Executive assistant to head of communications volunteer roles
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About Schoolreaders
One in four children in England leave primary school unable to read at the expected level — a barrier that shadows their education, confidence, and life chances. Schoolreaders was founded in 2013 to change this.
The Charity delivers weekly one-to-one reading support to primary school children who need it most, powered by a nationwide network of trained volunteers. This community-driven model delivers exceptional impact at minimal cost. It is incredibly simple and everyone wins – the children benefit from consistent, regular additional reading support, schools benefit from trained volunteers spending one-to-one time with children, and volunteers benefit from an increased sense of purpose and wellbeing.
Demand is soaring. In just 13 years, Schoolreaders has become England’s largest in-school reading support charity. Today, almost 40,000 children receive one-to-one reading support each week, and the charity is on track to deliver more than 1.5 million in-person reading sessions in 2026 — the National Year of Reading.
Support is targeted where it matters most: 46% of participating children are eligible for Pupil Premium, and over half of partner schools serve disadvantaged communities. Independent evaluation with the Institute for Research in Education shows powerful results: across three terms, every single child improved their reading age beyond expected progress.
Schoolreaders is proving what’s possible when communities mobilise around children’s futures.
The organisation is run by a small team in Bedford, achieving high staff-to-volunteer leverage and exceptional cost-effectiveness. Its supporters include patrons Gyles Brandreth and Kate Adie, and it is governed by a Board of Trustees and an executive team. Schoolreaders has been praised for its adaptability and innovative use of digital channels in volunteer recruitment and fundraising, and for the strength, expertise, and depth of its Board, whose members typically serve multiple terms, reflecting a strong sense of commitment and continuity. This collective leadership and innovation continue to position Schoolreaders as a vital partner in tackling the literacy gap at scale.
Role specification
As a Trustee at Schoolreaders, they will play a key role, helping to shape the overall direction and vision.
The key duties of Trustees are to:
- Work collectively with fellow Trustees and the executive team to ensure Schoolreaders remains mission-driven, financially resilient, and effective in delivering high-impact literacy support, particularly to the most disadvantaged children
- Shape and challenge organisational strategy, supporting the charity’s continued national expansion and operational effectiveness, while managing strategic risks and safeguarding its reputation and resources
- Champion the importance of evidence-based, face-to-face reading interventions while constructively interrogating the potential role of digital provision, ensuring decisions are grounded in impact and inclusivity
- Engage as an ambassador for Schoolreaders, championing its mission and extending its reach through networks and partnerships
- Support the executive team in addressing key challenges, including safeguarding, funding pressures, digital transformation, and security of volunteer and beneficiary data
- Model inclusive, collaborative governance and foster an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued
Person specification
Schoolreaders is seeking to strengthen its Board with new Trustees who bring expertise across two priority areas: Education and Communications / PR. While prior governance experience is welcome, the organisation is equally open to applications from those seeking their first non-executive appointment.
Education
The Board welcomes applications from those with current experience as a primary school practitioner, ideally within the state sector. The capacity to deliver strategic direction is essential. Insight into challenges linked to deprivation and the use of educational technology would be particularly valuable in shaping policy, practice and partnership development. A background in safeguarding would also be highly valued. Candidates may have held leadership roles such as Head of Department, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, Chief Executive, or Director of Education. Appointees will also join the Education Safeguarding Consultation Group (meets online three times per year).
Communications / PR
The Board is seeking a Trustee with significant experience in communications, brand development, and / or marketing, and a strong understanding of digital and social media strategy. Candidates may come from any sector, provided they bring sound judgement, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to operate credibly across these areas. Experience in stakeholder engagement and influencing at a senior level will be valuable.
This Trustee will bring valuable insight as Schoolreaders strengthens its in-house communications and marketing capability and will help to shape the development of a longer-term strategy to raise the organisation’s profile and extend its reach. They will also support the development of a more integrated and cohesive approach, contributing to thinking on brand strategy, marketing and communications priorities, audience engagement, and external profile, as well as offering insight across digital, social, and traditional channels.
Above all, successful candidates will be motivated by the mission of Schoolreaders and committed to supporting children’s literacy and life chances.
Location
Board meetings are primarily held virtually, with one in-person board meeting and one strategy day held annually (typically in Bedford). Trustees from all regions of the UK are encouraged to apply.
Diversity
Schoolreaders welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Terms of appointment
This is a voluntary role; however, reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees are asked to commit to:
- attending six Board meetings per year (every two months, three hours each, five virtual and one held in person in Bedford)
- attending three Committee meetings annually (virtual), as relevant to their expertise, noting that this is an emerging area and there is not currently a specific committee for the PR / Communications Trustee role
- attending an annual strategy day, which is held in person
The initial appointment is for a three-year term, which may be renewed at the Board’s discretion.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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VOLUNTEER POSITION – Grants Assistant
Hope and Vision Communities is a small charity based in Reading providing supported, move-on accommodation for people who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation. We have a Christian ethos, where everyone can be loved and accepted with a sense of belonging, with the hope and opportunity of a new life. We are growing to expand who we can help to other geographical areas, as well as working on opening a women’s service.
