Volunteer roles in carlisle, cumbria

Inclusive Boards is pleased to be supporting Abbeyfield Living Society in their search for two Trustees and one Trainee Trustee.

Abbeyfield Living Society (ALS) is a charity providing housing, care and support to older people across England. ALS currently own 1,358 housing and care rooms/apartments across 63 properties and 28 counties in England, including sheltered housing schemes, care homes, nursing homes, and dementia care homes. ALS is seeking to recruit two Trustees and one Trainee Trustee to assist the Board of Trustees to ensure the future viability and sustainability of Abbeyfield by:

• Ensuring that ALS has a clear business plan that supports its vision, mission and strategic direction, and is focused on achieving these. 

• Being focused on the needs of residents and their wellbeing through the provision of high quality and compliant services. 

• Working in partnership with other trustees, the CEO and other senior staff, contributing to and sharing responsibility for the Board's decisions. 

• Complying at all times with the National Housing Federation's Code of Conduct for its board members and staff.

Given that community is at the heart of Abbeyfield, we are working towards a board that is representative of the people and communities we serve. A diverse board will help to broaden our reach, and ensure Abbeyfield is demonstrating its commitment to helping diverse communities. Furthermore, ALS has signed up to the National Housing Federation (NHF) Code of Governance 2020 which includes the requirement that:

 'The membership of board and committees comprises people with diverse backgrounds and attributes, having regard to the diversity of the communities the organisation serves and in line with the organisation's stated commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion' (para 3.4(3)). 

To these ends, we actively seek applications from a diverse range of candidates. ALS is deeply committed to inclusive working practices, so during the application process we commit to: 

• Offering a guaranteed first stage interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. 

• Covering travel costs to and from in-person interviews. 

• Making reasonable adjustments at every stage of the process - for example, arranging a BSL interpreter or accessible interview format as needed. 

• Providing recruitment documents in alternative formats, such as accessible Word versions, on request.

For this role, you will need demonstrable experience of operating in a senior leadership role/board level in charitable, public sector or commercial organisation. The new trustees will complement the skills of the existing Board and will each bring specialist knowledge and experience in at least one of these specific areas:

• Care &/or housing services management and CQC &/or housing regulation

• Property growth & development

• Artificial intelligence

Regardless of professional background, candidates must be able to contribute at a strategic level to steer and drive the strategy, ensure good governance, help to promote the reputation of ALS and be advocates for the Abbeyfield movement.

For more information about this opportunity, please download the Candidate Information Pack using the links on this page.

If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following by 11.59pm on 02/11/2025: 

• A detailed CV, setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements 

• A cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) highlighting your suitability for the role for which you’re applying and how you meet the person specification. Please note that the cover letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed. Please note that the cover letter is an important part of your application and will be assessed.

Our trustees are the people that have overall oversight of Foothold.  They are not involved in running Foothold on a day-to-day basis as we have a team of staff and volunteers that do this.  However, our board of trustees collectively make decisions about the approach the Foothold will take and its future direction.  They make sure that, as an organisation, we have the policies and procedures we need to ensure we’re complying with our legal obligations.  They provide support, ideas and constructive challenge to our staff team to test our thinking and help Foothold to achieve the best it can for our community members and demonstrate the difference that we make.

As a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, the Trustee will have the expertise to ensure the strategic oversight of Foothold’s finances and to support appropriate decisions and good governance by the Board. This includes:

· overseeing and presenting budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements;

· providing advice and information to the Trustees on their financial responsibilities;

· leading in the Board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept and financial resources are properly managed, controlled and invested, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements;

· acting as the link between the Trustees and the management on financial matters;

· keeping under review the effectiveness of all internal control systems, including financial operational and compliance controls;

· liaising through the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee with staff, including CEO and Head of Business and Volunteering and with Foothold’s accountants and independent auditor.

DCF are a family-founded charity basee 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.

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

Our board currently has six Trustees however, the two who oversee financial controls and treasurer responsibilities are stepping down in May.  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 to around nine members 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.

You need to be based in the UK to be considered for this role.

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

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.

Starfish is an international development charity aiming to bring life, hope and opportunity to children in South Africa who have been orphaned or made vulnerable through HIV/AIDS and poverty. Starfish are looking for an enthusiastic person who is passionate about international development with good writing skills. The internship will be varied and include: researching trusts and foundations, writing applications, sending out applications & reports, managing progress on a centralised calendar, using your initiative. The Starfish UK London office is fairly small and therefore you will become very much part of the team, being able to experience the operations of a dynamic international charity. This is a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience and enhance your CV. Desired experience - Use of Microsoft packages, organisational skills, good communication skills, research skills and the ability to work well in a team.

This position is for minimum 3 days a week, working from home with potential for supporting events in central London office. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Knowledge, experience and attributes

Charitable Trustees have a general obligation to:

• Act in the charity’s best interests 
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly 
• Act with reasonable care and skill.

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

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

• Fundraising 
• Governance and charity law 
• Accountancy and financial planning 

Support & Training 

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

Benefits 

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

Liability

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

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

Our terms of service 

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

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

Help us bring our farm stories to life!

