18 Research officer volunteer volunteer roles in Manchester

Role overview

Trustee — Programmes

About us: Could you help us get millions of separated children Back to Family?

Orphanages don’t protect children, they harm them. Put simply: the last thing an orphanage can provide is the first thing a child needs - someone to love them. 

Right now, 5.4 million children around the world are locked away in orphanages — even though over 80% of them are not orphans. Orphanages expose children to abuse and trafficking, and physical and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. A century of evidence shows that the bond between a child and their family is what every child needs to grow, thrive and be safe. 

The role

As our Programmes Trustee, you will bring senior international development or humanitarian programmes expertise to our Board, helping to strengthen the quality, scale and impact of HHC's work across nine countries. Working closely with our Chair, CEO and Director of Global Programmes, you will contribute to our ambitious 2030 goal by:

• Programmes leadership — drawing on your senior experience to provide strategic oversight and constructive challenge on HHC's programme delivery, quality assurance and evidence base, helping ensure our work delivers real and lasting change for children and families.
• Systems change — advising the Board and Executive on how to drive and sustain national-level care reform across the diverse contexts in which HHC operates, including fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Humanitarian financing — supporting HHC's ambitions to transform how the humanitarian sector finances work addressing children in orphanages and those at risk of family separation, drawing on your understanding of macro-level financing mechanisms and how they can be influenced.
• Safeguarding and risk — contributing to the Board's oversight of the risk, regulatory and safeguarding context for an international organisation working directly with vulnerable children and families.

Who we are looking for

You will bring senior leadership experience in a programmes function within an NGO, multilateral organisation, government body or major funder — particularly in work with marginalised children, families and communities. Beyond that, we are looking for someone who brings:

• A track record of overseeing or leading programmes at scale across multiple countries or regions, including in lower income, middle income or fragile and conflict-affected settings
• Extensive experience of programme strategy, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and of using evidence to drive decision-making
• A sound understanding of the international development and humanitarian sector, including donor landscapes and the operating environment for international NGOs
• Experience of working in partnership with local government and other stakeholders to bring about systems change

Above all, you will share our belief that every child deserves to grow up in the love and safety of a family, and our commitment to driving that change with courage, integrity, excellence and being deeply human. 

What we offer

This is a voluntary, unremunerated role. In return you will:

• Engage with our work across nine countries 
• Contribute to systemic change at global scale, helping to shape the future for separated children worldwide
• Be part of an organisation approaching its 2030 goal — a worldwide consensus that orphanages have no place in any child's life

Time commitment

The role requires approximately 12–18 days per year, comprising:

• Four Board meetings per year (in person, London or virtual)
• Five subcommittee meetings per year (virtual), as a key member of our Programmes, Advocacy, Research and Accountability Committee (PARAC)
• An annual two-day awayday, which may take place in one of our countries of operation
• Additional time for preparation, ad hoc queries and induction in your first year

The initial term of office is three years, with the possibility of two further three-year terms by mutual agreement.

Closing Date: The final cut off for applications is 17.00 UK time on Thursday 8 October 2026 so please get in touch if you have the right skills, experience and passion for our cause.

To apply, please upload your CV and a brief covering letter indicating why you are interested in joining the Hope and Homes for Children Board and how your experience, skills and values map to the requirements of this role.

Diversity

Hope and Homes for Children actively encourages equity, diversity and inclusion, and we look to recruit a diverse range of people to reflect the communities in which we live. We are keen to see a diverse membership of both the trustee body and committees as we believe diversity brings us closer to our mission of eliminating orphanages.

Thank you for considering this role. Every child deserves to grow up in the love and safety of a family

Contract type

Volunteer

Hours

12 - 18 days per annum

Salary

Voluntary (expenses paid)

We are currently looking for a new Clinician Trustee who can use their expertise and strategic insight to support our growing charity at a critical time for cleft care and NHS reform.

The Clinician Trustee will contribute to all aspects of the charity’s governance while providing essential clinical expertise to support and enhance our work.

We are seeking an experienced professional to help drive CLAPA’s clinical impact in line with its strategic priorities. We are particularly interested in hearing from clinicians with experience of strategic leadership within cleft services, specialised commissioning, workforce development or national clinical networks, who can help CLAPA navigate a period of significant change and reform across the NHS.

