Human resources volunteer roles

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community by helping their local Oxfam shop to stay open for as long possible. We need people to open and close the shop, and ensure volunteers know what tasks to undertake so the shop can run smoothly.

No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

• Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
• Opening or closing the shop.
• Ensuring that the shop is ready to trade or cashing up at the end of trade
• Allocating tasks to members of the volunteer team.
• Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
• Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
• Researching valuable and vintage stock.
• Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Photographing and listing items for the online shop.
• This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering
• Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required
• Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others
• Confident communicator

What's in it for you

• Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered)
• Access to training and development
• Grow your confidence and meet new people
• Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle
• Free confidential support by the Retail Trust
• Possible references for future employers

AYDA needs help to support the development of young people from all backgrounds, particularly women and girls, through education, training and family programmes.

As a small volunteer-run charity, AYDA does not have the expertise to create an impactful social media presence. This is especially the case with LinkedIn which we believe to be pivotal in identifying and engaging with potential partners across the UK. This would enable our programmes to be rolled out more widely and so gain more traction.

Most urgently we need someone to work directly with the Chair, Lucy Njomo, to create a powerful profile for the charity. LinkedIn does offer support to "not for profit" organisations, but we have neither the knowledge nor the capabilities within the board of trustees to take advantage of this. We are seeking a confident professional who can take on the challenge of projecting AYDA and its critical work much more effectively to like-minded groups who could and should be working with us to tackle VAWG in society.

We also know that networking via LinkedIn will be fundamental in fuelling a separate initiative to build youth education and vocational training centre in Cameroon. Land and official permission have already been acquired so now we need to build the consortium to deliver this critical initiative.

The desired individual should therefore be able to build a powerful profile and the network visibility we need to bring these vital initiatives into the spotlight to attract both funding and delivery partners.

What are we looking for?

The ideal person to help us will be very comfortable in the social media world, particularly the use of LinkedIn to build strong B2B networks and relationships. Ideally they would also have some third sector experience in creating powerful charity profiles. Since this is an unpaid role, it is likely that the individual would have a personal passion for combatting VAWG in all sections of UK society and/or creating youth development opportunities in one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Understanding of the capabilities of LinkedIn as a platform in general and its support structure for charitable organisations is critical.

What difference will you make?

We accept that we do not have the ability to maximise the potential offered by platforms such as LinkedIn. So, although we welcome advice, we urgently need someone to take on the challenge of turning that into positive actions to empower both the UK VAWG and Cameroon youth development initiatives.

Within the UK the specific impact goals are to:

• Create awareness and provide information about various forms of violence against women and girls. Educate target audiences about the prevalence and impact of VAWG on individuals, families and communities.
• Promote gender equality, by challenging harmful gender norms, fostering respectful relationships, and creating safe environments for women and girls.
• Introduce VAWG survivors to local support services such as helplines, shelters, counselling centres and legal aid organisations.
• Provide education and resources to engage men as allies and promote healthy masculinity. Encourage them as to challenge sexist attitudes and behaviours within their communities.
• Explore ways to support and empower survivors of VAWG. This can include trauma-informed approaches, self-care strategies, and opportunities for economic empowerment.
• Collaboration with key stakeholders in building partnerships to enhance communities’ positive response to VAWG. Highlight the significance of collaborations with government agencies, NGOs, law enforcement, health care providers and educational institutions.

For Cameroon the impact will come from opening doors to potential international funding, construction and delivery partners for the vocational training centre.

AYDA is proud of its work to date and now needs a LinkedIn presence that can take us to the next level.

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Bid Manager to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender opportunities.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Bid Manager to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Role Description:

Bid Management: Lead and manage the entire bid and tender process, ensuring submissions meet deadlines and align with client requirements across the UK & Ireland.

Proposal Development: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop tailored, high-quality, and persuasive proposals that align with our value proposition.

Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with sales, operations, legal, and clinical teams to gather critical input and ensure accurate, compliant, and compelling submissions.

Market Analysis: Stay informed on market trends, tender opportunities, and competitor activity to identify and secure strategic opportunities.

