Planning volunteer roles in plaistow, greater london

Equality in Tourism is now going through a period of change, including some financial growth and are looking for a conscientious individual, committed to women’s equality, to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer.

The Treasurer will oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements, and report to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Treasurer will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place, and are appropriate for the charity.

Principal responsibilities:

 · Overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts, financial statements and financial reports to the Board of Trustees after discussion with the Directors

· Being assured that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs and are within the charitiy’s objects

· Playing a key role in the development and implementation of appropriate financial policy and procedures, reserves policy and investment policy.

Main duties:

· Liaising with the directors about financial matters

· Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

· Ensuring that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place

· Advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans and assisting with appropriate budgeting/forecasting

· Liaising with the charity’s auditors where appropriate

· Liaising with the chair and directors to ensure that the charities annual accounts are compliant with the current Charities SORP

· Ensuring equipment and assets are adequately maintained and insured

· Making a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way

 Person specification

 We’re seeking someone who has a strong commitment to gender equality and empathy with our mission. Experience in accountancy or bookkeeping is required.  Previous experience working with a non-profit is preferred but not necessary.

· The capacity to build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives

· Sound judgement and effective decision making

· Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences

· Commitment to the organisation and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

· Preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the board

· Willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis

· Good, independent judgement and strategic vision

· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship

· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

· An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees and Directors

Learning and curriculum designers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for volunteers to develop learning content and resources, such as lesson plans and educational materials, to support our environmental learning goals. This role will focus on creating school-friendly resources for our website and collaborating with educators to enhance our offerings.

The role would include:

• Developing online learning resources for our website (on-going project)
• Designing or tailoring existing lesson plans and activities for schools 
• Supporting the creation of ELWP’s Under 18s volunteering policy
• Supporting outreach efforts to promote ELWP’s existing learning programmes

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Waltham Forest College 
• Henry Maynard Primary School, Walthamstow
• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead Primary School, Hackney
• Daubeney Primary School, Hackney
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

Ideal candidates have experience in curriculum design, teaching, or educational resource development. Creativity, strong writing skills, and an understanding of outdoor or environmental education will be valuable. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role.  

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

You will have a significant impact on the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. By volunteering in this role, you will help shape the future of East London Waterworks Park as a community-led environmental learning space. This will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you!

Learning and curriculum designers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for volunteers to develop learning content and resources, such as lesson plans and educational materials, to support our environmental learning goals. This role will focus on creating school-friendly resources for our website and collaborating with educators to enhance our offerings.

The role would include:

• Developing online learning resources for our website (on-going project)
• Designing or tailoring existing lesson plans and activities for schools 
• Supporting the creation of ELWP’s Under 18s volunteering policy
• Supporting outreach efforts to promote ELWP’s existing learning programmes

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Waltham Forest College 
• Henry Maynard Primary School, Walthamstow
• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead Primary School, Hackney
• Daubeney Primary School, Hackney
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

Ideal candidates have experience in curriculum design, teaching, or educational resource development. Creativity, strong writing skills, and an understanding of outdoor or environmental education will be valuable. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role.  

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

You will have a significant impact on the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. By volunteering in this role, you will help shape the future of East London Waterworks Park as a community-led environmental learning space. This will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Title: Programme Manager                                                                

Reports To: Programme Director

Location: Hybrid

Employment Type: Full - Time
 

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is an exciting cultural competition and community festival celebrating Brazilian traditions through Capoeira, music, dance, and acrobatics. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, this event offers free taster classes, performances, and a vibrant Brazilian arts & products fair—engaging local communities and encouraging cross-cultural learning.

We are looking for a Programme Manager to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the event. This hybrid volunteering role requires a commitment of 12 hours per week for 6 months. It is best suited for someone based near Kingston, as travel expenses will be reimbursed. This is a great opportunity to lead a high-profile community initiative that has previously been praised by local councillors, Kingston University, and the Brazilian Consulate in London.

