Board trustees volunteer volunteer roles

Suffolk Mind has an exciting opportunity for new volunteers to join our board of trustees, and to help make a positive impact within the mental health sector.

​About Us

Suffolk Mind is a local mental health charity. More than one in four of us will experience a mental health challenge each year. At Suffolk Mind, our mission is to make Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health.

Suffolk Mind works across the mental health continuum, providing services, support and information for everyone.

We offer a range of services including anxiety management courses, counselling, Waves, supported housing, GreenCare, Suffolk Work Well, workplace wellbeing training, and schools and family services. At Suffolk Mind we want to help people make a life that works.

Role

We are looking for passionate and committed people who have a genuine desire to help us achieve our mission.

Trustee responsibilities are wide and varied and include:

• Ensuring the charity is compliant with relevant legislation and is adequately resourced
• Contributing actively by giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and evaluating performance
• Ensuring the effective and efficient management and administration of the charity
• Ensuring the financial stability of the charity and proper investment of the charity’s funds
• Using any specific knowledge or experience you have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions

Trustees are required to:

• Attend up to four board meetings a year
• Attend our annual Away Day and represent the charity at external events
• Act as an ambassador for Suffolk Mind
• Attend and participate in training as and when required.

​

No specific qualifications are required but you should have relevant expertise or experience which will enable you to make a positive contribution to the work of the Board.

At Suffolk Mind, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. Therefore, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities, and those with lived experience.

Trustees are given full support, a comprehensive induction programme and training opportunities. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

We are seeking a chair in waiting to join our board. If you have management or professional experience in the third, public or private sector, want to make a difference to people at risk of hunger or destitution, and share our values, we might have a role for you. 

What will you be doing?

We are seeking someone with experience working at a senior level within the voluntary, public or private sectors and experience of being on a board of trustees i to succeed the current chair who is retiring from the role in 2026. 

Our intention is that the person recruited spends some time shadowing the work of the chair and familiarising themselves with every aspect of the organisation before taking over the reins before the end of the calendar year. 

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidate would demonstrate: 

• An understanding of, and commitment to, the work of foodbanks and tackling poverty.
• Senior management experience in the voluntary, public or private sectors, including the development, implementation and review of strategies/business plans.

• Experience of being a trustee within a voluntary or community organisation.

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team that provides a vital service in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience for people in financial crisis and facing hunger.

Trustee Role: Clinical Lead for the Board.

Location: Location: Warwick

Role Responsibilities

Safeline are recruiting a new trustee for the Safeline board who will have lead responsibility for supporting and assuring the clinical practices of the charity.  

Trustees work with the Executive team to provide effective governance to the Charity.

Who we are

Established in 1994, Safeline is a leading specialist charity that works to prevent sexual abuse and support those affected to cope and recover.

Our Vision is that everyone affected by or at risk of sexual abuse should feel supported and empowered.

We empower survivors to make choices about the lives they want.

What we do

We provide:

· Prevention/Early Intervention services to help prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation and effective early support to children and young people who are at risk.

· Counselling, Psychotherapy and Art Therapy to survivors of sexual abuse from age 4+, face-to-face, telephone and online

· Independent, non-judgmental emotional and practical support and advocacy to anyone who has experienced historical or recent sexual abuse and wishes to report to the police.

· National Male Survivors Helpline and online support service.

· Specialist education and training to prevent and address sexual abuse.

The Board

Our Board of Trustees are all volunteers drawn from a cross-section of different backgrounds. They are chosen for their skill sets to support Safeline and provide diversity of experience.

The Trustees are responsible for appointing the Chief Executive Officer and ensuring sound management of the professional, ethical, legal, and financial affairs of the Charity. Working in partnership with the executive team and staff, they:

• Set the direction.

• Agree the vision.

• Determine the strategies and policies to fulfil the vision.

• Monitor progress.

• Ensure the outcomes are consistent with the overall strategy.

§  The Board includes a former service user who ensures the people we support are represented in a clear and visible way. This Trustee involves the client’s voice in our work at a strategic level.

§  Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting, they serve a four-year term and are eligible for re-election.

