Volunteer roles in somerset

Join the leading national charity dedicated to supporting premature and sick babies, their families and NHS staff. We are recruiting for up to four new Trustees to join Bliss’ passionate and dedicated Board.

Who are we looking for?

We are recruiting up to four new Trustees to join our passionate and dedicated Board, and are keen to increase the range of voices on the Board to bring in different experiences and skills, which is essential if we are to make the best decisions for Bliss and for the babies we serve. 

You don’t need to have been a Trustee before, nor do you need to have direct neonatal experience, as long as you are passionate about improving neonatal care across the UK.

In this round of Trustee recruitment we are particularly interested in bringing the skills and experience of younger individuals (under 30), those from minority ethnic communities, and those with lived experience of or insight into socio-economic disadvantage.

We are also keen to hear from people who bring one (or more!) of the following:

• Experience of AI and data, with the ability to apply this to an organisation of Bliss’ size and scale
• Experience of marketing or branding, and the knowledge of how this applies in the context of the charitable sector
• A neonatal healthcare professional – we are particularly interested in recruiting an allied health professional / psychology professional
• A professionally qualified accountant.

How to apply

For more details about the role and how to apply, including the support that Bliss provides to Trustees, please see the Bliss website and the attached recruitment pack.

Recruitment timeline

• The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 13th May 2025
• Interviews will be held online in June
• Successful candidates will take part in induction meetings over the summer, before joining the Board away day in September and being formally appointed at the October 2025 Board meeting.

NACE is the UK’s leading charity that supports and champions the education of more able learners. With over 40 years of experience, NACE works with a diverse network of member schools, leaders in education and practitioners to increase challenge for all learners. We believe that that all young people, including the more able, are entitled to have the opportunity to develop their abilities without limits – no matter what barriers to learning they may face and no matter what school they attend.  

To support us in developing our strategic objectives and advancing our plans for the future, we are seeking new Trustees to join NACE’s Board with a passion for public service and sufficient time at their disposal to help us positively impact the lives of young people. Whilst an interest in or knowledge of education is desirable, it is not a pre-requisite. The role includes holding the executive leaders of NACE to account, plus agreeing and overseeing the strategic direction of the organisation whilst ensuring that resources are deployed to achieve maximum effectiveness.

The general responsibilities of trustees:

• Ensure that the Association complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Ensure that the Association pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

• Ensure the Association applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.

• Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the Association, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• Safeguard the good name and values of the Association.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Association.

• Seek to ensure the financial stability of the Association.

In addition to these statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve:

Scrutinising board papers; Leading discussions; Focusing on key issues; Providing guidance on new initiatives; Other issues in which the Trustee has specialist expertise.

Terms of appointment

The initial term is for a period of three years.

The maximum term of office for a Trustee should be nine years, with two cycles of three years and then the option of a further one, two or three years. 

The Trustees meet four times each year as a Board. Three of these meetings are now held online, in September, November and March. The final meeting of the academic year is held in-person in June.

If you are interested in applying to join the NACE board, please send us your CV and an expression of interest by Friday 9th May. Interviews will take place on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May.

The interview process will involve current Board members so you will have the opportunity to meet some of the people with whom you could be working in the future.

Trusteeship is a voluntary, unpaid role, but if you possess the energy and skills to make a real contribution to enhancing the educational achievement of young people, you will find the work extremely rewarding.

If you want to make a difference and you share the ambitions and aspirations of the current NACE Board, please apply to become a Trustee. You will be warmly welcomed.

Join the Civil Aid Voluntary Rescue Association (CAVRA) and Make a Difference - Nationwide (England & Wales)

Benefits of Volunteering:
Step into a role that offers immense personal satisfaction and the chance to make a real impact in your community. As a Community Emergency Volunteer (CEV), you will be at the forefront of emergency response efforts, working alongside emergency services and other organizations. This role not only allows you to contribute meaningfully during crises but also provides a pathway to progress into more specialized roles within the National Emergency Resilience Support Unit (NERSU) for dedicated volunteers.

