Disability volunteer roles

Our mission is to reduce social isolation through positive enablement.

The Mid Devon Messenger serves a close-knit community of people who, due to visual impairment or chronic illness, find it difficult to read.  For 43 years we have circulated free weekly audio news, information and entertainment to our listeners, providing a life-line to their community.  Always developing our services, listeners can now thrive in a number of activity groups, including bowling, walking and book clubs.  Supported by 50+ volunteers, in 2025 the charity was Highly Commended in the BBC's Make a Difference community award.

As Volunteer Chair of Trustees you will bring vision to further develop and expand our services to listeners, while sustaining the charity's infrastructure, and leading our brilliant team of volunteers.

Based in Tiverton, Devon hours are flexible, at a minimum of around 8 hours/month, with reasonable expenses payable.

Key responsibilities include:

Leadership of the Committee of the Association, ensuring effective governance.  Line-manage and support the Trustees - Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.  Operational oversight.  Engaging Ambassador for the charity, nurturing relationshiops with partners, funders, and the local community.

If you're strategic, empathetic and ready to make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.

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Help us improve the quality of life after spinal cord injury!

At Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR), we’re dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Our research tackles some of the biggest challenges faced after injury — from pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections to chronic pain and poor mental health.

As we continue to grow our reach and impact, we’re seeking a new Trustee with knowledge of fundraising or income generation to join our Board.

What we’re looking for:

We’d love to hear from you if you have experience in:
-Developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies
-Building partnerships with individuals, corporates, or trusts
-Supporting charities or non-profits to grow income and influence

You’ll bring insight, ideas, and energy to help us deliver sustainable income and act as a champion for our work within your networks.

Previous trustee experience isn’t essential; what matters most is your commitment to our mission and a willingness to contribute your expertise at a strategic level.

What you’ll do:

• Offer strategic advice on fundraising and supporter engagement
• Help open doors to new networks, donors, and opportunities
• Be an ambassador for SMSR and our research impact

What you’ll receive:

• The chance to make a real difference to people living with spinal cord injury
• An opportunity to use your skills at Board level and gain governance experience
• Collaboration with passionate trustees, researchers, and professionals

Interested?

To apply or find out more, please send a short covering note and your CV to Charlotte Minoprio (Head of Development).

Reg Charity No 1183744

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

SLOW, an award-winning charity supporting bereaved families, is excited to welcome an experienced Chair to lead our Board of Trustees, when our current Chair retires in June 2026. The appointee will be tasked with moving the organisation to the next level in delivering the sustainable growth of its bereavement services. 

We are seeking someone with understanding or experience of community and grant fundraising to join our board. The role involves leading our fundraising sub committee and providing a sounding board for our fundraising manager to deliver our fundraising strategy. 

What will you be doing?

Specific to the fundraising lead trustee role, your responsibilities will be to:

• Lead the fundraising sub committee.
• Work alongside the board to plan what level of funds must be raised to ensure the effective running of the charity.
• Be a sounding board for, and provide oversight of our fundraising manager.
• Lead on the board’s direct engagement with local fund-raising opportunities.
• Provide feedback to the fundraising manager. 

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidate would demonstrate: 

• An understanding of, and commitment to, the work of the Glasgow South West Foodbank.
• Understanding of, and passion for, fundraising.
• An ability to use that understanding to lead the fundraising sub committee and engage with the fundraising manager in a supportive and confident manner.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team which provides a vital service in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience for people in financial crisis and facing hunger.

Trustee vacancy - Youth Development / Education Specialist

The National Youth Orchestra (NYO) is appointing a specialist trustee to strengthen our Board’s insight into what helps teenagers flourish through exceptional arts and music opportunities.

We welcome applications from people with experience in secondary education, youth-focused arts organisations, youth services, or programmes within the music education sector (or closely related fields). Knowledge of secondary education policy and networks is particularly desirable.

