Courses support assistant volunteer roles in Birmingham

Role description

The Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest conservation body, needs additional trustees to broaden our reach.If you are keen to develop strategy and policy for creating, defending, and maintaining commons, greens, and paths, and to develop new approaches to make open spaces available to all, this role is for you. 

Trustees may be co-opted by the present board, but are expected to offer themselves for election by the membership at the first available opportunity.

Working collectively, trustees have three main responsibilities. These are to:

1 set a direction for the society,

2 ensure the society’s plans are carried out appropriately,

3 ensure the society meets its legal responsibilities.

The duties of a trustee are to:

4 ensure the society complies with its articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations,

5 ensure that the society pursues its objects as defined in its articles of association,

6 ensure that the society directs its resources exclusively towards its objects,

7 in association with the general secretary, ensure that the organisation is adequately staffed, and that the staff and volunteers have appropriate support and resources to pursue organisational goals,

8 contribute actively to the board’s role of developing strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets,

9 safeguard the reputation and values of the society,

10 ensure effective and efficient administration and financial stability, 1

1 appoint the general secretary and monitor her performance,

12 act in the best interests of the society at all times.

Person specification

• Commitment to the society’s mission

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Strategic vision

• Objective and insightful judgement

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership).

The Willats Trust is a grant-making, cross-denominational Christian charity with a vision to see our estates and most deprived communities around the UK transformed by the love of Jesus.

Our mission is to fund relational evangelism through local expressions of church, by working with like-hearted partners to share the good news of Jesus in the areas of greatest deprivation across the UK.

Since our establishment in 1858, sharing the Gospel in these communities has always been our priority. Thanks to the generosity of Mr Willats, who gifted a significant property portfolio to the charity at its inception, we have been able to use funds generated from this property portfolio to finance grant-making to support evangelists, church planters, or other activities related to evangelism and making disciples in the top 20% areas of deprivation across the UK.

Following a strategic review in 2025, we have an ambition to more than double the amount we award in grants from £500,000 to £1m a year. Over the next ten years, we want to see more thriving Jesus-centric churches planted in our areas of greatest deprivation and led by people who look like the communities they are serving. This means part of our grant-making supports immediate tactical needs, but part of our grant-making also seeks to influence the underlying factors which will enable the long-term fulfilment of our vision.  

We believe the kingdom of God works best when we all bring what is in our hand and let God do the multiplication. Our posture is to come alongside like-hearted partners who share the same vision and work together in partnership to support and equip those God has called to these communities.

We are seeking to make two Trustee appointments. Individuals who bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

- Mission-related: someone with lived experience of planting, leading or supporting Jesus-centric churches in communities experiencing significant deprivation. You will probably also carry a sense of calling that is bigger than a single geographic area and will be able help us think strategically about how we use our resources to contribute to increased church planting and evangelism in our areas of greatest deprivation, alongside others, over the next decade and bring deep relationships with others already serving in this space.

- Commercial property: someone with professional property expertise relating to exiting portfolios of residential and non-purpose-built HMO properties, or property development, who can advise on asset optimisation and property exits over the coming years, which will enable us to give more money away.

- Legal, financial or HR: individuals with strategic leadership skills and a passion to see resources deployed for Kingdom-purpose.

The time commitment required of a Trustee is usually likely to equate to approximately 6-8 days per year.

It’s a crucial and exciting time in the history and further development of The Willats Trust. By being a Trustee you will be able to make a difference across the UK and get to have a ringside seat to see what God is doing, as we know his heart is always for the most overlooked and forgotten. We are full of expectancy for what God is going to do in this current season and want to play our small part in this, alongside others.

We appreciate the rich diversity of our Trustees and Staff and seek to create a culture where everyone develops and fulfils their potential. We recognise the immense value of different perspectives brought by those with varied backgrounds, characteristics and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented sections of the community (specifically in our context, women, individuals of Global Majority Heritage and those from non-Anglican church worshipping backgrounds).

Please note that this role has an Occupational Requirement to be a committed Christian as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010.

Closing date: 12 noon BST on Friday 8th May 2026.

The Vacancy

Are you passionate about the way the Methodist Church stations its ministers?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for you to be the first Deputy Chair of the Stationing Strategy Committee. This Committee, which will replace the Stationing Committee, will provide a strategic overview of stationing across the Connexion, for all ministers (deacons, presbyters, probationers and ministers of other Churches and Conferences).

The Deputy Chair supports the Chair in ensuring the effective functioning of the SSC, leads operational coordination and specific delegated workstreams, and provides continuity of leadership by deputising for the Chair when required.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• is a lay person who is a member in good standing of the Methodist Church in Britain;
• has an awareness of the variety of contexts that exist within the Methodist Connexion;
• has a proven ability to handle sensitive material/conversations discretely;
• relishes the chance to work closely with colleagues;

Duration

A term not exceeding three years in the first instance and, which may be extended for a further period of one or more years thereafter.

Time Commitment

Between 30-40 days a year of which up to 12 will be away from home, including overnight stays.

Closing date: 7 April 2026

Shortlisting:  10 April 2026

Interview date: 22 April 2026