Legal volunteer roles

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

About the Role

Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is a national conservation charity that has saved over 357 churches at risk. CCT operates the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK, and its unique collection of English churches includes architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of history. Attracting c.2m visitors a year, CCT keeps these churches open to be enjoyed by everyone as places of heritage, culture, spirituality and beauty.

The Board of Trustees of CCT is responsible for safeguarding and ensuring the future of this collection of outstanding historic buildings.

Key responsibilities:

• Governance
• Strategy
• Support the Executive team

Safeguarding and promoting the reputation and values of CCT.

All trustees are asked to become 'champions' for one of CCT's areas of work, a role which provides them the opportunity to get more involved in understanding, supporting and promoting CCT's work in these areas. We are seeking two passionate and committed trustees to join the Board with an interest in conserving and using beautiful old churches. We would be particularly interested to hear from people with the following skills although a lack of specific experience in these areas would not rule out candidates who meet our other more general requirements.

Vacancy Information

Location: Wide geographic spread across UK

Closing date: 8am Monday 24th November 2025

Screening interviews: Will be undertaken between 1st – 12th December.

In person interviews will be held in early January.

Trustees work pro bono calendar days c. 1.5 per month (4 board meetings and 4 sub-committee meetings per year, as applicable plus ad hoc engagements, events and a two-day tour each year to different regions)

To learn more about the role of a Trustee at CCT or to apply please download the recruitment pack via our website.

It is an exciting and challenging time for the international development sector. Vision Action is seeking to appoint two new Trustees, one of whom will serve as Chair Designate, to bring experience, insight, and energy in support of our ambition to increase equitable access to basic eye care services in Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia (with plans to expand further).

Vision Action was born in 2022 out of the merger to two charities, Vision for a Nation, an award-winning charity founded by the philanthropist James Chen and operating in Rwanda which developed a unique model for providing basic eye care in under-resourced settings, and Vision Aid Overseas, founded in the 1980s to establish accessible vision centres across Africa.  To learn more about our work please visit our website at Vision Action. The role of the Board of Trustees is to oversee the direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team.

Terms of service

For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years.  Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.  Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online.  Papers are circulated for reading in advance. There may be other ad-hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics.

Main tasks

Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the two sub-committees (Finance and Fundraising; and Programmes and Research). The Committees meet remotely at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings. 

General Responsibilities

• Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Bylaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
• Appoint and support the Co-Chief Executive Officers and monitor their performance.

Additional Specific Responsibilities

In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair Designate and assume the role of Chair in December 2025.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Each Trustee must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the mission and values of Vision Action.
• A commitment to Vision Action’s key organisational policies, including those on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistleblowing, Recruitment, Child Protection, and Anti-Bribery.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Willingness to represent, advocate for, and support the work of the charity.

Desirable Experience

While not essential, experience in the following areas would be an advantage:

• Leadership or senior management experience in business, the third sector, or civil service.
• Understanding of the International Development or Global Health sectors.
• Fundraising, philanthropy, or partnership development.

1.  Terms of Service.

The Chair is appointed by the Board annually for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. He/she will normally assume his/her appointment at the Board meeting following the AGM in November.

2.  Main Tasks:

• To lead the Board in ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action.
• To ensure the Trustees set and regularly review policy, overall strategy and objectives.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s funding target.
• To guide the Co-Chief Executives, to help achieve Vision Action’s objectives.
• To monitor approved strategies and business plans.

3.  Specific Duties relating to:

3.1 Ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action:

• To chair meetings of the Board, seeing that it functions effectively and carries out its duties.
• To ensure the Board works within the framework of law, Charity Commission guidelines and management best practice.
• To ensure that the policies of the Board are compliant with its charity objectives.
• To ensure the Trustees set overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them.
• In conjunction with the Treasurer, to ensure Vision Action’s financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for in compliance with legal requirements.
• Make recommendations on the composition of the Board, with a view to succession, and future Chair.
• To serve as an additional spokesman for, and promoter of Vision Action (Note: The Co-Chief Executives act as the primary spokespeople)

3.2 To ensure Trustees develop overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them:

• To incorporate the skills and experience of the trustees and the Co-Chief Executives’ team in the development of strategic objectives and planning processes.
• Identify with the Co-Chief Executives, clear objectives and key performance indicators

3.3 Helping the Co-Chief Executives achieve Vision Action’s mission:

• The Chair should always adopt an attitude of strategic overview and avoid becoming immersed in the day-to- day details of running Vision Action. Such matters are the responsibility of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To support and monitor the work of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To assist in the promotion of Vision Action to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s fundraising target.