Growing our services means that we also need to grow our fundraising income, and to help reach this, we are looking for a skilled volunteer who could help us increase our grant submissions. The role will support the Trusts and Grants Fundraiser in managing a regular flow of grant applications to Trusts and Foundations.
Key Responsibilities
• Research and apply for grants and funding opportunities already identified in our CRM system - this could be potentially 3 applications a week where you prepare a customised case for support to be sent out to a funder
Key Skills and Qualifications
• Experience in using Microsoft Sharepoint for remote working
•Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to inspire and engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
To give a home and hope in rebuilding life after addiction— empowering long-term recovery.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Creative Support is a national not-for-profit social care and supported housing provider with charitable status. We deliver personalised care and support for younger and older adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, physical disabilities and those at risk of homelessness or social exclusion.
Creative Support is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees with expertise across social care, health, housing, finance, legal and related fields. As our current Chair approaches the end of her term, we are seeking a new Chair with senior social care experience and a strong understanding of commissioning, quality, risk, workforce, regulation and partnership working. The ideal candidate will champion our values and mission and lead with clarity and compassion.
About Creative Support:
We are one of the UK’s largest social care providers, supporting over 6,000 people each year across 70 local authorities and employing around 5,000 staff. With an annual turnover of £197 million, we are also a registered social housing provider with over 1,000 supported housing units and significant housing assets.
Creative Support is an Investor in People Gold employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and an inclusive organisation committed to increasing Board representation from BAME, LGBTQ+ and disabled communities, with zero tolerance for discrimination.
Our Mission and Values:
Creative Support promotes independence, inclusion, and wellbeing. We do this by working with the people we support, their families and others to meet individual needs and aspirations in a person-centred way. We provide high quality homes and support, enabling people to say:
- I live my best life in a place I call home
- I feel listened to, respected and valued
- I enjoy choices and rights and have control over my life
- I am supported to feel safe
- I am doing the things that matter to me
- I enjoy relationships with others
- I am connected to my community
- I am supported with my wellbeing
- I feel able to reach my full potential
Our We Care values underpin everything we do at Creative Support. We are: Welcoming, Empowering, Compassionate, Aspirational, Respectful, Effective.
About the Role:
The Chair is responsible for leading the Board, ensuring effective governance, and holding the Chief Executive and Board to account for delivering our mission, vision and strategy. The role involves providing inclusive leadership, ensuring Trustees understand their responsibilities, and working closely with the Executive Team to offer oversight, support and constructive challenge.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with senior-level social care expertise, a commitment to our charitable purpose and person-centred values, and a belief in co-production with the people we support. The Chair must demonstrate vision, sound judgement and an inclusive, respectful leadership style.
The Chair is expected to commit sufficient time to:
- Attend six annual Board meetings, and relevant committee meetings (typically 2–3 hours in duration);
- Prepare thoroughly for meetings, including reading papers in advance;
- Lead the induction, support and supervision of Trustees;
- Undertake appraisal and support of the Chief Executive Officer;
- Act as an ambassador for Creative Support at internal and external events.
- Visit national services and engage with staff, the people who we support, and tenants.
The estimated time commitment for the Chair is approximately 4 days per month/48 days per year, although this may increase in response to organisational needs or during periods of change. Appointments are made for an initial period of 3 years and are subject to an annual appraisal. Terms begin at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting in which the Chair is appointed.
The role of Chair of the Board of Trustees is remunerated in recognition of the significant time, responsibility and contribution required. The current remuneration for the Chair is £12,000 per annum, payable in monthly instalments of £1,000. This payment is taxable and is processed through the organisation’s payroll. Trustees, including the Chair, are appointed as office holders and are therefore neither workers nor employees. Remuneration arrangements are subject to periodic review in line with the organisation’s governance and remuneration policies.
We also pay all reasonable expenses associated with the role, including travel, overnight accommodation, subsistence and child care expenses if needed. Appointment will be made subject to the following satisfactory checks:
- References
- Declarations of Interest
- Fit and Proper Person Check
- Personal Declarations
- Enhanced DBS
- A £1.00 payment for shareholding membership (this can be provided in person when you first attend our Head Office)
We can send you a copy of our most recent Annual Report & Accounts - details on how to request this can be located on this roles listing on our company website or consult the FCA Mutuals Website, type in Creative Support and search under ‘documents’. You will find all previous annual reports and accounts listed and these can be viewed or downloaded at no cost.
Please note that Creative Support is a Community Benefit Society with charitable status registered with the FCA, not a company or registered charity so you will not be able to access information about Creative Support via Companies House or the Charity Commission.
Recruitment Timeline:
Closing Date for Applications: 13 May 2026
Meet and Greet and Stakeholder interview panel: 17 June 2026
Final panel interviews: 30 June 2026
Offer and recruitment checks: July - August 2026
Co-opt at Board meeting: 10 September 2026
Formal vote at Annual General Meeting: 24 September 2026
Please keep these dates available upon application
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Creative Support is a not for profit provider of person centered care and support
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.