In this role, you will offer insight into the patient journey across the evolving cleft care pathway, strengthen relationships between CLAPA and clinical teams and provide clinical guidance to inform our campaigns and initiatives. You will bring a strong understanding of patient centred care and use your expertise to help shape and influence improvements in services and outcomes.

Ideally, you will also draw on safeguarding experience from your clinical role to support the charity’s safeguarding function and promote best practice across our work.

If you think you have the experience, passion and leadership to help us meet the needs of the community we serve, we want to hear from you.

About us: 

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C is a pioneering Podcast/YouTube Channel and healing membership organisation. We provide a platform for survivors and whistleblowers to share their lived experiences, highlight systemic frustrations and offer solutions rooted in culturally trauma-informed care.

Our membership offers young people and survivors a path to heal, learn digital skills and interactively participate in our Alchemic 369 Book Club, where members engage in weekly interactive discussions, debates and critical analysis of African, Caribbean and world history, Ifa, classics and political thought. Members will sharpen their reading, reasoning and imagination skills, with opportunities to discuss works directly with authors, highly subsidised plant-based transformative retreats and join a community designed to empower and educate.

We are a mission-driven, collective-focused C.I.C building a movement that combines healing, re-education and empowerment.

Our content focuses on:

• Survivors of CSA, RSA, CT, CA stories

• Whistleblowers and retired experts

• Generational trauma and healing

• Youth empowerment and education

• Community transformation through honest storytelling

Our mission is to challenge generational cycles, expose hidden truths, fight for justice and create a platform rooted in authenticity, deep healing, and transformation.

Job Purpose:

To actively identify, locate, and surface potential real-world stories, individuals, and lived experiences that align with the organisation’s mission, ensuring a continuous pipeline of high-quality, relevant story leads for the Story Intelligence Team.

This role exists to function as the organisation’s primary “frontline discovery engine,” scanning a wide range of public sources—including media platforms, social networks, interviews, documentaries, podcasts, books, advocacy spaces, and community forums—to uncover individuals who have either publicly shared their experiences or are visibly positioned within ongoing social, cultural, or institutional narratives.

The Research Story Scout is responsible for recognising not just individual stories, but also broader story ecosystems, including repeated patterns of lived experience, underrepresented voices, emerging testimonies, and whistleblower disclosures that may not yet have been formally documented or widely circulated.

A key purpose of this role is to convert scattered public information into structured, actionable story leads that can be passed efficiently to the Outreach Team for ethical and appropriate engagement.

The role also ensures that potential stories are identified early, before they become widely saturated or lost in mainstream attention cycles, enabling the organisation to engage responsibly, respectfully, and at the right stage of the individual’s willingness to share.

Ultimately, this role ensures the organisation maintains a consistent flow of credible, relevant, and timely story opportunities by continuously scanning the public landscape and translating discovery into structured, usable intelligence for outreach and engagement.

About the role:

Story Scouts spend their time locating individuals who have publicly shared their experiences or indicated a willingness to discuss their story.

Sources may include:

• Podcasts

• YouTube interviews

• Social media platforms

• Survivor groups

• Charity websites

• News reports

• Books

• Blogs

• Conferences

• Public speaking events

Once identified, the scout prepares a short lead profile and passes it to outreach for them to make contact, sign consent forms and safeguarding checks, schedule call with guest and host hand over to host. (PPTeam).

Ideal Candidate

• Extremely resourceful.

• Strong online research skills.

• Curious and persistent.

• Enjoys finding information.

• Comfortable working independently.

Experience Required

• Internet research.

• Community management.

• Journalism.

• Talent sourcing.

• Recruitment sourcing.

• Social media research.

What You Will Gain

• Real-world hosting and interviewing experience

• Opportunity to build a public profile and media presence

• Portfolio-building opportunities across podcasting and storytelling

• Networking and relationship-building opportunities

• Experience working within a growing media and advocacy platform

• Creative freedom and personal growth opportunities

• Leadership and media mentorship

• Opportunity to develop your own audience and storytelling identity

• Potential future paid opportunities and long-term media career pathways

• Direct pathway into a future paid role

• The chance to help build a nationally recognised media and survivor-support platform

• COS opportunities for top performing staff members 

This role is designed as a long-term pathway opportunity to a paid position and lifestyle transformation.

