3 Asset based community development coordinator volunteer roles
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Inclusive Boards is delighted to support University of Birmingham Guild of Students in their search for their next Chair of Trustees.
The Guild of Students plays a key and pivotal role in the student experience at Birmingham, offering a range of services and activities which not only help to attract students to the University, but which also contribute to a vibrant student experience, as well as supporting the wider sense of community and belonging.
The breadth of the Guild’s service and activity portfolio is comparable with other large students’ unions in the Russell Group and as an organisation the Guild is well regarded within the sector. As leaders in the field, the Guild has paved the way in key areas such as representation, student groups and societies, social opportunities, events and activities.
About the Chair opportunity
This is a brilliant opportunity to join an award-winning, multifaceted, and complex charity as our next Chair of Trustees. The Trustee Board is collectively responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Guild and ensuring that the Guild works for and with its membership in all that it does. The Chair’s role is to steward this at the highest level. They act as a role model for the Board, maintaining the highest standards of good governance, with a focus on strategy, risk, and long-term sustainability.
They must ensure a culture of inclusion, trust, and openness where all Trustees contribute their views and expertise, and champion student democracy. The Chair will work closely with the President and Chief Executive Officer, supporting them to achieve the aims and objectives of the Guild’s strategy and vision, and ensure the Guild meets the needs of its diverse student membership.
We are in the final year of the Guild’s 2022-27 strategy (aligned to the University’s priorities under its strategic framework, ‘Birmingham 2030’), making this a formative time as we look beyond 2027, in a challenging time for the Higher Education sector. We are seeking skilled leadership to continue to support us to deliver excellence and are, therefore, looking for an experienced non-executive, with demonstrable experience of supporting organisations at Board level.
The Guild values applications from a wide range of backgrounds that are reflective of the full diversity of Birmingham’s community, in particular from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnicities as we seek to continually enhance diversity within our governance structures.
We would encourage candidates with current or previous experience in charities or the public sector, with experience of chairing meetings and of non-executive leadership, to apply. A connection to the Guild or University and/or to the West Midlands area is also beneficial, but not essential. Full details are outlined in the role description and person specification.
At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe everyone deserves understanding, connection, and the chance to live a fulfilling life. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting people affected by mental illness and helping create communities where no one feels alone.
About the role
As a Peer Support Volunteer you will have lived experience of mental health and support service users on a wide range of non-complex issues that can be easily and quickly resolved. You will bring added skills and experience to our service and add real value to our team. You will provide additional support at our Peer Support group sessions. This could be, for example, by empathising with potential clients about the difficulties that having a mental health problem can create, helping to set up the room, explaining the services that are on offer and how these can be accessed, putting people who are anxious at ease by welcoming them. Peer volunteers can also co-facilitate groups based on personal skills and experience. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 3 hours per week.
Full training and regular supervision will be provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported in your role.
This role requires an Enhanced DBS check, which will be arranged and paid for by Rethink Mental Illness.
As a Peer Support Volunteer you will:
- Support the Peer Support Workers to run the group sessions e.g. by helping to set up the room and by welcoming people
- Help to create a safe space where people can share as much or as little as they wish to about their experiences
- Foster the principles of co-production
- Signpost people to services in the local area that meets their needs
- Describe and explain services that are on offer from Rethink Mental Illness and other local community assets that can provide help and advice relevant to people's needs
- Support the development of drop-in sessions at various locations across the locality
About the service
The Empowering Minds Gloucestershire Service currently run group sessions for service users across Gloucestershire.
Our team is dedicated to delivering a high-quality service that focuses on supporting individuals to achieve their recovery goals. The aim is to improve the lives and support independence for those living with a mental illness. The team will engage with other local providers to ensure a clear and seamless pathway for those that require support from multiple providers.
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Lived experience of mental health
- Ability to support service users on a wide range of non-complex issues that can be easily and quickly resolved
- Ability to empathise with others
- Good communication skills
- Reliable and punctual
It's not essential, but you may also bring:
- Knowledge of the local area
- Knowledge of services that can be accessed
How to apply
To apply, please click the “apply now” button and complete a short interest form. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV and/or cover letter however, this is not mandatory.
A member of the team will review your application and be in touch to update you on the next steps. If your application is successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal volunteer discussion.
If you have any questions about the role or would like to find out more before applying, please contact the volunteer manager:
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’re Rethink Mental Illness and no matter how bad things are, we can help people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
As the Guild has grown in the past few years, our risk management, financial controls, and body of policies and procedures have also matured. Following the scheduled departure of two trustees earlier this year, the Guild’s Finance Subcommittee is seeking to welcome an independent member with relevant skills to attend meetings and advise on financial matters to help us make good decisions effectively.
This voluntary role supports trustees and staff by providing independent insight, constructive scrutiny, and professional expertise on financial planning, budgeting, risk, and long-term sustainability. As a guest to Finance Subcommittee meetings, you will review financial information, contribute to discussions, and help ensure resources are used effectively to maximise our charitable impact for students.
The Finance Subcommittee currently consists of two elected Officers, two external Trustees, and may include a student trustee in future. Papers and reports are ordinarily provided by the Guild Director, who is a non-voting guest to Subcommittee meetings. The Subcommittee normally meets four times per year for around two hours.
Students’ Union experience is not essential, but we are seeking a volunteer able to operate within our distinctive context. We are particularly interested in applicants with experience in finance, accounting, audit, charity governance, or business management.
We enrich the lives of all college, university, and apprentice learners at University College Birmingham so that they can achieve their full potential



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.