Cancer volunteer roles
About the board and Trustee role
Trustees are volunteers who oversee the strategic direction of the charity and ensure its compliance with regulators and the law. They are also ambassadors for the charity; and they provide the staff team, which does the day-to-day work, with both scrutiny and support.
The full board meets quarterly. Two meetings focus on ‘business’ – approving budgets and policies, making key decisions, etc. The other two are more discursive, covering strategic issues.
We have four sub-committees: Finance Audit Investment & Risk, Impact & Income Development, Research & Policy, and Governance & People. Trustees are generally encouraged to join at least one sub-committee, which gives them more detailed insight into the charity’s work in that area. A number of trustees choose to sit on multiple sub-committees (there is no upper limit) and trustees are also welcome to attend any sub-committee, for example as a one-off, to see what happens or if they have an interest in a particular agenda item. Sub-committees also meet quarterly.
And there is usually one strategy day a year.
We currently have eight trustees on our board, with experience in public affairs, law, policing, business, research, marketing, inclusion and influencing government. We are looking to a recruit four further trustees. Our primary focus is to bring different perspectives to the board rather than skills, given that the delivery of the charity’s work is delegated to a skilled staff team.
-
One trustee with experience of research (of any type) – an attitude of curiosity, intellectual rigour and open-mindedness.
-
One trustee with professional experience of alcohol treatment (at any level) – the perspective of delivering compassionate support via treatment services, whether charity or NHS settings.
-
One trustee with experience of strategic charity finance – especially interest in weighing up long-term financial strategic choices (not month-to-month financial management: we have a finance team).
-
One trustee from any background.
All trustees are asked to bring a commitment to and passion for our vision, mission and values.
What we can offer
-
Our board of trustees, and our charity as a whole, is warm and welcoming.
-
Everyone is entitled to have their views heard and we work hard to be inclusive of everyone.
-
We are well organised and professionally run.
-
We are a dynamic and fast-paced organisation, with a huge range of interesting work happening.
-
You will have opportunities for personal development and to attend a range of interesting events in your role as a trustee.
-
Finally, and most importantly, we are laser-focused on making as much difference as possible to end alcohol harm.
Trustees’ Role Description and Person Specification
Being a Trustee of Alcohol Change UK
Our Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the UK’s leading charity in the field of alcohol harm. We are a registered charity (No. 1140287) and a company limited by guarantee (No.
07462605). Our trustees are also members of the charity and directors of the company. Governance is in accordance with both charity and company law. This role description uses the term ‘trustee’ to refer to all three roles (trustee, member, director).
As well as overseeing proper governance, the Board is responsible for strategic decision-making, upholding the reputation of the charity and ensuring that it delivers on its charitable object to reduce alcohol harm. As a trustee you will share this collective responsibility and bring your personal perspectives, skills, experience and connections to bear.
This is an important time for the charity, as we are in the third year of our five-year strategy (Apr 2024 to Mar 2029). Our new trustees will play a key role in helping us deliver on this strategy and in particular navigating a major change in our financial position.
The Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees
Governing Documents
Our primary governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of Association which sets out the formal duties and responsibilities of the trustees, directors and members. It is complemented by our Scheme of Delegation. We have also adopted the Code of Good Governance, and remain compliant with the rules of the Charity Commissioners and Companies House.
General Duties and Responsibilities
The following are general duties, based on documentation from the Charity Commission and Companies House:
- To act in the interests of the charity’s objects – that is, its cause and its beneficiaries.
- To act reasonably and prudently in all matters.
- To avoid personal views and prejudices affecting your decision-making.
- To protect – and actively promote – the property, interests and reputation of the charity.
- To set the strategic direction, provide strategic oversight, and make critical decisions.
- To always make decisions collectively as a board and in particular to actively support all board decisions (that are made in accordance with the charity’s constitution) regardless of your personal position on such decisions.
- To understand how the charity works, including being fully aware of the charity’s general risks and its financial position.
