80 National and community events manager volunteer roles

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 
• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations
• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  
• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
• championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Closing Date: 9am, Monday, 14th September
Interview Dates: Week commencing Monday, 5th October
New Trustees will be confirmed at our Annual General Meeting on Saturday 24th October 2026

LGBT Foundation is governed by a board of trustees who also serve as directors of the company. Our various arrangements for governance are brought together in one place within our governance manual, which is reviewed on a bi-annual basis, and amended as and when applicable. This helps to ensure we remain responsible, robust and resilient. 

The board of LGBT Foundation is the first and last decision-making mechanism of the charity and trustees also constitute the membership of the charity. The board has several mechanisms in place to consult with key stakeholders, (such as staff, volunteers and service users), to inform our work and decision-making. 

All new trustees are required to undertake an induction programme, including the provision of an extensive induction pack, staff presentations, and peer mentoring as desired. Trustee training needs are assessed, and a programme of internal and external training arranged on an annual basis to meet these needs. 

Trustees are not remunerated, but reasonable expenses to attend meetings can be claimed.

Trustees are ultimately accountable for the organisation and their governance responsibilities include: 

• Setting and maintaining vision, mission, and values 
• Developing strategy together with the CEO 
• Ensuring suitable policies and documents exist 
• Ensuring compliance with the law, the governing document and charitable objects 
• Maintaining proper financial oversight 
• Maintaining effective board performance including board appraisals 
• Promoting the organisation and protecting its reputation 
• Recruiting and supporting the CEO 

Role Accountabilities

Trustees are expected to contribute around 8 hours per month, including: 

• Quarterly Board meetings (usually on a Saturday, occasionally a weeknight evening, in person) 
• Annual AGM (quarterly preceding October’s Board meeting, in person) 
• Service on 2 standing committees (4-6 times per year, remotely, weeknight evenings) 
• Participation in selected events, learning, or campaigns 

Trustees need to allow enough time to prepare for meetings by reading the paperwork, and doing any other preparatory reading, research or thinking to fully engage and contribute to robust discussion and decision-making.

To support the work of our board, we have three committees. These are: 

Fundraising & Marketing Committee – maintains an overview of strategic fundraising, marketing, and communications. 

Finance, Audit, Risk & Governance Committee – maintains a scrutiny and review role to ensure effective financial, people and systems management and ensuring that effective governance structures are in place across the 6organisation. 

People, Performance & Resources Committee – maintains an overview of project, people and programme performance, ensuring that (i) quality is maintained and/or increased; (ii) set targets are achieved; and (iii) ideas for innovation are explored. 

Person Specification

We seek trustees who offer a blend of technical expertise, values-driven motivation, and community alignment. 

Personal Attributes: 

• Commitment to and deep resonance with LGBT Foundation’s mission and values 
• Strong commitment to championing equality, inclusion and human rights 
• Commitment to the values of accountability, probity, openness and equality of opportunity 
• Ability to listen sensitively to the views of others 
• Willingness to challenge and question 
• Ability to work as an effective member of the board, of whose members are equally and jointly responsible for its decisions 
• Clear understanding of the responsibilities of a trustee and sufficient time/commitment to fulfil the role 

While the trustees are not the day-to-day executive team for LGBT Foundation, similar professional skills and experiences are required, such as finance, HR, communications, fundraising, representation and networking across the private, voluntary and public sectors. 

To complement the existing skills and experience of the Board, we are particularly looking for applicants with experience in: 

• Fundraising
• Changemaking, marketing, and communications
• Financial management, audit, risk and procurement
• Legal and regulatory expertise (charity, employment, governance)
• AI and technology

LGBT Foundation actively seeks to maintain a diverse board representative of the communities we serve. We are taking positive action to encourage applications from people of colour (PoC) and other racially minoritised communities, trans*, non-binary, younger (aged 30 and under) and/or older people (aged 50+), disabled people, and people with experience of navigating asylum or refugee systems, to improve the representation of colleagues from these communities on our board. 

*Trans is an umbrella & inclusive term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from that which they were assigned at birth; including non-binary people, cross-dressers, and those who partially or incompletely identify with their sex assigned at birth. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROLE PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE RECRUITMENT PACK

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.

TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENT

Help Shape the Future Health and Wellbeing of Luton

Active Luton is looking for new Trustees to help guide our charity as we continue to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Luton.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience in Law or Human Resources, although we welcome applications from anyone who shares our values and can bring strategic thinking, sound judgement and a commitment to good governance.

As one of Bedfordshire's leading community wellbeing charities, Active Luton manages leisure centres and libraries, delivers public health programmes, and works with partners across the town to tackle health inequalities and help people live healthier, happier lives.

As a Trustee, you will help shape our future, support our Executive Team and ensure we continue to make a lasting difference to our community.

