Volunteer roles in east of england
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit an Administration Volunteer for the Milton Keynes and District Group. Our Administration Volunteers are the linchpin for our local groups’ activities. They act as the first point of contact and they make sure all relevant information is circulated to other volunteers and members. And they play an important role in keeping our data and details up to date to comply with data protection legislation.
In this role you’ll develop your administration and organisation skills. Most importantly you’ll be help your local group run efficiently, so they can keep providing valuable services to our MS community.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 2 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 area the group to carry out this role.
Please apply online.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a Romanian speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!
Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Romanian-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By giving just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference — offering companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.
� What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎️ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular calls, you’ll help build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and offer emotional support — especially for those more comfortable speaking Romanian.
� Why volunteer with us?
✔ Support members of the Romanian-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a real difference in someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your own sense of fulfilment and purpose
✅ What’s required?
✔ Completion of online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training
✔ A DBS check (both fully funded by us)
✔ A kind and compassionate approach, and a willingness to engage in friendly conversations
� How to get involved:
Apply through the CharityJob website — no previous experience needed.
This opportunity is open to UK residents only.
Help us bring connection and kindness to the Romanian-speaking community across the UK!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Blute
Blute provides AI-powered mental health support and data analytics to combat the catastrophic dropout rates among healthcare students, such as the 40% of UK nursing students who do not complete their training. The startup addresses the critical global deficit of healthcare workers, which is driven by students suffering emotional crises in silence during high-pressure clinical placements due to a lack of accessible support.
This issue perpetuates a cycle where understaffed hospitals offer poor training, leading to further trauma. Blute breaks this cycle by offering a conversational AI companion for judgment-free reflection and immediate guidance, acting like a supportive friend.
The crucial innovation is transforming the essence of these private interactions into actionable data. This allows universities to identify high-risk students and intervene with targeted support, transforming struggling students into resilient professionals. By doing so, Blute directly supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including strengthening the health workforce (Goal 3) and ensuring supportive, inclusive healthcare training (Goal 4).
Compliance Officer
️ Compliance Officer (Part-Time/Flexible) – Join the Mission at Blute!
Are you ready to use your compliance superpowers to help solve the healthcare staffing crisis?
At Blute, we’re not just building an app; we're building the safety net for the next generation of healthcare professionals. Blute empowers universities with real-time student data to elevate wellbeing and career readiness, ensuring higher retention and a stronger healthcare workforce.
We're looking for an experienced, proactive Compliance Officer to ensure our commitment to healthcare student training and wellbeing is matched by our commitment to trust, security and regulation. This is a high-impact, flexible role crucial to our commercial success.
What You’ll Be Doing
Ultimately we need you to drive our compliance efforts so we can hit the ground running the moment a client wants to use our product.
Here is how you will make that happen:
- Lead the Way: Take full ownership of our compliance efforts, making sure Blute is completely ready to sell to universities and the NHS.
- Be Our Expert: Become our go-to person for all things data and security, including GDPR, how we store data, security rules and making sure our product is accessible to everyone. You’ll also research and prepare for any specific regulations or frameworks our UK university and NHS clients will ask us to meet.
- Drive the Compliance Tool: We've subscribed to a platform and service to help us get through compliance. You'll be the main user of this tool, actively finishing tasks to get us DTAC certified and meet other essential standards.
- Look Beyond the Platform: Don't just follow the checklist within this tool! You'll investigate any other regulations we need to meet and advise the team on how to stay fully compliant.
- Build Simple Rules: Advise on, write and update all our internal policies and procedures, creating a clear and simple rulebook for compliance needs and how the whole team works.
- Manage Our Risks: Lead the effort to spot and manage risks. This means creating and keeping track of potential security and compliance threats (our risk register) and planning how to avoid them to keep Blute safe.
- Keep Up with Paperwork: Handle all required paperwork and reporting to ensure Blute stays compliant in all necessary areas.
What We're Looking For:
- Proactive Leader: You don't wait for direction; you seek out challenges and know how to prioritise compliance risks in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience: Proven background in navigating regulatory landscapes, ideally within health tech, edtech, or highly regulated sectors (e.g., knowledge of UK data standards, clinical governance, or information security is a huge plus).