Role Overview:
As a CEV, your tasks will vary based on community needs. Activities could range from administrative support, making refreshments, and transporting equipment, to more hands-on tasks like clearing debris from flooding, setting up rest centres, and delivering crucial information to residents. You will always work in small teams or paired with a buddy, ensuring a collaborative and supportive environment.

Skills and Experience Required:
- Must be over 18 years old.
- Applies good common sense in decision-making
- Enthusiastic about helping others in times of crisis.
- Ability to follow instructions to ensure safety.
- Strong teamwork skills, as solitary work is minimal.
- Access to personal transportation is beneficial for attending training sessions and deployments.

Commitment and Location:
The frequency and location of your assistance will vary depending on the nature of the emergency. CEV Units are established for each local council area across the UK, supported by County and Regional Leads. While local deployment is the norm, larger incidents may require travel, though this is voluntary.

Support and Training:
Volunteers will receive an online induction and necessary training to perform effectively. Membership with CAVRA includes essential equipment (Polo Shirt, Hi-Vis Jacket, ID) upon application and payment of the annual membership fee. A CEV Team Leader will be present at incidents to coordinate activities and provide support. Volunteers are covered by the Charity’s Liability Insurance, provided all administrative requirements are met.

Personal Growth:
This role offers free training, new knowledge about emergencies, and the chance to develop skills not typically encountered in everyday life. It’s an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, engage in diverse activities, and experience the rewarding nature of volunteering. Improve your mental health and well-being while making a tangible difference in your community.

Additional Information:
Your data will be securely managed by CAVRA admin staff. Membership costs £50.00 per year, including your initial uniform and ID. A DBS check, costing £21.50, is required.

Interested?
Visit their recruitment page -CAVRA  on the Join Us page. Once your application is reviewed, you will be contacted regarding an induction session.

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.

URBAN YOUTH - VOLUNTEER WITH US!

New Start-Up - New Beginning - Endless Opportunities

We're looking for organised and enthusiastic individuals to join us at Urban Youth as a Volunteer in a Remote Role, supporting our Back Office functions, where you will play a crucial role in supporting our mission to make a meaningful impact on young people’s lives across London.

What Help We Need?

1. Administration

• Keeping accurate records of participants and activities.

• Managing schedules for events, sessions, and staff/volunteers.

• Preparing budgets and monitoring expenses.

• Maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

2. Human Resources or Volunteer Coordination 

• Recruitment and training of volunteers.

• Managing HR-related documentation (e.g., agreements, DBS checks, policies).

• Providing ongoing support and development for team members.

3. Training and Development

• Offering youth work training to ensure volunteers understand best practices in working with young people.

• Delivering workshops on communication, conflict resolution, code of conduct and safeguarding.

• Providing continuous learning opportunities, such as leadership and mentoring programmes.

4. Marketing and Communications

• Promoting Urban Youth through social media, newsletters, and local partnerships.

• Designing materials (flyers, posters, etc.) to attract members and supporters.

• Maintaining our website to communicate our mission, events, and achievements.

5. Fundraising and Finance

• Sourcing grants and donations.

• Organising fundraising events.

• Keeping financial records and preparing annual reports for donors and stakeholders.

6. Technology and Data Management

• Implementing software for participant tracking, event management, and communication.

• Maintaining a secure database for storing sensitive information.

• Using tools to measure impact and generate reports.

7. Safeguarding

• Developing policies to ensure the safety of young people in our care.

• Training volunteers on safeguarding practices.

• Conducting regular risk assessments.

8. Operational Support

• Managing physical spaces, equipment, and supplies.

• Ensuring facilities meet health and safety standards.

• Establishing contingency plans for unexpected challenges.

