Education programmes officer volunteer roles

About FirstGens 

FirstGens is a UK-based startup social enterprise on a mission to reduce the educational outcomes gaps in higher education by providing information and guidance to undergraduates who are the first person in their family to pursue university. Supporting students to complete their education through our royal award-winning Navigating University Programme and staff training. 

As we grow our impact, we seek to secure funding from trusts, foundations, philanthropists and private donors. To support efforts as a new organisation, we’re looking for a dedicated Grant & Application Review Advisor to strengthen our application review process and ensure strategic and compelling submissions. 

Role Purpose 
The Grant & Application Review Advisor will be responsible for reviewing written funding applications prior to submission on a monthly basis. This role ensures that all applications align with FirstGens’ strategic priorities, meet funder requirements and present a strong case for support. The individual will serve as a senior‐level reviewer, bringing social enterprise fundraising experience and constructive feedback, acting as a quality gate for our submissions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• On a monthly basis, review draft funding applications (typically trusts, foundations). 

• Using Google Docs comment section to provide detailed feedback on content, structure, logic, alignment with funder criteria tone and clarity. 

• Ensure each application: 

• Reflects FirstGens’ mission, strategic model and impact evidence (e.g., our programmes and research on first-generation student success) 

• Is tailored to the funder’s priorities and questions 

• Presents a compelling and coherent narrative, with clear outcomes, activities, budget alignment and measurement of impact 

• Is free of errors, is consistent in style and voice, and meets all submission guidelines (including deadlines, formats and attachments) 

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and finance coordinator, to ensure alignment between narrative, budget and monitoring plans. 

• Act as a senior quality assurance resource: challenging assumptions, raising questions, suggesting strengthening of logic or evidence and proposing ways to sharpen the “ask” and the case for support. 

• Advise on any gaps in our fundraising process to help us strengthen operations. For exmaple, suggesting the creation of application templates, standard content libraries (e.g., organisational overview, impact statistics, case studies) and “lessons learnt” logs to improve future bids. 

• Strategic oversight for quarterly grant applications. Checking in with CEO on a quarterly basis to discuss upcoming grants. 

• Help CEO to build quarterly reports to Directors on the health of the application pipeline, quality issues identified and improvements made. 
   

Essential Qualifications & Experience 

• Proven senior experience (minimum 5 years) in reviewing or leading grant applications for non-profit organisations (preferably UK funders). 

• Expertise in grant writing and submission processes, including trusts and foundations 

• Strong demonstrable track record of successful funding applications or as reviewer of such. 

• Strong organisational skills: able to manage multiple deadlines, work to a calendar of monthly reviews and ensure timely feedback loops. 
   

Desirable Experience 

• Experience in private donor and philanthropic giving (high-net-worth individuals, family offices) as well as institutional funders. 

• Experience working with social-mobility, higher-education access, student support or widening participation organisations. 

• Experience building standardised application toolkits, content libraries and “bid review” processes for an organisation. 

• Experience in working with budget alignment, monitoring & evaluation logic and impact measurement frameworks within funding applications. 

Working Arrangements 

• Flexible, remote working

• This role will start immediately; initial period will involve review cycle for upcoming submissions, followed by ongoing monthly reviews. 
   

Our Values/ Ways of working together  

We strive for inclusivity, honesty, transparency and positive wellbeing to create an innovative and collaborative team environment. 

Recruitment Process Options 

• Interview formats include in-person for Bristol based applicants, video conferencing, phone interviews) to accommodate any needs. 

How to Apply 
Please submit your CV, a cover letter highlighting your relevant senior grant application experience, and one recent example of an application you have reviewed or led (or a summary thereof). In your cover letter, please outline your experience with monthly application review cycles (or equivalent) and any philanthropic/private donor experience. 

Why join FirstGens? 
Education has the power to transform people’s lives. You’ll join an innovative startup organisation, making real, measurable change for first-generation university students across the UK. You’ll be supporting young people to complete their education with confidence  and turn their dreams into realities. Your role will be pivotal in securing the social funding that enables us to deliver on our first 3 year strategy. 