- Detail-Oriented: A passion for clarity, documentation, and making complex requirements easy for the whole team to understand.
Minimum Hours per Week:
4-6 hours per week
Duration:
3-5 months
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Village Solar
In Malawi, a significant portion of the population lacks reliable electricity infrastructure, leading to limited opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth. Village Solar strives to overcome these challenges by offering affordable and dependable solar energy solutions that can alleviate energy poverty, improve living conditions, and foster sustainable development in Malawian villages.
Architect
Village Solar is looking for a creative architect or designer to support the design of a small community facility in rural Malawi. The project involves creating a practical and inspiring space that supports community training and local entrepreneurship.
We are looking for someone who can:
- Help conceptualize the layout and structure of the facility
- Develop simple design sketches or blueprints suited to local conditions and materials
- Collaborate remotely with our team to ensure the design is functional, sustainable, and cost-effective
If you have experience in community architecture, low-cost or modular design, or sustainable construction, we would love to hear from you.
Minimum Hours per Week:
4-6 hours per week
Duration:
One-off project
We connect professionals with impact startups matching their causes, skills & schedule.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Two Temple Place is a magnificent neo-Tudor gem in central London, built in 1895 for William Waldorf Astor. In 2011 we opened our first annual free exhibition, and since then exhibitions have welcomed 460,000 visitors. We run a growing programme of cultural and community events designed to open our doors more often, to more people. We rely on our friendly and enthusiastic team of more than 180 volunteers to make our free exhibitions possible. We are recruiting volunteers for our 2026 exhibition, The Weight of Being, which will explore the profound ways in which external pressures shape artistic expression, mental health, and resilience, highlighting the power of art as a means of expression, resistance, and survival.
Volunteers provide support in a front of house role by:
•Welcoming and engaging with visitors
•Ensuring the safety of visitors and exhibition objects
•Providing information about the building, the exhibitions, and events
•Looking after the gallery spaces
•Helping us run the exhibition shop (optional)
We look to recruit volunteers who are:
•Friendly & polite
•Helpful & proactive
•Punctual & reliable
•Keen to learn & enthusiastic
We welcome people of all abilities and offer a supportive environment for those with additional needs. We provide all training for the role; no prior volunteering or gallery experience is needed, just enthusiasm and commitment!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Unify Giving CIC – UK Based / Remote
Unify Giving is growing — and we want to launch a merch page so people can support our mission through print-on-demand products. Every item sold will help fund our work: direct, safe, trackable giving to people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.
We’re looking for someone who knows their way around WordPress, WooCommerce and print-on-demand tools to help us make it happen.
What you’ll do
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Add and configure a merch/e-commerce page on our WordPress site.
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Integrate with a print-on-demand service (like Printful or Printify).
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Upload and format product listings, images and descriptions.
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Make sure the shop is smooth, simple and works for supporters.
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Advise on best practice for ongoing management.
Why this is for you
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Great portfolio project in web + e-commerce development.
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Work with a live UK social impact organisation.
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Minimum 5–10 hours per month, for at least 3 months.
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A chance to combine tech skills with a cause making real difference.
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Know that profits from the merch go straight back into our mission: helping individuals rebuild their lives.
Who we welcome
We don’t mind your background, age, or job status. If you’ve worked with WordPress and e-commerce tools before and want to use those skills for good, this is for you.
This is your chance to build something tangible that funds direct giving and creates lasting impact.
Connecting donors directly with individuals expriencing homelessness.

Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.
We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community by helping their local Oxfam shop to stay open for as long possible. We need people to open and close the shop, and ensure volunteers know what tasks to undertake so the shop can run smoothly.
No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!
You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.
By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.
What you will be doing
- Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
- Opening or closing the shop.
- Ensuring that the shop is ready to trade or cashing up at the end of trade
- Allocating tasks to members of the volunteer team.
- Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
- Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
- Researching valuable and vintage stock.
- Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
- Photographing and listing items for the online shop.
- This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.
The skills you need
- We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering
- Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required
- Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others
- Confident communicator
What's in it for you
- Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered)
- Access to training and development
- Grow your confidence and meet new people
- Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle
- Free confidential support by the Retail Trust
- Possible references for future employers
We are Oxfam Together we can create a more equal future, free from poverty.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you obsessed with making short-form videos that grab attention, inspire action, and build communities? Do you thrive on creating reels, TikToks, and YouTube shorts that people actually stop scrolling for?