Key Responsibilities

• Governance & Oversight
  • Fulfil all legal duties of a Trustee under the Charities Act and the organisation’s governing document.
  • Ensure the counselling service operates in line with safeguarding, ethical, and clinical governance standards.
  • Provide strategic oversight of service delivery, ensuring quality and accessibility for beneficiaries.
• Support & Challenge
  • Act as a critical friend to the Head of Counselling/Clinical Lead, offering guidance and expertise.
  • Monitor and support the development of counselling provision, including policies, training, and professional standards.
  • Ensure that client feedback and outcomes inform service development.
• Risk & Compliance
  • Help the Board assess and manage risks associated with counselling practice, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant legislation (e.g., data protection, safeguarding, mental health regulations) and alignment with BACP professional framework.
• Advocacy & Ambassadorship
  • Champion the importance of counselling within the wider organisation and to external stakeholders.
  • Support fundraising and partnership opportunities that sustain and grow the counselling service
  •  

Essential Criteria for the Clinical Lead:

· Commitment to the charity’s mission and values.

· Understanding of counselling practice and its role in supporting wellbeing (e.g., qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, or equivalent experience).

· Experience of working in a counselling environment and risk management.

· Knowledge of professional standards and frameworks (e.g., BACP, UKCP, HCPC) and experience of ethical decision making.

· Practice in working with clients who have experienced sexual abuse.

· Ability to think strategically and contribute to Board-level discussion.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to challenge constructively.

· Understanding of governance and willingness to undertake Trustee responsibilities.

Desirable:

· Experience in clinical governance, safeguarding, or service management.

· Prior Trustee or Board-level experience.

· Connections within the counselling, healthcare, or voluntary sector to support partnership development.

Time Commitment

Trustees are required to attend approximately 4 board meetings a year plus additional ad hoc meetings for example at team and fundraising events.

What You Will Gain

• You can make a meaningful impact: Ensuring the charity is run effectively and makes a real difference to its beneficiaries can provide a strong sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment.
• You will be contributing to a cause that has a substantial impact on the public health and economic wealth of the country.
• The chance to work alongside passionate Trustees, staff, and volunteers committed to making a difference. Broaden your perspective: Engaging with diverse perspectives and social issues can deepen your understanding of the world and enhance empathy and compassion. 
• Gaining board-level experience: Serving as a trustee provides hands-on experience in governance, strategy, and decision-making at the highest level of an organisation, which can be invaluable for career progression.
• Developing new skills: Trustees often develop skills in areas such as financial management, risk management, strategic planning, negotiation, and leadership.
• Using existing skills in a new context to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Overall, while the role is voluntary and comes with legal responsibilities, the rewards of trusteeship in terms of personal growth, skill development, and societal impact are significant.

Many older people in our communities face significant challenges - from loneliness, isolation, and frailty to financial hardship and managing lifechanging conditions like Dementia. The work we do is vital in ensuring they have access to the support and care they deserve.

Our team is deeply passionate about this mission. Many of us have personal experience supporting older relatives through similar challenges, and these lived experiences fuel our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate services.

Following our successful merger in August 2023, our organisation is now moving forward with greater ambition and a renewed focus on expanding our reach. As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in shaping that future - helping us to serve more people, strengthen our services, and advocate for the needs of older people across Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Tonbridge. 

We are looking for people from a financial background to help with oversight of our budgeting, planning, forecasting, investments, governance, reporting and financial decision-making. This is a great opportunity to work closely with organisational leaders to ensure every penny makes a difference.

Migrateful is looking for new Trustees to help guide our next chapter! Migrateful runs cookery classes in London and Bristol led by refugees and migrants to support them on their journey to integration & employment.

Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction, strengthening governance and acting as critical friends to the executive team, ensuring Migrateful continues to deliver high quality, impactful work in line with its charitable purpose.

We are currently looking for a trustee with operational experience, ideally within a social enterprise and/or food industry context, who will join the Operations Subcommittee. They will support the development of Migrateful’s cookery class model, including oversight of operational processes and compliance with relevant health and safety requirements.

For more information please see our trustee recruitment pack. 

Applications close at 9.a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026

Location: Home-based but with regular travel, including to periodic board meetings in London or other locations within the UK

This is an opportunity to chair a charity transforming lives by helping more people experience the positive impact of learning. You can help shape the future of this remarkable charity and lead the Board of Shannon Trust to broaden, deepen and mature what we deliver.

Who we are

Picture this: a person in prison who struggles with literacy and numeracy reads their first sentence, they write their first letter home to their children or completes their first numeracy task. They begin to imagine a future beyond the prison walls.

