Play volunteer volunteer roles in gidea park, greater london

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. 

Since our first project based in Borneo in 2009, we have helped over 50,000 animals across the globe. We provide a lifeline to dogs and cats every year in need of veterinary care and support via humane dog and cat population projects. We also provide aid to companion animals, working donkeys, and endangered wildlife.

As a small charity, who has big plans, we can’t do it without the support of volunteers and fundraisers.

That’s where you come in! - Join Our Team and Make a Difference!

Are you passionate about animal welfare and looking for a rewarding way to contribute? Become a key part of our monthly online auctions and help raise vital funds for our cause!

As a Donation Support Officer, you'll play a crucial role in collecting items for our auctions, which take place in our Facebook group each month.

What You'll Do:

• Engage your network: Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues to gather preloved items for auction. You’ll help give things a second life while raising funds for animals in need!

• Connect with your community: Tap into local Freecycle groups, social media, and even your neighborhood to find exciting items to auction.

• Reach out to businesses: Approach local businesses for new, unused donations. It could be products, services, or gift cards that can help boost the auction's success.

• Spread the word: Share the auctions within your network to encourage bidding and excitement around the cause.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a real impact: Every item you help secure means more funds for our charity, which go toward animal care, rescue operations, and rehoming programs.

• Flexible commitment: You can volunteer from the comfort of your own home and set your own pace. We are looking for around 1-3hrs per week and while some tasks may be time sensitive the majority of the role will be flexible. 

• Support & Training: You’ll join a small friendly team and we will provide guidance to help you succeed in your role.

Welcome to 2-3 Degrees

Thank you for your interest in the role of Trustee of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO. 

Since launching in March 2016 we have worked with over 10,000 young people across the UK, delivering fun, engaging and dynamic workshops and programmes to inspire young people to become the best version of themselves. Following a period of growth and reflection, we are embarking on the journey to establish our own charity.

The new charity will become a platform for us to grow our reach and impact, delivering more transformational programmes for young people.

We are looking for exceptional candidates to join our Trustee Board, providing strategic guidance and oversight during this crucial transition.

Trustee Duties and Responsibilities

• Support and provide advice on 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s purpose, vision, goals and activities. 
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. 
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
  • Contribute to regular reviews of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s own governance. 
  • Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Harness personal and professional networks to support our fundraising strategy.
• Keep abreast of changes in 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s operating environment.
• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s objectives, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Jointly with other Trustees, to hold the charity ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries.

Support

• 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO is committed to developing and supporting our Trustees throughout their time on the Board, from initial induction to training and mentoring.

Time commitment

• Trustees are volunteers. You should be able to commit at least half day a month (4 hours) to support the work of the charity. This will include keeping abreast of the work of the charity through reading staff reports and attending Trustee Board meetings four times a year, responding to emails and providing advice and support to staff as necessary. In addition, you should be able to attend at least one full Board Development Day per year.

• Alongside this, Trustees are expected to have a passion for the 2-3 Degrees mission and engaging with young people, this should be reflected (but not limited to) attending a minimum of 2 workshops per year to stay engaged with the impact of the organisation and its key events. 

Term of office

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office.

*Read more about our organisation via the attached PDF, which will become visable when you start the application*

Location: Remote with occasional in-person meetings 

Commitment: Approximately 8-10 hours/month

About Children With Voices (CWV):

Children With Voices is a community-driven charity committed to supporting young people, families, and communities through initiatives focused on mental health, well-being, food sustainability, and youth empowerment. We aim to create safe, inclusive spaces that promote resilience, opportunity, and growth.

Role Overview:

The Board Secretary plays a crucial role in ensuring strong governance, effective communication, and operational efficiency across CWV’s board activities. This volunteer position supports compliance, board administration, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning—contributing directly to CWV’s mission and long-term impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Board Governance & Compliance

•Maintain accurate and confidential records of board meetings, decisions, and policies.

•Ensure compliance with charity governance frameworks and legal regulations.

•Support the board in implementing best practices in governance and administration.

2. Meeting Coordination & Strategic Support

•Organise and facilitate board meetings: prepare agendas, document minutes, and track action points.

•Maintain up-to-date records of board members, policies, and governance materials.