About NYO

NYO is the UK’s leading organisation championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development. We exist to empower teenage musicians, developing their confidence, skills and leadership through world-class orchestral experiences, and over the next decade we aim to build a significantly larger, more inclusive national community of young musicians.

The Role

This role is an exciting opportunity to influence how NYO listens to and works with young people. You will:

• Bring insight into the realities teenagers face today, including barriers to participation and progression, and what helps young people thrive in arts and education settings.
• Help develop NYO’s approach to youth voice, including meaningful input into decisions, agency, ambassadorship and leadership opportunities.
• Contribute to Board-level safeguarding oversight, particularly in large-scale youth projects and residential environments.
• Support strategic thinking about inclusion, participation and progression, recognising the importance of next-step opportunities when a teenager finds something they love.

We are committed to broadening the diversity of perspectives on our Board. We particularly encourage applications from women, individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and those based outside London. All appointments will be made on merit.

Deadline for applications: Monday 23 February 2026.

Mountview is one of the UK’s leading drama schools, and we are passionate about developing the next generation of creative talent. In our 80th birthday year, we are excited to invite applications for new trustees to join our Board and help provide strategic direction to the charity.

We are committed to maintaining and strengthening the diversity of our Board and particularly encourage applications from individuals from traditionally under-represented backgrounds, as well as those who live or work locally to our home building in Peckham, South East London. Applicants should have knowledge of, or a strong interest in, the performing arts and education.

Trustees play a vital role in ensuring Glasgow South West Foodbank meets its core purpose by overseeing the management and administration of the charity and ensuring that the foodbank has a clear strategy in line with our vision and goals.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking new trustees to become members of our board. Trustees ensure that the food bank acts in conformity with its purpose and with charity legislation, and that good governance, best practice policies and rigorous financial supervision are in place. They will be required to work collaboratively, with other trustees and with the staff and volunteers of the foodbank, and other external agencies.

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• Clear commitment to supporting the delivery of the best possible compassionate and non-judgmental service to some of the most disadvantaged people in Glasgow.
• Some understanding of issues around poverty, even if not in depth, and willingness to extend that.
• Experience at a management, senior or professional level within the third, public or private sectors.

• (Ideally, but not essentially) experience of involvement in non-executive boards in the third, public or private sector.

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Glasgow South West Foodbank.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to support Bowel Cancer UK in their search to appoint three new Trustees. 

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease, and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

Bowel Cancer UK is entering a defining period for the charity. Their strategy places bold focus on early diagnosis, improved treatment and care, accelerating research, and ensuring that every voice—especially those less often heard—shapes their direction.

About the Trustee opportunities:

We are seeking three talented and committed Trustees with a particularly interested in hearing from candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Professional healthcare (not only medics) with experience in research and caring for bowel cancer patients
• Fundraising / income generation

The charity is also keen for the Board to reflect more fully the UK-wide nature of their role and work, noting particularly that they don’t currently have a Board Member from Wales, as well as groups disproportionately affected by bowel cancer. For example, research shows that:

• Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with bowel cancer in an emergency setting. These are often at a later stage, when bowel cancer is harder to treat.
• Black people are more likely than white people to be diagnosed in an emergency setting, when bowel cancer is harder to treat.
• People from ethnic minority groups have a lower participation rate in the bowel cancer screening programme than white people.

Bowel Cancer UK is committed to widening the diversity of the Board to reflect a broad and inclusive range of backgrounds and skills, and would welcome applicants who reflect the diverse communities that they serve.

Trustee Opportunity at Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire is seeking new trustees to help shape the future of our high-performing advice charity.

With offices in Grantham, Spalding and Stamford, plus outreach centres across the region, we support a population of 225,000 people. Last year, we helped 14,000 clients with 60,000 issues and secured over £7 million of additional income for them. We are here for everyone to help people move on with their lives.

As a trustee, you’d join a well-known, respected charity, influence strategy, strengthen governance and contribute to meaningful change. This is an opportunity to share your expertise with other professional, dedicated trustees, gain valuable experience, build on your leadership and strategy skills, and increase your employability. Prior Board experience is not required.

