Trustee role volunteer roles in consett, county durham
Are you an experienced leader with a passion for equine welfare, high standards in charitable delivery, or inclusive activities? RDA UK is looking for dedicated professionals to join our Advisory Boards in a voluntary, non-executive capacity.
About RDA UK
Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) UK is a national charity that enables people with disabilities to experience life-changing benefits through horses. With a UK-wide network of member groups, we are committed to delivering excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in all we do.
About the Role
As an Advisory Board Member, you will support our mission by offering expert advice and thought leadership. This role is purely advisory — focused on influence, not governance or operations. There are three Advisory Boards, and the particular skills and experience we’re looking for each are listed below.
- Member Group Quality and Standards Advisory Board
- Participants – Championing the voice of our participants, ensuring the participant perspective is woven into our offering.
- Volunteers – Leading the way in volunteering, ensuring RDAs vision to be a leader in volunteering experience across the UK.
- Education – Bringing an education background to increase the RDA educational experience in its offering.
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) – A leader in EDI they will ensure RDA continues momentum in embedding EDI across the organisation, ensuring it is a welcoming place for all.
- Environmental sustainability – A leader in environmental sustainability field will work to bring an increased sustainability view to RDAs member group operations.
- Mental Health – A professional in mental health support, bringing to life mental health considerations in our work.
- Advanced Coaching – A RDA coaching professional with advanced coaching qualifications to support the ongoing development of coaching standards at RDA. Preference for PRACA attendance.
- Equine Welfare – An individual with clear experience in the field that will ensure equine welfare continues to be central to how we deliver our services.
- Physiotherapy – A human focused physio to help us embed the therapy benefits of our services across the organisation.
- Activities Advisory Board
- Participants – Championing the voice of our participants, ensuring the participant perspective is woven into our offering.
- Carriage Driving – A carriage driving professional with experience in RDA delivery.
- Tea with a Pony/Dementia care services – A representative with experience in delivering the ‘tea with a pony’ initiative within RDA or has experience within the Dementia care field.
- Equine Assisted Services – A leader in equine assisted services, supporting RDAs continued development in service offering.
- Equine Welfare – An individual with clear experience in the field that will ensure equine welfare continues to be central to how we deliver our services.
- Physiotherapy – A human focused physio to help us embed the therapy benefits across all out delivered activities.
- Advanced Coaching – A RDA coaching professional with advanced coaching qualifications to support the ongoing development of coaching across the different activities that RDA offer. Preference for PRACA attendance.
- Equine Welfare Advisory Board
- Vet – A qualified veterinary surgeon, leading in equine practice that will support the ongoing development of equine welfare policies and practices, supporting equine welfare to be the central part of RDAs way of delivering services.
- Farrier – A qualified farrier, who is a leader in their field, using their knowledge and experience, supporting equine welfare to be the central part of RDAs way of delivering services.
- Equine Physiotherapist – A qualified equine physio, who is a leader in their field, using their knowledge and experience, supporting equine welfare to be the central part of RDAs way of delivering services.
- Equine Research – A leader in equine research ensuring RDA remains at the forefront of the latest best practise and welfare standards.
- Equine Welfare – An individual with clear experience in the field that will ensure equine welfare continues to be central to how we deliver our services.
- Physiotherapy – A human focused physio to help us ensure equine welfare remains central to RDA as part of delivering therapy through horses.
- Advanced Coach – A RDA coaching professional with advanced coaching qualifications to support the ongoing development of coaching knowledge of equine welfare. Preference for PRACA attendance.
Note: Some roles have the option to sit across multiple Boards.
Key Responsibilities
- Offer strategic insight and professional expertise to inform key decisions.
- Contribute actively to Advisory Board meetings (minimum twice per year).
- Provide guidance on best practice, innovation, and emerging opportunities.
- Support projects and collaborate between meetings as needed.
- Assist in the development of reports and recommendations for RDA UK Trustees.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience and leadership in a relevant industry.
- Specialist knowledge aligned with one of the Advisory Boards.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Prior board or advisory experience (desirable, not essential).
- A genuine commitment to RDA’s mission and values.
Note: Advisory Board Members cannot be current RDA UK Trustees or staff.
Commitment
- Serve a 3-year term, renewable up to three times (maximum 9 years).
- Attend two Advisory Board meetings annually, with additional engagement as required.
