Innovation volunteer roles

Impact Initiatives is seeking a trustee with financial expertise to join our Board at an exciting time of growth and innovation.

This is an opportunity to support a values-driven charity working creatively to address complex social issues and to learn and work with a motivated committed team to make a positive difference to thousands of peoples lives each year. 

As a Trustee, you will:

• Contribute to long-term financial planning and resilience in a changing funding environment
• Ask the right questions at the right time, helping the Board understand risks, explore options, and make well-balanced decisions
• Support responsible innovation that aligns with Impact Initiatives’ values and risk appetite

Being an Impact trustee is a great way to:

• Support a cause you believe in
• Develop new skills,
• Enhance your CV
• Work with a wide range of people,
• Gain work experience
• Give yourself a new challenge
• Use skills for for purposes other than financial gain

Role title
Trustee

Role purpose
As a trustee of Community Resource, you’ll play a key role in guiding the charity’s direction and ensuring we stay true to our mission.

You’ll provide strategic leadership and oversight, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to help us achieve our goals and deliver lasting impact.

Trustees take part in board meetings and may also contribute to subcommittees or working groups focused on areas such as finance, risk, events, and safeguarding.

You may also represent Community Resource externally, helping to build relationships with partners, supporters, and stakeholders and attend inspiring events that celebrate and support rural communities across Shropshire.

Requirements
We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals with current or recent senior-level experience in areas such as law, business accounting, IT, cybersecurity, health, or entrepreneurship. These skills are especially valuable as we navigate growth and innovation.

However, we also warmly welcome interest from those with other relevant expertise or lived experience that could benefit our organisation and enrich the board’s perspective.

Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Salary
Unremunerated, but reasonable expenses may be reimbursed.

Commitment
The board meets eight times a year, combining in person and online sessions (usually Tuesdays, 4– 7pm), including our AGM. Additionally, there is an annual trustee and leadership team away day.

Length of term
All trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years and are eligible to re-stand for election for up to a maximum of two subsequent terms.

We are looking for a volunteer to help us identify and apply for UK government and quasi-government grant funding that corresponds to our platform activities,  including entrepreneurship support, innovation, skills, inclusion, and regional growth.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in public funding, policy programmes, innovation grants, or the third sector who wants to apply their expertise to a fast-growing, mission-driven organisation with a strong track record.

You will work closely with Unrest’s co-founders and Head of Partnerships, as well as being a part of the Unrest team and vibrant Unrest community of founders and changemakers.

Responsibilities

• Research and map relevant UK government, public sector, and arm’s-length body funding opportunities aligned with Unrest’s programmes and community work.
• Assess eligibility, competitiveness, and strategic fit of funding opportunities.
• Lead or support the drafting of grant applications, including written narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate inputs from the Unrest team and external collaborators where required.
• Track deadlines, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations for submitted or awarded grants.
• Help build institutional knowledge and reusable materials to strengthen future applications.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with UK government or public-sector grant funding (hands-on application experience strongly preferred).
• Strong written communication skills and comfort working with structured application processes.
• High attention to detail and good organisational instincts.
• An interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, impact, or community-building.
• A collaborative, pragmatic working style suited to a small, fast-moving team.

What You’ll Get

• The opportunity to create a meaningful contribution to programmes supporting mission-driven founders across the UK.
• Close collaboration with an experienced founding team and exposure to accelerator and community design and delivery.
• Meaningful ownership over a clearly defined workstream.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

Digital, Technology and Cyber Security Lay Trustee

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise?

Join the Board as a Trustee

We’re RCOT, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. We’ve championed the profession and the people behind it for over 90 years; today, we’re thriving with over 36,000 members.

We’re seeking a Digital, Technology and Cyber Security Lay Trustee to join our Board and sit alongside our nine elected trustees from our membership to provide additional business skills and expertise.  

Are you looking for a purpose-driven opportunity to share your expertise? As a lay trustee of RCOT, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a profession that transforms lives every day. You’ll contribute your expertise to a values-driven organisation that champions inclusion, innovation and excellence in healthcare. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategy, collaborate with passionate professionals and make sure occupational therapy continues to improve the wellbeing of people across the UK.

You’ll provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on technology strategy, digital innovation (including AI), procurement and contracting, and cyber security. Working alongside fellow trustees, you will support RCOT to deliver a high-quality, cost-effective technology offer that's future-focused and aligned with best practice.