Compliance: Ensure all submissions adhere to company standards, client specifications, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement: Continuously refine bid processes, content libraries, templates, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Post-Submission Activities: Manage debrief processes and gather feedback to inform future submissions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead AHO bids: Manage the whole bid process with a hands-on approach.
• Create strong responses: Tailor solutions that clearly show our value.
• Support growth: Work with Business Development and Marketing to boost propositions.
• Drive best practice: Lead bid qualification, governance, and reviews.
• User-focused: Understand needs and clearly present our solutions.
• Know the landscape: Medical, research industries, and opportunities.
• Know our strengths: Stay sharp on our services and competitors.
• Seal the deal: Coordinate smooth contract closures.
• Stay tidy: Keep the bid library updated and accessible.
• Keep comms clear: Align stakeholders throughout the process.
• Stay compliant: Follow governance and secure approvals.
• Push for quality: Lead reviews to ensure high-standard submissions.
• Maintain the opportunity pipeline: utilising CRM and creating reports for management.
• Taking the lead on other business development activities, such as award submissions, whitepapers, and sales collateral.
• Supporting every stage of the sales funnel: by working closely with marketing, sales, implementation, and operations teams.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification: What You'll Bring:

• At least two years of proven experience in bid and tender management, preferably within the healthcare (NHS & private), medical, or technology sectors.
• End-to-end bid management experience: A minimum of 4 years' experience leading the whole bid process.
• Preferred qualifications include a degree in Business, Communication, Marketing, Creative Writing, English or equivalent.
• APMP Certification is also desirable.
• Sector versatility: Experience with both public- and private-sector bids in the medical, biotech, biomed, health, and social sectors is preferred.
• Industry knowledge: Understanding of contact centres and/or customer experience is essential.
• Commercial acumen: Strong business sense, negotiation skills, and a hands-on approach.
• Resilience under pressure: Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Detail orientation: High attention to detail to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Growth mindset: Self-motivated, proactive, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator: Confident and articulate, with the ability to build trusted relationships across stakeholders.
• Time management: Skilled at prioritising tasks and managing competing deadlines.

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex and high-stakes journey. impact

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free. You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

Love to read? Know your classics? Up on the latest bestsellers? We are looking for people that love books - fiction or non-fiction, classic or contemporary - to help us select, research, prepare, photograph and list our eclectic stock for sale on Oxfam’s bespoke online shop. During these uncertain times Oxfam’s work to tackle global poverty is more vital (and more challenging) than ever before. Can you put your book expertise to use to help us raise money to support and empower some of the world’s most vulnerable communities?

What you can do at the shop:

· Stock selection to help us match our listings with our customers’ interests

· Researching rare and valuable books

· Photography and editing

· Creating accurate and engaging online listings

What we can offer:

Oxfam's core values are empowerment, inclusiveness and accountability, and we stand by these in all aspects of our work. When you volunteer with us you will have the opportunity to develop your skills (and enhance your CV) and bring your own ideas into the shop. You will be warmly welcomed and you will feel a sense of ownership over the work you do. We will provide full training, giving you the benefit of our experience. We provide references for our volunteers, and we believe nobody should be out of pocket to volunteer with us, so if you live outside the Cotham area we can help with reasonable travel costs. Our shop only sells online and we are not open to the public, so if are interested in gaining ecommerce experience but would value a quieter, relaxed working environment, you will love it here!

What our team have to say about working at the shop:

“Oxfam has given me my first relevant volunteering experience – I’ve learnt about a range of different items as well as how an organisation works – and it gives me a chance each week to switch my focus away from uni work!”

“You come across lots of interesting items, but it can be a thrill when you find something rare or out of the ordinary”

“I’ve been here for four years and I love it – very friendly team, very varied – dealing with high end clothing, antiquarian books, household items and much more – it’s great to find new homes for unwanted goods”

What we ask for:

· Enthusiasm for selling books online!

· A willingness to learn and to work within Oxfam's core values

· A commitment of a 3 hour shift per week for at least 3 months

· A commitment to abide by all shop health and safety processes

What your help will enable us to do:

Every pound raised in these incredibly challenging times supports Oxfam’s aim of ending extreme poverty. This income is vital to empower people to help themselves out of poverty, and, crucially, it allows us to act immediately when a disaster happens - saving lives and providing essential resources to help rebuild communities.

Can you help us raise as much as we can to continue our work this year? We won't live with poverty. If you feel the same way we would love to work with you!

Can you help the Bristol Oxfam Online Shop raise money to support and empower some of the world’s most vulnerable communities?

We are looking for people with an eye for detail to help us research, prepare, photograph, describe and dispatch our homewares on Oxfam’s bespoke online shop. Our specialist online shop sells an eclectic range of clothing, accessories, books, music, film and homewares, sourced from our generous donors at Oxfam shops across the area.

