Volunteer roles

 We create sensory activities, challenges and games featuring our bespoke disabled characters and take them to a variety of events and other organisations. And this is where you come in! We need volunteers to do lots of different jobs from big too small. Whether it's preparing activities, setting up, speaking to people or helping pack up, there's plenty to do.

Why?

- Providing a safe space for families who would otherwise find bigger events difficult.

- Promote education and awareness of inclusion around disability.

Who are you?

We are not looking for robots, we want your uniqueness. Generally speaking you will have a;

- Fun loving personality

- Be Patient

- Enthusiastic even when your playing the same game for the 50th time that day.

What do we need from you?

- To have a DBS check (preferably be on the update system)

- Be willing to undertake our training programme

- Sign our volunteer contract (if you disagree with anything in the contract please feel free to discuss it with us.)

What can you expect from us?

- We don't currently ask us our volunteers to be on a rota. Your time is precious and we are thankful for however much you are willing to give to us.

- We have a proactive and positive approach to disability and illness. We will make any and all accommodations you require. If you would like to arrange a confidential conversation please contact us and we shall arrange to speak.

Why we want you
As a food bank warehouse team leader, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the food bank warehouse, supporting volunteers, coordinating activities and being the main point of contact for handling queries for the duration of the session. In this role you can make a real difference to both the people you serve and the volunteers you lead, ensuring a positive experience for all.
 

What you will be doing

• Supervise and motivate a team of volunteers.

• Support the recruitment and induction of new volunteers as required.

• Oversee and delegate tasks to ensure the smooth running of the food bank warehouse.

• Uphold safeguarding, health and safety and hygiene policies, reporting any concerns to your Main Contact.

• Ensure food bank policies and procedures are followed.

• Create a welcoming, caring and friendly atmosphere for volunteers and people coming to the centre.

• Lead a volunteer debrief at the end of each session.

• Attend team leader meetings as required.

• Regularly report to your Main Contact / Food bank Project Manager.

The skills you need

• Strong team player.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Empathetic.

• Organised and self-motivated.

• Strong leadership skills.

• Drivers License (preferable).

What's in it for you

• Using your existing skills to make a difference.

• Meet new people who share your passion to eradicate poverty in the community.

• Make a real difference to the running of your food bank.

Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: Part-time | Flexible hours | Long term commitment

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.

This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).

• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.

• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.

• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.

• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.

• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.

• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.

• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.

• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).

What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

WE NEED STRUCTURE. WE NEED PRECISION. WE NEED YOU.

Right now, in Tower Hamlets and across East London, adults are being left behind.

They feel stuck. Overlooked. Disconnected from opportunity.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

At Unlock YOUR Potential, we’re building something powerful — a brand new social mobility charity dedicated to helping NEET adults (18+) rebuild confidence, gain clarity, and reconnect with their ambitions through our 12-week Career Coaching Programme, 1-to-1 support, Corporate Mentoring Programme, and Personal Development and Wellbeing Programme.

• Demand is rising fast.
• The need is urgent.
• And to meet it, we need strong foundations — clear systems, effective governance, and seamless organisation behind everything we do.

That’s where YOU come in.

We’re looking for a highly organised and committed Company Secretary & Admin/Office Manager to help keep our charity running smoothly, professionally, and compliantly as we grow.

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in building the backbone of a new organisation — ensuring everything behind the scenes is structured, efficient, and ready to support real impact.

In this role, you will:

• Lead on governance, compliance, and company secretarial responsibilities

• Organise and manage key administrative and operational processes

• Support trustees and leadership with meeting coordination, documentation, and reporting

• Help establish efficient systems, policies, and procedures from the ground up

• Keep the organisation running smoothly so our frontline work can thrive

This isn’t just an admin role.

• This is your chance to create the structure that makes everything possible.
• To bring clarity, stability, and professionalism to a growing charity.
• To play a vital role in enabling life-changing work across East London.

If you’re detail-driven, dependable, and passionate about supporting meaningful change — we want to hear from you.

• Help us build strong foundations.
• Help us grow with purpose.
• Help us unlock potential — together.

A great opportunity to play a role at an exciting stage of LRC’s growth!In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system - after initial configuration, we now need a volunteer to help operationalise and is used optimally to achieve LRC’s goals.