Time commitment 

This is an unpaid volunteer role, and you will be reimbursed out of pocket expenses. The time you’ll need to commit is circa one day a month, with flexibility.

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026.

Interview dates: There will be a two-stage interview process.

Full details of this role, as well as other lay trustee roles, can be found on our website

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Are you committed to driving excellence and innovation? Do you have experience working within practitioners of Volunteer Education Programmes?

As a Community of Practice Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting and enhancing a national community of practice. You will focus on specific activities or areas within the community, ensuring that efforts align with national standards and priorities while avoiding duplication.

As a Community of Practice Officer, you will:

• Support the Community of Practice Lead in coordinating the community.
• Focus on specific activities or areas within the community of practice.
• Assist in delivering impactful initiatives and projects.
• Foster collaboration and strengthen professional engagement.
• Champion inclusivity and provide support to community members.
• Contribute to the overall success and development of the community.

For more information about this role, please see the role description.

The closing date for this vacancy is 31/01/2026

ReviveBattery mitigate the early death of lead-acid batteries and regenerate them 2-3 times for up to 90% of their original capacity. In the process, they reduce 3.5 tons of Co2 emissions per battery. Battery recycling is an emission-intensive chemical process that causes environmental damage and harms people engaging with it. Their cutting-edge technology rejuvenates batteries without damaging them, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding the need for energy-intensive recycling.

Role Description: 

As a Research Volunteer, you will support Revive Battery’s research and strategy efforts by conducting structured desk research, data analysis, and insight synthesis across technology, policy, market, and sustainability domains. This role offers hands-on exposure to applied research within a fast-paced cleantech startup, contributing directly to thought leadership, strategy development, and impact-driven decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

● Conduct desk research on topics related to battery technologies, circular economy, sustainability, energy systems, and climate policy
● Analyze industry reports, academic literature, policy documents, and market data
● Support preparation of research briefs, summaries, white papers, and internal strategy notes
● Assist with data collection, structuring, and basic analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
● Track trends, regulations, and innovations relevant to battery lifecycle management and energy transition
● Support benchmarking of competitors, technologies, and global best practices
● Collaborate with fundraising, marketing, and technical teams to align research insights with business needs
● Document sources clearly and maintain structured research repositories

Requirements

● Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Energy Systems, Economics, Engineering, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field
● Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills
● Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise insights
● Comfortable working with reports, academic papers, and policy documents
● Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
● Proficient in Google Workspace; familiarity with Excel, Notion, or reference tools is a plus
● Organized, self-driven, and able to manage multiple research tasks independently
● Interest in climate action, circular economy, energy transition, or sustainability innovation

Learning Opportunities

● Hands-on experience conducting applied research for a cleantech startup
● Exposure to sustainability, energy, and battery-related policy and market landscapes
● Development of skills in research synthesis, insight generation, and strategic analysis
● Opportunity to contribute to thought leadership content, grant research, and strategy inputs
● Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in sustainability and innovation

What We Offer

● Real-world exposure to research and strategy in a sustainability-focused startup
● Flexible remote working arrangement within an international team
● Mentorship, feedback, and professional development support
● Volunteer Agreement, certificate of completion, and reference letter upon successful completion
● Opportunity to contribute to meaningful climate and environmental impact initiatives

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Role Description: 

This role sits within our new Coproduction and Transformation Project

The role of the Co-Production Volunteer is central to the success of the Co-Production and Transformation and Engagement Project. Volunteers bring lived experience, local knowledge, and critical perspectives to support the redesign of mental health services, so they are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in the real needs of those who use them.

This role exists to ensure that service users, carers, and community members have a meaningful voice in shaping decisions that affect care delivery. Volunteers will work alongside professionals, clinical teams, and other stakeholders to challenge assumptions, identify gaps, highlight strengths, and co-create improvements. Whether drawing from personal experiences of mental health challenges, supporting someone through the system, or working in the community, volunteers act as equal partners in transformation. They help build bridges between professionals and service users, promote accountability, and encourage a culture of openness and innovation.

Through structured engagement such as workshops, advisory groups, feedback panels, and co-design activities, the Co-Production Volunteers will contribute to the long-term sustainability and responsiveness of mental health services. Their insights help ensure that care is not only clinically effective but also emotionally safe, culturally sensitive, and aligned with what matters most to the people it serves.

