One external trustee and one external committee member volunteer roles

Who They Are

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is a UK charity that has been supporting older people for over 35 years. Its vision – better lives for older people – remains as relevant today as at its founding. Through integrated retirement communities, ExtraCare offers an alternative approach to later living that challenges societal perceptions of ageing.

Its holistic model, underpinned by research with Aston and Lancaster Universities, has delivered proven benefits for both residents and wider society. As pioneers of supported independent living, the Trust prides itself on delivering best-in-class retirement living and advocating for older people.

Since 1988, ExtraCare has developed retirement villages and smaller housing schemes, with a consistent focus on enabling residents to enjoy happy, healthy, and fulfilled lives within vibrant communities. Today, it is the UK’s leading not-for-profit developer of housing for over-55s, operating 14 retirement villages and four smaller schemes, supporting more than 4,329 residents in 3,778 homes.

The Role

ExtraCare is seeking a new Chair of the Audit & Assurance Committee to lead the Committee in providing rigorous oversight of risk, governance, and financial controls, ensuring the charity operates with integrity and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The charity welcomes applications from individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds to help enhance the diversity of the Board.

Person Specification

• Senior leadership or Board-level experience, and/or prior service as Chair or member of an Audit Committee.

• Strong business acumen, including strategic financial planning and awareness, with a sound understanding and background in audit and finance. A relevant financial qualification is desirable but not essential, provided at least one other Committee member holds such a qualification or background.

• Working knowledge of the Audit Committee’s role, internal and external audit processes, audit practice, and risk management frameworks.

• Sound governance knowledge and experience operating with a high level of accountability in a regulated sector.

• Ability to chair meetings impartially, effectively, and inclusively.

• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.

RSPCA London South East Branch

This is an exciting opportunity to pass on your legal and GDPR compliance expertise whilst helping the RSPCA to; promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things.

Overview of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR opportunity

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a legal background, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at the London South East Branch and support us with GDPR compliance.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

The RSPCA London South East Branch

The London South East Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The London South East Branch has two retail shops (Sydenham Road and Norwood Road) and supports the work of the Inspectorate through rehoming of animals within the branch area.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

• Assist the Branch in ensuring that activities are GDPR compliant and reviewing and updating the Branch processing activities register.

• Support the Branch in developing and updating Branch policies, particularly the Branch privacy notice and internal data protection policy, to make sure they are compliant.

• Support the Branch when liaising with external specialist providers such as HR and health and safety specialists.

• Support with liaising with external specialists for advice on shop leases when necessary.

• To assist the Branch when developing new schemes, such as providing welfare assistance to those on low incomes, to ensure any new schemes are GDPR compliant.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.

• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.

• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.

• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.

• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives.

• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside legal and GDPR compliance experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

No previous trustee experience? That’s OK! We welcome applications from anyone interested in developing their skills by becoming a trustee and will provide relevant training.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you view the Government Charity Trustee Guidance.

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair of the board at The Hardman Trust

• Are you keen to help people leaving prison and support them to work towards their goals?
• Do you believe that with the right support people can rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and break free from the cycle of reoffending?
• Do you share our conviction that no one should be defined solely by their past, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive?

If so, you could be one of the people we are looking for to help The Hardman Trust move into the next
exciting chapter of our work.

Who are we?
The Hardman Trust was established in 1994, with the aim of helping people leaving prison after long
sentences. Our founder, Guy Armstrong, was a prison Chaplain. He saw the challenges facing this
group: homelessness, a lack of workplace skills, stigma, isolation, low confidence, and poverty. A fund
was set up to provide financial assistance to purchase tools and equipment, offering a helping hand
into employment. We now know from experience that this practical approach works. The people the
Hardman Trust has supported over three decades have used this financial support to gain
qualifications, start their own businesses, find employment and a new direction in life. We are now
extending our reach so more people can benefit from our support and sharing our evidence and
insights to help shape a more effective, humane criminal justice system. Achieving this means securing
the right funding, building strong partnerships, and ensuring our resources are used with maximum
efficiency and impact.
We are looking for several new Trustees to join the Hardman Trust Board. If you want to support our
mission, and you feel that you have the commitment and the life or professional experience for the
role, we would love to hear from you. In return, you will have the chance to make a meaningful
difference to those serving long sentences; and you will be part of a passionate and committed team
of staff, trustees and volunteers. We offer support to all new Trustees and if you haven’t been one
before, don’t worry - we will make sure you have access to any training and development you feel you
need.
It is a privilege to be part of the Hardman Trust’s work. It is an incredible organisation making real
change in the criminal justice sector. It is an exciting time to join the charity – we have recently
appointed a new CEO, Annette So and we are looking forward to developing our direction for the
future and fulfilling our vision where everyone can achieve their potential within and beyond prison.

