Charity trustees volunteer volunteer roles

Trustee Recruitment – Join Our Board and Help Shape Our Future

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and bring fresh expertise, insight, and strategic leadership as we continue to grow our impact. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your professional skills to a mission‑driven organisation that makes a real difference in our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are particularly keen to strengthen our Board with expertise in the following areas:

Legal

Experience in charity, commercial, employment, safeguarding, or property law.

HR

Experience in HR leadership, people management, organisational development, employee relations, or workforce strategy

Marketing & Communications

Skills in digital comms, PR, brand development, or audience engagement.

Fundraising / Philanthropy

Knowledge of income generation, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, or grant‑making.

Commercial Tourism

Experience in visitor attractions, hospitality, destination marketing, or customer experience.

Adult Social Care

Understanding of care provision, safeguarding, regulation, or community support services.

Property / Surveying

Expertise in estates, facilities, compliance, capital planning, or asset management.

You do not need previous trustee experience - we value your professional insight, strategic thinking, and commitment to our mission.

About the charity: 

COT has been at the forefront of learning disability support for over 40 years. Our innovative approach blends high-quality care, supported living, and life skills development with a thriving 100-acre farm that doubles as a popular family visitor attraction. This rare combination enables people with learning disabilities and autism to develop skills in areas such as animal care, horticulture, customer service, and the culinary arts, while fostering a strong sense of community and inclusion.

With a mission to empower individuality and achieve happiness, we support over 96 people in community settings, offering residential and supported living services, as well as an additional 70 external students in life skills. We are known for our holistic, person-centred approach and commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical farming. Our close-knit team of dedicated staff and volunteers is guided by values of courage, opportunity-seeking, collaboration, and doing the right thing.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in shaping our strategy, ensuring strong governance, and supporting the organisation's long‑term sustainability. You will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the senior team to guide our direction and champion our values.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic oversight and constructive challenge
• Bringing your professional expertise to Board discussions
• Ensuring good governance, financial sustainability, and risk management
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation
• Supporting the senior team with insight, advice, and networks

 Time Commitment

• 4–6 Board meetings per year (in person)
• 4-6 Committee meetings (online)
• Occasional support between meetings, depending on your expertise
• A typical commitment is around 10–15 hours per month, flexible around your availability

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful leadership role in a purpose‑driven organisation
• The opportunity to use your skills for social good
• Experience in governance and strategic decision‑making
• A supportive, collaborative Board environment
• The satisfaction of helping shape our long‑term impact

 We Welcome Diverse Perspectives

We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We particularly encourage applications from people who bring lived experience, come from underrepresented backgrounds, or have non‑traditional career paths.

Our workplace is built on acceptance, respect and inclusion where everyone feels they belong and can make meaningful contributions. We encourage applicants regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status. If you need any assistance during the recruitment process, please let us know.

VOLUNTEER CHAIR OF THE BOARD — Lead SUNSHINE Charity Into a Bright Future

Start‑up Charity  •  Fighting Loneliness  •  Launching 2026  •  Strategic Leadership, Governance & Board Motivation

SUNSHINE Charity was created from a simple but powerful belief: no one should feel alone. After the isolation of lockdown, we’re building a charity that brings people together, sparks joy and creates real community.

As we prepare for our 2026 launch, we’re entering a pivotal stage — and due to ill health, our current Chair is stepping down. We now need a dynamic, committed and motivating Chair of the Board who can guide our trustees, keep the board energised, and help steer SUNSHINE Charity toward long‑term success.

If you’re an inspiring leader who believes in the power of community, this is a chance to shape a charity from the ground up.

Volunteer Chair of the Board of Trustees

As our Chair, you’ll be the driving force behind our governance and strategic direction. You’ll lead a small but passionate board, ensuring trustees are fully engaged, informed and empowered to make strong decisions.

Your leadership will help ensure SUNSHINE Charity is built on solid governance, clear purpose and a united, motivated board — ready to launch and grow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and motivating the Board of Trustees.

• Setting the strategic direction and ensuring the charity stays mission‑focused.

• Chairing board meetings and ensuring they are productive, inclusive and well‑structured.

• Supporting and guiding trustees, helping them stay engaged and accountable.

• Ensuring strong governance and compliance with Charity Commission requirements.

• Acting as a key ambassador for SUNSHINE Charity.

