89 Heritage volunteer roles

West Midlands Heritage Trust, along with its three partner project trusts, is seeking to appoint a new Trustee Treasurer to its board. This is an exciting opportunity to help guide our work in rescuing, restoring, and finding sustainable new uses for historic buildings in our region.

Who are we?

We are four building preservation trusts all based in the West Midlands, working together to share our knowledge and experience to save Historic Buildings at Risk.

West Midlands Heritage is made up of: West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust, and Wolverhampton Heritage Trust.

We aim to safeguard buildings of historical and/or architectural importance, within the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire which are in danger of being lost. Our previous projects range in age and type from a 16th Century farmhouse to a Georgian townhouse and a Victorian Cemetery Chapel. 

As well as projects to protect and rescue historic buildings, the Trusts organise a range of activities and events to encourage and involve our members and local communities, as well as contribute to professional development within the sector.

What are we looking for?

We are seeking a volunteer Trustee Treasurer with an interest in saving historic buildings at risk and contributing to their local community.

The Treasurer plays a key role in supporting the financial governance of the Trusts and helping to ensure their long-term sustainability. Working with fellow Trustees and staff, including a Finance Officer, the Treasurer will oversee financial reporting, budgeting and financial controls, and provide advice on financial matters affecting the organisation.

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in:

• Finance, accountancy or bookkeeping
• Financial management of charities, businesses, or within the public sector
• Strategic financial planning
• Risk management or governance

A recognised accounting qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

It is not necessary to have previous trustee experience, as support and guidance will be given.

What the role entails

• Attendance at up to SIX evening meetings of The Council of Management per year, plus the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Attendance at finance sub-committee meetings.
• Optional attendance at other meetings and site visits within the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
• Preparation of financial reports for the Council of Management and the AGM
• Responsible for overseeing Finance Officer role and activities
• Oversight of Trust bank accounts and authorisation of payments, monthly, with Finance Officer
• Oversight of Restricted Fund Management, with Finance Officer
• Liaison with the Trust’s appointed accountants (book-keeping) and auditors, with Finance Officer

Trustees are elected for a 3-year term of office, and may offer themselves for re-election thereafter. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

We are keen to make the role of Trustee Treasurer accessible to all and will endeavour to make necessary arrangements for individuals unable to attend in person, including the use of online meeting platforms.

Join a committed group of people who give their time, expertise and insight to help govern the SS Great Britain Trust and safeguard the future of one of the world’s most significant historic ships.

As a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership, oversight and guidance, helping to ensure the Trust remains financially resilient, culturally relevant and ambitious in its mission. Working alongside fellow Trustees and the executive team, you will contribute your skills, knowledge and experience to support effective decision-making, long-term sustainability and opportunities for future generations to learn from and enjoy this important heritage asset. Together, our Trustees play a vital role in ensuring the SS Great Britain Trust has a vibrant and sustainable future.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and are committed to building a Board that reflects the communities we serve.

About the Roles

The Board is seeking to appoint two Trustees to support us in the following areas:

· Education, Skills and Community

Our strategy puts young people and Bristol’s communities at the centre of what we do. We are looking for someone with significant experience in education, learning, skills development or community engagement, who can help us broaden participation and deepen our public impact.

The successful candidate will help ensure the Trust continues to expand participation, deepen engagement and strengthen its relevance for all audiences.

· Cultural Leadership Trustee

We are seeking someone with significant senior leadership experience in a museum, heritage, cultural or visitor attraction organisation. This may have been gained as a CEO, Managing Director, Executive Director or in a comparable strategic leadership role. You will bring strategic insight, sound judgement and constructive challenge to Board discussions.

You will be able to demonstrate a track record of balancing public benefit, commercial growth, authentic storytelling and high-quality programming. Your expertise and perspective will help the Trust realise its ambitions and maximise its impact.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a nationally significant heritage organisation, contributing the knowledge and insights gained through leading a complex cultural institution.

Charleston is seeking a new Trustee to join its Board at an exciting stage in the organisation’s development.

