Charity researcher volunteer roles

About ReachOut

ReachOut is a national youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance.

Role of a Trustee

Our Board of trustees have shared responsibility for the overall governance, financial health and strategic direction of the charity, developing its organisational aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

In addition to the statutory duties, each Trustee uses their specific skills, knowledge and experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions and support the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team in delivering the charity’s mission.

As a Trustee of ReachOut, you will have the opportunity to help govern an ambitious organisation, knowing that your time will contribute to helping young people, who may not have the same advantages as others, develop the social and emotional skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Who are we looking for?

We are interested in individuals with any of the below expertise:

• Senior Leaders or Head Teachers from Schools or Multi Academy Trusts
• Research, Monitoring & Evaluation
• Senior Leadership within a Corporate Environment
• Lived Experience aligned to the challenges faced by the young people we are here for

Person Specification

• Enthusiasm for ReachOut’s vision and mission.
• Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship in the UK charity sector.
• Able to demonstrate strategic vision and think creatively.
• Willing to speak their mind and exercise independent judgement, whilst operating with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work with others in a way that supports positive board dynamics.
• Ability to represent the organisation credibly externally.
•  Availability and commitment to perform the role and dedicate the time required to fulfil the role.

Important Information

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
• ReachOut board meetings are held in-person in London, online if necessary.
• The overall time commitment for a Trustee is expected to be around 30 hours per annum. There are four full board meetings a year that last approx. 2 hours, outside regular office hours. Meetings are held on weekday evenings.

How to Apply

• Please visit our website for more information and how to apply
• Deadline: 9am 16th March 2026

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

ReachOut is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. We actively welcome applications from people of all ethnicities, ages, religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, and any other protected characteristics, to provide a diverse range of experiences, ideas, and insights into our work.We understand the importance of having trustees and committee members that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities we serve. More than half of the young people we work with are from Black Caribbean, Black African, Bangladeshi, and Turkish backgrounds, so if you are from these ethnic groups, we would particularly appreciate receiving your applications.

About ReMind UK

ReMind UK is an independent charity and an internationally renowned centre for research, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Our research aims to improve life for people with dementia and their families and carers, and to find drug and non-drug treatments for people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases predominantly affecting older people. Our contracted NHS Memory Clinic service, paid for memory assessments, and allied activities also provide direct support to patients, families and carers. We are currently in an ambitious phase of development to increase significantly our clinical and academic research programme. We work closely with the Universities of Bath, Bristol and other research institutions, both nationally and internationally, and with the Royal United Hospital.

Role Title

Trustee (Board Member), ReMind UK

Time Commitment

We hold four full Board meetings per year, and an annual away day.

We currently have one subcommittee which is the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FAC) that meets four times a year should be a part of it.

Board and Committee meetings are generally of 1-2 hours duration. Once a year there is a remuneration meeting, which is a short meeting held directly after the Board meeting.  

We engage between meetings via email on issues of relevance to either individual Board members or collectively where appropriate

Trustees are volunteers and may claim eligible expenses.

Role Purpose

Trustees are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring good governance, and overseeing the charity’s management and administration.  The day-to-day running of the organisation is undertaken by the charity CEO and the senior leadership team.

Trustees must act in the charity’s best interests, ensure it is well‑run, and that resources are used effectively to achieve its charitable purposes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

· Ensure the charity has clear priorities, future, and strategic direction.

· Oversee delivery of the charity’s mission to improve diagnosis, care, and research into age‑related disorders.

· Make well‑informed decisions that align with ReMind UK’s charitable objects and the interests of beneficiaries.

· Maintain high standards of governance and accountability.

2. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

· To ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

· Act with reasonable care, skill, and diligence in all decision‑making and oversight.

· Manage and declare any conflicts of interest.

3. Financial Oversight

· Ensure the charity is financially sustainable, with adequate controls, appropriate budgeting, responsible use of funds and sound financial planning.

· Support and work with the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee where appropriate and engage in wider discussions around income and expenditure where necessary.

• Safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure funds are spent effectively.

4. Advocacy & Ambassadorship

· Act as an ambassador for ReMind UK’s work in dementia research, memory assessment, and post diagnosis support.

· Promote the importance of early assessment, treatment possibilities, and community‑based support.

· Support relationship‑building with stakeholders, partners, funders, and the wider community.

5. Organisational Support & Risk Management

· The Board have delegated the oversight of the Risk Register to the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FAC), however it is also the responsibility of all trustees to identify and manage organisational risks and hold the FAC to account.

