Volunteer roles in bracknell forest, berkshire

Thank you for your interest to become a Fosterer at Cats Protection! We are looking for volunteers to foster cats and kittens in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• You must live in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland
• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home (separate room minimum size 3.6m squared - essential to meet UK animal welfare standards)
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Position Summary:
Leads the Talent Acquisition team to deliver efficient, compliant, and inclusive recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with workforce planning forecasts and organisational goals. Manages sourcing, selection, and candidate experience while collaborating with the Workforce Planning team to anticipate future talent needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Recruitment Strategy Execution

• Oversee end-to-end recruitment processes for assigned business units, from job briefings to offer management.

• Partner with the Workforce Planning team to align sourcing strategies with long-term talent demands and skills gap analysis.

• Implement proactive talent pipelines (e.g., LinkedIn, diversity networks) for critical and future-focused roles.

Team Management

• Manage and mentor Talent Acquisition Specialists/Coordinators, setting KPIs for time-to-fill, candidate quality, and diversity hiring.

• Conduct regular performance reviews and identify training needs to upskill the team.

Employer Branding & Candidate Experience

• Promote the organisation’s EVP through job postings, social media campaigns (in partnership with the Talent Communications Team), and candidate interactions.

• Ensure a positive candidate journey by resolving escalations and maintaining clear communication.

Compliance & Best Practices

• Ensure adherence to UK employment law (e.g., right-to-work checks, GDPR) and internal policies.

• Audit recruitment processes to mitigate bias and align with DE&I goals.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with hiring managers and the Workforce Planning team to define role requirements and refine selection criteria.

• Share talent market insights (e.g., competitor hiring trends, salary benchmarks) to inform workforce planning strategies.

• Collaborate with the Team Leader: Onboarding to ensure a smooth handover post-offer acceptance.

Requirements:

• Education & Certification: CIPD Level 3 qualification or equivalent (e.g., HR apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3 in HR).

• Experience: 3+ years in recruitment, including 2+ years in a supervisory role.

• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in relevant systems and programmes.

• Legal Knowledge: Working understanding of UK employment law and recruitment compliance.

• Collaboration: Proven experience engaging with workforce planning or HR analytics teams to align recruitment with business strategy.

• DE&I Focus: Experience designing inclusive hiring practices (e.g., blind CV screening, diverse interview panels).

Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!

About the Role:

Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.

- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers.  It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.

- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.

Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.

Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.

Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.

How do I know it’s right for me?

Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.

We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.

What is the time commitment?

You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group). 

- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
 

Charity Trustee

You and Me Counselling are currently recruiting volunteer trustees to complement the committee members already in their role.

This is a home working role and will be for immediate start.

Our charity

You and Me Counselling is a charitable organisation established in 2011. We are a counselling and psychotherapy service based in Hornchurch, Essex that works with children, young people, adults, and their families in the boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. Our counsellors and therapists work both within schools and from our counselling rooms located in Hornchurch and Ilford.

You and Me Counselling are an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). This means we are fully governed by the BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

Job Description

As a trustee you will need to:

• Acknowledge emails at least once a day.
• Give a minimum of one hour per week to the role.
• Attend quarterly trustee meetings online.
• Ensure that You and Me Counselling pursues its stated objectives
• Ensure there is regular review of changes that might affect the organisation (political, financial, demographic, etc.)
• Ensure that the charity complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Monitor finance to ensure that the charity applies its resources exclusively for its charitable objectives.
• Uphold the good name and values of You and Me Counselling.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Supervise, support and appraise the chief executive officer.
• Hold the chief executive officer to account for the management and administration of the charity.
• Ensure that the organisation acts in accordance with employment law and exercises a duty of care to its employees.
• Identify major risks to the organisation and put systems in place to mitigate or minimise the risks.
• Ensure that the organisation has a governance structure that is appropriate to a charity of its size/complexity, stage of development, and its charitable objectives
• Regularly review your own training needs and create an expectation of continuous professional development throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that trustees have an agreed code of conduct and comply with it, and that there are mechanisms for the removal of trustees who do not abide by the principles stated therein.

Person Specifications

All trustees should demonstrate the following skills and values:

• A commitment to the organisation.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An ability to think creatively.
• A willingness to speak their mind.
• An understanding and acceptance of their legal duties and responsibilities as a trustee
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data.

Specific Skills

The ideal candidate would have one of more of the following:

• Experience in charity law and governance
• Experience in charity fundraising
• Knowledge of counselling or psychotherapy (as a therapist or client)
• Experience in accounting or financial management
• Experience in business development
• Experience in social media or marketing
• A parent of a young person who has experience of mental health issues

EVERY WONDERED HOW YOUR SKILLS COULD TRANSFORM YOUNG LIVES THROUGH SPORTS? 
BECOME A TRUSTEE A DFY SPORTS - Level the playing field for young people through sport

Are you passionate about creating opportunities for the next generation? Want to use your skills to support a grassroots charity doing powerful work with young people in London? DFY Sports is looking for new trustees to help us grow, reach further, and have even greater impact.

