Community volunteer roles

Across the UK, our volunteer groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS, bringing people together and connecting our local MS communities.

As our local group Lead Support Volunteer you’ll help recruit a team of Support Volunteers. You’ll support them to deliver telephone, face-to-face and online assistance to people affected by MS.

In this role you’ll develop your leadership, communication, organisation and team building skills.

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. Governors are needed to support and challenge schools to help realise their potential.

Anyone with an interest in education can be a governor. Governors are volunteers who work to further the school’s development.

The governing board consists of people from the school’s community, parents, school staff and representatives of the council.

Together with the headteacher they set the future direction for the school and decide how the school’s budget should be spent.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

BIND is a collection of projects and people that reduce food waste by bringing people together to create change. We design and deliver projects across sectors that push boundaries and achieve results. We believe change is created not by a handful of people doing sustainability perfectly, but by everyone doing a little something. Find out more about our values and purpose on our website. Our work is split between Magic Hat, Eat Smart and food waste partnerships.

Magic Hat is Newcastle City Centre’s first and only coffee shop, kitchen and events venue dedicated to impacting the UK’s wider food waste problem - positively. Our chefs design menus on-the-day, every day, made from food that's far too good to be wasted. Fresh ideas for ingredients at their best. Magic Hat also operates a volunteer programme, a PAYF shop, an events programme and a hireable meeting space/kitchen. Magic Hat's profits go to supporting Bind's other projects in food waste prevention. After 5 years of trading in Newcastle City Centre, our lease was terminated for the building to get redeveloped. We are currently seeking out a new premises for Magic Hat and designing for how we can continue to challenge in its next iteration.

Eat Smart is a successful primary school educational programme born in the NE of England designed to inspire children and schools to reduce food waste and build sustainable food systems. We deliver engaging resources and learning experiences that empower schools and pupils to have more ownership of their kitchens/dinner halls, improve student wellbeing, and have increased environmental awareness. 

Since 2018 Eat Smart has enabled 70 schools in North East England to rescue their food waste by over 25%, equivalent to saving 6,000 meals worth £13,000 per school, per year, and our expansion to other areas of the UK has already begun. With an ever-growing data set and credibility for school food waste prevention, we have increasing potential to affect school food policy and deliver food waste prevention interventions on a national level.

Bind is expanding its work to ensure food waste prevention, not just redistribution, is at the heart of our mission. Bind works in partnership with businesses, local authorities and community groups to help them reduce their food waste, and reduce their food bills by using surplus food in their kitchens. We are well recognised in the North East and lead various partnerships of public, private and voluntary sector organisations, tasked with reducing food waste at a strategic level.

About the Trustee Role

As a Bind Trustee, you’ll be at the heart of our strategic vision. You’ll make key decisions and help guide our Board and CEOs to maximise Bind’s impact. We are looking for experienced trustees to join our existing team of three, with one or more of the following areas of expertise, although we welcome applications from people with other skills and levels of experience:

1. Strategic Growth and Development

2. Financial control and/or fundraising

3. Policy: education, food and/or sustainability

4. Communications, marketing & PR 

5. Impact, performance and accountability

Time Commitment: 

• Your total time commitment will be between 2-6 hours per month, including board meetings every 6-8 weeks and ongoing problem solving – via email/WhatsApp.

• Meetings are a mix of online and in-person. You will be expected to prepare adequately for and attend meetings, as well as contribute to the success of Bind in other ways (e.g. through committee work, advocacy and attending events).

