an agreed public place, at a mutually agreed time
 Encourage communication on a shared interest or topic
 Arrange activities and listen to your Befriendee with empathy and encouragement
 On occasion you may be asked by your befriendee to accompany/escort them outside on a one to one basis or do some shopping in circumstances where they are unable to

What skills are we looking for?

 Good communication skills
 Understanding of empathy and the needs of people with isolation issues
 Understanding of confidentiality
 Able to use own initiative and work unsupervised, reliable and trustworthy
 We ask that you volunteer for 1 hour per week, for a minimum of 6 months

Sounds great! How do I sign up?

When you aplply, we ask for 2 references but these do not need to be from employers. For instance, they can be character references from college tutors or support workers who know you well. We also carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks on all volunteers, but this would only happen if we both agree that Befriending is the right fit for you.

We are committed to equality and diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please contact us should you prefer to apply over the phone or via hard copy, for accessibility reasons. If you require any adjustments due to a disability (including: physical, psychological or neurological disease or disorders) in order to get the most out of your time volunteering with us, please do let us know so that we can ideally facilitate this.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the Lambeth and Southwark Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Chair of Trustees Role

Profile Remuneration: This is a voluntary role.

Reasonable expenses for travel may be reimbursed.

Location: Must be available for board meetings in person in London

Time commitment: Quarterly board meetings, annual strategy day, plus additional time for Chair duties as required

Term: 3 years (renewable up to a maximum tenure of 9 years)

The Chair of the Board of Trustees provides leadership to the Board, ensuring it functions effectively to support and guide the charity in achieving its mission. The Chair is responsible for setting the tone for the Board’s work, promoting a strong culture of governance, and facilitating effective, inclusive decision-making. The Chair helps to steward the strategic direction of Dallaglio RugbyWorks, ensuring that the charity remains focused on its purpose, values, and long-term sustainability. The Chair also acts as a key ambassador for the organisation and helps build productive relationships both within the Board and with external stakeholders, including the charity’s founder.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Board in maintaining a clear and strategic focus on the charity’s mission, values and long-term goals.
• Chair quarterly board meetings, facilitating inclusive, well-informed, and effective decision-making.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance among Trustees.
• Provide a supportive and constructive relationship with the CEO, acting as a sounding board and trusted advisor.
• Ensure that the board fulfils its legal and governance responsibilities, including oversight of financial health, compliance and risk.
• Ensure robust financial oversight, including the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation, and the appropriate use of resources.
• Build and maintain a constructive and appropriate relationship with the charity’s founder, supporting their continued connection to the mission while ensuring clarity of roles and governance.
• Represent the charity externally, where appropriate, to build its profile, credibility and influence.  
• Support the executive team by facilitating introductions to key contacts, influencers, and potential supporters or partners.
• Lead board development, including Trustee recruitment, succession planning, and reviews of board performance.
• Champion best practice in governance and uphold the charity’s values and reputation.
• The Chair is a member of the Nomination, Remuneration & HR Committee, with twice yearly online meetings to be attended.

General Trustee Responsibilities

• As Chair, you also carry the core responsibilities of a Trustee, including:
• Ensuring that the charity complies with its governing document and all relevant legislation and regulation.
• Using your skills, knowledge and experience to support sound decision-making and organisational development.
• Safeguarding the assets and values of the charity, and ensuring resources are used effectively to achieve charitable purposes.
• Acting in the best interests of Dallaglio RugbyWorks at all times, exercising reasonable care and independent judgement.
• Promoting transparency, inclusivity, and integrity across the organisation.

The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive. Trustees will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonable commensurate with the role. The Board of Trustees is jointly and severally responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. All Trustees, should also be aware of, and understand, their individual and collective responsibilities, and should not be overly reliant on one or more individual Trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity.

Person Specification

We are seeking a strategic and inclusive leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people.

Experience

•  Proven experience chairing a Board or senior committee in a charity, public body or corporate setting.
• Previous experience serving as a charity Trustee, with a strong understanding of governance and collective responsibility is highly desirable.
• A respected professional with credibility and connections in relevant sectors, able to influence and support the charity through relationships and networks.
• Strong alignment with the mission and values of Dallaglio RugbyWorks.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with Trustees, senior leaders and stakeholders.
• A track record of strategic thinking, sound judgement and independent decisionmaking.
• Familiarity with governance frameworks and the legal duties of charity trustees.