Who we are

DFY Sports helps young people aged 4–15 from underserved communities flourish through sport. Based in Brent and active across surrounding boroughs, we deliver PE sessions, after-school clubs, holiday camps, football training, and run an ambassador programme connected to our founding sports agency, ISC.

We’ve grown fast—and we’re just getting started. As we scale over the next 1–3 years, we’re looking for passionate trustees to help shape that journey.

Why join us?

• Be part of a hands-on, diverse and ambitious team making a real difference in London
• Use your skills for social good and gain board-level experience
• Support a charity grounded in community, inclusion and action

Trustees meet quarterly (with pre-reads shared a week in advance). You’ll bring your experience and perspective to guide DFY’s future and support our mission at a strategic level.

Diversity matters to us

We’re especially keen to hear from people whose backgrounds reflect the communities we serve—including people of colour, women, those with disabilities, and individuals with lived experience of socio-economic disadvantage.

That said, this isn’t an exclusive requirement. We welcome all applicants who believe in our mission and want to contribute meaningfully. Our goal is to build a board that’s balanced, representative, and full of fresh ideas.

We’re currently looking for trustees in the following areas:

✅ Safeguarding

• Ensure safeguarding policies are robust, compliant and actively implemented
• Support our DSL to report risks, share learning and update the board
• Help shape a safeguarding-first culture across all activities

✅ Marketing & Communications

• Help define and strengthen DFY’s brand and public voice
• Grow our online presence and support outreach to media and partners
• Guide the team on strategic communications and storytelling

✅ Network & Fundraising

• Open doors to donors, sponsors and collaborators through your network
• Support events and campaigns that raise both funds and awareness
• Offer fresh ideas for sustainable income generation

✅ Finance

• Provide oversight of budgets, reporting, and financial controls
• Support long-term financial planning and risk management
• Ensure funds are well managed and spent with integrity

✅ Community

• Champion the needs and voices of the local community in Brent and NW London
• Build connections with local schools, grassroots groups and families
• Help us stay rooted, responsive and inclusive in everything we do

⚽ Your core responsibilities as a trustee will include:

• Attending quarterly board meetings
• Reading board materials in advance and actively participating
• Contributing to DFY’s strategic direction and key decisions
• Supporting your specific area of responsibility, as outlined above

You don’t need to have trustee experience, just care, commitment, and the willingness to bring your skills to a team working to create lasting change for young people through sport. Training and support can be provided.

Interested?

Apply now or pass this along to someone who’d be a great fit. We're excited to hear from people who want to make a difference and bring something fresh to the table.

Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures. Your support will help a young man to reconnect with his community, friends and loved ones, go into education, training and employment, and give a person a sense of hope for the future.

Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 in custody who have 6 months left of their prison sentence, and then 'through the gate' into their own community for up to 12 months. The Education, Training & Employment (ETE) team supports our mentees in custody to break down barriers to employability. Post-release, this continues by supporting mentees to gain meaningful and career changing roles in sector specific industries such as Construction, Engineering, Catering & Hospitality or the Self-Employment route. 

The ETE team are looking to build a team of volunteers to work with mentees in the community and to shape the existing ETE service in the Thames Valley area. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can commit for up to 12 months and give a few hours a week to support men to change their life by being inspirational role models, helping with goal setting and supporting their mentee to access ETE opportunities and ultimately gain meaningful employment. Mentoring sessions will be 1:1, take place weekly and can be done remotely by telephone or online. These sessions will last approximately one hour, but some time should also be given to liaising with Trailblazers staff and researching relevant opportunities. 

Induction training is provided, out of pocket expenses covered, a mobile phone is provided to protect your identity, a Trailblazers T-shirt and lanyard are provided, DBS costs are covered, as well as regular reflective practice sessions to support you within your role. 

We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men. 

Trailblazers are looking for Volunteer Mentors who are:

• Empathetic with a positive outlook and manner.
• Able to help others without judgement or discrimination.
• Excellent communicators with a sense of humour.
• Well organised, can prioritise and multi-task.
• Reliable and able to commit to the role for up to 12 months providing weekly ETE sessions remotely either by telephone or via Zoom / MS Team digital platforms.
• Have skills and experience in supporting those who are disadvantaged into education, training and employment (ETE).
• Able to work independently with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload with minimal supervision taking a flexible and creative approach to the demands of the post.
• Able to demonstrate sensitivity to other cultures, working with people from other backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities.