Position Overview:
The Programme Manager oversees the strategic delivery of a multi-project programme focused on enhancing employability and skills development for target populations. This role ensures alignment with organisational and community goals, driving initiatives that reduce skills gaps, improve workforce readiness, and foster partnerships with employers and training providers. Reporting to the Programme Director, the Programme Manager manages a team of project specialists and coordinators, ensuring seamless execution of programme activities and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme Leadership:

   • Lead the end-to-end employability and skills development programme delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

   • Mentor and manage project specialists and coordinators, assigning tasks tied to programme milestones such as training workshops, employer partnerships, and participant assessments.

2. Stakeholder Collaboration:

   • Build and maintain relationships with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organisations to align programme outcomes with labour market needs.

   • Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring their requirements (e.g., hiring criteria, certification standards) are integrated into programme design.

3. Programme Design & Delivery:

   • Oversee the development of training curricula, mentorship initiatives, and job placement strategies tailored to diverse participant groups (e.g., youth, career changers).

   • Monitor participant progress and employment outcomes, using data to refine programme effectiveness.

4. Risk & Compliance Management:

   • Identify barriers to participant success (e.g., accessibility, resource gaps) and escalate systemic challenges to the Programme Manager with actionable solutions.

1. Reporting & Communication:

   • Track and report on key metrics such as participant engagement, skill acquisition rates, and post-programme employment status.

   • Prepare updates for senior leadership and stakeholders to demonstrate programme impact.

2. Process Improvement:

   • Implement feedback loops with participants and partners to continuously enhance programme quality.

   • Promote best practices in adult education, vocational training, and equity-focused initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Human Resources, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • 3–5 years managing employability, workforce development, or adult education programmes.

  • Proven experience leading teams and collaborating with cross-sector stakeholders.

• Skills:

  • Strong understanding of labour market trends and barriers to employment.

  • Ability to design inclusive, participant-centric programmes.

  • Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, CRM systems) and project management software.

  • Exceptional communication skills for engaging diverse audiences.

• Certifications: Certifications in programme management (e.g., PgMP), career coaching, or adult education are advantageous.

The Jawbone Collective seeks a Volunteer Bookkeeping / Financial Recordkeeping support person to join our thriving arts organisation. As we continue to expand activities and our reach across the Southwest of England, we need someone with financial expertise to help strengthen our operational foundation.

You will work remotely alongside our dedicated management team to develop robust financial processes that will support our journey toward becoming a self-sustaining arts organisation. Your expertise will be instrumental in supporting us in managing our diverse revenue streams, including workshop fees, journal and poetry publications, grants (hopefully we get some soon) and event income.

As part of our inclusive creative community, you'll contribute to an organisation that champions diverse voices, including neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+ and working-class writers. While a love for literature isn't required, you'll be supporting a mission that makes literary opportunities accessible to all through affordable programs and free submission opportunities.

Role Description

• Initially organising a transition to accounting software
• Train team members in maintain financial records and bookkeeping
• Assist with financial reporting and planning
• Support budget management for our various programmes and publications
• Help track expenses related to workshops, events, and publishing activities
• Contribute to funding applications and financial governance

What We're Looking For

• Experience in financial management and
• Governance required for a CIC (desirable, or be willing to learn) 
• An ability to train team members in necessary software for bookkeeping
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to work with our creative community-focused team
• Understanding of arts organisation operations (desirable)

About Us

The Jawbone Collective is a dynamic arts organisation dedicated to nurturing creative voices across the Wessex Region. Founded in 2022, we've evolved from our initial mission of publishing the poetry collections of under represented groups to becoming a comprehensive creative hub offering multiple platforms for artistic expression. Our initiatives include the upcoming Jawbone Journal - May 2025; developing a Substack community, Jawbone Radio for spoken word performances; plus workshops - in person and online; and mentoring programs. Based in Dorset, we've established strong creative communities in Dorchester and Bridport as well as attracting attendees to real world activities coming from Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset, whilst also maintaining an active online presence attracting people from the UK and across the world.