3.4 Optimising the relationship between the Board, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders:

• In consultation with the Co-Chief Executives, to agree the annual calendar of Board meetings and major events involving Vision Action.
• To thank and encourage Vision Action volunteers, staff and other stakeholders as opportunities present themselves.
• To conduct the annual appraisal of the Co-Chief Executives and agree their annual objectives and performance measures.

Join the board of YMCA and help its work supporting communities through training, wellbeing and social inclusion.

Location: London, WC1H

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 17th November

Who we are

Established in 1844, Central YMCA is the founding organisation of the global YMCA movement, now present in over 120 countries.

Central YMCA works at local, regional and national levels, providing high-quality education, training and qualifications. As one of the largest charity Independent Training Providers in the country and the holder of substantial contracts from the Department for Education, Central YMCA provides education and opportunities for employment for young people and adults, irrespective of their background and experience. We work with some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and we believe we can have the greatest impact for those falling through gaps in provision or struggling to engage with mainstream provision.

The sectors in which we work have been carefully selected to reflect the Charity’s commitment to supporting careers in areas that are essential for building strong communities. We deliver employability courses, qualifications and apprenticeships in Health and Fitness, Health and Social Care, Early Years and Education, Horticulture and Business Services. We work with key partners in each sector to promote our courses and amplify our reach.

Some of our work is strategically based in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; supporting the vulnerable and those on low incomes, those who have low prior attainment and are facing personal challenges, alongside those needing support through life transitions.

Through our awarding and end-point assessment organisation, Central YMCA also develops qualifications and learning and assessment resources to enable learners to start or develop their careers, predominantly in the physical activity and wellness sector.

Founded in the heart of London in 1844, Central YMCA is the world’s very first YMCA. For over 180 years, we’ve been inspiring people to reach their full potential in body, mind, and spirit. From pioneering youth education and fitness programmes to supporting communities through training, wellbeing, and social inclusion, Central YMCA has always stood for positive change.

Today, we continue that proud tradition by offering recognised training and qualifications, and a range of community programmes that empower people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe in opportunity for everyone — no matter your starting point. Whether you want to improve your health, gain new skills, or make a difference, Central YMCA is here to help you grow stronger, together.

Central YMCA — A historic legacy. A modern movement. Your community.

About the roles

Chair of Trustees

As Chair, you will provide inspirational leadership and clear direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance, long-term sustainability, and strategic excellence across all that we do. You will play a pivotal role in supporting and constructively challenging our CEO and senior leadership team to deliver lasting social impact and drive performance across the organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to help guide one of the most respected charities in the UK as we continue our mission to break barriers to life-enhancing opportunities through education, training, health, and wellbeing.

As Chair, you will:

• Lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that governance is robust, inclusive, and forward-looking.
• Provide strategic oversight, helping shape the Charity’s vision, policy, and direction.
• Champion Central YMCA’s mission and values, ensuring decisions are aligned with our charitable purpose.
• Support and hold to account the CEO and senior team, ensuring effective delivery of the organisation’s aims.
• Represent Central YMCA externally – across the YMCA movement and with key stakeholders, partners, and policy makers.
• Oversee Board development, succession planning, and the recruitment of new Trustees to maintain a diverse and skilled team.

Chair of the Resources Committee

The Chair of the Resources Committee leads on financial stewardship, ensuring the Charity’s funds and resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in line with our charitable objectives and legal obligations. The Committee oversees finance, investments, HR, IT, and other resource-related areas.

As Committee Chair, you will:

• Lead the Resources Committee, ensuring meetings are well-organised, effective, and aligned with the Charity’s governance framework.
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight on finance, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Advise the Board on the financial implications of major decisions and long-term plans.
• Lead the annual budget review and monitor performance against financial plans and reserves policies.
• Ensure robust management of investments, reserves, and overall financial sustainability.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and senior team to support effective resource planning.
• Liaise with the Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee to strengthen financial controls and risk management.
• Support the preparation and presentation of annual accounts, ensuring clarity and transparency.
• Keep the Board informed of its financial duties and promote openness in public reporting.

Safeguarding Trustee

The Safeguarding Trustee works closely with the CEO and Designated Safeguarding Leads to provide assurance to the Board that safeguarding remains a strategic priority across the Charity. They ensure our safeguarding framework is robust, effective, and fully compliant with legal, regulatory, and sector expectations.

