Community fundraising volunteer roles

About Us

Our Vision is to be the leading provider of therapeutic care, education and treatment for children and young people who have experienced early childhood trauma.  ​

​​Our Mission is to transform the lives of children and young people who suffer severe emotional and psychological difficulties, so they can relate well to others and fulfil their potential. ​

​​Our Approach is a form of psychotherapeutic group living and learning modelled on healthy relationships, adapted to the developmental needs of children and young people suffering early childhood trauma. We call this Integrated Systemic Therapy (iST). ​

Role descriptions and person specification

Role description attached provides more information on the role and responsibilities. For this Trustee role we are particularly seeking individuals with demonstrable  experience in education for children with special educational needs, in particular with insights into school governance.

For more details about Childhood First, please visit our website. 

Commitment

• Each year, our Trustees are expected to attend four regular board meetings, from 5 to 7 pm in Central London. In addition, Trustees would attend potentially four meetings of any sub-committee of which they are a member. Further time is required for reading of papers before meetings.
• You would also receive invitations to various Childhood First events in the communities, which are optional but strongly encouraged to help better understand the work and feel a connection to the charity.
• We are particularly cognisant of the need to be flexible in the demands we make of Trustee colleagues. Each year there is an opportunity to meet with the Chair for mutual feedback and to discuss ways in which Trustees might wish to develop their roles.​

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting will be on 15 September 2026 in Central London.

We hope you will consider making an application. If you have questions about the role and would like an informal conversation before applying please contact Michael Joseph, Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

All trustee roles will be subject to background vetting, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (which may include overseas checks) which will be maintained by Childhood First for the duration of their term.

We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.

About Us

Our Vision is to be the leading provider of therapeutic care, education and treatment for children and young people who have experienced early childhood trauma.  ​

​​Our Mission is to transform the lives of children and young people who suffer severe emotional and psychological difficulties, so they can relate well to others and fulfil their potential. ​

​​Our Approach is a form of psychotherapeutic group living and learning modelled on healthy relationships, adapted to the developmental needs of children and young people suffering early childhood trauma. We call this Integrated Systemic Therapy (iST). ​

Role descriptions and person specification

Role description attached provides more information on the role and responsibilities.   For this Trustee role we are particularly seeking individuals with demonstrable Social Care practice experience in an organization of comparable size and scale, in particular with insights into safeguarding. 

For more details about Childhood First, please visit our website. 

Commitment

• Each year, our Trustees are expected to attend four regular board meetings, from 5 to 7 pm in Central London. In addition, Trustees would attend potentially four meetings of any sub-committee of which they are a member. Further time is required for reading of papers before meetings.
• You would also receive invitations to various Childhood First events in the communities, which are optional but strongly encouraged to help better understand the work and feel a connection to the charity.
• We are particularly cognisant of the need to be flexible in the demands we make of Trustee colleagues. Each year there is an opportunity to meet with the Chair for mutual feedback and to discuss ways in which Trustees might wish to develop their roles.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting will be on 15 September 2026 in Central London.

We hope you will consider making an application. If you have questions about the role and would like an informal conversation before applying please email Michael Joseph, Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

All trustee roles will be subject to background vetting, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (which may include overseas checks) which will be maintained by Childhood First for the duration of their term.

We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.

UK Friends of the Parents Circle- Families forum (PC-FF) is looking for 3 new trustees to join the board.

Do you want to contribute to a ground-breaking charity working towards reconciliation in Israel and Palestine?  The Parents Circle-Families Forum is a jointly-run Palestinian/Israeli NGO that brings together, in expertly facilitated groups,  people from both sides who have been bereaved by the conflict.  Through the process, participants begin to understand the conflict from the standpoint of the other side. Members of the forum then work together in a variety of different dialogue, solidarity and community support projects. This year, the charity has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The UK Friends of PC-FF raises money to support the work in Israel and Palestine, and also raises awareness of PC-FF's radical approach to reconciliation. 

Applications from people with legal, financial and fund-raising experience are particularly welcome but we would also love to hear from anybody who shares our deep commitment to PC-FF’s approach.  Meetings are held monthly (except August). Most of the meetings are online but once or twice a year, we meet in person, usually in London. Expenses for travel can be reimbursed. 

Join now-u as a Volunteer Social Media Officer and support the delivery of a social media strategy to increase brand awareness, grow our user base, and enhance engagement. You will create content, manage social media channels, and support campaigns across multiple platforms.

