Finance and database officer volunteer roles

 Welcome to the NHS Retirement Fellowship

Thank you for your interest in becoming the new chair of the NHS Retirement Fellowship. We are halfway through a five-year plan which is transforming the way we operate, how we engage with the NHS and other key stakeholders, and how we support our members currently and in the future. We have already come a long way from where we started and we are now beginning an ambitious plan of doubling our membership and raising awareness so we can continue with our mission of supporting retired and retiring NHS, health and social care staff. We are seeking a dynamic and professional chair with significant senior leadership experience in the NHS (or the broader health and social care sector) and/or extensive experience of governing a charity to work with us to deliver our vision.

Our Board is made up of a variety of professionals from across the NHS and beyond, a number of whom are members of the Fellowship. We work closely with our dynamic senior leadership team, branch officers and volunteers and have fostered an excellent working relationship for the benefit of our members.

The Fellowship has a small executive team of seven part time staff who all work remotely from home.

The potential for the NHS Retirement Fellowship is immense, and I very much look forward to welcoming you and working with you on this exciting journey.

Julia Hickey

Acting Chair

NHS Retirement Fellowship.

About the NHS Retirement Fellowship

“One of things that makes the NHS a special place to work is the sense of togetherness, belonging and family. So, when colleagues come to retirement, the Fellowship is a wonderful way of maintaining these things and allowing colleagues to continue their connection with the service. I think more can be done to help retired colleagues share experiences, perspectives and support and the Fellowship is ideally placed to do this.” Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive, NHS England

Our motto is fun, friendship and fellowship and it sits at the heart of everything we do.

The NHS Retirement Fellowship began in 1978 when retiring nurse Irene James recognised that for significant numbers of retiring NHS staff, their colleagues and friends had also become their family and that those pivotal connections could be lost. Our role has changed during that near 50 years as the NHS has changed and more latterly with the seismic transformation into a digital world. We now have almost 100 branches from the Highlands of Scotland to the north Devon coast and from Swansea in west Wales across to Norwich in East Anglia. About a third of our members are now national members, often choosing to engage on a more remote, digitally based basis. All our members have access to a portfolio of benefits which we offer, including our flagship travel insurance policy, and we are actively pursuing a partnership which would bring a huge range of benefits and discounts to our members. We also have a special fund to support members at a time of need.

Our branches run semi independently from our main charity with their own committees and bank accounts. Volunteers arrange a variety of activities for their members at local and regional level. National members, who choose not to join a specific branch, can join in with local activities and also have access to an increasing number of online based activities. We also hold an annual conference and AGM where the Board, staff and our members can all come together.

We are increasingly working with the NHS and other stakeholders in partnership to see how we can support employers and retain connections, experience and expertise at local level. We’re helping foundation trusts with governors, hospitals with volunteers and NHS charities with supporters. We’re looking to grow so that we are the voice of the retired NHS and wider health service community and see how our members can offer mentoring, support and guidance to the younger generations of NHS staff. 

Our charity is looking to become a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) over the next year.

Our values and mission are unchanged from when Irene James recognised the need to continue to support NHS staff when they retired to enable them to retain links, mutual support and understanding and friendships built over the years in their shared working lives. The NHSRF supports people in retirement to maintain friendships and make new ones, from the NHS, health and social care sectors from a diverse background irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and to support each other through friendship.

Role description and time commitment

Our Chair will lead the Board in developing and delivering our strategy, working closely with, and providing line management and support to, our chief executive. They will also support our chief operating officer in preparation for Board meetings and our head of communications in the planning of our conference and other duties. Our Chair will also be a key representative of the Fellowship in meeting and liaising with key stakeholders.

Our Board meets remotely three times a year and once a year in person. We also have two strategy days a year and our AGM and conference which takes place over a weekend in October. There is also a standing invitation to our Members Council meetings, which are three times a year remotely and once a year in person.

Timeframes

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 1 June. Shortlisting will take place in the following week with interviews to take place in London on Thursday 2 July.

Term of office

We are looking to appoint for a three-year period initially. This will take us through 2028 when the NHS will mark its 80th anniversary and the NHS Retirement Fellowship will celebrate its 50th birthday.

Our chair role is unpaid, but we will reimburse you for reasonable travel expenses.

VICE CHAIR / CO‑CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (VOLUNTEER ROLE)

SUNSHINE Charity – Because No One Should Live in Lockdown Forever

Do you remember lockdown?

1. The silence.
2. The uncertainty.
3. The ache of missing people.
4. The feeling of being cut off from the world.

Now imagine living like that every single day — not because of a pandemic, but because loneliness has quietly become someone’s whole life.

At SUNSHINE, we refuse to let that be anyone’s reality. Not in London. Not in our communities. Not while we’re here.

We’re here to bring back joy, connection and human warmth — and we need a compassionate, steady, visionary leader to help guide us at the highest level.

Who We Are

SUNSHINE is a brand‑new, grassroots, 100% volunteer‑powered charity on a mission to brighten the lives of people experiencing loneliness and social isolation. We’re small, passionate, and building something hopeful from the ground up. We’re awaiting our charity number — but our mission is already alive, growing and ready to shine.

Now we need someone who can help steer us with wisdom, integrity and heart.

