Volunteer roles in east midlands

Summary: Driving medical communication and patient-led research agenda for a complex medical condition 

Description: You could make a real difference to the lives of patients and doctors struggling with a rare disease. That's what we do at Mast Cell Action - a charity dedicated to supporting the Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) patient community and improving the evidence base for the disease.

We work hand-in-hand with doctors and patients to develop materials that truly make a difference. And with the help of our medical advisory panel, we're constantly improving our activities to better serve our community.

But we're not done yet. We're looking for someone with a genuine interest in this area, with medical, health, NHS, and research experience to join our team. You'll be responsible for developing and executing our strategy to engage with the medical community, research organisations, NHS policymakers, and our community as a whole.

You'll lead multiple projects, collaborating with doctors to better understand and define our community, as well as initiating and executing new projects. And with your expertise, you'll ensure that all our communications are evidence-based and informative.

So, if you're passionate about making a real difference, come and join us at Mast Cell Action. Together, we can create a brighter future for patients and doctors alike.

You will lead a team of passionate volunteers and interns, working closely with our Operations Director to drive our mission forward. One of your key responsibilities will be to nurture and grow our Medical Advisory Panel, working hand-in-hand with supportive doctors and medical institutions. You'll be the face of the charity, representing us in all our interactions with these key stakeholders.

You’ll report directly to our trustee board, ensuring that all of our activities are aligned with our overall strategy and goals.

We're looking for a dynamic individual who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve great things. If you're passionate about healthcare and have experience working with medical institutions, this is the perfect opportunity for you. So why not join us at Mast Cell Action and help us make a real difference in the lives of patients and doctors?

What impact will they have?

At Mast Cell Action, we know that communicating, engaging, and educating the medical community and policy makers is crucial if we want to improve support for MCAS patients. And that's where you come in.

As our communications expert, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing patient care over time. You'll work closely with doctors, medical institutions, and policy makers to raise awareness of MCAS and advocate for better support for patients.

By effectively communicating the importance of MCAS and engaging with key stakeholders, you'll help improve patient outcomes and quality of life in the long run.

If you're passionate about making a real difference and have experience in healthcare communications, this is the perfect opportunity for you. 

About the volunteer 

What skills should they have

We are looking for a volunteer who has experience in the NHS and medical/research environment. If you're someone who can assess a situation and develop a clear strategy to achieve the desired outcome, we want to hear from you.

As our ideal candidate, you're an effective communicator who can engage with doctors and produce written and visual materials that really make an impact. You're also a team player who can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Managing projects and team members is second nature to you, and you're able to keep everyone on track and motivated. And with your awareness of the political and economic landscape in the area of complex diseases, you can navigate through any obstacles that come your way.

If you're passionate about making a real difference in the lives of patients with complex diseases and have the experience we're looking for, we want you on our team at Mast Cell Action.

Skills

Medical related background 

Medical writing skills

Project management 

Team management 

Analytical and conversant with research methodologies

Where and when

Work remotely, flexible hours 

Meetings in London 

Trips to medical conferences around uk

Reasonable Expenses covered.

Purpose: 

Charity law requires all charity trustees to prepare accounts for their charity. An independent examination is a form of external scrutiny that provides a limited check on specific matters.
Registered and excepted charities with income less than £25k must have an Independent Examination unless the accounts are audited. 

Requirement:

An independent person whom the trustees reasonably believe to have the requisite ability and practical experience to carry out a competent examination of the accounts.
Must be a member of one of the accountancy bodies listed in the Charities Act

Key tasks:

Well verse with Commission’s Directions and guidance as independent Examiner 
To provide an independent scrutiny of the accounts and, in this way, help maintain public trust and confidence in charities.
Ensure; No evidence was found of a lack of accounting records; Nor of the accounts failing to reflect those records; Nor of the accounts failing to comply with the relevant legislation
Liaising with the trustees to ensure the accounting records are available 
Agreeing responsibilities with the trustees, for example, who will prepare the accounts and file them with the Commission
Agreeing a timetable for the examination with the trustees 
Ensuring the examination takes place at a time when trustees and key staff are available to answer any questions that may arise

Key results/objectives:

At the conclusion of the independent examination the examiner makes a report to the charity trustees. Charity law requires the examiner’s report to comment on three specific things: 
the accounting records kept, whether the accounts agree with those records,  and whether the format of the accounts is correct. 