About us

My Life Films is an award-winning charity that uses film and TV to enrich and support the lives of people living with dementia and their carers. My Life TV is our specialist on-demand streaming service, specifically designed to meet the cognitive needs of people living with dementia, for use within care settings and at home.

My Life TV is carefully curated to enable people living with dementia to feel stimulated and connected to the world, improving their mental health and supporting their essential care. 

Our high-quality content includes interactive shows like quizzes, singalongs, drawing and chair yoga; calming content, including animal and nature programmes and slow TV; a wide range of reminiscence programmes, from the 1960s onwards, and much more. 

Since launching in 2021 we work with highly respected content partners, as well as producing our own programming, in partnership with trusted organisations in the dementia care field, and more widely. The Alzheimer’s Society, BFI, Royal Parks, Museum of Brands, BBC Archive and National Trust are just some of the partners we are proud to work with.

We have ambitious plans to scale up its use, so we can reach and support as many people living with dementia as possible.

About the role

Stepping in at the helm of a well-established Board, and working closely with the highly experienced Executive Director, our new Chair will lead My Life Films through its next phase of growth and impact.

The new Chair will review and reinvigorate the charity’s governance, ideally including a board audit, as well as challenging and interrogating the group’s strategic plan.

This role will suit potential candidates who are ready to step-up to chair a not for profit organisation. This means they are likely to bring current or previous board experience as a non-executive or trustee. Candidates may have experience in the care sector, health sector, charity or foundation, possibly an organisation involved in supporting people living with dementia. This experience could enable candidates to draw on networks in the care, health, charity, voluntary sectors, social enterprise or foundation. It will be important that the new Chair can demonstrate a personal passion and commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia.

The Chair will also help guide the Executive in optimising the existing model, developing new opportunities by helping expand networks and making introductions when necessary. They will act as a critical friend to Executive Director, coaching and challenging as required and providing leadership and strategic direction to the Board.

They will hold the organisation to the highest ethical standards, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and that My Life Films is run in the best interests of its stakeholders.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the charity and is collectively responsible for its success. All trustees must take decisions in the interests of the charity.

My Life Films has a trading subsidiary – MLF Productions Limited – and it is expected that the Chair of My Life Films will also Chair the trading company.

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Selection Criteria

When applying, we ask candidates to highlight any areas of expertise they can bring in the areas identified below.

• Skills and Experience –

Governance / leadership

• Any experience of operating at Board level in the voluntary, public or private sector preferably with a knowledge of the Social Care sector.

• Understanding of good charity governance, including trustees’ legal duties, financial oversight and risk management.

• Experience of chairing effective meetings and facilitating inclusive, robust discussion and decision-making Experience of fundraising, advocacy, campaigning, or working with regulators, commissioners or major funders.

Strategy and finance

• Ability to think strategically, interrogate complex information and focus the Board on priorities, impact and long-term sustainability.

• Strong financial literacy and ability to scrutinize budgets, management accounts and risk registers (not necessarily as a finance professional).

People leadership

• Track record of leading senior individuals or teams; able to coach, support and hold to account a CEO

How to Apply

If you are interested in the role, Maana Ruia a trustee with My Life Films and a member of Enter The Boardroom Community would be happy to fix up a time to talk to you. 

Please submit your application to Julian Freeston  The application should comprise a Cover Letter detailing your suitability and desire for the role (no more than two pages) and an up-to-date CV (no more than four pages).

The application deadline is 5pm, 29th May 2026

About IDEMS

IDEMS is a UK-based social enterprise developing the novel human-centred technology infrastructure and products needed to affordably, sustainably scale expert-developed social interventions in variable low-resource communities globally for the greatest social impact. 

IDEMS is now at an inflection point of innovation and growth. 

Our innovation emerges from applied R&D in long-term multidisciplinary innovation collaborations. IDEMS impact-trained mathematical scientists and applied technologists partner with field-leading experts, UN agencies, global and local NGOs and researchers, and affected stakeholders to address grand challenges in areas including education, public health and climate resilience. 

Across variable multiyear, multidisciplinary grand-challenge collaborations, IDEMS has validated the need for and is piloting impact-enabling socio-technical innovation to address a major unmet challenge: How to enable local stakeholders to adapt, take ownership of, and continuously improve, in collaboration with global experts, impact programming to meet the needs of their communities–and do this affordably, sustainably, at scale across variable low-resource contexts? 