· Ensure effective planning and promote resilience across the charity.

· Support and constructively challenge the CEO and senior leadership team.

Person Specification

Essential:

· Commitment to the vision, mission and values of ReMind UK.

· Understanding of or willingness to learn about trustee responsibilities and charity governance.

· Strategic thinking and strong communication skills.

· Integrity, sound judgement, and independence of thought.

Desirable:

· Experience in health, dementia research, social care, charity finance, legal compliance, fundraising, or lived carer experience.

· Previous charity governance or leadership experience.

Eligibility Requirements

Certain individuals are legally disqualified from becoming charity trustees. Applicants must be 18+.

As part of our safeguarding commitment, trustees will be asked to complete an appropriate level of DBS check (Basic or Enhanced, subject to eligibility). We will support you through this process.

How to Apply and closing date

Interested individuals should submit a CV and a short statement outlining their motivation and relevant experience.

Community researchers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park ensure our community-owned park is inclusive and welcoming for all.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for community researchers specialised to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on on a listening project to ensure often underrepresented voices in conservation and environmental projects are heard and centred. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Inclusivity Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While your experienced research skills are crucial, we also value your ability to engage with the community and build partnerships. Experience in conducting community-based research or working with community organisations is important. A strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively will be invaluable in ensuring your research findings are relevant and impactful. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your research expertise will be vital in shaping our new biodiverse park. By conducting listening research on community needs, and potential park uses, you'll help us create a sustainable and inclusive space. Your findings will inform our design, programming, and outreach efforts, ensuring the park meets the needs of our community and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Researcher to support our Corporate Fundaising team. Your role will be pivotal in identifying and researching prospects and Charity of The Year Partnerships who align with our mission. You will help us grow our pipeline of supporters and inform personalised, strategic approaches that lead to meaningful engagement and transformational support.

About Us:

Rays of Sunshine is dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill young people and their families by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospital and within the community. We are seeking a motivated volunteer to support our major gifts team by conducting research and helping to build our partnerships pipeline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and research prospective corporate partners, with a focus on Charity of the Year opportunities

• Build and maintain a structured prospect pipeline to support new business development

• Research CSR strategies, ESG priorities, funding history, key decision-makers and employee engagement programmes

• Strong research and analytical skills

• Commercial awareness and understanding of corporate partnerships

• Excellent attention to detail

• Confident using LinkedIn, Companies House, Charity Commission and online research tools

• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently

What You’ll Gain:

• The opportunity to directly contribute to securing high-value corporate partnerships

• Insight into charity new business and pipeline strategy

• Experience working with a dynamic, ambitious team

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families

• A reference upon successful completion of your volunteering

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for user experience researchers to participate in our community-led working group who are growing support of the project. There is opportunity to lead on projects exploring how architects, ecologists, community researchers, political campaigners, fundraisers and communications professions come together to create community infrastructure.  Online meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?

Strong experience in qualitative/quantitative user research, research plan design/execution, data analysis, and synthesizing actionable insights. 

Proven ability to build rapport and engage diverse communities. Excellent collaborative spirit for multidisciplinary teamwork.

Genuine passion for community-led projects, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development.

By leading research projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local community. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

Use your experience to help improve health and social care services across the UK 

HSR UK is a small but ambitious charity dedicated to strengthening the role of health and social care research in policy and practice. We bring together researchers, service leaders, clinicians, policymakers, patient partners and others, helping research to drive real improvement in the NHS and social care. 

We are now seeking three new Trustees to join our friendly and committed Board and help shape the next phase of our development. 

About HSR UK 

HSR UK is the collective voice for health services and social care research in the UK. 
We: 

• Connect and convene researchers, policymakers, managers, clinicians, and lived‑experience partners.
• Support the use of high‑quality research in practice and policy. 
• Influence national agendas to help health and social care research thrive. 

We have around 40 organisational members, run an annual conference attracting 350+ delegates, and lead work on mentoring, special interest groups, and major thematic projects such as equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and workforce research. We are hosted by the Nuffield Trust but we are a separate organisation. 

Why join us? 

This is an exciting moment in HSR UK’s growth. As a Trustee, you will help shape strategy, guide organisational development, and contribute to a mission that genuinely improves health and care for people and communities. 

Our Board is welcoming, collaborative and curious. We particularly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, from outside the research community, and from people with lived experience of health or care services. 

We welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio‑economic background. We are committed to inclusive practices and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the process. 

Who we’re looking for 

You do not need to be an academic or professional researcher. We welcome a wide range of expertise, including people newer to board roles.With the board meeting mainly online, we also welcome candidates from all over the UK. 

We’re especially interested in candidates with skills or experience in: 

• Business development or income generation (e.g., grants, commissioning, fundraising, third sector) 
• Health or social care delivery, including clinical, managerial or lived‑experience backgrounds 
• Public involvement, co‑production or inclusive research 
• Finance or governance 

You will also bring: 

• An interest in how research can improve health and care 
• Good listening skills and openness to diverse perspectives 
• A willingness to constructively challenge and be challenged 
• Enthusiasm for our aims and values, including a commitment to EDI 

What the role involves 

As a Trustee, you will contribute to: 

• Setting and monitoring HSR UK’s strategic direction 
• Ensuring strong governance and compliance 
• Approving major decisions, policies, and annual accounts 
• Considering and managing organisational risk 
• Actively participating in board meetings and reading papers in advance 
• Leading on a specific area of work (e.g., finance, conferences, events, governance), depending on your interests and skills 

Practical details 

Time commitment 

• Around ½–1 day per month 
• Five 90‑minute board meetings per year (online) plus our AGM in the autumn
• Option to join sub‑committees (1–2 meetings per year) 
• Opportunity to help shape our annual conference and attend the conference in person

Location 

• Meetings are online (MS Teams); our annual conference rotates around UK universities (2026: University of Manchester) 

Remuneration 

• This is a voluntary role.  We reimburse trustee out of pocket expenses, including travel to meetings and conference attendance 

Term 

• Three years, renewable for up to three consecutive terms 

How to apply 

To apply for one of our three trustee vacancies, please click the Apply Now button below. If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact Cat Chatfield using the contact details on our website.

Closing date: Tuesday 17th February at 5pm 

Timetable

We will let you know if you have been shortlisted or not by Friday 20th February. Interviews will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Monday 23rd and Wednesday 25th February. We will let you know if you have been appointed as a Trustee by the end of February. 

We are looking for up to three talented people to bring wider expertise to our board and complement the skills of our elected pharmacists and the Chair, Joe Irvin OBE. Our Trustees will help steer our strategic direction and ensure the good governance and financial wellbeing of the College.

With a proud history of more than a century, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is now transforming itself into the Royal College of Pharmacy, a registered charity providing public benefit, to sit alongside the other medical royal colleges. This change is due in Spring 2026.

As we already have expertise in pharmacy, this is not a requirement however one of the new trustees must have specialist expertise in charity finance.  This is a voluntary role, and you would be expected to attend formal board meetings (in person and online) four times a year – and annually for a full-day strategic review and planning session. Trustees serve for a term of up to three years with an option for appointment for a further two terms.

Principal Duties as a Board Member:

• Contribute actively to the Board, in giving firm strategic direction to the charity, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

• Ensure that the charity pursues its mission, as defined by the objects in its governing document and uses its resources exclusively for the delivery of that mission

• Ensure effective and efficient administration of the charity

 Person Specification:

• Demonstrable strategic leadership – with ability to focus on long-term direction and outcomes rather than operational detail

• Experience leading or advising organisations through growth, change, or uncertainty

• Experience within or exposure to sectors with particular sensitivities or complexities, e.g. healthcare, membership, safeguarding or equality-focused work.

• It would be desirable to bring expertise in any of the following areas: change management, marketing and communication, commercial success of a trading subsidiary, safeguarding, education, professional accreditation

• Knowledge of the wider healthcare environment and in particular patient voice would also be an advantage.

About The RPS:

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is the professional leadership body for pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Great Britain. We support pharmacists in their education and development, promote pharmacy in the media and government, and lead the way in medicines information across Great Britain and around the world. Our mission is to put pharmacy at the forefront of healthcare. Our vision is to become the world leader in the safe and effective use of medicines.

To apply, please send a CV or Profile and a supporting statement via the link on our website. We are committed to making the application process inclusive.

1. Briefly describe how your skills, experience and personal qualities make you a good candidate for this role. Refer to the role description and person specification for inspiration. (800-word limit)

2. Your specific areas of expertise that will be beneficial to our board of trustees

Each candidate will be shortlisted based on merit, and interview and appointment selection will be strictly based on the agreed selection criteria. The Equality Act 2010 permits reasonable adjustments that may give preferential treatment to an individual with a disability.