Are you looking for a meaningful, flexible way to support others? Join the Talking Bubble Project and help tackle loneliness through the power of a simple phone call.

Since the pandemic, many befriending services have wound down—but Talking Bubble remains one of the few projects still offering regular, phone-based companionship to those who need it most. Demand for this kind of support remains high, and we’re actively looking for kind, compassionate English-speaking volunteers to help meet this growing need.

What is the Talking Bubble Project?

☎︎ It’s a phone-based befriending service that connects volunteers with older adults and vulnerable individuals across the UK who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. By committing just a little time each week, you can offer someone the warmth of conversation and a regular point of connection.

Why Volunteer With Us?

✔ Make a genuine impact on someone's life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours from the comfort of your home
✔ Receive full training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your sense of purpose and community

What You’ll Need

✅ No experience required—just a kind heart, a listening ear, and a willingness to talk
✅ Volunteers must complete Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—we cover the cost of both
✅ Must be a UK resident

How to Get Involved

Apply now via the CharityJob website, or contact us directly for more information. Together, we can keep connection alive—one call at a time.

Be the difference on your doorstep.
Compassionate Neighbours are trained volunteers offering friendship, support and listening ear to people living in their local community, sometimes with serious, long-term or terminal illness who often struggle with loneliness.

By popping round for a cup of tea or a friendly chat once a week you can make a world of difference. You will be a good listener, kind and have a genuine interest in other people.

As a Compassionate Neighbour Volunteer you’ll not only gain new skills, confidence, and social networks; you’ll be making a difference in your local community.

Full training and support is provided. Training for our next intake will be held at the Hospice on the following dates:
Saturdays 21 & 28 June 2025, 9.30am – 3.30pm

If you are unable to attend those, we have scheduled training later on:
Tuesday 16 September & Friday 19 September 2025, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

 We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Purpose

Young Carers’ Crew is a registered charity (number 1176778) and runs a group which meets to provide emotional and practical support to Young Carers through recreational activities. We give support to local children and young people, who perform a caring role supporting another member of their household. 

Young Carers’ Crew is a small grassroots community group. We are hoping to bring in more people with diverse skills and experience to build sustainability.  

We are looking for Volunteer Trustees with a range of skills, to help steer and direct the organisation. 

The Board of Trustees takes on the ultimate legal and financial responsibility for all the activities of the organisation. They maintain an overview of policy and strategic direction rather than being involved in day-to-day operations. This position will not have any regular contact with the children or the volunteers running the Group activities. 

Role Description 

Volunteer Trustee for Young Carers’ Crew 

Volunteering is an unpaid position. Appropriate out-of-pocket expenses will be re-imbursed.

Location: Most tasks will be home-based.  Meetings will be held in and around Hitchin, Herts.

Hours: Up to 2.5 hours per month for Board meetings. Additional time for position is estimated to be 3 to 4 hours per month.

Reports to: Chair of Board of Trustees for Young Carers’ Crew

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirement: Appointment to these posts is subject to an up-to-date, satisfactory, enhanced DBS check with a check against the barred lists for children and adults.

Duties and Responsibilities

We are seeking to fill these specific positions which are currently available:

• HR lead
• Safeguarding lead
• Fundraising
• Website Development

It is anticipated that the successful applicants will help to define the details of the position.

For all positions the following will be expected:

• Attend Board meetings as arranged. 
• Work as flexibly as may be required, also to carry out any other reasonable duties that may be required from time to time. 

The broad role of the Board of Trustees is summarised below:

• Be committed to the vision, mission and values of the organisation.
• Provide strategic direction, including agreeing and monitoring strategic plans.
• Keep informed of the activities of the organisation and the wider issues that affect its work.
• Ensuring that the work of the organisation is monitored and evaluated.
• Maintain that the organisation complies with its governing documents, e.g. constitution.
• Ensure the organisation complies with current Safeguarding Guidelines and Core Standards set out in the Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2013
• Ensure the organisation operates within the law.
• Safeguard the organisation in making efficient use of resources, in particular that all monies are applied to its objectives, agreed plans and budgets.
• Mitigate and manage the risks to the organisation, volunteers and service users.
• To be accountable to membership, funders and other stakeholders.

Person Specification

Please note all items are essential:

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality.

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.

• Ability to work effectively, both individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Impartiality and fairness.
• Understanding of and commitment to the organisation’s mission & values.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and well-being of children and young people.
• Ability to work in a way that promotes equality of opportunity and respect for diversity.
• Commitment to continuing learning and training.

Experience

No experience is necessary for a general position on the Board of Trustees, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help the organisation grow and support the young carers.

For more specific positions; it would be highly desirable that you bring some experience in the charity sector, social care or in business development. 