Skills & Attributes

• A strategic and inclusive leader with strong facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills, able to build consensus and navigate complex discussions.
• Prepared to commit the time required for effective leadership, including attending quarterly Board meetings in person and supporting ad hoc responsibilities between meetings.
• Willing to use personal and professional networks to support the charity’s development, profile, and partnerships

Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda

Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda promotes community health equity among young people in underserved communities within Uganda

Hope Springs Health Foundation (HSH) Uganda addresses a range of pressing social and health challenges affecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, adolescents, and women in low-resource settings.

One of the core issues is the high HIV prevalence and teenage pregnancy in Mayuge District, where HIV rates are at 7% and teenage pregnancy stands at 27%, both higher than national averages. These challenges are often driven by transactional sex, early sexual debut, misinformation, and power imbalances in relationships particularly with older men. Adolescent girls face limited access to accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and disease.

Another persistent challenge is menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Nearly half of Ugandan girls miss up to three days of school each month due to lack of menstrual products and adequate sanitation. This leads to increased absenteeism and school dropout rates, ultimately compromising their educational and economic futures.

Additionally, gender-based violence (GBV) remains widespread in Uganda, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Many communities lack the capacity to identify, report, and prevent GBV, leading to unreported cases and prolonged cycles of abuse.

For children living with chronic illnesses such as Type 1 Diabetes, limited awareness and lack of access to proper nutrition and physical activity pose serious health risks, especially in low-resource rural settings.

Hope Springs Health (HSH) Foundation responds to these intersecting challenges with innovative and community-centered health promotion interventions.

To combat HIV/AID and teenage pregnancies, HSH works with communities to implement UNICEF’s evidence-based intervention; “Sugar Daddy Awareness Classes” in schools. These sessions empower adolescent girls with knowledge about the dangers of cross-generational relationships and equip them to advocate among peers, promoting informed choices and reducing risky behaviors.

On the menstrual health front, HSH trains girls to make, use, and distribute reusable sanitary pads. This not only addresses a critical hygiene need but also provides a source of income and resilience for the girls. Environmentally, the use of reusable pads reduces plastic waste, contributing to greener communities. Socially, this empowers girls to stay in school, confident and informed.

To address gender-based violence (GBV), HSH conducts trainings targeting community stakeholders such as local leaders, religious leaders, police, health workers among others. These trainings strengthen the capacity of community members to detect, respond to, and prevent GBV through coordinated referral systems and advocacy.

For children with Type 1 Diabetes, the “Active Hearts, Healthy Lives” program supports them through community education on physical activity and nutrition. This program helps improve their quality of life by promoting healthier lifestyles in contexts where resources are scarce.

Fundraising Officer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda (HSH) is seeking a proactive and reliable Volunteer Fundraising Officer to support our resource mobilization strategy. This is a great opportunity for a student or recent graduate in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field to build hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising, proposal writing, and donor relations. The Fundraising Officer will work directly with the CEO and programs team to develop compelling proposals, identify funding opportunities, manage donor outreach using tools like Sales Navigator, and maintain an organized and up-to-date funding database. The role requires excellent communication and time management skills, a high level of professionalism, and a commitment to confidentiality.

Key Responsibilities • Draft high-quality project proposals, concept notes, and funding applications tailored to donor requirements. • Use tools like Sales Navigator and other platforms to identify and connect with potential donors, meeting weekly outreach targets. • Maintain and regularly update a structured database of funding opportunities, donor contacts, deadlines, and communications.. • Collaborate with the communications team to develop professional fundraising and pitch materials. • Attend online fundraising webinars, donor briefings, and conferences to stay updated on trends and opportunities. • Assist in organizing donor records, tracking feedback, and filing proposal-related documentation. • Provide administrative and basic finance-related support (e.g., budget inputs, data entry).

Qualifications and Skills Education: • Bachelor’s degree or current enrollment in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Development, or a related field. • Master’s degree is a plus but not required. Skills & Competencies: • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Strong research and analytical skills. • Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines independently. • High level of reliability and commitment to confidentiality. • Willingness to learn and use new fundraising tools and CRM/database systems. • Tech-savvy and comfortable attending online meetings, webinars, and virtual donor events. • Familiarity with donor landscapes (e.g., foundations, bilateral donors, UN agencies) is an advantage.

