Grants and learning officer volunteer roles
About the board and Trustee role
Trustees are volunteers who oversee the strategic direction of the charity and ensure its compliance with regulators and the law. They are also ambassadors for the charity; and they provide the staff team, which does the day-to-day work, with both scrutiny and support.
The full board meets quarterly. Two meetings focus on ‘business’ – approving budgets and policies, making key decisions, etc. The other two are more discursive, covering strategic issues.
We have four sub-committees: Finance Audit Investment & Risk, Impact & Income Development, Research & Policy, and Governance & People. Trustees are generally encouraged to join at least one sub-committee, which gives them more detailed insight into the charity’s work in that area. A number of trustees choose to sit on multiple sub-committees (there is no upper limit) and trustees are also welcome to attend any sub-committee, for example as a one-off, to see what happens or if they have an interest in a particular agenda item. Sub-committees also meet quarterly.
And there is usually one strategy day a year.
We currently have eight trustees on our board, with experience in public affairs, law, policing, business, research, marketing, inclusion and influencing government. We are looking to a recruit four further trustees. Our primary focus is to bring different perspectives to the board rather than skills, given that the delivery of the charity’s work is delegated to a skilled staff team.
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One trustee with experience of research (of any type) – an attitude of curiosity, intellectual rigour and open-mindedness.
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One trustee with professional experience of alcohol treatment (at any level) – the perspective of delivering compassionate support via treatment services, whether charity or NHS settings.
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One trustee with experience of strategic charity finance – especially interest in weighing up long-term financial strategic choices (not month-to-month financial management: we have a finance team).
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One trustee from any background.
All trustees are asked to bring a commitment to and passion for our vision, mission and values.
What we can offer
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Our board of trustees, and our charity as a whole, is warm and welcoming.
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Everyone is entitled to have their views heard and we work hard to be inclusive of everyone.
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We are well organised and professionally run.
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We are a dynamic and fast-paced organisation, with a huge range of interesting work happening.
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You will have opportunities for personal development and to attend a range of interesting events in your role as a trustee.
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Finally, and most importantly, we are laser-focused on making as much difference as possible to end alcohol harm.
Trustees’ Role Description and Person Specification
Being a Trustee of Alcohol Change UK
Our Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the UK’s leading charity in the field of alcohol harm. We are a registered charity (No. 1140287) and a company limited by guarantee (No.
07462605). Our trustees are also members of the charity and directors of the company. Governance is in accordance with both charity and company law. This role description uses the term ‘trustee’ to refer to all three roles (trustee, member, director).
As well as overseeing proper governance, the Board is responsible for strategic decision-making, upholding the reputation of the charity and ensuring that it delivers on its charitable object to reduce alcohol harm. As a trustee you will share this collective responsibility and bring your personal perspectives, skills, experience and connections to bear.
This is an important time for the charity, as we are in the third year of our five-year strategy (Apr 2024 to Mar 2029). Our new trustees will play a key role in helping us deliver on this strategy and in particular navigating a major change in our financial position.
The Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees
Governing Documents
Our primary governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of Association which sets out the formal duties and responsibilities of the trustees, directors and members. It is complemented by our Scheme of Delegation. We have also adopted the Code of Good Governance, and remain compliant with the rules of the Charity Commissioners and Companies House.
General Duties and Responsibilities
The following are general duties, based on documentation from the Charity Commission and Companies House:
- To act in the interests of the charity’s objects – that is, its cause and its beneficiaries.
- To act reasonably and prudently in all matters.
- To avoid personal views and prejudices affecting your decision-making.
- To protect – and actively promote – the property, interests and reputation of the charity.
- To set the strategic direction, provide strategic oversight, and make critical decisions.
- To always make decisions collectively as a board and in particular to actively support all board decisions (that are made in accordance with the charity’s constitution) regardless of your personal position on such decisions.
- To understand how the charity works, including being fully aware of the charity’s general risks and its financial position.
- To ensure compliance with all statutory requirements as set out by Companies House and the Charity Commission and by other relevant statutory bodies and legislation.
- To challenge and support the CEO and, through them, the broader staff team.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities
The following additional duties and responsibilities have been adopted by Alcohol Change UK:
- To abide by Alcohol Change UK’s policies, such as those on equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding, code of conduct, conflicts of interest, GDPR, etc.
- To endeavour to achieve at least 75% attendance at Board meetings. In accordance with the governing documents, trustees missing three consecutive board meetings without reasonable cause will normally be asked to step down.
- To undertake training as required and to participate in an annual development appraisal.
- To join at least one of the charity’s four sub-committees.
- To represent Alcohol Change UK at events and to act as a positive ambassador for Alcohol Change UK amongst its key audiences.
- To understand and respect the boundary between governance and the operational matters that are delegated to the staff team.
- To respond to Alcohol Change UK correspondence in a timely manner.
Person Specification
All trustees need the following:
- Strong commitment to the vision, values and mission of Alcohol Change UK.
- An ability to think strategically; that is, thinking of the big picture and the long-term, being impact-focused, and considering the relationship between internal and external factors.