The role includes:

• Four Board meetings each year
• Membership of a Board Committee
• An initial three-year term
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing development
• Voluntary position

If you are an experienced professional who wants to use your skills to create lasting social impact, we would love to hear from you.

Join us in creating healthier people, stronger communities and a brighter future for Luton.

Choice International is a UK based not-for-profit international development organisation that seeks to address inequality issues both overseas and within the UK. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion via researching, developing and implementing development projects for disabled people and other disadvantaged communities in the UK and overseas.

In view of upcoming development projects, we are seeking applications for a Project Development & Marketing Volunteer to work from our office in East London. There is opportunity for working from home after the first month.

This is an exciting position that offers plenty of scope to make a real difference in support of equality and diversity. We are currently delivering disability sports projects and events in India and in London.

The role is to assist the organisation with the development of national and international programmes for disability and equality rights and other related projects through research, administration and writing proposals, emails and reports.

The main responsibilities will be:

• To research potential partnerships and assist in the development of project proposals
• To research funding opportunities and assist in the development of grant proposals
• To assist in the organisation and management of Choice International activities and events
• To represent Choice International at conferences, exhibitions and seminars, as necessary
• To support other administrative tasks, as necessary.

Applicants should have a positive, can-do attitude, be reliable and trustworthy. If you are passionate about equality diversity and international development and keen to gain valuable, hands-on experience, then we would like to hear from you.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position. However, depending on funding available we may be able to contribute to the cost of travel from your home to the office.

Please note due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all applicants hence only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

We are seeking an experienced and passionate HR and people professional to join our Board and help shape an inclusive and supportive organisation. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise in HR, people strategy, organisational development or workforce wellbeing, who share our commitment to creating a positive environment where staff and volunteers can thrive.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we continue to implement our 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

The HR Trustee will contribute to all aspects of the charity’s governance while providing essential HR expertise to support and enhance our work. We are seeking an experienced people professional to help make a meaningful impact at CLAPA, in line with its strategic priorities.

About CLAPA

The Cleft Lip and Palate Action (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone.

You will be helping your local community understand what a Read Easy group does; how local people can get the reading support they need; and how volunteers can help. There are two distinct forms of publicity, one requiring raising awareness by giving talks, putting up posters and talking to people generally about Read Easy. The second is using social media effectively to raise awareness and publicise your group. This role is commonly supported by other members of 
the team, with specific skills to offer.

How we will support you 
You will be provided with the Management Team Handbook, policies, training/induction and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, via your Team Leader. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK’s regional and national forums which gives volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other 
groups. 

The skills you will need
● Knowledge and previous experience of publicity/marketing are an advantage.
● Good communication and people skills.
● Knowledge and ability to use social media effectively is useful for the role. 
● The confidence to promote the work of Read Easy and a strong commitment to improving the lives of people who struggle with reading. 
● Reasonable confidence in using IT.
● The ability to use initiative and work independently.
● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.
● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of two hours a week to commit to the role.

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

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

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

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

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in business development, corporate partnerships, account management, sales, CSR, philanthropy, or fundraising to use their skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees.
You will play a key role in helping Plateful Café develop relationships with local and national businesses, generating support through corporate donations, sponsorship, employee volunteering, catering contracts, and long-term strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities
Corporate Engagement

• Identify and research prospective corporate partners aligned with Plateful Café's mission.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential supporters and business contacts.
• Introduce Plateful Café to local businesses, corporate foundations, and employers.
• Arrange introductory meetings and networking opportunities.
• Support the development of corporate partnership proposals and presentations.

Income Generation

• Help secure financial donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
• Identify opportunities for corporate grant funding and charitable giving programmes.
• Promote employee fundraising opportunities and workplace giving schemes.
• Explore sponsorship opportunities for training programmes, events, and community activities.

Catering and Enterprise Development

• Promote Plateful Café's corporate catering services to local businesses.
• Identify opportunities for meetings, events, lunches, conferences, and hospitality catering.
• Support the development of long-term catering relationships and repeat customers.
• Help position Plateful Café as a preferred socially responsible catering supplier.

Employee Volunteering and Skills Sharing

• Develop opportunities for corporate volunteering.
• Encourage businesses to provide mentoring, employability support, and workplace visits for our trainees.
• Build relationships that create pathways into employment for refugees completing our training programmes.

Strategic Support

• Provide advice on corporate engagement and relationship management.
• Help strengthen our corporate partnership strategy.
• Support impact reporting and stewardship of existing partners where required.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has
Essential

• Experience working in a corporate environment, business development, account management, sales, marketing, CSR, partnerships, fundraising, or a related field.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and supporting refugees.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG, or social value initiatives.
• Experience securing sponsorships, partnerships, or fundraising income.
• Existing business networks in London.
• Experience developing corporate volunteering programmes.