About us:

H4All is working to advance the health and wellbeing of residents in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

This is done through our Community Champions programme, which is an initiative made up of organisations and local volunteers who promote positive wellbeing messaging and share healthcare information.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for committed volunteers who are interested in public health and meeting people in the community. As a Community Champion, you’ll be conducting community outreach, making new connections and supporting us with Community Health projects.

This is a meaningful opportunity to reduce health and social inequalities in the borough of Hillingdon, while gaining practical experience and benefiting from free training.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with the public as part of community outreach efforts, including attending our roadshow events and speaking with residents about health programs and activities. This role will take place at different locations and venues across the London Borough of Hillingdon.
• Support the community by providing information on health services, resources and support networks.
• Complete a monthly log detailing any health outreach undertaken.
• Assist in survey data collection.

Benefits for you:

• Free, specialised training and mentoring provided, enhancing personal and professional skills.
• Hands-on experience in health outreach and community engagement.
• Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, community organisations and other volunteers.
• A chance to demonstrate your commitment to community health.

Training and support given:

Mandatory training:

• Online Safeguarding and Suicide Prevention courses
• Current healthcare messaging
• NHS blood pressure testing

Throughout your time volunteering with us, there will be additional online and in-person training that will be offered (depending on interest and projects we are running).

Expenses:

We can provide expenses for travel and parking at events or training.

Skills and attributes required:

• Strong desire to make a difference in the London Borough of Hillingdon and improve the local community’s health.
• Confidence in speaking with the public and engaging with diverse communities.
• Respectful of confidentiality and procedures.
• Empathetic and understanding of others’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.

Desirable:

• Ability to speak a community language [e.g. Somali, Punjabi, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Mandarin, Spanish] would be beneficial.
• Previous experience in community health or outreach would be beneficial.

Commitment required:

• Full induction and Mandatory online courses, as well as Blood pressure checks training before starting your volunteering.
• Attend relevant training when offered.
• We ask for a commitment of 6 months due to free training and individual support/development offered to our volunteers.
• This is a flexible role, and you can select which outreach events or projects to join based on your commitments. We accept however much time you can spare.

Reporting to: Health and Wellbeing Programme Officer

Documents Required:

• In your application form, you will be asked for 2 references who have known you for at least a year. They can be from a professional, a friend, a support worker etc.
• A basic DBS check is required for public-facing roles.

To apply for this role:

A H4ALL application form must be completed. 

Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) is the national charity that enables and empowers dancers to thrive professionally and personally leading up to and beyond their performance careers.

We are seeking a new Co-opted Committee Member with finance expertise and an interest in dance to join our welcoming and experienced Finance, Audit & Risk Sub-Committee of the Board of Trustees. Our ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the requirements of charity governance and risk.

For full details, including how to apply, please download the role information pack from our website. 

Application deadline: Monday 9 February 2026.

We are seeking someone who has experience of being a Treasurer or Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Member (preferably in the charity sector) and has a good understanding of the requirements of charity accounting and governance.

If you are excited by this opportunity and resonate with DCD’s values, please get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

Looking for a role where you can drive forward cancer prevention and earlier diagnosis within an innovative, impact focused research charity?  

The Eve Appeal is recruiting up to 3 new Trustees to the Board with additional opportunities to join other Committees of the Board such as our Finance and Audit Committee or Research Committee. 

The Eve Appeal is the leading gynaecological cancer charity. There are five gynae cancers, which are womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancer. Our aim is to prevent gynae cancers from developing in the first place, but if they do develop, we want to make sure they’re detected early so more people survive their diagnosis.

To make our goals a reality, we fund research in four key areas: uncovering the causes of gynae cancers, predicting a person’s risk of developing them, identifying how people can reduce their risk, and improving their detection and diagnosis.

We educate; we increase awareness and we provide free confidential and expert information through our Ask Eve nurse service.

We are now looking to strengthen our Board and are seeking candidates who share our commitment to driving forward medical research, raising awareness and promoting education around how these diseases can be diagnosed at the earliest stage or prevented.

We are committed to broadening the range of backgrounds and perspectives represented on our Board. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Disabled, Working Class and younger candidates, as well as individuals based outside London.

We also strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience—including patients, survivors, carers and family members. Bringing in Trustees who are expert by experience adds valuable insight and perspectives into the emotional, practical and systemic challenges faced by those affected, enriching the Board’s understanding and improving decision‑making. 