• Helping us build a charity that is well‑run, visionary and ready to make a real impact.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leadership, strategic thinking and bringing people together with purpose.

Who You Are

Someone who:

• Is an inspiring, confident and collaborative leader.

• Can motivate and unite a board, even during challenging periods.

• Has strong communication skills and a strategic mindset.

• Understands (or is willing to learn about) charity governance.

• Can give time each month to lead the board through our start‑up and launch phase.

• Believes deeply in our mission to reduce loneliness and build community.

• Wants to help shape a charity at the most exciting — and crucial — stage of its journey.

You don’t need decades of governance experience. What matters most is your ability to lead people, think strategically and keep the board focused, energised and moving forward.

What You’ll Get Out of It

• A central leadership role in shaping a brand‑new charity.

• Experience in charity governance, strategic planning and board leadership.

• A committed, friendly team who value your guidance and contribution.

• The satisfaction of knowing your leadership directly helps people feel less alone.

• The joy of helping build a charity that brings sunshine into people’s lives.

If you’re ready to lead a passionate board, drive our mission forward and help SUNSHINE Charity shine, we’d love to welcome you.

Apply today and help us bring sunshine back into people’s lives.

We are the Lincs Mid, NE and Lincoln Branch of the RSPCA. Our Branch rehabilitates and re-homes animals rescued by National RSPCA Inspectors, as well as taking in animals from members of the public who can no longer care for them. We have three charity shops as well as other fundraising activity and local partnership to raise funds for our animal care activities.

We are a passionate and ambitious team seeking a new Chair of our Board. We are currently 9 Trustees with a wide range of experience. As Chair, you will lead our monthly committee meetings as well as AGM. We are hands on as a board, with a great team of staff and volunteers who deliver our core activity.

If the Chair role isn't for you, we also have opportunities on our Board to take the lead on our Charity Retail Operations or Health & Safety. We already have Trustees with specific expertise in e.g. HR and finance, and would love you to join us if you have experience in either charity retail management or health & safety. 

Please contact me to find out more.

Job description

The Pastoral and Environmental Network in the Horn of Africa (PENHA) is an African-led and inspired charity, established in 1989.  Its mission is to reduce poverty among the pastoralists in the Horn of Africa through the empowerment of communities and to foster sustainable and dignified livestock-based and non-livestock-based livelihoods. In the UK, it works with the Horn diaspora community through youth mentoring and leadership programmes. 

PENHA’s Aims and Objectives

• Sustainable livelihoods require a coordinated approach at the grassroots and policy levels. PENHA, therefore, commits itself to two goals:
• The social, cultural and economic integration of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa
• Dynamic, diversified and sustainable pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods, with expanded access to information, technology, education and training
• A full and equal role for pastoral and agro-pastoralist women in public and economic life
• Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
• Development of links with the diaspora in the UK

PENHA has a team in the London Office and country chapters in the Horn of Africa region – in Ethiopia and Somaliland but works with partners in Sudan, Eritrea and Uganda as well as international partners outside the Horn of Africa.

In the UK, PENHA has a Board of Trustees, a number of research associates, volunteers and an international Advisory Group. PENHA Board of Trustees is looking for three trustees to join the London-based Board with experience in one of the following areas:

• A legal background, with financial and risk management experience;
• Knowledge of branding, marketing and fundraising, including the use of social media;
• Knowledge of the charity sector and employment law in the UK.

In addition, candidates should have an understanding of the context within which charities operate, ideally with some experience of the Horn of Africa region.

The post is unpaid and the time commitment is four to six meetings per year, with attendance at other occasional meetings and events as a representative of the charity.

The Board is responsible for submitting the Annual Report and Accounts to the Charity Commission and to Companies House. As a small charity, trustees contribute actively as part of a team in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets. PENHA is currently undergoing a new strategy development process and the candidate will help steer the organisation through the challenges ahead.

In addition, Board members are responsible for:

• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its constitution/memorandum and articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• Protecting and managing the property of the organisation, and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation’s funds
• Appointing the senior staff and  monitoring their performance

Application Instructions

Are you interested in the causes we stand for and in joining the PENHA Board of Trustees? Please send your CV and cover letter to our UK Office Manager before 10 August 2026. If deemed necessary, we may start actioning applications/interviewing before the closing date.