Essential Qualities of All Directors

• Commitment to Bind’s aims, objectives and core values

• Passion for creating behavioural change around the issue of food waste

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee

• Be familiarised with Bind’s constitution

• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to our aims and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

You will be collectively responsible for the effective governance and oversight of the charity, ensuring it is well-run, financially sound and delivering its charitable purposes:

• You’ll act in the charity’s best interests, advancing its charitable objects and acting with reasonable care and skill

• You’ll ensure compliance with the charity’s governing document, charity law and regulation

• You’ll provide strategic direction, agreeing the charity’s mission, values and long-term priorities

• You’ll oversee finances, ensuring appropriate financial controls are in place, resources are used responsibly, and assets are safeguarded

• You’ll manage risk, including reputational, financial and operational risk

• You’ll ensure accountability, monitoring performance and impact and acting transparently

• You’ll uphold safeguarding, equality and ethical standards, ensuring appropriate policies and practices are in place

• You’ll participate fully in Trustee Board meetings, decision-making and any sub-committees

• You’ll act as an ambassador for the charity and support its aims externally where appropriate

Application Process

To apply, please prepare no more than one side of A4 telling us about your relevant experience and what difference you hope to make to Bind. Please also include your full name and best contact details.

The deadline for applications is 20th February 2026. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this, we hope to hear from you soon.

CONTEXT

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in

Wolverhampton which supports, empowers and advocates for women and children.

We aim to actively encourage women to be self-reliant, through empowering them to

identify their own needs, make their own choices and create their own solutions. We

offer a baby bank, a charity shop & various community support services to help

women facing crises or challenging situations.

Wolverhampton Baby Bank is a flagship project run by The Women & Families

Resource Centre, a registered charity supporting families with children aged 0-3.

Through donated essentials and community engagement, we provide much-needed

items such as:

• Essential supplies for babies and toddlers, including nappies, wipes, clothing, toys,

and bedding.

• Support services for new parents, including drop-in groups and befriending for

pregnant women and new mothers.

• Referrals and resources to connect families with additional community services.

Scope and Span

The Listing / Inventory Team Lead is responsible for overseeing all inventory tracking, listing accuracy, and stock control within the Baby Bank.

This role ensures that all donated items are properly recorded, categorized, stored, and updated in the inventory system to maintain visibility, accountability, and operational efficiency.

The Team Lead supervises inventory volunteers and ensures adherence to operational SOPs.

Volunteer Guidelines

Thank you for volunteering with The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC). Our work supports and empowers women and families facing challenging circumstances, and your role is essential in helping us provide consistent, reliable, and respectful services. To ensure fairness, sustainability, and high-quality support for the community, all volunteers are expected to follow the structured framework and guidelines below.

• Minimum of 12hrs per week and 4hrs per day

• Attend agreed shifts consistently and provide notice if unable to attend.

• Carry out agreed tasks responsibly, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality at all times.

• Treat service users, staff, and fellow volunteers with respect and compassion.

• Communicate openly about availability, concerns, or if feeling overwhelmed to prevent burnout and overcommitment.

• Follow agreed scheduling processes to ensure continuity and consistency in service delivery.

• Work collaboratively as part of the team and report any safeguarding concerns immediately.

Your commitment and reliability help us create a stable and supportive environment for the families we serve.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate listing of all incoming donated items

• Maintain and update the inventory management system or tracking sheets

• Ensure proper categorization, labeling, and stock allocation

• Conduct regular stock checks and reconciliation

• Monitor stock levels and flag shortages or overstock issues

• Supervise and guide inventory/sorting volunteers assigned to listing tasks

• Ensure compliance with operational SOPs

• Prepare basic inventory reports for the Baby Bank Manager

• Support workflow improvements and system automation initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum high school education (college level preferred)

• Previous experience in inventory, stock control, warehouse, or administrative work preferred

• Experience supervising volunteers or small teams is an advantage

• Comfortable using Google Sheets, Excel, or inventory tools

• Available for required weekly hours
   

Skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Basic data management and spreadsheet skills

• Leadership and team coordination

• Organizational skills

• Problem-solving ability

• Process-oriented mindset

• Clear communication skills

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest, tell us; it may be helpful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started; simply click on ‘Apply Now’ and we’ll be in touch.

CHARITY SHOP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – CUSTOMER SERVICE - HASTINGS

We currently need volunteers for Tuesday and Saturday afternoons, Wednesdays & Friday mornings and all day Sundays.

Please get in touch if you would like to become part of our amazing Volunteer Team!