We have had some very interesting homewares donations over the years, from antique postal scales to vintage bears and Wedgwood tea sets. If you know your homewares and can help us identify, price, list and photograph our stock your help will be invaluable! You will receive full training and support from our friendly and knowledgeable team.

What you can do at the shop:

We believe in empowering our volunteers so, depending on your interests and what you would like to get out of the role, you can get involved with any of the following aspects of running the online shop (and more!):

· Researching rare and valuable stock

· Selection, preparation and presentation of stock

· Photography and editing

· Creating accurate and engaging online listings

· Creating engaging content for the shop's social media platforms

· Packaging and dispatching items

What we can offer:

Oxfam's core values are empowerment, inclusiveness and accountability, and we stand by these in all aspects of our work. We provide a safe, friendly and supportive environment and we have a range of tasks to suit all potential volunteers. When you volunteer with us you will have the opportunity to develop your skills (and enhance your CV) and bring your own ideas into the shop. You will be warmly welcomed and you will feel a sense of ownership over the work you do. We will provide full training, giving you the benefit of our experience. We provide references for our volunteers, and we believe nobody should be out of pocket to volunteer with us, so if you live outside the Cotham area we can help with reasonable travel costs. Our shop only sells online and we are not open to the public, so if are interested in gaining ecommerce experience but would value a quieter, relaxed working environment, you will love it here!

What our team have to say about working at the shop:

“Oxfam has given me my first relevant volunteering experience – I’ve learnt about a range of different items as well as how an organisation works – and it gives me a chance each week to switch my focus away from uni work!”

“You come across lots of interesting items, but it can be a thrill when you find something rare or out of the ordinary”

“I’ve been here for four years and I love it – very friendly team, very varied – dealing with high end clothing, antiquarian books, household items and much more – it’s great to find new homes for unwanted goods”

What we ask for:

· Enthusiasm for selling stuff online!

· A willingness to learn and to work within Oxfam's core values

· A commitment of a 3 hour shift per week for at least 3 months

· A commitment to abide by all shop health and safety processes

What your help will enable us to do:

Every pound raised in these incredibly challenging times supports Oxfam’s aim of ending extreme poverty. This income is vital to empower people to help themselves out of poverty, and, crucially, it allows us to act immediately when a disaster happens - saving lives and providing essential resources to help rebuild communities.

Can you help us raise as much as we can to continue our work this year? We won't live with poverty. If you feel the same way we would love to work with you!

The Cyber Helpline is a charity founded by the cybersecurity community to ensure no one faces cybercrime alone.

We provide free, expert support to individuals affected by cybercrime, digital fraud and online harm, helping them understand what has happened, secure their accounts and devices, recover safely and regain control.

Since launching, we have supported more than 100,000 people through our helpdesk and millions more through accessible self-help guidance. Every month, more than 25,000 people access our self-help service for practical advice and support.

We bridge the gap between technical cyber response and human support, combining expert digital guidance with empathy, clarity and care.

As demand for our services grows, we are investing in a stronger brand, marketing and audience engagement to ensure more people can find us when they need us, and more supporters can help sustain and grow our work.

The Cyber Helpline is a dynamic, fast-growth charity that has the ability to really drive change in the online world. We offer a flexible working environment, the chance to work with highly motivated colleagues, work with exciting partners and provide the chance for you to help make a difference.

Role Summary

The Company Secretary is the guardian of The Cyber Helpline’s compliance with both the law and best practice. The Company Secretary will play a key role in ensuring that Board procedures are followed and regularly reviewed. Acting as a resource for the Board, the Company Secretary will also provide guidance on Board members' responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

The Company Secretary will be responsible for the following:

• Ensuring the charity operates in accordance with its governing document, the Charities Act, and the Companies Act 2006. Advising the board on their duties and on any legal and regulatory changes.

• Being the subject matter expert on charity law and regulation within the Board. 

• Organising, attending, and taking minutes at trustee meetings (board and sub-committees), including preparing agendas and circulating papers.

• Supporting the trustees by commissioning papers and other work required by the board, recording and tracking progress of actions agreed

• Ensuring all mandatory returns, including the annual report and financial statements, are filed on time with Companies House and the Charity Commission.

• Informing the Charity Commission of any significant changes in the charity’s structure or management, for example, the appointment or resignation of Trustees.

• Assisting with the recruitment, induction, and training of new trustees, and managing conflict-of-interest registers.

