Support volunteer roles in sheffield, south yorkshire
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds.
What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.
There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people.
However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes.
We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background.
Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!
If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:
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Have a passion for helping children and young people
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Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week
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Build pupil confidence in Maths.
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Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)
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Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors
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Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this
Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:
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A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule
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The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers
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The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.
Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.
We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Background
Indigenous peoples and local communities are grappling with the constant threat of displacement from their lands in Tanzania. The Maasai communities in Tanzania's Loliondo and Ngorongoro regions are currently facing significant challenges, primarily due to government-led eviction efforts aimed at designating these areas for conservation and tourism purposes. The violations of human and land rights have left thousands of people vulnerable and in need of urgent assistance. These evictions not only disrupt the livelihoods of the affected populations but also undermine their cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. As these communities are forced from their ancestral lands, many lose access to vital resources such as grazing lands, water, and shelter, leading to severe socio-economic hardships. Not1More is working with a partner organisation, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania (TEST), in Tanzania to support their essential fundraising, advocacy and community development activities.
Your Role
We are looking for a volunteer who can dedicate time to this role through to December 2025. You will be a part of a team that works directly with Tanzania’s indigenous Maasai, and help to make a difference in key areas such as protecting ecosystems, preserving Indigenous knowledge, community capacity building and advocating for Indigenous rights.
The main objective is to help TEST diversify and increase their funding sources. This will include connecting with other enthusiastic team members online to develop a fundraising strategy and implementation of a fundraising campaign, including identifying grant funding opportunities, assisting in the preparation and submission of grant funding proposals, and pursuing philanthropic and corporate partnership funding opportunities.
Desirable Skills and Experience
Ideally you are a compassionate, organised, and resilient individual with strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with a passion for the cause. A proactive, positive personality with a can-do attitude, would highly suit this role.
Previous experience with fundraising activities, preferably with an NGO is desirable but not necessary.
Mentoring
Support and mentoring to develop your skills will be available in this role as we aim to help you bring out our talents in this team.
Hours
As this is a volunteer role, time is flexible, but you would be expected to attend a bi-weekly check-in with someone from the Not1More team to ensure we are working in the same direction.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
AMR Action UK (formerly Antibiotic Research UK) is the UK Patient Organisation for Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Its legitimacy to advocate for patients, with policy-makers and with NHS systems, comes from its insight, and therefore through its patient support services, patient-focussed research and direct patient and public engagement activities.
The organisation is at an exciting stage of its development. Following the appointment of a new Chief Executive in late 2024 it has a new strategy in place and by greatly increasing its impact over the next 3 years intends to significantly reduce the harm from AMR across all four nations of the United Kingdom. The charity is also committed to expanding its services to meet the growing demand from patients and families directly impacted by AMR. This growth will be underpinned by a new name and new brand, a fresh approach to communications that will greatly increase awareness of the charity’s work with the UK public, and a new fundraising strategy that will both grow and diversify income and also increase sustainability.
The charity is now looking for a dynamic new Chair of Trustees who is excited by our plans, and by the difference this will make to peoples’ lives. Given the growth agenda for the period 2025-28, the suitable candidate at this point in time is likely to come from a commercial background, with a strong understanding of strategy, investment, business development, and communications in the context of a rapidly changing environment. They are also likely to have a track-record of successfully managing risk v reward in a growing business. Increasing donations from corporates and philanthropists is important to the charity at this stage in its development and the new Chair will be comfortable operating in these environments.
A key part of the role will be to support the new senior executive team charged with delivering the growth agenda, including establishing and maintaining a strong working relationship with the CEO.
Please note we are in the process of updating post name change, email addresses and website may still reflect previous name of Antibiotic Research UK.
We invite applications for the role of Chair of Trustees at AMR Action UK, a pivotal leadership position guiding our strategic growth and impact.
To apply, please submit your CV (maximum two pages) and a covering letter detailing how your expertise aligns with our mission, governance and leadership needs.
Given the organisation’s ambitious growth agenda for 2025–28, we particularly interested to hear about candidates strong commercial background—including experience in strategy, investment, business development, and communications in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The full Role Description and Person Specification is attached with further details.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a good listener? Are you able to manage group conversations and ensure people feel comfortable together and that groups run smoothly? We need you to facilitate our Talk and Support weekly telephone groups that offer blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to socialise with others when the regular group facilitator is unavailable. This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You will need access to a landline or mobile phone We ask you to commit to covering up to 3 groups per week, although this will vary on a week by week basis. Each group you cover will last for one hour.
Home based
- This role is home based
Additional location information
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Home Based: over the telephone (this role requires you to have a landline or mobile telephone)
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- Effective listening skills;
- Good verbal communication skills;
- Work with wide range of people
We are looking for a Campaigns Volunteer to raise awareness and campaign so that decision-makers know about and can address the needs of everyone affected by MND.