What will you be doing?
We’re breaking barriers to employment for jobseekers across the UK who are too often shut out because of age, background, or “imperfect” career paths. With your video skills, we can amplify their voices and show the world the value of untapped talent.
Your focus will be video-first content that connects, inspires, and drives growth:
- Filming, editing, and publishing short-form videos (reels, stories, TikTok/YouTube shorts) that showcase our work and motivate jobseekers.
- Repurposing longer content into bite-sized, shareable clips.
- Creating social-first trailers and snippets.
- Adding engaging captions, subtitles, and visuals that boost watch time and shares.
- Testing new video trends and formats to grow our reach on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
What are we looking for?
We’d love you to bring:
- Proven skills in video creation and editing (reels, shorts, TikTok-style).
- Experience with tools like Canva, or similar.
- A creative eye for storytelling and pacing that works in under 60 seconds.
- A collaborative, can-do mindset and great communication skills.
- The ability to adapt and deliver impactful content in a small not-for-profit environment.
What’s in it for you?
- A chance to shine as a video-first content creator with real creative freedom.
- Portfolio-worthy projects that showcase your ability to build audiences through video.
- Learning opportunities through our Practice Hub to grow your own skills.
- Collaboration with our Director, who will support you with strategy and ideas to fuel your success.
What difference will you make?
Your videos will do more than entertain; they’ll help real people get jobs, rebuild confidence, and prove that careers aren’t defined by age, background, or “perfect” CVs.
This is your chance to use your creativity, storytelling, and video skills to change lives, one reel at a time.
Please provide a brief cover letter explaining why you would like to volunteer with us. Interviews will be an informal online chat with our Director.
Must have Right to Work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Inspiring, supportive, and committed - just a few of the words we’d use to describe our volunteers.
At Rethink Mental Illness, volunteers are at the heart of what we do. They play a vital role in supporting our services and making a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can have a positive impact while developing your own skills and experience, we’d love you to join us.
About the role
We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent.
As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering.
You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.
About the service
Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above, who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust Central and North West London (CNWL).
The Befriending Service aims to;
- Reduce social isolation of service users
- Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
- Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users
- Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
- Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
- Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness
What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:
- Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
- Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
- Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
- Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
- Act as a community connector to local services
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- You will have good communication skills
- You will be flexible to meet the needs of the service users
How to apply
To apply, simply click the “apply now” button on the advert on our website and complete a short interest form.
If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.
Who are we?
We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”
It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
We’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
ROLDA UK is a registerd charity that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes stray dogs and cats in both Romania and the Ukraine.
As a Champion for ROLDA, you will play a crucial role in driving our online and in-person fundraising efforts. This position is ideal for a passionate individual dedicated to animal welfare who wants to help make a tangible difference towards our rescue efforts. In tandem with the ROLDA team, you will lead initiatives, develop strategies, and inspire supporters to contribute to ROLDA’s mission, amplifying our impact.
Key Responsibilities:
● Fundraising Strategy Development: Collaborate with ROLDA’s leadership to create and implement innovative online and in-person fundraising campaigns.
● Campaign Management: Coordinate and execute engaging, high-impact fundraising campaigns, such as peer-to-peer fundraisers, social media drives, and seasonal events.
● Event Leadership: Organise and attend fundraising events, representing ROLDA in the community. Recruit and manage a team of event volunteers when necessary.
● Donor Engagement: Foster relationships with existing and potential donors, recognise and thank contributors, and cultivate new support channels.
● Social Media Outreach: Collaborate with the social media team to create content that promotes fundraising efforts and highlights donor stories and campaign updates.
● Reporting and Goal Setting: Set and track fundraising goals, prepare reports to measure progress, and share outcomes with the team to enhance future initiatives.