About Charity Right

Charity Right is an international food charity - Registered Charity No. 1163944 in England & Wales

The Objects of the Charity are

1. To relieve poverty worldwide by
   • Providing food supplies, items, grants and services to individuals in need and other groups or organisations that are working to prevent and relieve hunger and poverty
   • Providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient
   • Undertaking and supporting research into factors that contribute to poverty and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these
   • The provision of grants to enable young people to participate in healthy recreational activities that they could not otherwise afford
2. The relief of financial need and suffering among victims of natural or other kinds of disaster in the form of money (or other means deemed suitable) for persons, bodies, organisations and/or countries affected.

Our work centres on breaking the cycle of poverty through sustainable school meals programmes. We currently provide daily school meals in displaced communities affected by extreme food insecurity. Our programme has helped save thousands of young peoples’ lives by freeing them to get an education, develop new skills into adulthood and lift themselves out of poverty.

With millions still going hungry worldwide, our vital work is needed now more than ever. We are at an exciting stage of growth and seek a trustee who can help us deepen our impact, strengthen our strategic direction, and ensure our programmes continue to transform lives for decades to come.

Our Commitment to Diverse Leadership

We strongly encourage applications from women and younger Muslim professionals who can bring fresh perspectives, sectoral expertise, and a long-term strategic vision to our board. We recognise that diverse leadership strengthens our governance, deepens our understanding of the communities we serve, and ensures our programmes remain relevant and impactful.

Age, gender and background diversity is not just important to us in principle, but it is essential to fulfilling our mission effectively. We actively seek to build a board that reflects the breadth of our supporter base and the communities we serve.

About the Role

We are seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our board of trustees. Our mission is to provide school meals to children in developing countries, with the goal of reducing hunger and improving educational outcomes.

As a trustee, you will work collaboratively with fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the charity. You will help ensure our activities align with our mission and values. The trustee will work closely with other members of the board and staff to develop and implement plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and maximise the positive impact of its work.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the board of trustees, providing governance and oversight to the organisation
• Uphold Charity Commission and legal responsibilities as a trustee and company director
• Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff to develop and implement strategies, plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and values
• Champion the charity to external stakeholders and partners
• Attend and actively participate in board meetings and events
• Ensure robust compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, using your network to advance our mission

Person Specification

• Genuine passion for international development and our mission to end child hunger
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: [AK1] finance, programmes, marketing, fundraising, technology, and operations
• Strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to contribute constructively to board discussions
• Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team
• Willingness to dedicate time and energy to the charity’s success
• Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements for charitable organisations, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and commitment to collective decision-making
• Demonstrates highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour, avoiding conflicts of interest and prioritizing the charity's mission
• Engages respectfully and collaboratively with board members, staff and stakeholders, fostering an inclusive environment and modelling the charity's values
• Understanding of the cultural and economic contexts of the countries where the charity operates is a plus.

Organisation Structure

The board of trustees provides strategic oversight and governance to the Executive team, who manage day to day operations. Trustees work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, offering guidance while respecting operational independence

Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are scheduled to accommodate trustee’s availability. Most meetings are done via video conferencing, and on occasion we meet in person at a suitable location. Individual commitments are agreed between each trustee and the Chair of the board.

Commitment

• Board meeting – quarterly
• 2-hour meetings with reports to read one week in advance
• Telephone meetings – as required
• 30-minute conference calls occasionally required in between board meetings
• Staff away day – once yearly
• A day of in-person workshops, planning and Q&A with staff
• Events – as required
• Occasional participation in promotional events – usually early evening
• Project groups – as required
• Occasional working alongside staff to complete projects – as fits expertise and diaries

Application Process

If you would like to formally apply for the role, please include a letter of application along with your current CV.

In your letter, please outline:

• Your motivation for applying and connection to our mission
• Your relevant experience, expertise, or perspective that you would bring to the board
• What you hope to contribute to Charity Right and gain from the trusteeship
• Your commitment to championing diversity and inclusive leadership
• Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest

We are happy to discuss the role in more detail and answer any questions you may have about the board service.

Charity Right is an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to building a diverse board and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in charity governance.

Lead Bradford Hospitals Charity at a Transformative Moment

Bradford Hospitals Charity is on the brink of an extraordinary transformation. As we prepare to become a fully independent charity, we are seeking a bold, visionary, and inspiring Chair of Trustees to lead our Board and help shape the next chapter in our history.