We have a highly skilled Board of Trustees and are looking to broaden and strengthen skills in the following areas: 

• Fundraising and philanthropic giving. We have seen incredible success with our fundraising programme in recent years and are now particularly focused on building our major gifts programme 

• Digital, AI tech solutions and strategy. We are ambitious to adopt solutions across all areas of our activity that embrace digital technology 

• HR / People. Experience across culture, staff and volunteer wellbeing, effective recruitment skills and organisational culture experience 

• Research / medical / NHS strategy and delivery experience. Experience in the UK / and or international health sector (private, public, academic).

Becoming a Trustee 

You will help lead the Board’s responsibilities across all areas of governance including strategy development and staff mentoring, evaluation and impact, ensuring donor and beneficiary aspirations, commitments and needs are met and the charity is fulfilling all of its charitable objects and agreed strategic objectives.

You will work within the legal and regulatory framework set out by the Charity Commission and will be supported by the CEO and senior staff team at Eve to enable you to do this effectively. You will have exceptional communication, interpersonal and analytical skills with the confidence and ability to ensure decisions are actioned in a timely manner. 

This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. In return you’ll gain valuable experience and satisfaction, and the opportunity to develop your skills and utilise your expertise and knowledge. 

People from all backgrounds are welcomed, as The Eve Appeal aspires to build a committed and diverse board that reflects our beneficiaries and communities. 

To apply please submit a CV and covering letter.

Join Chailey Heritage Foundation as a Trustee and help shape the future for children and young people living with complex disabilities.

Applications close: Monday 2nd March 2026

Location: North Chailey, Lewes, Sussex, BN8 4EF

Time commitment: c.1 day per month

About Chailey Heritage Foundation

For over a century, Chailey Heritage Foundation has been a beacon of support for children and young people living with complex disabilities.

We’re a vibrant community in Sussex bringing together an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school, welcoming residential homes and a specialist centre with therapies including gym and art therapy, alongside a farm and café. Our expert teams work with time, patience and curiosity to nurture every child and young person’s potential.

Every day we see extraordinary outcomes — a child using assistive technology to communicate for the first time, a young adult building confidence towards greater independence, or a family finding the specialist support they need to navigate a world that can feel inaccessible. Strong governance underpins these outcomes, ensuring we stay resilient, ambitious and focused on what matters most.

About the roles

A board for the future

With the launch of our new five-year strategy and planned retirements over the coming period, we’re expanding our board. We’re looking to appoint two new Trustees, with backgrounds in finance and people/organisation design, who will help guide Chailey Heritage Foundation through this next chapter.

The role of a trustee

Trustees play a vital role in shaping our strategic direction, maintaining high standards of care and education and ensuring our long-term sustainability. This is an important time for the sector, as education, health and social care continue to evolve.

We are seeking Trustees who bring insight, leadership and constructive challenge, alongside a strong commitment to our mission.

Who we are looking for

• Trustee to join our People & Culture Committee

We’re seeking a Trustee to join our People & Culture Committee and help shape the heart of our organisation. This role is suited to someone with broad organisational leadership experience and a strong understanding of people-related challenges and the strategic approaches required to address them, rather than a purely functional background.

You will bring current expertise in organisational development and design, with a strong track record in people leadership, culture and values-led change. You’ll support the board and executive team to build and sustain a thriving workplace where colleagues are supported to do their best work. You’ll also help us attract, develop and retain the talent we need to deliver outstanding support to the children and young people.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive and our Executive Director of People & Culture, providing oversight, challenge and guidance on our people strategy, leadership and organisational culture.

• Trustee with Financial expertise (to join our Finance, Audit & Risk Committee)

Alongside this, we’re looking to appoint a Trustee with strong financial expertise: a qualified accountant with senior leadership experience, able to provide thoughtful oversight, constructive challenge and practical support to the board.

You’ll join our Finance, Audit & Risk Sub-Committee, chaired by our Treasurer and work closely with our Resources Director (who reports to the Chief Executive) and fellow Trustees to strengthen financial resilience and governance.

Join us

We understand that joining a board is a significant commitment which is why we offer a comprehensive induction programme and ongoing support.