Requirements:
● Previous experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, or community engagement (experience in nonprofit organisations is a plus)
● Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to connect with a diverse audience
● Self-motivated and able to work independently, managing multiple projects and deadlines
● Availability to attend periodic in-person events
● Passionate about animal welfare and committed to ROLDA’s mission
● Ability to pass a background check
Time Commitment:
● Flexible hours, with a minimum commitment of 5 hours per week
● Availability for occasional in-person events in your area
Benefits:
● Opportunity to make a direct impact on animal rescue efforts
● Gain experience in fundraising, project management, and community engagement
● Collaborate with a dedicated, like-minded team working toward meaningful change
If you’re ready to lead our fundraising efforts and drive positive change for animals in need, we’d love to hear from you!
Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by advocating for them and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.



Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What we're looking for
We're looking for enthusiastic, creative and organised people across the nation to be a Community Fundraising Volunteer. Around 90 per cent of our income comes from our supporters and we couldn't continue doing what we do without them. That means, our community fundraising volunteers play a really important part in rallying people together to raise vital funds which help to protect children and prevent abuse.
What you'll do
You'll volunteer without regular time commitments, ‘as and when' volunteering! Engage with the public, organisations and local communities – promoting a positive image of the NSPCC! You'll be a valued part of one of our Volunteer Community Fundraising Teams across the UK, raising awareness and funds. We appreciate that work, family and friends come first and, with that in mind, this role offers flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle. You only need to commit to a couple of hours a month, but if you want to do more that would be great.
What you'll get
We'll support you with advice, skills and tools to help you fundraise and spread the word of the NSPCC. You'll learn more about how you're helping to protect children across the UK, and you'll have the opportunity to grow your skills and inspire others to support us. It's also a chance to spend time with like-minded people and make new friends.
Who's right for the role?
While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experiences.
- Passionate about helping young people and children
- Enthusiastic and personable
- Strong organisational skills
- Able to think on your feet
- You work well within a team
- Great communication and social skills
We are currently unable to accept applications from under 18's to this role, please view our other volunteering opportunities.
Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you a Christian with a passion for addressing the climate and biodiversity crises? Do you believe the Church has a vital role to play in this work?
One of the UK’s first faith-based climate charities, Operation Noah was established in 2004 as an ecumenical Christian response to the climate crisis. Over the past twenty years, we have become known as a small charity that makes a big impact – not only in the UK, but around the world.
From our environmentally-themed Bible study Tenants of the King, to the creation of the Climate Sunday service, to getting nearly every UK denomination to divest from fossil fuels, Operation Noah has engaged with thousands of Christians on the climate and nature crises, built coalitions to lobby the government, and moved millions of pounds out of oil, gas and coal.
Operation Noah is looking for new trustees to help lead our mission to inspire and equip the Church to take action on climate change. In this voluntary position, you will play an active role in shaping the strategic direction of the charity and supporting its growth. We are especially looking for people with skills in Human Resources or Fundraising.
Commitments from our Board of Trustees include:
- Attending approximately six board meetings per year (held via Zoom or hybrid from London, lasting around two hours)
- Using your professional skills to support strategic decision-making
- Some of your time. Trustees on average give 2-4 hours per month to the charity, though some trustees with increased levels of responsibility give 5-10 hours of their time monthly
Nicky Bull, Operation Noah Trustee from June 2012 to December 2023, said this:
‘My time in post was a hugely rewarding experience. I had very little specialist knowledge but I was concerned that climate change was not seen as a crucial issue within the Christian Church and it has been really encouraging to see the changes that have taken place over the last decade and to be part of an enthusiastic team helping to bring about those changes. I have learned a great deal and would really recommend anyone to join the inspirational group of people who are the trustees of Operation Noah.’
Operation Noah is a Christian charity working with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
As a Trustee at NSDAS with a focus on the Treasurer role, you will play a vital part in ensuring the financial stability and integrity of the charity. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees CEO and Finance Manager to oversee the financial management of the charity, providing strategic guidance and ensuring compliance with certain regulatory requirements.
The role of the Treasurer
·Oversee the charity’s financial management and reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability.
·Work closely with the CEO and Board to develop a long-term financial strategy.
·Ensure compliance with charity finance regulations and best practices.
·Contribute to financial reports to the Board, making complex information accessible and actionable.
·Manage and review the work of the Finance Manager.