Reporting to: Joy Mason - CEO

Main purpose of job: To host our Parent/Carer online community support group as part of Mast Cell Actions community support services.

Key tasks include:

· Host support sessions with professionalism and enthusiasm.

· Moderate Q&A sessions, and facilitate audience interaction to keep participants engaged.

· Manage technical aspects of virtual events, to ensure smooth execution.

· Take the register and send post event emails using our bespoke event platform

· Raise safeguarding concerns using internal processes and procedures. Training will be provided

· Maintain confidentiality and follow charity policies and procedures

· Undertake relevant training

Key Objectives Include:

· The main purpose of this role is to facilitate and host our Parent/Carer Support Sessions alongside another volunteer

· Host support sessions in a manner that captivates and engages the audience, keeping them interested and actively participating throughout the event.

· Reassure and validate participants' experiences whilst encouraging story-sharing.

· Manage the technical aspects of virtual events proficiently.

· Represent Mast Cell Action professionally at all times, demonstrating strong communication skills, reliability, and adaptability in a virtual environment.

Experience/skills required:

· Proven experience as a virtual event host, moderator, or similar role is desirable but not essential as we can train you.

· Must have personal experience of being a parent or carer for a child with MCAS or suspected MCAS

We are seeking to appoint a treasurer (voluntary role) to sit on the board of trustees at Know Your Worth. Know Your Worth is a charity dedicated to helping teenage girls grow self-esteem. Trustees are at the heart of this mission. As a trustee, you help shape the future of our charity. You bring your experience, insight, and care to help guide our strategy, hold us accountable to our values, and ensure our resources are used wisely. 

 We are specifically looking for someone with:

• A passion for the cause of helping teenage girls to grow self-esteem
• Senior finance experience (10+ years).
• Previous treasurer experience on another board (ideally within the charity or non-profit sector).
• An ability to work as a team, courage to challenge constructively where appropriate, whilst being self-aware.
• An awareness of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. Being available (within reason) to support the CEO with any financial queries or issues

We'd love to hear from you, if you'd like to find out more.

The Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum (NNRF) is a £1m+ community-based charity providing advice and support to individuals and families who seek asylum or live as refugees. The Forum is a key partner of Nottingham City Council, and its work spans a number of separate programmes, much of which is delivered from our building and cafe in the heart of the city.

What exactly does the Forum do?

• We believe in a future where people are treated fairly and compassionately, and where everyone has the chance to feel safe and live with dignity.
• Working in partnership with others, our focus is on helping refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives and to help with their immediate needs. We do this by providing a welcoming community centre, and by offering a range of support services and programmes, including impartial advice, advocacy and signposting.

We are seeking to appoint several Trustees during 2025, each on an initial 3-year term and applications are welcome from any background. In common with many organisations in this sector, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with lived experience of the asylum system are underrepresented on our Board at this time. Applicants who have governance experience, for example in schools or local government, or who may be working in a legal/HR role may be of interest. However, the most important attribute is that you have the energy, time and interest necessary to support the Forum’s work.  Candidates will be appointed solely on a defined selection criterion, ensuring that ethnicity plays no role in the decision-making process.

The role of our Trustees is vital to what we do and it means that you can support those seeking refuge to re-establish themselves in a new country. The Board of Trustees has the ultimate authority and responsibility for directing and governing the organisation. Being a Trustee can be a hugely rewarding experience - it offers a fantastic development opportunity, the chance to make a positive impact, to build new relationships and to gain experience in charity operations. As a Trustee you will be able to use your knowledge, skills and experience and have a direct influence over a cause you care about. You will also get free access to a range of Board-level learning resources, including articles, webinars and national networking events.

These are voluntary roles, with meetings usually set for after normal working hours. The minimum time commitment is quite modest - we have six Board meetings per year, each lasting a couple of hours, and an Annual General Meeting in November. We do actively encourage Trustees to also get involved in the work of at least one of our committees, so all of this means a commitment of no more than 1 day per month.

