Volunteer roles

We’re looking for trustees​

I’m Tom, Chair of the Board of Trustees for We The Curious. ​

We are looking for individuals with specific skills to join our trustee board who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future through science and creative experiences. ​

Following a prolonged closure due to Covid and then a fire in our venue, We The Curious reopened to the public in July of 2024. One year later we have newfound opportunities and challenges ahead and we need people with fresh perspectives and particular skills to help us continue to grow. ​

Finance – we are looking someone who is a chartered accountant and who has financial experience and expertise that they can bring to our board, as well as our Finance & Risk Assurance Committee​

Legal – we are looking for a qualified lawyer to bring strategic legal and compliance expertise to our board and our Finance and Risk Assurance Committee. ​

Fundraising – we are looking for someone with fundraising and development experience to join our board, and either our Purpose or Finance and Risk Assurance Committee.​

Education – we are looking for someone with experience in primary or secondary education​

If you feel energised by our charity, this opportunity and have expertise in any of these areas then we’d love to hear from you!​

Tom Betts, Chair of Board of Trustees, We The Curious​

What is a trustee?​

Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. They may be known by other titles, such as:​ Directors, board members, governors, committee members​

Whatever they are called, trustees are the people who work with our experienced leadership team to provide support, encouragement, challenge when needed and help to decide how the charity is run. Being a trustee means making decisions that will impact on people’s lives. As part of the board of trustees at We the Curious you will be making a difference to the community in Bristol and the surrounding area and helping us to connect and empower people through science. Trustees use their skills and experience to support their charities, helping them achieve their aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the board.​

-Charity Commission, find out more here​
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About We The Curious​

We The Curious is an educational charity and one of the UK’s leading science centres. ​

We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas around science, technology, natural history and the environment. ​

We work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.​

We are progressive, inquisitive, collaborative, playful and creative.​

Vision​

What if everyone is included, curious, inspired by science to build a better world together?​

Mission​

Our aim is to connect and empower people through sharing creative experiences which celebrate unknowns in science.​

Our work as a charity is driven by five key pledges:​

_Cultivate Curiosity​

_Include Everyone​

_Open Up Science​

_Sustainable Futures​

_Build Resilience​

You can find out more about these in our Manifesto.​

​What will you do in this role?​

As a trustee you will provide advice, knowledge and support to the leadership team at We The Curious. ​

With the steer of the Chair, the board of trustees ensures we pursue our purpose responsibly, are compliant with our governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation. The board will review and advise on best practice and appropriate policies and procedures and uphold excellent governance. ​

Below are some of the key areas of work generally as a trustee.​

As a trustee you will:​

_Contribute individual skills and knowledge in support of the vision and strategic delivery​

_Uphold the values of We The Curious​

_Safeguard and advocate for the work and vision of We The Curious​

_Act as ambassadors locally, nationally and internationally​

_Assist with the evaluation and review of the policies, goals and targets of the organisation​

_Encourage investment and growth​

_Drive innovation and change​

_Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and long-term financial stability​

_Contribute to working groups for specific focus on projects​

All Trustees should use their specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach informed decisions in the best interest of We The Curious. ​

This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussion and providing guidance as requested by the Board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of our work in which the trustee has expertise. ​

​Finance - as a trustee with strategic financial experience you will:​

_Help to provide financial oversight for the charity, ensuring resources are used, invested and spent in line with legal requirements​

_Ensure the charity complies with charity law and financial governance requirements​

_Advise the board and leadership team on when to seek external financial advice for complex matters​

_Join our finance and risk assurance committee and regularly monitor the management accounts and financial reporting with a view to becoming chair of the committee​

We are looking for qualified accountants with practical up-to-date knowledge of management accounting principles, financial reporting and charity finances, analytical skills and strategic thinking. ​

Legal -  as a trustee with legal expertise you will:​

_Contribute strategic advice to the board on the legal implications of our plans and initiatives​

_Advise the board and leadership team on when to seek external legal advice for complex matters​

_Ensure the charity complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant legislation ​

_Join our finance and risk assurance committee and work to manage any legal risks, ensuring policies and procedures align with best legal practices​

We are looking for qualified lawyers with strong knowledge of company and charity law, analytical skills and strategic thinking.​

Fundraising -  as a trustee with fundraising and development expertise you will:​

_Contribute strategic advice to the board around fundraising and development strategy​

_Advise the board and leadership team on potential funding streams ​

_Join either our finance and risk assurance committee or our purpose committee​

We are looking for people with strong background in fundraising and strategic thinking. ​

Education -  as a trustee with primary or secondary education expertise you will:​

_Contribute strategic advice to the board around education of school aged children (key stages 1 to 4)​

_Advise the board and leadership team on issues around education – which could include curriculum and traditional education, alternative education, CME or SEND provision ​

_Join either our finance and risk assurance committee or our purpose committee​

We are looking for people who are passionate and knowledgeable around the education of young people and share our commitment to equitable education for all.​