IDEMS is developing the novel socio-technical frameworks, infrastructure and products to address this challenge. At the heart of our work is pioneering “meaningful semantic interoperability”. Grounded in the application of frontier mathematical theory and made possible by advances in AI, IDEMS innovation transforms impact programme code and content into structured, reusable atomic data elements that can be malleably reordered, recombined or replaced to create unlimited, entirely new programme applications, interoperable down to the structured atomic data element level. 

IDEMS innovation unlocks impact at scale by enabling: 1) local programme adaptation to meet the highly variable digital, social and economic realities of low-resource contexts, 2) multidirectional data sharing and sensemaking for continuous systemic and local programme improvement, and 3) local ownership and control for a new model of affordable, sustainable, and community-accountable impact innovation. 

In this context, IDEMS faces the challenge of being a deeply innovative technology company, requiring significant mission-aligned impact financing to develop pioneering innovation, with an uncompromising mission to serve the public good. 

The Opportunity
IDEMS is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Director to join its Board at this exciting stage of growth.

Role Purpose
The Non-Executive Director will provide independent oversight, strategic guidance, and constructive challenge, helping ensure IDEMS delivers on its social mission while strengthening organisational sustainability and impact.

While IDEMS operates at a deep academic and technical level, the role does not require deep technical or mathematical expertise. The Non-Executive Director’s value lies in their ability to develop an understanding of the systemic barriers to responsibly, inclusively scaling social impact in low-resource contexts–and of how existing approaches to scaling impact with technology at best often fail to deliver meaningful impact and at worst introduce new harms and dependencies. 

From that understanding, the Non-Executive Director will bring clear strategic perspective that includes offering high-level challenge and insight to help shape direction, identifying funding and partnership opportunities, strengthening decision-making, and ensuring alignment with social mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation
• Provide independent scrutiny and governance oversight
• Support the executive team through challenge and advice
• Help ensure alignment between mission, impact, and sustainability
• Act as an ambassador for IDEMS, supporting fundraising, partnerships and visibility

Person Specification
We are particularly interested in individuals who bring a combination of the following (we do not expect any one person to have all of these):

• Senior leadership or board-level experience
• Interest in social impact, international development, or education
• Strong understanding of, or experience with, social and non-equity-based enterprise investment (of particular interest)
• Understanding of technology, data, or innovation ecosystems (desirable)
• Experience in governance, finance, scaling organisations, partnerships, or impact evaluation

A commitment to IDEMS’ values is essential, including collaboration, respect for complexity, and a focus on long-term impact.

Time Commitment
Approximately 5–10 days per year, including Board meetings and at least one full day at an in-person team meeting.

Why Join IDEMS?

• Be part of a globally recognised social enterprise addressing complex challenges
• Work with a diverse, international team
• Contribute to innovative approaches to technology for public good, including advancing new models for responsible, accountable AI
• Help shape an organisation focused on long-term, meaningful impact

Could you use your social media, marketing and communications experience to raise the profile of a small charity? Help us to increase our social media presence and engagement, generate greatr content and help promote existing activities.

Our charity delivers a range of awareness campaigns and support services to patients, relatives, partners and carers who have been affected by a poorly understood pain condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). We are looking for 3 experienced social media and communications volunteers who are able to develop posts including graphics and campaigns from inception to design, create fresh and engaging content, increase engagement and to increase awareness of the charity and of the condition we represent.

Even though we are a small organisation we have big ideas and would like to draw on your experience in the communications world to help the charity deliver engaging content and communications to help us spread our aims and message to all our audience.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Engagement: Help increase engagement, improve the number of followers/likes, create & execute a content calendar
• Content Creation: Produce fresh, branded and engaging content for our social media channels 
• Graphics: Prepare graphics and text for sharing across channels 
• Engage with our followers and encourage interaction 
• Manage and maintain social media channels on a regular basis
• Support charity campaigns, marketing, events and fundraising activities by promoting them on our social media feeds
• Use your creative skills to support strategies to engage, grow, and widen our target audiences
• Develop publicity materials and communication techniques for social media to raise awareness of our chronic condition 

You will be with a small team of volunteers who will provide an overview of our existing social media content, our brand and how we have approached our social media content to date. 

