Children and young peoples services peer support officer volunteer roles

Help shape the future of the UK's leading LGBT+ young people's charity.

From school bullying and family estrangement to inequality in the workplace, growing up LGBT+ is still unacceptably tough. We want every young person to have the opportunity to thrive and grow up knowing that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. 

Since our founding, Just Like Us has grown significantly in both scale and impact. Today, 4 in 5 secondary schools and thousands of primaries across the UK engage with our programmes, we have the UK’s largest cohort of LGBT+ volunteers aged 18 to 25, and our annual income exceeds £1 million. We have published landmark research reports that shape public opinion and influence government policy, and built a network of 14,000+ teachers who support LGBT+ inclusive education.

As we enter our next phase of development, we are seeking an exceptional Chair to lead our Board of Trustees and help guide the organisation through a period of continued growth, increasing organisational maturity and evolving opportunities.

This is an opportunity to provide strategic leadership to an ambitious national charity at an exciting point in its development. We are looking for a Chair who can lead our Board with confidence and sound judgement, support our Chief Executive through the next phase of organisational growth, and help ensure we remain financially resilient, well governed and firmly focused on our mission.

While the Chair will be an important ambassador for the charity, this is first and foremost a governance leadership role. We are looking for someone who understands how effective Boards operate; who can foster constructive challenge and collaboration, and who enjoys helping organisations and people realise their potential.

You may already be an experienced Chair, Trustee or Non-Executive Director, or you may bring substantial executive leadership experience and have worked closely with Boards throughout your career. We welcome candidates with good knowledge of charity governance, from across the charity, education, health, public, commercial and wider social impact sectors who can demonstrate strategic leadership and sound judgement.

We are particularly interested in individuals who have experience of supporting organisations through growth and increasing organisational complexity, who understand the importance of balancing ambition with sustainability, and who can act as a trusted partner to both the board and Chief Executive.

A strong external profile and established networks may be valuable in helping us build partnerships and extend our reach, however, we are equally interested in candidates whose strength lies in leading boards, navigating complexity and building high-performing governance.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who shares our commitment to improving the lives of LGBT+ young people. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience as an LGBT+ person, recognising the valuable perspective this can bring to the role.

This is an unremunerated voluntary position, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. The expected commitment is approximately two per month, including board meetings, preparation, occasional committee meetings and representing the charity at key events.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of an ambitious, values-led organisation making a tangible difference to the lives of LGBT+ young people across the UK, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of Just Like Us, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please send your CV and a covering letter setting out your motivation for the role and the experience you would bring as Chair of Trustees, to our email as specified in the recruitment pack, by 17:00 on Friday 21 August 2026

Volunteer Opportunity – Treasurer Trustee
Independent Arts Isle of Wight

Do you have financial skills and experience that could help strengthen creativity, wellbeing, and
community connections across the Isle of Wight?

Independent Arts is seeking a Treasurer Trustee to join our Board and help support the charity’s
continued growth and sustainability.

Independent Arts works with people of all ages and backgrounds, using creativity and
participation in the arts to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, build confidence, and
strengthen communities. We believe that creativity can have a positive impact on people’s lives,
and we are looking for someone who shares our values and wants to make a meaningful
contribution.

As Treasurer Trustee, you will play an important role in helping the Board oversee the charity’s financial affairs, ensuring strong financial governance and supporting informed decision-making. You will work alongside fellow trustees and staff to help ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable and able to continue delivering its valuable work across the Isle of Wight.

We are looking for someone who can offer:
• Experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, business planning, or financial
management
• The ability to understand and explain financial information clearly
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute to Board discussions
• Commitment to good governance and the aims of Independent Arts
Previous charity trustee experience or a professional accounting qualification would be
welcome but is not essential. We encourage applications from people with relevant skills and
practical experience from a range of professional and personal backgrounds.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the local community
• Experience of charity leadership and governance
• The chance to use your professional skills for social good
• The opportunity to work alongside a passionate and committed Board and team
• A chance to support creativity, wellbeing, and inclusive community development across
the Isle of Wight

Time commitment
This is a voluntary role. The Treasurer Trustee will be expected to attend quarterly Board and
finance committee meetings and review papers in advance, with additional time required to
support the CEO in financial planning, Board and annual reporting activities.
Independent Arts is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications
from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities.
 

We are looking for a passionate and committed young parent to join the Board of Parents 1st UK as a Lived Experience Trustee.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of our organisation by ensuring the voices, experiences and perspectives of parents remain at the heart of our work, strategy and decision-making.

We welcome applications from young parents with lived experience of pregnancy, early parenthood and/or accessing support for their mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy or within the first two years of their child’s life.

You do not need previous trustee or Board experience to apply. We are committed to supporting and developing new trustees and will provide induction, mentoring, guidance and ongoing support to help you succeed in the role.

This role is a valuable opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, gain experience in governance and make a meaningful difference for other parents and families.

As a Trustee, you will have opportunities to connect with staff, learn more about our programmes and see the impact of our work first-hand. You will work alongside the CEO and Programme Leads, helping to shape decisions and priorities that support parents, babies and families across the UK.

We understand that young parents may be balancing family life, work, education or other commitments, and we are committed to creating an accessible and supportive environment where you can participate fully.

Key Responsibilities

As a Young Parent Trustee, you will:

• Help ensure Parents 1st UK remains true to its mission, values and purpose
• Bring the voice and perspective of young parents to Board discussions and decision-making
• Share insight into the experiences and challenges faced by parents accessing services
• Contribute to discussions about strategy, policies and organisational priorities
• Attend and actively participate in Board meetings and discussions
• Work collaboratively with fellow Trustees, staff and volunteers
• Support good governance and help ensure the charity operates responsibly and effectively
• Act as an ambassador for Parents 1st UK and its work within communities and networks where appropriate

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a young parent with lived experience of pregnancy, early parenthood and/or perinatal mental health support
• Is passionate about improving outcomes for parents, babies and families
• Feels able to reflect on and share their experiences in a constructive and supportive way
• Is willing to contribute ideas, ask questions and learn alongside others
• Values inclusion, compassion, respect and collaboration
• Is committed to the aims and values of Parents 1st UK

Previous governance or Board experience is not required. We welcome applications from first-time trustees and will support you throughout your journey in the role.

Time Commitment

• Board Meetings: 6 per year (approx. 2 hours, held virtually)
• Away Days: 2 per year (in person in London, 10:00–16:00)
• Preparation: Reading papers and reports in advance
• Additional: Occasional strategy or planning sessions

Estimated total commitment: approximately 4–6 hours per month

Trustees must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Not be disqualified under the Charities Act

Parents 1st UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of families. All Trustees are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and appropriate due diligence.