- An ability to work as part of a team, especially understanding and respecting the nature of collective decision-making.
- Excellent communications skills, especially active listening, succinctness, clarity, positivity and tact.
- Commitment to the 7 Nolan Principles on Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
- Discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
- A willingness to contribute your individual skills, perspectives, knowledge and experience without acting as representative of any particular interest.
Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three or four years, following which they may be re-elected for a second and third term of three years.
Trustee roles are unremunerated but reasonable travel, accommodation, childcare and subsistence expenses are of course covered.
We are Alcohol Change UK. We work for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Branch Trustee (MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS BRANCH)
Help Us Make a Real Difference for Animals in Milton Keynes
Do you care deeply about animal welfare and want to use your skills to create lasting change? Do you have corporate business experience that you’d like to use to give back to your community? At RSPCA Milton Keynes, every decision we make, every pound we raise, and every hour we give is about one thing: helping animals in need.
Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity
We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate people who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims.
About the RSPCA
Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.
Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!
The RSPCA MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS Branch
We’re a small independent charity, run by passionate volunteers and supported by a dedicated team. Every year, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals who deserve a second chance. But we can only do this because of the funds we raise locally through our charity shops, fundraising events, grants, and public donations. We’re now at a pivotal moment, transitioning to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status, and we need strong leadership and fresh ideas to secure our future. We have two retail outlets, a growing online presence, and funds ready to invest in sustainable revenue streams. What we need is your business expertise and drive to make it happen.
Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee
What we are looking for in a volunteer:
We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds who can
- Make a real impact on animal lives: Every idea you bring helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more animals.
- Use your skills for good: Apply your business experience to strategy, fundraising, and growth that truly matters.
- Join a passionate team: Work alongside people who share your love for animals and commitment to making a difference.
- Feel proud and fulfilled: Experience the satisfaction of doing something good—every decision you help shape creates a positive change in our community and gives animals the second chance they deserve.
We’re asking for
- Up to 6 hours per week (flexible).
- Help us structure volunteering, drive fundraising, and develop revenue ideas.
- Bring your corporate experience, creativity, drive, and enthusiasm to a small team that’s ready to grow.
Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.
What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee
- We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
- Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
- The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
- The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
- A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.
Practical considerations
- Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
- Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
- Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
- Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
- References will also be required.
How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee
For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.
We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.
How to Apply:
If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.
Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Make a difference where it matters most. Help save young women’s lives.
Georgia’s Voice is a suicide prevention charity providing vital mental health support to young women aged 18–25 across Cornwall. Founded in 2020 following the tragic death of 19-year-old Georgia, the charity exists to ensure that no young woman feels unheard, unsupported or alone at her most vulnerable moment.
Georgia’s Voice offers safe, compassionate and non-judgemental support through weekly groups, a welcoming drop-in hub, counselling, workshops and community-based activity. Our work is grounded in lived experience, empathy and trust, and for many young women our services are a lifeline
As the charity enters an exciting new phase, with an ambitious five-year strategy focused on strengthening impact, sustainability and reach, we are seeking to appoint a new Chair and several Trustees to help shape our future and strengthen our governance at this critical time
The Opportunity
This is a powerful opportunity to join a values-led organisation making a real and measurable difference to young women’s lives in Cornwall. We are refreshing and growing our Board to ensure it has the breadth of skills, experience and perspective needed to support the charity’s next stage of development.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who share our commitment to equality, safeguarding and lived-experience-informed practice, and who are motivated by the opportunity to contribute their skills to a cause that truly saves lives.
Chair of Trustees
Purpose of the role
The Chair will provide leadership to the Board, ensuring effective governance, strong decision-making and a constructive, supportive relationship with the Founder and senior team.
We are seeking someone who brings:
- Board-level experience, ideally within a charity or purpose-driven organisation
- Strong leadership, facilitation and interpersonal skills
- Confidence handling risk, complexity and sensitive issues
- A values-driven approach aligned with Georgia’s Voice’s mission
The Chair role is suited to someone able to take an active, hands-on governance role.
Trustees
We are particularly interested in Trustees with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Finance or accounting
- Fundraising and income generation
- Marketing, communications or PR
- Legal, regulatory or government
- Digital and technology
We also warmly welcome applicants with lived experience relevant to our work, who can help ensure the voices of young women remain central to our governance.
Commitment and Practicalities
- Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, renewable up to three terms
- Time commitment is approximately one day per month (Chair slightly more)
- The Board meets four times per year, in person or online
- An annual in-person Strategy Day is also held
- Reasonable expenses are reimbursed
Settled is recruiting new trustees to join its Board and support EU citizens and Ukrainian refugees to access their rights in the UK. This is a voluntary role, open to first-time trustees and those with board experience. We are particularly interested in skills relating to finance, fundraising, governance, or equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as lived experience. Meetings are mainly online, with one in-person away day per year. Closing date: 5pm, Monday 2 February 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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.
We believe creative and performing arts should be experienced by and accessible to all and our mission is to make this a reality for our community.