Teacher volunteer roles in essex

Exciting opportunity as Chair of trustees of a small and dynamic arts and crafts re-use charity in SW London looking to take the charity forward and grow and diversify its income streams.The Chair will join an established and small board of trustees and must be experienced in leading a board in terms of strategy, risk and planning, financial governance, building positive relationships, one-to-one reviews with trustees to bring out the best in them, building the board and growing the charity's impact. 

The Chair will have a wide-ranging impact, shaping the charity's strategic direction and helping it achieve the charity's mission to promote artful re-use of waste materials diverted from landfiil and incineration for use with a wide range of beneficiaries for artistic, educational, recreational or therapeutic benefit throughout south-west London. Your leadership will ensure that the charity provides and extends its range of support and services to existing and future beneficiaries and maintains its role as an active participant in the circular economy. 

We’re looking for two amazing trustees to join our board at Speech and Language UK. Could it be you?

You could help more children enjoy story time, learn their times tables, and share jokes with their friends and families by volunteering your time as a trustee. With a record two million children now dealing with speech and language challenges – and that number rising year on year – this a crucial time for our organisation and the children and families we support.

As a trustee, you will guide us, support us, and grow with us as we work to make sure every child can face the future with confidence. We’re looking for trustees with experience either in education (early years, primary, or secondary) or speech and language therapy (practice- or research-based or a combination) who are as passionate as we are about changing young lives.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to make a difference.

For more information or to chat about the role, please get in touch or visit our website.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday, 24 November 2025. Interviews will take place on 10 December (morning) and 12 December (afternoon) via Teams.

Become a Healthwatch Champion!
Want to make a difference in your community? Join Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham at pop-up events to raise awareness and gather people’s views on local health and care services. help us listen to local voices and improve health & care services! ✨

What we’re looking for:
Friendly, reliable people who can listen, engage with the public, and represent Healthwatch professionally.

What you’ll get:
✅ Full training & support
✅ Travel expenses covered
✅ Valuable experience & job references
✅ Chance to meet new people and give back

Please get in touch if you wish to apply.

We are looking for a new governor with strong financial expertise, likely qualified as an accountant or with similar experience. You’ll be excited by delivering an excellent education for our students and keen to engage with our school’s development.

What will you be doing?

About You

We are looking for a new governor with professional experience accounting or financial management. The successful candidate will become part of a Governing Body comprising 18 members, all of whom are representatives of the school, and join the school’s Finance & Resources Committee. 

Time Commitment

Governors usually spend ~20 hours per term on core governing duties.

The Governing Body meets four times a year to undertake its regular duties, with occasional meetings for urgent or time critical decisions. Regular meetings currently take place on Wednesdays during term time, usually at 5/5.30pm. Governors also need to allow time to read papers and prepare for meetings.

The Girls’ School Governing Body has three sub-committees – Finance & Resources, Curriculum, and Health & Safety and Personnel. These meet at least termly.

We encourage governors to attend one governors' day per term when specific topics central to educational outcomes are highlighted for discussion with staff and students. Governors are also invited to attend public events such school play performances, music concerts and prize-giving ceremonies.

Skills and Background

Following a recent skills audit, we are particularly interested in individuals who have had experience in finance. We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

Being a Foundation Governor

Governors come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and include some appointed by the staff of the school, parents and the Tower Hamlets Local Authority.  A majority of the governors are appointed by the Central Foundation Schools of London. As an Educational Charity we support two schools in inner London, the Girls' School and also Central Foundation Boys' School in Islington. This appointment will be a joint appointment by the Foundation and the Girls' School governing body.

Training on the of role of governor will be provided for successful candidates.

Becoming a Girls’ School Foundation Governor

The governing body has three core functions:

1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction of our school;
2. Hold the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of our school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
3. Oversee the financial performance of our school and make sure its money is well spent.

The successful candidates will join the governing body in Spring 2026 and will receive a full induction which is supported by ongoing training and development for all governors. 

What are we looking for?