We don’t operate on individualism—we build through collectivism, meaning:
  As the platform grows, your role, influence, and opportunities grow with it

Additional Notes

This role is not suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work

• Avoid handling sensitive data or detailed reporting

• Are seeking immediate paid employment

• Are uncomfortable applying analysis to strategic decisions

To Apply

Please send:

• Your CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile (if available)

• A short introduction about yourself

• Why this mission resonates with you

• Any relevant experience, skills, ideas, or vision you would bring to the role

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping create platforms that inspire healing, justice, truth, education, empowerment, and lasting community impact. That see themselves transforming their lifestyles to maintain the above for the generations to come.

Do you have a passion for helping grow support that transforms lives? Are you ready to use your skills to make a difference? 

Join DFN and play a key role in growing the funding and partnerships that support our programmes in India.

Dignity Freedom Network (DFN) works in cities and in rural villages across India. We champion those society sidelines including those from low caste and tribal backgrounds.  Could you help secure funding from grant makers for our education, health and protection programmes?

What will you be doing?

You will support DFN’s fundraising team by helping to identify new opportunities, strengthen relationships with supporters, and contribute to the development of funding opportunities that enable our work to grow.

This role will involve using your writing and research skills to support a range of activities, working closely with the team to help increase DFN’s fundraising capacity and impact. The role is remote, with regular opportunities to connect with the fundraising team and learn more about DFN’s work. You will need access to a computer and the internet. 

What are we looking for?

Skills and experience

Essential 

• Good research skills 

• Excellent writing

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Organised, reliable, and able to manage multiple tasks. 

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice. 

• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a small team. 

Desirable 

• Experience intrust and foundation fundraising and/or major donors 

• Previousfundraisingexperience (paid or voluntary) 

• Experienceofdevelopingfundraising resources 

What difference will you make?

Your contribution will help DFN strengthen its fundraising approach and secure support for programmes that create opportunities and improve lives.

By sharing your skills and experience, you will help a growing charity expand its ability to deliver meaningful work with communities across India.

What are the Benefits for you?

• Experience in a small, entrepreneurial charity where your contribution has visible impact. 
• Opportunities to develop or broaden your fundraising skills in a supportive environment. 
• Informal training in fundraising skills

• A warm, values‑driven team committed to inclusion, learning, and positive change. 

• References and recognition for your contribution to help you secure your first or next paid role

• An opportunity to make the world a better place!

• Working flexibly, tailored to your availability.

Dignity Freedom Network (DFN) is active across India. We work in large cities and in rural villages, with young children and new mums, with women who have experienced exploitation, and families facing discrimination and prejudice. We work to champion those society sidelines including those from low caste and tribal backgrounds.

Indian colleagues and volunteers deliver impactful education, health, protection and vocational skills programmes - the ladder needed by those we seek to help to overcome the barriers they face.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You own grant income. You find the funders worth applying to, write applications that win, and meet the reporting obligations that make funders willing to fund us again.

Key tasks

1.  Research & pipeline

○ Research trusts, foundations and statutory funders whose priorities genuinely match our work.

○ Maintain a pipeline with deadlines, values and likelihood.

○ Recommend which opportunities to pursue and which to decline.

2.  Applications

○ Write applications, working with Programmes for evidence and Finance for budgets.

○ Tailor each application rather than recycling the same text.

○ Manage submission deadlines so that nothing is missed.

3.  Reporting & relationships

○ Deliver monitoring reports on time and to the funder's specification.

○ Track restricted spend against grant conditions with Finance.

○ Build relationships with funders that go beyond the application form.

4.  Records & learning

○ Maintain accurate records of applications, outcomes and feedback.

○ Learn from unsuccessful bids and share what you learn.

○ Report progress against target to the CFO.

What we're looking for

● Grant writing experience with a success rate you can describe.

● Excellent written English and the discipline to follow a specification exactly.

● Comfortable interpreting funder criteria and reading between the lines.

● Deadline-driven and well organised.

● Knowledge of the UK grant landscape (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You bring in corporate support — sponsorship, charity-of-the-year partnerships, in-kind giving and employee fundraising. You build relationships where the business genuinely gets something back.

