Trustee volunteer roles

Trustee Role

Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Bristol (mix of online, blended in person meetings)

Are you passionate about mental health and wellbeing? Do you want to make a meaningful impact in your community? ​Our client Second Step, a leading not-for-profit organisation rooted in Bristol and operating across the South West of England, now seeking a Trustee to join the Board. ​

Second Step has been promoting mental health and wellbeing for over 30 years, supporting individuals and communities to build brighter futures. ​ They specialize in recovery-focused, trauma-informed services for people with complex needs, including mental health challenges, homelessness, and substance misuse. ​ Their vision is a world where everyone affected by mental health problems can create a positive future. ​

The Role: As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of Second Step, ensuring they deliver high-quality, sustainable services. ​ You will work collaboratively with other Board members to oversee governance, financial planning, risk management, and organisational performance. ​

Who we’re looking for: ​

· Success in contributing to decision making at a strategic level.

· Motivating people to deliver the vision, aims and objectives.

· Senior professional and/or management experience, including business planning and budgeting.

· Experience in mental health delivery at a senior strategic/operational level (desirable)

· Personal experience of using mental health services (desirable)

· From a protected characteristic (desirable)

This is an exciting time to be part of Second Step, as a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those they support while gaining valuable experience in governance and leadership. ​

Time Commitment: Approximately one day per month

Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or age, and maternity, marital or civil partner status. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Further information and an application pack can be requested via email FAO Sandy Hinks or Leighann Beck quoting ref MC2603 

Intelligent, influential, and focused Trustees wanted for game-changing yet embracing charity 
 
A powerful campaigning organisation, Brain Tumour Research is the leading voice of the brain tumour community in the UK. Unique and much needed, we are the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Our work focuses on campaigning to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence, across the UK. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.  All of us at Brain Tumour Research are passionate about finding a cure for this devastating disease.  

About the roles
We are looking to strengthen and complement our Board of Trustees with the addition of two Trustees with experience in (1) charitable fundraising/ income generation, and (2) marketing and communications, possibly with campaigning and policy experience. As a member of the Board of Trustees you will play a key role in ensuring sustainable growth of the charity, contributing to overall strategic direction and providing scrutiny to our processes and decisions as well as ensuring standards of governance are upheld.   
 
This role is pro-bono with Board meetings held in person four times a year in Milton Keynes and Sub-Committees held three to four times a year online. You will attend the annual Board away day in person and join one or more sub-committees. Trustees are given the opportunity to work together through participation at our annual research workshops as well as receptions at our Research Centres and parliamentary events and undertake structured learning and development. 

Appointment is for a 3-year term with the potential to serve 2 additional terms.

The Skills and Experience we are looking for
The ideal person will have a background at board or senior leadership level and will have significant experience in raising charitable income and/or campaigning and policy, ideally in the charity sector. You will be an effective communicator and be able to think creatively and strategically and work collaboratively with Board members, the Leadership team and key partners.

Closing Date: 8th August

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

Citizens Advice Manchester (CAM) is looking for a Treasurer to join its Trustee Board and play a key role in guiding the organisation’s strategic direction and financial sustainability. CAM is the largest Citizens Advice in the network and one of the largest charities in the North West, delivering information and advice on issues ranging from welfare benefits and debt to energy and consumer rights, both locally and nationally. In 2023, CAM offered direct support to over 50,000 clients with more than 124,000 issues. CAM has a budget of £9.5m and employs over 200 people.

Treasurer – Citizens Advice Manchester

Citizens Advice Manchester (CAM) is one of the largest charities in the North West and the largest within the Citizens Advice network. It provides vital advice and support on issues such as welfare benefits, debt, energy, and consumer rights, both locally and nationally.

The Role

CAM is seeking a Treasurer to join its Board of Trustees and play a key strategic role in overseeing financial governance and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise on the financial implications of CAM’s strategic plans and oversee financial risk management.

• Collaborate with the CEO and Finance Director on the presentation of budgets, management accounts, and annual financial statements.

• Ensure appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place, and that accurate records are maintained.

• Monitor and report on the financial viability of the organisation.

• Maximise the charity’s investments and assets.

