Volunteer roles in bedford, england

Company Description

Vision for Access CIC is a social enterprise led by people with lived experience of sight loss. We work to break down barriers and make the world more inclusive by promoting accessibility in practical, achievable ways. Through projects, training, and community collaboration, we help organisations understand and remove the barriers that people with sight loss and other disabilities face every day.

Our work is guided by empathy, real-world experience, and a commitment to creating positive social change.

Role Description

We are looking for Non-Executive Directors to join our small and passionate board at Vision for Access CIC.

This is a remote, voluntary role suitable for individuals who share our values and are eager to contribute to shaping the future direction of our work. You don’t need to have previous board experience or formal qualifications - we’re more interested in your ideas, enthusiasm, and commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

As a Non-Executive Director, you’ll:

• Take part in regular board meetings (held online)
• Help guide Vision for Access’s strategy and priorities
• Offer insight, challenge, and support to ensure good governance
• Act as an ambassador for our mission and help us build connections
• Contribute your lived experience, professional knowledge, or community perspective to strengthen our work

This role is ideal for individuals who want to leverage their experience, passion, or perspective to drive positive change in accessibility and inclusion.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. You might bring:

• An interest in accessibility, inclusion, or social impact
• Experience (professional or personal) connected to disability, sight loss, or community work
• Strategic thinking, creative ideas, or problem-solving skills
• A willingness to learn, listen, and contribute as part of a supportive team

You don’t need to have been on a board before - we’ll provide guidance and a warm welcome.

Key Details

• Role type: Voluntary
• Location: Remote (meetings via video call)
• Commitment: Approx. 4–6 meetings per year, plus occasional input between meetings
• Start date: Flexible

The Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust is seeking a new trustee to support our exceptional Board of existing trustees.

About Us

MAST is a registered UK charity, founded in 2011 by maritime archaeologist and author Jessica Berry, to address the gulf in the way our maritime Underwater Cultural Heritage is protected in contrast to land-based archaeology. We are considered the foremost maritime archaeological organisation in the UK, providing full-cycle maritime archaeological services, from discovery, recording, excavation and conservation of the artefacts for the public to enjoy and understand. We exist to fill a long overdue void in our understanding of our nation’s rich maritime heritage, to ensure that there is a sustainable future for such sites, through archaeology, research, study and dissemination. 

MAST is accredited to the Governing Bodies of the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001.

Desired skills and experience

• Strategic and business development
• Familiarity with the management of large projects
• Leadership skills, commercial acumen and integrity
• Willing to work closely with our fundraiser
• Has a strong network of business associates and the ability to build relationships with organisations and potential donors including high net worth individuals
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent MAST to government bodies, the public, stakeholders, and other organisations
• Previous experience of being a trustee is not necessary, but an understanding of the charity and voluntary sector will be an advantage

The role

• To work with fellow Board members to build on MAST’s reputational standing nationally and internationally, and to assist in fundraising for MAST’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Archaeology and ongoing work
• To play a pivotal role in raising MAST’s profile and defining our long term future 

La Suzy

We provide reusable period bed mats and menstrual education empowering girls while reducing waste.

La Suzy addresses period poverty, lack of menstrual health education, and gender inequality by providing reusable period bed mats and educational programs. Environmentally, it reduces reliance on disposable products, cutting plastic waste and resource-intensive consumption. Through partnerships with schools, shelters, and CSR initiatives, La Suzy empowers girls and women while promoting sustainable menstrual care.

La Suzy provides reusable, eco-friendly period bed mats designed for comfort, reliability, and sustainability. Unlike traditional solutions, these mats prevent messy stains on beds/mattresses and giving girls and women peace of mind during their periods. They are easy to clean and quick to dry, reducing the time, effort, and water used compared with constant washing of sheets or reliance on towels/ multiple disposable products. it is also travel-friendly. Millions of sheets and mattresses are also disposed of due to period stains, all preventable with our bed mat.