This is what happens when someone learns with Shannon Trust, and it happens thousands of times each year across prisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Currently, 65% of people in prison can’t read, or struggle to. Even more struggle with numeracy.

These are not just statistics; they represent people who have been locked out of opportunity, who struggle with daily tasks, such as helping their children with homework or filling out a job application. At Shannon Trust, we believe everyone deserves the chance to learn, and that literacy and numeracy skills help build the foundations upon which people can rebuild their lives.

Where we are now

Shannon Trust has experienced remarkable growth over recent years. We have gone from a team of twelve people to one hundred staff today, supported by a volunteer base that brings us close to 250 people working to change lives through learning. The core of what we do is one-to-one peer mentoring in prisons. In 2025 alone, more than 11,000 learners used our reading and numeracy programmes, with 2,000 new volunteer peer-mentors trained to support them. We work in around one hundred prisons across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, delivering our Turning Pages reading programme and Count Me In numeracy programme. We are increasing our reach into the community, too. This growth is the result of sustained focus, strong relationships with funders who believe in our work, and the proven impact of our peer-led learning model.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Chair who is strongly motivated by our cause, with a genuine empathy for the people we serve and a commitment to the person-centred language and inclusive thinking which are woven into everything we do. You will bring an engaged and engaging leadership style, have resilience and a personal gravitas.

You will be someone who is comfortable with complexity as we shape our organisation for the next chapter of our development. You will understand the importance of process, culture, and effective operations as the means of delivering a successful strategy and sustaining an organisation.

You will be someone who can help us be better advocates whether that is supporting our Chief Executive to build relationships with policymakers, helping us think through how we position ourselves in the education and criminal justice landscape, or using your own networks to create opportunities for Shannon Trust to influence and inform. We need a Chair who sees advocacy as part of the role.

Most importantly, our new Chair must be a strong partner for our CEO, a mentor, challenger and support.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9.a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026

About the Degrees Initiative

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that developing countries should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions. The initiative has been working in different forms for over a decade, and our work receives worldwide coverage and widespread acclaim. 

The charity was founded in 2021, now has around 20 staff members and is growing. We seek a volunteer trustee with significant financial experience including an accounting qualification to join an existing five-person board to help guide a growing initiative that is changing the field of SRM.

This position offers a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to apply their financial expertise in a high-profile governance role, shaping strategy and supporting a mission that empowers Global South researchers to lead in one of the world’s most important climate debates. 

Role 

The volunteer trustee will complement and further strengthen an existing five-person volunteer trustee board including the Chair & Treasurer. The role will entail strategic leadership, governance, and fiduciary responsibilities. Alongside the Treasurer they will predominantly be advising the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the rest of the senior management team (the Chief Executive Officer and Chief of Staff) to ensure the robust financial health of the charity. This will include: 

• Maintaining an overview of the charity’s financial affairs by overseeing the annual financial planning and budgets proposed by the senior management team 

• Monitoring and evaluating financial progress against budgets and forecasts from staff reporting at quarterly board meetings, acting a voice of financial expertise during board discussions 

• Approving the audited annual accounts and financial statements presented by the senior management team alongside the rest of the board 

• Strategic input by reviewing risk assessments alongside financial implications and advising on the organisation of financial resources and reserves to support the long-term goals of the charity 

• Confirming transparency and accountability in financial operations, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place in addition to compliance with legal and regulatory requirements 

• Advising on how the charity can most effectively conduct its international work, especially providing grants to organisations in the Global South 

• Confirming that the charity has an appropriate investment policy, and that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity

• Sitting on any board sub-committees as required 

We are looking for someone who preferably has a professional fundraising background within the charitable sector. We currently have a fundraising subcommittee set up, this role would chair the subcommittee and lead on fundraising initiatives. This subcommittee is currently made up of 3 trustees & 1 staff member, though we are actively looking for fundraising volunteers to join the committee.

This role will lead on branches fundraising & income generation (not via the branches 2 shops).

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties. This role will join the current trustee board (made up of 9 members) and you will be supported by other trustees.

For this role we are looking for individuals with the following experience/skills:

• Fundraising & Income Generation - Essential
• Creative - Essential
• Innovative - Essential
• Passionate about the welfare of animals - Essential

We'd love applicants within or very close to the branch area - Finchley, Hendon, Golders Green, Edgware, Whetstone, Stanmore.