Key tasks

1.  Prospecting

○ Identify businesses whose interests align with Pinnacle's work and audience.

○ Research decision-makers and the best route in.

○ Maintain a prospect pipeline with clear ownership so approaches never collide with other teams.

2.  Proposition & pitch

○ Build sponsorship packages with clearly defined deliverables and honest value.

○ Pitch to businesses and negotiate terms.

○ Agree everything in writing before delivery begins.

3.  Delivery & stewardship

○ Deliver what was promised: visibility, access, engagement and reporting.

○ Provide sponsors with evidence of impact and reach.

○ Renew partnerships before they lapse rather than after.

4.  Coordination

○ Coordinate with the Partnerships Lead so one organisation has one relationship with us.

○ Work with Events on sponsor presence and experience on the night.

○ Report income and pipeline to the CFO.

What we're looking for

● Sales, business development or sponsorship experience.

● Confident with senior business contacts and comfortable making the first approach.

● Commercially minded — you can structure something where both sides win.

● Strong follow-through; the role is mostly what happens after the pitch.

● Knowledge of the Birmingham business network (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

At a time when charities are facing rising demand, increasing competition for funding and growing pressure on unrestricted income, investing in fundraising capacity has never been more important. Yet funding for fundraising, organisational development and core infrastructure is often the hardest support to secure.

Afrocats is entering an exciting period of growth and is seeking an experienced fundraising professional who wants to use their skills to make a meaningful difference. We are looking for someone who can help us strengthen our core-funding pipeline by identifying new opportunities, reviewing and improving applications, and increasing the number and quality of bids submitted.

Working alongside the CEO and team, you will help build the foundations that enable us to reach more people, deepen our impact and secure long-term resilience.

The role would suit an experienced fundraiser, retired fundraising professional, charity consultant, grants specialist, corporate fundraiser or development professional who is looking to give back, share their expertise and support a growing organisation at a pivotal stage in its journey. Your knowledge and guidance will help unlock resources that directly benefit women, children, young people, refugees, asylum seekers and diverse communities across Greater Manchester.

By volunteering your expertise for just 8 hours per week, you can make a lasting contribution to the sustainability and future success of Afrocats.

Are you creative and tech-savvy? Are you passionate about sustainability, tackling food waste or supporting local communities? 

We are recruiting a Volunteer Social Media Intern to join our food charity for a 6-month placement. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in charity communications while helping us reach more volunteers, supporters and people who benefit from our work. You don’t need previous professional experience - just creativity, initiative, and strong basic computer skills. We’re especially keen to hear from people who are confident using social media and Canva, and enjoy creating engaging content that connects with audiences.

The role is remote, with the potential to come into our Brixton office if you prefer. You’ll work closely with charity staff to promote our upcoming projects, raise awareness of our work, and help rebuild our social media presence as we launch new projects in 2027. We’re looking for a commitment of 16–20 hours per week.

Who we are:

Founded in 2018, Compliments of The House (CoTH) began by collecting surplus cooked food from Brixton Village and surrounding areas, and redistributing it free to people in need. From our local hubs we served our guests, and also ran our ‘Back to Work’ and ‘Care Leaver’ schemes. 

During the COVID-19 lockdown, we could not host our guests in our hub. So we launched a temporary grocery delivery scheme supported by local council school buses, which gained recognition from the Prime Minister due to its impact. 

Since then, we have found a new venture to channel our commitments to reducing the environmental impact within hospitality whilst nourishing people through food. We are so lucky to have many vibrant and diverse festivals locally and across the UK, which produce a whopping 400 tonnes in food waste every year! We’re taking on the challenge to reduce that waste and use it to nourish those in need. 

We’re looking for someone:

• Experienced using Canva (or confident in transferable skills with similar software)

• With excellent written communication skills

• With basic computer skills

• Who can manage their own work and time

• Organised and reliable

• Confident using social media platforms, with a good understanding of maximising engagement and willingness to learn more

• Passionate about sustainability, reducing food waste or supporting communities

• Eager to learn and contribute new ideas

Responsibilities:

• Create engaging and relevant social media content (with guidance) for various platforms using Canva

• Organise a regular posting schedule

• Awareness of methods to boost engagement

• Write interesting captions to promote further engagement

• Research relevant awareness days and events

• Monitor engagement and identify opportunities to grow our online community

• Assist with measuring the success of campaigns using social media analytics

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience managing social media for a growing charity

• A portfolio of real campaigns and content

• Training, support and regular feedback

• A professional reference on successful completion of the placement

• The opportunity to make a genuine difference by helping reduce food waste and improve access to nutritious food

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming organisation. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. 