Paired with educational webinars and resources, La Suzy empowers girls with knowledge about menstrual health and hygiene. By distributing mats through schools, shelters, and CSR partnerships, La Suzy ensures girls stay in school, build confidence, and adopt sustainable menstrual care practices—all while minimizing environmental impact and waste from single-use products.

Content Creator (Social Media)

La Suzy is a social impact start-up tackling period poverty and promoting sustainable period care. Our hero product — a Reusable Period Bed Mat is a travel-friendly solution that protects beddings/mattresses from period leaks/overflows and helps girls and women manage their periods with dignity and comfort. We’re building a movement around being #PeriodProud and are on a mission to reach 100,000 girls across the UK with free period webinars and access to our La Suzy Mat. We’re looking for a creative Content Creator to help grow our online presence across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
You’ll create authentic, engaging content that amplifies our brand and movement. 
Responsibilities:

• Create and schedule daily posts, reels, and stories across LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Develop content ideas and campaigns aligned with La Suzy’s mission.
• Work closely with the founder to build community engagement and brand storytelling.
• Track performance and suggest ideas to boost reach and impact.

Ideal For:
Someone creative, social-media savvy, and passionate about women’s health, sustainability, and storytelling. Role can last longer than 3-5 months if suits all parties:-).

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

La Suzy

We provide reusable period bed mats and menstrual education empowering girls while reducing waste.

La Suzy addresses period poverty, lack of menstrual health education, and gender inequality by providing reusable period bed mats and educational programs. Environmentally, it reduces reliance on disposable products, cutting plastic waste and resource-intensive consumption. Through partnerships with schools, shelters, and CSR initiatives, La Suzy empowers girls and women while promoting sustainable menstrual care.

La Suzy provides reusable, eco-friendly period bed mats designed for comfort, reliability, and sustainability. Unlike traditional solutions, these mats prevent messy stains on beds/mattresses and giving girls and women peace of mind during their periods. They are easy to clean and quick to dry, reducing the time, effort, and water used compared with constant washing of sheets or reliance on towels/ multiple disposable products. it is also travel-friendly. Millions of sheets and mattresses are also disposed of due to period stains, all preventable with our bed mat.

Paired with educational webinars and resources, La Suzy empowers girls with knowledge about menstrual health and hygiene. By distributing mats through schools, shelters, and CSR partnerships, La Suzy ensures girls stay in school, build confidence, and adopt sustainable menstrual care practices—all while minimizing environmental impact and waste from single-use products.

PR & Media Outreach Volunteer

La Suzy is a social impact start-up tackling period poverty and promoting sustainable period care. Our hero product — a Reusable Period Bed Mat is a travel-friendly solution that protects beddings/mattresses from period leaks/overflows and helps girls and women manage their periods with dignity and comfort. We’re building a movement around being #PeriodProud and are on a mission to reach 100,000 girls across the UK with free period webinars and access to our La Suzy Mat.

We’re looking for a passionate PR & Media Outreach Volunteer to help La Suzy share its story with the world. You’ll help us reach journalists, bloggers, and podcasts that align with women’s health, social impact, and sustainability.

Responsibilities:

• Research and build media contact lists.
• Draft and send press releases and founder stories.
• Identify and pitch newsworthy stories about La Suzy’s mission and milestones.
• Support PR for key campaigns and partnerships (like our #PeriodProud initiative).

Ideal For:
Someone with strong communication skills who enjoys connecting with journalists, crafting compelling stories, and supporting women-led impact ventures.

*Role can last longer than 3-5 months if suits all parties:-)*

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

La Suzy

We provide reusable period bed mats and menstrual education empowering girls while reducing waste.

La Suzy addresses period poverty, lack of menstrual health education, and gender inequality by providing reusable period bed mats and educational programs. Environmentally, it reduces reliance on disposable products, cutting plastic waste and resource-intensive consumption. Through partnerships with schools, shelters, and CSR initiatives, La Suzy empowers girls and women while promoting sustainable menstrual care.