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a new governor excited by and committed to the delivery of an excellent education for our students. We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

Applicants need to have a keen interest in the school and are prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to  improve opportunities and outcomes for students. We are particularly interested in individuals who have had skilled and professional experience in accounting or finance. 

More widely, we are keen that new governors add a breadth of skills, perspectives, and experience to enhance our work. We want people who are good verbal communicators, will ask insightful questions, are able to build strong relationships and have good analytical skills. It would be beneficial to also have local knowledge. Most important, you would have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for our students. 

What difference will you make?

Your impact matters

As a Foundation Governor you will play a critical role in fulfilling our vision that through an exceptional Central Foundation education, every student learns, develops, and grows so they can reach their full potential. 

The Girls' School provides a high-quality education for girls from 11 to 19 years old. A school that is rightfully proud to continue a long tradition of excellence in education as well as caring for the welfare of our students. A Central Foundation education involves providing students with a wide range of educational experiences not available to many state schools or students from the communities and backgrounds we serve.

As a governor at Central Foundation Girls' School, you will

• help to create an inclusive and empowering environment where every student thrives.
• help to transform lives through an unwavering commitment to high expectations and standards for all.
• be part of a school with a passion for learning which drives us to challenge and support each other, fostering excellence in every endeavour.
• value and celebrate the achievements of all community members, recognising the unique contributions each person brings.
• nurture positivity, creativity, innovation, and inspiration, to help cultivate a vibrant community where every individual feels empowered to succeed and make a difference. 

Central Foundation Girls’ School is rightfully proud to continue a long tradition of excellence in education as well as caring for the welfare of our students. The school was originally established in 1726 and is now one of the largest schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. As a Foundation Governor you will ensure that tradition of excellence continues while keeping pace with the modern, changing world.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. 

Please send your CV with a short covering statement telling us why you are interested in joining the Central Foundation Girls' School Governing Body and what you think you would bring. 

Interviews will take place in December and January with the Chair of Governors, Hilary Evenett. An appointment confirmation meeting will take place with the Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

There will be the opportunity to visit the school as part of the interview process. 

New governors will be invited to join the Governing Body at their Spring Term meeting.

Please contact us via Reach with any questions.

Join Our Board as a Volunteer Member!

Healthwatch Barking & Dagenham is seeking passionate individuals to help shape the future of local health and care.

What you’ll do:
✔️ Take part in board meetings
✔️ Guide strategy and governance
✔️ Champion community voices

What we’re looking for:
�� Experience in governance or community health
�� Strong teamwork & problem-solving skills
❤️ Commitment to improving local services

What you’ll gain:
�� Influence change in health & care
�� Training & support
�� Networking opportunities

Arvon, the UK's oldest and most celebrated creative writing charity, is recruiting up to two finance trustees to join its dynamic board and help shape the charity's future. If you have a passion for the arts and literature, and believe in the positive, even transformative impact creative engagement can have for everyone, then we'd love to hear from you. We have run creative writing courses for young people, disadvantaged adults and the general public at our three writing houses – located in beautiful rural settings across England and now also online – for nearly 60 years. This is an opportunity to play a part in supporting and influencing the future of a unique charity at a time of exciting change.

Make a Meaningful Impact - Join the BES Personnel Committee 

Role: Personnel Committee Member 
Organisation: British Ecological Society 
Term: 3 years 
Closing Date: 16 November 2025, 09:00 GMT 
Interview: TBC 

Are you passionate about people, strategy, and shaping the future of a thriving organisation? The British Ecological Society (BES) is inviting expressions of interest for voluntary positions on our Personnel Committee, a dynamic group that plays a vital role in guiding our people strategy and supporting the delivery of our ambitious organisational goals. 

As a registered charity and non-profit organisation, BES is dedicated to advancing ecological science and promoting the importance of ecology in addressing global challenges. We support a vibrant, inclusive community of researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts through funding, events, publications, and policy engagement. While our mission is rooted in ecology, you don’t need a background in the field to contribute, what matters most is the unique skills, perspectives, and experience you bring.

This is a unique opportunity to influence how we nurture, support, and empower our staff, ensuring our internal culture reflects the values and vision of BES. The Committee typically meets 3 times a year, with occasional additional input via email. 