- To ensure compliance with all statutory requirements as set out by Companies House and the Charity Commission and by other relevant statutory bodies and legislation.
- To challenge and support the CEO and, through them, the broader staff team.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
The following additional duties and responsibilities have been adopted by Alcohol Change UK:
- To abide by Alcohol Change UK’s policies, such as those on equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding, code of conduct, conflicts of interest, GDPR, etc.
- To endeavour to achieve at least 75% attendance at Board meetings. In accordance with the governing documents, trustees missing three consecutive board meetings without reasonable cause will normally be asked to step down.
- To undertake training as required and to participate in an annual development appraisal.
- To join at least one of the charity’s four sub-committees.
- To represent Alcohol Change UK at events and to act as a positive ambassador for Alcohol Change UK amongst its key audiences.
- To understand and respect the boundary between governance and the operational matters that are delegated to the staff team.
- To respond to Alcohol Change UK correspondence in a timely manner.
Person Specification
All trustees need the following:
- Strong commitment to the vision, values and mission of Alcohol Change UK.
- An ability to think strategically; that is, thinking of the big picture and the long-term, being impact-focused, and considering the relationship between internal and external factors.
- An ability to work as part of a team, especially understanding and respecting the nature of collective decision-making.
- Excellent communications skills, especially active listening, succinctness, clarity, positivity and tact.
- Commitment to the 7 Nolan Principles on Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- A willingness to contribute your individual skills, perspectives, knowledge and experience without acting as representative of any particular interest.
Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three or four years, following which they may be re-elected for a second and third term of three years.
Trustee roles are unremunerated but reasonable travel, accommodation, childcare and subsistence expenses are of course covered.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We are Alcohol Change UK. We work for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for individuals who are passionate about increasing and representation for disabled families across society.
What do I have to do?
Attend meetings roughly four times a year to help steer the organisation towards its goals. And using your skill set to help grow and advance our non-profit.
Part of the fabric of Buttons & Bubbles that wherever possible people who volunteer and work with us have lived experience of disability and or illness, (including parents, carers, siblings and friends) This includes our board members.
If you would be interested in having more information about this opportunity or need the board member pack in a different format, please get in contact for an informal chat.
If you would like any reasonable adjustments to the interview process please let us know. Any information provided will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Non Charity Employer
To increase inclusion and representation across society for disabled families.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role:
We are currently seeking qualified, women solicitor, barrister and qualified legal executive volunteers to provide legal advice on our Sexual Harassment at Work (Employment Law) advice line. All volunteering is done remotely and you must be qualified to practice in England and Wales.
What will you be doing?
Our free telephone advice line provides vital legal advice for women experiencing sexual harassment at work, supported by legal advisors with experience in employment, discrimination and harassment law. We offer a safe space for women to talk about their situation and receive expert legal advice to enable them to make important decisions about their future.
We ask all our volunteers to:
- Provide advice on our advice lines for one 2-hour session a month (minimum);
- Attend the induction training session provided by Rights of Women;
- Give clear and accurate legal advice to callers;
- Be non-judgemental and non-discriminatory in their approach;
- Follow our procedures for making records of calls and obtaining monitoring information;
- Keep up to date with the law for the relevant advice lines;
- Attend all agreed advice line sessions (remotely);
- Inform us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend an agreed session;
- Abide by Rights of Women’s procedures, standards and policies, including equal opportunities and confidentiality in relation to staff, volunteers and users.
What are we looking for?
The qualifications and skills we look for in a volunteer are:
- A woman solicitor, barrister or CILEx member;
- A current practicing certificate;
- Ability to work remotely with adequate internet access and a private space;
- Good communication skills;
- The ability to deliver advice clearly and calmly;
- An empathetic, non-judgemental and non-discriminatory manner;
- A working knowledge of the relevant area of law for their advice line;
- Commitment to equal opportunities;
- Commitment to the aims and objectives of Rights of Women.
