New advisory board members volunteer roles

Location: Exeter (hybrid options available)
Hours: Flexible
Term: Three-year periods
Type: Voluntary

Help shape the future of specialist education for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.
At InFocus, we believe everyone deserves to live life to the full, with choice, control, and meaningful opportunities. We support young people who face significant barriers due to vision impairment combined with additional disabilities, helping each individual follow their own pathway towards independence and fulfilment.

We’re now looking for a Volunteer Trustee with strong experience in special education to help guide and strengthen our specialist FE College.

What the role involves

In addition to the standard responsibilities of a trustee, you will:

• Focus on the delivery and development of post-16 education for learners with vision impairment and complex needs

• Scrutinise the quality of teaching and learning

• Provide constructive challenge and professional insight as part of our Education Advisory Committee

• Work closely with our College Principal to champion high-quality, person-centred education

This opportunity would suit someone with experience as:

• A senior leader within a SEND provision

• A headteacher or principal

• A SEND improvement partner

• An Ofsted inspector

Our Board meets seven times a year, with optional invitations to events and celebrations. Trustees are encouraged to attend in person, though online attendance is possible where needed. Travel expenses are covered, and overnight accommodation can be arranged for trustees living outside Devon.

Short on time? Advisory Member roles available

If you’d like to share your expertise without taking on full trustee responsibilities, consider joining us as an Advisory Member. Advisory Members sit on committees and offer specialist knowledge without the full governance role. 

Shape the Foundation: Join our Founding Steering Committee & Board

Success is built on a solid foundation. Help us lay the first stones.

At Unlock YOUR Potential, we are driven by a singular goal: ensuring that every adult in East London has the support they need to move from NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) into a fulfilling career. We have the vision and the community energy—now, we need the strategic minds to govern our growth.

We are seeking 3–5 Founding Steering Committee Members (Interim Trustees), including a dedicated Treasurer, to provide the oversight and expertise required to transition us into a fully registered charity.

The Mission: Strategic Guardianship

As a member of our Steering Committee, you won’t just be "attending meetings." You will be the architects of our legal and financial framework, ensuring we are robust, compliant, and ready to scale.

We are looking for specific expertise in the following areas:

• Financial Leadership (Treasurer): We need a volunteer with a background in accounting or finance to oversee our budget, manage initial seed funding, and establish the financial transparency required for charity registration.

• Legal & Governance: An individual to guide us through the Charity Commission application, help draft our constitution, and ensure our policies (from Safeguarding to GDPR) are airtight.

• Lived Experience Advocate: Someone who has personally navigated the barriers to employment or education. Your voice is vital to ensuring our programmes remain authentic and effective for the people we serve.

• Strategic Growth: A generalist with experience in scaling small organisations or social enterprises who can help us map out our 3-year impact plan.

Your Impact

This is a high-level advisory role that directly enables our frontline work. By volunteering your professional skills, you are:

1. Securing our Status: Directly assisting in the successful application for UK Charity Status.

2. Mitigating Risk: Ensuring that as we grow, we do so safely, ethically, and sustainably.

3. Empowering the Team: Providing a "safety net" and soundboard for our Founder and Head of Programmes.

Is This You?

• You are a professional looking to use your "board-level" skills for social good.

• You have a deep commitment to social mobility and the East London community.

• You can commit to a monthly meeting (virtual or in East London) plus 2-4 hours of remote advisory work.

• You enjoy the "early-stage" challenge of building a brand-new organisation.

Why Join the Steering Committee?

• Founding Influence: Have a direct say in the values, ethics, and direction of a new charity.

• Governance Experience: Perfect for those looking to transition into non-executive director or formal Trustee roles.

• Community Connection: Work alongside like-minded professionals and community leaders dedicated to East London’s future.

Ready to Lead?

If you have the professional expertise to help us build a lasting legacy, we would love to chat. Please send a CV and a short note indicating which area of expertise (Legal, Finance, or Lived Experience) you would like to contribute.

Unlock YOUR Potential:

Governing with Purpose, Leading with Heart.

