172 Legal volunteer roles

Could you help shape the future of one of Suffolk’s most important heritage and conservation sites?

The Landguard and Felixstowe Conservation Trust seeks an experienced and inspirational Chair to lead its Board and support the long-term development of the nationally significant Landguard Peninsula, home to the Grade I listed Landguard Fort, Nature Reserve, Museum and Bird Observatory.

Welcoming around 500,000 visitors annually, the Trust works with volunteers, staff and partner organisations to conserve and enhance this unique heritage and wildlife asset.

You will bring strategic leadership, governance experience, excellent communication skills and a commitment to charitable values.

This is an unpaid role (reasonable expenses reimbursed).

For further information and an informal discussion, contact Paul Grant.

 A pack has been produced to be sent to all potential candidates that express an interest in the role. A copy can be provided on request.

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Strategy and Programme Volunteer

The Goal:Help us turn our big dreams into reality. You will be part of the team that takes our ambitions and builds them into practical, life-changing projects.

We’d love help with:

• Planning the Journey: Helping us draft clear project plans and timelines.

• Tracking our Progress: Helping us collect information to see how well our projects are doing.

• Organising Teams: Assisting with the coordination of different tasks to keep everything running on time.

What you bring:

• An organised mind and a love for "getting things done."

• Experience in project management or a strong interest in how charities run.

• The ability to see the steps needed to reach a big goal.

Swansea Carers Centre are seeking an experienced and inspirational Chair to lead our Board of Trustees and help shape the next phase of our development.

About Swansea Carers Centre

Swansea Carers Centre is a vibrant, welcoming Tier 2 charity supporting unpaid carers across the City & County of Swansea. Every year, over 1,800 carers access our services, and more than 10,500 carers have registered with us since our founding. We provide welfare benefits advice, counselling, respite opportunities, dementia support, young adult carer projects, volunteer‑led initiatives, training, social groups and more. The services are all designed to ensure carers feel valued, connected and empowered. We also look to identify hidden carers and make certain that people looking after others can find the support they need.

An unpaid carer is anyone who provides support to a family member, friend or neighbour due to a variety of reasons which could include illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, or age‑related frailty. Many people do not recognise themselves as carers yet they take on vital responsibilities that can have a profound impact on their wellbeing, finances and daily life. Our vision is a society where carers are recognised, respected and supported as equal partners in care. Our mission is to make a positive difference to carers’ lives by working in partnership with carers, statutory bodies and voluntary organisations.

The Role

The Chair will lead a committed Board of Trustees, ensuring Swansea Carers Centre is well-governed, financially sustainable and forward‑looking.

You will work closely with our CEO and Senior Management Team to embed strong governance practices, support strategic decision‑making, and champion a culture of empowerment across the organisation. This is a pivotal leadership role at a time when carers’ needs are growing, and the charity is strengthening its strategic direction.

We are particularly seeking a Chair who can:

• Embed modern, effective governance approaches
• Support the Board to focus on strategic leadership rather than operational detail
• Empower staff and volunteers to deliver high‑quality, carer‑led services
• Build strong partnerships with local authorities, health bodies, funders and community organisations
• Represent Swansea Carers Centre with confidence and credibility

Monthly Board meetings are held in person in Swansea, and we welcome applications from candidates based elsewhere who are willing to travel to attend.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Board to ensure balanced, inclusive and focused discussion
• Promote high standards of governance and regulatory compliance
• Provide strategic leadership and support effective decision‑making
• Build a strong, supportive working relationship with the CEO
• Ensure trustees receive timely, relevant information
• Champion carers’ interests and represent the charity externally
• Support succession planning and Board development
• Attend approximately 12 Board meetings per year, plus occasional sub‑committees and events

Term: Three years, renewable

Who We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• Experience chairing Boards, committees or senior governance meetings
• Strong understanding of charity governance and trusteeship
• Proven leadership and excellent communication skills
• Strategic thinker with sound judgement
• Ability to build consensus and foster positive relationships
• Commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers
• Financial awareness and comfort with digital tools
• Integrity, emotional intelligence and a collaborative approach

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice Chair
• Experience in voluntary, community, health or social care sectors
• Knowledge of charity finance, fundraising or organisational development
• Experience working with diverse communities

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the lives of carers across Swansea. You’ll be joining a passionate team, a committed Board, and an organisation with a clear mission, strong values and a desire to evolve its governance and strategic leadership.

If you want to help shape a charity that empowers carers, strengthens communities and delivers high‑quality support, we would love to hear from you.