Charleston is a year-round cultural organisation with sites in Firle and Lewes, bringing people together to engage with art and ideas. The former home and studio of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, Charleston has a rich history rooted in the Bloomsbury group and a contemporary mission to champion experimental thinking, social inclusion and the power of art to provoke new thinking.

We are particularly seeking a trustee with significant experience in financial management, investment and endowment strategy. You will work closely with the CEO and fellow trustees to shape and lead Charleston’s approach to building and stewarding its new Permanent Endowment Trust, helping to create a secure and sustainable financial foundation for the organisation’s future.

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of financial management, investment, reserves and endowment management.
• Experience of fundraising, particularly endowment campaigns.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and strong Board-level decision-making skills.
• An understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities.
• The ability to build influential philanthropic, corporate, public or charitable relationships.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• A commitment to Charleston’s mission, vision and values.

Knowledge of the arts, heritage, museums or cultural sectors, previous board or committee experience, and experience of strategic partnerships would be advantageous. You do not need to be a qualified accountant.

The successful candidate will join Charleston’s Business and Finance Committee, which meets quarterly, alongside four Board meetings each year in Sussex and London. Trustees serve a three-year term, renewable for a second term subject to Board approval. The role is unremunerated, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

We particularly welcome applications from people from backgrounds underrepresented in the cultural sector, including Disabled people, people from the Global Majority, LGBTQ+ people and people from low-income backgrounds.

Closing date: 9am (GMT), Friday 16 October 2026.
Interview: Friday 20 November 2026, Charleston, Firle (BN8 6LL).

To apply, please send a concise covering letter addressing the person specification and CV.

Fort Amherst Heritage Trust cares for Fort Amherst in Chatham, Kent, preserving an important historic site and making it available for the benefit, enjoyment and education of the wider community. The Trust relies heavily on volunteers to help maintain, restore, interpret and promote the site for present and future generations.

Role Purpose

Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance, strategic direction and long-term sustainability of Fort Amherst Heritage Trust. As a Trustee, you will help ensure that the charity fulfils its charitable purposes, complies with its legal duties and makes decisions in the best interests of the Trust and the communities it serves.

Key Responsibilities

· Work with fellow Trustees to set and review the Trust’s vision, strategy and priorities.

· Ensure the Trust carries out its charitable purposes for the public benefit.

· Oversee the responsible management of the Trust’s finances, assets, buildings, grounds and collections.

· Support good governance by complying with the Trust’s governing document, charity law and relevant regulations.

· Monitor risks, policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding, finance, data protection and volunteer management.

· Contribute to discussions and decisions at Board meetings, reading papers in advance and offering constructive challenge and support.

· Act as an ambassador for Fort Amherst, promoting its heritage, community value and volunteer-led work.

· Support fundraising, partnership development and community engagement where appropriate.

· Declare and manage any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality where required.

Skills and Experience

We welcome applications from people with a commitment to heritage, community benefit and good governance. Previous trustee experience is helpful but not essential. The Trust is particularly interested in people who can bring one or more of the following areas of experience:

· Heritage, museums, archives, conservation or historic buildings.

· Finance, fundraising, grant applications or business planning.

· Education, learning, interpretation or visitor experience.

· Volunteer management, community engagement or inclusion.

· Marketing, communications, events or digital engagement.

· Legal, governance, risk management, health and safety or safeguarding.

· Property, estates, facilities management or environmental stewardship.

Personal Qualities

· A genuine interest in Fort Amherst, local heritage and public benefit.

· Sound judgement, integrity and a willingness to act collectively with other Trustees.

· Ability to think strategically while understanding practical operational challenges.

· Confidence to ask questions, offer constructive challenge and support good decision-making.

· Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and respectful working relationships.

· Willingness to give sufficient time and attention to the role.

Join our team of Park Welcome Volunteers at Crystal Palace Park and help maintain the park's warm atmosphere. Volunteering in pairs, you’ll walk designated routes around the park sharing advice and information with visitors. You’ll communicate details about the park’s regeneration works, history, wildlife, and facilities and support us by monitoring our heritage points and reporting information to Park staff using a data collection sheet at the end of your shift.