How can I apply?

• In the first instance, please send your CV (if you have one) and/or letter of application to our Chair of Trustees, Graham Bell, telling us about your interest in the role why you want to help us by volunteering as a Trustee. You are also welcome to send your application in the form of a short video. 
• We will also be holding online events during July and September as a way of introducing our work and as an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the role. Further details will be posted on social media.

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

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, fast learning intern to join our growing team at Human Appeal; helping us to research projects, review HR reports, and complete quality checks for our UK offices to identify the support needs of our staff.

Main tasks include:

• Provide generalist support for the entire recruitment cycle including but not limited to; interview bookings, JD/JP drafting, advertisements, longlisting, coordination with managers or candidates, reference checks, etc.
• Support HR L&D initiatives including orientations, trainings, workshops etc.
• Ensure proper HR file documentation and file management to audit standards.
• Conducting HR quality checks via routine spot checks and maintain HR trackers.
• Compiling HR exec summaries or reports.
• Undertaking research projects and supporting HR project implementation when requested.

Knowledge/Experience/Skills required:

• Ideally studying towards or completed a Bachelors degree, preferably in HR.
• A good understanding of humanitarian relief
• Effective written and oral communication skills in English
• Basic IT Skills (Excel, Outlook, Office 365, One drive, TEAMs)
• Ability to work well in a diverse virtual team
• Problem solving skills
• Cultural awareness and an understanding of HR

Benefits of volunteering with us:

• Experience of operating within the HR division of an international charity
• Opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in HR Management
• Excellent support as part of a friendly team
• Excellent training opportunities
• Offer to provide references after 3 months of volunteering
• Support in developing your CV (should you want it)
• Opportunities to take part in Human Appeal local events

Learning & Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Human Appeal will provide:

• A detailed induction to provide you with an overview of Human Appeal
• Training and shadowing providing all the information and skills needed to fulfil the role
• A dedicated member of staff to provide ongoing support and supervision
• Payment of “out of pocket” expenses in line with Human Appeal’s expenses policy
• A volunteer handbook that outlines all of the policies and procedures you will need to be aware of whilst volunteering

Location: Worldwide

Term: Voluntary – Unpaid (reasonable travel expenses can be claimed)

Closing date: 31st July 2025

Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

We provide lasting routes out of poverty, empowering people to transform their lives and serving all communities without prejudice.

As an independent faith-based humanitarian and development organisation, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has been serving humanity for 41 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty.

Since we were founded in 1984, Islamic Relief has grown into one of the world’s largest relief and development charities, touching the lives of over 120 million people.

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is seeking to appoint 1 (one) individual to join our International General Assembly (IGA).

Following appointment to the IGA, independent members are eligible for nomination to the BoT after 1 year as an IGA independent member.

Appointments on the BoT are for a 4-year term limit.

The IGA is the highest body of the new Islamic Relief Worldwide governance structure and consists mainly of representatives elected by Islamic Relief family members across five continents, creating a body that is truly globally representative.  It is from the IGA that IRW draws its trustees.

We would like to hear from exceptional applicants with considerable experience and specialist knowledge in a range of professional backgrounds: law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance. Those selected will play a vital role in IRW’s strategic work and in helping us respond to key challenges.

As a member of the IGA, it is expected you will be fully committed to the organisational objectives of IRW, sharing our vision, mission and values.  You will be expected to attend meetings and be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role and to act in the best interest of IRW’s work and its rightsholders.

The Role

Key responsibilities:

• Participate in the oversight of  the organisation in accordance with its statutory obligations, making sure that IRW satisfies its regulatory and legal requirements as a charity
• Act in a manner which supports the organisation in meeting aims and objectives as set out in IRW governing documents, and in ensuring IRW long-term security
• Focus on strategic planning and governance when setting IRW priorities and objectives
• Participate in the approval of annual plans, strategies and budgets

• Support the financial stability of the charity and contribute to its effective and efficient administration, reviewing and approving financial strategies and monitoring income and expenditure, to ensure the organisation is in good financial health
• Promote IRW’s vision, mission and values and demonstrate IRW’s values in all of the IGA’s work.