PURPOSE

To assist the Shop Manger in the running of an Age UK East Sussex Charity Shop with a focus on serving customers, driving sales and store presentation

ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER

· Greet and thank customers in a polite and friendly manner

· Assist customers in choosing items and actively promote sales

· Replenish and display stock in the shop throughout the day

· Receive donations and complete Gift Aid paperwork

· Handle cash and operate the till following correct procedure

· Take credit card payments using the Streamline system

· Assist in keeping the shop clean and tidy following the cleaning rota

· Undertake other tasks as required by the Shop Manager

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES NEEDED

· Great communication and interpersonal skills

· A pleasant and friendly manner

· Basic numeracy skills

· An eye for detail

· Enjoy working as part of a team

· Trustworthy and reliable

AS A VOLUNTEER WE WOULD ASK YOU TO

· Support the Mission and Vision of Age UK East Sussex by helping us to ensure that our county is a place where people in later life flourish

· Be available to volunteer for at least one regular shift each week. This could be a morning, afternoon or whole day. Depending on the store we open Monday – Sunday.

· Adhere to Age UK East Sussex confidentiality and equal opportunities policies maintaining discretion and confidentiality at all times

· Be reliable and conscientious

· Attend all training and information days, group meetings and supervision

· Exercise patience and understanding when dealing with customers

AS A VOLUNTEER WE WILL OFFER YOU

· An induction and ongoing training with support sessions if required

· Reimbursement of out of pocket travelling expenses

· Full recognition of the time, energy and skills volunteers freely give - for

example long service and merit awards

· The opportunity to be part of a friendly team

· Respect for volunteer’s limitations, both in time and emotional involvement

· The opportunity to meet other volunteers and attend occasional social events

· The opportunity to be involved in the planning and development of Age UK East

Sussex

· Appropriate insurance cover - to protect you whilst you are acting on behalf of

Age UK East Sussex

· The opportunity to enhance your skills in a retail environment.

We place great value on our volunteers - who bring so much to the organisation. Their time, energy and commitment are recognised and greatly appreciated.

Join the International Humanity Foundation (IHF) - Writing & Editing Team!

✍ Craft Stories That Matter! Join the IHF Writing & Editing Team✍

Are you passionate about storytelling and humanitarian causes? The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is looking for talented writers and editors to join our Writing & Editing Team remotely . Use your skills to create impactful content that spreads awareness, inspires support, and sheds light on important global issues.

What You’ll Do:

- Produce Meaningful Content: Write and edit articles, blog posts, and press releases that bring IHF’s work to life and connect with audiences.

- Raise Awareness: Develop stories that highlight the challenges facing underserved communities and showcase IHF’s efforts to bring about change.

- Inspire Support: Craft compelling narratives that motivate individuals to join our mission, volunteer, and contribute.

Why Join IHF?

- Global Storytelling: Make a difference by giving a voice to those who need it most and promoting IHF’s life-changing projects.

- Portfolio Growth: Gain experience and expand your portfolio with real-world, impactful humanitarian content.

- Work Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom of creating from anywhere, working around your schedule.

Requirements:

- Strong writing and editing abilities, with a knack for crafting compelling narratives.

- Background in journalism, content creation, or communications is advantageous.

- Independence, creativity, and a passion for humanitarian storytelling.

Help Us Amplify Our Mission – Join IHF’s Writing & Editing Team and use your talent to drive awareness and inspire action for communities worldwide.

It’s an exciting time to join Victim Support, as we prepare to begin delivery of the Witness Service from April 2026. We look forward to welcoming current Witness Service staff and volunteers to Victim Support — and we’re also now beginning recruitment for several new roles and to fill vacant positions.  

The Witness Service provides free, independent support to any witness giving evidence in criminal courts in England and Wales — both for the prosecution and the defence.  

Our trained staff and volunteers help people understand what to expect before, during and after a trial, and offer practical and emotional support every step of the way, so witnesses can give their best evidence.   

The Witness Service also supports bereaved family members, and friends and family who are accompanying witnesses in court.