Opportunity: Chair of the Finance and Risk Sub-committee, Board of Trustees

Open School East is at a pivotal moment in its development and is seeking a Chair of the Finance and Risk Sub-committee to help shape its next chapter.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 30th September 2026

We are interested in hearing from candidates with expertise in:

• Finance: A person with experience in finance management or accounting, with the capacity to provide a strategic overview of finances, ensuring viability, compliance with relevant legislative frameworks, effective use of resources and ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

We are especially keen to hear from people with knowledge of, or an interest in, education and the arts. By committing your time and expertise to our two meetings a quarter (full Trustee meeting and Chairing the Finance and Risk Sub-committee meetings), you can become part of a leading arts education charity, making a real difference to emerging creatives of all ages and from all backgrounds.

We also warmly welcome people who bring lived experience of the barriers OSE seeks to dismantle including people of colour, disabled people, those from working class backgrounds, or people with experience of marginalisation in the arts or education sectors.

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.
• 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.

Join Seen Sisters as a Non-executive Director! 

Help us fund joyful, inclusive spaces for solo women with invisible disabilities. After a successful pilot, we have a goal to secure sustainable income generation and multi-year funding as we expand our grassroots mission. 

Could you be the person to support our community?

This is a formal Non-Executive Director position, with registration as a company director of Seen Sisters and the associated legal and governance responsibilities. We’re looking for someone who can bring both strategic expertise and practical involvement, helping us shape sustainable income-generation and fundraising strategy, while also getting involved in opportunities such as developing income ideas, researching funders and writing funding bids. You’ll work collaboratively with the Co-Directors and members, providing strategic oversight and support rather than being expected to manage every aspect of delivery yourself.

This is a voluntary role for now, but we're actively seeking funding and would be happy to explore including your role in future bids.

We are looking for someone with a passion to support our mission, who already has experience of being a director of a company and is aware of the commitment, responsibility and trust required for this role. 

About Seen Sisters

Who we are:

Seen Sisters is for solo women aged 25–55 who live with invisible disabilities. Our community is specifically for those who do not have children or a long-term, stable partner to rely on for emotional, financial, or practical support. These women often appear ‘well’ to others, which means their needs are frequently overlooked by wider society and services. Many face isolation, discrimination, and a lack of tailored support despite experiencing daily barriers that reduce their quality of life.

How we help (our services):

Seen Sisters is a lived experience project that creates joyful, inclusive spaces where solo women with invisible disabilities can reimagine the world on their own terms. We offer peer support, creative workshops, community-led events, and co-designed resources. Our spaces are designed to centre care, accessibility, and empowerment. Through conscious partnerships, collective nourishment, and community voice, we co-create opportunities to be seen, heard, and supported in ways that traditional systems fail to offer.

What will you be doing?

We are looking for a Non-executive Director who holds a speciality within finance and strategy. 

Our goal as a grass-roots organisation is to secure multi-year funding and a strong focus on also developing sustainable income generation streams outside of grant funding, which you would be supporting us to accomplish. 

We have explored sustainable income streams and some ideas to action, however to help this reach its full potential, we need someone with a strategic mind, who can ensure we can generate income in alignment to our mission and values. Alongside providing direct guidance of how to action this. 

We would require you to set up and oversee this focus of work, though we would be able to get volunteers and members of staff to oversee the day to day deliverables. Your focus would be to oversee the important, strategic and legal requirements of this development. 

We work alongside other incredible grass-roots organisations and have support from organisations such as VOSCUR and Black South West Network.

What this volunteer role involves:

* Ideation, strategic planning and development of sustainable income generation activities 

* Overseeing sustainable income generation initiatives and delivery
* Support with researching funding opportunities
* Support with writing funding applications that reflect our mission, values, and deep listening approach
* Prioritising upcoming deadlines with support from the team
* Collaborating with other fundraising partners or members where needed

You might be a good fit if you:
* Are curious, empathetic, and values-aligned
* Can meet us where we’re at and help translate our story into compelling funding language
* Believe in joy, connection, and collective care

* Have experience in developing sustainable income streams for organisations outside of direct grant funding
* Have experience in grant writing, fundraising or storytelling
* Can commit about 2 days a month (ideally Monday or Thursday - flexible)

A few practicals:
* We work remotely and use a shared Drive

* We are a 100% global majority run organisation and we welcome people from all backgrounds to join us
* Allies and those with lived experience are warmly welcomed
* We do regular check-ins on capacity, access and preferences

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with demonstrated experience in developing and delivering varied income generation streams for mission-led organisations and writing successful funding or grant applications - whether in community, nonprofit, cultural, or academic settings. 