• Maintaining accurate records, including the register of members and trustees, the register of any charges on the company’s assets and managing high-level correspondence.

• Maintaining the charity's registered office as the address for any formal communications. Ensuring that all the charity’s business stationery carries its name, registered number, country of registration and registered address. 

• Ensuring the security of the charity’s legal documents and owning the charity’s policy for the filing and retention of documents.

• Ensuring The Cyber Helpline has adequate insurance in place. 

• Ensuring the charity is compliant with relevant UK law & regulation. 

• Supporting the protection of intellectual property. 

Person Specification

This role would suit either someone in a Company Secretary role or someone with aspirations to become one. We are happy to support someone looking to make the transition into this role.

Essential Experience

• Experience of auditing against standards and policies. 

• Experience consulting with subject matter experts on complex issues. 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Strong planning, organisation and analytical skills. 

• Strong communication skills. 

• Ability to turn theoretical models and guidance into practical frameworks that achieve results. 

• Ability to deliver project work, as well as communicate and plan at a strategic level. 

• Strong integrity and honesty. 

• Passionate about our mission of supporting victims of cybercrime. 

Preferred experience

• An understanding of or experience in the cyber security industry. 

• Experience in the not-for-profit / charity sector.

• Membership (or on path to membership) of any of the following bodies:

  • the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

  • the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

  • the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

  • the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

  • the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

  • or the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting

• Be a barrister, advocate or solicitor called, admitted or part-qualified, in any part of the UK

Additional Requirements

Candidates must be 18 years old or older and resident in the UK with the right to work in the UK. 

Due to the nature of this role, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check (e.g. DBS). This is because the role involves access to sensitive information. Any disclosures will be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with relevant legislation.

Engagement: Trustee meetings are quarterly (three remote and one in-person). The individual will provide additional time as required, we expect this to be between 2-4 hours a week for 42 weeks of the year.

What we offer

• High-street discounts - Thousands of discounts on travel, shopping, wellbeing, entertainment and more.

• Flexible and remote volunteering - we are a remote-first organisation, you’ll have the freedom to volunteer from home (or away - subject to approval).

• Cybersecurity at home - we offer free cybersecurity tools to protect your home devices to stay safe online personally, and professionally.

• Professional development - Access to ad-hoc training based on your role and professional growth interests

• Cybersecurity community - Join a supportive network of over 150 cybersecurity professionals in the UK and USA

The Position

We are looking for a Grants Officer who can support us with diverse tasks that include looking for grants opportunities, project development, proposals writing, and liaising with potential partners and donors. In this role you’ll be a key contributor to the continued existence of Second Tree, which is dependent on grants to survive, and to the creation of new projects and partnerships. To do this successfully, you'll need to employ meticulous time-management and organisation skills, as juggling multiple tasks with competing deadlines is common in this role.

The role will include:

• Researching and identifying new grant opportunities on a weekly basis

• Summarising relevant grant opportunities and suggesting how to best respond and comply with them

• Researching information and data necessary for grants and grant reporting

• Supporting the design of new projects

• Supporting with proposal writing

• Maintaining necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials for the Grants team

• Working with the wider Second Tree team to ensure that all project proposals align with organisational, and programme strategies

• Establishing and maintaining connections with funding bodies

You should be able to:

• Professionally communicate in English (verbally and in writing)

• Read, comprehend, interpret, summarise and follow proposal guidelines

• Work to tight deadlines with flexibility and a problem-solving attitude;

• Conduct thorough, high-quality, independent research

• Work both independently and as part of a team

• Manage and prioritise projects effectively to meet team and proposal deadlines

The ideal candidate will have:

• Working knowledge of project management techniques such as LFA

• Knowledge of and experience with grant-giving bodies and other external funding sources (e.g. European Commission)

• A strong sense of logic while building an argument

What We Offer:

• A nurturing and collaborative working environment. We work hard to help our team members grow, investing in personal and professional development.

• Accommodation in a shared house

• Transportation to/from work

• After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, a small monthly expenses refund

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the shared houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the shared houses are full, this would allow us to offer an opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

Have experience leading a team of this type?

Consider applying to become a Grants Coordinator. Whether your experience lies in the humanitarian sector or elsewhere, we are looking for people with expertise that can drive us forward as an organisation.

Looking for an internship?