Values • Demonstrated interest in social justice, gender equity, and community development. • Eagerness to learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful health and development work.

Weekly Time Commitment

10+ hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Fundraising and Communications Internship

Concordis International seeks internship candidates to become actively involved in fundraising and communications for their programmes, providing meaningful assistance to the organisation’s operations. The internships are designed to give you concrete experience in communications and fundraising within the international development sector. The role is varied and will require you to work with our small UK team and with other interns who are based around the world.

Concordis International works impartially alongside those involved in or affected by armed conflict, so that through dialogue they may build relationships of mutual trust and together develop and implement policies that improve security and social cohesion, laying firm foundations for lasting peace.

Location: Home-based. You must have good internet connection and a computer.

Duration: 6 months; minimum 3 days (22 hours) per week, some flexible working is available.

Closing date: 16th June at 23:59 BST.

Start date: 30th June.

Reporting to: Fundraising & Communications Manager.

Role Description

You will work closely with the Fundraising and Communications Manager as an integral part of the F&C Team, and be involved in all the projects we cover. Your internship with Concordis will give you experience in both fundraising and communications and you won't just watch it happen; you'll be doing the work as part of the team, with opportunities to make a valuable contribution. You’ll have exposure to planning, designing, writing and working to tight deadlines. And the more you put in, the more you will get out.

We are particularly seeking interns with great creative energy and graphic design skills. If that's you, please get in touch.​​ You’ll need really fluent English too; it’s an advantage if it is your mother tongue.

Communications role

You will become one of our storytellers. You will learn about our programmes, their activities, history and conflict analysis, so you can produce communications materials for social media, our website, newsletters, events and other outlets. This will mean you:

• Liaise with our programme teams to gather information, stories and materials

• Brief, resource and support the F&C Manager

• Edit and design publications such as reports, news articles and other awareness-raising materials

• Respond to requests for communications support from the wider team

• Update and design new pages for our website

• Create posts and monitor social media platforms 

Fundraising role

You will work closely with the F&C Manager to support activities as required.

• Help maintain and develop our Customer Relationships Management system

• Help with fundraising events (including organisational aspects)

• Be closely involved in the process of producing our Annual Review, from planning, through design, to print

Other tasks

Interns monitor international and regional institutions and grant-making organisations for funding opportunities.  They are also expected to take their turn in tasks such as taking notes during meetings and monitoring the security of teams on the road.

Interns serve on a voluntary basis; there is no salary or stipend, but Concordis will reimburse reasonable expenses including a small daily lunch allowance.

Interns do not follow a formal training programme, but Concordis will seek to provide experience tailored to the skills, needs and aspirations of individual interns within the range of activities outlined above.

CHARITY SHOP ASSISTANT

Charity Shop Assistant (North Finchley - RSPCA Finchley & District Branch)

Our charity shop in the heart of North Finchley is looking for a friendly volunteer to join our team and help make our shop a huge success. Make new friends, have fun, and help us help more animals!

Overview of opportunity

As a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant, you would join a small team working with the shop managers and other volunteers to help make it a success and raise vital funds for animal welfare.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

About Our Charity Shop in North Finchley

The shop is part of the RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch and plays an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes & accessories, books, bric-a-brac, electricals and collectables.

We have positions available on the shop floor and in our stock room or you could

volunteer to do a mixture of both.

Volunteer Charity Shop Assistant responsibilities

•  Helping customers in the shop find what they need.
•  Accepting donations of items and money from the public.
• Processing sales through the till and card machine, including Gift Aid.
• Sorting through donated items to determine what we can sell.
•  Preparing donated items for sale by steaming and hanging items.
• Merchandising stock on the shop floor.
• Creating attractive shop window displays.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

•  Friendly volunteers who are confident talking to people.
• Retail experience would be ideal but is not necessary as full training will be given.
• We are ideally aiming for someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment predominately on set days each week based on your availability.
• Good communication and numeracy skills.
•  You will need to be aged 18 or over.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

•   A way to meet new people and make new friends in your local area.
• A place where you will learn excellent new skills to add to your CV, such as customer service, multi-tasking, merchandising, and many more.
• An excellent induction and training programme relevant to your role.
•  The opportunity to make a huge difference to the welfare of animals.
•  Reimbursement for any reasonable travel expenses you may incur whilst volunteering with us.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

This is an exciting time to be joining UoGSU as we are implementing our new strategy. As an organisation we have been focused on communities, change and the education of our members.