•Assist in aligning board discussions with CWV’s strategic objectives.

3. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

•Act as a liaison between board members, stakeholders, and external partners.

•Represent CWV at public engagements, networking events, and charity forums.

•Maintain a professional tone in all correspondence and ensure timely communication.

4. Mental Health & Well-Being Advocacy

•Support the integration of mental health awareness into board planning and discussions.

5. Financial Administration & Fundraising Support

•Assist in tracking financial documentation, grant applications, and reporting requirements.

•Support funding strategies by ensuring appropriate record-keeping and compliance.

•Work closely with fundraising leads to maintain transparency and donor trust.

Key Skills & Experience:

•Experience in board administration, governance, or executive-level support.

•Strong knowledge of UK charity regulations and non-profit governance best practices.

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience in minute-taking and report writing.

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint).

•Experience in stakeholder engagement, public speaking, or advocacy work.

•Understanding or experience in mental health, psychotherapy, or community wellness is highly desirable.

•Familiarity with financial processes in a non-profit or charitable context is a plus.

What You’ll Gain:

•Opportunity to play a key role in shaping a growing community organisation.

•Experience in charity governance and strategic planning.

•A chance to contribute to mental health and youth development initiatives.

•Connections with a passionate, diverse, and purpose-driven board team.

Next Steps:

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a short expression of interest outlining relevant experience and motivation for the role.

                    While gaining invaluable experience, practice your passion within real-life scenarios. 

We’re looking for Social Media Manager volunteers to join our team, who will play a key role in the growth of our brand messages and visions. The ideal candidate will assist us grow our on-line presence and increase traffic to our digital channels.

Responsibilities
Increase traffic to our digital channels
Grow our brand messages, visions and on-line presence.

Requirements
Working experience with online digital marketing & Social Media
Strong verbal, written, and organisational skills.
Enthusiastic, Dedicated and willing to learn.

The role could be entirely remote and is unremunerated but all reasonable expenses will be met.

About TESYouth
TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.

                      While gaining invaluable experience, practice your passion within real-life scenarios. 

Join a group who aspire to think big, have fun, and create work that stands out. We’re looking for a passionate dedicated individual to join our team, who will play a key role in the growth of our brand messages and visions. The ideal candidate will assist us to conduct research and gather information on various projects.

Responsibilities
Conduct relevant research, gather information on various projects
Write research reports
Working closely with the communications team

Requirements
Good attention to detail.
Strong verbal, written and organisational skills.
Self-starter, dedicated and willing to learn. 
Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

Please note the role is a voluntary position and could be entirely remote. Any incurred reasonable expenses will be paid.
 
ABOUT TESYouth
TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.

CHARITY SHOP ASSISTANT

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

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

Overview of opportunity

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

About the RSPCA

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

About Our Charity Shop in North Finchley

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

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

volunteer to do a mixture of both.

Volunteer Charity Shop Assistant responsibilities

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

What we are looking for in a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

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

What we can offer you as a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

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

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

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

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

EBAY COORDINATOR (CHARITY SHOP)

eBay Coordinator (RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch - based at the North Finchley Charity Shop & remote)

Are you an eBay top-rated seller? We are looking for volunteers skilled in online selling and photography to help turn donations into funds. You will have fun, contribute to making our eBay business a big success, and enable us to help more animals!

Overview of opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity if you are interested in collectables, researching unusual items, and love photographing objects to look their best! The time you dedicate would ensure that we made the most of the incredible donations to our charity shops, which means more funds can go towards our vital animal welfare work.

About the RSPCA

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

Our Charity Shops in East & North Finchley

Our shops play an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, and a selection of new items.

Volunteer eBay Coordinator responsibilities

•  Researching and listing the items for sale in our dedicated eBay store.
•  A picture is worth 1,000 words so ensuring that attractive photographs are taken to boost eBay sales.
•  Packaging items appropriately before posting them to the buyer.
•  Maintaining accurate records of listed and sold items.

What we are looking for in a volunteer eBay Coordinator:

•  Ideally, you would have experience in selling items on eBay.
• Can create attractive listings for a wide variety of items.
•  Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment.