At our core, we're driven by a commitment to diversity and accessibility in the arts. Our community of 15 core creative members represents a rich tapestry of voices, including creatives from neurodivergent, disabled, LGBTQIA+, female and  working class creators from various age groups and backgrounds. We are actively challenging publishing industry 'norms' by offering affordable and free submission opportunities. We are bridging the gap between performance and page poetry, and creating inclusive spaces where every creative voice can flourish. Through our various platforms and initiatives, we're building a supportive environment where artists can develop their craft, share their work, and connect with a broader creative community.

Working remotely however we would love to meet up with you from time to time.

You are most welcome to attend any of our events and workshops at no cost to yourself.

Amount of hours approx 8 - 16 hours a month depending on projects.

Why we want you:
Food banks provide three-day emergency food parcels for people in crisis, volunteering in partnership with organisations across the community. Through our social media platforms, we are aiming to gain support for our activity as a food bank and raise awareness in our local community of the drivers pushing people into poverty in order to inspire local people to take action and support us. We are looking for a Social Media volunteer to help oversee and drive this important activity forward and enable us to elevate the voice of food bank staff, volunteers, and those with first-hand experience of hardship. 

What you will be doing:

• Lead the development and delivery of our social media and communications plan.
• Prepare a social media calendar of key annual activities for the next 12 months.
• Increase our Social media presence and grow our follower numbers.
• Create regular, innovative and engaging social media posts that reflect our campaigns, key activities, events, and requests for support.
• Engage and interact with our followers, keeping them up to date with activities and developments.
• Follow, reshare, and like posts from our key audiences, ensuring our accounts remain active and relevant Identify new trends we might use to strengthen our position within the community.
• Monthly meetings with the food bank manager to plan our social media activity.
• Once a month, visit our 3 sites to create content and stories.
• 4-6 hours per week

The skills you need:

• Experience and understanding in using social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter (privately or professionally)
• Ability to think creatively to deliver engaging and authentic online content with accuracy and good attention to detail.
• Strong in your writing skills and able to deliver messages clearly and confidently.
• Ability to operate in a professional manner when communicating online.
• Understanding the need for confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection.
• Ability to get on with others and be part of a team, as well as being motivated to complete tasks independently

What's in it for you

• Using your existing skills to make a difference
• Meet new people who share your passion to end poverty in the community
• Make a real difference to the running of your food bank
• The opportunity to serve your local community

Disclaimer

We recognise that we have under-represented groups within our team. As part of our commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity we are actively encouraging applications from under-represented groups such as parents or carers who are re-entering volunteering after a career break, people who are LGBTQ+, from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition

​

We are currently recruiting volunteers to support our Mental Health services, which include group co-facilitators, initial appointment hosts, activity facilitators, mental health plan facilitators.

HeadsOut is a strengths-based crisis prevention, intervention and wellbeing LGBT+ support service.

Our aim is to enhance people’s wellbeing and functioning by focusing on their strengths and resources, reinforcing resilience and enhancing protective external factors, including creating safe spaces, community connection, a sense of belonging, empowerment and affirmation. 

By joining the HeadsOut Team you will:

• Support people who experience mental distress
• Make a positive contribution to the LGBT+ community
• Be given relevant training and support 

Our services are delivered on various days and times across the week and weekends, plus during the day and evenings, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. 

Respecting diversity, understanding and upholding professional boundaries and confidentiality are of course fundamental to all of our work and you will be required support this. 

All our volunteer facilitators must positively identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/ or trans (Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies).

Service

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing Group providing supported living accommodation for young women in recovery and receiving support with drug and alcohol issues.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to teach guitar, who will support young women to develop their piano skills and positively encourage their creative expression.

Location

East London.