We're Urban Youth

Urban Youth is an exciting and vibrant new start-up youth work organisation based in London, passionate about empowering London's youth to get involved, discover their path, and shape their destiny. Our vibrant community organisation is dedicated to uplifting young people through engaging, impactful youth work activities that inspire growth, connection, and self-discovery.

JOIN US AT URBAN YOUTH

Get Involved | Discover YOUR Path | Shape YOUR Destiny

URBAN YOUTH - VOLUNTEER WITH US!

New Start-Up - New Beginning - Endless Opportunities

Are you a creative and tech-savvy individual with a passion for digital engagement? Urban Youth is looking for a dedicated and innovative Social Media and Digital Volunteer to join our team. In this role, you’ll help boost Urban Youth’s online presence and connect with young people across London through engaging content and digital strategies.

In this role, you will:

• Manage our Social Media Platforms, take charge of Urban Youth’s social media accounts, creating fresh, exciting content that inspires, informs, and engages.

• Develop Digital Campaigns, by planning and executing impactful online campaigns that promote our youth programmes and attract support from the community.

• Create Multimedia Content, by designing graphics, edit videos, and write compelling posts to showcase our work and connect with our audience.

• Engage with our Online Community, by building relationships and interacting with followers on social media, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

• Analyse Performance, by tracking and reporting on engagement metrics, helping us refine our approach and maximise our impact.

• Stay Ahead of Trends, by keeping up with the latest social media and digital marketing trends to ensure Urban Youth remains relevant and innovative.

We're Urban Youth

Urban Youth is an exciting and vibrant new start-up youth work organisation based in London, passionate about empowering London's youth to get involved, discover their path, and shape their destiny. Our vibrant community organisation is dedicated to uplifting young people through engaging, impactful youth work activities that inspire growth, connection, and self-discovery.

JOIN US AT URBAN YOUTH

Get Involved | Discover YOUR Path | Shape YOUR Destiny

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable KS3 Science 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 KS3 Science. 
• Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

What are we looking for? 

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS2 and KS3 Science concepts and specifications.
• 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

Location 

• Remote/Online

Time 

• 1 Hour per Week 
•  Duration: 14 Weeks minimum

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable KS3 Art 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 KS3 Art. 
• Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

What are we looking for? 

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS3 Art curriculum, skills and specifications.
• 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

Location 

• Remote/Online

Time 

• 1 Hour per Week 
•  Duration: 14 Weeks minimum

Sustainability Research Volunteer
People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2025/26 People & Planet
University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate
justice criteria.
Universities impart skills and knowledge, form life-long beliefs and behaviours, act as centres of
communities, employ, house and feed large numbers of people and promote the creation and
sharing of knowledge. We believe this makes them uniquely placed to lead on environmental and
ethical issues. For this reason the People & Planet University League has been running since 2007
and has been published by high-profile media partners such as The Guardian (2021, 2022. 2023,
2024) and whose data is used in the Sunday Time Good University Guide.
Volunteers will research publicly available university documents and assess universities against
our marking criteria, which cover a wide range of climate and social justice issues including
decarbonisation, fossil fuel divestment, ethical banking, workers’ rights and environmental
management among others. This work will help to incentivise the university sector towards taking
immediate and appropriate action on the climate crisis and upholding the rights and wellbeing of all
people internationally.

The role will develop and improve the following areas:
●​ Qualitative research skills
●​ Attention to detail
●​ Use of data collection software
●​ Time management and keeping to deadlines
●​ Working independently and remotely
●​ Communication skills
●​ Knowledge of environmental management processes and sustainability reporting.

Training is provided for the role. We believe the skills and experience gained could be valuable for
a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates
management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others.
People & Planet would like to support volunteers in their future careers, so will give all volunteers
an official reference letter on successful completion of their placement and will act as a referee for
future positions for which you may apply. From last year’s cohort, 100% said they would
recommend this position to someone who wanted to add experience to their CV.