Time: one-off project (about 10–20 hours over 2–4 weeks or until the project is completed)
Location: UK-based only (you must be able to volunteer/work in the UK)
Type: Volunteer (pre-approved expenses reimbursed if any)

About us

We’re Willowbrook Farm Charity, a tiny, big-hearted team teaching sustainability, biodiversity, and ethical farming. We’re working hard on our branding and visuals and would love a creative soul to help us make a small set of illustrations and icons that feel playful, kind, and unmistakably “us.”
 

The project (hand-drawn, brand-matched)

We need a talented Digital Artist who can hand-draw (on tablet or device of choice) and then deliver clean vector or high-res digital files. Your drawings must match the style of our main logo, so please take a quick look at our website first and see if that’s a style you’re happy to work in.

You’ll create

• Simple icons (e.g., education, biodiversity, volunteering, donations, accessibility).

• Farm-animal illustrations (goat, chicken, cow, bee, duck, etc.).

• Simple landscape elements (hedgerow/field/sun).

Files: SVG/AI (or layered PSD) + transparent PNG exports in agreed sizes.
Style: Hand-drawn linework, consistent strokes, brand-friendly colours (we’ll share swatches/brand guidelines).

How we’ll work (friendly & simple)

• You will work as part of our volunteer team doing brand development.

• Sketch/concepts round (hand-drawn roughs) → we will together discuss a direction.

• We keep feedback kind and clear to help you get the most out of the experience.

You (what helps you shine here)

• You love drawing by hand (sketchbook, iPad/Procreate, etc.) and can translate it into tidy digital files.

• You’re good at matching an existing style and keeping a set consistent, as all our assets must look like they belong to the same family as our rooster.

• Portfolio that shows icons/animals/mascots or similar line-based work.

• Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate—whatever helps you deliver clean assets.

• A soft spot for nature and community work

Important eligibility

• UK only: You must be living in the UK and able to volunteer here.

• We can only consider applications that include both a cover letter and a portfolio.

Rights & usage

To keep our brand consistent, we’ll ask for a simple agreement granting Willowbrook Farm Charity a perpetual, exclusive licence to use the final artwork across print and digital (you keep your moral rights/credit).You’re welcome to feature the work in your portfolio.

What you’ll gain

• Recognition & credit: We’ll credit you by name/handle on our website and socials (you keep moral rights/credit; the charity holds exclusive usage rights to the final assets).

• Portfolio showcase: Your illustrations will appear across our website, socials, and reports, with permission to include the project in your portfolio and case studies.

• Reference & testimonial: After successful delivery, we can provide a written reference and a short testimonial you can quote or reference on LinkedIn if you desire.

• Real-world impact: Your art will help a small, values-led charity tell its story and reach more people who benefit from our programmes.

• Clear brief & kind feedback: A tidy brief, quick decisions, and constructive notes—useful experience working to brand style and artwork specs.

• Practical support: You will work as part of a team and gain experience working in a creative environment with other volunteers who are also working hard to develop our brand. 

How to apply

Please email us with:

1. Cover letter: Tell us why this project excites you and why you want to volunteer with us.

2. Portfolio link (required): show us hand-drawn work and any icons/animal pieces you may have produced or any other artwork that helps us to see your line of work and style.

3. Availability: when you could start.

We can’t wait to see your lines and little creatures come to life. Thanks for considering volunteering your art to help our community grow. 

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) is a small but mighty animal welfare charity that runs projects and campaigns to create a better future for animals in need around the world.

We’re looking for a Celebrity & Media Partnerships Volunteer to help raise IAPWA’s profile by building relationships with celebrities, influencers, and media contacts. This is a new area for us, so you’ll have the chance to shape it and make a real impact on how our campaigns, appeals, and projects reach the public, as well as amplifying the success of our fundraising initiatives.

Key Tasks

• Researching, identifying, and approaching potential celebrity, influencer, and media contacts.
• Building and maintaining long-term, positive relationships with celebrity ambassadors and public figures.
• Coordinating their involvement in IAPWA’s campaigns, appeals, fundraising and education initiatives, and major announcements.
• Helping to secure interviews, features, and other media opportunities that highlight IAPWA’s work and impact.
• Maintaining a database of celebrity and media contacts, keeping track of activity and outcomes to help us learn and grow in this area.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in PR, media, or celebrity engagement.
• Ideally an existing network of contacts, with the confidence to expand this further.
• A proactive approach and enthusiasm for using your skills to support animal welfare.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to use your experience and connections to make a real difference for animals worldwide.
• Flexibility to volunteer around your own schedule.
• The opportunity to help shape a brand-new area of growth within IAPWA.

Bright Futures UK is looking for compassionate and knowledgeable professionals in the gaming industry to mentor a young person living with long-term illnesses. 

What will you be doing? 

• Run mentoring sessions online to support a young person back into university

• Offer advice and insights related to game and character design or animation through tailored sessions

• Help the young person explore potential career paths in the gaming and animation industries

• Share your own experiences and knowledge to inspire and motivate. 

• Adhere to safeguarding policies and report any concerns to BFUK

What are we looking for? 