Currently, the charity is governed through an NHS Corporate Trustee model, with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) acting as Corporate Trustee. While this arrangement has provided strong foundations and close alignment with the Trust, the move to independence represents a significant step forward in the charity’s maturity and ambition.

Becoming independent will enable Bradford Hospitals Charity to operate with greater agility, open up additional routes to funding, strengthen external partnerships, and further develop its own identity and governance- while continuing to work in close collaboration with BTHFT to support patients, staff, and communities.

As part of this journey, the incoming Chair will play a pivotal role in leading the charity through its transition to independence. This will include chairing a Shadow Board during the transition period, overseeing the establishment of independent governance arrangements, and leading the recruitment of a diverse, skilled, and high-performing Trustee Board to take the charity forward once independence is achieved.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a tangible difference to healthcare in Bradford and the surrounding communities.

Our Mission

Brain tumours do not discriminate, and they do not respect boundaries. They can strike anyone, at any age. And they strike quickly. We understand that taking on a fundraising challenge isn’t as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. Combine the physical challenge with an ambitious fundraising target, taking part for a charity close to your heart and finding time to train, the challenge can feel overwhelming. This is where our Motivational Caller volunteers play a vital role. By offering encouragement, reassurance and a listening ear, they empower fundraisers to reach their goals!

How can you help?

To ensure our fundraisers receive the best possible support, we like to give each of them a call ahead of their challenge event to wish them good luck and offer encouragement. With hundreds of fundraisers taking part, we rely on the support of our volunteers to help make these calls possible.

This is what your volunteer role will look like:

• The Events team will provide clear, step-by-step instructions to help you log into our telephone system from the comfort of your own home. This usually takes around 10 minutes and you’re very welcome to do this alongside a member of staff via a Teams call if you’d prefer extra support.

• You’ll receive a password-protected spreadsheet containing a list of fundraisers allocated to you. Calls can be made at a time that suits you, during the week or two leading up to each challenge event.

• We will provide you with all the information you need including a script to follow and frequently asked questions so that you feel confident to make calls to our fundraisers.

• After each call, you’ll simply update the spreadsheet with any key notes or feedback.

What impact will you have?

By calling our fundraisers, you’ll create a personal connection with members of our community and help them feel recognised, valued and supported for the incredible efforts they’re making. By helping fundraisers reach the start line feeling supported and inspired, you’ll play a vital role in maximising the funds raised for The Brain Tumour Charity, directly contributing to life-changing support services and vital research for the future.

We are looking for:

As part of our volunteer team you will be enthusiastic, friendly and willing to chat to our fundraisers about the event they are taking part in. We need you to have:

• Great verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• A friendly telephone manner
• General interest in The Charity and/or our fundraising events
• Access to the internet, preferable through a secure Wi-Fi source
• Basic IT skills, including using the Microsoft Authenticator App and Excel.
• Access to a laptop or computer (preferred)

What can you gain from volunteering?

• You’ll have the opportunity to develop your communication and listening skills through one-to-one conversations with our fundraisers.

• You’ll develop an understanding of how the Events team at The Charity operates.

• You’ll help the Events team raise more than £3.9 million a year, helping fund life-changing support and pioneering research.

Time commitment

We’ll need your help in the week or two leading up to each of our Challenge events throughout the year. The role is very ad-hoc and flexible, so you’ll be free to make the phone calls at a time to suit you within those weeks. Our busiest times of year are Spring and Autumn!

All phone calls will need to be carried out between 10am – 4pm on weekdays only. This is a remote role.

Practical considerations

You will receive a full induction to The Brain Tumour Charity and any specific training for the role, as well as ongoing direction from one of the team, who will be your key contact. Volunteers must be over 18. The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals belonging to minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. We encourage volunteers to claim for any reasonable expenses that are incurred in the course of their volunteering with The Charity. Find out more in our Volunteer Expenses Policy. If we receive a high volume of applications, we may close the role early, so we’d encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.

Need support with the application process?

We are committed to being inclusive and recognise that there may be a number of ways we could support you through the application process. If there’s any adjustments we can make to help you fully engage in the process, don’t hesitate to let us know by getting in touch with the Volunteering Team.

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for service designers to participate in our community-led working group who are leading improvements in our collaborative social infrastructure. Meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?
 

1. Service Implementation: Expert in design methodologies, ecosystem mapping, visual concepts, and prototyping. Translates insights into tangible service improvements. 