What You Will Gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Experience supporting a growing and ambitious social enterprise charity.
• The chance to shape and influence our corporate partnerships strategy.
• Opportunities to meet business leaders, charity professionals, and community partners.
• A reference and recognition for your contribution.
• The satisfaction of helping create employment opportunities and brighter futures for people rebuilding their lives in the UK.

Our Values
At Plateful Café, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive. We celebrate diversity, value lived experience, and use food to bring communities together.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals with experience of migration, displacement, or supporting diverse communities.

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. 

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.

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

The Goal: Help us share our story with the world. You’ll be a creative voice for the Trust, helping our message reach and inspire action.

We’d love help with:

• Digital Content: Creating engaging posts for social media, newsletters, or our website.

• Designing Materials: Helping us make flyers, posters, or digital graphics that look great.

• Campaigning: Assisting with the launch of new campaigns to celebrate our impact.

What you bring:

• A creative eye and a knack for writing content that people want to read.

• Familiarity with social media or design tools (like Canva or Mailchimp).

• A passion for sharing the history and stories of the British Bengali community.

Help our registered charity with retreats or community events!

We are a registered charity, housed in a beautiful English medieval manor with an ancient courtyard and a magnificent timbered Great Hall, dating from the 13th century. It is situated in extensive grounds where deer roam freely and where squirrels run up and down trees.

We are recruiting volunteers to join and to help us run activities. In exchange of your work, we offer free board, including 3 meals a day. We hold retreats, workshops, and run a weekly community cafe intended to create an exchange between the Abbey charity and the local community. 
As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for our guests and visitors and you will greatly benefit from the interactions with our retreat visitors who come from all ways of life. 

You will have your own unique room in this ancient building BUT DEPENDING ON THE ACTIVITIES (usually during a retreat) YOU CAN BE ASKED TO SHARE A ROOM WITH ANOTHER VOLUNTEER — always around the same age and gender, and usually for no more than 3 or 4 nights. The rooms are not en-suite but there are showers and toilets nearby. The food provided is vegetarian.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR STAY IS SUBJECT TO A ONE WEEK TRIAL. It is something to keep in mind before applying. This rule applies to us as well as to you: the first week is an opportunity for both sides to make sure that the arrangement is a good fit.

For UK nationals or people with the settled status, you can stay at the Abbey for up to 3 months. 

We expect volunteers to help 25 hours per week. You must be able to help flexibly, both independently and as part of a group, and without us having to chase you. Please note that we are expecting from our volunteers to help with whatever is needed rather than what they want to do. We expect volunteers to be responsible, proactive, mature and respectful. 

Most of the help is very straight forward and does not require special skills: we mainly need help to keep the place clean and tidy and to welcome guests and visitors. We are particularly interested in volunteers with housekeeping and hospitality experience, customer service skills, or volunteers able to help for different tasks as gardening, cooking, cleaning, DIY and so on. If you have a prior interest in mindfulness and/or meditation, we would be very interested if you would like to share your practice.

Your days off may not be the same from one week to another and you don't necessarily have consecutive days off. You will always work on Saturdays as we are running our weekly cafe and you may also sometimes work on Sundays depending on our activities, but you will have time off each week. The Abbey Manager and the Housekeeping & Volunteers Coordinator are  very cautious about providing the best balance possible between your work and your free time. Each Monday, you will have your weekly schedule.

After induction and training we like to get our volunteers straight into action. After training you would typically be expected to:
- Assist with cleaning, ironing and preparing the Abbey for our guests
- Give a hand in the kitchen and serve food to our guests and clients
- Welcome guests and visitors.

Please note that you will be sharing a house with a small group of people (usually between 5 and 6), mainly international volunteers, and we expect you to be part of the Abbey life (e.g. you don't take your meals on your own in your room). You will be living, eating and working among other people with different temperaments, cultures and personalities. The Abbey is not the place for you if you don’t enjoy socializing and if you don't wish to be part of a group. Of course, you will have plenty of time for quiet and solitude each day and there will be time for your own work, besides the Abbey tasks, if you are a digital nomad. And on your days off, you do your own things and live your life :)

Our house is a quiet and peaceful place, well suited for rest, reflection and respectful communication. It isn't a place for late night parties, illegal drugs and a city lifestyle — but if you like being surrounded by nature and meeting new people from different cultures as well as living and working together in a friendly and beautiful environment, then this is the place to be. You will have a lot of freedom, autonomy and time for yourself as long as the work is done and the house rules are respected.

Transport for All is looking to appoint up to six new Trustees, including a Treasurer, to help guide our work.

We are the UK’s leading Disabled People’s Organisation working on travel and accessible transport. We are led by and for disabled people, and have a proud history of influencing policy and advocating for change so disabled people have the freedom to make the journeys we want.

As a Trustee, your professional skills and expertise will influence our governance and support our team to reach our goal of transport justice for all.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, and are looking for people who can bring skills and experience in areas including finance, law, HR, communications, transport, government and consultancy.

Please download our trustee recruitment pack for information on the role and how to apply.

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).