A feminist percpective on the law and the issues we advise on is essential.
About Rights of Women
Rights of Women’s vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women. 2025 saw our 50th anniversary!
Our mission is to advise, educate and empower women by:
- Providing women with free, confidential legal advice by specialist women solicitors and barristers
- Enabling women to understand and benefit from their legal rights through accessible and timely publications and training
- Campaigning to ensure that women’s voices are heard and law and policy meets all women’s needs.
What difference will you make?
For decades, our volunteers have been at the heart of Rights of Women’s advice lines. They provide trusted legal guidance, compassionate support and reassurance to women navigating complex and distressing legal situations, often during some of the most difficult periods of their working and family lives.
“I have been a volunteer with Rights of Women since September 2003, which possibly makes me one of the longest-serving telephone advisors on the evening helpline; in a way this speaks for itself! The helpline is an indispensable service and many women have told me that they consider it a lifeline.”
“Dealing with the legal system is often a source of great anxiety, uncertainty and confusion. I have spoken with many women in very difficult situations. It is important that they know that we are here for the and it is rewarding to help.”
– anonymous volunteers
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Our vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role:
We are currently seeking qualified, women solicitor, barrister and qualified legal executive volunteers to provide legal advice on our Family Law advice line. All volunteering is done remotely and you must be qualified to practice in England and Wales.
What will you be doing?
We offer a safe space for women to talk about their situation and receive expert legal advice to enable them to make important decisions about their future.
For 50 years our free telephone advice lines have provided vital legal advice for women experiencing domestic abuse on issues such as protective orders, child arrangements, finances and divorce or separation.
We ask all our volunteers to:
- Provide advice on our advice lines for one 2-hour session a month (minimum);
- Attend the induction training session provided by Rights of Women;
- Give clear and accurate legal advice to callers;
- Be non-judgemental and non-discriminatory in their approach;
- Follow our procedures for making records of calls and obtaining monitoring information;
- Keep up to date with the law for the relevant advice lines;
- Attend all agreed advice line sessions (remotely);
- Inform us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend an agreed session;
- Abide by Rights of Women’s procedures, standards and policies, including equal opportunities and confidentiality in relation to staff, volunteers and users.
What are we looking for?
The qualifications and skills we look for in a volunteer are:
- A woman solicitor, barrister or CILEx member;
- A current practicing certificate;
- Ability to work remotely with adequate internet access and a private space;
- Good communication skills;
- The ability to deliver advice clearly and calmly;
- An empathetic, non-judgemental and non-discriminatory manner;
- A working knowledge of the relevant area of law for their advice line;
- Commitment to equal opportunities;
- Commitment to the aims and objectives of Rights of Women.
A feminist perspective on the law and the issues we advise on is essential.
About Rights of Women
Rights of Women’s vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women. 2025 saw our 50th anniversary!
Our mission is to advise, educate and empower women by:
- Providing women with free, confidential legal advice by specialist women solicitors and barristers
- Enabling women to understand and benefit from their legal rights through accessible and timely publications and training
- Campaigning to ensure that women’s voices are heard and law and policy meets all women’s needs.
What difference will you make?
For decades, our volunteers have been at the heart of Rights of Women’s advice lines. They provide trusted legal guidance, compassionate support and reassurance to women navigating complex and distressing legal situations, often during some of the most difficult periods of their working and family lives.
“I have been a volunteer with Rights of Women since September 2003, which possibly makes me one of the longest-serving telephone advisors on the evening helpline; in a way this speaks for itself! The helpline is an indispensable service and many women have told me that they consider it a lifeline.”
“Dealing with the legal system is often a source of great anxiety, uncertainty and confusion. I have spoken with many women in very difficult situations. It is important that they know that we are here for the and it is rewarding to help.”