If, because of your degree or for any other reason, you would like to have your period at Second Tree credited as an internship, just apply to the vacancy that you’re interested in and mention this. We have agreements with several universities across Europe, and in many other cases, these agreements can be developed on an ad hoc basis.

NOTE: If you require a visa to stay in Greece for the minimum ten-week commitment, please know that as a Greek NGO, we are unable to sponsor your visa.

Trustee

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark is seeking to appoint several new trustees as part of its ongoing Board development and succession planning.

Location: Lewisham & Southwark, London (Board meetings held in Southwark)
Salary: Voluntary, unpaid (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
Hours: Approximately four Board meetings per year, one annual Board away day, participation in at least one Board sub-committee and occasional engagement between meetings.

About Age UK Lewisham & Southwark

We work to support older people and other vulnerable members of our communities, helping to reduce poverty, loneliness, exclusion and inequality, and enabling people to live with dignity, independence and connection. As demand for our services continues to evolve, we are looking for trustees who can help ensure the charity remains resilient, responsive and impactful for the people we serve.

This is an opportunity to join the Board of a well-established and respected local charity at an important stage in its development.

The Board is actively shaping the charity's future direction, strengthening governance, supporting organisational development, and helping to ensure the charity remains sustainable and effective in a changing environment. As a trustee, you will work alongside a committed Board and leadership team to improve the lives of people across Lewisham and Southwark.

About the role

We are seeking to strengthen and diversify the Board's skills, experience and perspectives through several trustee appointments.

Safeguarding is a key recruitment priority. We are keen to appoint at least one trustee with safeguarding knowledge or experience to serve as the Board's Safeguarding Lead, providing strategic oversight and assurance of safeguarding governance.

We would also particularly welcome applications from individuals with experience or expertise in the following areas:

· Health and social care, public health, NHS services or related fields.

· Fundraising, income generation and donor development.

· Legal, regulatory or governance matters.

· Property, facilities, estates or building management.

We do not expect candidates to have experience in all of these areas and welcome applications from individuals who can contribute expertise or experience in one or more of these areas.

As a place-based charity, we are particularly interested in trustees who live, work, volunteer, or have strong connections to Lewisham and Southwark and can bring local knowledge and insight to the Board.

About you

We welcome applications from people with a broad range of professional, voluntary and lived experience.

Key qualities include:

· Strategic thinking and sound judgement.

· Commitment to improving the lives of older people and other vulnerable members of our communities.

· Ability to provide constructive challenge and effective governance.

· Commitment to equality, dignity, inclusion and values-led leadership.

· Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to collective decision-making.

Previous trustee experience is not essential. We welcome applications from first-time trustees who share our values and are willing to learn and contribute to the Board's work.

Commitment

A modest but active commitment, including attendance at four Board meetings per year, one annual Board away day, participation in at least one Board sub-committee, and occasional engagement between meetings.

Board meetings are normally held in person at the Stones End Day Centre in Southwark. Whilst hybrid participation may occasionally be possible, the Board places a strong emphasis on in-person attendance to support effective discussion, decision-making and relationship-building.

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those whose experiences and perspectives are under-represented in charity governance.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Charity Trustee, Board Member, Non-Executive Director, Non-Executive Board Member, Charity Governor, School Governor, Committee Member, Advisory Board Member, Independent Board Member, Volunteer Trustee, Safeguarding Trustee or Board Advisor.

We are looking for exceptional people from a variety of backgrounds, to join AvMA’s Board of Trustees at an important point in our development, this being the midpoint of implementing our 5-year strategy.

AvMA is the UK charity for patient safety and justice. We provide free advice and support to thousands of people each year who have been affected by avoidable harm in healthcare, and we work to influence improvements in patient safety and to see people treated fairly when things go wrong. We also provide an accreditation scheme for lawyers specialising in clinical negligence work and a competence scheme for more junior lawyers, recognising that this is a highly complex area of law requiring strong specialist knowledge.

We are now seeking to appoint up to three new Trustees and/or Associate Trustees. Each appointment will strengthen the Board by bringing a particular area of specialist expertise alongside the wider skills, judgement and commitment expected of all Trustees.

About the roles:

AvMA is governed by a Board of Trustees who come from a range of backgrounds and bring different experiences. This recruitment is intended to strengthen the Board further by bringing in new specialist expertise alongside strong governance capability.

Important application instruction - Applicants must make clear in their covering letter which of the three specialist skill sets they are applying for and whether they are applying as a Trustee or as an Associate Trustee.