What we can offer you as a volunteer eBay Coordinator

•  You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

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

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

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

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped.

You expect us to

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

A bit more information about this role and the team

We are seeking an applicant who can travel to the Harlow/Sawbridgeworth area 3-4 times per year for meetings.

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers
• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation
• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes
• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively
• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan 
• Sign-posting queries from members of the public
• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided

Across the UK, our Regional and Community Development teams work alongside our local groups to play an active role in increasing awareness of and engagement with the MS Society locally.

As our Regional Cultural Connector Volunteer, you’ll help to identify and plan our involvement and support of regional or local activities and events aimed at minority, hidden and culturally specific groups, to provide information for people living with MS as well as help us to engage with those communities to understand their priorities and needs.

We want to show that we’re here to support everyone and to do that we need to reach and connect with people within their own communities. You’ll help us do that with a welcoming and friendly attitude and ability to reach and promote us within your region.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.

About you

Confidence in speaking to new people, networking skills and the ability to influence would be fantastic. We would work to your strengths, however and some training will be available.

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

Apply

Read the role description

All applicants will be contacted within two weeks of their submission.

Across the UK, our Regional and Community Development teams work alongside our local groups to play an active role in increasing awareness of and engagement with the MS Society locally.

As our Regional Cultural Connector Volunteer, you’ll help to identify and plan our involvement and support of regional or local activities and events aimed at minority, hidden and culturally specific groups, to provide information for people living with MS as well as help us to engage with those communities to understand their priorities and needs.

We want to show that we’re here to support everyone and to do that we need to reach and connect with people within their own communities. You’ll help us do that with a welcoming and friendly attitude and ability to reach and promote us within your region.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.

About you

Confidence in speaking to new people, networking skills and the ability to influence would be fantastic. We would work to your strengths, however and some training will be available.

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

Apply

Read the role description

All applicants will be contacted within two weeks of their submission.

Join Us in Empowering Inclusive Employment Through Hospitality

Fair Shot is a London-based charity on a mission to transform the lives of young adults with learning disabilities by breaking down barriers to employment. Through our training café and hospitality-based social enterprise, we provide real-life work experience, skills training, and supported internships that lead to meaningful jobs and independence.

Now in our fourth year and led by our Founder & CEO, we’ve grown to a team of 24 and operate with a hybrid income model: 50% from our hospitality revenue streams and 50% from fundraising.

We’re looking for an experienced Finance Director (volunteer, pro bono) to help shape our financial strategy and structure as we scale. You’ll play a vital leadership role in ensuring sound financial governance and driving our mission forward through strong fiscal stewardship.

Time Commitment: 10 hours/week
Start: Immediate
Location: Primarily remote, with initial onboarding and some in-person meetings in London
Minimum Commitment: 1 year (renewable)

Why This Role Matters

As we grow our impact and revenue model, your financial leadership will be instrumental in helping Fair Shot make strategic, sustainable decisions that expand inclusive employment opportunities across the UK.

What You'll Do

• Lead and oversee the charity’s overall P&L (profit and loss) and financial performance

• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies in collaboration with the CEO

• Improve and maintain financial systems, controls, and internal processes

• Manage the relationship with our part-time accountant (10 hrs/week), who handles:

  • Monthly reconciliations

  • Filing expenditures

  • Paying invoices

• Oversee two bank accounts — one for fundraising (restricted/unrestricted) and one for hospitality revenue

• Prepare for annual audits and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

• Guide cash flow planning, budgeting, and forecasting

• Present financial reports, risks, and insights to the Board of Trustees

• Work closely with the CEO and Head of Operations on all financial planning and decision-making

What You Bring

• 10+ years of experience in senior finance roles, including P&L ownership

• Ideally experienced in the charity and/or hospitality/social enterprise sectors

• In-depth understanding of UK charity finances, including restricted/unrestricted funds

• Experience improving financial structures and preparing for audits

• Comfortable advising founders, leadership teams, and boards

• (Desirable) Relevant qualifications: ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CFA, or MBA

What You’ll Gain

• Use your expertise to drive social impact through inclusive employment

• Play a key role in shaping the future of a fast-growing, purpose-driven organisation

• Join a collaborative, values-led leadership team

• Opportunity for this role to evolve into a Trustee position

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 250 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated nearly 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for a new Trustee with a veterinary background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board. Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with clinical governance, particularly regarding compliance, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. As a young charity we still need practical, hands-on support from time-to-time from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role. Being a trustee can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, offering opportunities to help shape the future direction of the charity, enhance the lives of people in our local communities and gain valuable satisfaction of contributing to an effective and ambitious growing charity.