Experience
We are looking for a volunteer who has experience in:

• Different types of marketing and communications media, including electronic and social media
• Writing and editing marketing content for social media platforms including Facebook, X, Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn (especially TikTok, Instagram Reels & posts and YouTube)
• Building strategies to increase social media following and /or build fundraising or awareness campaigns
• Developing a coherent brand voice for social media, from content creation to community interactions
• Using and setting up tools such as Buffer, Canva etc
• Creating and executing content calendars to help plan social media activity 

Skills Required

• Excellent written communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail 
• Creative writing and design abilities
• Good computer and digital skills
• Enthusiasm for communications and marketing and willingness to learn
• Ability to quickly understand the needs of our team / organisation / users
• Ability to transform small snippets of information into interesting and engaging stories suitable for X, Facebook, Instagram etc.
• Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and is able to work with these
• Open to feedback 
• An interest in helping Burning Nights CRPS Support achieve its aims
• Good organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to work as part of a team

What Difference You Will Make
You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we can maintain our support services and become a sustainable charity to allow us to fulfil our aims.

Benefits

You would be a part of our small, friendly and forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or about the condition. You would have a key role in developing a socoal media strategy for a small charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.
You will further develop your communication skills, gain PR and marketing experience and develop your social media skills.

This is a remote volunteering role, volunteering from your own home.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities

Skipton

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop will be open Monday - Sunday (times tbc)

Location: Shelter, 91 Caroline Square, Skipton, BD23 1DA

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager / Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role   

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter…

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop, or contact us at Shelter Volunteering

Who are we: 
We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. We are dedicated to increasing inclusion and representation across society for the disability community. We take a positive and proactive disability and illness. We don't conform to society's and the media's view that disability is awful, and you have no quality of life. Although we fully acknowledge it gives rise to come of the most heartbreaking and challenging times you will ever face. We ask everyone who joins Buttons & Bubbles to embrace this perspective. If you don't agree with it, then sadly we're not the right organisation for you. 

About the role: 
 
We are looking for people to help at our Christmas 'Merry Moments' events taking place across November and December 2026. These event will be for disabled children, young people and their families to come along and and enjoy a fun filled sensory extravaganza. And we need extra peopel to support our team to make it all work. We will be running at least 3 Merry Moments events 2 in Windsor and 1 in Wokingham. 

Our values: 

We embrace disability and neurodiversity; it makes us a stronger and more brilliant team. No robots at Buttons & Bubbles, thank you! 

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for a few individuals who may have the following skills and experience. Don't worry if you haven’t as full training will be provided.

Skillset; 

• Communication

• Energetic

• Organised  

• Adaptable  

• Team player 

• Willing to learn and develop  

• An individual with a creative mindset 

• Positive attitude towards disability or illness 

Benefits of joining Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C:  

• Gaining valuable experience. 

• Improving your confidence 

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest. 

Benefits of volunteering with us:  

• Making a difference to the community 

• Makes a positive impact on people 

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills. 

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers. 

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future 

• Employment opportunities

Supporter Engagement Officer

At TVS we’re devoted to empowering vulnerable young people through education. We aim to unlock potential and shape a brighter future for young people living in poverty.  We are recruiting a team of volunteers and are searching for dedicated individuals to help us to strengthen the bonds between our organisation and the incredible people who support our work with rural children in South Africa.

As a Supporter Engagement Officer you would have responsibility for one or more of the following:

Stewardship: Thanking donors and demonstrating the impact of their gifts.

Communication: Reaching out to supporters via phone, email, and social media.

Database Management: Updating supporter records and preferences.

Enquiries: Answering questions about donations, fundraising events, and campaigns.

Whether you have experience in customer service, community engagement, or simply a passion for making people feel appreciated, we encourage you to apply. Join our supportive team, develop your skills, and make a meaningful impact.

Job Description

We are looking for a Volunteer Email Marketing & Retention Manager to help manage email communications that keep our supporters, volunteers and donors informed and engaged.

You will help design and manage email campaigns and supporter journeys that build trust and encourage people to stay connected with our work. This role involves working with the Digital Marketing Director and Digital Marketing teams to send updates, campaign messages and fundraising emails.