The Trustee role
The Trustees work collectively as a Board. They have ultimate responsibility for governing the
Hardman Trust charity, directing its management, and ensuring it is well-run and operates according to
its purposes. They are legally responsible for the charity's finances, reputation, and compliance with
the law. Each Trustee brings their own lived experience and/or professional skills to support the charity
achieve its aims. Most Trustees also learn new skills during their time on the Board.
We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know
that diverse groups of people make better decisions. We are keen to hear from people who can bring
perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us
progress our vision.
Trustees are not usually involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. However, they work closely
with the Hardman Trust’s dedicated staff team, who are supported by a wider group of volunteers. The
Trustee role as in the majority of charities, is unpaid although legitimate expenses – travel costs for
example – can be claimed.

The Trustees’ key responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Board in setting the charity’s strategy and priorities
• Oversee a collaborative and effective Board that brings diverse perspectives
• Support the Chief Executive, offering guidance and challenge
• Champion the charity’s mission and values, acting as an Ambassador and building relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, donors and the wider criminal justice sector
• Ensure effective governance and decision making, including chairing quarterly board meetings
• Ensure compliance with the Charity Commission and relevant legislation.
• A full job specification is included below for further information.

What we are looking for

Experience of leadership, ideally at Board or senior executive level. You don’t have to have been a Chair before, but you do have to have experience of being a Trustee.

• Strong governance knowledge and an understanding of the responsibility of charity trustees
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and able to build relationships effectively
• Strategic thinking with the ability to support and challenge constructively, and an inclusive leadership style
• Someone who will act as an advocate for the charity and be willing to champion the Hardman
• Trust through personal networks, social media and other channels.
• The ability to be responsive and flexible – we are a small charity which sometimes requires the
• Chair to be available at short notice or out of hours to offer support or advice
• Commitment to equality, diversion and inclusion and to improving outcomes for people serving long prison sentences
• Experience of the criminal justice sector, prisons or related fields is desirable

Please review the document The Hardman Trust Chair Pack for more information about this position and details on how to apply. 

Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?

ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy so that everyone has the freedom and security to live a good life. 

ECU’s board members are responsible for ensuring that ECU is well-run and delivers on our ambition to accelerate the transition to a fair, sustainable and resilient economy. They are responsible for fulfilling the legal duties of a Company Director, as set out by Companies House. Although ECU is not a charity, it is focused on delivering a public purpose, so most aspects of the role are similar to that of a charity trustee role.

We are now recruiting for ECU’s first Treasurer, who will lead at board level on monitoring ECU’s financial performance and sustainability, ensuring that we have robust financial policies and processes in place, and supporting other board members to fulfil their collective responsibilities around finance. 

This is an exciting time to join ECU. We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue. Our work is challenging, fascinating, and fulfilling – and, with rising levels of inequality, an unfolding climate emergency, overstretched public services and a growing concentration of corporate power, it couldn’t be more important.

British Blind Sport (BBS) is the National Disability Sport Organisation that represents blind and partially sighted people in sport. Our vision is to empower all people living with sight loss to get active and enjoy sport, whether it is taking their first steps or helping to secure talent pathways to encourage individuals to fulfil their potential. Working across both the sight loss and sport sector, we work with strategic partner organisations to fulfil our aim and, by doing so, we positively impact the lives of hundreds of people every year.

About the role:

To support our work and to help us to demonstrate our commitment to VI sport, we are looking for an Independent Director to provide support to our people development and HR services with expertise in HR, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Occupational Health.