About You

We are seeking exceptional candidates with a breadth of leadership experience who can enhance the strategic development of IRW and have the following skills and qualities:

• A deep commitment and passion for IRW’s faith inspired values, vision and mission
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship  
• Considerable professional experience and specialist knowledge in one or more of the following – law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance
• Strategic vision and critical thinking skills
• Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution
• Legislative and operating framework for charities/voluntary and community sector organisations, especially an understanding of Charity Commission requirements
• A good understanding of the context IRW operates within
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; enjoys teamwork
• Willing to be an ambassador for IRW
• Demonstrates past public conduct, statements and behaviour that are in line with IRW’s values and expectations of the role

If you are interested in these roles, please review the information pack before applying.

How to apply:

To make your application for the IGA position, please visit the link for instructions.

The deadline for applications is: 31st July 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Pre-appointment checks:

Any appointment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• Enhanced screening clearance
• Receipt of satisfactory references including the Inter-Agency Misconduct Scheme Reference
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
• Personal social media review

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

The term will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from every applicant’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Are you a passionate person with a vision for the future? The Pen Museum in Birmingham is seeking a dynamic, Chair to steer our beloved Museum towards even greater success.

As our new Chair, you’ll be at the forefront of inspiring a team of dedicated volunteers, Trustees, and our Museum Manager. Your guidance will be instrumental in growing our visitor numbers, expanding our reach, and securing a prosperous future for the Pen Museum.

We’re a cherished destination known for our captivating collection, original machinery, and the rich social history that defines us. Together, we can share this unique story with even more people.

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Group Coordinator for our Barnsley and District group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the Barnsley and District area to carry out this role.

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

We are embarking on our first ever online shop and we are looking for a volunteer with some experience in this area and the area of website support to help share the workload of managing enquiries to the shop. They will also be required to update new items as they become available and allocate orders as they come in to the relevant supplier and deal with any enquiries or complaints. This is a role that will grow as the shop does and is a creative fun role as you join a warm and welcoming team. Although remote there will be the chance to meet other volunteers at fundraising events throughout the year.

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and engaging tutors to provide educational support and a fun, safe learning environment for young people living with long-term illnesses.

What will you be doing? 

• Run tutoring sessions online to support a young person. 

• Offer subject area knowledge and expertise related to Welsh language 

• Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

• Adhere to safeguarding policies and report concerns to the BFUK Team

What are we looking for? 

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Welsh language. 

• Teaching Skills: Ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.

• Empathy and Patience: Kind and understanding nature, especially towards those facing health challenges.

• Reliability: Consistent availability for the agreed-upon time commitment.

• You must be a UK resident and be at least 18 years old.

What difference will you make? 

• Academic Progress: Help young people stay on track with their studies despite their health challenges, ensuring they do not fall behind.

• Confidence Builder: Provide a stable and encouraging presence that helps build the students' confidence and resilience.

• Future Opportunities: Equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. 

What will you gain?

• The opportunity to fight education inequities and make a difference in a young person's life

• Enhanced DBS Certificate

• Safeguarding level one training

• Skill development opportunities and practical experience 

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.

Could you be a trustee for Avenues?

Avenues Group is a specialist provider of adult social care, supporting people with complex needs to enjoy life. We always want to do things better, and as part of our development we are now looking for new trustees.

Our trustee group has to reflect the diversity of the people we support and the communities in which we work, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

We would particularly like to hear from people with lived experience of disability, encouraging people who are accessing support services, and neurodivergent people.

Do you have experience in any of the following?

• Care Sector Financial Experience to join our Board and Finance Committee
• Health and Social Care Experience (outside Avenues) to join our Board and one committee (to be decided).
• People management and organisational development to join our Board and the People, Culture and Reward Committee
• Risk Management (specialising in a quality, compliance and regulatory environment) to join our Board and our Audit and Risk Committee.

If so, we'd like to meet you, apply today and to find out more about us and the role please download the attached trustee pack and role profile. 

Still unsure if this role is for you? We are happy to offer an informal chat with our Head of Governance so feel free to contact us and we can organise this.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of an organisation that instils its values at all levels of the business, ensuring the people we support are at the forefront of our decisions.