The role focuses on building structured email communication, maintaining supporter relationships and monitoring engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and manage email campaigns for supporters, volunteers and donors
• Develop simple email journeys such as welcome emails, updates and campaign messages
• Segment audiences to send relevant and respectful communications
• Support fundraising, campaigns and community engagement through email
• Monitor performance such as open rates, clicks and engagement
• Maintain mailing lists and ensure data protection and GDPR compliance
• Work with content writers and campaign teams to align messaging
• Help build simple systems for long-term supporter communication

What We’re Looking For

• Experience or interest in email marketing or digital communications
• Familiarity with tools such as Mailchimp, MailerLite or similar email platforms
• Understanding of basic email metrics such as open rates and click rates
• Ability to organise communication journeys and supporter lists
• Comfort collaborating with a remote volunteer team
• Interest in social impact, community engagement or nonprofit work
• Experience in nonprofit communications or supporter engagement is helpful but not required

What You’ll Gain

• Experience managing email campaigns for a social impact organisation
• Opportunity to help build communication systems from the ground up
• Hands-on experience working with digital marketing and campaign teams
• Priority consideration for future paid roles when funding becomes available

A Touch of Gentleness is a non-profit CIC shaping a more compassionate culture by putting gentleness, presence, and human connection back at the heart of society, organisations, and everyday life

Please note the locations mentioned are a guide only. This role will require some remote work, and some in-person work around East Sussex. You must be based in the UK to fulfill this role.

Role Purpose

This is a wonderfully social and meaningful role that includes:

• Being a point of contact and support for volunteers,
• Nurturing a sense of community for volunteers in the local area.
• Representing A Touch of Gentleness at network meetings online and in person,

The role provides a beautiful opportunity to nurture community, connection, and gentle leadership in action.

Key Responsibilities

• Reporting to and liaising with the CEO and local Events Co-Ordinator’s
• Contacting  and supporting newly qualified volunteers
• Fostering a Culture of Care amongst volunteers
• Organising occasional coffee meet-ups for volunteers in local areas,
• Networking online and in person with other organisations and charities as an ambassador for A Touch of Gentleness

Skills Essential

• Strong communication, listening and people skills
• A warm and open disposition
• Organised, reliable, responsive and solution-orientated
• Basic IT skills (email, google forms, WhatsApp)
• Ability to work independently while being part of a wider team
• Passion for human connection, inclusion and gentle presence
• A desire to serve others
• Preferably a car driver

Skills Desirable

• Familiarity with networking
• Ability to organise small local fund-raising events.

About A Touch of Gentleness CIC

A Touch of Gentleness is a heart-led not for profit CIC (community interest company ) offering free hand massage and gentle listening presence to individuals in the community and in organisations. With over 150 trained volunteers, we aim to bring more connection through touch and active listening. Through this service we helping to shape a more compassionate culture. One that is grounded in generosity, gentleness, joy and peace. 

What We Offer

• Connection with a growing and compassionate network
• Flexibility to work around your life and community
• Supportive team environment and regular check-ins
• Training and development opportunities as we grow

HOW TO APPLY

If this feels like work you would be proud to do, please send a short covering letter to Helen detailing your suitability for the role and reasons behind your application along with your CV.

We review applications as they arrive and aim to respond within two weeks.

This is an exciting time to lead Age UK Stockport’s Board. To be the Chair of Age UK Stockport is to be an active volunteer in our community. But it’s not the easiest volunteering role! It can be challenging, but it will be rewarding.

Our Board has recently been refreshed after the recruitment of three new trustees who, alongside our established trustees, complete the Board membership.

Our current Chair will be standing down later this year having served the maximum term for the role. We are looking for a dedicated, creative person, with a range of appropriate professional and life experiences to become our next Chair. They will have the interest and commitment to lead and drive forward the development of Age UK Stockport in line with our core values – to be Connected, Confident and Creative.

The successful candidate would join the Board as trustee and Chair Designate and then be elected Chair at the AGM in the autumn of 2026.

The Chair leads the Board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively. You will support the Board to work together well and will manage and support the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity. 

Main responsibilities of the Chair

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring effective governance and accountability
• Work in partnership with trustees, the Chief Executive and staff / volunteer team to achieve Age UK Stockport’s mission, vision and objectives
• Plan and chair the Board meetings and the AGM working with others to achieve this
• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Age UK Stockport
• Ensure Board meetings are properly run and recorded
• Represent Age UK Stockport externally, helping, with others, to build partnerships with funders, local / regional authorities, and community organisations
• With others, ensure the charity remains financially sustainable and operationally strong, delivering excellence for people in later life
• Recognise and make best use of trustees’ skills and experience
• Line manage the Chief Executive on behalf of the trustees

We believe that every child should have access to a quality education at a safe, inclusive school, with the opportunity to become a truly global citizen… do you too?