How to Apply

Please send us:

• Your CV

• A portfolio (if you have some previous work) and short statement (up to 300 words) explaining why you'd like to volunteer with us and what you hope to gain from the placement 

About Us

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is a survivor-led community interest company dedicated to exposing the impact of childhood trauma, abuse, neglect, addiction, mental health struggles, and family dysfunction within Black communities and beyond.

Through podcasts, survivor stories, education, events, research, coaching, advocacy, and community support, we help individuals heal, break destructive cycles, and build stronger families and communities.

As we continue to grow nationally and internationally, we are seeking a Volunteer Central Operations Director to create structure, accountability, and operational excellence across all volunteer departments.

Job Purpose

The Volunteer Central Operations Director serves as the operational backbone of the organisation, ensuring departments, projects, and volunteer teams work efficiently, meet deadlines, and deliver measurable outcomes.

The role oversees project delivery, performance monitoring, reporting systems, KPI tracking, volunteer accountability, and cross-department coordination, helping turn organisational vision into effective execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate organisational operations across all volunteer departments.
• Manage the Central Operations Team, including Analysts, Coordinators, and Assistants.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring milestones, deadlines, and objectives are achieved.
• Monitor organisational performance, identify risks and bottlenecks, and implement solutions.
• Establish accountability systems, workflows, reporting processes, and operational procedures.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards, departmental scorecards, and performance reports.
• Track volunteer engagement, project progress, fundraising outcomes, and organisational impact.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments.
• Lead operational meetings and support monthly performance reviews.
• Produce reports, risk assessments, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Support implementation of organisational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Mentor department leaders and promote volunteer engagement, wellbeing, and retention.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience

• Experience leading teams, projects, programmes, or organisational operations.
• Strong project management, organisational, and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing systems, processes, KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience building stakeholder relationships and facilitating collaboration.
• Ability to motivate, support, and manage volunteers and team leaders.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently within a remote environment.
• Proficiency with tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Airtable, Notion, Slack, and Teams.
• Experience in charities, CICs, volunteer-led organisations, operations management, programme management, or community development is desirable.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-led, or social impact organisations is beneficial.
• Passion for social impact and commitment to our mission.

Volunteer Benefits

• Opportunity to help build a national survivor-led movement.
• Executive leadership experience.
• Leadership training and mentoring.
• Professional references upon successful service.
• Opportunity to influence organisational strategy.
• Meaningful social impact and legacy-building work.
• Potential future paid leadership opportunities as the organisation grows.

Additional Notes

This role may not be suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work.
• Dislike reporting, accountability, or performance tracking.
• Are seeking immediate paid employment.
• Are uncomfortable using data and analysis to support decision-making.

To Apply

Please send:

• Your CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile (if available).
• A short introduction about yourself.
• Why this mission resonates with you.
• Relevant experience, skills, ideas, or vision you would bring to the role.

Become a Fundraisng Team Leader Volunter!

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can 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

What we need from you

You'll be:

• supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• keeping financial records from fundraising events
• encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection
• following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

The BDFA is seeking a new Volunteer Treasurer/Trustee to join our passionate and dedicated Board.

As a trustee, you will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the BDFA, ensuring strong governance, and helping to improve the lives of children, young people, and families affected by Batten disease across the UK.

The overall role of Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs, ensure its financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

As our Treasurer, you will:

• Oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements
• Assure that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Board
• Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
• Have oversight of and give guidance to BDFA Accounting & Financial Administration Officer
• Attend board meetings
• Present financial overview at the AGM

Ideal Background:

Fully qualified chartered accountant/financial qualifications and experience. Some experience of charity finance and fundraising.

We welcome suitably qualified applicants who share our commitment to inclusion, integrity, and advocacy, and who are willing to contribute their time, skills, and experience to drive meaningful change.

Trustees meet regularly (virtually and occasionally in person) and contribute to board discussions, sub-committees, and strategic projects, including attending our in person meeting once a year.