You’ll be someone who can confidently identify and develop varied income streams outside of the traditional grant funding route and also be well equipped with the skills for crafting funding bids, while being aligned with our mission and values. You should feel confident leading or supporting the end-to-end process.

This is a collaborative role where you’ll help us expand our financial resources in ways that centre the voices and needs of our members. 

Essential experience:

• Experience identifying and pursuing new income opportunities beyond traditional grant funding

• Experience developing diverse income streams, such as trading or social enterprise activity

• Understanding of pricing, costing, and budgeting for income-generating activities

• Bid writing or fundraising writing experience 

• Understanding of how to tailor proposals for different funders and funding streams (trusts, foundations, public sector, etc.)

• Familiarity with the structure, tone and requirements of effective funding applications

• Ability to translate community ideas and visions into fundable language and clear outcomes

• Experience of being a director of a company with a focus of community

• Understanding the responsibility around filing, processes and working with Companies House as a director 

Skills we’re looking for:

• Finance and strategic planning - for long-term organisational sustainability 

• Research skills - able to identify relevant income opportunities and innovative funders that align with our mission

• Strong writing and editing skills - especially persuasive, clear, and values-aligned language

• Confidence using shared online tools (Google Docs, Sheets, email) for remote collaboration

• Time management - able to track deadlines and prioritise tasks across projects

• Good communication - open to feedback and working with a team across access needs

Qualities that matter to us:

• A deep listener - able to hold and reflect the values and priorities of our community

• Collaborative and flexible - willing to meet us where we’re at and grow with us

• Passionate about resourcing joy, care, and connection - not just survival

• Values-led - grounded in feminist, disability justice, or community organising principles

• Reliable and transparent - with regular check-ins on your availability and capacity

• Respects our professional and lived-experience and be willing to work with us in equitable partnership

• Open, honest and reliable 

• Understands the responsibility to our community when taking on a leadership role and prioritising this. 

Our Focus and Impact

Solo women with invisible disabilities are an underserved group whose needs are routinely overlooked. The lack of systemic recognition and support contributes to poorer health, wellbeing, and economic outcomes. By centring their lived experiences, Seen Sisters not only provides vital emotional connection and practical tools, but also challenges societal assumptions around disability, independence, and womanhood. Our work helps participants feel less alone, more empowered, and better equipped to advocate for themselves, while contributing to a more inclusive and liberatory world.

Our Values:

Seeing the experience of solo women with invisible disabilities as unique

Empowering ourselves through co creation

Diversity and inclusion - (intersectionality/decolonial/lgbt plus/flexibility)

Joy and collective nourishment - decolonial, sustainability and reimagining 

Collective liberation - Conscious partnerships with allies

Our Activities:

Seen Sisters supports solo women with invisible disabilities through:

• Socials and Events - Joyful, accessible gatherings that build connection, reduce isolation, and centre collective care.

• Lived Experience Projects - Creative, community-led work that reimagines spaces through the lens of solo disabled women.

• Partnerships & Collective Care - Collaborating with organisations to design more inclusive, responsive environments and systems.

• Garden Projects - Safe and accessible outdoor spaces for members to gather, connecting to each other and nature to improve wellbeing and develop skills.

What difference will you make?

We’re Seen Sisters - an intersectional feminist collective of solo women with invisible disabilities. We’re working to build joyful, connective spaces for our community, and we’re looking for a Non-executive Director to help bring our mission to life.

Explore our Work - https://linktr.ee/seensisters

Read more about our Values and Mission - http://bit.ly/44ZMbtF

We warmly welcome disabled volunteers and allies. If you meet the above criteria and are excited by the opportunity to co-create something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

Let us know your access needs, your preferred ways of working, and how you’d like to be involved, we’ll do our very best to support you. 

Before you apply

Working Pattern - 2 days a month for income generation and fundraising. 

With extra time for director duties - hopefully delivered within quarterly director meetings, however there will be times when time-sensitive requests come through, so some flexibility will be needed to work alongside this.

Please provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience, and a copy of your CV. 

Interviews will be an informal video call with the Co-Directors

Closing Date for Applications: 1st November 2026

We are keen to find the right person for this role, so we may close applications earlier than the stated closing date if we find a strong match. 