“I love being a campaigns volunteer for the MND Association, it means I can give something back to the MND Community, who along with the Association provide a lot of support for people like me” - Ian Lev
What is campaigning?
These are some of the things you could do as a Campaigns Volunteer! Our team will be here to support you in whatever you’re doing.
- Sharing the MND Association’s campaigns on social media.
- Contacting local councillors to improve services for people living with and affected by MND in your area.
- Talking to MPs and other decision-makers about what MND is and why it’s important that people have access to high quality health and care services.
- Working with MND Association staff to identify issues and gather evidence for campaigns.
- Help to change laws to improve the lives of people living with and affected by MND.
This role will suit you if:
- You want to make a positive difference for people living with and affected by MND.
- You’re interested in learning and improving your campaigning skills.
- You’re a good communicator. No matter where your interest lies, be it writing e-mails or talking to people, sharing stories or providing us with feedback, you have so much to offer!
- You are computer literate and have access to email and the internet, or someone who can help you with this.
- Willing to work autonomously but also link up with others when needed.
‘Campaigning really works! It’s not as hard as it may sound – just be yourself and you’ll be making a positive difference for people living with and affected by MND.’ - Judith Rice
What’s in it for you?
- A chance to make a difference to the lives of those living with and affected by MND.
- Get access to a range of training events where you can develop campaigning skills and network with other Campaigns Volunteers.
- Join a friendly and dedicated team.
- Exclusive early access to our campaign plans and developments in our campaigning.
- Opportunity to connect with, learn and share with other Campaign Volunteers in our Facebook group!
How flexible is the role?
The time required is flexible, but we would hope Campaigns Volunteers would commit to a minimum of 1-2 hours per week.
We do understand that this role may need to fit around your family, studies, caring or other commitments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit an Administration Volunteer for the Barnsley and District Group. Our Administration Volunteers are the linchpin for our local groups’ activities. They act as the first point of contact and they make sure all relevant information is circulated to other volunteers and members. And they play an important role in keeping our data and details up to date to comply with data protection legislation.
In this role you’ll develop your administration and organisation skills. Most importantly you’ll be help your local group run efficiently, so they can keep providing valuable services to our MS community.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.
Please apply online.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Bright Futures UK is looking for compassionate and knowledgeable individuals to mentor young people living with serious illnesses.
What will you be doing?
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Run six mentoring sessions online
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Offer advice and insights related to applying to universities and further education institutions.
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Help the young person understand application processes, for example, UCAS.
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Share your own experiences and knowledge to inspire and motivate.
What are we looking for?
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Expertise in University and College Application Processes: Profound knowledge and experience in advising young people about their futures, with a focus on areas such as writing a personal statement or the university application process.
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Mentoring and Communication: Ability to mentor effectively, offering guidance and support to a young person with clarity and empathy.
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Flexibility and Commitment: Willingness to commit to 6 weeks of 1-hour sessions
What difference will you make?
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By volunteering as a Mentor, you’ll play a vital role in empowering a young person to take control of their health and future, helping them to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have senior Individual Giving Fundraising or Marketing experience? This is an exciting opportunity for a person with senior experience and skills who would like to work within a human rights organisation which is ambitious, supportive and open to new ideas to grow our individual giving donor base.
If you would like to help Prisoners of Conscience to grow our individual giving donor base, we would love to hear from you. Please go to our website to see the enormous difference and impact which you could make with us.
Prisoners of Conscience provides financial and practical assistance to keep human rights defenders and their voices alive. But after 60 years, we have not grown our income to a size which matches the global need for support for human rights defenders. We have to increase our individual giving donor base and your skills might be just what we are looking for.
You are welcome to contact us for a conversation in the first instance.
Our vision is a world in which prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders are able to live in safety and continue their human rights work.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a new Honorary Treasurer for the BPA.
This is a good opportunity for someone who wishes to be part of the financial decision-making process of the BPA and to learn how the organisational side of the BPA functions.
The Hon. Treasurer works closely with the Finance Committee, the Board, the Executive and the General Manager. There is a strong financial team at the BPA. Ideally we are looking for an organized, strategic thinker comfortable with financial planning/budgeting with good teamwork and communication skills
· Currently the finance committee is keeping things going on a month to month basis; however, the Treasurer should be the focal point on the Board to articulate the strategic financial direction of the Society with input based on the priorities of the Society as communicated by the Board. The Treasurer should also represent the Financial Strategy as agreed by the Board to all members of the Society. The Treasurer is supported by the Finance committee.
· Attend Board meetings (3rd Monday of each month – 10 months a year)
· Attend Finance Committee Meetings termly (3 times a year)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What does a Trustee look like?
