Trustee volunteer roles in sheffield, south yorkshire

Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is seeking a dynamic and well-connected professional with experience in fundraising, marketing and relationship building to join its Board of Trustees.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a unique and growing organisation working at the nexus of human rights, rainforests and climate change, and to use your skills and passion to deliver impact for Indigenous Peoples and other local communities on the frontline of the fight against tropical deforestation.

The role of the Board is to provide strategic vision, direction and leadership, to support the financial and operational stability needed to advance RFUK’s mission, and to promote the organisation’s continued effectiveness.

We are looking for a Trustee with experience and skills in one or more of the following areas:

• Philanthropic giving
• Charitable foundation grants
• High net worth giving
• Corporate partnerships and CSR fundraising
• Individual giving and legacies
• Networking and profile raising
• Marketing, PR and communications

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:

1. finance, risk and audit;
2. marketing;
3. safeguarding, curriculum and standards;
4. 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.

Purpose: 

Charity law requires all charity trustees to prepare accounts for their charity. An independent examination is a form of external scrutiny that provides a limited check on specific matters.
Registered and excepted charities with income less than £25k must have an Independent Examination unless the accounts are audited. 

Requirement:

An independent person whom the trustees reasonably believe to have the requisite ability and practical experience to carry out a competent examination of the accounts.
Must be a member of one of the accountancy bodies listed in the Charities Act

Key tasks:

Well verse with Commission’s Directions and guidance as independent Examiner 
To provide an independent scrutiny of the accounts and, in this way, help maintain public trust and confidence in charities.
Ensure; No evidence was found of a lack of accounting records; Nor of the accounts failing to reflect those records; Nor of the accounts failing to comply with the relevant legislation
Liaising with the trustees to ensure the accounting records are available 
Agreeing responsibilities with the trustees, for example, who will prepare the accounts and file them with the Commission
Agreeing a timetable for the examination with the trustees 
Ensuring the examination takes place at a time when trustees and key staff are available to answer any questions that may arise

Key results/objectives:

At the conclusion of the independent examination the examiner makes a report to the charity trustees. Charity law requires the examiner’s report to comment on three specific things: 
the accounting records kept, whether the accounts agree with those records,  and whether the format of the accounts is correct. 

Reporting to: Joy Mason - CEO

• Support onboarding, training of new volunteers

• Development, updating of training materials for volunteers

• Co-ordinate deployment of volunteers to specific projects 

• Development of LRC volunteer charter

• Advising Trustees of volunteer needs

• Liaising with team members, Trustees

• Taking part in relevant meetings

• Oversee operations

  • Project materials, equipment

  • Volunteer expenses approval

  • Contribution to website, social media content

Key competencies 

• Training / volunteer experience 

• IT competent

• Team working

• Good intuition, initiative

• Good communication – verbal & written

• Attention to detail

We Stand are recruiting a number of voluntary positions for our Board, including a number of volunteer trustee positions. 

We Stand is the only national charity that specialises in helping non-abusing parents and carers to protect and support their sexually abused children.

Our Mission is to provide support in a non - judgmental environment for non abusing parents and carers of sexually abused children. 

Our Services help families at a time of extreme trauma caused by child sexual abuse – providing emotional and practical support to young victims, siblings and non-abusing parents/carers so that they can move on positively with their lives together. 

Board

We Stand is run by a Board made up of volunteer Trustees. We are seeking committed and passionate individuals, to fill the roles of Board trustees.

We are  particularly interested in applications from those with the following experience, but more importantly we are interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, to support our work. 

• Business development in the charity sector 

• Comms strategy

• Legal experience, ideally experience within family law. 

Previous board experience not required.

Expectations of Board trustees

• Actively participate in board meetings (which occur once every 3 months, on Wednesday evening), 

• Attend any sub committee meetings you are part of where required - usually held every month or every two months

• Oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, supporting its development through good governance

• Use personal skills, expertise and time to support the organisation’s development

• Undertake tasks required by the Board from time to time - such as recruitment 

Our partner provides practical support and financial assistance to people forced to travel to access abortion care, operating across Europe and beyond, whilst working towards a future where safe, legal abortion is accessible to all.

They are seeking a Treasurer with strong finance and accounting experience to join the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will provide oversight of financial strategy, risk and compliance, review management accounts and budgets, and support the preparation of annual accounts in collaboration with the staff team and bookkeeper.

The post-holder will bring charity governance experience, commercial awareness, and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial trustees. A commitment to the organisation’s pro-abortion, feminist and anti-oppressive values is essential.

The Board meets remotely every six weeks, with an additional monthly Governance Working Group meeting. Occasional in-person gatherings may take place every couple of years. The time commitment is approximately 5 hours per month.