Commitment

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on your availability and the needs of service users.  It might be every week or fortnight, 3 to 4 hours, ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

DBS

This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Activities

• Providing guitar lessons to residents, as well as supporting their individual musical goals.
• Developing and delivering individual session plans and documented session outcomes in order to assist each resident’s personal growth.

Support

• Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.
• Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

We’re Foothold, and we’re looking for a new Honorary Treasurer.
Our Trustees play a big part in helping us to achieve our strategic objectives and meet the needs of those we’re committed to support: engineers and their families worldwide.
 

What will you be doing?

Our Trustees get together five times a year for a mixture of virtual and in-person meetings (four Board meetings and one training day with staff), as well as spending time before meetings reading the Board papers and preparing, totaling a commitment of 50–70 hours a year of their time.
They’re responsible for providing strategic direction and making key decisions to ensure we’re delivering on our objectives.
They serve on three Committees.

 

What are we looking for?

Financial and audit/risk experience (a recognised financial qualification is desirable) and strong knowledge of Statements of Recommended Practice, charity and company law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Experience gained as Trustee or Non-Executive Director in a similarly complex service-orientated  organisation.
Strong understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.
 

What difference will you make?

Being a Trustee can bring unique opportunities
Develop skills you wouldn’t necessarily build in other roles, learn from and work with people from all walks of life. On top of this, you’ll also:
use your passion to help build a brighter future for engineers and their families
play a big role in strategically leading our charity

Connect: North Korea works with North Korean escapees to recover, rebuild, and succeed. We were established in 2018 to address the complex challenges North Koreans face in building new lives once they’ve escaped the oppressive North Korean regime and reached safety in a free country.

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious trustee with the fundraising insight and strategic vision to help Connect: North Korea continue our growth from a small community start-up into a high-impact, sustainable international organisation. As we scale our programmes and deepen our impact, we’re looking for a trustee with a strong understanding of fundraising strategy, who can help shape our approach, promote our mission through their networks, and help us drive change for North Korean escapees.

If you have a background in fundraising, this is an excellent opportunity to play a highly rewarding role in supporting our mission. As part of a tightly knit and ambitious Board, you will provide strategic oversight of our governance, act as a spokesperson and ambassador for our work, help drive income generation through your networks and relationship-building skills, offer strategic advice and support to the senior management team, and foster a collaborative and effective governance environment. Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with our work and vision and share our values and commitment to social and racial justice. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Fundraising Trustee

LOCATION: Remote / 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, KT3 4QS

We usually hold board meetings online, but this is open to change.

COMMITMENT: 2 – 3 hours per month. We hold one annual away day we’d expect the board to attend.

Our Board meets every quarter for 2 hours. There is expected support between meetings. Our terms are capped at 3 years with potential for renewal for one additional term.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to good governance and strategic decision-making, ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities in line with our constitution, governance framework, and applicable legislation.

• Provide strategic leadership on fundraising and income generation, helping to shape Connect: North Korea’s strategy and approach to sustainable growth.

• Use your networks and influence to promote the charity’s mission, opening doors to potential donors, partners, and advocates.

• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for Connect: North Korea in relevant sectors and philanthropic circles.

• Contribute to Board discussions on financial planning and sustainability, ensuring that fundraising targets and strategic objectives are aligned.

• Champion a culture of philanthropy and external engagement across the organisation.

• Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and the Chair to maintain a supportive, ambitious, and effective governance environment.

• Ensure that there are effective financial management processes in place and that the charity is financially sustainable.

• Work with the CEO to set and monitor organisational/risk KPIs.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS
 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior strategic fundraising role in a professional setting.

•  Well-networked and exhibit strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role.

• Leverage a well-developed network to strengthen engagement, awareness, and support for our mission.

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills with proven ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment

• Must align with our values and have proven understanding of the issues facing refugees and asylum-seekers.

Be able to make difficult decisions, negotiate challenging conversations, and be able to balance competing interests

• Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation with a good understanding of charity finance and governance issues.