PENHA is a charity registered in England in 1992 with the Charity Commission Registration Number
1038957

Our trustees and non-executive directors play a vital role in making sure that the group achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that there is a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

Just as importantly, they support and challenge the CEO and executive team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs, to enable Thrive Social Housing and Emerging Futures CIC to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

The Board operates under the leadership and guidance of the chair and works in partnership with the chief executive officer and the executive team.

Board members are expected to always act in the best interests of the organisation and its stakeholders, and to use their background knowledge and skills to work with the chair and other board members to ensure that the Board, supported by its committees, carries out its responsibilities effectively and lead from the top in demonstrating our culture, values and behaviours.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

SHASBAH is in need  of a  Volunteer Treasurer to help continue our 60 year old charity and ensure smooth running of the charity finances while providing the  trustee board and staff with appropriate budgetary and financial information on the activities of the charity including organising annual accounts. 

A Treasurer maintains effective governance of the organisations affairs, ensuring its financial viability and ensuring that proper processes and procedures exist for assuring all financial records, decisions and delegations are maintained. Ensuring  our mission statement is being fulfilled. SHASBAH charity has trustees with a range of skills and lots of lived experience and has a small staff team. 

The Treasurer role will include:

•  Ensuring  that all accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies including Charity Commission.

• Providing guidance and reviews of financial grants, loans and investments. 

• Recommending to our trustees and staff appropriate accounting procedures, controls and policies.

• Becoming a joint account holder and signatory. 

•  Working in close partnership with the Director of services in executing their responsibilities and achieving the charity goals.

• Ensuring that appropriate financial policies are in place. 

As a Treasurer you will be required to provide monthly updates on the charity finances to the trustees and attend quarterly meetings via zoom or in person. Approx 8 hours a month in total.  All are welcome to attend any events or meetings. 

Do you want to make a real difference to Scope, the disability equality charity, and our income?

Would you like to help run a shop and learn leadership skills?

Are you 18 years old or over? 

You might like our charity shop supervisor role! 

About this role 

You will be one of the leaders in your local charity shop making a difference to your local community whilst helping other volunteers to have a great experience. You will be required to take on Scope’s level 1 training course when you start. You will work through the training with your manager so you have the chance to ask lots of questions and feel confident in your role.

Your role may include: 

• supporting the shop manager and assistant shop manager 
• supporting other volunteers 
• delegating tasks 
• supervising young volunteers 
• handling deliveries
• banking and cashing up 
• being a key-holder, opening and closing the shop

When and where 

You will be in our Scope Gillingham shop, 45 High Street, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4AA. We are flexible on the times you would like to volunteer. We’d love your help for a couple of hours a week, but if you can give more time that would help us even more.

Who we’re looking for 

• kind and friendly attitude 
• reliable and responsible 
• willing to undertake training modules and complete a test at the end 
• motivated to develop your skills, particularly in leadership 
• friendly and passionate about disability equality! 

We particularly welcome applications from disabled people. Equality and inclusion are at the heart of Scope’s mission. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all volunteers.

Skills and experience you can gain 

• customer service 
• leadership 
• teamwork 
• running a shop 
• till operation
• cash handling and banking 
• supporting and supervising volunteers 
• coaching and mentoring 
• communication 
• stock preparation and management 
• health and safety 
• valuable experience for your CV 
• experience of a large, national disability charity 

What we can offer you 

• introduction to Scope 
• demonstration of your tasks 
• training courses, in person and online 
• personal development opportunities 
• opportunity to train up to Level 2 once you’ve completed Level 1 
• support and regular catch ups with a dedicated manager 
• agreed travel expenses 
• adjustments to make the role accessible for you 
• work experience for your CV 
• a work reference 
• 20% discount in your Scope charity shop 

Safeguarding 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Scope is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults at risk, whether receiving services or being staff or volunteers. It expects all trustees, staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note, if you would like to progress to Level 2 training after you have completed Level 1, a DBS check will be required which Scope will provide.

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership operates in the borough of Watford and Three Rivers district, providing support to refugees and others without status in the UK. The partnership has a full-time caseworker and two part-time support staff in addition to around 80 volunteers. It currently serves around 350 families and individuals.

The charity provides:

· A weekly drop-in session – currently Tuesdays 11:00-13:30 – for existing and new clients to see us

· Casework supporting applications for leave to remain and related issues

· A weekly social hub – concurrent with the drop-in – for any client to join us for company and activities

· Education for our clients, mainly in the English language but including help with literacy and numeracy.