• Trustee: a full member of the Board, taking on the legal and governance responsibilities of trusteeship and contributing to collective decision-making.

• Associate Trustee: a supported development role for people with relevant expertise and potential who may have less prior Board or Trustee experience. Associate Trustees participate actively in Board life and will work towards a full Trustee role, subject to appraisal and mutual agreement.

The three specialist skill sets we are seeking:

1. Clinical negligence law

We are seeking someone with senior-level expertise in clinical negligence law, ideally with experience on the claimant side.

• Ideally claimant-side experience with clinical negligence accreditation.

• Understanding of access to justice issues affecting injured patients and families.

• Insight into Alternative Dispute Resolution practices including mediation.

• Ability to support strategic thinking about AvMA’s public-facing services, policy influence and accreditation work.

• Awareness of the importance of managing conflicts of interest carefully.

Applicants with this background may apply either as a Trustee or as an Associate Trustee.

2. Senior charity fundraising/income generation expertise

• We are seeking someone with senior-level charity fundraising or income generation expertise.

• Understanding of fundraising strategy and income diversification.

• Knowledge of individual giving, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, major donor fundraising, legacy fundraising or supporter engagement.

• Ability to advise strategically on fundraising opportunities and risks.

• Understanding of ethical fundraising and donor stewardship.

• Ability to support AvMA in widening its reach, profile and supporter base.

Applicants with this background may apply either as a Trustee or as an Associate Trustee.

3. IT/digital expertise for a growing charity

We are seeking someone with IT, digital, data or technology expertise relevant to a growing charity.

• Senior experience in IT, digital, data, systems or technology strategy.

• Understanding of digital transformation in small or medium-sized organisations.

• Ability to advise on systems, data quality, knowledge management, cyber security and digital risk.

• Appreciation of how technology can improve service delivery, governance and organisational effectiveness.

• Understanding of how AI can be exploited whilst maintaining safety, confidentiality and ethical principles.

Applicants with this background may apply either as a Trustee or as an Associate Trustee.

Generic Trustee skills and qualities we are seeking

In addition to one of the three specialist skill sets, all applicants should be able to demonstrate the core qualities and capabilities needed to contribute effectively to AvMA’s Board.

Essential for all applicants

• Commitment to AvMA’s mission, vision and values.

• Demonstrable interest in patient safety and justice for people affected by avoidable harm.

• Ability to think strategically and see the bigger picture.

• Sound judgement and independence of thought.

• Willingness to offer constructive challenge while working collaboratively.

• Ability to contribute to collective decision-making.

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

• Willingness to prepare for and participate actively in Board and committee meetings.

• High standards of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.

Desirable

• Previous trustee, non-executive or committee experience.

• Understanding of charity governance.

• Lived experience of avoidable harm in healthcare, either personally or as a family member.

• Experience of working with or alongside people affected by trauma, injustice or complex systems.

Trustee role description

Governance and oversight: ensure AvMA operates in accordance with its governing document, policies, charity law and relevant legislation or regulation; oversee implementation of AvMA’s strategy; provide accountability; and ensure resources are managed responsibly.

Strategic leadership: contribute to development and implementation of AvMA’s strategy, including setting objectives and monitoring progress against them.

Financial stewardship: monitor AvMA’s financial health; ensure sound financial controls and systems are in place; review and approve annual budgets, management accounts and annual reports; and ensure funds are used effectively.

Risk management: identify and assess risks facing AvMA and ensure appropriate systems, policies and procedures are in place, including for safeguarding and data protection.

Advocacy and ambassadorship: act as an ambassador for AvMA, promote its values and mission externally and use networks and contacts, where appropriate, to support AvMA’s work.

Board meetings and committees: attend and actively participate in Board meetings, committees and other relevant meetings; read papers in advance and contribute to discussion and decision-making.

Support and supervision: provide support to the leadership team, offer guidance and act as a sounding board when needed. Where appropriate, take on a mentoring role with key staff or volunteers.

Associate Trustee role description

Associate Trustees are not full Trustees when appointed but are expected to participate actively in Board life and develop their understanding of charity governance, AvMA’s work and the responsibilities of trusteeship.

• Attend and participate in Board meetings.

• Join relevant discussions and contribute their expertise.

• Develop their understanding of charity governance and AvMA’s strategic priorities.

• Participate in mentoring, induction and development.

• Contribute to committees and other work where appropriate.

• Work towards readiness for a full Trustee role, subject to appraisal and mutual agreement.