• Support the Board in fulfilling its financial responsibilities and improving financial literacy.

• Ensure compliance with contractual and funding requirements to support delivery of charitable outcomes.

• Uphold good governance in line with CAM’s Articles of Association and Charity Commission guidance.

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• A recognised financial qualification or relevant strategic finance experience.

• Proven ability to deal with complex strategic issues and business planning.

• Commitment to CAM’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Desirable:

• Experience as a Trustee or Treasurer.

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.

Time Commitment

• Approx. 10–12 hours per month.

• Attendance at:

  • Monthly Trustee Board meetings (typically 4.30–6.30 pm).

  • Quarterly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meetings (Chair role).

  • Annual away days or training sessions (1–2 days per year).

• Additional support to the CAM leadership team as needed.

Term & Transition

The successful candidate will take over from the current Treasurer in September 2025.

Why Join CAM?

This is an opportunity to make a long-term contribution to a high-impact organisation supporting communities across Manchester and England, while building personal skills in leadership, strategy, and governance.

CAM is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from all backgrounds and communities.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and covering letter outlining your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with CAM’s needs.

• Closing date: 4 July 2025

• Interviews: 15 and 18 July 2025

Branch Trustees

RSPCA Stort Valley Branch – multiple opportunities

Help us make the world a better place for animals

RSPCA Branches rescue, rehabilitate and rehome those animals most at risk through clinics, animal centres, boarding and fostering facilities; offer advice and education on animal welfare; and support with microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments for animals owned by people in financial difficulty.

Each RSPCA branch (of which there are approx. 150) is a separately registered charity, operating at a local level across England and Wales. Branches did 78% of the rehoming activity across the RSPCA network in 2020 and took more than 31,000 animals into their care. There are also over 300 RSPCA charity shops, all of which are run by RSPCA branches. The RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare since 1824 when we were founded in a London coffee shop, and we’re proud to be the oldest animal welfare charity around.

What does RSPCA Stort Valley Branch do?

We cover an area either side of the M11 from Saffron Walden in the north to Harlow in the south and fundraise and offer welfare services within this area.

The animal welfare services that we offer are centred around our busy clinic in Harlow and include:

•  Subsidised routine veterinary treatment and microchipping for owned animals - in 2024, we made over 2,200 consultations at our Harlow clinic and administered more than 500 vaccinations and 250 microchips.
•  Advice and education
• Community outreach

We operate a charity shop in Bishops Stortford town centre, selling clothes, books, games and other items to help with our fundraising.

In addition to our Harlow clinic, we work closely with RSPCA animal centres and inspectors to support their work and to look after and re-home animals rescued in our branch area. We also support neighbouring branches by seeing some owned animals from their nearby towns at our clinic. We are working to improve our fostering network to help with rehoming, and are keen to step up our fundraising work to enable us to provide additional welfare support to the community.

What do RSPCA branch trustees do?

RSPCA branch trustees are volunteers who shape the work that the branch does, and are collectively responsible for governing and managing the affairs of the branch. “Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.” “Trustees are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run.” “They may be known by other titles, such as: directors, board members, governors, committee members” - Charity Commission. At Stort Valley, we have a lovely team of staff and volunteers with experienced, capable people managing our shop and clinic day-to-day. Trustees will set the strategy, make the big decisions and lead on new initiatives.

To find out more about being a Trustee, visit the Goverment Trustee - What's involved which explains what trustees do. There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

Stort Valley Branch is presently in the process of converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), the modern legal form for many charities - loosely equivalent to a Limited Company. We expect to complete the change in the second half of this year (2025).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for applications from people from all social and cultural backgrounds, who are passionate about improving animal welfare. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced trustee or not, as trustee training and induction will be provided. If you can bring relevant skills and experience from other aspects of your life, that’s great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll learn some new ones here!

Right now, we would like to recruit several additional Trustees. We’ll define and re-balance the roles of all the Trustees once our new Trustees have settled in, so we’re not necessarily looking for you to select a specific role at this stage. The opportunities could include taking the lead on fundraising, overseeing our clinic or shop, increasing our local outreach and education activities, enhancing our online presence and recognition, and more. Ideally, for some of the roles, you’ll be relatively local to the branch area; others can be done remotely.