La Suzy provides reusable, eco-friendly period bed mats designed for comfort, reliability, and sustainability. Unlike traditional solutions, these mats prevent messy stains on beds/mattresses and giving girls and women peace of mind during their periods. They are easy to clean and quick to dry, reducing the time, effort, and water used compared with constant washing of sheets or reliance on towels/ multiple disposable products. it is also travel-friendly. Millions of sheets and mattresses are also disposed of due to period stains, all preventable with our bed mat.

Paired with educational webinars and resources, La Suzy empowers girls with knowledge about menstrual health and hygiene. By distributing mats through schools, shelters, and CSR partnerships, La Suzy ensures girls stay in school, build confidence, and adopt sustainable menstrual care practices—all while minimizing environmental impact and waste from single-use products.

Funding & Grants Research Volunteer

La Suzy is a social impact start-up tackling period poverty and promoting sustainable period care. Our hero product — a Reusable Period Bed Mat is a travel-friendly solution that protects beddings/mattresses from period leaks/overflows and helps girls and women manage their periods with dignity and comfort. We’re building a movement around being #PeriodProud and are on a mission to reach 100,000 girls across the UK with free period webinars and access to our La Suzy Mat.

We’re seeking a detail-oriented Funding & Grants Research Volunteer to help identify and access funding, grant, and pitch competition and opportunities that align with our mission.

Responsibilities:

• Research and compile relevant grant and funding opportunities (UK + global).
• Identify pitching competitions and accelerator programs that fit La Suzy’s stage and social mission.
• Track application deadlines and key criteria in a shared database.
• Support preparation of applications and pitches (in collaboration with the founder).
• Suggest creative funding ideas — from CSR partnerships to impact investment opportunities.

Ideal For:
Someone proactive and organized with a strong interest in social entrepreneurship, fundraising, or impact investment. Perfect for someone who enjoys research and wants to help a women-led social venture grow its reach and impact.

Role can last longer than 3-5 months if suits all parties:-).

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

As a BGEN Trustee, you’ll:

• Share your passion for plant and nature education on a national and international stage
• Be part of a friendly, supportive team shaping BGEN’s future
• Build experience in governance, strategy, fundraising and leadership
• Expand your professional network across cultural, heritage and environmental sectors
• Develop your own skills in decision-making, communication, and strategic planning

As a BGEN Trustee, you will be an active member of the Board and join a workstream.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and support the development of BGEN’s priorities
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and governing documents
• Monitor financial performance, working with the Treasurer
• Help identify and manage organisational risks
• Contribute to effective, transparent decision-making in the best interests of BGEN
• Support record-keeping and communication with the BGEN Coordinator
• Collaborate with fellow Trustees across workstreams

DCF are a small, local, family-founded charity focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

We are looking for a Finance Trustee to lead on financial oversight of the charity, set up financial controls and processes and oversee our Treasurer.  

We currently have a lack of financial oversight which impacts on grant applications and planning.  We have a need for trustees with specific skillsets so that each board member can take ownership of their areas related to the charity.  Currently our CEO has a very active role within Board meetings and would benefit from support from proactive members.

We would like to grow the Board and create processes and procedures that diversify our income and sustainability. We currently deliver services in two boroughs (Croydon and Merton) and have a 5 year plan to expand to four boroughs.  

What are we looking for?

This individual should have:

• Knowledge and experience of charity finance practices
• Professional accounting, finance or similar qualification
• Strong understanding of financial management and reporting
• Experience in establishing and setting out strategic goals and direction in organisations
• Ability to explain financial procedures to other Board members
• Experience of providing Governance to organisations 
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to exercise good, independent judgement.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

The role will involve:

• Supporting the Treasurer
• Providing overview of income, expenditure, reserves, balance sheet, and cashflow
• Recording transactions
• Monitoring spend for various projects
• Providing reports to the Treasurer and Board 
• Forecasting project and operational spend with CEO 
• Attending 'monthly' meetings (10 per year)
• Providing information to HMRC and Pension providers 
• Monitoring compliance with local accounting laws and regulations

What difference will you make?