​Time commitment ​

_We hold quarterly board meetings, typically from 4pm to 7pm. Trustees are expected to attend and contribute to all meetings either in person or by joining virtually. ​

_Papers for the board meetings are sent one week prior and from time-to-time will include specific asks or requests for information and input from trustees.​

 _ You will also be asked to take part in one of our quarterly committee meetings which take place virtually two weeks prior to the board meeting, typically from 4pm to 6pm.​

_We hold one annual board away day,  typically from 10am to 5pm which takes place in person.​

_ Board Meetings are located at the We The Curious offices within the science centre in central Bristol, and our away days take place at an alternate venue in Bristol once a year. ​

_ You may also be called upon for advice or assistance by the leadership team, for example to give input on areas related to your specialism, attend additional meetings or to be present at We The Curious events. ​

Remuneration ​

This is a voluntary role. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered. Refreshments are provided at Board meetings and lunch is provided at the annual strategy away day. ​

 You will have:​

_Free entry to our venue during opening hours​

_12 tickets per calendar year to give away​

_20% off in the We The Curious shop at our venue and online​

_Free parking at Millennium Square car park for meetings​

_Secure cycle storage​

Terms of appointment​

_Trustees are appointed to an initial three-year term of service (including a 12-month probationary period).​

_Trustees can serve a maximum of six years with a reappointment after the first term of three years unless the trustee holds an office, such as Chair or Deputy Chair, in which case they would be eligible for a further three-year term. The maximum term of office is nine years. ​

Probationary period​

This post is subject to a 12-month probationary period.​

What we're looking for from you​

We have ambitious plans for We The Curious and are looking for people that embody our values and have some of these skills/knowledge to help achieve our plans.​

Values​

_Embody our values. Collaborative, Creative, Inquisitive, Playful and Progressive ​

_Be committed to our vision and key manifesto pledges of Cultivating Curiosity, Including Everyone, Open Up Science,  Strive for Sustainable Futures and Build Resilience ​

_Have a positively questioning mind to help We The Curious fulfil its  vision​

_Act with integrity and in the best interests of We The Curious at all times​

_Work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of We The Curious​

Skills/Knowledge ​

We want to ensure that our board bring a variety of skills and knowledge to We The Curious. At this time we are looking for people to join us who have skills in finance, law, fundraising and education. ​

Including everyone​

We want our people to reflect our city and build a place where everyone feels like they can belong. But we know that our organisation doesn’t yet represent the rich experiences and cultures of Bristol. We think when our board reflects our city it will lead to innovative , well informed and better decision making. We’ll be more resilient, inclusive, and better equipped to fulfil our vision and mission. ​

We especially want to hear from you if:​

_You identify as and/or have lived experiences with either:  African and African Caribbean heritage, Carers, d/Deaf, Disabled, East Asian heritage, Global majority, LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary, Neurodivergent, South Asian heritage, under 40, Visually impaired, Woman, Working Class​

I’ve never been a trustee before, should I apply?  ​

Yes! If you feel you connect with these values or have the skills/knowledge we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you. ​

You just need to be at least 18 years old.  You don’t need formal qualifications, or previous trustee experience or a science background. We’ll give you training on good governance and opportunities for mentorship. ​

If you are an aspiring trustee or want to know more about trustees, you may find the charity commission guidance useful.  ​

Supporting you​

Training​

If you join the board, you will have an induction and onboarding experience to support you with your role and get you connected with the rest of the organisation.​

If you are a first-time trustee or want a refresher, we will provide you with training on good governance and other topics related to your role. We will also provide you with mentorship from other members of the board. 
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Support during the process​

We The Curious is a Disability Confident Employer and we welcome applications from candidates who self-assess themselves as having a disability. We will guarantee an interview to applicants who advise that they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy. To help you, under the Equality Act 2010 a person is defined as having a disability if a) they have a physical or mental impairment, and b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.​

We want to work with you to ensure the recruitment process is accessible for you.​

If you are disabled,  neurodivergent, or if you have a long-term health condition, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to our processes for you.​

You’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any adjustments you may need throughout the application and selection process. We’ll continue this conversation if you join us as a staff member, and we’ll work with you to make sure you have the adjustments you need to succeed in your role.​

Examples of adjustments could include:​

_providing alternative formats at every stage​

_options to apply ​

_extra time for tasks​

_providing some extra information about what to expect​

_office orientation before an in-person interview.

Application process​

Deadline for applications:11.59pm Sunday 22 February 2026

Interview dates and location:11 March - 20 March 2026 at We The Curious

Start date: Induction process will take place during April. First committee meetings likely take place in May.

Application process:​

If you would like to apply, please upload a copy of your CV and complete the application questions. The questions are designed to assess your experience and suitability for the role. ​ You have the option to answer these questions in a written format or by submitting your responses by video or audio. Please see the application form for more details. ​
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We appreciate interviews can be stressful, so we try to make them more of a conversation and a chance for you to tell us about how your qualifications, skills and experience make you the right person for the role.​​
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If you have any particular needs or requirements, please do let us know so we are able to make the required adjustments.​​