We hold monthly Trustees’ meetings, which last 1.5~2 hours. We ask for Trustees to join as many of these meetings as possible. You’ll also need to allow time to prepare for meetings - creating or reading through any relevant documents in advance – and of course, for the specific activities you take on. We normally meet in the evening, online (Google Meet), at times chosen to suit Trustees’ availability.

Trustees are elected or re-elected for a 12-month term at the branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Between AGMs, branches have the ability to co-opt an additional three trustees who serve until the next AGM and can then be elected.

What’s in it for you?

There are lots of benefits to becoming an RSPCA Branch Trustee, including:

•  induction and trustee training
•  the chance to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare
•  the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones
• the ability to use your skills to improve the wellbeing of animals in your local area, and make a real difference to the lives of animals
•  the capacity to shape innovative projects, and be part of the RSPCA’s ten-year strategy - “Together for animal welfare”
•  access to our learning hub, which contains training materials and courses on a variety of subjects
•  the chance to shape the services in your local area
•  volunteering is good for your wellbeing.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

As Chair of Trustees you will provide strategic direction for the charity, ensuring that we are meeting the demand for our services, and making certain that we help and support people in crisis in the local community.

What will you be doing?

This role involves leading and overseeing the trustee board in ensuring the effective performance of its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities. It is also an essential part of the role to support the Foodbank leader to achieve the vision/objectives of the Foodbank and to ensure there is a positive relationship between the trustee board, Foodbank staff, volunteers, and any other stakeholders.

Chairperson Responsibilities:

• chair trustee meetings so that the board functions effectively and carries out its duties
• ensure the board sets an overall direction for the Foodbank with clear objectives
• ensure that the business of meetings is dealt with, and decisions are recorded and implemented
• in consultation with the rest of the board, recruit board members with relevant expertise and experience when required
• to ensure that there is appropriate line management in place to manage the FoodBank Manage

Ensure an effective relationship between staff, volunteers, and stakeholders:

• to plan with the Foodbank Manager, an annual schedule of any subcommittee/steering group meetings and other key events which board members should attend
• to work alongside the Foodbank Manager to ensure there is appropriate communication between the trustee board and staff, volunteers, and any other stakeholders.

Other responsibilities, along with the board of trustees, include:

• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, ensure the charity does not become over-committed, and ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled appropriately
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, financial statements are reviewed, and progress is evaluated
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of the South East Edinburgh Foodbank
• an ability to lead a trustee team in a supportive and confident manner
• experience of leadership and charity governance as part of a Board of Trustees, including familiarity with chairing meetings
• a broad knowledge and understanding of the third sector
• strong inter-personal and relationship building skills
• experience leading through periods of development and change
• excellent meeting and presentation skills
• sympathetic to the faith position of the South East Edinburgh Foodbank as a Christian charity

What difference will you make?

By leading the Board of Trustees, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with, the South East Edinburgh Foodbank.

BRANCH TRUSTEE – TREASURER (RSPCA OXFORDSHIRE)

Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for an enthusiastic person who understands charity finance to support us in our mission to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.

Overview of the Branch Treasurer opportunity

We are looking for someone to volunteer as a Branch Treasurer for our OXFORDSHIRE Branch. This role would play a vital role in supporting the Branches affairs so that it is governed and managed effectively, whilst continually having animal welfare at the forefront of their mind.

As a minimum, trustees would generally attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 1-2 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for over 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers, who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA OXFORDSHIRE Branch

The OXFORDSHIRE Branch was founded in 1875, we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by our Operations Manager and a team of volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is on rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals, we take in the animals the Inspectors rescue from cruelty and neglect, we provide them with the veterinary attention, love and care, then we find them loving new homes. We also to help members of the public with financial assistance for their animals for neutering, microchipping and unexpected veterinary fees.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Treasurer

· Implement and maintain sound financial systems.

· Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plan the branch income and expenditure.

· Provide a written financial report for every branch meeting.

· Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and treasurer’s report.

· Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.

· Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory.

· Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and to ensure their correct use.

· In the absence of a branch box secretary, to assume responsibility for the branch network of collection boxes.

· Arrange payment of the annual branch contribution to the appropriate RSPCA fund.

· Coordinate financial control of all branch fundraising activities.

· Make quarterly VAT returns to headquarters promptly.

· Ensure the production, monitoring and annual review of the branch’s financial risk management strategy following the charity commission’s requirements.

· Liaise with branch officers, Branch Partnership Managers and Branch finance coordinator on Financial affairs as necessary and alert them immediately to any possible difficulties or irregularities.

· Ensure the retention and safekeeping of the branch’s financial documentation for the appropriate time as set by the charity commission.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

· Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.

· Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.

· Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).

· In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager, write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out your branch's short and long-term aims.

· Actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.

· Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.

· Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.

· In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

· We are particularly looking for someone who has knowledge and experience in finance, who may already understand charity finance.

· As a trustee, you would be able to dedicate the time to attend monthly committee meetings, which last approximately 3 hours.

· There will be additional volunteer duties between meetings, such as; providing financial reports at committee meetings, monitoring the budget that the trustees have set for the year, processing payments, querying invoices, VAT returns, and processing Gift Aid claims.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Treasurer

· We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.

· Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff and any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

· The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that directly impact local animal welfare.

· The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

· A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

· To become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

· Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

· Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

· Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

· References will also be required.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA, we’d love to hear from you!

Are you passionate about supporting young people and giving back to your community?

Whether you have experience in fundraising, governance, building corporate partnerships, or simply a willingness to get involved and make a difference – we’d love to hear from you! 

About us 

We’re part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, a national youth organisation empowering 12- to 20-year-olds through flying, adventure training, sports, and leadership development. 

West Mercian Wing supports over 900 cadets across 27 Squadrons in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, the Black Country, and overseas in Cyprus. 

Each squadron has a Civilian Welfare Committee, a team of trustees who support the squadron by overseeing governance, fundraising, and building community partnerships. Trustees are vital in ensuring squadrons can continue providing incredible opportunities for cadets. 

Squadrons in this sector 

• 223 (Halesowen) Squadron, 27 King Street, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3SU 
• 347 (Dudley) Squadron, Army Reserve Centre, 5 Vicar Street, King Street, Dudley, West Midlands, DY2 8RH 
• 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron, Army Reserve Centre, Old Swinford Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 2LQ 
• 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron, Rear of Kingswinford Health Centre car park, off Standhills Road, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8DN 

Why become a trustee? 

Volunteering as a trustee isn’t just about helping others - it’s about growing yourself too! 

• Gain valuable experience in leadership, governance, and fundraising. 

• Expand your network and become part of a supportive team. 

• Make a lasting difference to young people in your community. 

• Shape the future of an organisation with a rich legacy. 

What’s involved? 

Meetings are structured but friendly, typically every three months for around two hours. A typical agenda includes: 

• Updates from the Chairperson, Treasurer, and Squadron Commander 

• Funding requests and financial decisions 

• Future planning, upcoming events, and key priorities 

• Opportunities to contribute based on your skills and interests 

Beyond meetings, involvement is flexible depending on your availability and expertise. 

What we’re looking for 

We welcome all backgrounds and skill levels, but we’d particularly love to hear from those with experience in: 

• Fundraising 

• Governance & charity compliance 

• Corporate partnerships 

No military background or youth work experience is required—just enthusiasm, reliability, and a passion for making a difference! 

Opportunities for progression 

Trustees can take on leadership roles within their squadron, support squadrons at sector or wing level, or even contribute to regional and national RAF Air Cadets governance. Some trustees also transition into squadron volunteer roles, working directly with cadets. 

To join us, you’ll need to 

• Be 20 years or older 

• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years 

• Attend an evening meeting every three months (varies by squadron) 

• Bring enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to support young people. 

Typical joining process: 

1. Submit an expression of interest. 

2. We’ll invite you to visit your chosen squadron to learn more. 

3. Complete a simple online application if invited. 

4. Undergo a DBS and basic security check. 

This process usually takes a few weeks, depending on availability and checks. 