Early applications are encouraged

The Organisation

Christian Aid was born out of faith in action. Since our establishment in 1945, in response to the refugee crisis in post-war Europe, we have stood alongside people in their moments of greatest need, while working to address the underlying causes of poverty and injustice. Grounded in our Christian identity, we believe everyone should be treated with equal dignity, have the opportunity to realise their rights and fulfil their God-given potential. Our values of love, dignity, equality and justice guide how we work and the partnerships we build with people of all faiths and beliefs.

Today, Christian Aid works alongside communities and local partners across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean to respond to crises, strengthen resilience and tackle poverty at its roots. We believe people affected by poverty are best placed to lead change in their own lives, and we work with them to develop sustainable solutions and strengthen their influence. Through partnership, advocacy and the support of churches, we seek to challenge the systems that perpetuate poverty and build a more just and peaceful world.

The Role

Christian Aid is seeking to appoint a new Finance Trustee to bring significant charity finance experience to the Board and strengthen its oversight of financial matters. The Finance Trustee will play an important role in supporting good governance and strategic decision-making, helping ensure that Christian Aid’s financial resources are managed effectively and sustainably.

Working alongside fellow Trustees and the executive team, the Finance Trustee will provide constructive challenge and independent judgement, helping the Board understand financial performance, risks and opportunities. They will ensure that financial information is clear, accurate and meaningful, and support Trustees from a range of professional backgrounds to understand its implications for Christian Aid’s work and long-term sustainability.

The Finance Trustee will:

• provide constructive challenge and independent judgement on financial matters
• ensure financial information presented to the Board is accurate, timely and meaningful
• help the Board understand key financial issues, risks and opportunities
• support effective decision-making by clearly communicating financial information and its implications.

The Person

Essential knowledge and experience

• A recognised accounting qualification.
• Significant charity finance experience.
• Knowledge of the governance obligations and responsibilities of Trustees.
• Experience of financial oversight, including management accounts, cash flow, forecasting and financial reporting.
• A good understanding of financial reporting, management accounts, cash flow, forecasting and financial risk.
• The ability to identify key financial and organisational risks and communicate these clearly.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge while maintaining positive and collaborative relationships.

Desirable knowledge and experience
It would be desirable if candidates also had experience in some of the following areas:

• Knowledge of the workings of NGOs in the UK and Ireland.
• Knowledge of the social, cultural, economic and political dimensions of international relief and development.
• Experience in an international organisation.
• Experience and understanding of diversity.
• Charity income generation.
• Experience gained outside the charity sector that complements charity finance and governance.

Personal qualities
Candidates must be able to demonstrate a combination of intellect, personal presence, energy and creativity sufficient to contribute at Board level. The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• Strategic vision and the ability to operate effectively at Board level.
• Good independent judgement and the ability to identify key issues from complex information.
• The ability to think creatively and solve problems effectively.
• A willingness to speak their mind and provide constructive challenge.
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Leadership skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• A calm, engaging and diplomatic approach, with the confidence to support open discussion and effective decision-making.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.

Commitment
Christian Aid values and encourages diversity on its Board and welcomes people from all sections of the Christian community. Board members are expected to be active Christians, helping to lead, direct and develop Christian Aid as the Churches’ agency for international development and poverty eradication.

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• A passion for poverty eradication and social justice.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced in developing countries.
• Commitment to Christian Aid’s values and objectives.
• An understanding of Christian Aid’s role as the Churches’ relief, development, advocacy and campaigning agency for international development and poverty eradication.
• Sympathy with and support for Christian Aid as a Christian organisation, working with churches, ecumenical bodies, local NGOs, organisations of other faiths and movements that share its values and have the competence to contribute to poverty eradication.

If you would like to apply for this brilliant opportunity of Finance Trustee please provide the following:

• An up to date CV with the details of two referees (we will not contact them without your prior permission)
• A supporting statement, which addresses the criteria in the Person Specification, along with your motivations for applying.

Board Advisers

If you are interested in contributing to the governance and mission of Christian Aid but feel that the Finance Trustee role is not the right fit for your experience, we would still be delighted to hear from you.

Alongside this appointment, Christian Aid is also looking to strengthen its pool of Board Advisers. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Investments
• Pensions
• Charity fundraising

If you are motivated by Christian Aid’s mission and believe your skills could make a meaningful contribution, we encourage you to get in touch.

Chair of Trustees – Mary Frances Trust

Location: Surrey/Hybrid

Time commitment: Approx. 1–2 days per month

Remuneration: Voluntary role (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Term: Three-year term, with potential for reappointment for up to two further terms.