You will be joining a highly engaged group of professionals working together to ensure Chailey Heritage Foundation continues to make a life-changing impact.

If you believe in what we do and want to use your skills to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

Whether you are an experienced Trustee or considering your first board role, we encourage applications from individuals who share our commitment to enabling children and young people with complex disabilities to thrive.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close on Monday 2nd March 2026

Applications close at 9.a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026

Location: Home-based but with regular travel, including to periodic board meetings in London or other locations within the UK

This is an opportunity to chair a charity transforming lives by helping more people experience the positive impact of learning. You can help shape the future of this remarkable charity and lead the Board of Shannon Trust to broaden, deepen and mature what we deliver.

Who we are

Picture this: a person in prison who struggles with literacy and numeracy reads their first sentence, they write their first letter home to their children or completes their first numeracy task. They begin to imagine a future beyond the prison walls.

This is what happens when someone learns with Shannon Trust, and it happens thousands of times each year across prisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Currently, 65% of people in prison can’t read, or struggle to. Even more struggle with numeracy.

These are not just statistics; they represent people who have been locked out of opportunity, who struggle with daily tasks, such as helping their children with homework or filling out a job application. At Shannon Trust, we believe everyone deserves the chance to learn, and that literacy and numeracy skills help build the foundations upon which people can rebuild their lives.

Where we are now

Shannon Trust has experienced remarkable growth over recent years. We have gone from a team of twelve people to one hundred staff today, supported by a volunteer base that brings us close to 250 people working to change lives through learning. The core of what we do is one-to-one peer mentoring in prisons. In 2025 alone, more than 11,000 learners used our reading and numeracy programmes, with 2,000 new volunteer peer-mentors trained to support them. We work in around one hundred prisons across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, delivering our Turning Pages reading programme and Count Me In numeracy programme. We are increasing our reach into the community, too. This growth is the result of sustained focus, strong relationships with funders who believe in our work, and the proven impact of our peer-led learning model.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Chair who is strongly motivated by our cause, with a genuine empathy for the people we serve and a commitment to the person-centred language and inclusive thinking which are woven into everything we do. You will bring an engaged and engaging leadership style, have resilience and a personal gravitas.

You will be someone who is comfortable with complexity as we shape our organisation for the next chapter of our development. You will understand the importance of process, culture, and effective operations as the means of delivering a successful strategy and sustaining an organisation.

You will be someone who can help us be better advocates whether that is supporting our Chief Executive to build relationships with policymakers, helping us think through how we position ourselves in the education and criminal justice landscape, or using your own networks to create opportunities for Shannon Trust to influence and inform. We need a Chair who sees advocacy as part of the role.

Most importantly, our new Chair must be a strong partner for our CEO, a mentor, challenger and support.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9.a.m. Monday 23rd February 2026

Volunteer Role: Deputy Chief Ranger (Senior Officer)

Location: National (England) / Hybrid

Rank Insignia: One Crown and Two Pips

Reporting to: Chief Ranger

About the Role:

Ranger Cadets is seeking a visionary and disciplined leader to step into the role of Deputy Chief Ranger. As a Senior Officer, you will serve as the "second-in-command" for the entire organisation across England. This is a high-impact, uniformed role designed for an individual with significant management experience and a passion for youth development.

You will work directly alongside the Chief Ranger to steer the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring every unit is supported and every cadet is "Prepared for Life."

Your Strategic Responsibilities:

• Organisational Leadership: Assist the Chief Ranger in the overall management, governance, and operational running of Ranger Cadets nationwide.

• National Oversight: Provide high-level support and guidance to regional and unit leadership teams to ensure consistency in the cadet syllabus and safety standards.

• Strategic Growth: Help lead the expansion of Ranger Cadets, ensuring that new units are sustainable and aligned with our core values.

• Representational Duties: Act as a key ambassador for the organisation at national events, ceremonies, and meetings with external stakeholders and partners.

• Mentorship: Provide senior-level mentorship to adult volunteers, fostering a culture of excellence, discipline, and inclusion.

What We Are Looking For:

• Proven Leadership: Experience in senior management, ideally within a uniformed organisation, the military, emergency services, or the charitable sector.

• Strategic Thinker: The ability to look beyond the day-to-day operations and help plan the long-term future of the organisation.

• Commitment to Values: A deep alignment with the Ranger Cadets' mission to empower young people and boost their confidence.

• Presence & Authority: Comfortable wearing the rank insignia of a Senior Officer and leading with integrity, empathy, and professional standards.

Why Take on This Command?

• Executive Impact: Play a defining role in the history and growth of a national youth organisation.

• Professional Prestige: Hold a senior rank (One Crown, Two Pips) that reflects your responsibility and expertise.

• Legacy Building: Help shape the framework that will support thousands of young people on their journey to adulthood.

How to Apply:

This is an appointment for those ready to lead at the highest level. If you have the experience and the drive to assist in commanding the Ranger Cadets, we invite you to apply.

RANGER CADETS

#PreparedForLife

Do you want to help change the future? And make your mark on our democracy? 

Join us. 

Elect Her is building a world where 51% (or more!) of elected officials are women. We are a non-partisan organisation working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office, in Britain, and thrive once there. 

At Elect Her, women receive the support they need on their unique political journey. Every democratic path is different and consequently we have targeted interventions, at each stage, to provide the best tools to improve women’s chances and access to elected office and, once there, help them remain in office. At the local level 50% of the women we support win - but every woman who stands makes democracy, democracy! 

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented at all levels of UK politics—only 40% nationally, 27% regionally, and 34% locally. This is not due to a lack of capable women, but because the political system is structurally biased. We’ve mapped the barriers to entry and are working on removing them and reshaping the political system so that all women can thrive once elected.

We’re recruiting for three new Directors to join our board, including a Treasurer.

If you are strategic, constructively critical, collaborative and with a passion for representation - we want to hear from you!

Closing date for applications is 27th February 2026

We can’t wait to meet you!

Migrateful is looking for new Trustees to help guide our next chapter! Migrateful runs cookery classes in London and Bristol led by refugees and migrants to support them on their journey to integration & employment.

Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction, strengthening governance and acting as critical friends to the executive team, ensuring Migrateful continues to deliver high quality, impactful work in line with its charitable purpose.

We are currently looking for a trustee with experience in immigration, integration or social impact research, ideally with an academic background. They will help guide Migrateful’s approach to measuring and strengthening impact. This includes ensuring evidence is used to inform learning, organisational growth, fundraising and policy influence, and contributing to the Impact Development Working Group.

Trustees will play a pivotal role in ensuring Migrateful can continue to grow and deliver meaningful impact for migrant and refugee communities. They will help support the continued expansion of our cookery class programme, which provides vital training, employment and integration opportunities and a platform for migrant-led cultural exchange.

For more information please see our trustee recruitment pack. 

Hay Festival Foundation Ltd. (HFF) is an internationally recognised charity, founded in Hay-on-Wye in Wales 38 years ago, operating in the UK and abroad. As a charity, we have a commitment to literature, culture, arts, and ideas, expanding, sharing, and contributing to the development of the arts, creativity, talent and skills through our activities (festivals, education, fundraising and trading). We are seeking a dynamic trustee with expertise to join the Board.

Hay Festival editions take place in Wales, UK and internationally, currently in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, USA, Africa, Ukraine and Europe.

We are seeking a trustees with skills in the following areas:

• International experience within cultural or creative sectors

• Digital production and media expertise

• Fund development and high-net-worth access

• Capital project and infrastructure development

As Wembley Stadium Foundation enters a period of renewed clarity and ambition, it seeks exceptional trustees to bring structure and steer strategic discipline to an organisation with enormous potential.

Location: Hybrid / Wembley Stadium

Applications close: 9 a.m. Friday 27th February 2026

About Wembley Stadium Foundation

Wembley Stadium Foundation is entering an exciting new chapter. As the independent charity of Wembley Stadium, we use the power of one of the world’s most iconic venues to inspire, connect and transform communities.

Funded directly through stadium event income, we invest in sport, movement and performing arts, helping young people overcome barriers and unlocking opportunities that last a lifetime.

Whether supporting grassroots football, funding performing arts programmes, or providing equipment and access for young people with disabilities, our grants create opportunities that last.

We are committed to collaboration, working closely with local partners, national organisations and grantees to amplify impact sustainably. With a refreshed strategy to 2028, a growing profile and a new CEO appointed in 2024, we are entering a period of renewed clarity and ambition.