This is a voluntary role, but the personal and social impact is immeasurable.

About us

Batten disease is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the brain and nervous system. Symptoms sometimes begin in infancy and sometimes later in childhood, after apparently normal early development. Occasionally it may start in adulthood. In individuals suffering from Batten disease, nervous system function steadily declines, causing a wide variety of neurologic problems, including loss of vision and seizures. The life expectancy of a child born with Batten disease can vary, depending on the form of the disease and the age of onset. Some children die in early childhood, while others may be able to live into their teens or twenties.

The BDFA was registered as a charity in 2001 and our mission is “to enable children and adults who are affected by Batten disease to live life to the full and to provide families with the care and support they need so that they do not walk this path alone.” The BDFA offers informed guidance and support to families and the professionals who work with them, as well as actively raising awareness, and promoting research into the management of Batten disease to improve patient care pathways and ultimately find a cure.

Work Location: Remote

What we do

Respair Therapy C.I.C. began in 2023 with a simple belief: dance belongs to everybody, and every body. Like many of the people we work with, Respair does not fit neatly into one box. Our work exists on a spectrum, from the gloriously frivolous to the deeply serious.

At one end, we hire out silent disco equipment so that people can turn their living room, kitchen or garden into a dancefloor. We create joyful events where people can put on a pair of headphones, choose their music and dance together without worrying about what they look like. Income from silent disco hire goes back into Respair, so a party in someone’s garden can help another person access psychological support.

At the other end is Dance Movement Psychotherapy, or DMP. This is not a dance class or an informal wellbeing activity. It is a recognised form of psychotherapy in which movement, the body and the relationship between client and therapist are central to the clinical work.

In the UK, Dance Movement Psychotherapists complete postgraduate training at Master’s degree level, including clinical placements, personal therapy, supervised practice and academic research. Qualified practitioners register with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK and work to professional and ethical standards. DMP is used within NHS services, as well as in schools, mental health services, social care, charities and private practice. It is serious clinical work that can support people experiencing trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, loss, relationship difficulties and other forms of psychological distress.

Between these two ends are projects such as Babe Club, our silent disco for parents, carers and babies; therapeutic movement in schools; and work with neurodivergent people, adults with learning disabilities and people living with dementia.

Our work is inclusive, trauma informed and anti oppressive. Whether we are helping somebody throw a brilliant party or supporting a person through specialist psychotherapy, we are creating more opportunities for people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities to experience movement, connection and psychological support.

How do we what we do

Respair is run by a Founding Director and team of Supporting Directors who volunteer their time. The Founding Director is also the Lead Psychotherapist and Facilitator. We meet quarterly to discuss the finance, legal and compliance aspects of the work. We have an accountant and a book keeper and we use Quickbooks to keep everything in one place. We apply for funding from local and national funding bodies. We have been successful in securing over £24,000 in restricted funds, and we have plans to apply for more. 

What we need

Respair is a creative and responsive organisation, so new ideas and opportunities can appear quickly. We need a Finance Director who can help us pause, understand the numbers and decide what is realistic.

The right person will be financially experienced, practical and approachable. They will look beyond whether the figures add up to help us understand what they mean, ask difficult questions and give clear advice.

Essential skills and qualities

The successful candidate will:

• Have substantial experience using QuickBooks.
• Have experience working with a charity, Community Interest Company, social enterprise or other small mission driven organisation.
• Understand restricted grants, funder budgets and financial reporting.
• Be able to prepare and interpret annual budgets, project budgets, cash flow forecasts and management accounts.
• Compare actual income and expenditure against agreed budgets, identify significant differences and recommend action.
• Assess the financial impact of new projects, contracts, staffing decisions and significant purchases.
• Develop proportionate financial policies and controls, including reserves policies and spending limits.
• Read annual accounts and ask sensible questions before they are approved.
• Explain financial information clearly to people without a finance background.
• Give honest, independent advice and offer thoughtful challenge, including when the Managing Director or Board may have hoped for a different answer.
• Be trustworthy, reliable and able to handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Support Respair’s commitment to inclusion, fairness and accessible mental health support.

The Finance Director will work closely with Debbie, our Founding Director, so a warm, straightforward and respectful working relationship will be important.