Your experience:

• To provide advice and guidance to the BBS board and the CEO on matters related to employment.
• Support and advise on the employment affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional, current and within accepted practice
• Ensure proper records are kept and that effective employment and HR procedures are in place.
• Lead from the board on matters related to employment changes, disputes and related issues.
• Be a member of board sub-committees as requested by the Chair of Trustees and in relation to your expertise. Be an active member of the BBS HR sub-committee.
• To contribute actively to the board of trustees' role in giving strategic direction to the organisation. Setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

Specifically

• Liaise regularly with the CEO on general matters related to employment and people development.
• Ensure that fellow committee members are aware of their obligations as an employer.
• Provide advice to both the CEO and sub-committees on issues related to employment at BBS.
• Work with senior leadership team and the board to ensure all employment related policies are legal and fit for purpose.
• Act as an independent advisor during recruitment processes.
• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• CIPD Qualified. Preferably to Fellow level.
• Those holding legal qualification with HR/Employment experience.
• Up to date practical knowledge of operating in an HR environment.
• Organisational and administrative skills.
• Experience of advising and working with senior members of staff.
• Understanding of IT programmes and HR systems.
• Personable with strong communication and relationship building capabilities across all levels of the business.
• Proven ability to liaise at all levels internally and external to the organisation.
• Leadership skills within this area.

Zebra is seeking a qualified accountant to join our board of trustees as our next Treasurer.

Zebra is a not-for-profit social enterprise (exempt charity) providing accommotation to postgraduate international students living in London. We believe in the importance of international studies and have been going for over 60 years. We are a healthy organisation with a strong reputation and ambitious plans for the future.

This is an important time for Zebra. We are currently going through the process of deregistering with the Regulator of Social Housing and are changing our accounting practices and systems as we make the transition away from the housing association sector and to a more appropriate structure to prepare us for growth in the future. We have an experienced Finance Manager on our staff team who you will be working with along with the CEO and the rest of the board members.

We ideally need a Treasurer with some understanding of the charity or social enterprise sector. This is an unpaid volunteer role - there are four boars meetings per year (all online), Audit and Risk Committee meeetings (also online), and occasional meet ups in London - but you can be based anywhere to carry out this role.

Duties

• Acting as a mentor to the Finance Manager, supporting her through this period of transition while Zebra puts in place a new structure and new financial systems

• Chairing the Audit and Risk Committee - number of meetings per year to be decided as this is currently under review

• Meeting with our external auditors on Zoom

• Reviewing our quarterly accounts, annual accounts and reports and providing feedback

• Using your expertise to provide advice and support to other board members, including our Co-Chairs, to support them in understanding our finances and helping them to be able to provide good scrutiny and governance

• Attendance of four board meetings per year on Zoom, where you will provide input and opinions especially around financial matters

• Attending one Board Strategy day per year in London for which expenses can be paid (and ideally also attending our Christmas meal)

• The Treasurer should expect to serve for a minimum of 12 months

To apply please submit your CV in the first instance.

Volunteer Co-chair at Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)

Job summary: 

We're looking for a Co-chair to lead and shape the strategic vision of WTRRP as we move forward into our 25th year as a charity. We are looking for someone to support us with our strategy in line with our mission and our values. In this role, you will act as one of two Trustee committee co-chairs of the charity, responsible for the agenda and actions of Trustee meetings and AGM, improving good governance and acting as a senior ambassador of the organisation. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, availability and leadership skills to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers.

WTRRP exists to support asylum seekers and refugees in Watford and Three Rivers who do not yet have settled status in the UK or may have specific needs relating to their application process or welfare. The main services of the charity are a drop-in session and social hub every Tuesday (at St Mary’s Church in central Watford), ESOL classes, providing financial support and advice to its clients and assisting them to integrate into the local community.

The Partnership has grown dramatically over the past 5 years, which is why we are looking for a co-chair to join us. WTRRP is run by a committee that meets typically every 2 months and it also provides supervision to our 3 staff members and support to our 70 volunteers.

We would welcome applicants with any of the following experience:

• Governance and previous Committee experience
• Business development and charitable fundraising
• Human resources and people management
• Lived experience of being a Refugee or Migrant
• Financial background

Principal responsibilities:

1. Be part of the Committee, supporting the organisation as it grows and develops.
2. Have availability to regularly attend the Tuesday hub at St. Marys church from 11- 2pm to support the team and be present.
3. Oversee the administration and coordination of sub-committees.
4. Serve as line-manager to the Caseworker and conduct planned supervision and appraisals.
5. Represent the Partnership as required to the public or external parties such as funders and Community groups.

This is an important role that will support the charity as we adapt and change. If you feel that you may have some of the skills we are looking for and want to have an initial chat with our chair, then please contact us.