Main Tasks

· Attend monthly co-production workshops, steering groups, or feedback sessions

· Share personal and/or collective experiences to inform service transformation

· Provide administrative support- send and respond to emails, input information on our database

· Review materials and provide feedback (e.g., policies, pathways, information leaflets)

· Participate in recruitment panels, focus groups, and pilot testing where appropriate

· Help create accessible, inclusive spaces that welcome diverse voices

· Promote equality, dignity, and psychological safety within meetings

· Support evaluation activities and co-authoring of reports or recommendations

· Uphold HFEH Mind values and behaviours

We are looking for someone who:

· Has lived experience of mental health challenges

· Good communicator

· Passionate about improving NHS West London Mental Health services

· Are a non-judgmental and friendly individual 

· Lived experience of mental health services (personal or as a carer/family member/community member)

· A commitment to improving mental health care and reducing stigma

· Willingness to share personal insights in a respectful and constructive way

· Openness to listen and engage with others from diverse backgrounds

· Ability to attend meetings and participate reliably (online or in person)

· Basic communication and interpersonal skills (speaking, listening, expressing views)

· Comfortable working as part of a group, including with professionals and other volunteers

· Respect for confidentiality and group boundaries

· Ability to reflect, ask questions, and provide feedback on ideas, documents or processes

· Interest in learning about co-production, service transformation or health improvement

· Respect for inclusion, anti-discrimination, and safeguarding practices

· Willingness to learn digital tools (such as Zoom or MS Teams) with support if needed

· An understanding of the local community context and the challenges people may face accessing care

Those from or have an interest in:

• Black and Minority Ethnic Communities
• Civic Responsibility and Communities
• Disability
• Employment, Education and Training
• Health and Social Care
• Homeless and Housing

What's in it for the Coproduction Volunteer? 

Joining our Service User Network is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognized charity, whilst supporting positive changes within the NHS West London Trust. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organization. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector. 

Gage Mix Radio are looking for presenters! This is a really flexible role, suitable for those looking for something creative. You will host live shows, introduce songs and chat with listeners of Selby’s very own local radio station.

This is an ideal role for somebody creative, who enjoys radio and music. You'll be presenting your own show, so need to be confident and ready to be 'on air'.

As the radio station is new and developing, this is a very flexible role. We will set up time to chat with you about what committment you can offer, and what presenting could look like for you.

Trustee - EQOL
 

Are you passionate about enhancing the lives of neurodiverse adults?
Could your experience, either lived or professional, help shape a growing charity’s future?

EQOL is seeking two new trustees who share our vision that every neurodiverse adult should feel understood, empowered and supported to thrive. We are particularly looking for:

Someone with lived experience of neurodiversity: Whether that’s personal experience or supporting a loved one, who can bring real insight into our governance and strategy.

Someone with strong networks or community reach: Who can help open doors for partnerships, funding and awareness.

As a trustee, you’ll work with us to strengthen governance, develop strategy and ensure our services reflect the real needs of the people we serve. You’ll bring your voice, your perspective and your heart to a board that values collaboration, empowerment and innovation.

Time commitment: 4–6 hours a month

Location: UK (virtual with occasional in-person meeting)

Apply by: 28th Febuary 2026
 

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for service designers to participate in our community-led working group who are leading improvements in our collaborative social infrastructure. Meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?
 

1. Service Implementation: Expert in design methodologies, ecosystem mapping, visual concepts, and prototyping. Translates insights into tangible service improvements. 

2. User Research: Experienced in behavioral research, ecosystem context, and facilitating co-creation workshops to drive innovation. 

3. Community Engagement: Skilled in inclusive co-design, building community ownership, and communicating complex ideas simply. 

4. Collaboration: Multidisciplinary team player with a systems-thinking approach. 

5. Desirable: Tech-proficient, impact measurement, and inclusive design.

By leading research and service design projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local people. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

St Christopher’s Trading Company is looking for a new non-executive director (NED) to join its Board. Someone committed and enthusiastic, who will further strengthen our Trading Company and help us achieve the next phase of our planned development.

St Christopher’s Trading Company’s objective is to maximize profit from commercial activities, which is then used to fund charitable work carried out by St Christopher’s Hospice. The commercial activities include the operation of 23 St Christopher’s shops across South-East London, with ambitions to explore other non-charitable income generation opportunities.

Founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders, St Christopher’s Hospice is the driving force behind the modern hospice movement. It not only provides care and support for almost 7000 people a year across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Southwark, Lambeth, Croydon and Bromley, but also has a national and international reputation as a centre for learning and research in end-of-life care.

About you:

We are specifically seeking someone with professional knowledge, experience and skills in one or more of the following areas:

· Senior commercial or charity retail

· Innovation and entrepreneurship

· Relevant experience in retail or commercial environments at a strategic level.

About the role:

The non-executive director will be a company director of St Christopher’s (Trading) Ltd, and along with other members of the Trading Board, will be responsible for the good governance, strategic direction and financial oversight of the Trading Company as well as being legally responsible for the running of the company and making sure information is sent to Companies House on time.

Responsibilities

As a non-executive director, you will be expected to:

● Bring an independent perspective to the Trading Board

● Review papers, attend meetings, contribute to debates providing constructive challenge when appropriate, complete actions and offer support to develop proposals on strategy

● Scrutinise the performance and progress of agreed goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance

● Ensure the integrity of financial information and that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible;

● Devote time to developing and refreshing your knowledge and skills and be aware of the work of St Christopher’s Hospice

● Uphold the highest standards of integrity, openness, diplomacy, tact and inclusiveness.

● Maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive information and the business of the Committee 

● Exercise independent judgment, particularly avoiding any personal conflict of interest and ensuring that all relevant business, professional, and other interests are declared

● Understand and respect the relative roles and views of other St Christopher’s Trading Directors, Non-Executive Directors, the Trading Senior Leadership Team and the Executive

● Comply with the Trustee, Co-Opted Sub Committee member & Non Executive Director Code of Conduct expectations

Time commitment

· Attend a minimum of four meetings per year and meeting preparation time. Meetings are usually held in person at our Sydenham site during office hours.

· An annual Trading Board Awayday

· Undertake St Christopher’s induction and mandatory training requirements

· There is an expectation that Non-Executive Director’s will visit some of our shops each year

· Non-Executive Directors have an annual review meeting with the Chair of St Christopher’s Trading

Applications close at 9 a.m. Friday 20th February 2026.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Who we are
Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new, now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

The opportunity

As we have experienced growth and welcomed a new Chair to the Board, we are looking to appoint a new Trustee. We are looking for someone with clinical experience in substance misuse or mental health services who can provide valuable insights into clinical risk and governance and service delivery. While an understanding of our service users’ treatment and care is important, the Trustee does not need to have current experience in drug and alcohol services. We value the ability and willingness to learn just as highly.

This offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing your professional expertise to advance our strategic objectives and ensure we deliver the highest quality services to those we support.

Time Commitment: The equivalent of a day a month.

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of a day per month.

This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy away day
• Preparation for meetings
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 20th February 2026.

Are you committed to driving excellence and innovation? Do you have experience leading a community of practitioners within the area of Quality and Assurance.

You will play a crucial role in establishing and guiding a national community of practice. You will provide strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight across the community of practice, ensuring that efforts within the community across the country align with national standards and priorities while avoiding duplication of efforts.  The lead for the Quality & Assurance Community of Practice. Role will support specialist input across the function and to all regions and counties.

As a Community of Practice Lead, you will oversee a Community of Practice for Quality and Assurance, ensuring it meets its objectives of improving volunteer impact, collaboration, and performance. You will work closely with national advisors, directors, and volunteers across counties & regions to design and implement best practices within your functional area. Your leadership will contribute to a more connected, skilled, and high-performing volunteer network across the charity

As a Community of Practice Lead, you will:

• Support and lead the national community of practice.
• Inspire and guide community members to deliver impactful initiatives.
• Foster collaboration, strengthen professional engagement, and champion inclusivity and support.
• Play a critical role in shaping the future success of our organisation.

For more information about this role, please see the role description. 

Interviews will be in the week following the closure of the advert. Selection will be against the RD and judged upon application form showing how candidate is appropriate for role. Due to seniority of role, candidate will need to detail in application how they meet the specifics of the RD and their relevant experience. Once shortlisted and interviewed, a selection event will not be required. Interview will be via Teams and panel will include: Senior Events Team representative, National Operations Advisor, one other panel member TBC.

Local and specific induction will be arranged for the successful candidate based on their previous SJA experience and requirements. An informal meeting with the National Advisor for Operations will be held shortly after appointment to establish any welcome needs.

The closing date for this vacancy is the 28h of February 2026

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.