We are looking for a trustee with experience and expertise in finance – this trustee will sit on our Audit and Risk committee. You will be a qualified accountant with experience of financial management, governance and oversight and an understanding of financial audit best practice. Previous experience of Audit and Risk committee work is of interest but not essential.

The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the SU and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement; student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organize together to help make these values a reality.

The role requires a careful balance; trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creatively, challenge constructively and point out potential risk. The Board is comprised of External Trustees, Officer Trustees and Student Trustees and oversees the work of a team of permanent staff a led by the Chief Executive.

An eye for detail to ensure the SU is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.

The role is to serve on the board of trustees. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.

General candidate requirements:

All candidates will need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial information (or be willing to learn more about this aspect of the role). They should also have the following:

- An understanding of business management.
- A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend board andother meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings.
- A willingness to speak their mind and contribute.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement.
- An understanding and acceptance of the role of a Charity’s Board of Trustees (including the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship).
- A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service and the SU own values.

Desirable but not essential:

-Recent experience of the higher education sector or of Students’ Unions.
-Experience or knowledge of board governance.

Commitment required

Board Meetings: There are 5 scheduled hybrid meetings each year, usually held early evening and lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, with extra meetings added if required (although this is rare). Each meeting will have associated reading and preparation work. Meetings are usually conducted face-to-face, but trustees may participate remotely depending on their schedule and other commitments.

Sub-committees: All trustees sit on a remote board sub-committee – the Audit & Risk or People Committee. These committees usually meet up to 4 times each year and are scheduled to fit trustee availability.

Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings if required.
If feasible, Board members are also encouraged to visit the SU and observe major events such as Welcome.

Who They Are
Music of Life is a charity dedicated to building and strengthening the skills, well-being, and confidence of children and young people with disabilities through music-making. The organisation envisions a world in which all children, regardless of ability, have equal access to music education and participation.

To achieve this, Music of Life provides high-quality music education and performance opportunities. As children progress, the charity supports their transition into community-based activities, such as joining a youth choir or playing in a band, fostering long-term engagement and inclusion.

The Role: Board Secretary (Voluntary)
To further enhance its governance and effectiveness, Music of Life is introducing a new voluntary position: Board Secretary. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a focused, impactful organisation that is making a real difference through music.

Role Summary
The Board Secretary plays a vital role in supporting good governance and ensuring the smooth operation of the charity. This prestigious and purpose-driven role is suited to a highly organised individual with a passion for music, education, and supporting children with disabilities.

Working in close collaboration with the Chair, Vice Chair, and CEO, the Secretary ensures clarity, continuity, and compliance within the charity’s leadership. As a key member of both the Board and the Advisory Council, the Secretary enables these bodies to operate efficiently and to meet their legal and statutory obligations.

The organisation is open to discussing whether the Board Secretary will also serve as a trustee and welcomes thoughts from prospective candidates.

Key Responsibilities

Board Meeting Management

• Coordinate Board meetings, including preparing agendas and distributing materials in advance

• Attend meetings, take accurate minutes, and manage the approval process

• Maintain an action log and ensure all relevant records are submitted to the external Examiner

• Coordinate the annual Board and Chair appraisal process

Trustee Management

• Maintain up-to-date records on trustees, including roles, appointments, and declarations of interest

• Oversee trustee recruitment, reappointments, and terminations

• Develop and implement annual trustee recruitment and succession plans

• Support the onboarding of new trustees and coordinate ongoing training and development

Advisory Council Support

• Coordinate Advisory Council meetings, including agenda setting and distribution of materials

• Attend meetings, take minutes, and manage the approval process

• Ensure clear and timely communication between the Advisory Council and the Board

Person Specification
This role is best suited to someone with exceptional organisational skills and keen attention to detail. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, have strong communication abilities, and be capable of fostering cooperation to ensure timely outcomes. They should be calm under pressure, particularly when working to deadlines.

Experience with—or a willingness to learn about—charity governance and regulatory requirements is essential. Being based in the South-East of England would be an advantage.