North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS) supports anyone affected by domestic abuse and their children living in the boroughs of Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Epsom and Ewell. We provide free, confidential and independent advice, skilled practical help and ongoing emotional support and information, regardless of sex, race, ability, gender, religion or income level.
Join the board of YMCA and help its work supporting communities through training, wellbeing and social inclusion.
Location: London, WC1H
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 17th November
Who we are
Established in 1844, Central YMCA is the founding organisation of the global YMCA movement, now present in over 120 countries.
Central YMCA works at local, regional and national levels, providing high-quality education, training and qualifications. As one of the largest charity Independent Training Providers in the country and the holder of substantial contracts from the Department for Education, Central YMCA provides education and opportunities for employment for young people and adults, irrespective of their background and experience. We work with some of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and we believe we can have the greatest impact for those falling through gaps in provision or struggling to engage with mainstream provision.
The sectors in which we work have been carefully selected to reflect the Charity’s commitment to supporting careers in areas that are essential for building strong communities. We deliver employability courses, qualifications and apprenticeships in Health and Fitness, Health and Social Care, Early Years and Education, Horticulture and Business Services. We work with key partners in each sector to promote our courses and amplify our reach.
Some of our work is strategically based in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; supporting the vulnerable and those on low incomes, those who have low prior attainment and are facing personal challenges, alongside those needing support through life transitions.
Through our awarding and end-point assessment organisation, Central YMCA also develops qualifications and learning and assessment resources to enable learners to start or develop their careers, predominantly in the physical activity and wellness sector.
Founded in the heart of London in 1844, Central YMCA is the world’s very first YMCA. For over 180 years, we’ve been inspiring people to reach their full potential in body, mind, and spirit. From pioneering youth education and fitness programmes to supporting communities through training, wellbeing, and social inclusion, Central YMCA has always stood for positive change.
Today, we continue that proud tradition by offering recognised training and qualifications, and a range of community programmes that empower people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe in opportunity for everyone — no matter your starting point. Whether you want to improve your health, gain new skills, or make a difference, Central YMCA is here to help you grow stronger, together.
Central YMCA — A historic legacy. A modern movement. Your community.
About the roles
Chair of Trustees
As Chair, you will provide inspirational leadership and clear direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance, long-term sustainability, and strategic excellence across all that we do. You will play a pivotal role in supporting and constructively challenging our CEO and senior leadership team to deliver lasting social impact and drive performance across the organisation.
This is a rare opportunity to help guide one of the most respected charities in the UK as we continue our mission to break barriers to life-enhancing opportunities through education, training, health, and wellbeing.
As Chair, you will:
- Lead the Board of Trustees, ensuring that governance is robust, inclusive, and forward-looking.
- Provide strategic oversight, helping shape the Charity’s vision, policy, and direction.
- Champion Central YMCA’s mission and values, ensuring decisions are aligned with our charitable purpose.
- Support and hold to account the CEO and senior team, ensuring effective delivery of the organisation’s aims.
- Represent Central YMCA externally – across the YMCA movement and with key stakeholders, partners, and policy makers.
- Oversee Board development, succession planning, and the recruitment of new Trustees to maintain a diverse and skilled team.
Chair of the Resources Committee
The Chair of the Resources Committee leads on financial stewardship, ensuring the Charity’s funds and resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in line with our charitable objectives and legal obligations. The Committee oversees finance, investments, HR, IT, and other resource-related areas.
As Committee Chair, you will:
- Lead the Resources Committee, ensuring meetings are well-organised, effective, and aligned with the Charity’s governance framework.
- Provide strategic guidance and oversight on finance, staffing, and resource allocation.
- Advise the Board on the financial implications of major decisions and long-term plans.
- Lead the annual budget review and monitor performance against financial plans and reserves policies.
- Ensure robust management of investments, reserves, and overall financial sustainability.
- Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and senior team to support effective resource planning.
- Liaise with the Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee to strengthen financial controls and risk management.
- Support the preparation and presentation of annual accounts, ensuring clarity and transparency.
- Keep the Board informed of its financial duties and promote openness in public reporting.
Safeguarding Trustee
The Safeguarding Trustee works closely with the CEO and Designated Safeguarding Leads to provide assurance to the Board that safeguarding remains a strategic priority across the Charity. They ensure our safeguarding framework is robust, effective, and fully compliant with legal, regulatory, and sector expectations.