This is an exceptional opportunity to help us ensure a smooth transition and shape a high-quality, high-impact and trauma-informed service — so every witness feels informed, supported and more confident in court.  

Witness Service Outreach Volunteers provide support to witnesses when they are attending court, as well as pre-trial and post-trial helping them to feel safe and informed. You will provide support to both prosecution and defence witnesses.

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and witnesses.

• Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide practical and emotional support.

• Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 2,000 volunteers and staff. 

• Beyond your role – attend one of our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.

What do we ask of you? 

In order to join us as a Witness Service Volunteer, you must: 

• Be 18 years of age or over. 

• Be able to volunteer for at least 1 day per week, for at least 12 months. 

• Undertake training – this includes virtual training days as well as completing online learning modules. 

• Undertake an Enhanced DBS with Child Barred List check & be part of the DBS Update Service.

• Be able to provide two satisfactory references. 

• Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications. 

Diversity Matters 

• VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need. 

• VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role. 

• We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process. 

Could your love of cycling inspire and support young people?

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our Youth Project sessions in Bristol!

About this role

As a Youth Project Volunteer, you’ll work alongside our friendly staff and playworkers at local adventure playgrounds, supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment.

You’ll get involved in a range of cycling activities, including:

• Showing young people how to look after their bikes
• Encouraging children to try cycling skills and group rides
• Helping young people explore green spaces and their local area by bike
• Joining in with games and creative activities

No two sessions are the same, but each session is a great way to make a real difference in your community while having fun alongside young people.

About the Youth Project

Our Youth Project engages young people through imaginative and inspiring cycle-related activity sessions.

Sessions run after school and during school holidays at three adventure playgrounds. We’re currently looking for support at Southmead Adventure Playground (the Ranch) and Lockleaze Adventure Playground (the Vench).

About you

We’re looking for volunteers who:

• Are warm, friendly and enjoy working with children and young people (aged 11 – 16).
• Communicate clearly and patiently with young people, parents and playground staff
• Have an interest in cycling and/or a willingness to learn basic bike repair skills
• Are able to commit to a regular weekly session (2–3 hours per week during term time)

A valid enhanced DBS check is required (or willingness to apply).

About Life Cycle

Life Cycle is a charity that works with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds at every stage of their cycling journey, from learning to ride, to building a career in the cycle industry.  Our Youth Project is part of our work to support inclusion and community well-being through cycling. 

Who We Are

ExtraCare is a registered charity established in 1988. Our vision is better lives for older people, and our mission is to create sustainable communities that provide homes older people want, lifestyles they can enjoy, and care when it is needed.All surpluses generated by the organisation are reinvested to improve the lives of our residents. We have no shareholders and are governed by an unpaid Board of Trustees.

ExtraCare is the UK’s leading not-for-profit developer of housing for people aged 55 and over. We operate 14 retirement villages and four smaller retirement schemes, supporting more than 4,329 residents across 3,778 homes.

To support our work, we operate a subsidiary company, ExtraCare Retail Limited, which runs charity shops and donates its profits to the charity. Additional income is generated through fundraising activities.

The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of ExtraCare Charitable Trust at a time of continued growth and impact.

Our Trustees work collaboratively, bringing energy, insight and constructive challenge to support the organisation’s mission of improving the lives of older people and creating vibrant communities. With the Trust in a strong position and preparing for its next corporate plan, new Trustees will play an important role in helping to shape future strategy and supporting the organisation’s long-term sustainability and success.

We are seeking two new Trustees to join the Board as part of our ongoing Board development. Through these appointments, we are looking to strengthen the Board’s expertise in key areas that will support the Trust’s continued growth and governance.

Trustee – Finance and Treasury
For one of these roles, we are particularly seeking significant experience in treasury and financial management. This includes a strong understanding of treasury strategy and oversight, alongside experience in financial management, financial reporting and control systems.

The successful candidate will help provide robust scrutiny and guidance on the Trust’s financial position, supporting the Board in ensuring long-term financial resilience and sustainability.