We welcome expertise in digital media, finance, fundraising, HR, IT, law, marketing, PR, risk management, senior management, local government, or strategy.

What do you need to become a trustee?

Trustees don’t need specific qualifications, but we expect all trustees to have six core skills:

● Insight into the organisation: considering CASL’s objects and its public benefit strategically

● Challenging constructively: clarifying facts; stimulating thought

● Analysing issues: being objective; evaluating risks; using evidence; planning ahead

● Weighing up opinions: using evidence; balancing long- and shortterm; prioritising value

● Interpersonal skills: communicating clearly; listening actively; supporting a healthy culture

● Confidence and self-awareness: collaborating with others; treating everyone with respect.

The Board also values specialist skills as assets among its members:

● experience or qualifications in:

 ‣ business or charity leadership

 ‣ equity, diversity and inclusion

 ‣ facilitation

 ‣ finance and accountancy

 ‣ human resources

 ‣ IT, AI or digital media

‣ law or governance

‣ local government

‣ marketing, PR or communications

‣ risk management, or

‣ strategy development

● past experience as a client or service user of this (or a similar) organisation

● a track record of charitable fundraising, or

● being an effective chair. 

Finally, competent trustees should have these six personal qualities to some extent, and demonstrate them in their behaviours:

● Committed - motivated, dedicated, persevering; plays an active role.

● Responsible - accountable, independent, reliable; accepts collective responsibility.

● Trustworthy - ethical, principled; is a critical friend and focuses on continuous improvement.

● Collaborative - team-oriented, approachable; builds relationships and seeks consensus.

● Confident - independent; contributes constructively and expresses opinions courageously.

● Thoughtful - curious, adaptable, open-minded; appropriately challenges the status quo

THE OPPORTUNITY

Have you got finance or adult social care knowledge and experience that you would like to use as a way of giving back to your local community? Then your experience will be valuable as a Trustee here at the Harrison and Potter Trust.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with a charity that focuses its work on the provision of housing. You'll support those in need of decent homes across Leeds, while learning and building on your governance skills. Your professional know-how will make a difference where it matters.

So, can you lead in collaboration with your fellow Trustees to ensure that the vision and mission of our charity are achieved? Then, we'd like to learn more about how your financial or social care knowledge and experience can support our Trust.

WHO ARE HARRISON AND POTTER TRUST?

Harrison and Potter Trust is a Leeds-based charity supporting people to live well. We have almshouses on Lovell Park Road and Raglan Road, and offer safe and secure housing. We also give grants to local groups, supporting people facing financial hardship. Our focus is especially on housing needs and social isolation.

WHAT MATTERS TO US

Securing a decent home in Leeds continues to be a challenge for a great number of people, young and old. Housing stock is limited, particularly for people on limited means. We’re proud to be supporting the people who live in our houses who might otherwise have struggled to find good, safe, and clean housing.

IF YOU JOIN US…

You'll join a Board that is keen to welcome new Trustees who will bring energy as well as broader experience. Your knowledge and skills will enhance and support our important work as a charity.

Sharing our commitment to honour our settlors’ legacies will be a focal point for you. Providing housing for older people and supporting local charities will be your shared mission.

The strategic experience gained through a trustee role can have a powerful impact on your career. You'll grow in personal development through a role that is flexible around other commitments.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

All Trustees need certain qualities such as integrity and commitment. You'll also learn about the importance of effective governance.

We are particularly seeking:

• a Finance Trustee with knowledge of charity accounts and managing investment portfolio
• a Trustee with Adult Social Care experience within a Local Authority or Housing Association

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining the Harrison and Potter Trust.

What’s next?

Eastside People is supporting Harrison Potter and Trust in the recruitment of these roles. You can click here to apply today.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 25th February. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after. Shortlisted candidates will then have an interview with Harrison and Potter shortly after this.

We acknowledge every application. You’ll always hear from us after taking the time to apply - we look forward to hearing from you!