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re excited about supporting young people and helping your local squadron thrive, we’d love to hear from you! 

Come and join the Feeling Strong team! ����

We're looking for a Co-chair to lead and shape the strategic vision of Feeling Strong, Dundee’s youth mental health charity, through the next 2026 - 2029 Strategy in line with our mission and our values. In this role, you will act as one of two lead Trustee Board Members of the organisation, responsible for the agenda and actions of Trustee meetings and AGM, improving good governance, supervising the Chief Executive Officer and acting as a senior ambassador of the organisation. 

This is a voluntary, fixed three-year term governance role, requiring attendance at six meetings per year, and monthly support sessions held in Dundee (Block 5, 2 Seabraes Lane, Dundee, DD1 4NX).

Training and induction will be provided so we are open to all candidates, and we expect them to develop skills once in post, but we would welcome candidates with any of the following experience:

• Governance and previous board experience

• Business development and trading income generation

• Human resources

• Lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges

• Financial background

Work-related travel costs will be reimbursed.
We will require that the position is taken up ahead of our August Trustee Board Meeting. ����

Are you the future FOMA leadership?

FOMA trustees seek Expressions of Interest (EoI) from parties that would like to explore the options to take forward FOMA under new trustee leadership, or merge FOMA with an exsisting organisation, as outlined below. Trustees are open to considering EoIs from any person or organisation, including organisation and people we have worked with previously.

Background
The Friends of Malawi Association (FOMA) was formed in 1969 to foster friendship, goodwill and understanding between
the people of the United Kingdom and the people of Malawi. It is strictly non-political. Many of the members have lived
and worked in Malawi and wish to maintain their links with the country and with one another. There are two entities that
form FOMA:
● Friends of Malawi Association - where FOMA members pay to be part of and support the organisation
● Friends of Malawi Association Charitable Trust Fund - which seeks to help the people of Malawi by providing
small project grants
FOMA has an active membership of around 300 people, and has a (mainly passive) income of around £10,000 per year.
Each year FOMA organises a Spring meeting online and Summer Garden Party as well as an AGM in September. At these
events there is the chance to hear about the projects we support, talks on Malawi’s history and current events, and meet
other members.
FOMA has delivered a huge amount of positive social impact, by providing grassroots grants to people or organisations
running projects, normally up to £1,000. We have a role is supporting people and organisations that are normally
overlooked by international development funders, due to the small size of grants. FOMA has funded over 255 projects
since 1990, totalling around £250,000. More information available on the FOMA Website.
 

FOMAs Future
FOMA was established to continue bonds of friendship between people in the UK and Malawi after Malawian
independence in 1964. This created a strong platform of members, but over time FOMA has not attracted new younger
members leading to the membership being largely an older demographic.

In late 2024, FOMA’s treasurer Peter Lawrance very sadly passed away. He will be very much missed, not in the least
because of the huge amount he did for FOMA as Treasurer, managing events and donations. FOMA’s trustees are now
unable to continue running the organisation in its current form.

Trustees are looking for options to continue the
organisation in its current format, if a suitable new treasurer and other trustees can be found:

• Recruiting a new treasurer, and other trustees to continue the organisation in it’s current format. Trustees have put out a live advert for this role.

However, the organisation has struggled to recruit new trustees in the past, and therefore the current trustees are also
considering the following options outlined by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO):

•  Merger. A merger is where two or more organisations formally come together. It’s most common for one organisation to transfer everything they own to the other. Typically this leads to one legal entity being closed. Trustees are happy to consider possibilities for merging FOMA to another organisation, in order to deliver the most social benefit from FOMAs history and association of members.
• Radically change FOMA ways of working. Since FOMA was established, the world has significantly evolved. Indeed, over the last year, the massive reduction in Foreign Aid globally has sped up this change. FOMA trustees would be open to a new set of trustees taking forward the organisation in a new direction. Examples of this may be to explore a partnership organisation like Scotland Malawi Partnership or a more Malawi based organisation.
• Closure. If the other options do not appear to present a viable alternative, then trustees will close FOMA. Given how far the world has moved on since FOMA was established in 1962, this may be the right option and will allow FOMA trustees and member to support new causes in Malawi.

FOMA trustees seek Expressions of Interest (EoI) from parties that would like to explore the options outlined above. Trustees are open to considering EoIs from any person or organisation, including organisation and people we have worked with previously.

In your EoI please outline the option you would like to explore, and summarise how you could see the option working in practice. Please summarise the inputs and help you would like from existing trustees. Please outline how you think the option would deliver on the FOMA Charitable objectives. Trustees will consider these options, before presenting an suggested option to members at the next FOMA AGM in September. 

Chair of Board of Trustees Recruitment

Founded in 1975, Rights of Women is the only charity dedicated to providing frontline legal advice to women experiencing all forms of violence against women and girls in England and Wales. We campaign for access to justice and safety for all women.

We are seeking a new Chair in our 50th anniversary year to lead our Board to replace Dr Annie Hedge, our long standing, inspirational, retiring Chair. Our new Chair will help us to build on our success and ensure that we continue to change women’s lives for the better.

We welcome applications from women* from diverse backgrounds whose skills and experience will complement our existing high performing Board, enabling us to stay at the forefront of women’s rights and legal policy debates.

We recognise the critical role that intersectional and structural discrimination play in society and welcome applicants with a strong commitment to addressing these issues throughout our work. We are keen to receive applications from Black and minoritised communities including refugee and migrant women, disabled women and women who have personal experience of the issues that are core to our work including domestic violence and abuse, insecure immigration status and workplace sexual harassment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Rights of Women is a national charity however given the specific demands of the Chair role and our office location in London it is important for the Chair to be able to travel to London regularly.

We are keen to recruit a Chair committed to our vision and values who has:

· Experience in governance, leadership, and strategic decision-making, ideally within a charity or public sector setting.

· Strong financial and risk management acumen.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively

· Experience in supporting organisational growth and development.

Commitment:  Average 2 days a month

Full details can be found in our application pack.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV, a covering letter of no more than 2 pages and a short Essential Information Form (including details of referees). Shortlisted applicants will also be required to attend an in-person interview at our offices and meet the Director and staff.

Key dates:

Closing date: Thursday 31st July 2025 5pm

Interview dates: Anticipated as week commencing Mon 11th August 2025

First Board meeting: Wednesday 17th September 2025

*Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 16, Part I) applies

Please note: We kindly ask applicants not to use AI tools when preparing their application. We value your personal voice and perspective, and we’re keen to hear directly from you.

About the opportunity

We are seeking committed vegetarians and vegans to join our volunteer board of trustees.

Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is the only UK charity specifically dedicated to supporting older vegetarians and vegans. If you share our belief that all older people should be enabled to maintain their chosen diet and lifestyle, have access to trusted information, and enjoy good quality plant-based food wherever they live, this role may be of interest to you.

Our trustees work with the CEO of VfL and its operational team to ensure strong governance and help realise the strategic aims of this unique and growing charity. Since its formation in 2007, VfL has earned widespread respect for its advocacy, training, and resources that support dignity and choice in later life.

In line with our new Vision for 2030, we are looking to strengthen our board with a new trustee who brings experience of business development and income generation. This role is ideal for someone who understands how values-led enterprise can fuel social change.

We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in:

• Social enterprise or ethical business growth

• Developing new income streams or commercial partnerships

• Consultancy, training, or service-based models

• Scaling mission-aligned products or services

You’ll work alongside a committed board and leadership team as we seek to build VfL’s long-term sustainability – including enhancing our earned income to complement strong reserves and existing financial support.

Experience of charity governance is welcomed but not essential. More important is a strategic mindset, commercial insight, and a strong commitment to VfL’s mission.

The role of trustee is a voluntary one, with expenses paid when incurred in connection with the role. The board meets quarterly, mainly via video conferencing, with at least one in-person meeting annually in Manchester. Meetings are held on Saturdays, with additional (short) discussions scheduled by arrangement when needed.

Our Vision for 2030

Business Development
We will be the go-to resource for those supporting older veg*ns – driving best practice in catering and care. VfL accreditation will be recognised as the mark of excellence, with plant-based options not just available but expected. We will strengthen the skills, confidence, and networks needed to support individuals and communities.

Supporter Services
We will be the trusted first point of contact for older vegetarians and vegans across the UK – offering responsive, personalised support. VfL will empower individuals, foster community, and help shape a broader nationwide shift toward plant-based living at all life stages.

Research and Policy
We envision a future where the rights of older vegetarians and vegans are protected in law, regulation and practice –given equal status to faith-based diets and recognised as central to dignity, identity and person-centred care. VfL will lead in building the evidence base and advancing understanding of the barriers older veg*ns face.

To be considered for this role

You should have the experience outlined above and a passion for VfL’s mission. You should be able to articulate how your skills can help further our strategic aims, especially around enterprise and sustainability.

To apply

Please send a covering letter along with a CV of no more than 2 pages FAO CEO, Amanda Woodvine. We usually offer an informal conversation about the role prior to a formal recruitment process.

Excalibur Academies Trust, a dynamic and growing Academy Trust with schools spanning from Bristol to Reading, is looking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees, possessing extensive leadership, governance and chairing experience, to lead its Board. The Trust is based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, comprises 20 schools and has an annual budget of £140m.

Excalibur Academies Trust (EAT) is a dynamic and growing Multi-Academy Trust based in Marlborough, Wiltshire. The Trust comprises 20 schools across a broad geographical area, stretching from Bristol in the West to Reading in the East. It includes six secondary schools (four of which have post-16 provision) and 14 primary schools, some of which include nursery provision, enabling the Trust to deliver education across the full 2–19 age range.

EAT was established in 2012 and has grown steadily, expanding significantly in 2023 by welcoming a five-school Multi-Academy Trust into its fold. The Trust now operates a diverse portfolio of schools serving a wide range of communities, from small rural primaries with mixed-age classes to large urban secondaries with over 1,700 pupils. The Trust includes five Church of England schools linked to the Oxford and Salisbury Dioceses, making EAT a ‘mixed MAT’ with bespoke Articles of Association that accommodate both faith-designated and community schools. The diversity of the Trust is a key strength, underpinning its inclusive ethos and commitment to high standards across all settings.

Ofsted has judged the majority of EAT’s schools as ‘Good’, with one school rated ‘Outstanding’. The Trust has a dedicated School Improvement Team which works closely with schools to support them on their development journeys.

The Trust’s finances are managed prudently, with schools maintaining balanced budgets despite ongoing pressures in the education sector. EAT has an annual income of approximately £140 million and holds comfortable reserves. Some schools include specialist resource bases for pupils with additional needs such as hearing or visual impairments or autism spectrum conditions, and EAT’s provision for SEND and safeguarding has been consistently strong. EAT receives annual capital allocations to maintain and improve its estate. A central estates team supports individual schools, ensuring all buildings are safe and well-maintained.

Governance at EAT is well-established and effective. The Trust has four Members, including a representative of the Church of England, and 13 Trustees from diverse professional backgrounds. Several Trustees joined following the 2023 merger, bringing valuable insight and expertise. The Board is supported by a Head of Governance and has benefitted from an External Review of Governance (ERG), conducted by the Confederation of School Trusts (CST). The recommendations from the ERG have largely been implemented, and the Trust operates a stable and robust governance structure. EAT is a member of both the CST and the National Governance Association (NGA), giving Trustees access to extensive training and support.

The Trust’s Requirements

Excalibur Academies Trust is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead the Trust Board and support the Trust’s continued development. The current Chair, who has served since 2018, will step down in summer 2025 due to increasing work commitments. This role offers a rare opportunity to influence the strategic direction of one of the largest and most diverse MATs in the South of England.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience of chairing a Board or acting as vice-chair or committee chair in a complex organisation. They will be comfortable leading a board of significant scale and overseeing matters such as finance, education, risk, and governance. A background in executive leadership—particularly within education, public service, or corporate governance—would be advantageous.

The Chair will play an important strategic and leadership role, working closely with the CEO, Trustees, Members, and executive leaders. While current arrangements do not include a regular scheduled meeting between the Chair and CEO, the CEO is open to establishing a routine catch-up—initially more frequent, then settling to monthly or half-termly as appropriate.