So, for example, we would welcome someone with experience of working in a safeguarding role with young people specifically or from an HR background or someone who can help us raise money for the charity. .

Selection Process 

To ensure equal opportunities in recruitment, we request that all applicants complete the application form provided. A shortlist will be created and suitable applicants will be invited to interview.

About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds. 

What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.

There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people. 

However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes. 

We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background. 

Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!

If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:

• Have a passion for helping children and young people

• Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week

• Build pupil confidence in English.

• Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)

• Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

• Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this

Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:

• A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule

• The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers 

• The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.

Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.

We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.

About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds. 

What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.

There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people. 

However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes. 

We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background. 

Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!

If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:

• Have a passion for helping children and young people

• Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week

• Build pupil confidence in English.

• Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)

• Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

• Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this

Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:

• A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule

• The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers 

• The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.

Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.

We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.

Summary

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including

Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead 
Crest Rd, High Wycombe

Detailed description

Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:

·Weeding

·Sweeping

·Pruning

·Clearing leaves and large twigs

·Watering plants

·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds

We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future. 

You will need:

• Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
• An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
• Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
• To work under your own initiative.
• Good communication skills
• Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills

A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!

Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .

What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees

What we will provide to volunteers:

• Reimbursement of costs
• Full training and induction
• Access to events and celebrations throughout the year 

Balance Support CIO is a specialist provider of learning disabilities services across SW London. We are seeking new trustees to support the charity's widening strategic partnerships and business growth.

What will you be doing?

Reshaping our Board

Balance has trustees with substantial experience across a range of disciplines from housing law to management consultancy and information technology. This experience and knowledge have been critical in supporting the charity's executive leadership restructure operations and qaulity assurance standandards.

As a result they have steered the charitys growth and development increasing turnover from £2.3 Million in 2022 to £4.2 Million in 2024. With additional new work likely in 2025, the board see's strengthening it's knowledge and specialisms as critical in leading this new phase of our development.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for new trustees who have a commitment to driving high quality and empowering social care services. You will recognise the importance of your role in being both a critical friend to the executive leadership as well as an expert in your given field.

Following some recent resignations the board is looking for trustees who can bring backgrounds: 

• finance -  insight, support and guidance to help develop a sustainable and financially resilient charity
• marketing - knowledge of and ability to support the charity's approach to marketing its services to new customers, commissioners and other business partners
• human resources - a background in HR that provides guidance and support to board in ensuring our personnel governance aligns with our legal obligations

Previous experience as a trustee is not necessary as we will offer training and support where there may be gaps in knowledge. However we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who may be from a black and minority ethnic background, women and people living with a disability. 

Where you live

We are a charity based in Kingston with operations across a number of boroughs in SW and Central London. Whilst insight and knowledge of SW london may be an advantage, our flexible approach to attending board meetings in person or online offers wider opportunities for participation from beyond the charity's base. 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for trustees with the following experience and skills:

Financial

• Strong commercial background in a senior finance role.
• Knowledge of (or willingness to get to grips with) charity SORP and any impending changes.
• Strong ability to communicate financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of fundraising governance and good finance practice.

Marketing and Communications

• Knowledge and experience in a marketing and/or communications role
• Can provide industry knowledge and adivce on marketing and communications to grow brand and public awareness.
• Understand the role of strategic planning in relation commuications and market development.

Human Resources

• Experience and knowledge of HR management at a senior level
• Able to provide insight and strategic direction on our governance obligations in relation managing our workforce and supporting their development.

General

• Skilled in analysis, evaluation, and sound judgement
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a trustee, or a willingness to undertake training at their appointment.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management.
• The Board meets at least 6 times a year and each trustee is expected to attend all board meetings (even if remotely) to contribute to discussions and decisions and occasional attendance at other community events, service visits and away days.

The difference you will make

As a new member of our board you will be joining at an exciting time for the charity. We are increasingly recognised as a quality provider of services to people with a range of specialist and complex needs. 

The roles we are looking to fill on the board will provide expertise and insight key to our growing portfolio. You will support our growing level of privately sources income, the charity's social enterprise arm and the charity's push to grow its brand for generally.

Your commitment to transforming the lives of people with learning disabilities and/or enduring mental health support needs will also inform your application. As a trustee you will instrinsically align with our 6 values:

• Idependence
• Empowerment
• Staff Recognition
• Professionalism
• Sustainability
• Partnership

And be able to mobilise you knowledge in maximising the boards ability to lead our development in relation to them.

Before you apply

Trustee applicants will be invited for an informal discussion with the CEO prior to a more formal discussion with a selection of trustees. This will enable any candidate to find out a little more about the charity, to discuss dates when they can meet with trustee's and ensure they have space to ask any questions necessary to inform their decision making.