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For more Trustee & Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is inviting applications for new non-executive directors to join the Board of its trading arm, Living Streets Services (LSS). We want to expand the experience represented on the board and ensure a balance of skills in order to support the organisation achieve its strategic objectives.

On the LSS Board, we are seeking additional non-executive director(s). We are looking for people who have skills and experience particularly in the commercial sector or social enterprise.

Above all, we are looking for passion, fresh ideas and a desire to improve our streets. Whatever your background, a commitment to the values and objectives of the charity overall will be crucial.

This is a pivotal time in our history: with a dynamic and experienced new Chief Executive, Catherine Woodhead; and a period of development, with a new strategy incoming that will take us towards our centenary in 2029. 

We are a charity which can influence anyone’s daily life. 

With our thousands of members and supporters we run campaigns for positive change and influence policies that improve our streets such as encouraging families to walk to school, 20mph speed limits and controlling pavement parking. 

We manage innovative national projects, engaging schools, communities and workplaces to encourage more people to walk short journeys. Our year-round walk to school challenge captures the imagination of children in over 2000 schools. 

We work with local authorities and businesses to improve streets and public spaces. Our reports, such as The Pedestrian Pound, make a substantial contribution to the active travel agenda. 

We actively welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds generally and from all parts of the UK. 

Walk with us.

These roles are voluntary and unpaid, although appropriate expenses will be paid.

Closing date: 20/07/2025 (midnight)

Interviews: 29/07/2025 

About the Charity: Path To Prosper is a UK registered charity that provides professional training to vulnerable young adults in Uganda, enabling them to escape extreme poverty through gaining employable skills. 

Role Overview: The Finance Lead will play a key role in overseeing our financial management, ensuring the charity remains financially sustainable and compliant with all relevant regulations.

You will be responsible for overseeing the financial health of the charity, working closely with the CEO to provide strategic financial advice and support to the Board. You will ensure that our financial operations are transparent, efficient, and compliant with charity law, while reporting to the CEO and Board on key financial matters. You will be entrusted with the responsibility of managing the charity's finances, preparing financial reports, and ensuring that the charity is financially well-positioned to achieve its goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial administration

   1. Maintain accurate financial records, recording income and expenditure as per agreed categories.

   2. Ensure bank statements match internal financial records.

   3. Process all necessary charity expenses.

   4. Process all invoices received by the charity.

   5. Manage international transfers, and accounts held by international transfer providers. Responsible for transferring funds to agreed providers as per approved budgets and the annual operating plan.

   6. Maintaining charity’s financial signatures as directed by the Treasurer.

2. Financial Oversight:

   1. Lead the charity’s financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes in collaboration with the CEO.

   2. Oversee the financial tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring that funds are used according to the terms set by donors or funders.

   3. Monitor cash flow, ensuring that the charity’s financial position is healthy and sustainable.

   4. Advise the CEO and Board on financial strategies, risks, and opportunities.

3. Financial Planning

   1. To continually research and suggest to the CEO any changes to banking arrangements that would benefit the charities financial position, such as more favourable banking terms, international financial transfers or interest rates.

   2. To support the operations lead with any approved changes to banking arrangements

   3.  

4. Financial Reporting:

   1. Prepare financial reports for the CEO, including income and expenditure statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts, in line with the organisations agreed income and expenditure categories

   2. Ensure the charity’s financial statements are accurate and comply with accounting standards, charity law, and other relevant regulations. 

   3. Work with external auditors and independent examiners to ensure a smooth annual audit process.

   4. Maintain accurate records and respond to adhoc requests for financial information from the operations team.

5. Compliance and Governance:

   1. Ensure compliance with financial regulations; including the Charity Commission’s requirements and other applicable laws 

   2. File annual returns and financial statements with the Charity Commission in a timely manner.

   3. Advise the CEO and Board on financial governance and risk management.

6. Fundraising and Grant Management:

   1. Support the Fundraising Lead by providing financial insights and reports for grant applications and donor reports.

7. Team Collaboration:

   1. Assist with training or guidance on financial matters where necessary.

Person Specification:

• Essential:

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or substantial relevant experience in financial management.

  • Experience with accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks).

  • Understanding of charity finance; including statutory reporting, VAT, and charity-specific financial regulations.

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret financial data.

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

• Desirable:

  • Previous experience as a trustee or in a senior financial role within a charity.

  • Familiarity with charity fundraising practices and grant management.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives and families of vulnerable young adults living in extreme poverty

• Gain valuable experience in charity finance and governance.

• Work with a committed and passionate team of trustees and volunteers.

• Flexible role that can be done remotely with occasional meetings.

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

As a Governance Officer, you will work closely with the Governance Lead to ensure strong governance practices across Roots Academy. Your role will focus on supporting governance frameworks, policies, and compliance measures to align with charity governance requirements and relevant regulations. You will also play a key role in embedding a culture of governance across the organisation.

Key tasks

Trustee Support

• Assist trustees with governance-related tasks and ensure they have access to relevant policies, guidelines, and resources.
• Direct trustees to appropriate regulatory frameworks, best practices, and governance training materials.

Governance & Compliance Support

• Support the onboarding process for new trustees, ensuring all necessary documentation is collected and securely stored.
• Assist in coordinating trustee meetings, including preparation of agendas, accurate minute-taking, and document distribution.
• Maintain key governance registers, such as the register of interests, policy register, and risk register, ensuring timely updates and compliance.

Policy & Risk Management

• Support the Governance Lead in developing and reviewing governance policies, including Conflict of Interest, Risk Management, and Whistleblowing Policies.
• Assist team leads in ensuring policies are implemented effectively and aligned with best practices.
• Help monitor compliance with Charity Commission regulations and the Fundraising Code of Conduct.

Embedding a Governance Culture

• Assist in raising awareness of governance principles across the organisation.
• Support the Governance Lead in organising training sessions or briefings on governance best practices.
• Help integrate governance principles into the organisation’s operations and decision-making processes.

What we’re looking for

▪ Interest or experience in charity governance, risk management, or compliance.

▪ Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.

▪ Excellent organisation and communication skills.

▪ Ability to work independently while collaborating with different teams.

▪ Familiarity with Charity Commission Regulations and governance best practices (desirable but not essential).

What we have to offer

▪ Be part of a dedicated team of 90+ volunteers across the UK.

▪ Contribute to a growing organisation that educates and empowers the Muslim community.

▪ Access to in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.

▪ Receive continuous rewards for facilitating Islamic education through Roots Academy.

Please note: This is an unpaid volunteer position. Volunteers can claim expenses for food, travel, and equipment in line with the Expenses Policy.

When people suspect they have Lyme disease, their first port of call is a health professional (HP), yet HP knowledge of Lyme disease tends to be low. The Lyme Resource Centre has been increasingly attending HP conferences to raise awareness. However, we now need help to make our approach to these events more streamlined, efficient with an experienced events specialist to help support the rest of the team so they can concentrate on presentation content etc. Whilst the major focus is HP conferences, there are 1-2 other major events where event support is also needed.  Previous experience in events coordination is essential. 

Key responsibilities seen as:

Overseeing co-ordination of LRC events (e.g. HCP conferences, Parliamentary events, big public conferences)

Completing admin, paperwork (contracts, insurance, invoicing etc.) 

Liaising with event organisers

Monitoring event status, progress & costs

Designing processes, policies that facilitate event organisation and advise Trustees on how to evolve event management

Organising post-event follow-up emails

Advising LRC team members of required actions, deadlines

Organising printing, materials, equipment for event as required (working with materials specialist?)

Liaising with team members, project leaders, Trustees, treasurer

Taking part in relevant team and other meetings

Key competencies 

• Organisational skills

• IT competent

• Team working

• Good intuition, initiative

• Good communication – verbal & written

• Attention to detail

We Stand are recruiting a number of voluntary positions for the Board of Trustees, with this advert focussing on the Chair of the Board.
 

We Stand is the only national charity that specialises in helping non-abusing parents and carers to protect and support their sexually abused children.

Our Mission is to provide support in a non - judgmental environment for non abusing parents and carers of sexually abused children. 

Our Services help families at a time of extreme trauma caused by child sexual abuse – providing emotional and practical support to young victims, siblings and non-abusing parents/carers so that they can move on positively with their lives together. 

Board

We Stand is run by a Board made up of volunteer Trustees. We are seeking a committed and passionate individual, to fill the role of a Chair of the Board.​
 

Expectations of Chair role

• Experience of strategic leadership: Guiding the board in setting the charity's strategic direction, ensuring alignment with its mission and objectives. 

• Governance Oversight: Monitoring the board's performance and ensuring trustees fulfill their duties and responsibilities. 

• Meeting Management: Leading board meetings, ensuring they are conducted effectively and efficiently, and that all necessary information is available. 

• Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including the CEO, staff, and other trustees. 

• Risk Management: Overseeing the identification and management of key risks and opportunities for the charity. 

• Ambassadorial Role: Representing the charity to external stakeholders and promoting its work. 

• Support and Challenge: Providing support and guidance to the CEO, while also challenging them to ensure effective performance and decision-making. 