At different times your role may include: 

• Being a visible presence and ambassador for the park

• Welcoming visitors, helping with wayfinding and providing information about park services; toilets, cafes and seating areas 

• Sharing details about the park’s activities, heritage, and community events with visitors and promoting responsible park use.

• Walking to our heritage points and monitoring their cleanliness and safety

• Sharing your observations and information with park staff through a short survey at the end of each shift

This role will suit you if: 

• You enjoy walking and spending time outdoors 

• You are comfortable talking with others and interacting with the public

• You are happy volunteering in a pair 

• Knowledge and interest in local history, nature, or community would be an advantage, but full training will be provided 

Reasons to get involved: 

• Join a friendly, enthusiastic, and supportive team and meet people from all walks of life

• Learn more about the park’s heritage, wildlife, and regeneration works 

• Help inspire others to care for and enjoy this historically significant and important green space 

• Gain experience in a public facing and community engagement skills 

What you need to bring: 

Please wear comfortable, sturdy footwear and suitable clothing for walking outdoors. You may wish to bring a bottle of water and snacks. 

We will provide:  

• A green volunteer high-vis vest to wear while on duty 

• A contact telephone number for park staff 

• Access to facilities and refreshments 

• Ongoing support and supervision from park staff

Support and training: 

• We will provide you with all the training necessary for your role, including: 

• General volunteering training and onboarding

• Additional Park Welcome training which will cover how to share information with staff, safeguarding and helping visitors look after the park responsibly 

• A walk around the park on designated Park Welcome routes with park management

• Ongoing guidance and support from the Volunteer Team 

• Reimbursement of travel expenses up to maximum of a zone 1-6 travelcard

• Volunteers are covered under Crystal Palace Park’s public liability insurance 

Access information: 

Welcome Volunteering takes place outdoors across various areas of Crystal Palace Park. The terrain may include grass, gravel paths, and uneven ground. We are happy to discuss any specific access requirements or adjustments.

About Crystal Palace Park:

Crystal Palace Park is an independent, community-led charity. Our mission is to protect, manage and improve Crystal Palace Park as a green, open, historic, ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and educational resource in the interests of the community and other Park users. 

On 15 September 2023 we became the park’s custodian, taking over this responsibility from the London Borough of Bromley. We are devoted to its long-term maintenance and improvement as a vibrant ecological, recreational and historic resource. 

Our Volunteer programme is made possible thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. 

We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic people to help us in our brand-new Visitor Centre at Crystal Palace Park!  

The Visitor Centre is a welcoming hub where visitors can discover the history and heritage of Crystal Palace Park through a permanent exhibition, browse our gift shop and find information to help them make the most of their visit to Crystal Palace Park. The building also includes a flexible space available to hire for community events, meetings, and activities.

Volunteers will play a vital role in ensuring that visitors have an informative and positive visit. You’ll volunteer in pairs, supported by paid staff, to welcome visitors and support our Visitor Centre shop and membership opportunities.

This role will suit you if you are a friendly, outgoing individual who is keen to gain retail and customer service experience while learning more about working for a charity.

What’s involved: 

• Welcoming visitors to Crystal Palace Park and helping to ensure that we provide an inclusive and friendly environment for all our visitors. 

• Supporting the Visitor Centre shop, including serving customers, processing sales through our cashless till system and helping to ensure the stock is monitored and the space is welcoming and tidy. 

• Wayfinding – helping visitors map out their route around the park, including information about park services; toilets, cafes and seating areas 

• Promoting Crystal Palace Park, including our aiding visitors to join as Crystal Palace Park Members using our membership tablets. 

Time involved: 

This role is available Wednesday – Sunday throughout the year. Hours involved will be across two shift patterns, AM: 9.45 – 1.00pm and PM: 12.45 – 4.00pm. 

There will also be ad-hoc evening openings throughout the year which volunteers can also be involved in.

We encourage volunteers to take part in this role for at least 3 months to get the most out of the opportunity.