In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system using CiviPlus, a CRM system specific to the not-for-profit sector. We already have a technical volunteer who has helped with initial system configuration and can provide ongoing technical support.

The Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) is a charity with a mission to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public and healthcare professionals about ticks and Lyme disease. 

The charity has grown significantly over the past couple of years, and is now looking for volunteers to help with its next phase of evolution. 

Would you like to become an Ambassador for knus? We've introduced our new arm-chairing volunteer position.

If you're interested arm-chair volunteering (our most flexible, low commitment role) and applying to volunteer at knus, simply read through the information on this page and apply.

• Are you over 18 and living in the UK? You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.
• Do you have a mobile phone or laptop? You can do this role whether you are, whether it be on a sofa or on a plane.
• How much time can you give? As much as you want to do. We are flexible and like to work around you.
• Do you like to learn? We provide training for all volunteers that join us. You'll have access to our courses to help you advance your knowledge and certificates to add to your CV.

How does it work?

In 2025 we launched our arm chair volunteering initiative to help us spread the word about our service and to give people the opportunity to take part in surveys and projects to help us deliver the best mental health support to the UK public.

We'd like to embrace what you love doing, whether that be sharing on socials, proof reading, surveys, sharing experiences or getting involved in our fabulous projects.

Important information:

In order to volunteer for knus as an ambassador, you will need to complete a brief application form and a ID check. A DBS is not required for this role, however, if you wish to progress to another role you may need a disclosure. We do this to ensure of service remains a safe place to volunteer for all. Please do not worry about this, we will help you as much as we can.

Training is provided by us and our training partners. You will be required to attend this training using online conferencing software such as zoom or teams.

Admin Manager/Lead – VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 4 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Transforming men’s mental wellbeing through action, challenge, and real‑world connection

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one that speaks the language men actually respond to: doing, belonging, challenge, and shared purpose. We’re not clinical. We’re not corporate. We’re not another “sit in a circle and talk about your feelings” model. We create experiences that help men grow, connect, and rebuild confidence from the inside out.

And now, we’re looking for an Admin Manager/Lead to build the operational backbone that keeps this national movement running smoothly.

Why This Role Matters

Behind every programme, every challenge, and every breakthrough moment for a man in our community, there’s a huge amount of organisation happening quietly in the background.

Your work will ensure that the charity runs efficiently, that volunteers and programme leads have what they need, and that our systems support — rather than slow down — the mission. You’ll be the person who brings clarity, structure, and calm to a fast‑growing movement.

This is a founding role. You will help build the administrative systems and processes that will support men across the UK for years to come.

What You’ll Lead

As our Admin Manager/Lead, you will:

• Build simple, effective administrative systems that keep the charity running smoothly

• Manage inboxes, documents, schedules, and internal communications

• Create and maintain clear processes that support volunteers and programme leads

• Keep information organised, accessible, and up to date

• Support onboarding processes and ensure volunteers have what they need

• Work closely with leadership to streamline operations as we grow

• Help build a movement that changes the way men experience wellbeing in this country

This role is remote, flexible, and designed for someone who wants to make a real impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Naturally organised and enjoy bringing order to busy environments

• Someone who loves creating simple systems that make life easier for everyone

• Reliable, detail‑focused, and comfortable managing multiple tasks

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Excited by the idea of shaping a national movement from its earliest days

You do not need charity experience. You do not need formal admin qualifications. You just need heart, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is creating a new narrative for men in the UK — one built on strength, connection, and growth. Your work will directly support the delivery of programmes such as:

• Our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme

• Our Life Coaching Programme

• Future activity‑based wellbeing programmes and challenges

You’ll be helping to build a movement that gives men the tools, confidence, and community they’ve been missing.

If you want to help build something bold, needed, and genuinely life‑changing…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help build the administrative foundation at the heart of MINDSET.

STAMMA is the leading charity for people who stammer in the UK.  We’re a small, award-winning organisation with big ambitions and a brilliant community, keen to create space and respect for people who stammer.

Stammering has historically been the target for humour and used to suggest inadequacy, leaving many who stammer facing daily ignorance, discrimination and disrespect.  This can affect job prospects and mental health, and cause depression and social isolation. It can make booking a GP appointment a nightmare, and prevent people from accessing a service altogether, leaving them feeling humiliated, degraded or disbelieved.  We’re here to change that.