Look in the mirror!
Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.
We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.
It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in one or more of the following areas – click on the links for a fuller description:
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Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law.
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Marine Conservation – knowledge of the marine environment, with policy and/or practical experience of conservation. A network of contacts across the marine sector, particularly with business or government, would be an advantage.
What you can bring to our Board can be just as interesting as where you’ve been working. Ideally, you will have the relevant skills and experience set out in the profile but you should not feel prevented from applying if you do not have experience across all criteria. You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions.
We tackle the ocean emergency by working with communities, businesses and governments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!
About the Role:
Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.
- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers. It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.
- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.
Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.
Why Volunteer with Us?
Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.
Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.
Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.
How do I know it’s right for me?
Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.
We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.
What is the time commitment?
You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group).
- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We seek a Chairperson to head our Board at Evolve Counselling who will guide our strategic direction in the provision of lowest cost mental health counselling for individuals and businesses.
Location: Cambridgeshire area of operations. Chair can be fully remote.
Voluntary: Reasonable expenses paid
Commitment: Initial term of 1 -3 years. Flexible hours per month
Closing date: Wednesday 2nd July 2025
Overview
For over 40 years Evolve Counselling has provided lowest-cost professional mental health counselling for adults in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Northamptonshire and beyond, through the skill and dedication of our team of 60+ BACP-registered counsellors.
The role
We are looking for a new Chair who understands the growing demand for our services and the challenges of competing as a medium sized charitable business at this time. We shall look to our new Chair to build trust and engagement with our CEO, the Trustee Board, our volunteers, and supporters, as we capitalise on great recent work to stabilise and find new opportunities for significant growth.
The new chairperson will ideally bring health and wellbeing experience and commercial skills, as well as a demonstrable empathy for charitable working and commitment to the Nolan Principles of public life.
The role of the Chair is hugely rewarding and the scope under the leadership of the current CEO for Evolve to grow and innovate is significant. You will have significant senior leadership experience to drawn upon as you take ultimate responsibility for directing and inspiring the Trustees, making sure we are financially sustainable, and well run for our clients. Our ethos is to look upwards and outwards as we strive for a leading position in mental health services for all, and your commercial acumen, professional contacts, and powers of persuasion in business will be a huge support for our ambitions.
Including quarterly board meetings, committee sessions (at present virtual), a face-to-face AGM event, plus away days, and regular meetings with our CEO and the trustees, we anticipate a flexible time commitment of around 2 - 5 days per month.
For further information or an informal discussion on the role, please contact Kevin Bottrell.
Application process: Expressions of interest in the first instance by email to our CEO Gordon Ackroyd.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable KS3 English tutors to provide educational support and a fun, safe learning environment for young people living with long-term illnesses.
What will you be doing?
- Run tutoring sessions online to support a young person.
- Offer subject area knowledge and expertise related to KS3 English curriculum.
- Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions.
What are we looking for?
- Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS2 and KS3 English concepts and specifications.
- Teaching Skills: Ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.
- Empathy and Patience: Kind and understanding nature, especially towards those facing health challenges.
- Reliability: Consistent availability for the agreed-upon time commitment.
- You must be a UK resident and be at least 18 years old.
What difference will you make?
- Academic Progress: Help young people stay on track with their studies despite their health challenges, ensuring they do not fall behind.
- Confidence Builder: Provide a stable and encouraging presence that helps build the students' confidence and resilience.
- Future Opportunities: Equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
What will you gain?
- The opportunity to fight education inequities and make a difference in a young person's life
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Safeguarding level one training
- Skill development opportunities and practical experience
Location
- Remote/Online
Time
- 1 Hour per Week
- Duration: 14 Weeks minimum
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit a Health and Safety Volunteer for the Barnsley and District Group. As a Health and Safety Volunteer you’ll make sure all local group members are aware of their health and safety responsibilities. You’ll help them understand and follow guidelines and procedures to coordinate safe activities.
In this role you’ll gain knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, as well as develop your organisation, admin and communication skills. Most importantly you’ll help your local group make sure all their activities are safe for every member of your local MS community.
Time commitment
We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers.
You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully
2. Please apply online
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Board of Aston Community Education Trust, comprising 12 schools primarily centred in Sheffield, is recruiting up to four new Trustees possessing a range of skills – including finance, risk and audit; marketing; safeguarding, curriculum and standards; and legal/procurement. The Trust supports 5,000 young people and has an annual budget of c.£40 million.
Aston Community Education Trust (ACET) operates 12 schools, primarily based in Sheffield, with offices in Holderness. Established in 2011, ACET was an early adopter of the Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) model. The Trust includes nine primary academies—most of which received ‘Good’ or better ratings in their latest Ofsted inspections—and three secondary academies. Of the secondaries, one is rated ‘Good’ while the other two are judged as ‘Requiring Improvement,’ though both are progressing well according to Ofsted monitoring.