As Safeguarding Trustee, you will:

• Provide assurance to the Board on the effectiveness of safeguarding practices and compliance with statutory requirements.
• Offer guidance and expertise in developing and monitoring the Charity’s safeguarding, child protection, and Prevent strategies, policies, and action plans.
• Ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded in all strategic decisions and risk management processes.
• Champion a strong, transparent, and inclusive safeguarding culture aligned with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitments.
• Ensure arrangements meet legislative and regulatory expectations, including Ofsted and statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education.
• Work with trustees and senior staff to embed safeguarding across all learning environments and youth-focused provision.
• Monitor the implementation of safeguarding and Prevent action plans, escalating risks or concerns to the Board where necessary.
• Provide assurance that safeguarding concerns are reported, escalated, and addressed appropriately, with clear routes for staff, learners, and the public to raise issues.
• Represent Central YMCA’s safeguarding commitment externally, promoting best practice with partners, funders, and sector bodies.
• Attend Board meetings, relevant sub-committees, and safeguarding briefings, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and Prevent developments.
• Support transparency by promoting public visibility of safeguarding arrangements, including statements and reporting routes.

Who we are looking for

Chair of Trustees

We are seeking a Chair who:

• Brings a strong commitment to Central YMCA’s values and purpose.
• Demonstrates inclusive, strategic, and inspiring leadership.
• Has experience of governance, either in a charity, public, or corporate setting.
• Is confident working with senior executives to balance support with appropriate challenge.
• Has the ability to represent Central YMCA with credibility and integrity across a wide range of audiences.
• Brings strong networks and the ability to connect the organisation to new opportunities and partnerships.
• Proven experience in governance — ideally as a Chair, Trustee, or Non-Executive Director — within the charity sector, social impact organisations, or relevant industries.
• The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
• The confidence to make informed decisions under pressure, even when challenging majority opinions, and to provide constructive challenge and influence at Board level.

Chair of Resources Committee

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or substantial senior financial management experience.
• A strong understanding of education and charity finance, SORP, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Excellent analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to exercise good judgement and interpret complex information.
• The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
• A solid understanding of governance principles, business models, finance, funding, and charity regulation compliance.
• The interpersonal skills to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Safeguarding Trustee

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Experience of overseeing safeguarding arrangements in an education or youth care setting (including children’s social services or local authority), with direct experience managing safeguarding issues affecting young people aged 14+.
• Strong working knowledge of government safeguarding, Prevent, and child protection strategies, as well as safer recruitment practices.
• Familiarity with Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding and governance expectations for trustees.
• Commitment to promoting and supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of the Charity’s work.
• Experience of working at a senior level in post-16 or vocational education, or within a local authority involved in education policy or strategy.

Why join Central YMCA?

At Central YMCA, we’ve been changing lives for over 180 years. Today, we continue to support people from all walks of life through education, employability, health, and wellbeing programmes. Joining us as Chair offers a unique chance to shape the next chapter in this proud history – ensuring we remain as relevant, inclusive, and impactful as ever.

If you are an accomplished leader who believes in the power of community and lifelong opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November. 

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

As Vice-Chair of Trustees you will provide strategic direction for the charity, ensuring that we are meeting the demand for our services, and making certain that we help and support people in crisis in the local community.

Key tasks

Vice-Chairperson Responsibilities:

• work alongside the Chairperson to ensure the board functions effectively and carries out its duties
• ensure the board sets an overall direction for the food bank with clear objectives
• ensure that the business of meetings is dealt with, and decisions are recorded and implemented
• in consultation with the rest of the board, recruit board members with relevant expertise and experience when required
• as a deputy for the Chairperson, taking on the Chair’s role in their absence.
• to learn from the Chair of Trustees, with a view to ascending to the role of Chairperson at the conclusion of their term in office.

Ensure an effective relationship between staff, volunteers, and stakeholders:

• to plan, with the Chairperson and food bank manager, an annual schedule of any subcommittee/steering group meetings and other key events which board members should attend
• to work alongside the Food Bank Manager to ensure there is appropriate communication between the trustee board and staff, volunteers, and any other stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities, along with the board of trustees, include:
• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, ensure the charity does not become over-committed, and ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled appropriately
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, financial statements are reviewed, and progress is evaluated
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people who want to help their local community. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of Selby & District Foodbank
• an ability to, when required, lead a trustee team in a supportive and confident manner
• experience of leadership and charity governance as part of a Board of Trustees, including familiarity with chairing meetings
• a broad knowledge and understanding of the third sector
• strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• excellent meeting and presentation skills

What difference will you make?