Trustee – Social Housing and Housing Services
For the second role, we are looking to bring deeper expertise in social housing and housing services. We welcome candidates with experience in the social housing sector, including a strong understanding of the regulatory framework and the management and delivery of housing services.

This knowledge will support the Board in overseeing our housing provision, ensuring high standards of service, strong regulatory compliance, and the continued development of thriving communities for older people.

We are committed to ensuring that our Board reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences. We warmly welcome applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those who may be underrepresented on charity boards, and who can bring additional insight and lived experience to our governance.

For further details about the organisation, the role description, and the person specification, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for this role, please provide:
•  A comprehensive CV, including your recent achievements and the details of two referees
•  A supporting statement outlining your motivation for applying (maximum one side of A4)

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact: Melissa Baxter – Managing Partner, Charities

Closing date for applications: Monday 13 April 2026
Interviews with ExtraCare Charitable Trust: Thursday 30 April 2026
Interviews will take place at a location in the Birmingham region.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Across the UK, our volunteer groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS, bringing people together and connecting our local MS communities.

As a Communications Volunteer you’ll play a key role in promoting your group to people in your area affected by MS, and helping them feel connected. You could be editing newsletters, responding to information requests, or developing engaging content for social media — depending on what the group needs.

In this role you’ll develop your writing skills, and gain experience of communicating across a range of digital channels.

Most importantly you’ll be helping us engage with lots of people and get the word out to people with MS about support to help them live their lives to the full.

The Brigantia Learning Trust Governance Model is different to the way a governing body in a non-academy or traditional school undertakes governance.

Essentially, there are four elements to the governance of the Brigantia Learning Trust academies – local councils that are delivered via the Academy Advisory Councils (AAC), Trust governance, delivered via the Full Board of Trustees (Non-Executive Directors), the Trust Leadership Team (Executive Directors) and the Trust Members. 

The Board of Trustees has 4 sub-committees, concerned with Finance, Risk & Audit, HR, Education & Standards and Remuneration along with the four Academy Advisory Councils: Brigantia Hill Fort, Hinde House (2-16), Yewlands and Longley Park Sixth Form. As the trust continues to grow, and the Academy Advisory Councils become more experienced and confident, greater delegated powers will be identified and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Local Councils - The Academy Advisory Council

Each AAC consists of a group of people who could be parents, community nominees, academy staff. They will meet with the academy (Executive) Principal, Associate Principal and other senior leaders where appropriate. In attendance at these meetings will be Link Trustees and members of the Trust Executive Team may be in attendance. This is to ensure that the voice of the local stake holders is heard first-hand by the Board of Trustees.

The Brigantia Learning Trust Board has established six key roles for Academy Advisory Councils: 

• To advise/act as a critical friend to the (Executive) Principal of the academy

• To advise the Trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the academy

• To support the Safeguarding Trustee with localised academy information

• Represent the interest of the academy community in the running of the academy

• Represent the academy in its community

• Provide support to the (Executive) Principal in undertaking appropriate day to day procedures that are essential to the life of the academy

The six roles translate specifically into the following tasks that the AAC undertakes:  

• To act as a key link between the academy, parents and local community

• To support the work of the academy in the community

• To help on the ground with the implementation of certain academy policies

• To offer challenging but positive and proactive support to the (Executive) Principal

• To regularly discuss the academy’s performance in relation to the KPIs (Key

• Performance Indicators)

The difference between Brigantia Learning Trust Governance and a traditional Governing Body

By comparison to a traditional school Governing Body:

• The AAC’s role is not to “manage” the Academy as such.  This is done through the Trust Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees.  Therefore, the AAC is not required to take decisions on staff or financial matters affecting the Academy.  As an Academy Advisor you should have an understanding of strategic issues that impact on the Academy, and be updated on them regularly by the Principal, but you are not required to have direct responsibility for them.
• As the Trust Leadership Team and Board of Trustees takes responsibility for educational standards, legal compliance and financial viability, the AAC then has the time to investigate the impact of policy on the ground, to see how they are working, and explore how the Brigantia Learning Trust ethos is being understood and expressed in the way the Academy operates. As an Academy Advisor, your view as a parent or as part of the community is vital in this discussion.