Feedback from previous volunteers
‘I think as someone looking for relevant experience to bolster a CV, this is a helpful and
not-too-time-consuming position. It had exactly the kind of flexibility that I required at this point in time.’
‘It's a really great opportunity to hone one's research skills, learn more about what our universities can do to
improve their impact on the planet, and make a small but real difference.’

Person Specification -the following are essential:

• Access to a computer or laptop and internet connection.
• Familiarity with desk-based research.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently to agreed standards.
• Reliability and commitment to completing work to deadlines.Sustainability Research Volunteer
• Able to communicate needs with staff at People & Planet and if needed, ask for appropriate
• support to complete tasks in time.
• Ability to search policy documents for specific information in English.
• Ability to assess information against standardised frameworks.
• Ability to work remotely and independently

The following are desirable:

●​ Awareness of current issues in sustainability and ethics.
●​ Experience of research and data collection.
●​ An interest in higher education policy.
You will need to commit to
●​ Two 25 hour weeks of remote work in July and August.
●​ 5 hours work per day for the two week period. Volunteers can manage their own time
flexibly and will receive support from People & Planet, but must meet task deadlines on a
weekly basis and attend a short daily meeting.
●​ One half day of remote training and induction the week prior to your 2 week engagement.
●​ Attending a brief meeting in the morning or afternoon each day and one individual check-in
meeting in week 1.

Summer timetable
June 30th-July 11th Ethical Investment and Banking, Ethical Careers and Recruitment,
Education for Sustainable Development. Training and induction w/c 23rd June
July 21st-1st August Sustainable Food, Staff & HR, Environmental Policy and Strategy
Training and induction w/c 14th July
August 11th-August 22nd Managing Carbon, Workers’ Rights, Staff and Student
Engagement, Environmental Management and Auditing. Training and induction w/c August
4th

Application

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so please apply early to
avoid disappointment. The deadline for applications is Friday June the 6th 2025
Candidates will need to attend a non-competitive group recruitment session and complete an
online self-access task before being invited to volunteer with us.
Please let us know if you have specific access needs and what we can do to make the interview,
training and volunteer experience more accessible to you, including organising a one-on-one
interview. We welcome people with hearing loss, deaf and or disabled people to apply for thisSustainability Research Volunteer volunteer opportunity -unfortunately we don't use BSL so would need to make alternative support provisions for the training, unless a BSL interpreter can join you. If you have specific needs where
we might support you by making this volunteering opportunity more accessible, please let us know via email
People & Planet welcome applications from BAME folks and people of colour, from disabled people, from LGBTQI*people, from people who speak English as a second language, from people who identify as non-binary gender, from women, from people of different ages, from people with caring responsibilities and from people with irregular migration status, people seeking asylum in the UK or with a migrant background, folks with a working class background, and everyone else.

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable KS3 English 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 KS3 English curriculum. 
• Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

What are we looking for? 

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS2 and KS3 English concepts and specifications.
• 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

Location 

• Remote/Online

Time 

• 1 Hour per Week 
•  Duration: 14 Weeks minimum

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable KS3 Maths 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 KS3 Maths. 
• Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

What are we looking for? 

• Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS2 and KS3 Maths concepts and specifications.
• 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

Location 

• Remote/Online

Time 

• 1 Hour per Week 
•  Duration: 14 Weeks minimum

We are looking for trustees with skills and experience to join our board of trustees.  We are specially keen for people with experiece in all sorts of charity work specially HR, Fundraising, accounting and finance plus governance. Meetings usually take place in the evenings, someone who lives in and around West London would be ideal as we prefare meetings to be in person eventhough we also meet virtually. We would like to encourage young trustees to apply as we are short of young trsutees at the moment.  Please only apply if you're legal resident of the UK and have the right to work in UK.

Thanks

Mohamed Ahmed

CEO

AMP is recruiting trustees!