We’ve a clear strategy for the next five years to achieve real and practical change for people who stammer by highlighting the inadvertent barriers they face within the workplace and as service users. We want to reach more people who stammer and grow our supporter base, but to do that we need to expand our training and advocacy services, whilst underpinning our helpline and family support.

We want to appoint a new Trustee with significant skills and experience within the charity sector to the Board. You’ll need to share our excitement and ambition for change. It isn’t essential that you stammer. This is an unpaid position, but travel expenses can be covered.  Trustee terms are for four years, and you will be expected to attend all Board meetings, up to five times a year, usually on a Saturday, either in-person at different locations across England, or online. There are also sub-committees and informal planning and preparatory discussions, usually held online.

We are looking for someone with experience of one or more of the following:

• Experience of working at a senior level in the voluntary sector, across more than one organisation, with a good understanding of how charities operate and are governed.
• Insight and leadership of people and culture (HR) function and/or service delivery and operations, and a passion for building inclusive, effective organisations
• Previous experience as a trustee or board member. Ideally having chaired a sub committee, board or similar.
• The ability to offer occasional support to the staff team during the working day (roughly two hour per month), providing guidance, insight or a sounding board when helpful
• Lived experience of stammering — whether personally or through close connection — so that the voices of people who stammer are at the heart of our work

Person Specification

• Values-led, with demonstrable passion and commitment to STAMMA and its strategic objectives.
• Proven track record as a senior leader with strategic experience within the charitable sector.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship with an ability to balance the boundaries between different leadership roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills (listening, tact and diplomacy) and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to challenge constructively and ask questions appropriately.
• Team player, who respects and values the views of others and is able to speak their mind with tact and diplomacy.
• A commitment to EDI values and principles, including an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to commit the necessary time to the role.

As a Trustee at STAMMA you would be expected to: 

• Develop and agree our long-term strategy.
• Ensure compliance with governing documents and regulations.
• Ensure that resources are spent in accordance with our Articles.
• Work with the Board to set goals and assess performance.
• Ensure that the organisation is run efficiently and financially stable.
• Protect the charity’s assets and ensure surplus funds are properly invested.
• Manage the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the CEO.
• Uphold STAMMA's values.

Job Description:

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton which supports, empowers and advocates for women and children. We aim to actively encourage women to be self-reliant, through empowering them to identify their own needs, make their own choices and create their own solutions.

We offer short term home visits, counselling sessions, baby bank, practical & emotional One to One support, Domestic violence groups, Awareness raising workshops and drop in or chat groups to help women facing crises or challenging situations.

Purpose
The effective provision of a welcoming client administration service for WFRC.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Reception

To welcome clients and other visitors in person or on the telephone.

To answer the telephone and pass on messages to other WFRC staff and volunteers as well as signpost to other organisations where appropriate.

2. To assist the Office Manager to make reservations for and be the first point of contact for WFRC’s Chat group, events & other activities. To keep a record of all interested clients and send out relevant literature.

3. To assist with the purchasing and control of domestic matters, stationery, kitchen supplies and office equipment as requested by the Office Manager.

4. To assist in general recruitment activities such as writing, placing and updating adverts and undertake administrative duties to support WFRC Services.

5. To take the post to the central post office at the end of each day.

We welcome applicants on Placement, Work experience and Apprenticeships.

Job Type: Apprenticeship

Contract length: 6 months

Benefits:

• Company pension

• Free parking

• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Monmore Green WV1 4LR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Trustee Recruitment — Join Our Board

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Are you passionate about heritage, conservation, and making a difference? Could you help shape the future of one of the UK's most-loved heritage railways?

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is a registered charity and one of the finest heritage railways in the world, running through 18 miles of stunning National Park landscape. We are on an exciting journey — preserving the past while building a sustainable, inclusive future — and we are looking for dedicated and talented individuals to join our Trust Board as Trustees.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership, governance oversight, and support to help NYMR fulfil its charitable mission. This is a voluntary role, but one that carries real responsibility and tremendous reward. You will work alongside a committed team of fellow trustees, staff, and volunteers who share a deep love for our railway and the communities it serves.