Our people love working here, and most trustees stay for many years, becoming as passionate as we are.

This opportunity will be useful for anyone wanting to learn more about being a trustee, full training and support will be provided, and wishing to develop a more rounded skill set. It can also be a fantastic opportunity for someone with many years of experience to share their skills.

As part of our recruitment process, the successful candidates will meet and be interviewed by different stakeholders including people we support and Chairs of Committees as well as our CEO, current Group Boards Chair and other trustees of the board.

Interviews are planned week commencing w/c 18th August and w/c 25th August (subject to any changes due to availability of stakeholders).

We will process your data in line with our privacy policy. To find out more read the Privacy Notice on our website. We want you to have control over your data. You can contact us at any time to request or change the data that we hold about you or even if you just have a question relating to the data, we hold about you.

The Board of Aston Community Education Trust, comprising 12 schools primarily centred in Sheffield, is recruiting up to four new Trustees possessing a range of skills – including finance, risk and audit; marketing; safeguarding, curriculum and standards; and legal/procurement. The Trust supports 5,000 young people and has an annual budget of c.£40 million.

Aston Community Education Trust (ACET) operates 12 schools, primarily based in Sheffield, with offices in Holderness. Established in 2011, ACET was an early adopter of the Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) model. The Trust includes nine primary academies—most of which received ‘Good’ or better ratings in their latest Ofsted inspections—and three secondary academies. Of the secondaries, one is rated ‘Good’ while the other two are judged as ‘Requiring Improvement,’ though both are progressing well according to Ofsted monitoring.

ACET runs an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit at Thurcroft Juniors, which has been rated ‘Outstanding’. From September 2025, all junior schools within the Trust will transition to full primary schools, expanding their intake to include Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils. ACET is a well-established, medium-sized Trust known for its robust leadership and transparent governance, with regular audits and Ofsted reviews publicly shared online. The Trust is firmly embedded in the urban heart of South Yorkshire.

ACET operates under clearly defined Articles of Association and a revised Scheme of Delegation that guides its governance. It maintains strong working relationships with Sheffield, Rotherham, and Derbyshire local authorities. The Trust actively engages with DfE-funded English and Maths Hubs for curriculum and teacher training support.

Its secondary academies collaborate with Wales High School in Rotherham, and all schools participate in teacher training placements for PGCE and QTS qualifications through partnerships with Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. The primary schools benefit from a collaborative hub model, with professional development and leadership training available across all academies.

Currently, ACET is not seeking immediate expansion in terms of adding new schools to the Trust. The strategic focus is rather on converting its junior schools into full primary settings and strengthening outcomes across its secondary phase. The CEO’s senior leadership team includes a range of school improvement professionals working across both phases, supporting leaders with inspections and improving educational outcomes.

The Trust serves approximately 5,000 pupils and employs around 750 staff. Its academies serve a diverse demographic, predominantly from lower socio-economic areas of Sheffield. Two schools—Listerdale and Waverley Primary Academies—have more balanced socio-economic intakes. A defining characteristic of the Trust is its focus on supporting disadvantaged communities, including families with intergenerational unemployment. The Trust leadership is deeply committed to using education as a transformative tool and views ACET as a central community anchor.

Financially, ACET’s 2023/24 outturn aligned with expectations. All academies operated within their original budgets, and the Trust maintained an annual income of approximately £40 million. The 2023/24 external audit report confirmed ACET’s compliance and effective management of DfE funding. The Trust holds reserves in line with DfE recommendations, indicating prudent financial stewardship. Nonetheless, like many Trusts serving disadvantaged populations, ACET faces growing budgetary pressures. High SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities) needs and poor attendance rates among secondary students are particularly impactful on financial and academic performance.

The Trust’s Requirements

ACET’s Trust Board currently comprises eight Trustees, though several retirements are anticipated within the next year. The Trust aims to recruit at least four new Trustees to maintain governance capacity and expertise. Specifically, the Trust seeks individuals with skills in:

1. finance, risk and audit;
2. marketing;
3. safeguarding, curriculum and standards;
4. legal/procurement.

There may also be a need to appoint a new Chair and Vice Chair within 12 months, so candidates with Board leadership experience and ambition to assume such a role within the Trust are especially welcome.

