Trustee Volunteer Roles

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? Do you believe in empowering survivors of domestic abuse? If so, we invite you to become a trustee for our well-established domestic abuse charity.

About Us:

Independent Choices Greater Manchester provides advice and support for survivors of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester. We offer a confidential helpline that offers survivors information about their legal options for safety, housing options, refuge availability, safety planning, contacting, and reporting to the police as well as emotional support, aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and empowering survivors to take control of their lives through informed choices. Our helpline is accessed by survivors, friends and family and professionals who support survivors.

Position Overview:

As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction and governance of our organisation. Your insights, expertise, and commitment will help us fulfil our missions and aims.

You will:

• Ensure alignment with our vision, mission and values and help identify new opportunities to meet these.
• Develop the board of trustees to make the most of existing skills and experience and build capability and diversity.
• Champion an evidence-based approach to decision-making using data and evaluation from our programs to meet the needs of survivors and provide feedback to funders.
• Where relevant use your network to raise awareness of Independent Choices Greater Manchester and advocate for the needs of domestic abuse survivors within the community.
• Support our manager to identify and focus on operational priorities and efficiently build resilience amongst our team of staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with trustees to provide strategic direction regarding the charity’s services, finances, legal, HR, communication, and partners/ stakeholders engagement.
• Ensure the board of trustees uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of governance and decision-making.

Knowledge and Experience:

• A good understanding of the trustee role, coupled with the readiness and dedication to invest the required time, preparation, and effort to fulfil trustee duties effectively.
• Understanding or openness to learning about the intricate nature of domestic abuse and its effects on individuals, families and communities.
• Creativity and innovation in problem-solving, with a focus on driving continuous improvement and excellence.
• We are especially interested in hearing from people who have experience in any – finances, legal, HR, communication, and partners/ stakeholders engagement.

Abilities and skills:

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset, with the willingness to dedicate time and effort to furthering the charity’s mission.
• Have a commitment to the role for at least 12 months.

Join Us:

If you share our vision and are ready to make a difference, we welcome your application to join our board of trustees.

EnhanceAble’s mission is to impact positively on the lives of local disabled people and their families through the provision of excellent social care.  We pride ourselves on going the extra mile in provision of service and placing our customers at the centre of our work.

EnhanceAble is a medium sized charity in the social care sector.  We have a turn over of circa. £2 million per annum.  We have a Board of Trustees, and a Senior Management Team (SMT) consisting of our Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Finance and HR Manager.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that EnhanceAble achieves its core  purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.  They also ensure that EnhanceAble has a clear strategy and that our work and  goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the  executive team to enable  EnhanceAble] to grow and thrive, and through this, to achieve our mission. 

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act  as a group and not as individuals.

Duties Include: 

• Support and provide advice on EnhanceAble’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of new strategies

• Oversee EnhanceAble’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

• Review and approve EnhanceAble’s financial statements.

• Provide support and challenge to EnhanceAble’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

• Keep abreast of changes in EnhanceAble’s operating environment. 

• Contribute to regular reviews of EnhanceAble’s own governance.

•  Attend  Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EnhanceAble’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of EnhanceAble]’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

What we are looking for 

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction  and training.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation. 

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgment and work effectively as a board member.

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

• Willingness to lead according to our values.

• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,  objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term of office, renewal for 3 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending 4  Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held in person at our head office in KT1 2TW 

• Attending circa 4 other meetings or event during any year

We provide life choices for people with learning disabilities.

You can choose to help us improve them.

Options for Life is a dynamic not-for-profit charity based in Sandwell.  We are dedicated to empowering adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to boost their confidence, develop valuable skills, and live independently, enjoying the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

We are committed to supporting our participants in making choices about their own lives. 

We provide our services in an area of significant deprivation; the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2019) ranked Sandwell as the 12th most deprived local authority in England.  We own two purpose-built centres and employ 65 staff.

We want to support more people with profound or multiple learning disabilities and to develop new services to provide supported employment opportunities.  But to do this we need professionals who can guide and develop the charity’s strategy as Trustees.  Many of our current Trustees will complete their terms this year.  We particularly value financial and public administration skills and people with lived experience of disability. We believe in the strength of a varied board and welcome applicants from all walks of life, regardless of their previous Trustee experience.

Our Trustees are central to our success, and we need Trustees who share our desire to overcome years of prejudice. The financial situation is challenging, but the rewards are enormous.