We are open to reasonable adjustments and flexible approaches to the role.

About Mary Frances Trust

Mary Frances Trust (MFT) is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity that works alongside people experiencing any kind of emotional or mental health issues, supporting them for as long as needed to restore and maintain their wellbeing. We provide a range of community-based services, co-produced with people with lived experience of mental health issues. We work closely with partners across the health sector (including NHS), local authority and the voluntary sector.

We believe that anyone experiencing mental or emotional health issues should feel confident to ask for help and receive appropriate support for as long as needed, to live a fulfilling life.

Our values are: Inspiring, Inclusive, Agile and Respectful.

We are a charitable company limited by guarantee with a Board of Trustees responsible for our overall governance, strategy and compliance.

Board culture: Our Board is friendly, established and committed, working collaboratively to provide strong governance and support MFT’s mission.

Please note, Mary Frances Trust reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

The Role

We’re seeking a Chair of Trustees to provide leadership to the Board as MFT embarks on its next phase of growth and development. This is an exciting strategic role offering the opportunity to drive meaningful change and shape the future of our organisation. You will work closely with a committed team of Trustees, staff and volunteers to set direction, provide governance and ensure MFT continues to deliver real impact for the Surrey community.

The Chair will:

• Lead the Board and support the organisation to fulfil its charitable purpose.
• Ensure effective working relationships between the Board and staff, volunteers, the Advisory Group, Members and key external stakeholders.
• Act as spokesperson and figurehead for the charity where appropriate.
• Supervise and support the Chief Executive, including an annual performance review.
• Plan and prepare Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the Chief Executive and other staff members as appropriate.
• Chair Board meetings effectively ensuring balanced discussion, clear decisions and actions are assigned and followed through.
• Lead regular reviews of Board effectiveness and support good succession planning for the Chair role.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and fellow Trustees to ensure MFT meets its legal, regulatory and constitutional duties while staying true to its vision and values.

Person Specification

In addition to the skills and experience required of all MFT Trustees, the Chair will bring:

• Strong governance and leadership capability.
• The ability to chair meetings well and enable inclusive, balanced discussion and clear decisions.
• Sound judgement, and the ability to support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive.
• Tact, diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the mental health and wellbeing sector and/or the wider voluntary sector context.
• The time and capacity to commit to around 1–2 days per month.
• Commitment to MFT’s values and to improving mental health and wellbeing in the Surrey community.

Previous experience as a Chair or Vice Chair (in a charity, public, or non-profit setting) is desirable, but we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate strong governance and leadership experience and the ability to step into this role.

Additional experience that would strengthen the Board (desirable):

• HR / people governance experience.
• Capacity to support Board‑level oversight of complaints or appeals (staff or client related) where matters are escalated.
• Experience of Co‑production, lived‑experience‑led work, or collaborative approaches to service design and governance.
• Lived experience of mental health issues and/or caring experience (we value lived experience alongside governance and leadership skills).

Time Commitment

The Chair is expected to commit approximately around 1–2 days per month.

These include:

• Preparing for and chairing approximately six Board meetings a year.
• Attending the Annual General Meeting (in the autumn).
• Regular meetings with the Chief Executive.
• Occasional representation at external meetings and events.

Eligibility

You must be eligible to serve as a Charity Trustee and Company Director under UK law and be willing to complete the necessary eligibility and declaration checks.

All successful candidates will be required to undertake Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks as well as reference checks. These will be a condition of any offer of volunteering post being made.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health issues.

We welcome applications from people under‑represented in charity governance (including disabled people, people from minoritised ethnic communities, and people with lived experience of mental health challenges).
 

Join us as a Trustee and contribute to our campaigning journey to help make the food system healthier and fairer. Be part of the creative, agile and growing team behind Bite Back’s exceptional teenage activists from England and Scotland. Work with a vibrant, dynamic and youth-led organisation that is committed to advancing child rights and creating healthy futures for children across the UK and abroad by improving our global, national, and local food systems.

Trustee Role & Responsibilities

As a Trustee, you will share collective statutory responsibility duties for the governance and strategic direction of Bite Back:

● Strategic Oversight: Ensure Bite Back pursues its charitable objectives by approving and monitoring our long-term strategy and organisational goals

● Compliance & Governance: Ensure that compliance with governing documents, charity law, company law, safeguarding standards, and all relevant statutory regulations in England & Wales, and Scotland.