- Maintain confidentiality and uphold RDA’s values at all times.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to share your expertise, shape the future of inclusive equestrian activity, and help RDA UK continue delivering life-enhancing experiences. If you’re looking to give back in a meaningful way, we would love to hear from 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!
This is an exciting opportunity to influence and impact the educational experience and outcomes of children in east Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Hartlepool. At the heart of our trust is the aim to nurture, educate, achieve and transform the lives of all young people within the communities we serve across the North East.
We are a mixed Multi-Academy Trust, with eight schools (6 primary, 2 secondary) and a mix of community and Church of England schools. We are a fully inclusive, working with a range of stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes and destinations for our pupils.
NEAT is looking for people to join our Local Governing Committees (LGCs) as school governors. We're open to hear from any candidates who are motivated to contribute to the enhancement of education in our schools, whether that be with years of education experience, or with new insights and innovative thinking about how schools and Academy Trusts can and should support learners and other stakeholders.
Our LGC members (school governors) come from a wide range of backgrounds. What they have in common is that they want to help our schools be the best they can be and our pupils to succeed. People who know our local communities bring real insight to the LGC.
We're especially keen to support people who may not have much opportunity to be involved in governing bodies, and those from underrepresented groups. If you have a passion for supporting pupils and some relevant skills or experience, we're keen to hear from you.
As a governance volunteer, our LGC members have the opportunity to use and develop their skills in:
- building relationships and networks
- teamwork
- communication and influencing
- strategic thinking
- problem solving
- using data
- leadership and Board practice
- specialist areas such as Careers, Health & Safety, Special Educational Needs (SEND), or Safeguarding
Being a school governor is not only a great way to use your existing experience and expertise in your community, but is a great way to learn new skills, receive training in leadership and board skills, upskill and make a difference. There's a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development, networking, and working with a range of people from different backgrounds, professions, and life experience.
Our governance volunteers (school governors) have direct impact in the community through:
- decision making in the best interests of pupils to improve their education, wellbeing and future prospects and raise community aspirations
- shaping school policies and aims, allowing teachers to focus on delivering high-quality educational experiences
- stakeholder engagement to ensure that the voices of staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders are heard
Most LGC members have a four-year term of office, except for co-opted members who are appointed for one year. They attend around four meetings each year, which are usually held late afternoon/early evening during term-time. LGC members are also involved in scrutiny activities in school, which usually happen once or twice a term during the school day. LGC members also participate in decision-making panels (for admissions and exclusions) for schools in the Trust. The average time commitment for our LGC members is 8-12 hours per month.
NEAT takes safeguarding seriously, and all governance volunteers are required to undertake a vetting process (including DBS check) during appointment to best safeguard our pupils and schools.
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 an enthusiastic and skilled funding grant writer? Be a part of our small but committed team as a pro-active grant writer volunteer for a small national charity supporting people affected by a debilitating pain condition.
We are looking for 2 skilled grant writer volunteers who can take the lead in researching appropriate funds and writing grant bids to help us continue offering our support services and resources and helping us create new programmes and services to support patients and their families who have been affected by a poorly understood chronic condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
As our Grant Writer you will be responsible for identifying appropriate grant opportunities, and managing the grant development and proposal process from research to submitting grant applications with any supporting documents.
As our grant writer, you will:
- Identify appropriate sources of funding where we fit their criteria
- Write appropriately tailored grant/funding bids that meet funders’ interests and requirements and to write any additional documents in support of funding bids
- Help develop a Trusts and Foundations strategy to help create and maintain strong and diverse income that meets Burning Nights CRPS Support’s funding needs
- Create a calendar of grant deadlines and track submitted funding proposals
- Help us develop a case for support
- Report on grant usage and impact
- Review all grant/bid feedback and ensure knowledge is shared, so that learning informs us for future approaches to grants
If you are an experienced grant writer or you just enjoy researching and persuasive writing then we would love to hear from you.