Are you an open minded, positive thinking team player with a willingness to learn and a belief that young people from all backgrounds should have access to music opportunities?

AMP is seeking motivated and dynamic individuals from age 18 upwards who are passionate about wanting the voices of young people to be heard.

We would particularly like to hear from people with expertise in fundraising and income diversification, marketing and communications, alternative education provision, and advocacy. We would also like to hear from people from under-represented and marginalised groups.

Who are we?

We’re AMP, and we’re a youth music development charity. We champion the transformative potential of music for children and young people. Music has the power to change lives – raising aspirations, enabling personal and social development, enhancing career prospects. We work with trusted partners to deliver high quality music making activities to those in challenging circumstances, including rural isolation and economic deprivation. We are here to strengthen and support the sector through workforce development and the building of strategic partnerships, and we advocate for the wide-ranging benefits of music-making. We’re proud to put youth voice, and young people themselves, at the heart of what we do.

Our story began in 2001, as AMP, with the vision that all young people in North Yorkshire should have the opportunity to actively engage in music, regardless of their circumstances. We’re so proud of all we’ve achieved to date. The world has changed so much since we started our work, and so have we. And that’s why we’ve found our new name, AMP.

Since 2019 we have engaged over 12,000 young people and their families in person, making us one of the biggest music and education charities in the region. And we’ve reached a further 432,000 online!

Why become a trustee?

As a trustee, you can make a real difference that can help countless others realise and achieve their musical potential, develop new skills and help them in their future careers. Being a trustee will provide you with insight into how charities are run and developed, as well as providing a platform to get actively involved in discussions about future projects, directly contributing to AMP’s work. This is a huge opportunity to contribute to shaping positive futures for children and young people with the least opportunity, especially those in rurally-isolated areas.

We’re proud that we reflect young people’s voices on our board. Currently only 3% of trustees in the UK are under the age of 30, yet 45% of AMP’s trustees are under 30. Young trustees who join us will gain valuable transferable skills for future employment.

What does it involve?

You will be expected to attend four meetings a year. This is a voluntary position, but you will have travel reimbursed. Trustees are involved in governance and strategic guidance but not in the delivery of operations. Their role is to ensure the charity is successfully delivering its aims and objectives. AMP will support all new trustees through a process of induction, training and mentoring. You do not need to be based in North Yorkshire, and many of our meetings take place online. You do not need any former trustee experience to commit to this role.

We are hosting an Away Day in York on Friday 16 May, and would welcome you to attend. Please do apply anyway if you are unavailable on this date.

Interested? Get in touch!

We welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds and cultures. We are an inclusive organisation and can make reasonable adjustments to application processes, interviews, training sessions and other activities on a case-by-case basis. We also provide ongoing support for the individuals we work with, so if you have particular accessibility needs, please do get in touch and let us know.

Application is by a letter (max. 1 side A4) or short two-minute video, outlining why you want to be a trustee and how you feel your skills and experiences would benefit AMP. You can also contact us to discuss an alternative format of your choosing if none of the above is suitable or your preferred option.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 5 May 2025

What our beneficiaries say about AMP:

“I feel like I’m being taken seriously for the first time, and that is really empowering.” Young Producer from our youth voice programme, Plugged In.

“The nurture, encouragement, opportunity and care offered to the young musicians is a delight to behold.” Teacher

“AMP has been a real trailblazer…It continues to support and embed musically inclusive practice both nationally and within North Yorkshire…putting young people at the heart of their delivery…It is a great organisation to have in our portfolio.” Michelle Myrie, Grants and Learning Officer, Youth Music.

“We have been working with AMP for many years. Thanks to the array of CPD opportunities and the organisational development support it has give us, we have transformed from working as freelancers and become a Community Interest Company (CIC). AMP has supported us every step of the way.” Flash Company Arts

Further information about the role and how to apply

Trustee Duties include:

· Attending meetings four times a year (one every 3 months, usually in March, June, September and December). Meeting last between 1½ and 2 hours. We are flexible in scheduling meeting times, to reflect the availability of trustees. We usually meet online with an annual in-person meeting in York.