● Financial Stewardship: Protect and manage the charity’s assets, ensuring financial stability, proper investment, and exclusive application of funds toward our charitable mission.

● Risk & Performance Management: Evaluate performance against agreed strategy, monitor organisational risks, and ensure proper internal controls and policies are in place.

● CEO Support & Governance: Provide support, constructive challenge, and oversight to the Chief Executive Officer.

In addition to statutory duties, Trustees act as critical friends and champions for Bite Back. You will draw on your professional skills, networks, and lived experience to advise the Board and Senior Leadership Team, scrutinise board papers, and support key strategic initiatives.

Person specification

Following a recent governance review and skills audit, we are seeking up to three new Trustees to join our Board during an exciting phase of expansion across the UK. Candidates should bring deep expertise in at least one of the following core priority areas:

1. Scottish Youth Charity & Governance Expertise: Senior leadership experience from across Scotland’s charity sector (ideally, but not necessarily, within the children and young people’s sector), with strong professional networks across Scottish government, civil society, and funders to help guide our growing footprint and programmes as a registered Scottish charity (SC055240). In addition to strong Scottish safeguarding and child protection experience, and Scottish charity governance knowledge.

2. Youth Voice / Education Charity Leadership Expertise: Senior leadership experience within the youth sector (youth voice / development / advocacy) or education sector working with young people, or experience scaling high impact social ventures that improve lives of young people, or movement building, or philanthropic and donor networks to support income generation, organisational growth, and governance trajectory. In addition to strong child safeguarding experience.

3. Political Strategy & Campaign Expertise: Expertise in building high-impact strategic campaigns to influence policy, with strong PR/media/political professional networks to support Bite Back’s young campaigners’ efforts to hold Big Food accountable via fresh, innovative, and digital-forward ways.

Core Qualities Required for All Trustees

● A deep commitment to Bite Back’s mission, values, and youth-led ethos, alongside the strategic vision to help steer a dynamic, growing national movement

● Good, independent judgement and thinking, and the willingness to speak your mind candidly while constructively challenging executive leadership

● A clear understanding and acceptance of the statutory duties, responsibilities, and legal liabilities of trusteeship under charity and company law

● An ability to think creatively, embrace fresh perspectives, and navigate complex policy public health, and campaigning landscapes

● An ability to work effectively as an active member of a team, building strong, supportive relationships with fellow Trustees, Youth Activists, and executive leadership

● An openness to leveraging personal and professional networks to support elevating the voices of Bite Back’s young people and their campaigns.

● A genuine willingness to devote the necessary time, energy, and effort to prepare for board meetings, advise on sub-committees, and champion the organisation externally

● A steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging alongside full alignment with Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership)

Time Commitment & Location

● Board meetings: 4 meetings per year (held virtually or in London, with hybrid access)

● Sub-Committees: Participation in one Board sub-committee where relevant

● Ad-Hoc Support: Occasional strategic guidance, reading time, and attendance at key Bite Back events or youth showcases

Our Organisation & Governance

Bite Back is a registered charity in England & Wales (1180969) and Scotland (SC055240). Bite Back is led by young people - not consulted as an afterthought, but led. Over 70+ core youth activists who sit on our Youth Board directly shape our strategy, campaigns, and communications, supported by thousands of young people engaged across our UK networks.

Our staff team of about 30 people works in partnership with our Youth Board, using their professional networks and expertise to create platforms for young leaders to drive systemic change.

Bite Back is overseen by a dedicated Board of Trustees, led by Chair Dr. Dolly van Tulleken.

The Board is responsible for ensuring the charity fulfills its mission, remains strictly youth-led, and maintains robust financial and operational governance. Our Board currently includes experienced professionals across health, education, finance, campaigns, and youth engagement, alongside Youth Trustees who bring essential lived experience to our governance. Our Board has a Finance Sub-Committee to support specifically with the long-term financial sustainability of the charity.

Everything we do is guided by the core values developed by our Youth Board: Fresh, Resilient, Energetic, Real, and Respectful.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI-B)

As part of our commitment to making meaningful progress towards a movement where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered, Bite Back’s DEIB vision statement has been co-developed by Bite Back’s young people, staff and trustees:

A fair food system means our working culture and values - Real, Respectful, Resilient, Fresh and Energetic - reflects this vision. We support our staf , ambassadors and trustees to live Bite Back’s values in their work.