As Safeguarding Trustee, you will:
- Provide assurance to the Board on the effectiveness of safeguarding practices and compliance with statutory requirements.
- Offer guidance and expertise in developing and monitoring the Charity’s safeguarding, child protection, and Prevent strategies, policies, and action plans.
- Ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded in all strategic decisions and risk management processes.
- Champion a strong, transparent, and inclusive safeguarding culture aligned with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitments.
- Ensure arrangements meet legislative and regulatory expectations, including Ofsted and statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education.
- Work with trustees and senior staff to embed safeguarding across all learning environments and youth-focused provision.
- Monitor the implementation of safeguarding and Prevent action plans, escalating risks or concerns to the Board where necessary.
- Provide assurance that safeguarding concerns are reported, escalated, and addressed appropriately, with clear routes for staff, learners, and the public to raise issues.
- Represent Central YMCA’s safeguarding commitment externally, promoting best practice with partners, funders, and sector bodies.
- Attend Board meetings, relevant sub-committees, and safeguarding briefings, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and Prevent developments.
- Support transparency by promoting public visibility of safeguarding arrangements, including statements and reporting routes.
Who we are looking for
Chair of Trustees
We are seeking a Chair who:
- Brings a strong commitment to Central YMCA’s values and purpose.
- Demonstrates inclusive, strategic, and inspiring leadership.
- Has experience of governance, either in a charity, public, or corporate setting.
- Is confident working with senior executives to balance support with appropriate challenge.
- Has the ability to represent Central YMCA with credibility and integrity across a wide range of audiences.
- Brings strong networks and the ability to connect the organisation to new opportunities and partnerships.
- Proven experience in governance — ideally as a Chair, Trustee, or Non-Executive Director — within the charity sector, social impact organisations, or relevant industries.
- The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
- The confidence to make informed decisions under pressure, even when challenging majority opinions, and to provide constructive challenge and influence at Board level.
Chair of Resources Committee
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or substantial senior financial management experience.
- A strong understanding of education and charity finance, SORP, and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Excellent analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to exercise good judgement and interpret complex information.
- The ability to chair meetings effectively, foster collaboration, and build consensus.
- A solid understanding of governance principles, business models, finance, funding, and charity regulation compliance.
- The interpersonal skills to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Safeguarding Trustee
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Experience of overseeing safeguarding arrangements in an education or youth care setting (including children’s social services or local authority), with direct experience managing safeguarding issues affecting young people aged 14+.
- Strong working knowledge of government safeguarding, Prevent, and child protection strategies, as well as safer recruitment practices.
- Familiarity with Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding and governance expectations for trustees.
- Commitment to promoting and supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of the Charity’s work.
- Experience of working at a senior level in post-16 or vocational education, or within a local authority involved in education policy or strategy.
Why join Central YMCA?
At Central YMCA, we’ve been changing lives for over 180 years. Today, we continue to support people from all walks of life through education, employability, health, and wellbeing programmes. Joining us as Chair offers a unique chance to shape the next chapter in this proud history – ensuring we remain as relevant, inclusive, and impactful as ever.
If you are an accomplished leader who believes in the power of community and lifelong opportunity, we would love to hear from you.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.
South Bank Students’ Union is unapologetic about doing things differently. Bring your expertise as a Trustee to their Board and support their next strategic phase.
Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November.
South Bank Students’ Union is the representative body of 15,000 students at London South Bank University. We are dedicated to creating a Union that is relevant, responsive and transformative for a diverse student body, from carers and nurses to entrepreneurs and last-chance learners. Our bold changes over recent years have doubled student engagement and positioned us for an ambitious strategic future.
The ideal candidate will have experience in, or a strong understanding of, financial management, especially with regard to charity finance and developing long-term strategic financial plans and reserve strategies. The ideal candidate will also understand HR principles.
If you are enthusiastic about using your skills to make a tangible difference for students from all walks of life and want to be part of a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation, this is the role for you. You will play a key part in shaping strategy while influencing key decisions that directly improve student experiences, and helping to ensure the Union maintains robust governance, financial resilience, and a strong foundation for continued success.
Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 17th November.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