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about giving back and helping our future generation of young people.  

In this vital role you will be able to offer your unique skill set to provide invaluable guidance on financial procedures and ways of streamlining processes, therefore enhancing the charity's ability to run smoothly and reach more young people.  We are looking for someone to keep us on track financially as well as helping us to formulate our vision for the future.

Before you apply

• Please provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience.
• Interviews will be an informal virtual chat with our CEO and then with the wider Board.

Applications are welcomed from people across the Sutton and Croydon Communities. If you live more than 30 miles from these locations, your application is likely to be unsuccessful. Board meetings are in person and on-line so being able to attend is a key part of the position.

DCF are a family-founded charity, based in South London, focusing on supporting children and young people's wellbeing. We provide youth groups, workshops and 121 support in schools and in the community. 

This is an exciting, key opportunity to develop our income generation, therefore supporting us to reach more young people.

The role will involve:

Supporting the Finance & Accounts Controller Trustee
Presenting financial reports to the board in a format that helps the board understand the charity’s financial position
Advising the board on how to carry out its financial responsibilities
Overseeing the preparation and scrutiny of annual accounts
Taking on day to day financial duties, such as book-keeping, budgeting and preparation of reports

What are we looking for?

This individual should have:

Knowledge of finance practices and reporting
Bookkeeping qualification
Ability to explain financial procedures to other Board members
Ability to think creatively and strategically, and to exercise good, independent judgement.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

The role will involve:

Supporting the Finance & Accounts Controller Trustee
Presenting financial reports to the board in a format that helps the board understand the charity’s financial position
Advising the board on how to carry out its financial responsibilities
Overseeing the preparation and scrutiny of annual accounts
Taking on day to day financial duties, such as book-keeping, budgeting and preparation of reports.

What difference will you make?

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about giving back and helping our future generation of young people.  

In this vital role you will be able to offer your unique skill set to support with financial procedures, therefore enhancing the charity's ability to run smoothly and reach more young people.  

We can only consider applications from people based in the UK. 

Applicants from the local community are welcomed. If you live more than 30 miles away from Sutton or Croydon, your application is likely to be unsuccessful. Board meetings are in person as well as on-line.

The Global Health Reform Initiative Foundation (GHRI) is a non-profit organization working to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and equitable for underserved communities worldwide. We are currently seeking passionate Volunteer Grant Writers and Volunteer Administration Officers to join our remote team.

Volunteer Grant Writers Responsibilities:

Research and identify grant opportunities.

Draft and submit compelling proposals.

Support fundraising and partnership efforts. Requirements:

Minimum 1+ year of experience in grant writing. Strong writing and research skills.

Attention to detail and ability to work independently.

Passion for humanitarian and healthcare-focused initiatives.

Volunteer Administration Officers Responsibilities:

Contact hospitals and healthcare systems for partnerships.

Manage communication (calls, emails, messaging).

Assist with scheduling, documentation, and follow-ups.

Requirements:

Good communication and organizational skills. Ability to work independently and remotely. Interest in healthcare and community development.

What We Offer Flexible, remote volunteering. Opportunity to contribute to global healthcare reform.

Valuable experience in non-profit work and partnerships.

How to Apply: Send your CV and a short statement of interest to our email address stating the role you’re applying for. Join GHRI today—your skills can help save lives and expand healthcare access!

Would you like to be involved in the founding of a new charity that supports young people through grief and loss? At Beyond Tomorrow, we support young people through grief and loss with compassion, guidance, and hope. Join us to help shape brighter futures for those finding their way beyond loss.