ACET runs an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit at Thurcroft Juniors, which has been rated ‘Outstanding’. From September 2025, all junior schools within the Trust will transition to full primary schools, expanding their intake to include Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils. ACET is a well-established, medium-sized Trust known for its robust leadership and transparent governance, with regular audits and Ofsted reviews publicly shared online. The Trust is firmly embedded in the urban heart of South Yorkshire.
ACET operates under clearly defined Articles of Association and a revised Scheme of Delegation that guides its governance. It maintains strong working relationships with Sheffield, Rotherham, and Derbyshire local authorities. The Trust actively engages with DfE-funded English and Maths Hubs for curriculum and teacher training support.
Its secondary academies collaborate with Wales High School in Rotherham, and all schools participate in teacher training placements for PGCE and QTS qualifications through partnerships with Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. The primary schools benefit from a collaborative hub model, with professional development and leadership training available across all academies.
Currently, ACET is not seeking immediate expansion in terms of adding new schools to the Trust. The strategic focus is rather on converting its junior schools into full primary settings and strengthening outcomes across its secondary phase. The CEO’s senior leadership team includes a range of school improvement professionals working across both phases, supporting leaders with inspections and improving educational outcomes.
The Trust serves approximately 5,000 pupils and employs around 750 staff. Its academies serve a diverse demographic, predominantly from lower socio-economic areas of Sheffield. Two schools—Listerdale and Waverley Primary Academies—have more balanced socio-economic intakes. A defining characteristic of the Trust is its focus on supporting disadvantaged communities, including families with intergenerational unemployment. The Trust leadership is deeply committed to using education as a transformative tool and views ACET as a central community anchor.
Financially, ACET’s 2023/24 outturn aligned with expectations. All academies operated within their original budgets, and the Trust maintained an annual income of approximately £40 million. The 2023/24 external audit report confirmed ACET’s compliance and effective management of DfE funding. The Trust holds reserves in line with DfE recommendations, indicating prudent financial stewardship. Nonetheless, like many Trusts serving disadvantaged populations, ACET faces growing budgetary pressures. High SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) needs and poor attendance rates among secondary students are particularly impactful on financial and academic performance.
The Trust’s Requirements
ACET’s Trust Board currently comprises eight Trustees, though several retirements are anticipated within the next year. The Trust aims to recruit at least four new Trustees to maintain governance capacity and expertise. Specifically, the Trust seeks individuals with skills in:
- finance, risk and audit;
- marketing;
- safeguarding, curriculum and standards;
- legal/procurement.
There may also be a need to appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair within 12 months, so candidates with Board leadership experience and ambition to assume such a role within the Trust are especially welcome.
Succession planning is underway, and the Trust is working to ensure Board resilience during this transition. All Trustees have the option to operate remotely if required.
In terms of governance structure, ACET has four members – an ‘eyes-on, hands-off’ role akin to that of the shareholder – and completed an External Trust Review with the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) in March 2023. A follow-up action plan is currently in progress.
Trustee time commitments are clearly outlined: the full Board meets up to six times per year, while sub-committees meet at least once per term. Trustees usually join one or two committees aligned to their expertise.
Meetings are scheduled for late afternoons and offer both in-person and remote attendance options. Local candidates from Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, or Derbyshire are especially encouraged to apply, provided they bring relevant expertise.
New Trustees will complete a structured induction that includes face-to-face and online sessions, mentoring, and engagement with senior leaders, including the CEO, CFO, and academy heads. Trustees are expected to contribute beyond regular meetings by joining committees, participating in review panels, attending key Trust events, and, where appropriate, helping to appoint senior leaders. Committee meetings are held termly and typically last around two hours.
ACET has a well-developed governance infrastructure. It employs a Lead Governance Professional, a Financial Director, and a team of School Improvement Directors who support the CEO in preparing reports and maintaining oversight. The Trust places high importance on safeguarding and has a dedicated Safeguarding Governance Group led by executive staff and supported by designated safeguarding leads across academies. A safeguarding Trustee is nominated annually, and all Trustees are required to complete safeguarding training and remain familiar with statutory guidance, including the DfE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE). Safeguarding is monitored rigorously, with data shared regularly with the Board and included in the Annual Report.
ACET supports its Trustees through partnerships with the National Governance Association (NGA) and CST, enhancing professional development opportunities. The Trustee role is seen as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to educational and social impact in South Yorkshire. The Trust is described as forward-thinking and led by a second-generation CEO committed to sustainable growth over the next five years. Every decision is anchored in ACET’s values of excellence, equity, integrity, empowerment, and esteem, all of which place children at the heart of the Trust’s mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.