Why Join? 

As a Personnel Committee member, you’ll: 

• Help shape the strategic direction of our staff resource. 

• Influence policies that support a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. 

• Collaborate with passionate professionals committed to organisational excellence. 

• Gain valuable experience in governance and strategic HR. 

• Make a real difference in how BES supports its people. 

Who We’re Looking For 

We’re seeking individuals with experience or insight in one or more of the following areas: 

• Organisational leadership, management, and strategy 

• Staff policy development 

• Organisational change or conflict management 

• Staff appraisals and performance development 

• Learning and development 

• Health & Safety in relation to HR 

• Embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in HR practices 

We especially welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups within the ecological community and those with experience across diverse workplaces. We’re committed to forming a committee that reflects the range of experiences and backgrounds within our membership.

Ready to Get Involved? 

To learn more about the Personnel Committee, what the role involves, and how you can contribute, please explore the attached resource.

BLUE SMILE - CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Founded in 2010, Blue Smile is a Cambridgeshire charity supporting children aged 3-13 to manage big feelings, process difficult emotions, overcome anxieties and build resilience.

Blue Smile's mission is to transform the mental health and life chances of Cambridgeshire children through arts-based therapies, supporting over 200 children a week in the region’s schools, providing one-to-one therapy and groupwork. We work in particular, in accordance with our charitable aims, with those who face disadvantage or deprivation.

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES ROLE

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and governance to ensure that Blue Smile fulfils its charitable objectives. You will lead the Board in an inclusive way, promoting collaborative working and provide support and challenge to the Charity Director.

This role is vital to ensuring the charity operates in accordance with the law, delivers public benefit, and remains financially and strategically sustainable.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Our new Chair of Trustees will:

• Have board level experience as Chair, Non-executive or Trustee.

• Show a strong understanding of governance, strategy and the legal duties of a charity trustee.

• Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have sound judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to build a collaborative environment.

• Demonstrate a passion for improving children’s mental health and wellbeing which aligns with the charity’s values and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Six meetings a year, including one as the AGM and an annual strategy day. Board meetings are currently held online.
• Monthly scheduled meeting with the Charity Director with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.
• Ad hoc/occasional support through working groups and to the wider Blue Smile team.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• The Chair is appointed for a 5 year term of office, renewable for 1 further term to a maximum of 10 years in line with Blue Smile’s Articles of Association.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

TO APPLY

If you would like to be part of a welcoming and well-respected charity, please send your CV and a covering letter, outlining your interest and suitability for the role. We will be recruiting on a rolling basis so please do get in touch soon!

Blue Smile is committed to a diversity of voices in our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. 

Safeguarding is central to all Blue Smile activities, and we recognise that the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care when they are in our charge, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities.

We are committed to safer recruitment and trustees will be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We’re looking for a motivated finance professional to join our Trustee Board as Treasurer, provide us with financial strategic direction and help us maintain our long-term sustainability

Working closely with our Chair and Chief Officer, your key responsibilities will include:

• Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities

• Guiding and advising the Board in the approval of budgets, accounts and financial statements

• Chairing the Board’s Finance Sub-Committee

• Reviewing the quarterly and year end accounts produced by our Administrator

• Presenting the year end accounts at the Annual General Meeting

• Ensuring that proper financial procedures and controls are in place to safeguard the charity’s resources

• Ensuring that the charity has appropriate reserves and investment policies

You don’t need to have been a trustee before, but you’ll need to:

• have recognised professional financial qualifications or experience

• ideally, have some knowledge or experience of charity finances

• be familiar with Quickbooks accounting systems and spreadsheets

• have the skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences

• be able to explain complex financial information in an accessible way

• be able to exercise good independent judgment and if necessary to make difficult recommendations

• work effectively as part of a team

• have the time and flexibility to respond to the demands of the charity

• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality, equality and data protection

• represent Citizens Advice professionally at all times

If you are interested in joining our successful and expanding service, as we continue to meet the advice needs of the diverse communities we serve, we would love to hear from you.