As an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, we are recognised for our cultural and creative significance at a national level.

We are committed to building a board that reflects the diversity of the communities and visitors we serve. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, and lived experiences — particularly from groups currently underrepresented in heritage and charity governance.

These four Trustee positions are filled by election by Trust members, not by direct appointment. If you stand, you'll be asked to submit an election statement outlining your experience, skills, and vision for the railway, which will be shared with the membership to inform their vote. We encourage candidates to approach this as their opportunity to make their case directly to the people who care most about the railway’s future.

Skills We Are Looking For

We are seeking to fill four new Trustees with skills and experience in any of the following areas:

· Income & Fundraising — building and diversifying income streams

· Diversity, Equity & Inclusion — particularly within education, helping the railway reach and reflect its communities

· Conservation & Environment — meeting the challenges of a changing world

· Heritage & Collections — protecting historic estates and collections

All Trustees Must Bring

· High-Level Leadership — senior leadership experience, whether in the public, private, or third sector

· Business Strategy — experience shaping organisational direction, commercial development, or enterprise growth

· Strong Communication & Listening Skills — the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, advocate effectively, and build consensus

· eFinance — financial acumen at a senior level, including budgeting, reporting, and investment oversight

What We Offer

· The chance to play a meaningful role in preserving a nationally significant piece of railway heritage

· A welcoming, passionate, and collaborative board culture

· Induction, ongoing support, and trustee development opportunities

· The opportunity to help NYMR become a more diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking organisation

Commitment

Trustees are asked to attend a minimum of six board meetings per year, plus sub-committee meetings and occasional events. Meetings are held along the railway, with some provision for remote attendance. You will need to be 18 years old and a member of North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust.

This is a voluntary, unpaid role, though reasonable expenses maybe reimbursed.

Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day. 

 This role will suit you if you are:

• Warm and friendly.
• Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
• Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
• Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
• A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
• Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
• Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
• Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
• Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
• Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
• Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
• Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
• Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines 

 By getting involved you could· 

• Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
  Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty.
• Meet people from all walks of life
• Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
  Improve your communication skills.
  Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.

 You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.

All National Trust volunteers will be asked to

• Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
• Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
• Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity. 

 We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:

• Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
• Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
• Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website 

Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts

As a Climate Ambassador, you would be joining thousands of volunteers supporting the Department for Education’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, launched in 2022.

Climate Ambassadors offer free support to nurseries, schools and colleges across England to develop and implement a climate action plan. This framework helps education settings evaluate and address key action areas – adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, climate education and green careers, and decarbonisation.

If you have: 

• A desire to create coordinated impact in your local community, while utilising your employer’s volunteering leave (where applicable); 

• Knowledge about the sustainability and climate challenges facing the world; 

• Familiarity with education settings, or the ability to inspire senior leaders, educators and young people to set out on their sustainability journey; 

• A growth and mentorship mindset to help education communities begin or progress with their climate action plan, 

… then join the growing community of Climate Ambassadors and embed climate action where it matters most! 

You will receive training, guidance and regular communications from our regional teams to make the most of the climate action opportunities on your doorstep. You can get started by volunteering just 2 hours a year. 

How can you become a Climate Ambassador? 

1. Complete an initial interest form and your regional team will be in touch to support your registration on the STEM Learning platform; 
2. Receive induction, your DBS check and your Climate Ambassador training; 
3. Identify activities you would like to support and post about them on the STEM Learning platform, or browse activities requested by your local schools! 

Your regional team will get in touch suggesting a good match to a local setting seeking support relating to your area of interest or experience. You can also upskill through the Sustainability Leadership Programme to unlock new areas of expertise. 

Please note: STEM Learning UK host Climate Ambassador profiles on their website, which requires you to register as a STEM Ambassador. Your profile will be processed as a Climate Ambassador upon selecting ‘Climate’ as your area of interest during registration.

ABOUT CHILDREN WITH VOICES

Children With Voices is a grassroots children's charity with over 25 years of experience supporting children and families across London. Based at Fawcett Estate Community Hall in Clapton, Hackney, we run a Community Food Hub, alternative education, SEN support, and community programmes including Jumping Beans. We have supported over 100,000 families and are recognised nationally for our work.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As we grow, we need an experienced Operations Manager to help us run well behind the scenes — so everything on the frontline can keep delivering. This is a meaningful voluntary leadership role for someone with professional experience in operations, HR, or management who wants their skills to count for something real.