Our aim is to ensure the magic of Wembley reaches far beyond the stadium walls, touching communities across Brent and throughout the UK.

About the roles

Following a period of cultural reset and strengthened governance, we are now seeking exceptional trustees to help shape the Foundation’s future. This is a rare opportunity to bring strategic leadership, governance experience and sector insight to an organisation with national reach, financial stability and the growing ambition to maximise its impact ahead of Euro 2028.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking four new trustees who combine governance maturity with a strong connection to our mission. You do not need to have served as a trustee before, but you must bring senior leadership experience, sound judgment and the ability to support an evolving board as it moves into a more confident, professional and high-performing phase.

We particularly welcome individuals with experience in:

• Governance and strategic leadership
• Sport governance and football
• Arts, culture and performing arts
• HR, marketing, communications
• Senior operational, commercial, or organisational leadership

We are also looking for trustees who can bring board-level behaviours: constructive challenge, collaborative mindset, calm leadership through change and the ability to focus discussions on strategy, risk and impact.

You will be mission-focused and comfortable operating in a charity undergoing governance strengthening, cultural renewal and increased visibility. You’ll understand that while Wembley is an iconic and exciting brand, trusteeship is not about perks; it is about responsibility, scrutiny and ensuring funds reach the right communities for the greatest impact.

Our board is diverse and welcoming, but it requires greater depth of senior experience. We encourage applications from individuals who can model strong governance, champion inclusive practice and help build a board that is effective, future-focused and ready to shape the next era of Wembley Stadium Foundation’s impact.

Peridot Partners and Wembley Stadium Foundation are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 27th February 2026.

Who They Are

The Young Vic Theatre occupies a distinctive place in the UK’s cultural landscape, combining bold commercial ambition and artistic originality with meaningful grassroots social impact. This commitment is most evident in the theatre’s renowned audience community—one of the most diverse, vibrant and engaged in London.

The Role

Purpose of the Role

The Trustees of the charity also serve as Directors of the company and therefore hold legal, financial and ethical responsibilities under company law and charity legislation.

Trustees are responsible for:

• Complying with the charity’s governing document and the law

• Ensuring the charity delivers its purpose for public benefit

• Acting in the charity’s best interests

• Managing the charity’s resources responsibly

• Acting with reasonable care and skill

• Ensuring accountability

• Ensuring compliance across the organisation

The current Board brings together leaders from theatre, business, finance and hospitality. Trustees work in partnership with the CEO and Executive Team, delegating day-to-day operations and artistic decisions to the organisation’s specialist leaders.

The Board draws on its collective expertise, networks and experience to provide strategic and operational guidance. Trustees share a deep commitment to the Young Vic’s mission, championing its work and supporting engagement across the community.

Trustees are asked to join a committee where possible and actively support the theatre by:

• Attending productions

• Participating in events that support fundraising, advocacy and community engagement

• Making introductions within their networks, especially for fundraising

• Staying informed about developments in the arts and charity sectors

• Preparing thoroughly for Board meetings, contributing actively and attending in person whenever possible

The Board operates in line with the Charity Governance Code, which sets out seven core principles: organisational purpose, leadership, integrity, decision-making risk and control, board effectiveness, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and openness and accountability.

Person Specification

The organisation is seeking approximately four new Trustees and is particularly interested in individuals with expertise in:

• Freelance work within the arts

• Law

• Theatre production or commercial producing

• Charity fundraising

• Accounting

However, the Board also welcomes applicants who may not meet these specific criteria but feel able to contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s development and future direction.

Previous trustee experience is not required. A comprehensive induction, mentoring and ongoing support will be provided.

Terms of Appointment

Trustees are appointed for an initial four-year term, with the option of a further four-year extension and, in some cases, an additional two years. The maximum tenure is ten years. The Board meets four times per year, with the Executive Board convening an additional four times and further committee meetings scheduled as needed.

Taunton Brewhouse is looking for trustees from all backgrounds.  Key is sharing our vision for a bold, brilliant cultural venue in Taunton, adding to our existing skills and expedrience and prepared to to play an active role in meeting the challenges ahead.