Board meetings are held six times per year, typically on Friday mornings from 9am – 11am, and usually followed by a school tour to see the Board’s impact in action. Meetings take place across sites in the Trust but most commonly include:

• St John’s Marlborough, SN8 4AX
• Ashton Park School, Bristol, BS3 2JL
• John O’Gaunt School, Hungerford, RG17 0AN
• Fairfield High School, Bristol, BS7 9NL
• The Wren School, Reading, RG30 2BB

Occasionally, meetings are held at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, Swindon, SN5 8UB.

Committee meetings are held online via MS Teams, usually on Friday mornings and lasting up to two hours. Trustees are expected to join one or two committees. The current committees include:

• Finance, Premises & IT (six meetings per year)
• Audit & Risk (three meetings per year)
• Education Scrutiny & Student Welfare (four meetings per year)
• Staffing (between four and five meetings per year)
• Academy Committee Chairs (six meetings per year)
• Christian Distinctiveness (one meeting per year)
• Admissions Panel (ad hoc as required)

While the Chair is not expected to lead all committees, the current view is that the incoming Chair will sit on the Finance, Premises & IT Committee (which will be chaired by another trustee, per DfE requirements) and attend Audit & Risk Committee meetings.

The successful candidate will be well-supported in their induction and transition into the role. Existing Trustees bring substantial experience and are committed to ensuring a smooth handover. EAT’s Head of Governance will provide detailed onboarding and compliance support, while the CEO and fellow Trustees will welcome the new Chair into a culture of collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced leader to contribute to the strategic growth and educational excellence of a forward-thinking, values-driven trust. With a proven track record of school improvement and sound financial stewardship, EAT is poised for continued success – and the new Chair will be central to that journey.

Chair - Finance and Audit Committee

Community Action Suffolk, CAS is the county’s leading infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.  CAS is currently seeking a Chair for the Finance and Audit Committee.

The role

To provide effective leadership, the Finance & Audit Committee Chair must have a clear understanding of the committee’s duties and responsibilities; be able to commit the necessary time and be available on urgent financial matters.

 The Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee will be supported by a small committee of trustees and Head of Finance.  Meetings are quarterly and held at our office in Ipswich or alternatively online.

Role responsibilities:

• excellent working knowledge of finance and audit practices and internal control functions and risk management  frameworks
• develop understanding of the organisation and its financial structure
• sound judgement and professional scepticism

The person

 This is a role for an experienced qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or similar), who shares our vision and has a proven ability in strong leadership, organisational and financial matters. They will be someone who is motivated, pragmatic and demonstrates sound commercial and business acumen and have the requisite business, financial, communication skills to be the Chair the Finance and Audit Committee. Any knowledge of the insurance industry would be beneficial but not essential.

You will enjoy the opportunity to support an important charity in Suffolk dedicated to improving opportunities for all, ensuring a strong and thriving VCFSE sector and that our county is one where every voice counts to make Suffolk the best place to live and work.

You’ll work collegiately with our trustees and in partnership with our Chief Executive, ensuring strong accountability to the board as a whole. There’ll be scope for professional development as well as personal reward in running the charity. In summary, its an opportunity to make a real difference.

Remuneration

Like most not-for-profit board roles this position is unremunerated, however expenses can be claimed where appropriate.

If you would like an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Belinda Couldridge to arrange a conversation with the Chair of Trustees or the Chief Executive.

 To apply, please provide the following via email:

• A comprehensive CV including details of two referees.
• A supporting statement, explaining how you believe your skills and experience match the requirements of the role description and person specification.

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. We also have a national research school, which aims to build and strengthen networks of schools throughout the region and help them access effective education research and implement it in everyday practice.

NEAT is looking for people to join our Trust Board of Directors. 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 can and should support our learners.

We're especially keen to support people who may not have much experience on a Board, 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.

Our Directors work closely with our school governors and school leaders and 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 policies and strategic direction, allowing schools to focus on delivering high-quality educational experiences
• stakeholder engagement to ensure that the voices of staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders are heard