Membership specialist volunteer roles in Nottingham

About us 

We are the UK’s leading specialist medical society for rheumatology and musculoskeletal professionals. We support our members throughout their careers, allowing them to progress, collaborate and innovate so they can deliver the best care for their patients, improving the lives of children and adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease. 

Our vision, mission and values 

Vision 

People with rheumatic conditions across the lifespan receive the highest quality outcomes and live well. 
 

Mission 

To champion the specialty, influencing change and building a thriving community of best practice. 

 
Values 

The values which guide our approach are: 

• Celebratory – we celebrate the achievements in rheumatology 

• Inclusive – we support everyone in the rheumatology community  

• Sustainable – we work to reduce the impact of our activities on the environment   

• Leading – we use our profile to drive change and support those working in the specialty  

• Collaborative – we always seek to work with others to have a greater impact  

Who might be interested in this opportunity 

To be our new Honorary Treasurer, experience in strategic level finance is needed, but you might not have a finance qualification. This would be an exciting role for someone looking for an opportunity to support an organisation diversify their income streams and build on the strong financial foundations already in place. You don’t need to have previous experience as a Trustee as we’ll provide a full induction and training, and we have experienced Trustees on our Board. 

BSR is a high-performing award-winning organisation about to create our next strategy (2028-2033). We strive for continuous improvement and as a trustee you will be instrumental in helping us define what our impact should be and ensure we achieve our goals. We work alongside the complex and changing environment of the NHS and want to ensure that the rheumatology voice is heard and that the specialty designs and dictates its own future – an approach the Board will own. Our trustees support our drive to be financially sustainable, motivating our work on income generation and overseeing our investments. You will be part of a Board committed to constructive discussion, effective decision-making and respectful of everybody’s contribution.

Purpose of the Treasurer role

The Honorary Treasurer is a trustee of BSR and the Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee (FRC) and the Audit Committee. They are part of the Remuneration, People and Culture Committee. The Treasurer is also a Director on BSR’s trading subsidiary, BSR Enterprises Ltd. 

Members of the Board of Trustees make up the governing body of the society.Trustees are responsible for ensuring BSR remains true to its charitable purpose and objects set out in its governing documents and for meeting BSR’s legal and financial duties as a registered charity. BSR is also a registered company limited by guarantee and therefore all Trustees automatically become company directors registered at Companies House.All trustees share responsibility for monitoring BSR’s finances. 

Main responsibilities of the Treasurer

• To chair the Finance and Risk Committee, ensuring that BSR operates within the financial guidelines set by the Board, the Society’s governing documents, the Charity Commission and current legislation.

• To be part of the Remuneration, People and Culture Committee.

• To chair and document the annual Audit Committee following BSR’s annual financial audit 

• To support the Board of Trustees and SMT in meeting its strategic responsibility for BSR’s financial resources.

• To be actively involved in the financial security and on-going support of the development of the BSR’s financial aims and objectives.

• To present the financial accounts to the membership at the Annual General Meeting

• Support the FRC to carry out their duties to: 
  • ensure the charity keeps proper accounts 
  • review the charity’s financial performance 
  • review policies for finance and investment 
  • ensure that the charity has robust and effective financial controls in place 
  • liaise with the BSR staff team and with the charity’s auditor 
  • identify financial and other risks facing the organisation and recommending appropriate action 

Time commitment

At present, the post requires approximately 2 days per quarter, split over a range of duties, including:

• Preparing for all Board and FRC meetings- reading meeting packs and sending any queries in advance (variable, but approximately 2-3 hours per quarter) 

• Meeting with the COO in advance of each committee meeting to ensure the meetings run smoothly and efficiently (60 minutes each quarter) 

• Attending the Board of Trustees meetings (four times a year- each meeting is 3 hours, either online or in person)

• Chairing the Finance and Risk Committee meetings (four times a year- each meeting is 2 hours, held online)

• Attending the Remuneration, People and Culture Committee meetings (twice a year- each meeting is 1 hour, held online)

• Chairing the Audit Committee (once a year- one hour, held online) 

• Attending BSR Enterprises Ltd meetings (two a year – each meeting is 30 minutes, held online) 

• Attending the Annual General Meeting (once a year, held online)

• Attend an annual Trustees and SMT away day (once a year, in person) 

Trustees may also be asked, from time to time, to:

• Attend events and other meetings on behalf of BSR

• Attend training relevant to their role

• Be available between board meetings for advice and to make decisions via email

• Be available for other ad hoc requirements

Induction, training and support  

• BSR has a finance team who carry all out all day-to-day finance functions and provide quarterly management accounts to the Finance and Risk Committee. The new Treasurer will have support from this team, and from the COO both during their induction period and throughout their term in office. Support is also provided by the CEO and the Chair of Trustees. 

• A comprehensive induction is provided for all new Trustees, including access to external financial training for members of FRC 

• We use a values behaviour framework to support all our volunteers to thrive in their role 

• Specialist financial advice and support is provided by external auditors, investment house fund managers and an investment specialist firm.

• The FRC completes an annual review of their performance as a committee, and undertakes further training as required 

• The opportunity to shadow Board meetings before taking up post 

Term of office

The Treasurer role term is for three years, with the possibility of extension for a further 3 years with approval from the Board.

How to apply 

Please upload a cover letter, setting out how you meet the person specification and why you are interested in the role along with your CV via our website by 5pm on Friday 14 August.

We expect interviews to take place (online) w/c 7 September 2026.

Person specification 

1.  Strategic finance experience  
2.  Ability to consider the implications of corporate risks at a strategic level 
3.  Be able to explain complex financial information in an accessible way 
4.  A commitment to BSR, its charitable objectives and values   
5.  An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship   
6.  A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the Treasurer role   
7.  Ability to think and apply knowledge strategically   
8.  Integrity, sound independent judgment   
9.  Willingness to listen and learn to make effective decisions   

BSR is committed to encouraging inclusion, equality and diversity. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our staff team and volunteer roles. We try to reduce as many barriers as we can for those with a disability, which you can find out more about from our website. We welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including those from minoritised communities, and those with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for patients and families affected by a chronic pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

We're looking for 3 qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists volunteers ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients or lived experience of chronic illness, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our adult service users (aged 18 & over) and help us to continue developing a mental health support service. 

As a Volunteer Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote counselling/therapy support services to adults aged 18 and over many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling/therapy sessions online via Zoom or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our services users.  

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, our volunteer counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling) or integrative counselling, or specialist services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, CFT and EMDR for CRPS patients, or their families & close relatives.

People will be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having patients and carers themselves referring into to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your counselling and therapy skills, organisation, communication and team working skills.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake client assessments following triage by Clinical Lead, followed by counselling / therapy (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 sessions for each client plus a check in and 4 psychometric assessments

• Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to clients aged 18 & over

• Update our database with the client’s information, sessional notes and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these confidentially and securely in acccordahce with GDPR

• Attending and participating in monthly group supervision support of 1.5 hours a month

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in volunteer meetings
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principles

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including a full induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us. We can offer you a supervisor as well as expenses for annual insurance and an external supervisor if required.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member (including student membership) of one of the recognised membership organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum (unfortunately no students at this time), Degree or Masters in Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, EMDR 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 3 clients a week, being three hours of your time for therapy sessions plus time for administration and attending group supervision for 1.5 hours a month. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a minimum commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Knowledge of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations You Must Be A Member of:

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• EMDR Association UK
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• British Psychological Society
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period where referrals are on the rise and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for our clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our CRPS patients & their families who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is rapidly expanding, you would have a key role in developing our counselling and psychotherapy programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in our clients' life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.