Volunteer roles in bristol city centre, bristol city

Key Responsibilities

 •  Identify and apply for grants and funding opportunities that align with our goals.

 •  Cultivate relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations.

 •  Maintain accurate records of donations, track progress toward goals, and prepare reports for leadership.

Key Skills and Qualifications

 •  Proven experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, or nonprofit development.

 •  Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to inspire and engage diverse audiences.

 •  Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

 •  Familiarity with fundraising platforms, CRM systems, and social media marketing is a plus.

At a time when we are experiencing the largest reforms to the welfare rights system in a generation, we believe this is an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in welfare rights work, to join a respected organisation working at the forefront of the advice sector.

The Welfare Benefits Unit offers specialist welfare benefits advice to those who work with members of the public. Our experienced advisers provide independent support through our advice line, publications, training, consultancy, campaigns and projects.

The Welfare Benefits Unit aims to maximise benefit take-up, helping to reduce the incidence and impact of poverty and in doing so improve health, well-being, financial and social inclusion. We are a registered charity based in York. We primarily operate in North Yorkshire and York although some of our services are accessed by organisations working further afield. 

We continue to aim towards a board that reflects the populations we work to support, and as such, welcome individuals from diverse ethnic communities, LGBTQIA+ groups, as well as younger people, those with disabilities, and those who have lived experience of the welfare benefits system.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

We welcome and support applications from those new to being a Trustee. We also know that studies have shown some people are less likely to apply for positions unless they believe meet every requirement in the description. The most important thing for us is to find Trustees that connect with our values and who can readily buy into our mission. Though we have suggested skills and experience areas below, which would be keen to hear from, we’re eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our board in a variety of ways – not just candidates who tick all the boxes.

We’re keen to add these areas of skills and experience to our board:

• Financial, legal or HR matters (especially as they may apply to a small charity)
• Expertise in marketing, digital or similar technological areas
• Welfare benefits system and welfare rights advice or lived experience.

About the Role

All Trustee positions are voluntary with reasonable expenses remunerated. To be an effective Trustee, you will need to commit up to 1-2 days per quarter to attend and prepare for board meetings which are held virtually.

Effective Trustees support our work by:

• ensuring we are working towards our vision, mission and values in everything we do
• ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources, maintaining proper financial and regulatory oversight and best practice as a charity
• approving the annual budget, and supporting strategic decision-making by actively contributing advice and guidance
• appointing key personnel such as the Chief Executive, and determining pay and conditions for the wider team
• constructively guide the Senior Leadership Team in the delivery of the organisation’s strategy
• actively representing and championing the work of the Welfare Benefits Unit.

Digital Storyteller (Social Media Lead)

Role Type: Volunteer
Time Commitment: Flexible – approx. 3–5 hrs/month
Location: Remote

About the role:
This role is all about capturing the essence of Mindful Strides and sharing it with the world. You’ll create social media posts, share event updates, highlight community moments, and help us connect with people who might want to join.

You might enjoy this role if you:

• Love telling stories through photos, videos, or words

• Enjoy using platforms like Instagram or Canva

• Are creative and care about visual storytelling

• Want to grow a heartfelt, engaged online community

Why we want you
As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar of events to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 250 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated nearly 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for a new Trustee with a veterinary background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board. Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with clinical governance, particularly regarding compliance, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. As a young charity we still need practical, hands-on support from time-to-time from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role. Being a trustee can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, offering opportunities to help shape the future direction of the charity, enhance the lives of people in our local communities and gain valuable satisfaction of contributing to an effective and ambitious growing charity.

Role Description:

The Clinical Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s clinical governance for the benefit of the animal patient and the client owner. Practical guidance will be provided to enable StreetVet to help all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to understand clinical governance, whether they are in clinical practice, or not.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

• Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings)

• Act as a conduit for clinical governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Clinical Director.

• Meet with Clinical Director quarterly. 

• Ensure volunteers are familiar and coherent with the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons Clinical Governance Code and VMD requirements. 

• Keep up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and new developments relevant to the area of work. 

• Reflect upon the charity’s performance, making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Critically analyse the evidence base for procedures used and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with other members of the StreetVet team and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with clients and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Have clear protocols in place to ensure all staff are familiar with procedures for ensuring patient safety. 

• Communicate changes in procedure to the whole practice team. 
   