We are looking for a volunteer who has:
- Experience of being a grant writer, project proposal writer and editing skills
- Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential
- Creative and persuasive written and spoken communication skills
- Self-motivated and highly-organised
- Ability to work remotely
- Ability to search online databases and other sources to identify appropriate funds
- Ability to understand and appeal to funders’ differing needs
- Ability to organise your own work, track and report back regularly
- Experience setting up funding email templates (desirable)
- Ability to quickly understand the needs of our organisation and our service users
- Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and can work with these
- Open to feedback
- Ideally have good network with people, organisations and charities which can help us to support our projects
- Determination to get the job done
Skills
- Project proposal writing
- Grant writing and knowledge of charity grant giving culture
- Good networking skills and contacts with grant giving organisation
- Marketing and communications
- Content writing and story-telling
- Good online fundraising skills
- Good editing and proof reading skills and attention to detail
- Team player who is comfortable working with various volunteers within Burning Nights CRPS Support to collate information required to write funding applications
If you don't have the exact experience, but are interested to volunteer with us, please apply! We would be thrilled to find out about how your interests and experience match with our needs or what we are doing.
Other Information
This role is done remotely using Zoom, Slack and email. You would be working closely with the charity’s Chair and with other trustees. However we would have regular updates and remote meetings as needed so we know you are getting the support you need.
We have an induction process that will help successful applicant to understand how our Charity operates and full support of all our volunteers.
Minimum of 3-6 hours per week for this role
Ideal commitment of 3 months or more (but not specific)
To drive change for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) & ensure people whose lives have been touched by this condition are not alone.





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!
Role: Director of Local Operations
Job Description:
Youth Advantage UK is seeking a volunteer Director of Local Operations to develop and lead its Local Operations Departments (England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland) in identifying and delivering on opportunities for the organisation to have an impact at a local level through commissioned research projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring these Departments produce high-quality research projects which meet the goals agreed with the commissioning organisations and grow Youth Advantage’s reputation and reach in line with its strategic policies. Working closely with the COO and the Policy and Ethics Departments, the ideal candidate will use their prior experience to effectively guide and strengthen the organisation’s ability to enable evidence-based, positive local change. They should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.
This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
Responsibilities:
● In line with the organisation’s strategic priorities, to lead the Local Operations Department in designing, developing and implementing impactful research and project objectives.
● To line manage the Head of Local Operations (England and Wales) and the Head of Local Operations (Scotland and Northern Ireland), supporting them to effectively manage their own teams and to develop and implement the frameworks necessary for producing top quality research projects based around both desktop research and fieldwork.
● To work with HR in creating a strong Local Operations Department composed of individuals with the appropriate skills and expertise. To ensure these volunteers are appropriately supported and trained during their period of service.
● To work alongside the Policy Department to source potential commission and project opportunities, shaping the focus and output of the Local Operations Department accordingly.
● To develop short- and long-term strategies in relation to the Department’s activity, ensuring that these align with the wider strategies of the organisation.
● To liaise with the Policy and Ethics Department of the organisation on an ongoing basis, ensuring that their advice is incorporated into Departmental decisions and output.
● To take responsibility for relationships with key external stakeholders, at all times representing the organisation positively and professionally.
● To work on an on-going basis with the other members of the organisation’s Senior Leadership Team in determining its strategic priorities and incorporating these into the Department.
● To monitor, analyse and respond to external trends which impact on the organisation’s strategies and the Local Operations Department’s activities.
● To work closely with the organisation’s Communications Department in developing and implementing effective strategies to raise the organisation’s profile and impact.
● To create blogs and articles on related issues and to find and distribute information on related topics which may be of interest to the other organisation members.
● To support the Chief Executive Officer in presenting local operations strategies to Youth Advantage’s Trustees.
Requirements:
● Experience in research and planning, leading key campaigns or programmes.
● High-level understanding of carrying out quality desktop research and related fieldwork, ideally in an area related to the organisation’s priorities.
● Excellent knowledge of a range of methods and approaches to effectively disseminating research results.
● Excellent leadership and organisational skills, with proven experience of setting priorities and motivating team members.
● Excellent writing and speaking skills.
● IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
● Ability to work well independently and in a team.
● Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
● Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.
Benefits
● Gain valuable experience in leading a research and project team.
● Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
● Flexible working hours.
Skills and Education Group is seeking an experienced board leader with strong governance expertise and a track record in complex organisations, ideally within education; to join us as our new Chair. If you're ready to provide strategic oversight and guide us through our next phase, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a respected organisation.
Location: Homebased with occasional in person meetings
Time commitment: 4 board meetings per year plus any additional meetings
Closing date: 9 a.m. Tuesday 12th August
About Skills and Education Group
The Skills and Education Group is a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to improving lives through further education, assessment, and social impact. With a portfolio that spans regulated awarding organisations, access to HE qualifications, and a membership body, CPD offer & charitable foundation, Skills and Education Group operates as a federated group committed to supporting individuals, providers, and communities across the UK.