We're looking for a legal expert to join our friendly board, and help people excluded from society build bright futures.

Step Together Volunteering is a small but mighty charity. Through our unique, person-centred approach we support people to build the confidence and skills they need to look towards a positive future.

We work with young people, people in contact with the justice system, and the Armed Forces community, through 1-1 support, coaching and volunteering placements in the community. Our support doesn't have a time limit, we work with our clients until they have the confidence and skills they need to look forward to a more positive future.

We work nationally, our Head Office is Bristol, and our frontline staff are home-based in the regions they cover.

Our legal trustee has recently reached the end of her term, and we're now looking to find a new trustee who'd be happy to share their expertise with the board, and provide ad hoc advice to the CEO from time to time.

As a trustee, alongside your fellow board members you'll be responsible for the strategic leadership and administration of Step Together, and we're keen for you to contribute your perspectives and experiences to discussion. Specifically in relation to law, you may be asked to:

• Provide legal expertise and support to the rest of the Board and senior staff to ensure the charity complies with its duties and obligations.
• Ensure there are robust policies and procedures in place for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with senior staff on ad hoc legal matters to provide support and advice.
• Advise on legal implications of any plans or strategies to aid good decision making at Board level.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years.

What are we looking for?

Your experience will ideally have been gained as a qualified lawyer (in any field, but those with knowledge and experience in employment law, company or charity law preferred).

Good networks within the Bristol area would be advantageous. You will be knowledgeable about the legal environment that charities operate in, including governance best practice, and be comfortable working at Board level, contributing to discussion and enhancing decision-making.

Ability to work at a strategic level is essential.

We are looking for someone passionate about the work we do, who is happy to advocate for and represent the charity to key stakeholders to help further our work and impact.

What difference will you make?

You'll be helping ensure Step Together is meeting its legal and regulatory duties as well as providing the board and senior team with the advice we need to operate well. More broadly, as a trustee, you'll play an important role in ensuring Step Together is sustainable, well run and has a clear, strategic direction so that it continues it's brilliant work, supporting people who are otherwise left behind.

Commitments

We have two in person meetings per year (one in London, one in Bristol) and two online, plus an 'away day' in the autumn. We're ideally looking for trustees who based in Bristol or the surrounding areas.

Our board meetings and away day are fixed but there may be times we need to get in touch on an ad-hoc basis, or ask you to be involved in task-focussed committees.

Before you apply

Please get in touch if you've any questions, or to find out more.

If you'd like to apply, please get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! It would be helpful to hear a bit about you, what you'd like to bring to the board, and why you're interested in Step Together Volunteering.

Progressive Farming Trust is looking for new board members

Progressive Farming Trust is a charity working to advance collective knowledge and practice in environmentally sensitive and organic farming.

We focus on three main areas:

• Enhancing knowledge exchange, education, and training that drive on-farm action
• Supporting farm businesses to adopt more resilient and sustainable models
• Strengthening shorter, fairer supply chains that empower both farmers and consumers

To help deliver these priorities we run:

• Agricology, a free information hub where farmers and growers can access practical guidance about sustainable agriculture
• Dean Organic Fund, offering small interest free loans to organic farmers

Established in 1980, the Trust has a long history of supporting progressive farming. For many years we worked as the Organic Research Centre, and following a de-merger in September 2025, we have refocused our activities and are now developing a new strategy to guide our future work.

We are recruiting up to four new volunteer Directors to join our Board and help strengthen the organisation. The Board currently meets quarterly (around one day every three months), either in person or online.

We welcome applications from people who bring any of the following:

• Experience as a grower, farmer, or food producer
• Knowledge of charity sector finance
• An interest in improving uptake of knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture and food supply chains

We are actively working to build a more inclusive and diverse Board and particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in food growing, farming, and the environmental sector. We value lived experience as well as professional expertise.

Legal and Compliance Lay Trustee

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise?

Join the Board as a Trustee

We’re RCOT, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. We’ve championed the profession and the people behind it for over 90 years; today, we’re thriving with over 36,000 members.

We’re seeking a Legal and Compliance Lay Trustee to join our Board and sit alongside our nine elected trustees from our membership to provide additional business skills and expertise.  