Please make a choice to learn more about us.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone with a desire to make a difference to join our Board of Trustees. You will bring an enthusiasm for social impact and a keen interest in helping to shape the future of a vibrant and friendly charitable social enterprise.

Who are Acorn Early Years?

Acorn Early Years is a charitable social enterprise providing childcare and early education, with day nurseries, forest schools, out-of-school clubs, and specialist early years catering and training services.  We are growing rapidly, despite the challenges facing the sector, with just over 450 employees, 16 nurseries and an expected turnover of approximately £10m this year.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our friendly team of voluntary trustees. We are committed to being representative of our communities and aim to bring together a variety of skills and experience to shape how we work, and to continually develop our model of excellence.  We are particularly keen to recruit someone with knowledge or experience of Early Years and/or Forest School. You will need to be an excellent communicator with strong leadership skills. In addition to your expertise, alignment with our values is essential, and that you are able to bring broad life experience from other aspects of your professional and personal life. We recognise that the skills of a trustee can be developed through a range of different experiences and it is not necessary to have previous experience as a trustee to apply.

Being a trustee is an unpaid role usually lasting at least three years. To carry out the duties of a trustee you will need to take part in about five board meetings each year, held in Milton Keynes. There are also specialist trustee committees which further support our work.

What difference will you make?

Our board of trustees play a very important role in our organisation, shaping and supporting our current work and the future direction and development of the organisation. As a trustee you will be joining the Trustee Board which has been making an impact since our charity was established in 2012.

To find out more or if you would like the opportunity to discuss the role before applying, please contact Sue, our HR Manager (details on our website). If you would like to apply to be an Acorn trustee, please send your CV together with a covering letter detailing your experience in the management of Human Resources to the same email address.

Trustee - The Upper Room

The Upper Room are a growing charity in Hammersmith, West London that supports the socially and financially disadvantaged. It works with homeless and vulnerable people, including asylum-seekers, refugees, economic migrants and ex-offenders, to improve their lives.

The charity provides free, home-cooked meals five days a week, as well as employability skills support services. It also operates an innovative driving school for ex-offenders.

They are specifically looking for people with expertise in either Finance, HR, IT or Safeguarding.

Settle is a charity that supports young adults as they leave the care system and move into their first home. We provide intensive one-to-one support addressing practical life skills, sustaining a tenancy and managing emotional wellbeing. Our preventative approach to homelessness helps care-experienced young people to make long-lasting changes and thrive.

We are looking for someone to join our Board of Trustees as our Trustee Safeguarding Lead. This will be someone that is excited and committed to ensuring we have a strong practice of safeguarding across the organisation and can support the Board, DSL and CEO to ensure we have a healthy and reflective safeguarding culture, bringing their own experience to help Settle improve over time.

The Safeguarding Lead will work closely with our DSL to be satisfied that risk is being managed and policies are being followed around this area of high risk. Safeguarding, in fact, is well managed at Settle but the Lead Trustee still needs to maintain oversight to keep abreast of any changes in young people’s needs or organisational requirements as we grow.

This role would support with the following:

• Ensuring the Charity has sound safeguarding policies and robust safeguarding management and reporting systems in place
• Understanding and advising on the safeguarding implications of the Charity’s strategic plan and of any projects and activities it may undertake
• Liaising with and supporting our Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Providing updates to the board; keeping the Board informed about its safeguarding duties and responsibilities
•  Ensure the board of trustees have the relevant level of safeguarding training

Ready to make a difference to the lives of young people in Croydon?

For 180 years, Reedham Children’s Trust has provided support to the most vulnerable children and young people in Croydon through their schools and communities. We believe every child deserves to enjoy a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. And we know when the right support is offered, family problems and disadvantage need not continue through generations. Reedham Children’s Trust enables local projects and innovative programmes to tackle the barriers and challenges which too many children and young people in Croydon face daily.

Our Trustees play an important role in helping our charity fulfil its ambitions and aspirations by supporting the strategy, providing robust governance and being ambassadors for our work.

What are we looking for in a new Trustee?

1) We want our Trustees to reflect and understand the communities we serve. Lived experience of the challenges our beneficiaries face is welcomed, as are Trustees who live/work in and around Croydon.

2) We value enthusiasm and commitment as much as experience and professional knowledge. This includes - but is not limited to - individuals early in their careers.

3) We are interested in Trustees who are open to learning as well as to contributing from their place of expertise. In particular, we are interested in candidates who understand Safeguarding. 