The operations manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity, reporting to the committee and trustees, ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and resources are used effectively to achieve its mission.  They will provide a line management and mentoring role for the case worker and office administrator. The successful candidate would have had managerial experience, possibly in the charity, education, healthcare or related sectors. The role is a part time one – expected to average 2 days per week, and likely to suit someone retired from employment.

Specific roles for the operations manager are:

· Support of communication within the charity

· Supervision of the weekly (currently Tuesday, 11:00am-1:30pm) welcome desk, drop-in, social hub and casework operation

· Line management of our full-time caseworker and part-time office manager

· Support of elements of casework by allocating other volunteers, logistics etc.

· Making day-to-day decisions within agreed scope, for management of the charity

· Report to the committee (including trustees) at its regular meetings with status of cases and requests for decisions

· Advising the committee in developing the charity, helping work on core mission, vision and strategy.

· Working with our fundraisers to provide required information and guidance where needed.

The successful candidate would have experience in:

· Proven organisational and multitasking skills

· Knowledge and experience of regulatory requirements to ensure compliance (e.g. GDPR etc)

· Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders

· Management of staff and volunteers

· Working with a volunteer committee and trustees

· Development of a business, charity or equivalent organisation

Connect: North Korea works with North Korean escapees to recover, rebuild, and succeed. We were established in 2018 to address the complex challenges North Koreans face in building new lives after escaping the North Korean regime and reaching safety.

We are seeking a Legal Trustee to join our Board of Trustees at an exciting stage of growth. As we scale our programmes and deepen our impact in the UK and internationally, we are looking for an individual with strong legal expertise to support our governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic development.

If you have a legal background, this is an excellent opportunity to play a highly rewarding role in supporting our mission. The successful candidate will help ensure robust governance, provide legal insight on risk and compliance, and support the organisation to grow sustainably. Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with our work and vision and share our values and commitment to social and racial justice. 

CNK’s small Board of Trustees is committed, friendly and comprises trustees from a broad range of professional and personal backgrounds at different points in their careers. If you are invested in CNK’s mission and from a legal background but have questions about the role or are unsure if your experience matches the criteria below, please do get in touch for an informal conversation.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Legal Trustee

LOCATION: Remote / 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, KT3 4QS

We usually hold board meetings online, but this is open to change.

COMMITMENT: 2 – 3 hours per month. We hold one annual away day we’d expect the board to attend.

Our Board meets every quarter for 2 hours. There is expected support between meetings. Our terms are capped at 3 years with potential for renewal for one additional term.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to good governance and strategic decision-making, ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities in line with our constitution, governance framework, and applicable legislation.

• Provide legal insight and oversight on regulatory compliance, risk, and organisational development, ensuring alignment with relevant legal frameworks

• Support the Board in maintaining high standards of governance, accountability, and transparency

• Use your networks and influence to promote the charity’s mission, acting as an ambassador to build relationships with donors, partners, and advocates.

• Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and the Chair to maintain a supportive, ambitious, and effective governance environment.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Demonstrable experience in a legal role (e.g. solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel).

• Understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to charities

• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills and comfortable in an ambassadorial role.

• Demonstrable communication and teamwork skills with proven ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.

• Able to make difficult evidence-based decisions, negotiate challenging conversations, and be able to balance competing interests

• Experience working or volunteering in diverse and cross-cultural environments.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience of charity law, regulatory compliance, or governance

• Lived experience of migration or of a refugee background is highly desirable.

• Korean speaker

• Be actively engaged in refugee and migrant rights, social change, and/or a related field

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Due to the nature of CNK’s work with people in vulnerable circumstances, including at times children, a DBS or criminal record check is required for this role, although a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to working at CNK. 

• Candidates are required to commit a minimum of 2-3 hours per month to this role for at least one term of three years. 

• Charity trustee positions are unpaid voluntary roles. Any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed inline with CNK’s expenses policy. 

CNK’s values are rooted in inclusivity and equity and we encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, working ages, genders, sex, sexual orientations, faiths (or non), marital status (or non) and pregnancy status. People with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds are experts by experience and are particularly encouraged to apply. 

We also respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV and cover letter for the attention of Emma Shore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. 

We are seeking an experienced finance professional to join our Board of Trustees and provide strategic financial oversight to support the Trust’s long-term success and sustainability.