• Time Commitment: Dedicating sufficient time and effort to the role, including attending meetings, preparing for meetings, and engaging in other related activities. 
   

Experience of holding a previous Chair position is not essential, but desirable. Experience of working at a senior level is essential. 

InterVol is a student volunteering charity in the United Kingdom that connects students with volunteering opportunities locally and overseas. InterVol supports students to develop their skills with community projects in the UK and then use those skills to support the work of charitable partners overseas on health, education, refugee support, and conservation placements. Our project placements and volunteering opportunities are designed by our local partners with the long-term needs of beneficiaries and communities in mind. InterVol supports a network of four student societies at English universities with around one hundred volunteers annually.

InterVol is looking to increase its presence on university campuses around England and Wales, and therefore we are accepting applications from university students interested in setting up a student committee.As a committee member, you will be responsible for recruiting students to volunteer locally and abroad, liaising between the board of trustees and the committee, and recruiting committee members for the next academic year. The student committees will be supported by the trustee board, who are drawn from past student committees. 

Setting up a student committee is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership experience, gain a developed insight into the charity sector and international development, and create positive change in your community and abroad. All student committees are supported by the trustee board, and there will be training provided. 

As a committee member you will:

·Work with the student union at your university to establish an InterVol committee. 

·Recruit students to volunteer locally and abroad. This will involve attending freshers’ fair, hosting information evenings, and running team-building days. 

·Organise local volunteering opportunities and liaise with our international project partners. 

·Recruit committee members for the following academic year. 

·Oversee volunteer fundraising. 

·Commit to being involved with the student committee for two years. 

·Be based in the United Kingdom to allow travel to meetings.

Person Specification:

·Experience of volunteering in the UK or abroad. 

·Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills. 

·Capable of leading teams and working under pressure. 

·Well-versed at time management and staying organised. 

We Stand are recruiting a number of voluntary positions for our Board of Trustees, including a Board secretary. 

We Stand is the only national charity that specialises in helping non-abusing parents and carers to protect and support their sexually abused children.

Our Mission is to provide support in a non - judgmental environment for non abusing parents and carers of sexually abused children. 

Our Services help families at a time of extreme trauma caused by child sexual abuse – providing emotional and practical support to young victims, siblings and non-abusing parents/carers so that they can move on positively with their lives together. 
 

Role

We Stand is run by a Board made up of volunteer Trustees. We are seeking a committed and passionate individual to fill the role of volunteer Board Secretary. Previous board experience is not required, but experience on the following criteria is. 

Expectations of Board Secretary 

• Planning Board and sub-committee meetings. This includes organising and coordinating meetings, preparing agenda and distributing any meeting materials. 

• Maintaining records of board proceedings, decisions and actions

• Ensuring Board compliance

• Following up on actions

• Maintaining good relations with the the Board, CEO and staff members

Chair
Unremunerated | Approx. 2 days per month | Hybrid meetings (alternating between remote and in-person)

Our client, a long-established charitable trust, exists to support women’s financial resilience and to tackle gendered poverty in the UK. Since 2016, the organisation has awarded over £26 million in grants, directly benefiting more than 150,000 women through individual funding, community-based partnerships, and long-term systemic change initiatives.

The charity is now seeking a new Chair of the Board to guide it through the next phase of its strategic development. This is a significant opportunity to provide leadership to a highly focused and well-governed organisation addressing one of the UK’s most pressing and persistent inequalities.

The incoming Chair will offer inclusive and effective leadership to the Board of Trustees, uphold strong governance practices, support the Chief Executive, and help shape the organisation’s strategic direction. The role will be central in maintaining momentum, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring the organisation continues to respond effectively to the needs of the communities it serves.

The charity is open to exploring alternative leadership models and welcomes interest from those considering a Chair and Deputy Chair arrangement or a Co-Chair model. The priority is securing a collaborative and inclusive approach to board leadership that aligns with the charity’s values.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A sound understanding of governance, financial oversight, funding models, and compliance within the charitable sector

• Proven experience in chairing boards or senior-level committees, with the ability to facilitate inclusive, productive discussions and decision-making

• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to anticipate change, manage uncertainty, and influence long-term direction

• A values-led leadership style marked by emotional intelligence, empathy, and integrity

• A deep commitment to gender equity and a nuanced understanding of the structural drivers of gendered poverty

• The time and capacity to fully engage with the responsibilities of the role

To learn more about the role and how to apply, please visit the dedicated microsite by clicking 'redirect to recruiter'

This is an exciting time to join the organisation. The new Chair will work alongside a dedicated executive team and engaged trustees to ensure that the charity’s funding remains impactful, relevant, and sustainable — and that its governance continues to reflect its core values.