You will work closely with the CEO and senior team to ensure the organisation runs efficiently, compliantly, and in line with our values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Oversight

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency and alignment with organisational goals

• Support departments to stay aligned, compliant, and focused on delivery

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, maximise resources, and improve impact

HR Oversight

• Oversee HR policies, compliance, and staff wellbeing in line with UK employment law and safeguarding requirements

• Support recruitment and onboarding — fair, inclusive, and safeguarding-compliant

• Provide HR guidance to managers and staff; escalate to external expertise when needed

• Maintain oversight of volunteer engagement and HR record keeping

Finance Oversight

• Supervise the Finance Coordinator (10 hrs/week) and provide accountability for financial administration

• Monitor budgets, financial reports, and expenditure in line with charity governance standards

• Ensure accurate, timely reporting to the CEO and Trustees

• Liaise with accountants, auditors, and external advisors as required

Leadership & Governance

• Work alongside the CEO, Trustees, and senior team to align operations with organisational strategy

• Provide assurance of compliance with safeguarding, data protection, charity law, and employment legislation

• Model organisational values of safeguarding, equity, inclusion, and community impact

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Experience in operations, management, or a related professional field

• Working knowledge of HR processes and UK employment law

• Financially literate — comfortable with budgets, reports, and financial summaries

• Familiar with charity governance, safeguarding, and compliance requirements

• Confident, values-led, and able to hold accountability with care

• Highly organised, reliable, and able to manage competing priorities

• Committed to equity, inclusion, and community impact

This is a voluntary senior leadership role — unpaid, but with real scope and real responsibility. We are looking for someone who brings professional-level experience and wants to use it in the service of children and families in Hackney.

Role Purpose

The Chief Governance & People Officer (CGPO) is a senior C-suite executive responsible for ensuring the organisation operates with strong governance, legal compliance, and a healthy, engaged volunteer culture. The CGPO provides strategic leadership across governance, legal support, HR, culture, learning, and volunteer experience. They oversee multiple Heads of Department, set strategic direction for their portfolio, and collaborate closely with the CEO, Trustees, and other C-level Officers to drive organisational performance and long-term development.​

Key Responsibilities

1. Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Lead governance, legal support, and HR strategy across the organisation.

• Drive portfolio performance and ensure alignment with organisational goals.

• Contribute to C‑suite decision‑making and long‑term planning.

2. Governance Leadership

• Maintain an up‑to‑date governing document and ensure regulatory compliance.

• Oversee GDPR and data protection standards.

• Support Trustees with governance advice and reporting.

3. Legal Support Oversight

• Oversee legal risk management and compliance processes.

• Review key legal documents and guide legal research.

• Strengthen organisational understanding of legal responsibilities.

4. HR Leadership & Culture Development

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and volunteer checks.

• Provide strategic oversight of conduct, standards, and people policy.

• Promote a positive volunteer culture and engagement.

• Lead development of training pathways and HR policies.

5. Portfolio Management & Line Management

• Line‑manage Co‑Heads of HR and the Head of Governance & Legal Support.

• Provide strategic direction, coaching, and performance oversight.

• Ensure effective cross‑department collaboration and clarity of roles.

6. C‑Suite Collaboration & Organisational Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO, COO, CPO, and Trustees.

• Shape organisation‑wide policies, frameworks, and strategic initiatives

Person Specification (Applicant Criteria)

Essential Criteria

• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, or legal frameworks.

• Experience in HR, people management, or organisational culture development.

• Ability to lead multiple departments and manage senior volunteers.

• Excellent communication, judgement, and decision‑making skills.

• Ability to interpret policies, regulations, and legal documents.

• Experience handling sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organisational goals into actionable plans.

• Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership and safeguarding good practice.

• Ability to work collaboratively at executive level.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with Trustees or governance boards.

• Knowledge of GDPR, data protection, and risk management.

• Background in law, HR, organisational development, or compliance.

• Experience in volunteer‑led organisations or the charity sector.

• Ability to design and deliver training or learning programmes.

• Experience managing organisational change or culture initiatives.