Volunteer Trustee (Secretary Role)

Location: Kent- however this role can be done virtually.
Time Commitment: Around 3–5 hours per month
Reporting to: The Board of Trustees

About the Role:

We’re a charity supporting young people and families through grief, loss, and emotional wellbeing. As our Secretary, you’ll be the organised heartbeat of the board, keeping everything running smoothly, making sure meetings are well-structured, and helping us stay on top of our legal and admin responsibilities.

You don’t need to have charity admin experience — just good organisational skills, a bit of tech confidence, and a passion for helping young people heal and thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

 Meetings & Records

• Arrange trustee meetings (usually every 1–2 months) and make sure everyone has the agenda and papers in advance.

• Take clear minutes and track action points so nothing slips through the cracks.

• Keep an organised record of all meetings, decisions, and official documents.

Governance & Compliance

• Help ensure the charity meets its legal requirements with the Charity Commission.

• Maintain up-to-date trustee contact details and declarations of interest.

• Support the Chair and Treasurer with key governance documents like policies, annual returns, and reports.

 Communication & Coordination

• Be the main point of contact for trustee communication — keeping everyone in the loop.

• Help coordinate between trustees, volunteers, and partners.

• Make sure important dates, tasks, and documents are shared in good time.

What We’re Looking For:

• Super organised and reliable — someone who loves keeping things in order.

• Good written communication skills and attention to detail.

• Comfortable using email, Google Drive, Word, or similar tools.

• Friendly and collaborative, with a genuine passion for supporting young people and families through loss.

Commitment & Expenses:

• This is a voluntary trustee role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (like travel or supplies) can be reimbursed.

• Trustees usually meet once every 1–2 months, with a few extra hours between meetings for admin or follow-ups.

• You will have the opportunity to be involved with community work, however this is not an expectation.

What You’ll Get Out of It:

• A hands-on role helping a growing charity stay organised and effective.

• Experience in charity governance, leadership, and administration.

• A friendly, purpose-driven team who truly cares about what we do.

• A good opportunity to get hands-on experience in the world of admin.

• The satisfaction of helping young people and families find hope and healing after loss.

Would you like to be involved in the founding of a new charity that supports young people through grief and loss? At Beyond Tomorrow, we support young people through grief and loss with compassion, guidance, and hope. Join us to help shape brighter futures for those finding their way beyond loss.

Job Title: Trustee (Treasurer Role)

Location: Kent- but this role can be done virtually.
Time Commitment: Around 3–5 hours per month
Reporting to: The Board of Trustees

About the Role:

We’re a charity dedicated to helping young people and families navigate grief, loss, and emotional wellbeing. As our Treasurer, you’ll play a key part in keeping us financially accountable making sure we can keep supporting young people in the best way possible. You don’t have to be an accountant; we just need someone confident with numbers, organised, willing to learn and passionate about making a difference.

Key Responsibilities:

 Finance Management

• Keep track of the charity’s income and spending.

• Manage the charity’s bank account and ensure everything matches our records.

• Work with the other trustees to plan an annual budget and keep an eye on how we’re doing.

• Prepare simple finance reports for trustee meetings so everyone understands how funds are being used.

 Reporting & Compliance

• Help prepare our yearly accounts and returns for the Charity Commission.

• Make sure we’re following all the right financial policies and keeping our records clear and transparent.

Advising the Board

• Explain financial info in plain English so everyone feels confident making decisions.

• Support us in planning sustainable income streams (like grants, donations, and fundraising).

What We’re Looking For:

• Someone confident with money management, budgets, or spreadsheets (finance or bookkeeping experience is great but not essential!).

• Reliable, detail-oriented, and honest.

• Friendly communicator who can make numbers make sense.

• Passionate about supporting young people, families, and communities through loss and mental health challenges.

Commitment & Expenses:

• This is a voluntary role — trustees are not paid, but reasonable expenses (like travel or supplies) will be reimbursed.

• We usually meet once every 1–2 months, and you’ll also help out a little between meetings when needed.