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise? As a lay trustee of RCOT, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a profession that transforms lives every day. You’ll contribute your expertise to a values-driven organisation that champions inclusion, innovation and excellence in healthcare. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategy, collaborate with passionate professionals and make sure occupational therapy continues to improve the wellbeing of people across the UK.

You’ll provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on legal, regulatory and compliance matters. Working alongside fellow trustees, you will ensure that RCOT operates within its legal framework and maintains high standards of governance and risk management.

Time commitment 

This is an unpaid volunteer role, and you will be reimbursed out of pocket expenses. The time you’ll need to commit is circa one day a month, with flexibility.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role and have board level experience or experience advising boards, please download a copy of our application pack. You’ll find further details about the role and the time commitment, as well as information about the Board and its responsibilities within the pack.

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026.

Interview dates: There will be a two-stage interview process.

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.

Location: London, W2 1AY

Working hours: Part time (one day per month)

Salary: Resonable expenses paid

Join Imperial Health Charity at an exciting moment as we launch our ambitious new strategy to shape the future of healthcare across one of the country's largest Trusts and make a genuine difference to over 1.3 million people.

Who we are

At Imperial Health Charity, we help our hospitals do more through a comprehensive programme of grants, arts, volunteering and fundraising. As the dedicated charity for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, one of the largest trusts in the country, our work helps to support more than 1.3 million patients and more than 16,000 NHS staff each year across Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, St Mary’s, and the Western Eye hospitals.

The opportunity ahead

Our new strategy for 2026-2031 will guide significant investments in patient health priorities and staff well-being, including our support of the Fleming Centre, a flagship research and innovation facility opening in 2028 to mark the centenary of Sir Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin and the redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital.

We’re raising our profile through more ambitious public relations and social media efforts, seeking national corporate relationships and consolidating funds to create more focused, meaningful impact in priority areas.

Who we are looking for

We’re seeking two trustees who each bring distinct strengths. The first should have experience in safeguarding, ideally gained through work with volunteers, or in community settings. You could have a background in adult and children’s services, care, or service delivery organisations that utilise volunteers at scale.

You’ll provide board-level oversight of our safeguarding and ensure best practice in policies and legal considerations.

The second trustee should bring grant-making experience, preferably with an understanding of how fundraising and grants work together in a charitable context. You’ll help us through support and challenge to improve our impact reporting, storytelling and the strategic pipeline between fundraising and grant distribution. Commercial thinking and an appreciation of how to demonstrate impact to attract donors would be valuable.

Time Commitment

You’ll attend four board meetings and four committee meetings each year, plus an annual strategy day. Meetings are typically held in person from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We estimate the time commitment to be equivalent to one or so days per month, inclusive of meetings, preparation, ad hoc conversations and occasional involvement in events or visiting some of our programmes and projects during the year.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications close at Friday 30th January.

The Pirate Castle is a buzzing charity based in the heart of Camden.  From our iconic castle base we offer boating, kayaking and canoeing as well as community space to hire.  As we enter our 60th anniversary year, we are looking for a Company Secretary for our engaged trustee board to minute our meetings and to lead on governance and compliance matters.  We look forward to hearing from candidates with governance experience who are keen to contribute to the future of a well-loved community charity as it reaches a major milestone.

Membership and Community Lay Trustee

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise?

Join the Board as a Trustee

We’re RCOT, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. We’ve championed the profession and the people behind it for over 90 years; today, we’re thriving with over 36,000 members.

We’re seeking a Membership and Community Lay Trustee to join our Board and sit alongside our nine elected trustees from our membership to provide additional business skills and expertise.  

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise? As a lay trustee of RCOT, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a profession that transforms lives every day. You’ll contribute your expertise to a values-driven organisation that champions inclusion, innovation and excellence in healthcare. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategy, collaborate with passionate professionals and make sure occupational therapy continues to improve the wellbeing of people across the UK.

You’ll provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on membership growth, engagement and community development. Working alongside fellow trustees, you will support the organisation to build a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable professional community that reflects its charitable purpose. 

Time commitment 

This is an unpaid volunteer role, and you will be reimbursed out of pocket expenses. The time you’ll need to commit is circa one day a month, with flexibility.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role and have board level experience or experience advising boards, please download a copy of our application pack. You’ll find further details about the role and the time commitment, as well as information about the Board and its responsibilities within the pack.

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026.

Interview dates: There will be a two-stage interview process.

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.