This role will suit you if: 

• You are a friendly and welcoming person, and you enjoy talking and meeting a wide variety of people 

• You’re happy to volunteer as part of a team 

• You’re interested in learning more about our history and communicating information to our visitors 

• You’d like to gain retail experience and customer service skills

• You’re interested in learning more about working for a charity and gaining understanding of the importance of membership and donations.

Support and training: 

We will provide you with all the training necessary for your role, including: 

• An induction and full briefing before your first session 

• Training in how to assist in the shop and membership engagement 

• Support from Trust and Freelance staff.

• Volunteers are covered under Crystal Palace Park’s public liability insurance 

We will offer you:

• A volunteer uniform (lanyard or pin badge) 

• Reimbursement of travel expenses up to maximum of a zone 1-6 travelcard 

• Support from a dedicated volunteer officer 

• Access to facilities, water and light refreshments 
• Ongoing support and supervision from Trust staff 

Access information: 

This role takes place inside the Visitor Centre in Crystal Palace Park which is step free. We want to make our volunteer roles accessible and if you have access requirements or would like to discuss whether this role is suitable for you, please get in touch. 

Join the Board of Bristol Historic Buildings Trust - help fund the restoration of a Bristol landmark

Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) is seeking a new Trustee with fundraising experience to help us bring Ashton Court Mansion back to life.

Ashton Court Mansion is a Grade I listed manor house with origins in the 14th century, set within an 850-acre estate on the edge of Bristol. Around three quarters of the building remains derelict. We are working with Bristol City Council to take a 125-year lease and regenerate the Mansion as a living civic place where heritage, creativity and public life meet.

We are already in the building under a tenancy at will, have refurbished the first rooms and begun taking event bookings. We are converting to a Charitable Community Benefit Society and preparing to launch a Community Share Offer shortly. Beyond that sits the long-term restoration itself - a phased, grant-led programme of significant scale, requiring a sustained major grants pipeline and a matching campaign alongside it.

Our vision is a building that works as a place of celebration, incubation and education, programmed around five areas: food, culture and arts, skills, nature and outdoors, and heritage.

We need a trustee with significant fundraising experience, who can help achieve our vision for ACM and who can help the Board build the capability to do it repeatedly.

What we are looking for (some, not all, of the following)

•Experience of major capital fundraising, ideally in heritage, culture or the built environment

•A track record with major grant funders - National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Historic England, trusts and foundations

•Major gifts and high-net-worth donor cultivation

•Corporate partnerships and business sponsorship

•Individual giving, regular giving and membership schemes

•Experience shaping a compelling case for support and holding an organisation to a fundraising strategy and pipeline

What the role involves

•Bringing fundraising challenge and expertise to Board discussions, and helping set realistic targets

•Supporting the development of our grant pipeline, major donor strategy and supporter programmes

•Opening doors where you can, and representing the Trust to funders and supporters

•4 quarterly board meetings per year (March, June, September, December), approx. 2 hours each

•An annual strategy day

•Additional involvement as your skills allow - fundraising, stakeholder meetings, representing the charity at events

•Terms of up to 3 years (renewable)

•The role is unremunerated; reasonable expenses are reimbursed

About us

We are committed to a Board that reflects the community we serve and the wider Bristol community, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Our mission: to restore and operate Ashton Court Mansion through a mixed-use model combining conservation, community programming and commercial activity, sustained by a diversified income base of earned income, grants, donations and community investment.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Informal conversations welcome before applying.

Send a brief statement of suitability (up to 250 words) and your CV by 20th September 2026

Portsmouth Cathedral's Fabric Advisory Committee (FAC) is seeking to recruit two new members to join the existing committee which has expertise in architecture, planning, art, design, and conservation.  We are looking for people with extensive experience and sound judgement who can advise within a complex organisation.  Applications are particularly welcome from those with liturgical, architectural, museum or heritage backgrounds.

The FAC is responsible to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE) for the care, conservation and development of the Cathedral and forms part of the planning application for the Grade 1 listed building and its immediate precinct (The Cathedral Green).

As a member of FAC your role will be vital in the oversight of the overall development, conservation and maintenance of the Cathedral building and precinct.   Appointees will, as appropriate, provide determination on applications and advise the Cathedral Chapter (the governing body of a cathedral) in line with the statutory responsibility of the Committee under the Care of Cathedrals Measure, remaining true to the values of the Cathedral and its role as a living place of worship. 