• You also have the opportunity to be involved in the charity's community work, however there is no expectation of this.

What You’ll Get Out of It:

• A meaningful role where your skills make a real difference.

• The chance to help shape a starting charity and see the impact firsthand.

• Experience in the charity sector, finance, strategy, and leadership.

• A warm, supportive team that actually cares about the cause 

• A great addition to your CV for employers.

Who They Are

Crustacean Compassion was founded in 2016 to promote the humane treatment and welfare of decapod crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, prawns, and langoustines. The organisation was established in response to reports of crabs being sold alive but fully immobilised in shrink-wrap in UK supermarkets. At the time, agencies were unable to intervene because decapod crustaceans, as invertebrates, were not legally classified as “animals” under UK animal welfare laws and were generally assumed to be insentient.

The Role

Crustacean Compassion is particularly interested in individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Campaigns and Policy – Bringing advocacy and policy expertise to support the CEO in developing high-impact strategies that drive positive change.

• Corporate Engagement – Strengthening relationships with the food sector and guiding approaches to partnerships and sector-wide improvements.

• Legal and Governance – Ensuring compliance and integrity through oversight and guidance on legal and governance matters.

• Communications – Expanding reach, growing the supporter base, and amplifying the organisation’s message through storytelling and strategic communications.

• Fishing, Food, and Aquaculture Industries – Advising on industry engagement, technological developments, and trends in aquatic farming.

• Wild Welfare – Supporting strategic development initiatives focused on decapod ecology and population health.

• Animal Welfare Research (Aquatic Care) – Providing expertise in the welfare of fish and other aquatic species to inform research, campaigns, and policies with sound scientific evidence.

Join our Board - Trustee Opportunities at Planning Aid for London

Do you believe everyone should have a say in how their neighbourhood changes? Planning Aid for London helps communities across the city influence decisions that shape their lives.

Planning Aid for London (PAL) is looking for two new trustees to help us deliver our ambitious five-year strategic plan.

We are entering an exciting new phase of growth as we work to become financially sustainable and expand our reach. We are especially keen to hear from applicants with experience in communications, fundraising, charity finance, and volunteer-led service delivery.

The role is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping residents to have a voice in planning the future of their neighbourhoods and who enjoys working collaboratively with other trustees to make that happen.

As a trustee, your role will involve

• Overseeing and contributing to the implementation of our five-year strategic plan
• Offering an external perspective and constructive challenge
• Provide insight, challenge, and constructive support to the staff and volunteer team
• Champion PAL’s mission and help us grow our impact

You don’t need previous board experience, we’ll provide induction and support to help you succeed.

Time Commitments

• The Board meets every 6 weeks (usually online, from 6.00-7.30pm)
• There may be occasional ad-hoc meetings, agreed in advance with the Board separately
• Trustees are also invited to attend the AGM and occasional outreach events. We aim to keep meetings accessible and flexible.
• Additional hours may be required as part of fulfilling the role

​What We Offer

As a trustee, you will play a key role in shaping Planning Aid for London’s work and strengthen our organisation. You will connect with other professionals from across the built environment who share a commitment to helping communities in London to participate meaningfully in the planning process.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Commitment to Planning Aid for London’s mission and values
• Ability to work collaboratively and think creatively
• Willingness to attend meetings and follow up on agreed actions

Desirable Skills

Finance & Fundraising Trustee

We are looking for someone who can help strengthen our financial sustainability and guide sound governance as PAL grows. You’ll bring:

• Experience in finance, accounting, or business management
• An understanding of financial reporting and charity governance (or the willingness to learn)
• Insight into charity fundraising, income diversification, or donor engagement 
• A collaborative mindset, with the confidence to ask the right questions and support decision-making

Communications & Engagement Trustee

We’re seeking someone who can help raise PAL’s profile and share the impact of our work across London’s communities. You’ll bring:

• Experience in communications, PR, marketing, or public engagement
• Understanding of digital and social media strategy, including storytelling and audience growth
• Experience working with community groups, campaigns, or advocacy initiatives
• Creativity and strategic thinking to help shape PAL’s message and visibility

Additional desirable experience for both roles

• experience in the built or natural environment (planning, architecture, urban design, housing, environmental or community engagement)
   

How to Apply

Please send a short CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining your interest and how your skills align with the role. If you’d like an informal chat before applying, please contact us through the form or via the contact page on the PAL website.