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience  

• A thorough understanding of the veterinary sector. 

• Knowledge of veterinary care within the charity sector would be beneficial. 

• Must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 

• Ability to advise and recommend clinical governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of RCVS code of conduct and VMD requirements.

• Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills

 Input and Time Commitment:  

• A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected. 

• Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

• Attend at least one outreach a year. 

• Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours. 

• Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees are to ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully. 

• Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London. 

• Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London. 

• Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

 
Personal Attributes: 

• Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation

• Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

• An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making 

• Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role 

• Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team 

• Up-to-date IT and digital skills to facilitate collaborative and remote working 

Potential Trustees must confirm that they are not disqualified under the automatic disqualification rules details on the government website - weblink included in the role description. 

Applications close: 31st July 2025. 

Trustee Role

Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Bristol (mix of online, blended in person meetings)

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

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

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

Who we’re looking for: ​

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

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

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

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

· Personal experience of using mental health services (desirable)

· From a protected characteristic (desirable)

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

Time Commitment: Approximately one day per month

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

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

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

Event Champions

Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.

Activity Organisers

Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.

Promoting SSAFA Services

Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.

SSAFA Storytellers

Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.

Community Connectors

Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects

Fundraising Heroes

Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.

Administrators

Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable people.
• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and
• SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

CoachActivism

CoachActivism provides high-quality, pro-bono coaching to humanitarian workers and volunteers.

We are a group of committed professionals with a dedication to offering mental health coaching and leadership support to organisations and individuals in the humanitarian sphere.

Our coaches work with our clients on their unique personal and/or team challenges, individuals receive up to 6 hours of free coaching, from a professional, certified coach. Our coaches will support our clients as they navigate challenges in the area of burnout reduction, self-care, stress and time-management, building resilience and more effective team communication.

We're excited to hear from you and create some amazing results together. We are currently open to accepting a new additional steering committee members, so if you are passionate about humanitarian aid and coaching and willing to help, reach out any time!

Strategic Planning Workshop Facilitator

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are seeking a skilled volunteer to design and facilitate a strategic planning workshop that will help our team clarify priorities, align goals, and create a roadmap for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate with leadership to understand organizational goals and current challenges

Design an engaging and effective strategic planning session (2-4 hours long)

Facilitate the workshop, ensuring full participation and clear outcomes

Summarize key insights and proposed next steps in a short follow-up report

Ideal Candidate:

Experience facilitating strategy or planning sessions (nonprofit or small business experience a plus)

Strong communication and group facilitation skills

Ability to remain neutral while guiding decision-making

Strategic thinker with a collaborative mindset

Ability to conduct the session online in time favourable to GMT+2

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

One-off project

Over Easy Solar

Over Easy Solar plans to revolutionize solar installations with our vertical PV units that is easier and faster to install on all flat roof tops due to its lightweight design which is also suitable for green roofs.

At Over Easy Solar, we focus on the challenge of underutilized spaces for solar energy, particularly rooftops, which are often overlooked due to concerns about maintenance, energy efficiency, and potential damage from conventional solar panels. As solar energy is a cornerstone of the transition to a sustainable energy future, we address these concerns by providing innovative, eco-friendly solar panel solutions that integrate seamlessly with flat rooftops and green roofs, unlocking their full potential without disruption. This approach supports EU energy goals for rooftop PV installations, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Over Easy Solar’s vertical bifacial solar panel offers an innovative solution to underutilized rooftop spaces for solar installations. Designed to revolutionize flat roof setups, it speeds up deployment up to ten times faster than conventional systems, thanks to its prefabricated design that simplifies planning, logistics, and reduces costs. The vertical design also captures more sunlight during peak demand times, including mornings, evenings, and winter, maximizing energy output when it’s needed most. Its maintenance-friendly design ensures easy access without disassembling the array, and its unique geometry allows it to rest securely on rooftops without heavy ballast, minimizing structural load. Compatible with various roofing materials, including green roofs, our product delivers an efficient, sustainable, and versatile solar solution that meets the demand for accessible renewable energy.

Graphic Designer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Over Easy Solar is a provider of vertical bifacial solar units for green and flat roofs, based in Valencia and Oslo. Our prefabricated VPV solar units offer a lightweight, ballast-free solution for rooftops, delivering high-value energy production. We envision a future where all flat roofs generate locally produced, clean, renewable energy.