• Have the ability to think strategically and be able to work effectively with the organisation's senior management team, staff and volunteers.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Lived experience of migration or of a refugee background is highly desirable.

• Korean speaker

• Experience with major donor or fundraising events

• Be actively engaged in refugee and migrant rights, social change, and/or a related field

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV and cover letter for the attention of Emma Shore, Chair of the Board.

Applications will close when the role is filled. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. 

Pecan is seeking committed Christians to join our Board of Trustees and help shape the future of our fantastic charity. As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in guiding our governance and upholding our values of Kindness, Belief and Hope. Trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the charity, safeguarding its resources, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.

We welcome Trustee applicants with a wide range of skills—particularly those with strong networks in Southwark or the funder community—and especially those with lived experience of the challenges Pecan addresses. Trustees should be able to devote time to preparing for and attending most of our 8–10 annual meetings (primarily virtual, with occasional in-person gatherings in south London). If you are passionate about making a difference, committed to our statement of faith, and ready to help Pecan grow and thrive, we would love to hear from you!

Deadline: 9am on 5 January 2026 but earlier applications encouraged. 

Location: Shepherd’s Bush, West London

Time Commitment: Approx. 1–2 days per month (including quarterly board meetings and annual Away Day)

Type: Voluntary

Start Date: Early 2026

Join a unique West London charity creating lasting change in people’s lives

The Upper Room is seeking a Chair of Trustees (Designate) to join our Board in 2025/26 and, after a year of active trusteeship and shadowing, to step into the role of Chair when our current Chair reaches the end of their tenure in 2027.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, values-led individual to help shape the next phase of our work, from strategic resilience to community innovation.

About Us

From small beginnings more than 35 years ago The Upper Room has grown into a thriving charity with an annual budget of around £650K.

Food provision has always been at the heart of what we do. UR4Meals serves approximately 40,000 meals a year, operating five days a week.

UR4Driving works with ex-offenders and young people identified as at risk of offending. We help them pass their driving theory test, and then provide free driving lessons. Last year 37 students gained a full driving licence with us. This has a significant impact on their employability and self-esteem, and dramatically reduces re-offending.

UR4Jobs helps people become work-ready, and supports their wellbeing.

We are still based in our original home at St Saviour’s Church near Shepherd’s Bush in west London.

About the Role

As Chair, you’ll lead a committed and skilled Board of Trustees, working closely with our CEO and senior team to guide strategy, ensure good governance and champion our impact.

You’ll also play a key role externally, acting as an ambassador to funders, partners and supporters.

We’re looking for someone who can

• Provide strategic leadership through a period of growth and innovation
• Foster a culture of inclusion and respect, both on the Board and across the organisation - Support and challenge the CEO, acting as a critical friend and sounding board
• Ensure excellent governance, compliance and risk management
• Represent the charity publicly, building relationships and influence

About You

We welcome candidates with prior Board experience as a Trustee, Chair or Non-Executive Director, and a strong commitment to social justice.

We especially encourage applications from those with lived experience of disadvantage, as well as those from under-represented backgrounds, including individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We’re interested in candidates with

• A clear understanding of charity governance and the role of a Chair
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• A collaborative, values-driven approach
• The time, energy and commitment to make a lasting difference

Additional experience in fundraising, partnerships, organisational development or public sector engagement would be welcome, though not essential.

Time Commitment

• As a Trustee in 2025/ 26 (approx. 1–2 days per month)
• Transition to Chair in 2027, subject to mutual agreement and Board approval
• Quarterly evening Board meetings (in person in London)
• Annual summer Away Day with staff and trustees
• Optional involvement in sub-committees or events depending on interest and availability
• Representing the charity at local events

Why Now

By inviting a prospective Chair to join our Board as a Trustee in 2025/26, we can ensure a smooth, informed transition, with the support and handover of our current Chair, and plenty of time for deep onboarding and relationship-building.

The new Chair will help consolidate our growth, and lead our Board through the next chapter, ensuring our mission continues to serve those who need us most in the years ahead.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter explaining your interest and suitability to the Upper Room.