Succession planning is underway, and the Trust is working to ensure Board resilience during this transition. All Trustees have the option to operate remotely if required.

In terms of governance structure, ACET has four members – an ‘eyes-on, hands-off’ role akin to that of the shareholder – and completed an External Trust Review with the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) in March 2023. A follow-up action plan is currently in progress.

Trustee time commitments are clearly outlined: the full Board meets up to six times per year, while sub-committees meet at least once per term. Trustees usually join one or two committees aligned to their expertise.

Meetings are scheduled for late afternoons and offer both in-person and remote attendance options. Local candidates from Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, or Derbyshire are especially encouraged to apply, provided they bring relevant expertise.

New Trustees will complete a structured induction that includes face-to-face and online sessions, mentoring, and engagement with senior leaders, including the CEO, CFO, and academy heads. Trustees are expected to contribute beyond regular meetings by joining committees, participating in review panels, attending key Trust events, and, where appropriate, helping to appoint senior leaders. Committee meetings are held termly and typically last around two hours.

ACET has a well-developed governance infrastructure. It employs a Lead Governance Professional, a Financial Director, and a team of School Improvement Directors who support the CEO in preparing reports and maintaining oversight. The Trust places high importance on safeguarding and has a dedicated Safeguarding Governance Group led by executive staff and supported by designated safeguarding leads across academies. A safeguarding Trustee is nominated annually, and all Trustees are required to complete safeguarding training and remain familiar with statutory guidance, including the DfE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE). Safeguarding is monitored rigorously, with data shared regularly with the Board and included in the Annual Report.

ACET supports its Trustees through partnerships with the National Governance Association (NGA) and CST, enhancing professional development opportunities. The Trustee role is seen as a meaningful opportunity to contribute to educational and social impact in South Yorkshire. The Trust is described as forward-thinking and led by a second-generation CEO committed to sustainable growth over the next five years. Every decision is anchored in ACET’s values of excellence, equity, integrity, empowerment, and esteem, all of which place children at the heart of the Trust’s mission.

As an Administrative Support Volunteer, you will play an essential role in the team, complimenting the work of the Manchester Hub and allowing Shelter clients to receive the support that they need. The opportunity will allow you to make a difference in your local community as well as gaining hands-on experience in one of the UK's leading housing charities. 

Suggested Involvement: e.g. A suggested minimum commitment of one day per week for six months

Availability: e.g. This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00 

Location: Manchester Hub, Unit 3, Great North Tower, 5 Watson St, Manchester M3 4EE 

Supervised by: Hub Administrator 

Why get involved with Shelter? 

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We're here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

Shelter volunteers are involved in our head office, services, shops, campaigns, events and our legal teams, and they all contribute their valuable time, skills and experience. We simply couldn’t achieve our goals without them. 

Main tasks 

• General administrative tasks (photocopying, scanning, and minute taking) 

• Covering reception and meeting and greeting people who are dropping into the office on an ad hoc basis 

• Updating local resource documents, such as local authority information sheets

• Inputting information on to our case management system 

• Supporting the team with resources for delivery of training 

Skills and experience required 

• Previous administrative experience or an interest in gaining administrative skills 

• An interest in social welfare e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt. 

• Ability to manage your own time and task load 

• Confident and professional telephone manner 

• Good communication skills (this may be through experience of working with the public). 

• Confident IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes. 

• The ability to work as part of a team and value others 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies including Volunteering, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality and Data Protection 

Induction, learning and development 

To enable you to take part in this opportunity, Shelter will: 

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies & Procedures 

• Provide e-learning including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding 

• Provide access to other appropriate Shelter training 

• Provide a local induction relevant to your role 

• Pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses in line with Shelter’s Volunteer Expenses Policy 

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness 

• Gain valuable work experience 

• Be part of a great team 

• Build your confidence and develop transferrable skills 

• Enhances your CV 

Next steps 

Please complete an online application for this role. After you have applied, we will invite successful candidates to an informal interview to discuss the role further. 

Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us. It may limit the different ways that you can get involved, but please contact us if you require more information. 

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment.