Carers engagement officer volunteer roles

Looking to Make a Difference? Join Where Next as a Board Trustee!

Are you a passionate professional who wants to make an impact beyond the workplace?

About Where Next
Where Next is a charity based in Redditch, Worcestershire and Studley, Warwickshire providing support to adults with learning disabilities.  Founded over 40 years ago by caring parents it has grown from strengthen to strengthen and now provides day care for 150 clients.  The care and support is centred around horticultural and social activities but it also covers many other activities for the clients ensuring that is a varied and engaging programme of activities, nurturing the potential of everyone who attends Where Next

The charity is led by a Chief Executive and a passionate and experienced Board consisting of an excellent Senior Management team and Trustees.  There are 20 staff in total 

The charity has just commenced a developmental journey which will be looking at redesigning the facilities and services ensuring that the charity continues to be relevant going forward. 

Our webpage provides mor information and insight to the work of the charity

What we are looking for.

The Board are looking to strengthen existing skills and knowledge that currently exists and would like to appointment Trustees with any of the following skills and experiences.

Ø  Parent/ carer of an individual with Learning and Disabilities - living or professional experience – bringing day to day experiences to ensure that the Charities strategy is appropriate from a user’s perspective

Ø  Health and safety contract management – providing expertise in all aspects of safety aspect

Ø  Fund raising and PR/marketing including social media - Bringing innovative ideas to expand our reach and connect more people with our cause.

Ø  Project management – sharing skills to aid strategy of charities developments

Ø  Business planning and/or Business Case development -providing skills for the creation of business cases

Ø  Horticultural management – Bringing leadership to support the activities of the charity

Ø  Education /Training/ skills and personal development - offering insights to help improve and develop our Board and workforce

Why Become a Trustee While Working Full-Time?

• Enhance Your Professional Skills: Gain leadership, governance, and strategic experience that complements your career development.
• Broaden Your Network: Collaborate with like-minded professionals, build relationships across sectors, and expand your influence.
• Flexible Commitment: We understand your time is valuable. Our trustee roles are designed to fit alongside your job, with regular meetings and flexible involvement options.
• Make a Real Difference: Your expertise can shape the future of a charity that empowers individuals with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling lives.

What’s Involved?

• Board Meetings: Attend approximately 4 meetings per year (held in person and/or virtually).
• Strategic Guidance: Work with fellow trustees to set the long-term vision and strategy of "Where Next" and oversee its implementation.
• Support & Advice: Provide expertise in your specific area while supporting the leadership team on key decisions and projects.
• Advocacy: Use your professional network to champion our cause and help us grow.

The application process

Applications are welcomed and applicants should send CVs and a supporting statement detailing what has attracted the applicants to Where Next to the Chief Executive. 

The shortlisted applicants will be invited for initial discussion with the chairman and CEO.

We are seeking passionate and strategic thinkers with expertise in one of the following: fundraising, marketing, communications, or law. We are looking for at least two new members to join our Board of Trustees, a group of people who lead the charity and decide how it is run. 

Trustees will act as a sounding board and strategic advisors to the CEO and the senior leadership team, helping us to diversify our income streams, amplify our reach, operate transparently and in the public interest, and ensure our vital messaging cuts through the noise.

You do not need prior experience as a Trustee to apply, but we are particularly interested in receiving applications from people who have demonstrable experience in at least one of the following areas:

Fundraising Expertise:

1. Experience in developing and executing income generation strategies.
2. Knowledge of corporate partnerships, major donor cultivation, or digital fundraising.
3. The ability to guide the team in identifying new funding opportunities to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Marketing & Communications Expertise:

1. A strong background in public relations, brand positioning, or digital marketing.
2. Experience in designing high-impact campaigns that drive engagement and behaviour change.
3. The ability to help us reach diverse audiences - from children and young people, to parents, carers, educators, and policymakers.

Legal Expertise:

1. A strong legal background, and understanding of a broad range of legal fields relevant to both the operation and focus area of the charity.

2. The ability to bring legal expertise to the Board, for example, by providing and communicating a legal perspective in a clear, practical manner to fellow trustees, supporting informed decision-making.

3. The ability to support good governance, helping the charity to operate transparently and in the public interest.

General Trustee Qualities:

1. A strong commitment to Childnet’s mission, values, and the empowerment of young people.
2. Strategic vision, independent judgment, and a willingness to speak your mind.
3. A commitment to understanding the duties and responsibilities of a charity trustee, for which full training will be provided.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected charity making a tangible difference in the lives of children and young people across the UK. You will join a welcoming, dedicated board of professionals and have the chance to use your skills for to make a real difference.

Commitment to Diversity

Childnet is committed to building a trustee board that values diverse perspectives and experiences, reflecting the communities and young people we serve. We welcome applications from everyone, but would particularly like to hear from women, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, younger people and disabled people, who are currently underrepresented on our board.

Don’t worry if you haven’t had experience of being a trustee or board member before. We will offer you support and training to help you to undertake your role. We are most interested in hearing from applicants who are passionate about Childnet’s mission and values, and even if you don’t feel like you meet all of the outlined skills, we would still love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Still got questions?

If you have any questions about the role, the process, or the Childnet Trustee Board, please do reach out by email and we will be able to help.

To apply, please send your CV along with a short cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining why you are interested in joining Childnet, how you would meet the general trustee qualities and how your specific experience in fundraising, marketing, communications, or law will add value to our board by 9am of Tuesday 12th May.

As our Chair of Trustees, we offer you a deeply rewarding role with the opportunity of personal fulfilment, leadership development, purpose and connection through your vital contribution to shape the strategic direction of a highly respected charity. You will ensure we achieve our mission to provide outstanding, free end-of-life care within our community.You will work alongside a skilled and passionate Board and executive team and have the chance to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of local people and their families.

We are seeking a passionate Chair of Trustees to help shape the future of our hospice and champion our vision that everyone has the opportunity to die at home with our community-based hospice care.

Do you want to support kidney patients and their families? Do you want to be part of a large team of volunteers, within a national charity? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of Welsh kidney patients and their families?

“I draw on my personal experience of kidney disease to support others during their kidney journey; providing information, advice and emotional support to anyone affected by kidney disease” –Volunteer

Organisation

Popham Kidney Support

Organisation Overview

Popham Kidney Support is a leading kidney charity based in Swansea, dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, young people, and adults living with kidney disease across Wales. The charity was founded in 2013 in memory of Paul Popham and received full charitable status in 2015. Its mission is simple: to ensure that no kidney patient faces their journey alone.

The organisation provides a wide range of services designed to support emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing. These include peer mentoring, counselling, Kidney Café support groups, welfare advice, patient grants, education programmes, and wellbeing initiatives such as activity weekends and involvement in transplant sports.

As a trusted voice for kidney patients in Wales, Popham Kidney Support collaborates with clinical teams, other charities, and Welsh communities to advocate for better services and improved patient experience. Its impact has been recognised nationally — in 2025, the charity was honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award for voluntary groups in the UK.

With a growing network of volunteers, peer mentors, supporters, and community partners, Popham Kidney Support continues to expand its reach, championing compassionate, patient‑centred care across Wales

Role Title

Treasurer, Board of Trustees

Location of Position

Wales Wide – Remote. (The Charity is based in Swansea, covers Wales)

Responsible to

Chair of Trustees

Purpose/Summary of Role

The Treasurer is a trustee responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of the organisation, ensuring that finances are managed in line with legal requirements, good practice, and the organisation’s charitable aims.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Ensure the organisation’s financial resources are managed responsibly and sustainably.
• Lead on financial strategy, planning, and risk management.
• Oversee the development of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
•  

Financial Monitoring and Reporting

• Present clear, accurate financial reports to the Board.
• Monitor financial performance and alert the Board to any risks or variances.
• Ensure proper accounting records are kept in line with legal requirements.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure the organisation complies with financial regulations, charity law, Companies House regulations (if applicable), and funder requirements.
• Support the preparation and submission of annual accounts, reports, and returns.

Internal Processes

• Oversee financial controls, reserves, and investment policies.
• Support staff or volunteers responsible for day‑to‑day financial administration (e.g., bookkeeping, payroll).

Supporting Fundraising & Sustainability

• Provide insight on financial implications of fundraising plans, grants, and new projects.
• Ensure restricted funds are managed and reported correctly.

Time Commitment

Typically 4–8 board meetings per year + financial oversight duties

Person Specification

 Essential

• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.
• Ability to interpret financial information and communicate it clearly.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Commitment to the organisation’s values, aims, and governance responsibilities.

Desirable

• Professional accountancy qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW).
• Experience in charity finance, SORP, or non‑profit financial management.
• Familiarity with financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Sage

Training and Support

· PKS Trustee Induction

· Safeguarding

·Various training courses relating to governance

Reimbursement of Expenses- Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Benefits to being a Trustee

Becoming a Trustee with Popham Kidney Support (PKS) means joining a passionate, award‑winning charity dedicated to ensuring that no kidney patient in Wales faces their journey alone. It is a meaningful way to contribute to a cause that transforms lives every day.

1. Make a Tangible Difference to Kidney Patients Across Wales

As a trustee, you directly influence services that support emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing — including peer mentoring, counselling, grants, Kidney Cafés, activity programmes, and more. Your decisions help improve the day‑to‑day lives of children, young people, adults, and families affected by kidney disease.

2. Shape the Strategic Future of an Award‑Winning Charity

Popham Kidney Support has been formally recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest honour for volunteer groups in the UK. Joining the Board means contributing to a respected, ambitious organisation that continues to expand its impact and drive positive change.

3. Develop High‑Level Leadership & Governance Skills

Trustees gain valuable experience in:

• Strategic and organisational planning
• Financial oversight
• Governance and risk management
• Charity law and regulatory compliance

This is ideal professional development for anyone seeking board-level experience or aspiring to leadership roles.

4. Be Part of a Warm, Supportive Community

At PKS, lived experience, compassion, and community spirit are at the heart of everything we do. As a trustee, you’ll work alongside:

• Dedicated volunteers and peer mentors
• A committed senior team
• Patients and families whose stories inspire change

You join a community that supports each other as much as it supports the people we serve.

5. Strengthen Your Professional Profile

Being a trustee demonstrates:

• Leadership
• Integrity
• Strategic thinking
• Commitment to social impact

It is a strong addition to any CV, career portfolio, or personal development journey.

 6. Use Your Skills — or Lived Experience — for Good

Whether your strengths lie in finance, governance, HR, communications, community engagement, healthcare insight, or lived experience as a kidney patient or carer, your voice matters. Trusteeship gives you the chance to use what you know to create real, lasting change.

7. Enjoy Personal Fulfilment Through Purposeful Work

Trustees often describe the role as:

• Inspiring
• Emotionally rewarding
• A unique opportunity to “give back”
• A chance to leave a positive legacy

Your contribution helps ensure that every kidney patient in Wales has access to the support they need — emotionally, physically, and practically.

8. Contribute to a Legacy of Compassion and Progress

PKS was founded in memory of Paul Popham and has grown into a national support organisation. As a trustee, you help carry that legacy forward, ensuring that every person affected by kidney disease feels supported, valued, and empowered.

Application Procedure

·CV to Lynne Orton Chair of Trustees

·Informal interview with Chair of Trustees and CEO

·Trustee application form, DBS & references

·Application presented to board

·Decision communicated in writing from Chair of Trustees