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in shaping the Trust’s vision, ensuring strong governance, and helping to deliver positive outcomes for our pupils, staff, and communities. Working collaboratively with fellow Trustees and senior leaders, you will contribute to effective decision-making and provide independent scrutiny and challenge where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Trustees collectively provide:

• Strategic Leadership – setting the Trust’s vision, values, culture, and long-term strategy.
• Accountability and Assurance – overseeing performance, risk management, and organisational effectiveness.
• Stakeholder Engagement – ensuring meaningful engagement with key stakeholders to support informed decision-making.

As the Finance Specialist Trustee, you will bring professional financial expertise to the Board, supporting robust financial governance, sustainability, and effective stewardship of resources.

What We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with strong financial knowledge and experience, who can provide strategic insight and independent judgement. Previous board experience is desirable but not essential.

Trustees are responsible for the governance of a charitable company and must ensure that the Trust complies with all relevant legal, regulatory, and statutory requirements. Trustees work closely with the Trust’s governance professionals and, where necessary, seek advice from external professional advisers.

This is an excellent opportunity to use your financial expertise to make a meaningful contribution to education and community outcomes.

We are looking for someone who:

• Professional experience in finance, accounting, audit, or financial management
• Ability to analyse complex financial information and communicate key issues clearly to non-finance specialists
• Understanding of governance, risk management, and assurance frameworks
• Commitment to the values, vision, and objectives of the Trust

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working within the public sector, charity, or education finance environment
• Knowledge of academy trust funding arrangements and financial frameworks
• A recognised professional finance qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience

Shortlisting: TBC

Interviews: TBC

All applicants short listed will be required to take part in a formal interview.

Additional Information:

Hales Valley Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020).This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

Basis Yorkshire is seeking a committed and values-driven individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is an opportunity to support a long-standing, specialist organisation working alongside sex workers and people experiencing sexual exploitation across Yorkshire.

Basis has over three decades of experience delivering trauma-informed, non-judgemental support, advocacy, outreach and education. We work with people across all sectors of the sex industry, as well as young people and adults at risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation. Our approach is rooted in dignity, agency, social justice and harm reduction, with the voices and experiences of the people we support at the centre of everything we do.

As Treasurer Trustee, you will play a key role in supporting the Board’s oversight of the charity’s financial health, sustainability and governance. While professional financial qualifications are not required, we are looking for someone who is confident in scrutinising financial information, asking constructive questions, and contributing to strategic decision-making.

We are particularly interested in individuals who share our commitment to challenging stigma and inequality, and who can bring thoughtful, independent judgment to Board discussions. Previous experience in the voluntary or community sector, safeguarding, or connections to strategic networks in Leeds would be welcomed.

Trustees are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings, contribute to working groups where possible, and engage with role-specific matters between meetings. An enhanced DBS check will be required and arranged by Basis.

We warmly encourage applications from people with diverse lived and professional experiences, particularly those currently underrepresented at the Board level.

Behçet’s Disease is an auto-immune disorder which is incurable but can be managed by specialist consultants. It is very rare and can affect any part of the body. It often takes years to diagnose and can be debilitating to the patient. 

Behçet’s Patients Centres (BPC), a charitable company, was formed in 2011 to provide the specialist, multi disciplinary care for patients.

We are seeking to recruit a Finance Director to our Board in order to both increase our experience and skills base and to facilitate effective succession management. This is a volunteer role that offers rewarding experience and the chance to make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by this rare condition.

This is a highly autonomous role that will make a big difference to the Board of Directors and their purpose to provide a service to one of the rarest patient groups in England. We’re looking for someone who can come in and help us build on our achievements and do things even better. You will be responsible for the financial management of the charitable company to ensure we successfully deliver our contractual commitments and thus influence the future of our funding, (we have a contract which runs until March 2028). You will play an important role as a member of the Board of Directors, ensuring they are guided by your financial expertise. This will involve preparing budgets; paying salaries and finances owing to HMRC and invoicing the NHS. We also work collaboratively with Behçet’s UK, the registered charity for patients with Behçet’s Disease and you’ll be building relationships with that charity. 

The time commitment for this role is around 2 to 3 days per month on average, with extra time needed around budgeting and year end accounts. 