Desirable skills and qualities

It would be helpful if the candidate also has:

• A recognised finance qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or AAT.
• Previous experience as a finance director, treasurer or board member.
• Knowledge of payroll, PAYE, pensions, Corporation Tax and Companies House reporting.
• Experience working constructively with bookkeepers and external accountants.
• An interest in mental health, therapy, community work or the creative arts.

We do not expect one person to know every answer. We do expect them to recognise the limits of their knowledge, ask questions and seek specialist advice when needed. A sense of humour and an understanding of the slightly unpredictable nature of a small, growing organisation would also be very welcome.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate HR and people professional to join our Board and help shape an inclusive and supportive organisation. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise in HR, people strategy, organisational development or workforce wellbeing, who share our commitment to creating a positive environment where staff and volunteers can thrive.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we continue to implement our 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

The HR Trustee will contribute to all aspects of the charity’s governance while providing essential HR expertise to support and enhance our work. We are seeking an experienced people professional to help make a meaningful impact at CLAPA, in line with its strategic priorities.

About CLAPA

The Cleft Lip and Palate Action (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone.

The Business Development Lead will work closely with the CEO and Business Development Trustee to build a sustainable pipeline of corporate partners.

The role will focus on developing relationships that can generate:

• CSR and corporate sponsorship;
• multi-year funding partnerships;
• employee fundraising;
• volunteer mentors;
• skills-based volunteering;
• corporate introductions and wider strategic support.

The aim is not simply to generate one-off donations, but to build long-term corporate relationships that combine funding, employee engagement and measurable social impact.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a targeted pipeline of banks, asset managers, insurers, fintech companies and other financial-services organisations.
• Identify relevant CSR, ESG, social-impact, community-investment and employee-engagement opportunities.
• Research decision-makers and identify the strongest routes into prospective partners.
• Develop tailored corporate partnership propositions.
• Secure introductory meetings and manage follow-up.
• Work with the CEO and Trustee to prepare pitches, proposals and presentations.
• Build sponsorship propositions around:
  • student mentoring;
  • school cohorts;
  • programme delivery;
  • technology;
  • employability and careers;
  • and wider organisational growth.
• Develop corporate volunteer-mentor opportunities that are attractive and practical for financial-sector employees.
• Convert existing networks and introductions into structured partnership discussions.
• Maintain a clear partnership pipeline showing:
  • prospects;
  • contacts;
  • stage;
  • potential value;
  • next action;
  • and probability.
• Support stewardship and renewal of existing corporate partners.
• Explore employee fundraising, matched giving and corporate campaigns.
• Identify opportunities for corporate employees to contribute as mentors, speakers, career volunteers or ambassadors.
• Help create a repeatable corporate-partnership process that can grow with the charity.

Key priorities in the first 6 months

• Map priority banking and financial-services organisations.
• Build a qualified corporate prospect list.
• Develop a clear One Degree corporate partnership proposition.
• Progress renewal and extension opportunities with existing corporate supporters.
• Secure new meetings with senior CSR, ESG, HR, volunteering, community-investment and foundation leads.
• Develop a stronger pipeline of prospective corporate sponsors.
• Increase the number of suitable corporate volunteer mentors.
• Establish a structured approach to partnership reporting and stewardship.
• Leading to: Secured sponsorship of 50 x One Degree students every 6 months

Person specification

We are looking for someone who ideally has:

• experience in business development, partnerships, fundraising, CSR or corporate engagement;
• strong knowledge of banking, financial services or professional services;
• existing corporate networks or confidence building relationships with senior decision-makers;
• experience developing and progressing a sales or fundraising pipeline;
• excellent written and verbal communication;
• strong presentation and relationship-management skills;
• confidence making direct approaches and asking for meetings, introductions and support;
• ability to work independently with limited monthly time;
• a commercial mindset combined with an understanding of charitable impact.

Experience working directly within banking or financial services would be particularly valuable.

Success measures

Success would be assessed through:

• quality and value of the corporate pipeline;
• number of qualified corporate meetings;
• new corporate sponsorship secured;
• existing partnerships renewed or expanded;
• number of volunteer mentors sourced through corporate partners;
• development of multi-year rather than purely one-off relationships;
• quality of corporate stewardship;
• and creation of a repeatable partnership-development process.