Comprising Skills and Education Group Awards, BIIAB, and Skills and Education Group Access, our qualifications support lifelong learning and workforce readiness across a wide range of sectors. Our membership body represents the further education & skills sector bringing together professionals to access relevant & credible CPD and accessing the charitable foundation which provides grants and professional development to frontline educators and learners, ensuring we contribute meaningfully to social mobility and educational equity.
About the role
Following a period of significant leadership changes and organisational review, Skills and Education Group has stabilised under successful interim leadership and is now focused on building a sustainable future.
We are seeking a new Chair who will bring strategic vision and confident leadership to support the Board in consolidating recent progress and driving the organisation’s next phase of development.
Your role will involve leading the Board to ensure robust governance and effective oversight, developing collaborative relationships with executive leadership and key stakeholders, and maintaining a clear focus on the organisation’s core purpose amid evolving challenges.
The Chair of the Group Board will work closely with the CE, guiding their strategic leadership and supporting them to drive forward the organisation’s ambition and deliver associated targets.
A key part of your role will be contributing to the continued development and reform of our governance structure, ensuring it is fit for purpose and aligned with the Group’s financial, commercial and social objectives, as well as the expectations of our regulators.
You will also have the opportunity to contribute to the recruitment process for the newly appointed Chief Executive(CE), as the organisation positions itself for sustainable growth and impact.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a governance professional with proven experience as a Chair, Vice Chair, or chairing significant committees within complex or regulated organisations—preferably in the education sector. You will bring strategic insight, sound judgement, and the ability to support an organisation working its way through a period of significant change.
You will be confident leading a Board through transition, striking the right balance between encouraging open discussion, robust debate and thoughtful challenge, while ensuring that meetings remain focused, decisions are made, and consensus is achieved.
A collaborative and transparent leadership style will enable you to build trust across the Board, leadership team, and wider stakeholders, supporting high standards of governance and accountability.
A deep commitment to the public value of education, alongside a passion for upholding high standards of governance and accountability, is essential. You will bring clarity, focus, and resilience to the role, helping the Group navigate complexity while maintaining its core purpose and ambitions for growth.
Remuneration
The position of Chair of Skills and Education Group is unremunerated, but reasonable expenses are paid.
Time commitment
As Chair, you will be expected to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfil your duties, including attendance at Board meetings.
The Skills and Education Group Board comprises 10 Trustees, including the CE and Chairs of the Awards/BIIAB and Access Boards.
The Board has statutory and fiduciary responsibilities under Charity Law and the Companies Act. It is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategy and providing constructive challenge to the executive leadership, who manage day-to-day operations.
The Board meets at least four times a year, recently with additional combined meetings held regularly alongside the Awards/BIIAB and Access Boards to ensure coordinated governance across the Group. The majority of meetings are held remotely. It is expected that the Chair of the Group Board will regularly meet with the CE, ideally in-person at the company headquarters in Nottingham.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 12th August.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

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!
Job Description:
Youth Advantage UK is seeking a volunteer Director of National Impact to develop and lead its National Impact Directorate in identifying and delivering on opportunities for the organisation to grow its impact. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the Directorate’s two Departments (Research and Project) produce high-quality research and related projects and events able to influence decision-making and policy on a national scale in line with the organisation’s strategic priorities. Working closely with the COO and the Policy and Ethics teams, the ideal candidate will use their prior experience to effectively guide and strengthen the organisation’s ability to enable evidence-based, national change. They should have excellent writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.
This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer.
Responsibilities:
● In line with the organisation’s strategic priorities, to lead the National Impact Directorate in designing, developing and implementing impactful research and project objectives.
● To line manage the Head of the National Impact Research Department and the Head of the National Impact Project Department, supporting them to effectively manage their own teams and to develop and implement the frameworks necessary for producing top quality research output (including academic articles) and subsequent events, campaigns and project relating to research findings and organisational strategy respectively.
● To work with HR in creating a strong National Impact Directorate composed of individuals with the appropriate skills and expertise. To ensure these volunteers are appropriately supported and trained during their period of service.
● To work alongside the Policy team to source potential commissions and influencing opportunities, shaping research and project focus and output accordingly.
● To develop short- and long-term strategies in relation to both aspects of the Directorate’s activity, ensuring that these align with the wider strategies of the organisation.