We are looking for a Volunteer Graphic Designer to help us bring our brand and product communications to the next level with professional, creative, and impactful designs.

�� What You'll Do

Design brochures, flyers, and presentation templates for brand and product communication

Create compelling visuals for use across social media, website, and customer-facing materials

Support the preparation of exciting new initiatives (to be revealed soon)

Potentially develop simple video content or animations to promote our solutions

✅ We’re Looking For Someone Who: Has proven experience in graphic design (portfolio required)

Is confident with tools such as Canva

Has a creative but critical mindset, giving constructive input on design direction

Can align visuals with brand guidelines while proposing innovative ideas

⏳ Time Commitment 5–10 hours per week for 2–3 months Fully remote and flexible

Help us amplify our impact with professional design that inspires partners and customers to transform rooftops into clean energy assets. We’d love to have your creativity on board!

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 months

Eco-Stylist

We are a go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands.

The fashion industry has a massive sustainability problem: less than 5% of clothing makers earn a living wage, 60% of clothes are made from fossil fuel based fabrics like polyester, and because of fast fashion, half of new clothes end up in a landfill in less than one year. Sustainable fashion brands are challenging these problems but “it’s hard to find sustainable brands and trust them.”

Eco-Stylist is the trusted go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands. Our Certified brands are different: 78% of our brands are making progress on living wages, with 61% already ensuring most of their clothing makers earn a living wage. 92% of our brands use a majority of more sustainable fabrics like hemp, tencel, and organic cotton. 0% of our brands are fast fashion.

We have a brand directory of 100+ certified brands, a marketplace of 1,400+ items, and a blog with shopping guides and educational content.

Social Media Manager

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

The Social Media Manager will focus on engaging and growing our social media presence. Currently focusing on Instagram and Tiktok. This is an exciting opportunity to gain experience with potential for massive results.

We currently have 5600+ IG followers, 900+ FB, 1100+ LinkedIn, 7.8k+ Pinterest, and just starting on Tiktok. It will be your job to grow and engage this audience, regularly analyzing performance, identifying opportunities, and tweaking your strategy.

Prior experience not required but must have strong interests in sustainability, fashion, and gaining marketing experience. Must also be excited about social media and the opportunities it presents for both growth, engagement, and storytelling.

Looking for entrepreneurial candidates who are extremely driven and self-motivated.

Benefits: includes mentoring. At the end of your 3-6 month internship we will assist you in your next career steps: informational interviews, jobs, letters of recommendation, grad school applications, etc.

Eco-Stylist is a growing startup and social enterprise, with a mission to make sustainable fashion the norm.

Our handle is @yourecostylist.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

Eco-Stylist

We are a go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands.

The fashion industry has a massive sustainability problem: less than 5% of clothing makers earn a living wage, 60% of clothes are made from fossil fuel based fabrics like polyester, and because of fast fashion, half of new clothes end up in a landfill in less than one year. Sustainable fashion brands are challenging these problems but “it’s hard to find sustainable brands and trust them.”

Eco-Stylist is the trusted go-to resource to find and shop sustainable clothing brands. Our Certified brands are different: 78% of our brands are making progress on living wages, with 61% already ensuring most of their clothing makers earn a living wage. 92% of our brands use a majority of more sustainable fabrics like hemp, tencel, and organic cotton. 0% of our brands are fast fashion.

We have a brand directory of 100+ certified brands, a marketplace of 1,400+ items, and a blog with shopping guides and educational content.

Sustainability Analyst

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

The Sustainability Analyst's primary role will be to research sustainable brands weekly using a clearly defined sustainability criteria we developed. The ideal candidate loves sustainability and human rights, and is seeking work that will have a real and direct impact.

Interest in these topics is a plus: sustainable/ethical fashion, fashion, sustainable living, and sustainability research.

Looking for entrepreneurial candidates who are extremely driven and self-motivated. Internships have the potential to turn into a paid position if you're able to drive results and contribute to the growth of our startup.

Benefits: includes mentoring. At the end of your 3-6 month internship we will assist you in your next career steps: informational interviews, jobs, letters of recommendation, grad school applications, etc.

Eco-Stylist is a growing startup and social enterprise, with a mission to make sustainable fashion the norm.

Our handle is @yourecostylist.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

Do you want to co-ordinate vegan volunteering?