If you have experience in general management and/or in HR, marketing or fundraising do get in touch.   We also seek a lead trustee on finance - please see separate announcement.

As a trustee, you'll share responsibility for:

• agreeing strategy and goals for Taunton Brewhouse
• appointing and setting salaries for senior management
• giving oversight and support to management
• paying attention to financial management
• ensuring due diligence in all regulatory matters including safe-guarding
• ensuring a robust approach to management of risk.

You'll attend Board meeting although much work is carried out in projects or committees.  You'll be an ambassador for Taunton Brewhouse and support our wider endeavours through attending press and community events.

There are 5 formal meetings pa held in evenings at Taunton Brewhouse.  Other meetings are generally in the day and are organised around the diaries of those involved.  We also aim for an annual 'away-day' to enable trustees time to reflect, plan and develop the organisation and themselves.

Please note that exceptional expenses are paid by prior agreement.

We aim to be in touch quickly both those who make a full application and those who prefer an informal initial discussion. 

Our Second Home is a youth movement that empowers migrants and refugees to flourish in the place that they call home. Our overnight activity camp for young people aged 14-18 is a chance for young people to come together and have five days of fun and excitement, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of leaders and staff.

An OSH Leader is a supportive adult, a role model, and someone young people can feel safe being themselves around. It’s about creating a warm, fun, and consistent presence during residentials — helping young people with refugee and migrant backgrounds feel welcomed, included, and at home.

Youth Leaders for this project will be responsible for facilitating the camp, and will be directly in contact with, and responsible for, the participants. During the camp they will be ‘on duty’ full-time, meaning that they will spend the whole time with the participants, including at meals.

THIS ROLE IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE UK. We will arrange Zoom interviews with applicants separately.

Responsibilities:

• Interacting and forming a bond with the participants
• Creating and running fun and engaging activities for the participants
• Looking after the participants’ welfare, and ensuring that they feel cared for and secure
• Managing the participants’ behaviour and setting clear boundaries

Expectations and requirements:

• All applicants must be interviewed and be willing to provide references on request.
• Youth Leaders must set a positive example of behaviour and involvement for all participants, and adhere to the volunteer guidelines.
• Youth Leaders may be required to prepare activities for participants at the camp. If asked, this must be completed in plenty of time to allow any materials or equipment to be sourced.
• Applicants should be aged 20 or above.
• Applicants must be eligible for DBS clearance (no criminal record that prevents applicants from working with children)
• Youth Leaders must raise any safeguarding concerns swiftly and follow safeguarding procedures
• Youth Leaders must follow all Our Second Home policies and procedures of (which will be explained at the Camp training days).
• Anyone attending an OSH residential must test negative for COVID-19 prior to attending the programme, regardless of whether they have received a vaccine or not.

Essential skills:

• Flexibility, adaptability and ability to improvise
• Ability to build connection quickly with peers and young people
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively
• High level of organisation
• High levels of empathy and patience
• Awareness and sensitivity that some participants might be suffering from trauma

Additional desired skills:

• Experience working with and/or caring for young people aged 14-18
• Experience working with refugees and/or asylum seekers
• Experience working with young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities
• Language skills: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Somali
• First Aid training
• Creative or artistic abilities
• Sports leadership
• Ability to prepare fun and engaging activities for young people

We particularly encourage applications from those who have lived experience of being a refugee.

Please ensure you are available to come to all the following events - specific dates can be found on the application form:

• Training
• Pre-Residential Prep Day (on site)
• Residential, in full
• Feedback & thank you afternoon

QUOTES:

• “Having the professional [welfare] support made me feel very support and more comfortable with the work” – BT
• “The atmosphere of fun, respect, care, and community is what made the young people so comfortable and connected” – BT
• “The leaders were all awesome – it was incredible to work in a team so full of hard working, intelligent, experienced people” – BT
• “Seeing the kids bursting out of their shells and that being the norm rather than just exceptions was just incredible.” – CA
• “It honestly surpassed anything I could have hoped for” – LK

Structure:

Youth Leaders will be supported by the Welfare Support Lead(s), who will be their main contact in the build to and throughout the camp. The Welfare Support Lead(s) will run team meetings at the end of each day and be on hand to advise and manage the Youth Leaders.