If you would like to have an informal conversation before applying, feel free to reach out via email to arrange a call.

Because we are planning for the long term we are not placing a deadline on this process. However, we aim to appoint in the first quarter of 2026.

Interviews will be held in two stages, including an in-person meeting with key Board and staff members.

Do you enjoying talking with people and helping them based on your life experiences?

Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?

Yes? We’d love to hear from you.

What is knus?

knus is the UK’s first free, confidential, mental health peer support and coaching online chat service. knus offers mental health educational plans, relaxation experiences and live workshops.

What does knus mean? 'hug' in Danish.

Here’s some further information on what’s needed:

Are you over 18 and living in the UK?

You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.

Do you have a laptop?

A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.

How much time can you give?

A minimum of 2+ hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.

Do you like to learn?

We provide training for all volunteers that join us. Our peer support training is accredited.  20-25 hours of volunteering training is required and is self led online.

If you’re interested head over to our website and we can have a chat or apply here.

Please note - all successful volunteers are required to donate the cost price of £20.60 for an Enhanced DBS check.  If you've got a current Enhanced DBS on the update service, this cost will not apply.

You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.

Join Room to Heal as Chair to support the Board and Co-Directors, guiding governance, strategy, and transition while helping the organisation continue its mission of healing and community.

About Room to Heal

Room to Heal is a healing community for asylum seekers and refugees who have suffered torture and gross human rights violations. Our mission is to use the restorative power of community to help people heal from torture and organised violence and build meaningful lives.

What will you be doing?

Background

•  Room to Heal is entering a new chapter with the introduction of a Co-Director leadership model. The Chair will work alongside the Co-Directors and Board of Trustees to guide strategic decisions and ensure that governance continues to support the organisation’s mission of healing through community
• Room to Heal’s current Chair has provided valuable support to the organisation in recent years and will continue to be involved during the period of transition
• We therefore anticipate a collaborative handover process, with the incoming Chair working alongside the current post-holder to ensure continuity, stability and a confident transfer of responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Board, ensuring trustees uphold governance with integrity and accountability
• Chair Board meetings, guiding strategic conversations and supporting trustee oversight
• Guide long-term vision and strategy, balancing ambition with financial and operational sustainability
• Advise the Co-Directors on organisational planning, service evaluation, and staff development
• Oversee risk management, safeguarding, and financial controls to ensure safety and compliance
• Model the organisation’s values, fostering a culture of compassion, inclusion, and resilience

For full details please request the Candidate Pack from the Reach TrusteeWorks Team, at the email address provided.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a Chair who can combine strong governance with compassion. We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in leadership, governance, or board-level roles
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and an inclusive leadership style
• Empathy and a commitment to promoting wellbeing and resilience in vulnerable communities

Room to Heal was founded on principles of equality, respect, and justice, and these values continue to guide every aspect of our work. Our community includes people from many countries, languages, and faiths, and our strength lies in our diversity. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work. We are committed to offering equal opportunity for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity.

What difference will you make?

Becoming Chair of Room to Heal means stepping into a role where leadership genuinely changes lives. This is an opportunity to guide a small, mission-driven charity through an important moment of transition and to help ensure that some of the most marginalised people in our society continue to receive the care, dignity and connection they deserve.

Your leadership will help Room to Heal remain resilient, focused and true to its values. Guiding two newly appointed Co-Directors and a dedicated board, you will help strengthen the organisation’s foundations and shape its future direction.

This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference at a time when strong, compassionate leadership matters most. If you are inspired by the idea of helping survivors of trauma rebuild their lives in community, we would love to hear from you. Join us in shaping the next chapter of Room to Heal.

Time commitment

The time commitment averages around one day per month.

Four Board meetings a year - usually hybrid, allowing trustees to join remotely or in person.

The Chair also sits on the finance subcommittee which meets online approximately every six weeks.