Our small friendly Charity Shop in South Westminster

As well as being an important source of revenue for the Centre, the shop on Horseferry Road is the public face of the Cardinal Hume Centre to the residents and workers of Westminster. It can be a very busy environment with lots of regular customers. You will be part of a friendly, international team!  You will receive excellent support and opportunities to learn team skills and customer service.  You can obtain a reference for future employers.

How does this role make a difference?

You will be part of the fundraising team, raising funds to support the work of the Cardinal Hume Centre and promoting the work of the Centre to the public. Typically, the Charity Shop raises in the region of £50,000 per year.

What will you be doing?

Flexibility will be given where possible, but in general, volunteers will undertake the following tasks as part of this role:

· Customer service on the till

· Cashing up at the end of the day and walking the takings round to the reception and handing in to Finance Team

· Greeting and helping customers

· Replenishing the stock on the shop floor

· Sorting donations

· Helping present top items in window display and around the shop

· Promoting the work of the Centre to the public

Want to increase your skills in retail?

If you want to develop in this role, we are keen to support you.  There are more responsibilities you can take on in the shop, for example; opening and closing the shop, cashing up at the end of the day and helping with the induction of new volunteers.  Let us know if this interests you.  We also have employment advisors who can provide employment support.  Furthermore, if you want to expand your experience in the voluntary sector, you can combine your role in the shop with a volunteer role elsewhere in the organisation.

What are we looking for?

No special qualifications are needed to work in our shop, as relevant training will be given, however, we will be asking for the following qualities:

· Over 16+

· Good spoken English needed – at least Entry Level 3

· The ability to contribute to a positive team culture and atmosphere

· Be able to provide a friendly, high-quality service to customers

· A commitment to equal opportunities and to treating all individuals who visit or work in the shop with dignity and respect

· Physically fit - able to lift light bags and boxes and to comfortably use the stairs between the shop floor and the stock room.  Manual handling training will be given.

What is the time commitment?

The shop opening hours are 10am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday.  A full or half day (10 – 1pm or 1 – 4.30pm) is ideal, but we are flexible and are grateful for even a couple of hours help each week. Ideally, volunteers will commit to a period of at least 4 months.

How will you be supported?

· You will be supported and trained in all areas of retail and customer service by the Charity Shop Manager and the Assistant Shop Manager.

· You will receive a Centre induction from a Volunteer Coordinator

· You will be reimbursed for reasonable and agreed ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses such as travel and also lunch if working a full day.

· For volunteers who stay for more than three months, we are happy to provide a reference.

TACT is the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity, with over 500 foster carers currently providing loving homes for over 600 children and young people across England, Scotland and Wales. We have annual income of £25million and 200 staff.

Since we were founded in 1993, we have strived to offer excellent care for all our children entrusted to us and to instil positive change in the wider care system. We have also sought to innovate so we can improve the experiences of children and young people in the care system to transform outcomes for the better.

More than 30 years on, TACT continues to undertake a wide range of innovative work across the UK, ensuring we remain at the leading edge of improving the UK care system. Our education service is proving to be a great success in improving educational outcomes for our children, while our health service enables young people and carers to access high quality health (particularly mental health) treatment in a timely manner. TACT Connect, a wholly unique service in the sector, continues to provide support for our care experienced adults, while offering them a platform to keep in touch with TACT and also with other adults who share similar experiences to their own. Looking ahead, we are continuing to explore opportunities to further expand our reach and impact, and recently successfully completed the acquisition of an independent fostering service in North Wales.

Underpinning all of this vital work are our excellent staff and, of course, our amazing and inspirational foster carers. They are caring for children and young people who are vulnerable, but also full of hopes, dreams, potential and joy. Good foster families provide safe and stable homes and help children fulfil their potential and enable them to lead happy and successful lives.

We are looking to appoint up to three trustees to join our Board, bringing a range of diverse skills and experiences and providing critical challenge and oversight to our work. We are particularly keen to appoint trustees with knowledge of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), as well as young trustees who bring lived experience of the care system. Prior trustee experience is not required - you will receive all of the necessary training and support. Our trustees come from a wide range of backgrounds and are based across the UK. We also have both care experienced adults and foster careers on our Board currently, and we are keen to build on this further.

We are all excited about the opportunity these appointments present to help guide our charity into the next phase of its journey, with our foster carers and children at the heart. We hope that you want to be part of it.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. Applications should include a CV and covering letter. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tall Roots.