As an Organiser, you would be the caretaker of your local area. This is the more time-intensive role but so rewarding! Tasks would be emailed to you directly every month by our Volunteering Coordinator, who would be your main point of contact here at The Vegan Society. It would then be your job to send out the task to Advocates in your local area and get feedback from them. You'll also be able to ask your Advocates for help with any stalls and lobbying. Every Organiser receives an outreach pack, including a table runner, leaflets and banners. We make sure you are fully supported with an Organisers' WhatsApp group for socialising and ideas. We also have a monthly gathering on video.

What does the Organiser role involve? 

Every month, you will be sent a collection of tasks to choose from. We create these from our programme of campaigns. You would be the point of contact for Advocates in your area, sharing these tasks and coordinating activities, such as stalls and lobbying councillors. We will provide you with a campaign toolkit and be in regular contact with you to ensure you have everything you need. You will also be invited to our private Facebook group and WhatsApp chat.

We would expect you to provide any updates from your group and give feedback on each task. It's vital that we measure the impact that we are having, in terms of positive conversations and leaflets handed out. You can also give us ideas you have for future outreach tasks or campaigning. Many Organisers find a huge sense of satisfaction, improvement in self-esteem and enjoy the social side of volunteering in this role.

You will also be responsible for welcoming new Advocates in your area. We will let you know when somebody new applies, and you will help them to get involved with any activities. As the main contact for Advocates, this role does require some awareness of safeguarding and data protection procedures and policy. There will be full training on your role in this, as well as a handbook and ongoing guidance and support. 

What training and support is available? 

There will be a full induction to the role, with a gradual introduction of new tasks and responsibilities. To start with, we will provide an initial training session to cover the basics of community organising, communication skills and event planning. This will be done remotely from wherever you are. Along with this, we will provide a full pack of resources that covers a range of work that we do. 

From there, there will be regular conversations and reviews, where we can discuss other training requirements. Staff are always available to Organisers for any questions, via phone or email. 

What skills would be useful in doing this role? 

• Great organisational skills
• Experience of coordinating people
• Experience of working to specific dates and deadlines
• Good time keeping
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to motivate people around the topic of veganism
• Ability to stick to branding
• Ability to read emails in a timely manner and translate tasks into actions quickly
• Ability to report back on activities
• Excellent knowledge of vegan issues

How much time do I need to invest?

You should be able to commit around two days a month to carry out actions, and this is usually spread out across the month. We also expect timely responses to emails. When a new Advocate applies to work with you, we would like them to be contacted within seven days via email.

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution seeks - Voluntary Cultural Activities Lead

Key information:

- Location: Bath, UK.

- Time commitment: ~0.5-1 day per week (varying week to week).

- Unremunerated: Voluntary role.

- Closing date: July 17th 2025.

Founded in 1824, the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) began as a social and intellectual hub for Bath's citizens. After a quiet period in the 20th century, the BRLSI was revitalised in the early 1990s. Today, it's a thriving organisation with nearly 900 members, hosting over 120 world-class lectures annually across diverse subjects. It also boasts what is likely the city's largest museum collection and a significant historic library.

The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution promotes and advances science, literature, and art for the public benefit in the City of Bath. This is achieved through:

- Maintaining a museum with exhibits of historical, scientific, literary, or artistic interest.

- Providing a library, lectures, and educational facilities related to literature, science, and art.

- Promoting and publishing useful research in these fields.

The BRLSI operates as a volunteer-led charity, with its Board of Directors overseeing financial affairs and governance. Various committees manage activities, supported by a small team of employed staff. The Board has agreed to create a third committee to oversee cultural and educational activities, which will also report directly to the Board. This is a new volunteer role, established by the Board to lead cultural activities. The successful candidate will become a key member of the senior management team, and will chair a new committee (reporting to the Board) overseeing the organisation's cultural and educational activities.

The Cultural Activities Lead will oversee the development of a rich and varied programme of cultural, curatorial, and educational activities, attracting new audiences and building its reputation. They will facilitate the new committee’s management and advise the Board on strategy and policy. Furthermore, the Lead will establish successful and proactive relationships with local, regional, national and international organisations, helping expand the Institution’s cultural offering and commercial success.