What being a Reedham Trustee can offer you:

• · Professional development in governance, safeguarding, finance, advocacy and fundraising.
• · The opportunity to provide to support young people in Croydon and improve their life chances.
• · Friendly and supportive meetings and engagement with staff and other Trustees.

Commitment Requirements

• ·Attend four regular Board meetings a year in Purley/Croydon
• ·Regular engagement with the charity’s work through visits to projects and active participation in meetings and events.
• ·Act as a critical friend in meetings and whenever a new project or activity begins.
• ·Be an advocate for the charity in your daily life.

This is a non-remunerated positions and all Trustees are asked to give approximately 10 days per annum for meetings, preparation and events.

To apply, please visit our website for more details. 

Chair and Trustee - Ridgegate Home

Ridgegate Home in Reigate, Surrey is a private, non-profit making residential care home for older people who, for various reasons, are unable to maintain a home of their own.  It is looking for a Chair and a Trustee to join its Board.

Iprovision is the benevolent fund of The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Iprovision is currently looking for new volunteers to join its Board of Trustees.

You don’t need to be a member of the CIPR to become a Trustee of Iprovision, but you do need to be willing to donate your time – and your understanding of the challenges life can throw at us – to consider the plight of those less fortunate.

The role Iprovision plays in helping members in need is really important. For example, Iprovision provides the funding for the CIPR’s mental health hotline that gives members access to expert advice and online materials. CIPR members coping with stress, with job loss, family illnesses or other challenges can turn to Iprovision for expert advice, counselling and, in many cases, financial support. To mark CIPR’s 75th anniversary we also established an education fund to help people get into the PR profession. We plan to continue with this fund in future years.

As a registered charity, Iprovision is led by its small board of up to 12 volunteer Trustees who consider the applications from CIPR members for support. Based on advice from a professional Support worker – the Trustees make the final decision on the type and level of support to be provided. This might be a straight cash grant, or the Trustees might elect to pay for some training and coaching to help someone get back into employment.

Each applicant for support is presented to the Trustees anonymously, and decisions are taken purely on the facts presented, the situation being experienced, and the types of support that are available.

As a charity, Iprovision depends for its funding purely on the voluntary annual donations that some members pay on top of their CIPR subscriptions, and fundraising activity and events.

The Trustees have a vital role to play – driving awareness of the fund, arranging and supporting fundraising activity, and of course considering applications for support. The Trustees meet four times a year (mix of in person and hybrid meetings), and are responsible for ensuring that the charity manages its funds wisely.

Knowledge, experience and attributes

Charitable Trustees have a general obligation to:

- Act in the charity’s best interests

- Manage the charity’s resources responsibly

- Act with reasonable care and skill.

Trustees should understand the purpose and activities of the charity and ensure they are in line, and complying with the governance documents (the Memorandum and Articles of Association).

We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience or knowledge of:

- Finance and managing finances

- Supporting people with financial advice and assistance

- Digital marketing, branding and fundraising.

Support & Training

We will provide opportunities for you to learn new skills and grow your expertise as we develop our plans. We encourage a culture of learning amongst our trustees, encourage and support them to develop existing skills, which help you flourish as a trustee on our board.

Benefits

This is a volunteer role so no material rewards are offered. Benefits are non-material and include experience, the opportunity to contribute, to learn and become part of a dynamic community. You will gain lasting relationships, insight into a benevolent fund, experience of non-executive leadership and the rewards of contribution. We will reimburse out of pocket expenses, including travel to attend any Iprovision meetings.

Liability

Iprovision is a separate legal entity (it is incorporated) and this acts as a mitigation to any personal liability.

For more information: see the essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do. Charity Commission England & Wales.

Our terms of service

Trustees are elected to serve terms of three years with an expectation that they will serve no more than 2-3 terms of three years.

We encourage applications from all sections of society and locations and are keen to ensure continued diversity brings constructive challenge and adds to the governance and work, of the charity.

Tushinde Children’s Trust, founded in 2010, believes the best place for children to grow up is in their family units. We work in the informal settlements of Mathare and Kiambiu of Nairobi, Kenya. Our targeted programmes and dedicated social workers provide tailored family care and access to education for the poorest families. We help families strengthen and stay together. We provide families with a path from crisis to independence. We support families to help children thrive.

