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The UK Men’s Sheds Association is seeking a small number of new trustees, based anywhere in the UK. The role is voluntary (reasonable expenses are covered) but is an opportunity to be part of an engaged, effective and friendly Board of an important national charity.

While the roles are primarily as general trustees, there will also be opportunities to serve on one of our two formal sub-committees – Audit & Risk and People. We are also recruiting for a trustee to act as our Treasurer (a role-specific advert is on our website). 

The UKMSA Board fulfils a governance function, ensuring we use our resources responsibly, and that we comply with our legal and regulatory obligations. As a trustee, you will play a key role in ensuring UKMSA’s sustainability and effectiveness, overseeing our strategy and governance, including ensuring we continue to operate to the public benefit. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to use their professional and personal expertise to make a meaningful difference to communities across the UK.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and you do not need previous charity Board experience.

We regularly review the collective skills and experience of the Board members, and use this to inform recruitment. In particular, we are looking this time around for applicants who can bring significant charity or broader financial experience (not only for the Treasurer role but also to support our Audit & Risk function); experience of national or significant fundraising; and a background in HR or ‘people skills’. These are, however, not prescriptive and we welcome applications from anyone who feels they may have something to offer a medium-sized national charity which has significant impact which belies its size.

Our recruitment is also informed by our policies, especially our EDI and volunteering policies. While the Men’s Sheds movement itself has an understandable male focus, we are keen to maintain a truly diverse Board, both in terms of the protected characteristics under the Equalities Act and in terms of the diversity of experience and background our trustees bring. It is not a UKMSA policy per se, but we aim to maintain a balance of trustees who come from the Shedding movement alongside those who bring external perspectives. Trustees may be based in any part of the UK (we aim to have at least one trustee who is based in every one of the UK home nations). 

We ask that all trustees explicitly sign up to their responsibilities, both statutory and regulatory, with a commitment to good governance and ethical leadership. We also expect a willingness to work collaboratively as part of a diverse and supportive Board, and as a constructive critical friend with the CEO and staff senior leadership team.

We are looking for a fundraising expert to join our external Finance Committee. In particular we’re looking for someone who can interrogate plans and performance, with experience of the marketplace and the need for fundraising investment. The ideal candidate will have a background in fundraising and developing income generation strategies but also a passion for innovation, insight and above all ‘best in class’ supporter care.

The Finance Committee is responsible for monitoring the financial performance of the full portfolio for the organisation. It plays a key role in protecting the financial health and sustainability of Samaritans and our vision that fewer people die by suicide. The Committee is a formal advisory committee of the Board of Trustees and reports on its work, conclusions and recommendations to the Board on a regular basis.

We are seeking applicants who will provide independent and effective advice to help the committee fulfil its responsibilities in:

• Monitoring and reviewing budgets, accounts and financial performance and making recommendations in response to identified areas of risk;
• Monitoring and reviewing fundraising plans, investments and ongoing performance and making recommendations;
• Assessing the investment and reserves policies for the organisation and reviewing performance.

Applicants for this role should have experience of senior fundraising roles.

About the role

Term: Committee members are usually appointed for a period of three years, with the possibility of a second three-year term.

Location: The role is home-based and may involve some travel within the UK. As a minimum, attendance is required at four committee meetings, either in person or online.

Remuneration: The role is voluntary.

Application process: Applicants are to return a copy of your CV with a completed application form by Monday 17 August containing a personal statement how you meet the experience, knowledge and skills set out in the role description. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviewonline w/c 24 or 31 August.

About Samaritans

Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide.  Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. We provide compassionate listening services to people in emotional crisis, 24/7. We combine evidence with lived experience to influence decision makers to tackle the underlying causes of suicide. We change attitudes and encourage people struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek support.

Together we can prevent suicide today. Because tomorrow’s too late.

Could your fundraising expertise help save lives?

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) is looking for a Trustee with senior fundraising, supporter engagement and income generation experience to join our Board.

This voluntary role is an opportunity to use your expertise to help shape the future of a life-saving charity. As a Trustee, you'll provide strategic oversight, constructive challenge and specialist governance, helping to ensure we can continue delivering critical care to people across the North East, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the Isle of Man.

You won't be involved in delivering fundraising activity day to day. Instead, you'll work alongside fellow Trustees to scrutinise strategy, monitor performance, oversee risk and ensure our fundraising remains ethical, effective and aligned with our mission.

We're particularly interested in hearing from people with senior experience in fundraising, development, external engagement or income generation within the charity, social enterprise, public benefit or purpose-led sectors.

You will bring experience in:

· Fundraising strategy and income diversification

· Donor stewardship, supporter journeys and campaign planning

· Fundraising governance, compliance and ethical practice

· Board-level thinking, constructive challenge and sound judgement

· Building relationships and acting as an ambassador for a mission-led organisation

You will also share our mission, values, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Nolan’s seven principles of public life.

Time commitment

The Board meets at least four times a year, plus a strategy day. Trustees are encouraged to sit on two Board Committees, with additional contact usually taking place by email, telephone or Microsoft Teams.

Interested?

If you are passionate about using your fundraising expertise to make a meaningful difference, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 28th August 2026