At Bite Back, DEIB means that our people are able to join and navigate the workplace, trusting they’ll be supported to thrive, and that we’ll respond with compassion and make change when things fall short. We recognise the systems of oppression which keep marginalised groups from power, and seek to proactively build equity. We are intentional about representation. We actively recruit under-represented voices, ensuring our staf team and youth board are representative of a wide variety of lived experiences.

We push to improve outcomes for those kept furthest from power, celebrate differences and ensure accessibility is built in, not added on. Our aspiration and intention is that Bite Back is an organisation that recognises, shares and acts on its power and responsibility to young people, employees, community and wider society, driving equity and inclusion in every space, and in every decision.

You can read more about how we approach DEI-B on our website.

We are intentional about representation and equity:

● Youth-Led Representation: We ensure our core movement including over 70+ Youth Activists and thousands of young campaigners across England and Scotland reflects the rich diversity of young people most impacted by food insecurity and junk food marketing.

● Proactive Inclusion: We actively recruit under-represented voices to our staff team and Board of Trustees, celebrating difference and embedding accessibility into everything we do by design.

● Continuous Improvement: We continually review and embed inclusive practices across our recruitment, organisational culture, campaign priorities, and board governance.

Would you like to play a key role in a charitable foundation committed to tackling social and environmental issues? If so, we are looking for a trustee to join the Samworth Foundation, a grant-making charity, to help us invest our money in organisations working to bring about positive change.

Established in 1973, the Samworth Foundation is a grant-making charity founded and funded by the Samworth family. As a funder, we aim to bring lasting change to issues that impact on people, communities, and the environment, in the UK and internationally.

Our core grant making focuses on two themes:

• Building lives free from modern slavery and exploitation.
• Better agricultural systems that enhance nature and address climate change.

Trustees share responsibility for governing the Foundation and directing how it is managed and run. You will help us effectively distribute our money to organisations working to address social and environmental issues in the UK and overseas.

We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to the Foundation's vision and can contribute effectively to the board's work — whether this would be your first trustee role or you've served as a trustee before.

We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and for this role, we would like to hear from people who have experience of farming, particularly farming that benefits nature and climate. For example, this may be as a farmer or grower, a farm advisor, an agronomist.

Guild Care is seeking to welcome a new Trustee with experience in financial auditing to our Board.

Established in 1933, Guild Care has been supporting local people and their families for over 90 years. Our vision is for all people in need of care to live fulfilling, safe, and secure lives.

Each year, we support more than 3,000 people and their families through our diverse range of community services and three care homes. From tackling social isolation and supporting people living with dementia, to providing vital services for older people and those with learning disabilities, our work helps people feel connected, valued, and accepted for who they are.

A Trustee of Guild Care has a responsibility to ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in the pursuit of the objectives of the charity.

As part of that responsibility a Trustee needs to actively contribute to the work of the Board by helping set the strategic direction and overall policy, monitoring organisational performance, and supporting organisational development.

The Board of Trustees are also responsible for providing challenges and scrutiny of the senior management team in a positive and supportive environment. 

We're looking for Reception volunteers across our offices in South West Surrey: Cranleigh, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere. 

What will you do?

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
• welcome clients and other visitors to the local Citizens Advice
• explain to the client how long they might be waiting and what will happen and give out a form for clients to fill in
• type up information from the client form onto a spreadsheet or database
• answer the telephone, reply to emails and post
• help with the day to day running of the Citizens Advice service

What’s in it for you?
• gain and build on valuable skills and experience such as communication, IT skills and working in a team
• increase your employability
• contribute to the smooth running of the advice service which makes a real difference to peoples’ lives
• work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.

And we’ll reimburse your travel expenses too.

What do you need to have?
You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:
• be friendly and approachable
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• have good IT skills
• be calm under pressure
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principlesand policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• be willing to undertake training in your role

How much time do you need to give?

We ask for a commitment of 1 day a week for 12 months at least.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.
If you are interested in becoming a customer service volunteer / reception volunteer and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.

Contact details
To apply, please email to request a Volunteer Application Form.

Seeking a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer

Are you passionate about helping children develop a love of reading? 

We are looking for a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer with Board level experience to support our small but mighty charity to bring the joy of reading to primary school children across the country.

Location: Online Salary: Voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed

Deadline for applications: 30th September 2026

About Us:

The Children’s Bookshow is a national charity that inspires children with a love of books and reading through an annual programme of inspiring theatre and digital performances and engaging creative workshops. We showcase some of the best authors and illustrators of children’s books from around the world, and celebrate children’s literature in translation. 