Term of Office
Members are appointed for up to five years with the option for reappointment.  All members are re-appointed every five years.  The current Quinquennial runs until 2031.

Time Commitment
FAC meets a minimum of three times a year. Meetings are normally held on mornings in October, February and May in person but with an online option. The committee will need to work more regularly when major capital works or repairs are planned. Ad hoc meetings and support through working groups and/or support to the executive team may be required.

Remuneration

Membership of FAC is an unpaid role.  Reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses will be paid in accordance with the Cathedral’s Expenses policy.

Safeguarding

The Cathedral takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously, and practices Safer Recruitment for all roles (both paid and voluntary). Members of our committees are expected to undertake any safeguarding training provided by the Church of England and Diocese pertinent to their role and the Cathedral records and manages the checks and courses taken to ensure that training is refreshed as required.

We are committed to ensuring our committees are diverse and representative of the community we serve. There is no requirement to be a Christian, but appointees should be able to understand the ethos and structures of the Church of England, and work in sympathy with the Cathedral’s mission.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.

Thank you for your interest in supporting the work of Portsmouth Cathedral through membership of its well-established Finance (incorporating Audit and Risk) Committee. 

We are looking for up to three candidates who have:governance and committee experience at senior level; relevant and recent financial or fundraising experience; and/or a track record in accountancy, investments, endowments, trading subsidiaries, audit and risk. In addition to sound interpersonal skills, they should be competent and able to exercise governance in a charity organisation 

We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within our Committees. We welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, social economic background, faith or other difference.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis
 

Kiplin Hall and Gardens in North Yorkshire is recruiting Trustees to join the friendly and dedicated Board which oversees the management of this intriguing Jacobean house.  The house was built in the 1620s for George Calvert, Secretary of State to James I, and founder of the US state of Maryland. A member of the Historic Houses Association, the Hall and Gardens welcome 40,000 visitors a year. In 2025 we opened a new Welcome Centre at Kiplin with improved retail and catering for our visitors and with the support of MEND funding undertook major repairs of the Hall roof. The National Lottery Heritage Fund enabled us to create new galleries and improve our visitor access and services. There is a dedicated staff of 10 FTE supported by a team of 240 volunteers.

TRUSTEE - We are seeking a Trustee with skills and experience in finance/accountancy to join the Board. We are keen to recruit someone who can advise the Board on its financial responsibilities and has oversight of the Trust's finances. As a Trustee you will contribute to Kiplin's business strategy and forward plan, ensuring the organisation's financial stability and sustainability. Over the next 10 years we are planning further developments to enhance the visitor experience. We are keen to attract the right person to the Trust Board to help guide Kiplin through an exciting period of change and transition. 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR - We are also seeking a new Independent Director to join the Board of Kiplin Hall Trading CIC, our trading arm that looks after our retail and café. We are particularly looking for people with experience in cafés or other catering environments.

Our aim is to develop and broaden the diversity of our governance team, ensuring we have a variety of perspectives and backgrounds and are particularly interested in receiving local applications.

Role Overview

• Role Title: Volunteer Administrative and Archiving Assistant
• Organisation: Swadhinata Trust
• Location: Hybrid (Remote file management, online digital cataloguing, and in-person physical archiving in London)
• Commitment: 5–8 hours per week (Flexible)
• Compensation: Unpaid volunteer role

Key Responsibilities

• Digital & Physical Archiving:
  • Sort, organise, and streamline the shared drive (remote).
  • Carry out digital cataloguing of assets and records (online).
  • Manage and arrange physical archive materials (in-person).
• General Administration:
  • Monitor and reply to general admin emails.
  • Help coordinate and schedule team meetings.
  • Attend meetings, take clear notes, and write up minutes.

Person Specification

• Skills: Good eye for detail, organised, and reliable.
• Tech: Comfortable using shared drives, cloud storage, and video meeting tools.
• Interest: An appreciation for community heritage and the work of the Trust.