By leading the Board of Trustees, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with, Selby & District Foodbank.

Ready to join the action and build our local LGBTQIA+ Pride?

Role: Secretary & Operations Assistant

Role Overview

We’re looking for an engaged and organised individual to be the new Secretary & Operations Assistant for Maidstone Pride!

The Secretary & Operations Assistant will provide vital support to the day-to-day administration of Maidstone Pride and its activities, including supporting the governance of Maidstone Pride, coordination of meetings, record keeping, and communication with key stakeholders. This role ensures that all operational and compliance activities align with our mission and standards, contributing to the safe, lawful, and effective delivery of events and projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the day-to-day administration of Maidstone Pride and its operations alongside the Chair. 
• Oversee the collection, verification, and management of relevant documents and data 
• Supporting the volunteer recruitment processes, including screening, onboarding, and maintaining volunteer records. 
• Assist in the review, updating, and distribution of organisational policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current legislation and best practices 

General Responsibilities

In addition, all volunteers have the following general duties:

• All Volunteers and representatives of Maidstone Pride are expected to portray a positive image, both internally and externally, by displaying high standards of service, integrity, punctuality, politeness, and professionalism.
• To observe and uphold the requirements of the Maidstone Pride constitution, and act always in accordance with its governing documents and policies, including equal opportunities.
• Any other tasks that would be deemed suitable within this role as directed.

The role

We are looking for a new Treasurer and Trustee to join our Council of Trustees. This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified management accountant to lend financial expertise and strategic leadership to support the Trust’s governance and long-term impact.

Our Treasurer will work closely with the Finance Manager and Chief Executive Officer, providing financial insight, stewardship, and best-practice advice. As part of the Board of Trustees, you will help set the strategic direction for Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, championing our mission to create wildlife-rich places and wildlife-rich lives across the region.

Time commitment

The full Council meets five times a year, typically on weekday afternoons at the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust HQ.

Committees meet during office hours, usually at Trust HQ or online.

Trustees are expected to attend at least 75% of Council meetings, plus the Annual General Meeting, held at the start of Autumn.

Term of office

Trustees serve on a voluntary basis for an initial three-year period and may be reappointed for additional three-year terms (most trustees complete two terms). We provide a full induction plus ongoing training and personal development opportunities.

To apply for a Trustee position, you do not need to be a Member of the Trust at the time of application; however, it is expected you will become a member if selected.

We are a passionate, mission-driven charity working to protect and restore nature across Tees Valley and beyond. Through our nature reserves, community engagement, and advocacy, we empower people of all ages to connect with wildlife and take action for the environment. We are looking for a new Trustees to support the charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for a you to lend knowledge and expertise to inform strategic leadership to support the Trust’s governance and long-term impact.

Trustees drive our strategic direction, offering guidance, support and constructive challenge to the CEO. As passionate ambassadors for our work, they leverage networks to influence key partners and secure vital funding. Drawing on their expertise, they collaborate to position the charity for success in delivering strategic priorities. With strategic vision, independent judgement and commitment, our Trustees steer the Trust through

Trustees responsibilities

• Shape the Trust’s strategic vision, ensuring alignment with our goals and values
• Provide constructive challenge and support to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team
• Act as an ambassador, building relationships with partners, funders, and community groups
• Offer professional expertise to strengthen governance, policy development, and decision-making
• Commit to upholding charity law and the highest standards of integrity

Be Enriched is seeking an inspirational Chairperson to lead our Board of Trustees and guide our next phase of strategic growth. We use food as a tool to bring people together, cultivate joy and dignity whilst fighting food waste and nourishing the community.

What will you be doing?

The Chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board, ensuring the charity is governed effectively and remains true to our vision and mission. With an inclusive leadership style, the Chair will foster a collaborative atmosphere within the board, while offering both support and constructive challenge to the CEO. Additionally, the Chair serves as a passionate ambassador for the charity, representing its values and goals.

What are we looking for?

Essential Qualities

• Proven experience as a trustee, with a passion for governance and making a difference - prior Chair experience is welcome but not required.
• A keen sense of strategic purpose.
• An inclusive leadership style.
• The ability to listen and engage. Comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whist fostering a collaborative board environment. 
• Advocate – be able and willing to champion Be Enriched’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Be proactive and responsive – as a small charity, there are times when issues arise that require the Chair's guidance, support, or approval. 

What difference will you make?