Role Description:

The Clinical Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s clinical governance for the benefit of the animal patient and the client owner. Practical guidance will be provided to enable StreetVet to help all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to understand clinical governance, whether they are in clinical practice, or not.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

• Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings)

• Act as a conduit for clinical governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Clinical Director.

• Meet with Clinical Director quarterly. 

• Ensure volunteers are familiar and coherent with the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons Clinical Governance Code and VMD requirements. 

• Keep up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and new developments relevant to the area of work. 

• Reflect upon the charity’s performance, making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Critically analyse the evidence base for procedures used and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with other members of the StreetVet team and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with clients and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Have clear protocols in place to ensure all staff are familiar with procedures for ensuring patient safety. 

• Communicate changes in procedure to the whole practice team. 
   

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience  

• A thorough understanding of the veterinary sector. 

• Knowledge of veterinary care within the charity sector would be beneficial. 

• Must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 

• Ability to advise and recommend clinical governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of RCVS code of conduct and VMD requirements.

• Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills

 Input and Time Commitment:  

• A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected. 

• Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

• Attend at least one outreach a year. 

• Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours. 

• Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees are to ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully. 

• Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London. 

• Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London. 

• Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

 
Personal Attributes: 

• Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation

• Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

• An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making 

• Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role 

• Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team 

• Up-to-date IT and digital skills to facilitate collaborative and remote working 

Potential Trustees must confirm that they are not disqualified under the automatic disqualification rules details on the government website - weblink included in the role description. 

Applications close: 31st July 2025. 

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. As a small charity, who has big plans, we can’t do it without the support of volunteers and fundraisers. That’s where you come in.

Help Us Launch Our Postal Donation Project & Secure Business Sponsorship!

Are you a dynamic, results-driven individual with a passion for animal welfare and fundraising? Do you have experience in corporate relationships or securing sponsorships? Join our team and make a significant impact by helping us fund our exciting Postal Donation Project!

As part of our dedicated volunteer team, you’ll play a key role in enabling us to send donation packs to our supporters, who will fill them with preloved items and return them to us for our monthly auctions. But we need your expertise to secure the funding to make this project possible.

What You'll Do:

• Develop a Sponsorship Package: Create a compelling sponsorship proposal that outlines the benefits for businesses to support our project.

• Reach Out to Businesses: Approach local and national businesses for sponsorships, highlighting how their support will make a meaningful difference to our cause.

• Build Relationships: Cultivate strong, long-term partnerships with corporate sponsors, ensuring they feel appreciated and valued for their contribution.

• Collaborate with the Team: Work alongside other team members to ensure the successful execution of the project, including tracking donations and managing logistics.

• Help Us Reach Our Goals: Your efforts will enable us to distribute donation packs to supporters, resulting in more valuable items for our auctions and more funds raised for the animals we care for.

What We’re Looking For:

• Fundraising Experience: Ideally, you’ll have some experience in securing sponsorships or working with corporate donors, or a passion to develop these skills.

• Strong Communication Skills: You’ll be confident in reaching out to businesses and building relationships, whether in person, by phone, or via email.

• Organised and Motivated: You’ll need to stay on top of tasks, follow up on leads, and keep detailed records of your communications with sponsors.

• Team Player: You’ll be working with a small dedicated team, so a collaborative attitude is essential.

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Make a Real Difference: Securing funding can help us grow our Auctions for Animals fundraising potential. .

• Professional Growth: This role is an excellent opportunity to build on your fundraising and corporate relationship skills, while working with a supportive team.

• Flexible Commitment: Work on your own time and from home. We provide all the support you need to succeed.

Hackney Migrant Centre (HMC) is seeking to recruit a Vice-Chair to support our work and ensure financial and organisational stability as we implement our newly developed Strategic Plan for 2025-2028. 