Deadline: Sunday 2nd November 2025, (11:59pm)
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a short online discussion in mid-November.

Diversity & Accessibility Statement

Planning Aid for London’s main aim is to help support greater diversity and inclusion in the planning system. We work to empower people to have real influence over decisions about their environment and communities and welcome opportunities from anyone who would like to help us to achieve that.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive board. We especially welcome applications from people underrepresented in the planning and charity sectors including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, women, and those from lower-income backgrounds. Please let us know if you need any adjustments to take part in this process.

World Jewish Relief created the Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for refugees in 2016 and today we are the largest provider of specialist employment support to refugees in the UK.STEP aims to support and empower people with experience of forced migration through a tailored employment programme that addresses the complex barriers refugees face in preparing for, and ultimately finding, work in the UK.

We are looking to expand our Experts by Experience advisory board for STEP, made up of volunteer board members who are experts by experience (EbE). The STEP EbE Advisory Board is a structured and collaborative way for World Jewish Relief to engage with external advisors (in this case, volunteer board members) to advise and help on programme design and decision-making. The members of our advisory board support our programmes with their knowledge and expertise to offer more specific help and ideas in managing different aspects of STEP. 

We are now recruiting for a further 3 board members who are of Ukrainian nationality or Hong Kong BNO status / visa holder as we are launching a new STEP programme supporting these communities. 

The board members’ responsibilities will vary depending on the topic of advice in discussion, however, suggested activities include:

• Board member meetings to discuss ideas and create recommendations
• Group and 1:2:1s meetings with STEP stakeholders (employment advisors, participants, WJR board, partners)
• Document reviews (e.g. programme materials)
• Presenting recommendations in different formats (e.g writing, speaking)
• Attending optional training sessions chosen by the board

About you

Full training and ongoing support will be provided for this role, so you do not need experience. We are looking for board members who:

• Have lived experience of forced migration i.e. refugee status, humanitarian protection, people seeking asylum, and Ukrainian extension scheme
• Are of Ukrainian nationality or Hong Kong BNO status/visa holder
• Have intermediate and above understanding of English (B1+)
• Can commit to 2-4 hours a month
• Comfortable with IT, training can be provided
• Board members can have experience of being on STEP as a participant, but it is not a requirement. We aim for there to be a mix of experience with STEP on the board.

​What you can expect from us

• Expenses: We will pay for any travel and other expenses related to costs incurred
• Equipment: We will provide any IT/ Digital Access equipment needed for the role.
• Induction training and materials will be provided as well as other training as requested by board members.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

World Jewish Relief values equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and we encourage applications from candidates of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, genders, sex, sexual orientations, ages, disability, faiths (or non), marital status (or non), that meet the criteria set out for this role. We are striving to build a team reflective of the communities we work with.

This role is targeted for people with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds as experts by experience. If you have first-hand experience of forced migration, please let us know in your application. Additionally, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements that are listed within the role specification. We respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to do so.

You don’t need to be Jewish to volunteer with us, but you must be committed to our faith-based values of Justice, Kindness, Repairing the World and Welcoming the Stranger. We are inspired by these values to work beyond our community, recognising the dignity and potential of all people.

To apply

Please upload your CV and a one-page cover letter that answers the following two questions: 

1. Why do you want to be a STEP EbE Advisory Board Member?

2. What skills can you contribute to the board?

Please note that your CV will only be used during the recruitment process to find out about your previous experience will not be assessed against any criteria.