Since 2013, we have been dedicated to enriching our communities through food. Our work tackles critical issues head-on: alleviating food poverty, combating social isolation, and empowering individuals through practical skills training. We believe in the power of food to bring people together, share knowledge, and cultivate lasting connections. 

As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering our strategy, working closely with an active and committed Board and our dedicated staff team. You will help us navigate being a charity in an increasingly tough climate. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills to strengthen our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our vital community services. 

ECT is looking for new trustees to join our existing enthusiastic and dedicated board who share our ambition to provide top-quality, safe, affordable and accessible transport services for every community we serve. The range of perspectives and experience diversity brings is an asset to ECT and we want to create an inclusive, welcoming environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly those who share our values but may be new to a role as a trustee.

Our Board is forging exciting plans for the future, alongside our top-notch team of committed, professional managers, drivers, assistants and administrators. As new trustees, you will help steer our charity on the next stage of its important journey. 

We are based in Greenford, West London, and also operate in Dorset and Cheshire. There are no specific skills required, and we are very keen to hear from people new to the role of being a trustee who are active in their local communities and we are determined to provide better representation for the people we support. ECT has been going for over 30 years and we do a lot of work with young people, the elderly, community groups and charities but we are also very keen to see what other services we might be able to offer.

We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have experience in finance, charity management or governance, transport or have a personal connection in some way to community transport but above all else, we want you to feel motivated to be involved and make a difference.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces?  You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English.  If so, this could be the role for you.

Our Branch provides lifelong support to anyone who has ever served, in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and their dependants. We also give support to those who has been in the Merchant Navy, Seafarers, Fishermen and their dependants, and British Airways staff past and present. Our main role is seeking welfare benevolent grants on behalf of clients who reside in the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. They can arrange anything from household goods, funeral costs, mobility aids or other general needs. Legal fees are not considered. We would advise clients to seek state and local benefits by signposting them to the relevant agencies.

What is a caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need, this might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit.  Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.  Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service.  We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. Our volunteers are based at home with a yearly AGM invite.

What does this role involve?

• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time

• Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances

• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice

• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability

• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients

• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser

• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the

Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background and their dependents

• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others

• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community

• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support will you receive?

• On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.

• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.

• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact. •

• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What skills or experience do you need?

• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English

• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues

• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills.  Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role  

• Ability to make enquires on behalf of clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms

• If required, willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the caseworker training course)

• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice

• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability 

• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients

• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin

•       Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies. 

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18  

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives)

Is a criminal record check required?  Yes, Garda Vetting, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer.

We are a small, friendly, place-based funder seeking up to 3 new volunteer Trustees to take us into the next decade.

Opportunity – Volunteer Trustee (we have 10 currently)

Location – London Bridge/Borough High Street SE1 (hybrid meetings, in-person encouraged)

Salary - Voluntary (Reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Hours – equivalent to 1 day per month

Trustees attend 4 required board meetings each year in March, June, September, December. We also encourage attendance at our quarterly Finance Committee and/or occasional grant assessment meetings. All are hybrid meetings run from our office near to London Bridge SE1.

About Us

Wakefield Tetley Trust is a long-established grant-maker working in Tower Hamlets, Southwark and the City of London since 2008 as a joint entity, originally created in the 1930’s as two separate charities. We support people in need by funding local charities and community groups who work with individuals and communities who are marginalised or disadvantaged, for example because they have difficulty in accessing resources, face discrimination or may experience poorer social, economic and health outcomes. In 2024 the Trust made grants of £213,152 towards work in support of our aims.

The opportunity

We are looking for up to 3 community-minded individuals who might live or work in our area of benefit. You will be keen to engage in high quality grant-making through informed understanding of the needs and challenges facing the charities and communities that we support.  We always need to add to our professional skill base so if you have experience relating to governance, finance, property, strategic and operational management, that is equally welcome. You’ll play a key part in developing our future plans and, as we are looking to incorporate in the next 12 months, you will play a part in achieving that and other changes.  

Time Commitment

Being available, engaged and a sounding board for staff and other Trustees is just as important as attending 4 mandatory meetings each year. We hope you’d take up the opportunity to visit and meet with grant holder charities, and to develop your knowledge and intelligence of issues that affect people in our area of benefit.

Who You Are

We’re looking for up to three individuals who bring enthusiasm, knowledge or interest in the local area we cover (or willing to learn), commitment to sound governance and the intention to make high quality grant-making. You might have a specific social interest or issue that you want to champion, and you’ll be a collaborative team member of the Board.

We particularly welcome applications from people currently living or working in the London Boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets or City of London.