● To liaise with the Policy and Ethics teams on an ongoing basis, ensuring that their advice is incorporated into Directorate decisions and output.
● To take responsibility for relationships with key external stakeholders, at all times representing the organisation positively and professionally.
● To work on an on-going basis with the other members of the organisation’s Senior Leadership Team in determining its strategic priorities and incorporating these into the Directorate.
● To monitor, analyse and respond to external trends which impact on the organisation’s strategies and the National Impact Directorate’s activities.
● To work closely with the organisation’s Communications team in developing and implementing effective strategies to raise the organisation’s profile and impact.
● To create blogs and articles on related issues and to find and distribute information on related topics which may be of interest to the other organisation members.
● To support the Chief Executive Officer in presenting national impact strategies to Youth Advantage’s Trustees.
Requirements:
● Experience in research and planning, as well as leading key campaigns or programmes.
● High-level understanding of carrying out quality research, ideally in an area related to the organisation’s priorities.
● Excellent knowledge of a range of methods and approaches to effectively disseminating research results.
● Excellent leadership and organisational skills, with proven experience of setting priorities and motivating team members.
● Excellent writing and speaking skills.
● IT literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
● Ability to work well independently and in a team.
● Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
● Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively.
Benefits
● Gain valuable experience in leading a research and project team.
● Opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
● Flexible working hours.
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!
Summary: Driving medical communication and patient-led research agenda for a complex medical condition
Description: You could make a real difference to the lives of patients and doctors struggling with a rare disease. That's what we do at Mast Cell Action - a charity dedicated to supporting the Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) patient community and improving the evidence base for the disease.
We work hand-in-hand with doctors and patients to develop materials that truly make a difference. And with the help of our medical advisory panel, we're constantly improving our activities to better serve our community.
But we're not done yet. We're looking for someone with a genuine interest in this area, with medical, health, NHS, and research experience to join our team. You'll be responsible for developing and executing our strategy to engage with the medical community, research organisations, NHS policymakers, and our community as a whole.
You'll lead multiple projects, collaborating with doctors to better understand and define our community, as well as initiating and executing new projects. And with your expertise, you'll ensure that all our communications are evidence-based and informative.
So, if you're passionate about making a real difference, come and join us at Mast Cell Action. Together, we can create a brighter future for patients and doctors alike.
You will lead a team of passionate volunteers and interns, working closely with our Operations Director to drive our mission forward. One of your key responsibilities will be to nurture and grow our Medical Advisory Panel, working hand-in-hand with supportive doctors and medical institutions. You'll be the face of the charity, representing us in all our interactions with these key stakeholders.
You’ll report directly to our trustee board, ensuring that all of our activities are aligned with our overall strategy and goals.
We're looking for a dynamic individual who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve great things. If you're passionate about healthcare and have experience working with medical institutions, this is the perfect opportunity for you. So why not join us at Mast Cell Action and help us make a real difference in the lives of patients and doctors?
What impact will they have?
At Mast Cell Action, we know that communicating, engaging, and educating the medical community and policy makers is crucial if we want to improve support for MCAS patients. And that's where you come in.
As our communications expert, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing patient care over time. You'll work closely with doctors, medical institutions, and policy makers to raise awareness of MCAS and advocate for better support for patients.
By effectively communicating the importance of MCAS and engaging with key stakeholders, you'll help improve patient outcomes and quality of life in the long run.
If you're passionate about making a real difference and have experience in healthcare communications, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
About the volunteer
What skills should they have
We are looking for a volunteer who has experience in the NHS and medical/research environment. If you're someone who can assess a situation and develop a clear strategy to achieve the desired outcome, we want to hear from you.
As our ideal candidate, you're an effective communicator who can engage with doctors and produce written and visual materials that really make an impact. You're also a team player who can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Managing projects and team members is second nature to you, and you're able to keep everyone on track and motivated. And with your awareness of the political and economic landscape in the area of complex diseases, you can navigate through any obstacles that come your way.
If you're passionate about making a real difference in the lives of patients with complex diseases and have the experience we're looking for, we want you on our team at Mast Cell Action.
Skills
Medical related background
Medical writing skills
Project management
Team management
Analytical and conversant with research methodologies
Where and when
Work remotely, flexible hours
Meetings in London
Trips to medical conferences around uk
Reasonable Expenses covered.