The successful candidate will be a proven leader, experienced in heritage, cultural and/or curatorial sector governance. They will be skilled in project management, relationship-building and budgeting, with a background in volunteer-based organisations. The ideal individual will have Board-level experience and knowledge of capital development projects. They will be passionate about science, literature and the arts and committed to enriching the city of Bath for residents and visitors alike.

This is a rare opportunity to take on an important role at one of Bath’s oldest cultural and educational organisations and help them become a leading cultural destination.

For further details and to apply, please contact Sandy Hinks quoting the applicable reference number: MC2590

We are currently seeking a Trustee with experience in senior leadership across multiple locations in secondary education, to join the board of The Olympus Academy Trust, a thriving and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust of nine schools in South Gloucestershire, with an annual budget of £60m.

The Olympus Academy Trust (TOAT) is a thriving and ambitious Multi-Academy Trust based in South Gloucestershire. Founded in 2012 from an all-through Free School, the Trust has grown steadily and now comprises nine schools: one all-through school (4–18 years), three secondary schools (11–19 years), and five primary schools, some with pre-school provision. All schools are located within a relatively compact geographical area, ensuring a coherent and collaborative working environment.

The Trust’s growth journey continues with a new 11–16 secondary Free School set to open in September 2026. This school will serve a significant new housing development and will grow year-on-year from Year 7 upwards. Ofsted outcomes across the Trust are strong: most schools are rated ‘Good’, and one with elements of ‘Requires Improvement’ was also recognised for areas of strong practice. No school within the Trust has been judged ‘Inadequate’. Financially, TOAT is robust, with an annual income of around £60 million and reserves managed in line with DfE guidance.

TOAT currently supports over 6,500 learners and employs more than 850 staff, serving a diverse population including pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Two schools host specialist resource bases—one secondary and one primary—supporting students with speech, language, and autism needs through commissioned places from the local authority, with a focus on integration into mainstream education.

Strategically, TOAT is in advanced merger discussions with a large 26 school Trust (20 primary, six secondary) that serves pupils aged 3–19 years. The other Trust includes six Church of England schools and is governed as a mixed MAT, with most schools rated ‘Good’ or better. If approved by the Department for Education (DfE) in summer 2025, the merger will create a brand-new Trust of 36 schools, one of the largest in the South West. This new organisation will operate under a new name and brand, while retaining strong links to the legacy Trusts.

As part of succession planning, the Trust is seeking to recruit a new Trustee with expertise in secondary education to join the board and play a vital role through the proposed merger and beyond. TOAT’s Trust Board is composed of professionals with expertise in education, finance, HR, risk, and estates.

The Trust’s Requirements

TOAT is seeking to appoint a Trustee with experience in secondary education, ideally someone who has held a senior leadership role across multiple schools. This may include experience within a MAT, a local authority improvement service, or working across schools in areas such as teaching and learning, curriculum development, behaviour, progress, attainment, or staff development. While not essential, an understanding of the current Ofsted Inspection Framework—or experience as an inspector—would be advantageous.

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for TOAT, with the launch of a new school in 2026 and the prospective merger. The successful candidate will be expected to bring educational insight and leadership to the Board during this period of significant change, ensuring that standards remain high and pupil outcomes remain central to decision-making.

The new Trustee would also be expected to specifically contribute to the Education Standards Committee, which meets six times per year, typically on Tuesday mornings at 9.30am, and lasts up to two hours. Committee meetings are held in-person at Winterbourne Academy, Bristol (BS36 1JL), with remote attendance available in exceptional circumstances.

In addition, the full Trust Board meets six times per year, generally on Thursday evenings at 5.30pm, for meetings of up to two hours. Trustees are welcome to be involved in additional committees should they have the desire and capacity to do so.

The Trust is committed to effective governance, supported by a professional governance lead and secure access to papers via Google Drive. New Trustees receive a thorough induction and are well supported to make a meaningful contribution from the outset.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the leadership of a strong, forward-thinking Trust on the verge of significant transformation. The newly appointed Trustee will not only help to shape the current Trust’s educational direction but will have the opportunity to be part of the new Trust Board post-merger, ensuring continuity and strategic influence across the wider organisation.

While the Trust’s immediate need is for a secondary education specialist, candidates with primary experience will be considered if they have worked in school improvement roles spanning the secondary phase—for example, as a CEO, Deputy CEO, or Director of Learning with oversight across both sectors.