Tushinde is a child-focused organisation and committed to child protection and the protection of vulnerable adults. All shortlisted candidates will be screened prior to joining the board and have background checks that may go beyond contacting referees. Every candidate, regardless of post applied for, will be expected to adhere to the principles of child protection and ensure that those around them do the same.

Tushinde is a UK registered charity, with a board of six trustees. Its programme is delivered through a Kenyan registered NGO of the same name, which has its own independent board of trustees. We are looking for up to three new trustees to join our UK board, to compliment and broaden the skills and knowledge of our existing trustees. 

The Board of trustees meets four times a year and is responsible for ensuring:

• We comply with our governing document and the law

• Act in the charity’s best interest

• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly

• Act with reasonable skill and care

• Ensure we are accountable to our stakeholders

In addition, we focus on:

• Oversight of the Kenyan operations, particularly safeguarding

• Fundraising to support our ongoing programme

• Potential partnership opportunities

• UK charity governance

Beyond the regular board meetings there are plenty of opportunities to support the organisation both in the UK and Kenya. All UK meetings are remote and are typically scheduled at 18:00 UK time.

We are looking for a flexible, committed and reliable individual who has an interest in child welfare in Africa. In addition, we would be particularly interested to hear from individuals with any of the following skills or experience:

• Fundraising, particularly growing or diversifying income streams

• Child welfare, particularly in low or middle income countries

• Risk and charity governance

• And finally, if you have experience of or a connection to Kenya or East Africa even better!

We provide life choices for people with learning disabilities.

You can choose to help us improve them.

Options for Life is a dynamic not-for-profit charity based in Sandwell.  We are dedicated to empowering adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to boost their confidence, develop valuable skills, and live independently, enjoying the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. 

We are committed to supporting our participants in making choices about their own lives.  

We provide our services in an area of significant deprivation; the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (2019) ranked Sandwell as the 12th most deprived local authority in England.  We own two purpose-built centres and employ 65 staff.  

We want to support more people with profound or multiple learning disabilities and to develop new services to provide supported employment opportunities.  But to do this we need professionals who can guide and develop the charity’s strategy as Trustees.  Many of our current Trustees will complete their terms this year.  We particularly value financial and public administration skills and people with lived experience of disability.   We believe in the strength of a varied board and welcome applicants from all walks of life, regardless of their previous Trustee experience.

Our Trustees are central to our success, and we need Trustees who share our desire to overcome years of prejudice. The financial situation is challenging, but the rewards are enormous.

Please make a choice to learn more about us. Our Chief Executive, Nicola Thomson, is very happy to have an informal chat.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Trustees - Outward Housing

Outward is a forward-thinking and inclusive charity, working across ten London boroughs to support people to live with dignity and purpose.  The charity is seeking new Trustees to join its Board who are genuinely passionate about the positive impact that good social care can make. 

 Outward supports people with learning disabilities, people on the autism spectrum, older people and young people at risk. Its work is diverse, from supporting people to live independently in their own home and in supported accommodation settings to providing short breaks and supported holidays. 

We Stand are recruiting a number of Board of Trustee Volunteers.

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. 

We are in exciting times as we develop new services across the UK and have recently launched a new program of work in Wales.

We Stand is run by a Board made up of Trustees. We are seeking committed and passionate individuals, we are  particularly interested in applications from those with the following experience but also we are interested in applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, to support our work. 

• Charity finance/funding experience - Individuals with day-to-day experience of setting and managing charity budgets. 

• HR experience 

• Legal experience, ideally experience within family law. 

Previous board experience not required

Expectations

• Actively participate in board meetings (which occur once every 6 weeks, on Tuesday evenings), and working groups where required 

• 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 

Are you looking for an opportunity to offer your experience and leadership skills to the board of a small but dedicated charity?

Friends of Seaview are dedicated to enriching the lives of the disabled children and young people who use Seaview's services. We achieve this by providing therapeutic gardening sessions that help them connect with nature, develop new skills, and build confidence.

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role. Currently we are seeking dedicated individuals to join our board as Treasurer and Chair of the Board.

The Chair will hold the Board to account for the Charity’s mission and vision,

providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the responsibility of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs, ensuring its financial viability and that the organisation has policies and systems in place to ensure robust financial planning, implementation, and reporting.

Trustee meetings are held in person every 6-8 weeks in order to contribute to the decision-making process.

If you’re passionate about supporting our work and ensuring its continued good work, we would love to hear from you.