Your Role: Vice Chair / Co‑Chair of the Board

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the governance, direction and future of a charity from its earliest days.

As Vice Chair / Co‑Chair, you will be the right hand to our Chair and a key partner to our Founder & CEO. You will help ensure SUNSHINE is well‑governed, well‑led and always guided by compassion, purpose and good practice.

You will:

• Support and deputise for the Chair, helping lead the Board with clarity and confidence

• Provide strategic oversight, ensuring SUNSHINE grows safely, ethically and sustainably

• Champion good governance, safeguarding the charity’s mission, values and beneficiaries

• Support the CEO, offering guidance, challenge and encouragement as we build our foundations

• Help shape long‑term strategy, ensuring our services, culture and impact stay true to our purpose

• Be a visible leader, representing SUNSHINE with warmth, professionalism and heart

• Foster a positive, inclusive Board culture, where collaboration and kindness are central

Your leadership will help ensure SUNSHINE becomes a trusted, respected and impactful charity that people feel safe turning to.

Who You Are

• You’re someone who leads with both head and heart.
• You understand governance, responsibility and accountability — but you also understand people, community and compassion.
• Maybe you’ve been a trustee before.
• Maybe you’ve chaired meetings, led teams or guided organisations through growth.
• Maybe you’ve worked in charity, public service, community leadership or strategic roles.

What matters most is your integrity, your steadiness, your belief in our mission — and your desire to help build something meaningful from the ground up.

Why Join Us Now?

Because this is the moment everything begins.

You won’t just be joining a Board — you’ll be helping to shape it. Your leadership will influence our culture. Your decisions will guide our future. Your presence will help us bring sunshine into lives that have been dark for far too long.

If you want to be part of something hopeful, human and life‑changing, this is your moment.

How to Apply

Send us your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life.

Let’s build a charity full of sunshine — together.

ADMIN MANAGER & COMPANY SECRETARY (VOLUNTEER ROLE)

SUNSHINE Charity – Because No One Should Live in Lockdown Forever

Do you remember lockdown?

1. The stillness.
2. The uncertainty.
3. The feeling of being cut off from the world.
4. The long days where connection felt far away.

Now imagine living like that every single day — not because of a pandemic, but because loneliness has quietly become someone’s whole life.

At SUNSHINE, we refuse to let that be anyone’s reality. Not in London. Not in our communities. Not while we’re here.

We’re here to bring back joy, connection and human warmth — and we need someone organised, steady and compassionate to help keep our young charity running smoothly behind the scenes.

Who We Are

SUNSHINE is a brand‑new, grassroots, 100% volunteer‑powered charity on a mission to brighten the lives of people experiencing loneliness and social isolation. We’re small, passionate, and building something hopeful from the ground up. We’re awaiting our charity number — but our mission is already alive, growing and ready to shine.

Now we need someone who can help us stay organised, compliant and confident as we grow.

Your Role: Admin Manager & Company Secretary

This is a vital role at the heart of our charity’s operations.

You will be the person who keeps us organised, compliant and functioning — the calm, reliable presence who ensures SUNSHINE runs smoothly as we build our services, our team and our impact.

You will:

• Manage our core administration, ensuring documents, records and processes are kept up to date

• Support the Board and CEO, helping prepare agendas, minutes and paperwork

• Ensure good governance, keeping us aligned with legal and regulatory requirements

• Maintain key policies, updating them as we grow

• Oversee filing systems, digital organisation and internal communications

• Support volunteer onboarding admin, helping us stay structured and efficient

• Be the organisational backbone, helping SUNSHINE stay steady, safe and well‑run

Your work will help us build a charity that people can trust — one that is safe, organised and ready to support those who need us most.

Who You Are

• You’re someone who loves order, clarity and good organisation.
• You’re reliable, detail‑focused and calm under pressure.
• You care deeply about people and want to use your skills to make a real difference.
• Maybe you’ve worked in admin, office management, governance, compliance or PA roles.
• Maybe you’ve supported Boards or senior leaders before.
• Maybe you’re simply brilliant at keeping things running smoothly.

What matters most is your heart, your steadiness, and your belief that loneliness should never be a life sentence.

Why Join Us Now?

Because this is the moment everything begins.

You won’t just be joining a charity — you’ll be helping to build it. Your organisation will shape our foundations. Your attention to detail will shape our safety. Your presence will help us bring sunshine into lives that have been dark for far too long.

If you want to be part of something hopeful, human and life‑changing, this is your moment.

How to Apply

Send us your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life.

Let’s build a charity full of sunshine — together.

You will welcome clients and visitors, and support the smooth running of our local office at our drop in sessions on Mondays or Thursdays (or both)

Commitment: 6 hours/week (flexible)

Receptionists are the first point of contact for clients, welcoming visitors. You’ll record client details on our computer system, explain waiting times, and help ensure the service runs smoothly. The role builds communication, IT, and teamwork skills while making a real difference in the community. Full training and expense reimbursement are provided.

What you gain: Communication skills, admin experience, confidence using IT, and full training.

You'll gain valuable transferable skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork.

Whether you are starting out, changing career, retired, or returning to work, volunteering strengthens your CV and provides practical experience.