3. HOW THE AAC OPERATES 

Expectations

Brigantia Learning Trust understands that the role of an Academy Advisor is voluntary, however, in order for the Academy Advisory Council to function efficiently and effectively, there are certain expectations of Academy Advisors in order to achieve this.

i) Meetings

Meetings of the AAC take place 3 times over the academic year. The meeting is prepared by the Principal and the Chair of the AAC, and the process is supported by the clerk to the AAC. You will receive a link to the agenda and papers in advance of the meeting from the clerk electronically.

Meetings are usually held after school or at other times as agreed locally by all Academy Advisors.

ii) Contribution at meetings and outside of meetings

Academy Advisors are expected to come to meetings prepared; having read and familiarised themselves with the agenda and accompanying papers as well as being prepared to ask relevant questions (Please see section 3.2 for further detail and examples).

iii) Business Interest and code of conduct

Academy Advisors are required to declare any business or other interests in any item being discussed at the AAC meeting. The Academy Advisers are asked to abide by the AAC Code of Conduct. The AAC clerk will provide the appropriate forms for AAC members to sign.

iv) AAC Responsibilities

Academy Advisors should make every effort to visit the Academy during the Academy day; all visits must be planned and focused on areas as agreed by the full Academy Advisory Council. Visits inform the work of the AAC and provide valuable information for support and challenge to the Academy’s Leadership Team. AAC members are asked to report on their visit using the appropriate form. This report will be presented at the AAC meetings, and a central record of all visits will be held by the Clerk to the Board of Trustees.

v) Skills Audit

All Academy Advisors are expected to complete a skills audit at the beginning of every academic year, this assists the Trust Executive and Trustees to identify gaps in skills and arrange appropriate training.

vi) Safeguarding

All Academy Advisors are required to have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check, as well as undertake annual safeguarding training as required, this will be delivered at the first AAC meeting of the academic year.

Background for Citizens Advice Salford’s Chair of Trustees:

Citizens Advice Salford is looking for a new chair for our board of trustees. The service is an independent charity, employing 35 people and benefiting from the support of about 70 highly trained volunteers. We are a full member of the National Association of Citizens Advice, our membership organisation, which supports our work.

Our chair plays a critical role in leading both the board and the organisation, as well as in representing the Salford service within the broader Citizens Advice movement. They will also provide strategic leadership and support the service’s chief executive.

The service provides advice to about 18,000 people each year, and is regulated by various bodies. Our offer is primarily through face to face contact, telephone advice, web access and we are looking at what new digital approaches such as AI can do for us.

We hold the specialist advice giving quality mark. Citizens Advice Salford has a strong reputation as a campaigner for change, for fighting against poverty, lobbying and campaigning on behalf of our clients, together with working across Greater Manchester with our colleague local citizens advice services.

Financially we have a range of contracts with public bodies such as the Council, together with a range of other grants and funding for specific projects.

The current chair is reaching the end of her six year term, but will still be a member of the board. It is a strong board consisting of ten people, with a diverse range of skills and experience.

If you would like to have a more general discussion about the role please feel free to contact the current Chair, or the Chief Officer. Contact details are available on our vacancy page via the apply button.

• What's in it for you?

• use your experience to make a positive impact for people in Salford by ensuring Citizens Advice Salford is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community
• meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers
• build on your governance, leadership and strategy knowledge and skills
• increase your employability
• be a part of infl uence and change work that looks to reduce poverty in Salford, and to make it and the country a better place for all.

How much time do you need to give?

Trustee boards usually meet in the evenings and you’ll likely need to give two or three hours, six times a year and you may need to attend other meetings if you’re involved in specifi c projects, or meet with volunteers and staff occasionally within Citizens Advice Salford. We can be fl exible about the time spent, so come and talk to us.

Valuing Inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from global majority communities.
If you are interested in becoming a chair of trustees and would like to discuss fl exibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.