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

We are seeking a chair in waiting to join our board. If you have management or professional experience in the third, public or private sector, want to make a difference to people at risk of hunger or destitution, and share our values, we might have a role for you. 

What will you be doing?

We are seeking someone with experience working at a senior level within the voluntary, public or private sectors and experience of being on a board of trustees i to succeed the current chair who is retiring from the role in 2026. 

Our intention is that the person recruited spends some time shadowing the work of the chair and familiarising themselves with every aspect of the organisation before taking over the reins before the end of the calendar year. 

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidate would demonstrate: 

• An understanding of, and commitment to, the work of foodbanks and tackling poverty.
• Senior management experience in the voluntary, public or private sectors, including the development, implementation and review of strategies/business plans.

• Experience of being a trustee within a voluntary or community organisation.

What difference will you make?

By supporting the governance of the food bank, you are part of a team that provides a vital service in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience for people in financial crisis and facing hunger.

Trustee and Treasurer
Rainbow Migration, the longest-running UK charity dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system, is seeking a trustee who will also serve as the organisation’s Treasurer.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about our vision that LGBTQI+ people can settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives, and our mission to support LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system and influence policy and practice.

At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We particularly encourage applications from people who have sought asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

The role of trustees and the Treasurer

Being a trustee is a rewarding role. Trustees are volunteers who bring their expertise to shape our strategy and direction, and help ensure we remain an authoritative organisation on LGBTQI+ asylum and immigration. They have overall legal responsibility for the charity, make sure our finances and resources are well used to implement our mission, and are required to participate fully in the governance of the charity. Trustees also play a role as ambassadors for the organisation and our work.

The Treasurer takes a lead role in ensuring Rainbow Migration’s financial affairs  are conducted within legal requirements, accounting conventions and good practice to ensure the financial viability and sustainable development of the organisation. A detailed role description for the role of Treasurer is appended.

Time commitment

We are looking for people who can commit to being a trustee for at least three years.

Trustees meet on a weekday evening five times per year. Meetings are usually held on Zoom except in December when we meet in person in London.

Preparation for the meetings involves a time commitment of two to four hours for detailed reading of papers, which are provided several days in advance.

The Treasurer also chairs the Finance Subcommittee, which meets on a weekday evening at the end of each quarter. The present Treasurer prepares the primary financial statements and notes, from the underlying accounting records at the year-end, for inclusion in the Annual Report and Accounts; the successful candidate will need to decide whether to continue with this approach or if there is a suitable alternative.

Key responsibilities

Financial oversight:

• Support the Trustee Board to maintain a clear and timely picture of the financial health of the organisation
• Ensure the Trustee Board and management team fulfil all required fiduciary and regulatory responsibilities
• Keep up to date on developments in charity finance regulations and best practice
• Chair the Finance Subcommittee to oversee Rainbow Migration’s financial management, ensuring robust processes and controls are in place
• Ensure the committee develops a long-term financial strategy (including a reserves policy) for the organisation, with objectives which can be monitored
• Advise the Board on financial strategy, risk management and resource allocation
• Support the Executive Director and Operations and Office Manager to develop and improve financial policies and procedures
• Work with the Executive Director, Operations and Office Manager and Fundraising Manager to monitor budgets, cash flow and financial performance
• Oversee the production of clear and accessible financial reports to the Board and its sub-committees by Rainbow Migration staff, and lead discussions during meetings

Reporting:

• Ensure regular financial reports (i.e. management accounts, annual budgets, cash flow projections, etc) are accurate, comprehensible, timely, correctly formatted, and properly discussed and understood by the Trustee Board (as required by law)
• Ensure the timely preparation of annual accounts in accordance with charity regulations (UK SORP)
• Oversee the appointment of the Independent Examiner or auditors and provide overall oversight of the annual examination or audit process

Systems and controls:

• Ensure the charity has proper systems in place for budgeting, financial control, insurance, and reporting
• Ensure compliance with all HMRC tax requirements, as appropriate