HMC was established in 2007 to provide advice and support to migrants to help them overcome problems with their immigration status and in accessing services. We welcome all migrants, of any immigration status or nationality. As the environment facing migrants has become ever more challenging, we have expanded the scope of our work. Our staff team has increased from one part-time worker in 2007 to a team of eight people, some part-time, and we now have a budget just under £450,000 a year.

We provide legal advice and casework support on immigration, housing and welfare, working with visitors to resolve the problems forcing them into destitution and homelessness, such as insecure immigration status and lack of access the public funds. We also, in partnership with local organisations and a team of volunteers, provide wellbeing support and regular community building sessions, including advice and support on accessing a GP and dealing with charges for hospital care. 

This is an opportunity for someone with previous Board experience to support the Chair to coordinate and lead the Board of Trustees and make an important contribution to the work of this well-respected local charity at a crucial time in its development. We welcome applications from people from a range of backgrounds and experience who would be happy to take up this exciting challenge. We are particularly keen to recruit trustees from the Global Majority, those with lived experience of migration and/or the UK’s hostile immigration environment.

The role of Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair of the trustee board supports the Chair in fulfilling their responsibilities and provides leadership to the board in the Chair’s absence. This is a developmental role for someone who is interested in transitioning into the Chair role in future, and who can provide additional capacity, insight, and leadership to the organisation as it navigates an increasingly challenging environment for migrants and the voluntary sector.

The Vice-Chair has the general responsibilities of a trustee to ensure the financial sustainability of HMC and that it is carrying out its work for the public benefit in line with its charitable objects. Decisions affecting the running of HMC and its finances will be taken by the board as a whole, either at the board meeting or if urgent via email. The Vice-Chair does not have individual decision-making responsibility or power (but does have a deciding vote at board meetings).

The specific duties of the Vice-Chair include the following:
Trustee meetings
• Support the Chair to agree the agenda (with the secretary and in consultation with the CEO) of trustee board meetings, sub-committees and other meetings where relevant.
• Attend and contribute to all trustee meetings and chair meetings in the absence of the Chair.
• Support the Chair in ensuring that key decisions are discussed and agreed, and that all trustees can participate fully. • Assist with the follow-up of actions and implementation of decisions as agreed with the Chair.
• Support the development and induction of new trustees, and help identify training and support needs.

Communication with staff
• Work closely with the Chair and be available as an additional point of contact for the CEO and staff, particularly when the Chair is unavailable.
• Support the Chair in providing supervision and pastoral support to the CEO, contributing to wellbeing check-ins and performance appraisal processes where appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and oversight of key organisational priorities, including equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), fundraising, and sustainability.
• Attend staff recruitment or disciplinary panels as needed.

Public role and organisational development
• Support the Chair in representing HMC externally at public events and meetings, and deputise where necessary.
• Assist in the preparation of public communications, statements, and events.
• Act as a signatory for bank accounts and contracts when appropriate, particularly when the Chair is unavailable.

Succession and transition
• The Vice-Chair will be supported to become familiar with the full breadth of the Chair’s responsibilities over time. • They may take on specific duties or projects in agreement with the Chair and board, as part of their development.
• In the event the Chair steps down, the Vice-Chair may act as interim Chair and will be encouraged to apply for the role if appropriate.

The specific duties attached to the Vice-Chair’s role may change and/or be taken on by another trustee by agreement of the board as a whole.

Being a Trustee of Hackney Migrant Centre
The trustees of Hackney Migrant Centre play a vital role in the organisation. They are responsible for ensuring that that its services are maintained and developed for the benefit of its visitors, in line with HMC’s ethos and objectives. HMC staff are responsible for the day-to day running of HMC’s services but trustees work closely with staff in discussing and deciding on policy issues, staffing developments and campaigning, overseeing finance and fundraising to ensure that the organisation is sustainable and in monitoring the impact of HMC’s services. Our trustees are recruited according to our Trustee Recruitment Policy. We welcome trustees from a variety of backgrounds to ensure that a broad range of skills and experience are represented. Trustees are encouraged to gain first-hand experience of the work of HMC but regular volunteering is not a requirement.

For more information, please refer to the Recruitment Pack