See inside our Collections storage facility - closed to the public - and help us prepare to move our collection to a new facility

What is an Inventory volunteer?

The RAF Museum has many items in its collection which are not currently on display. Our inventory volunteers will ensure that we have an up-to-date record of all the items in our reserve collection, their purpose and condition, to help us prepare to move from our current store outside Stafford to a new storage facility in Cosford. This is a weekday only opportunity.

This role sits within the RAF Museum’s Midlands Development Programme which will transform our museum and our impact on the local community through a series of phased projects – engaging audiences who may not obviously identify with the RAF story by finding common interests and histories which link them. As part of this project, we are planning a new learning centre, outdoor spaces, collections hub and major exhibition.

What will I be doing?

The Inventory Volunteer role could encompass various tasks, which might include:

· Assessing objects’ condition

· Measuring and weighing items

· Undertaking cleaning as required

· Object photography

This role is perfect for you if you…

· Are curious and eager to learn

· Pay attention to detail

· Have a light and careful touch

· Are happy working as part of a team

· Are organised and able to keep accurate records

How much time would I need to commit?

Ideally a half day (09:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 16:00) once a week, although other arrangements can be considered on a case-by-case basis. We would ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 20 volunteering sessions. This is a weekdays only opportunity.

What's in it for me?

· Becoming part of a great team of volunteers and staff

· See and handle objects from the RAF Museum’s collection not on public display

· Learn about object conservation

· Discover more about the history of the RAF

· Gain behind-the-scenes experience within the heritage sector

· 25% discount at our retail outlets and café[KS1] 

· Travel expenses reimbursed up to £17.72 per day, in line with our policy

· Free entry to a wide range of museums and heritage sites across the UK.

Become Treasurer of Bristol Historic Buildings Trust - help put a Grade I landmark on a sustainable footing

Bristol Historic Buildings Trust (BHBT) is looking for a Treasurer to join our Board as we bring Ashton Court Mansion back into full public life.

Ashton Court Mansion is a Grade I listed manor house with origins in the 14th century, set within an 850-acre estate on the edge of Bristol. Around three quarters of the building remains derelict. We are working with Bristol City Council to take a 125-year lease and regenerate the Mansion as a living civic place where heritage, creativity and public life meet.

This is a real moment of transition. We are already in the building under a tenancy at will, have refurbished the first rooms and begun taking event bookings. We are converting to a Charitable Community Benefit Society and preparing to launch a Community Share Offer shortly, raising community investment towards the lease and the first phase of works. Restoration of the whole building is a multi-decade, grant-led programme of significant scale.

Our vision is a building that works as a place of celebration, incubation and education, programmed around five areas: food, culture and arts, skills, nature and outdoors, and heritage.

The Treasurer will be central to how credibly we make that case.

What we are looking for

•A qualified accountant, or equivalent senior finance experience

•Confidence with charity finance, or solid general finance experience and the appetite to pick up the charity-specific parts with us

•Experience overseeing budgets, management accounts and cashflow in an organisation moving from small to substantially larger

•Comfort scrutinising a multi-year financial model and its assumptions, and explaining the numbers plainly to fellow trustees, funders and the public

•Ideally, exposure to community shares, social investment or capital fundraising - though this is not essential

What the role involves

•Leading Board-level financial oversight: budget approval, management accounts, annual accounts, reserves and risk

•Helping us stand behind the financial disclosures in our lease case and share offer documents

•4 quarterly board meetings per year (March, June, September, December), approx. 2 hours each, plus Finance and Audit Committee meetings

•An annual strategy day

•Terms of up to 3 years (renewable)

•The role is unremunerated; reasonable expenses are reimbursed

About us

We are committed to a Board that reflects the community we serve and the wider Bristol community, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Our mission: to restore and operate Ashton Court Mansion through a mixed-use model combining conservation, community programming and commercial activity, sustained by a diversified income base of earned income, grants, donations and community investment.

How to apply

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Informal conversations welcome before applying. 