2. User Research: Experienced in behavioral research, ecosystem context, and facilitating co-creation workshops to drive innovation. 

3. Community Engagement: Skilled in inclusive co-design, building community ownership, and communicating complex ideas simply. 

4. Collaboration: Multidisciplinary team player with a systems-thinking approach. 

5. Desirable: Tech-proficient, impact measurement, and inclusive design.

By leading research and service design projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local people. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

Volunteer Profile 

This is a 6 weeks fixed duration position. As a volunteer you will support the NIAS  Charity shop team in day to day activities. The role will require you to be fit, proactive, have good customer services skills and be committed to NIAS values (Doing Good the Right Way) and standards set by the NIAS charity shops. 

Main responsibilities

The role of a NIAS charity shop volunteer is varied and covers a variety of responsibilities. The following list highlights some of the main tasks you will need to carry out day to day. These responsibilities can change depending on the needs of the shop so you will need to be adaptable in your approach to managing different tasks. 

-  Customer service 

-       Communicating the NIAS mission and charity objectives to customers who enquire

-Accepting, sorting and pricing donations of furniture, clothing and bric-a-brac

-Shop merchandising 

-Researching unusual or high value items 

-Operating the till

-Keep a record of donations and working with delivery team to coordinate delivery and collections

-Helping with collections/deliveries/maintenance 

-Accepting phone calls and emails from donors 

-Ensuring the shop is kept tidy and clean at all times

Benefits for you 

Volunteers provide vital support to our shops and the overall mission of NIAS. Whether you are looking to gain some experience or just want to enjoy your time working in a friendly environment we will support you to ensure your time as a volunteer is fun, rewarding and worthwhile. 

We offer

-Fun and friendly working environment 

-Chance to gain some new skills in retail 

-Support a charitable cause helping children in poverty gain access to better education 

-Work a part of a team of like-minded people.

Who is NIAS 

We champion our cause that research, policy and practice ought to be coordinated to produce real benefits for the poor in society. We do this by offering a platform for change-makers from all works of life to get involved in solving some of the most pressing challenges of our time in the areas of; poverty reduction, human rights, climate change and governance in Africa, through research and practical actions.

Dive into lasting impact: Fundraise for East London Waterworks Park to create and shape natural swimming ponds, ecological habitats and community gardens

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are creating a fundraising strategy for our next phase of work: an exciting programme of community projects. If you have experience of planning or running fundraising campaigns, we would love to hear from you. Our community-led strategic process, as well as all of our work, is open for everyone to participate in.

The Fundraising Circle currently meets fortnightly on a Thursday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely. We understand that people may not have a lot of time to give, so we want to find volunteers who could give us one-off or ongoing strategic advice and support.

If you have experience in writing grants and funding applications, corporate fundraising, philanthropy, or any other aspect of fundraising, it would be great to hear from you. 

We are keen fundraisers but we are lacking professional expertise and experience and we would love your help and input. We would welcome one-off advice on the phone or in person, as well as longer term volunteers. 

East London Waterworks Park is an exciting and ambitious project that offers many rewarding opportunities for our volunteers. You will have a significant impact on the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds and forest schools. 

By leading fundraising projects that explore how diverse professionals (architects, ecologists, web developers, community researchers etc.) collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that truly reflects the needs and desires of the local community. 

Without funding we won’t be able to make it happen. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage our service users, stakeholders, funders, and the general public, ultimately driving support for the park's mission and ensuring its long-term sustainability. So you will be directly contributing to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds.

Learning and curriculum designers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for volunteers to develop learning content and resources, such as lesson plans and educational materials, to support our environmental learning goals. This role will focus on creating school-friendly resources for our website and collaborating with educators to enhance our offerings.

The role would include:

• Developing online learning resources for our website (on-going project)
• Designing or tailoring existing lesson plans and activities for schools 
• Supporting the creation of ELWP’s Under 18s volunteering policy
• Supporting outreach efforts to promote ELWP’s existing learning programmes

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Waltham Forest College 
• Henry Maynard Primary School, Walthamstow
• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead Primary School, Hackney
• Daubeney Primary School, Hackney
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

Ideal candidates have experience in curriculum design, teaching, or educational resource development. Creativity, strong writing skills, and an understanding of outdoor or environmental education will be valuable. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role.  

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

You will have a significant impact on the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. By volunteering in this role, you will help shape the future of East London Waterworks Park as a community-led environmental learning space. This will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to hear from you!