Experience Required:

• Proven management and leadership skills
• Proven financial skills in budget preparation and management
• Proven communication skills
• Awareness of both Charity and Data Protection Law
• Computer literate in use of Microsoft products
• Experience of contract performance management
• Flexibility of working hours to attend quarterly Director meetings and the Behçet’s UK Annual Conference

Qualifications Required:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent financial experience. 
• Preferably a qualification with CIMA, ACA or ACCA (or working towards) 
• A UK driving licence and the ability to travel 
• A clean Disclosure & Barring Services check will be undertaken 

Chair of Trustees - The Family Place Foundation

We are recruiting a new Chair of Trustees to lead our Board and support the next stage of our charity’s development.

Location: Remote, with occasional in‑person trustee meetings (typically once or twice a year) held in the Clyro/Herefordshire area.

Time commitment: Approximately 1–2 days per month. This includes six trustee meetings a year, occasional ad‑hoc discussions and light‑touch support between meetings (for example reviewing policies or responding to emails).

Remuneration: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

About us

Established in 2020, we are a small, well-established charity with a strong grounding and a clear purpose. We raise funds to provide support to adopted, fostered and kinship care children and their families to improve emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships, and reduce the impact of early trauma. In collaboration with leading UK practitioners, we support the delivery of a range of services providing essential therapeutic care and family support that isn’t covered by statutory funding. Services offered include Family Activity Days, Specialist Clinical Workshops, Advisory Consultations and Family Respite Camps. We also work to raise awareness of the challenges faced by children who cannot live with their birth families. We are a warm, committed team with a strong reputation for high‑quality support, clear governance, and genuine care for the families we serve.

To learn more about our work, please search online for “The Family Place Foundation”.

We are now seeking a Chair of Trustees to help guide the charity through its next stage of development, including shaping our emerging Family Foundations project, a significant new early‑years initiative for the charity, alongside our ongoing portfolio of funded projects delivered through our specialist partner. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated Board and a small operational support team who care deeply about the families we serve and the long‑term sustainability of the organisation.

The charity is currently led by a Board of four trustees, supported by two part‑time operational staff and a small group of volunteers.

As Chair, you will provide leadership to the Board, ensure effective governance, and help the charity continue enabling the delivery of high‑quality, trauma‑informed support. You will work closely with the trustees and operational colleagues to help shape strategy, strengthen partnerships, and ensure the charity remains compliant, resilient, and focused on its mission. You will also play a key role in strengthening the charity’s governance and fundraising, which in turn enables the therapeutic delivery carried out by our specialist partner. 

A supportive handover will be provided to ensure a smooth and confident transition into the role.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Warmth, clarity and good judgement, with a balanced, proportionate approach to governance.

• A genuine commitment to improving the lives of adopted, fostered and kinship care children and an understanding of the challenges faced by families affected by early trauma.

• Confidence in chairing discussions, helping the Board reach clear, well‑considered decisions.

• An understanding of good governance, including risk, safeguarding and compliance (or a willingness to learn).

• The ability to work collaboratively with trustees and our small operational support team, offering encouragement and constructive challenge while supporting the charity’s governance and fundraising role, which enables the specialist delivery work carried out by our partner.

• Strategic thinking, with the ability to help shape the charity’s direction and ensure long‑term sustainability.

• Reliability, integrity and a calm, steady approach, keeping the charity’s purpose at the centre of decision‑making.

• Meets the eligibility requirements to serve as a charity trustee, as set out by the Charity Commission.

Helpful but not essential:

• Experience of chairing a board or committee

• Experience in charity governance, education, social care, therapeutic work, or community leadership would be helpful, but we are open to a wide range of backgrounds.

• Lived or professional experience related to adoption, fostering, trauma or family support.

What We Offer

• A warm, committed Board, small operational support team and group of volunteers who work collaboratively and value clear communication.

• A meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a small but growing charity with a strong reputation for high‑quality, trauma‑informed support.

• Flexible time commitments that fit around work and family life.

• A chance to make a tangible difference to adopted, fostered and kinship-care children and young people, and the families who care for them.

How to apply

Please apply through the CharityJob platform with your CV and a short supporting statement outlining your interest in the role and your relevant experience. 

If you would like an informal conversation before applying please contact the charity directly using the details provided on our website. We would be happy to arrange a conversation with the current Chair or another member of the Board if you would like to learn more about the role.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

What you can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example:

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 
• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations
• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press
• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection
• You’ll need to be aged 18+ to volunteer in this role. If you’re aged 16-17, you’ll need to be supervised by a friend, family member, or guardian over the age of 18 in order to carry out any fundraising activity.

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.