It’s an incredibly exciting time at African Adventures Foundation as we develop the vital programmes we deliver at the 34 partner schools we work with in Ghana, Kenya, and Zanzibar.

We have ambitious plans to help drive greater impact at our partner schools and are looking to strengthen our existing Trustee Board that’s full of energy and experience!

 Do you have experience in charity governance, delivering projects in an African culture and context, or delivering WASH or female empowerment/education/menstrual health programmes?

If so, read on… we’d be keen to hear from you about becoming one of our amazing volunteer trustees! 

Introduction to African Adventures Foundation

African Adventures Foundation is a registered charity set up in 2013 to provide support to 34 schools in developing areas of Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar.

These schools provide education, health and food security, and social support to young people whose access to these basic services would otherwise be very limited. African Adventures Foundation helps by funding food security programmes, the construction of important school facilities, and hygiene projects that will benefit children’s health and education.

Our mission is to provide more children with a quality education and better opportunities in life.

 All trustees are responsible for governing a charitable company and directing its management and operation. They must also ensure that the trust complies with all legal and statutory requirements.

About the role

The Secretary supports the effective governance and administration of the African Adventures Foundation. The role ensures that the Board of Trustees operates efficiently, meetings are properly organised and recorded, and the charity complies with regulatory and administrative requirements. The Secretary works closely with the Global Chair, Treasurer, and other Trustees to ensure the charity follows best practice in governance and maintains accurate records.

As an ambassador, they also support external stakeholder and donor activities ensuring compliance to the standards required. 

Key Responsibilities 

Governance and Administration

• Support the Global Chair in ensuring AAF is effectively governed and operates in line with its governing document.
• Ensure trustee meetings are properly administered, including preparing agendas, coordinating papers, and taking accurate minutes.
• Ensure that trustee decisions and discussions are clearly recorded and stored appropriately.
• Maintain up-to-date records of trustees, governance documents, and key organisational information, including steward of the governance schedule for all territories.

Meeting Management

• Ensure that trustee meetings are properly administered and recorded.
• Circulate agendas, minutes, and supporting papers to trustees in a timely manner.
• Ensure other meetings, such as the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and key organisational events are properly administered.
• Ensure that minutes from meetings are approved and maintained as part of the charity’s official records.

Compliance and Record Keeping

• Ensure that records required by regulators are properly maintained, including those required by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
• Maintain accurate governance documentation, including trustee appointments, resignations, and declarations of interest.
• Ensure that Charity Commission and other relevant organisation records are maintained and kept up to date.

Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure required information is filed with regulators in accordance with statutory deadlines.
• Submit annual returns and other required filings to regulatory bodies in the correct format and within required timescales.
• Support the Board in ensuring compliance with relevant guidance from bodies such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Fundraising Regulator.

Monitoring Actions and Board Support

• Maintain an action log for trustee meetings.
• Monitor committee member action points and follow up where necessary.
• Support trustees by ensuring they have access to relevant governance information and documents.
• Assist the Board in maintaining good governance practices and transparency.

What we are looking for

• Strong, organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to take clear and accurate meeting minutes.
• Good attention to detail and record-keeping ability.
• Understanding of governance responsibilities within the UK charity sector.
• Ability to communicate effectively with trustees and stakeholders.
• Previous experience as a charity trustee or secretary.
• Ideally familiar with governance requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
• Experience supporting boards, committees, or governance structures.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a 2-year term of office, renewal for 2 further terms to a maximum of 6 years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Time commitment (Estimated at one day per month, but can vary)

• Attend the board meetings – a mix of online and in person.
• Additional time for preparation and distribution of meeting documentation. Time to manage governance records and regulatory submissions throughout the year.

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. 

Responsibilities & Principles of all AAF trustee roles:

• Support and provide advice on AAF’s purpose, vision, goals, and activities. 
• Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored, and controlled effectively.
• Provide support and challenge to the AAF executive and team in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Keep abreast of changes in AAF’s operating environment.
• Contribute to reviews of African Adventures Foundation’s own governance.
• Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect African Adventures Foundation’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of African Adventures Foundation’s objects, aims, and reputation by applying your skills, expertise and knowledge.

Essential qualities and attributes of all trustees

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees, and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussions. 
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• A strong personal commitment to good financial management, and zero tolerance for corruption and misappropriation of our donors funds.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
• Willingness to lead according to African Adventures Foundation’s values.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in supporting the work of African Adventures Foundation. If you are organised, reliable, and motivated by making a difference, we would love to hear from you.