– anonymous volunteers
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Our vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
As the Thackray Museum of Medicine looks to build on a period of bold strategic growth since our 2021 redevelopment, we are seeking an experienced, ambitious and community-minded Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. The Thackray is the UK’s largest independent medical museum: a dynamic, civic museum in East Leeds with a nationally significant collection of over 50,000 objects and a clear mission to inspire people with the passion and purpose of medicine and healthcare - past, present and future. Since reopening we have grown audiences, deepened community partnerships and developed an ambitious plan to be the UK’s leading medical museum by 2030.
Role: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Term: Minimum three years from 12th May 2026, renewable (maximum six years)
Commitment: Approx. 1–1.5 days per month (voluntary; reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed)
Your location: Ideally Leeds (nationwide considered); Board meetings four times a year (three may be hybrid; in-person presence preferred).
The Role:
The Chair will lead and steward an engaged, forward-thinking Board to support the CEO and senior team as the Museum consolidates recent gains and secures long-term resilience. You will ensure excellent governance, provide constructive challenge and support to the CEO, strengthen relationships with funders and partners, champion the Museum’s commitment to equity and community co-curation, and be an ambassador for the organisation locally and nationally.
Key responsibilities:
· Set strategic direction: Lead the Board in shaping, approving and monitoring delivery of the CEO’s strategy to meet the Museum’s mission and 2030 ambitions.
· Own governance & risk: Ensure high standards of governance, legal and regulatory compliance, and effective oversight of the risk register.
· Build board capability: Drive trustee recruitment, induction, appraisal and succession planning to secure the skills, diversity and lived experience needed.
· Partner with the CEO: Line-manage and support the CEO - offering constructive challenge, guidance on operations and people matters, and ensuring strong executive accountability.
· Champion income & profile: Use networks to open doors to major funders, partners and donors, and actively raise the Museum’s profile.
· Ensure financial stewardship: Oversee budgets, reserves and trading activity with the Treasurer and Finance Committee, and scrutinise financial reporting.
· Lead effective meetings: Chair Board meetings, encourage robust discussion, ensure timely decisions and follow-through on agreed actions.
· Represent and advocate: Act as an ambassador to civic partners, funders, media and diverse local communities.
· Steward the estate: Support oversight of capital, maintenance and estate priorities for the Museum’s Victorian building.
Who you are:
· Seasoned governance leader: Experienced chair or senior trustee with sound knowledge of trustee duties, charity & company law and governance best practice.
· Strategic thinker: Track record of leading strategy in museums, heritage, culture, health or education - or in complex, stakeholder-facing organisations.
· Fundraising connector: Proven at building relationships with major funders, trusts, corporates or donors and supporting successful income-raising and profile activity.
· Financially literate: Comfortable with budget scrutiny, risk oversight and the commercial realities of earned income models or trading subsidiaries.
· Capital & estate experience: Practical experience of overseeing capital projects, estate stewardship or major building maintenance.
· ED&I and community champion: Committed to equity, inclusion and co-creation, with evidence of widening participation and diversifying leadership.
· Confident ambassador: Excellent interpersonal and public-facing skills; able to represent the Museum credibly to varied audiences.
· Supportive leader: Able to challenge and develop senior executives while fostering a collegiate, high-performing board culture.
· Local affinity desirable: A strong connection to Leeds or experience working in diverse urban communities is an advantage.
For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief . To apply, please send an up-to-date CV, a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) outlining your interest and relevant experience, in confidence to Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button.
For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence. There is also the opportunity for suitable interested candidates to speak to The Thackray’s CEO in advance of submitting an application.
Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026.
First stage interviews: w/c 13 April 2026 (tbc).
Second stage interviews: w/c 20 April 2026 (tbc).
The Thackray is actively committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer (registration number DCS036392) and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents. They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).
The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:
· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.
· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.
· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.
· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.
· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.
· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.
· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.
· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.
· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.
· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.
· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.
· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.
· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Working hours/commitment
All trustees are required to:
· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.
· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.
Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings. This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.