Send a brief statement of suitability (up to 250 words) and your CV  by 20th September 2026

Birmingham Cathedral is seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join its Chapter as a trustee (non-executive member). This is a unique opportunity to contribute as a trustee to the cathedral's strategic direction, provide governance and oversight, and share responsibility for the stewardship and sustainability of the resources that support its mission and ministry.

About Birmingham Cathedral

Birmingham Cathedral is where prayer and praise have been offered to God for more than 300 years. This daily worship continues to be at the heart of our cathedral life today. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. Most striking to visitors and worshippers is the exceptionally important set of stained-glass windows designed by Birmingham born artist Edward Burne-Jones and made in the workshop of William Morris. The cathedral is the spiritual home for a lively Christian community where worship, from the simplest prayer to soaring musical excellence, is always accompanied by a warm welcome. We aspire to pray, to serve and to grow in the love of God and our care of God’s people. More than an artistic treasure, Birmingham Cathedral offers a place of peace, hospitality and welcome. 

About The Role

As a member of the Cathedral Chapter, you will share with the Dean in the oversight of cathedral life. Chapter members are invaluable in shaping the direction of the cathedral and ensuring we continue to fulfil our mission and purpose. You will work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and external partners to uphold the cathedral’s mission, vision, values and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities of Chapter Members

· Perform the requirements of Charity Trustees for the purposes of the Charities Act 2011.

· Take full part in the discussions and decision making of the Chapter as it fulfils its statutory responsibilities to exercise general control and management of the administration of the cathedral.

· Order the worship of the cathedral and promote its mission;

· Formulate, after consulting the bishop, proposals relating to the general direction and mission of the cathedral.

· Ensure the approval of an annual budget.

· Ensure the preparation and approval of an annual report and accounts for audit and subsequent approval.

· Keep under review the Constitution and Statutes.

· Ensure the appropriate management of cathedral property and income, including necessary repairs and maintenance.

Key Individual Responsibilities of Chapter Members

· Attend Chapter meetings, held a minimum of six time a year for approximately three hours on a weekday afternoon, including one all-day away-day (all held in Birmingham City Centre).

· Offer an average time commitment of six hours per month, unevenly spread.

· Attend and contribute to worship at the cathedral.

· Contribute to the ministry of hospitality offered at the cathedral, and other cathedral activities as may be appropriate.

· Attend civic and community events.

· Act as an ambassador for the cathedral.

· Carry out the objects of the cathedral.

· Expect to serve for the full three-year appointment period, with opportunity for reappointment.

Who We Are Looking For

To support delivery of the cathedral’s strategic plan, we particularly welcome applications from individuals at this time with skills in:

· Strategic finance, financial management or stewardship

· Audit, assurance or internal controls.

· Property and heritage asset management

· Fundraising and income generation

· HR, organisational development or governance.

Candidates are not expected to hold experience across the multiple of these criteria to meet the eligibility threshold.

Experience in arts and heritage, community engagement or social justice initiatives, digital communications, investment planning, partnership-building across sectors and urban mission and inclusion would also be welcome.

Person Specification

Essential

· Commitment to the Christian faith and to the cathedral’s mission, vision and values, including wisdom, compassion, justice, inclusion, courage and collaboration.

· Eligibility to serve as a charity trustee.

· Commitment to safeguarding excellence, including completing safeguarding training and contributing to a safe, healthy and positive cathedral culture.

· Ability to think strategically and long-term, exercise sound judgement, and contribute to complex organisational governance.

· Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the responsibilities of a charity trustee, including accountability, confidentiality and collective decision-making.

· Commitment to the cathedral’s strategic priorities.

· Strong communication skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, collaborate effectively and build trust across diverse groups.

· Willingness to undertake trustee development and continue learning in support of effective governance.

· Ability to commit the time and energy required for the role, including meetings, preparation and training.

Desirable but not required

· Local knowledge or community context.

Other Information

This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. Training and support will be provided.

Birmingham Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of those under 18 and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Closing date for applications is noon on Monday 5 October 2026.

Join us in making a meaningful difference at one of Birmingham’s historic and spiritually significant places.

Our Recruiting Approach

As applications are received, interviews may take place prior to the advertised closing date.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
We kindly ask no contact from recruitment agencies please.