• Expertise in gaming industry: Profound knowledge and experience in the gaming industry preferably in areas like character design. 

• Mentoring and Communication: Ability to mentor effectively, offering guidance and support to a young person with clarity and empathy. 

• Flexibility and Commitment: Willingness to commit to 5-6 months of 1-hour sessions 

What difference will you make? 

• By volunteering as a Mentor, you’ll play a vital role in empowering a young person to take control of their health and future, helping them to achieve their goals despite the challenges they face. 

As a charity that supports children and young people, we make safeguarding individuals our top priority. For this reason, all volunteers are subject to an enhanced criminal record and disclosures check. We also ask all volunteers to adhere to our Safeguarding, Equality and Confidentiality policies. These are nothing to worry about and if you have any questions, our team are happy to support you.

Will you help us shape our future by joining us a trustee? We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are committed to making a difference to our work. We welcome applications from people of all professional backgrounds, whether or not they are patients or have experience in the healthcare sector. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with skills in digital marketing and communications, charity management and fundraising.

As a Trustee, you will share responsibility for the governance of the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) and will fully understand the charity’s purpose as set out in its governing document. You will have strategic oversight of the planning for what the charity wants to achieve and be able to explain how our activities support our objectives. You will always act in the BTF’s best interest and ensure accountability within the charity. You will comply with the charity’s governing document, manage the charity’s resources responsibility and act with reasonable care and skill.

We take children on voyages as readers and writers. Volunteer with us to join the adventure!  

Who are Literacy Pirates?   

Through our term-long after-school programmes, we develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of children aged 9-13 who are falling behind in school and have fewer opportunities in their personal lives, so that they can succeed at school and beyond.  

Children join us on our Virtual Ship once a week to practise their reading and writing. By welcoming them into our joyful spaces, publishing their work in the real world, and celebrating everything they do, we develop their literacy, confidence and perseverance.  

What does a Volunteer do?  

As a Volunteer Crewmate, your role is to join our online sessions and help children practise their reading and writing in small groups by providing constant encouragement, positivity and celebration of their achievements.

Sessions are led and managed by staff, which means your time is solely focused on supporting the children in breakout rooms.

You will:  

• Receive full training.

• Gain experience working with children and leading small groups online.

• Develop your communication, leadership, problem-solving and digital skills.

• Take part in games and have fun. 

• Be invited to virtual celebration events with the children to see the difference that you’ve made.  

We offer employment references, for volunteers who have fulfilled their commitment of 12 sessions with us. 

What are we looking for?  

We ask volunteers to give just three hours per month, although you are welcome to volunteer as frequently as you like!  

Sessions run every weekday during term time from 3:45 to 6:15 p.m. and you will have the flexibility to select which sessions you would like to attend. Please note, we do not run sessions during half terms or the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. 

No experience is required to become a volunteer – just a desire to help children develop their reading and writing skills! Full training is provided.  

All we ask is that you:  

• Are aged 16+ 

• Must be a UK resident  

• Complete a criminal background check (we cover the cost of this)  

• Have access to a laptop or desktop computer with a working webcam and microphone (mobile devices are unsuitable for this role) 

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available at colleges England.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you

Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What you’ll do

As part of a governing board, you’ll:

• Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
• Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
• Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
• Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• HR, People & Culture
• Strategy, Transformation & Operations
• Technology, AI & Digital
• Legal, Governance & Compliance
• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:

• Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or remote)
• Reading papers and preparing questions
• Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you’ll be needed
Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. 

What’s in it for you?

· Enhance your board-level and governance experience

· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

· Expand your professional network

·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact

· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.

Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is seeking new Trustees to join our Board and help guide the charity through its next phase of growth and impact.

Following a recent skills audit, we are keen to strengthen our Board with individuals who bring expertise in key strategic areas, including fundraising, change management, external/public affairs, financial accounting, and governance. Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone with transferable experience and a passion for our mission, we would welcome your application.

About GBSS

GBSS is the UK’s leading charity working to prevent life-threatening group B Strep infections in babies. Our Trustees play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring it remains true to its mission, well-governed, financially sound, and impactful.

You will be part of a committed and collegiate Board, working alongside fellow Trustees, our Clinical Advisory Panel and our Staff Team to uphold GBSS’s values and objectives.

Key Trustee Responsibilities

Trustees contribute actively to the Board, which:

• Sets and maintains the vision, mission and values.
• Develops strategic direction and longer-term strategies.
• Establishes and monitors policy.
• Ensures compliance with the Governing Document and the law.
• Ensures accountability and that resources are used exclusively in furtherance of GBSS’s objectives.
• Maintains proper fiscal oversight.
• Promotes the charity externally.
• Appoints, supports and monitors the performance of the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Maintains effective Board performance.

We have four Trustee positions available and we’re particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising & income generation
• Change management
• External/public affairs
• Finance, accounting & governance

We especially welcome applicants with recent UK maternity care experience and those from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities.

***This is a voluntary role, open to UK residents only. We are looking for people who are normally resident in the UK. This is to ensure compliance with governance, legal, and operational requirements relevant to our charity’s work.***