We are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation that has been running successfully for 24 years. Each year, we deliver 15 events in venues ranging from iconic theatres such as The Old Vic in London to community spaces and smaller scale theatres such as the New Wolsey in Ipswich, plus a programme of 60 creative workshops in primary schools. We target areas of high socio-economic deprivation, support environmental sustainability, and partner with local authorities, libraries and education providers. Every child who attends our theatre performances receives a free copy of the author’s book to take home and keep. This is integral to our offer - putting excellent books directly into the hands of children.

“Having Frank Cottrell-Boyce in for a free workshop really did make such a difference to our school and to our children. Frank was able to inspire every single child to write, no matter their need or ability, and children who would normally be reluctant to share their ideas in front of the class were confident to do so. Every single one of them went home talking non-stop about the amazing author they had met - with many now inspired to become authors. I can't put into words how grateful we are or how much of an impact those couple of hours have had on both the children and staff.”  Teacher,Winyates Primary, Peterborough

The opportunities:

If you have the expertise and passion to support our work and help us to deliver the impact and change experienced by Winyates Primary, then we would love to hear from you!

Thanks to successful fundraising, The Children’s Bookshow is financially stable for the next two years. Iterative growth and continued financial sustainability are crucial for us to fulfill our aspirations for the future: 

• Give more primary school children the invaluable experience of a live author event at a local theatre.

• Enable children to work creatively with a world class artist in their own classroom.

• Increase book ownership by putting a free book into the hands of every child who attends one of our performances.

We are recruiting a Chair/Co-Chair and a Treasurer to join our Board of highly-skilled, committed and friendly Trustees to guide and support us in achieving these aims.

Chair/Co-Chair:

We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Chair/Co-Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. You will work with our Board to ensure good governance, and act as a supportive, critical friend to our Senior Leadership team. 

What You Will Do

• Lead Board meetings and maintain focus on our core mission.

• Support and guide our CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

• Collaboratively with Trustees, ensure our charity complies with legal duties and Charity Commission regulations.

• Act as an external figurehead to help raise our profile.

We Are Looking For:

• A commitment to the values and mission of our charity.

• Strong strategic leadership, communication, and listening skills.

• A supportive, engaged and positive approach helping to move our charity forward to achieve our shared aims.

Time commitment: around 8-10 days per year.

Treasurer:

We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure high standards of financial governance and decision-making, and to act as a key sounding board for the Co-Directors in the financial planning, management and reporting of our charity. This will include overseeing our annual budget and cashflow and quarterly management accounts, and advising on how best to invest our reserve fund. 

We are looking for: a skilled and experienced  finance professional, ideally with accountancy qualifications, with Board level experience with a UK charity and an interest in our work.

Time commitment: around 5-7 days per year.

Meetings:

There are typically four Board meetings a year lasting around an hour. Three of these meetings take place online and we endeavour to meet in person once a year in central London for a meeting followed by lunch. We welcome Trustees to attend our theatre performances and online events wherever possible to directly experience our work. 

We also have a Finance and Operations Committee that occasionally meets online and reports to the Board, which Trustees are invited to opt into to share their expertise in specific areas such as Finance, Staffing, Fundraising and Development. 

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter (each a maximum of 2 sides of A4) detailing your relevant expertise and experience for the role of Chair/Co-chair or Treasurer, and why you would like to be part of The Children’s Bookshow. We look forward to hearing from you. 

The Children’s Bookshow is committed to creating a collaborative Board of Trustees that is inclusive and representative of our society. We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and from all sections of society to apply. 

Use your skills to shape strategy, support leaders, and improve outcomes for children and young people. 

Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your skills and experience in your community? 

By becoming a school governor, you can help shape the future of education and support better outcomes for learners. 

What will you be doing? 

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and make decisions about a wide range of issues. 

The core responsibilities involved are: 

• Ensuring accountability 

• Acting as a critical friend to the head teacher 

• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress 

• Budgetary allocation and control 

• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation 

• Setting the school’s aims and values 

• Appointing senior members of staff, including the head teacher 

The governing body is usually split into a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting. 

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority, and the local community. 

What are we looking for? 

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs. 

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management is useful to a school. Soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions. 

What difference will you make? 

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9 in 10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand. 

About Boards for Education 

Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers for governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector. 

With more than 25 years’ experience and a national network of partners, we connect schools, academy trusts, colleges, and education charities across England and Wales with skilled, independent volunteers. 

Before you apply 

You will need to complete an application form and have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be carried out.