· Read meeting papers before meetings.

· Maintain contact with AMP staff, providing your opinion on particular matters as required.

· Participate in appropriate training / learning opportunities offered through AMP

· Attend AMP events and be an advocate for the charity

Deadline for applications: 5pm, Monday 5 May 2025

Guidance

Applicants should read the following Charity Commission guidance on the role of charity trustees, their main duties and legal obligations. This is available here.

Further information about AMP:

· AMP Annual Review 2023-24

· Charity Overview of AMP on the Charity Commission website.

· AMP’s latest Annual Trustees’ Report and Accounts on the Charity Commission website.

· Find out more about AMP here.

· Our current projects

· Our professional networks

· Our trustees

For support on writing a CV:

· National Careers Service

· BBC guidance 

Every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their background. Action Tutoring is a charity dedicated to closing the attainment gap and creating a more equitable future for young people.

We're building a diverse community of tutors passionate about educational equity. We are seeking dedicated volunteers from all walks of life to tutor and support pupils facing socio-economic disadvantage in maths and English.

As a volunteer tutor, you’ll:

• Tutor a group of 1-3 pupils (primary or secondary), with options to support online or in-person.

• Dedicate just one hour a week for a 10-20 week programme.

We provide the resources - you bring your enthusiasm! You’ll use our workbooks to deliver your sessions.

Whether you're a university student, a working professional, retired or simply looking to give back, your hour a week can open doors to brighter futures for these young people and make a lasting impact.

What you'll gain:

• Comprehensive training (2-hour induction, technical training for online tutors, optional further skills training).

• Ongoing support from your dedicated programme coordinator.

• Structured session plans and workbooks.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

• Optional tutor socials and buddy system.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes. If your qualifications differ from those mentioned, we still encourage you to apply. Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: This is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our programmes run during term time, and you can sign up at ay time throughout the year.

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

Background to the Role

We are currently creating a brand new three-year strategy, setting out an exciting vision to support, promote and defend the mental health, rights and social position of young people. This follows a period of organisational growth, where expanding services into the North Somerset region, and working in partnership with the local statutory mental health provider, has increased our staffing to over 100 employees.

Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member who is skilled in effectively managing meetings for productive discussions. We are looking for someone with energy and drive and who will ensure robust governance, aligning strategy and operations. A number of our Trustees have been with us for less than a year and we also have a new CEO and a fairly new SLT, we are therefore looking for an experienced hand who is a skilled relationship manager and a decisive leader, capable of listening to all sides and finding compromise to make difficult decisions.

Main Responsibilities

• To be responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and management to the Board of Trustees, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of OTR.
• To chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• To plan the annual cycle of Board meetings.
• To set agendas for Board meetings and review minutes.
• To ensure the Scheme of Delegation to the CEO is reviewed and updated.
• To be knowledgeable about, and abide by, the Articles of Association and Charitable Purpose.
• To represent OTR at functions and meetings, and act as a spokesperson as appropriate.

Person Specification

• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative team member.
• Strategic vision.
• Able to display impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship from the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Excellent people management skills, and an ability to build trusting relationships with Trustees, senior staff, external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to make measured and fair judgements and decisions.
• A regard for Nolan's 7 principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Diversity and inclusion 

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all. We do not claim to be experts in this, but we are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey. 

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end, is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly. 

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism, and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary in order to improve access and ensure an equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR. 

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Off the Record (Bristol) in the recruitment of this role. Please click here to apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format. Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why is OTR’s work important to you and how can you contribute as our Chair?
• Your experience of working at a strategic level and of effective governance.
• How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level

Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application. 

The closing date for applications is Friday, 16th May. Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with the panel at OTR during the week beginning 2nd June.