Equal Aqua is seeking a Trustee with significant fundraising expertise to provide strategic leadership and hands-on support to drive substantial income growth as the organisation scales towards a seven-figure annual income. The role involves actively leveraging networks to open doors to major donors, corporate partners and grant-makers, initiating high-value funding conversations and developing new income streams. The Trustee will help shape and oversee the organisation’s long-term fundraising strategy, support the cultivation and conversion of major funding opportunities, mentor the fundraising team and strengthen proposals and donor engagement. Acting as an ambassador for the organisation, they will also help raise Equal Aqua’s profile within influential networks while ensuring strong governance, accountability and performance through the Board and Fundraising Committee. The ideal candidate will bring senior-level fundraising experience, strong sector knowledge in areas such as WASH, climate or international development, and a network capable of unlocking significant new funding opportunities.

Equal Aqua is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in the UK; Equal Aqua Uganda is a registered Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Uganda (‘EAU’ refers to both). Both operate equally and in unison. The purpose of EAU is to enable communities in Uganda to have access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. EAU supports schools and communities facing the greatest WASH inequalities by providing water tanks and filters, running classes and workshops, and empowering young people to be WASH change makers in their community. The current Board of Trustees, consisting of 5 members based in UK and Uganda, provides guidance to the volunteer EAU management team as well as supporting the implementing volunteers based in UK, Uganda and other countries.

The objectives of EAU are, in Uganda, to:

1. To improve access to safe and sustainable WASH for those facing the greatest inequalities in Uganda

2. To strengthen the participation of local communities in WASH, in particular women and girls, and displaced peoples

3. To take action to protect the natural environment, reduce pollution and tackle climate change

The role of trustees is:

1. Sculpt and maintain EAU’s vision, mission, objectives and values.

2. Act as ‘critical friends’ in the development of EAU’s policy, programming and planning.

3. Actively champion EAU externally, opening doors to people and organisations that can support our cause, fostering awareness and engagement in the UK, Uganda and internationally.

4. Support in particular with income generation activities, advising and supporting delivery of major campaigns and helping to build EAU’s donor and partner base.

5. Establish and maintain systems for reporting and monitoring.

6. Ensure that the financial affairs of the organisation are conducted properly and are accurately reported.

7. Manage risk and ensure compliance and accountability with the governing document (EAU Constitution), external regulators and the law (UK and Uganda).

8. Safeguard EAU’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation.

Ensure EAU has the appropriate structure and resources to deliver the above.

Trustee Responsibilities:

1. To attend and contribute to EAU Board of Trustee meetings, held at least on a quarterly basis. To work with EAU management to set an agenda in advance of this meeting.

2. Currently, Trustees will hold the position for a maximum of 3 years. This length of trusteeship will be reviewed with the aim of staggering Trustee terms to ensure a smooth transition between board members.

3. To support the recruitment of additional trustees, from diverse backgrounds and providing a range of expertise.

4. To offer personal expertise and skills in select areas for the benefit of EAU. This may include legal, management, practical, fundraising, marketing or other relevant areas.

5. To offer advice and feedback on EAU’s main fundraising programmes, e.g. events and grant applications.

Additional Responsibilities of Trustee with fundraising expertise

To provide strategic leadership and hands-on support to drive significant and sustainable income growth for Equal Aqua, with the ambition of building towards a seven-figure annual income.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Fundraising Leadership
   Provide Board-level oversight and strategic direction for the development and execution of an ambitious, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with EAU’s growth plans, ensuring clear pathways to seven-figure annual income.
2. Active Income Generation & Network Mobilisation
   Proactively generate income by leveraging personal and professional networks to:
   • Open doors to high-value donors, grant-makers, corporates and philanthropic partners
   • Introduce EAU to influential individuals and decision-makers
   • Initiate and nurture strategic funding conversations
   • Identify and pursue new income streams and partnership opportunities

This role requires active relationship-building and direct contribution to income growth, not solely advisory input.

1. Pipeline Development & High-Value Fundraising
   Support the identification, cultivation and conversion of major funding opportunities, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships and major donors. Where appropriate, personally lead or co-lead high-value approaches.
2. Committee Leadership & Support
   Provide experienced guidance to the Fundraising Committee and fundraising volunteers, strengthening capability, confidence and performance across the team.
3. Hands-On Mentorship & Quality Assurance
   Offer practical, hands-on support to fundraising volunteers, including:
   • Reviewing and strengthening proposals and pitch materials
   • Advising on donor strategy and positioning
   • Supporting preparation for high-stakes meetings and presentations
4. Visibility & Advocacy
   Act as an ambassador for EAU, raising the organisation’s profile in relevant networks, events and forums, and positioning EAU as a credible, high-impact partner.
5. Governance & Accountability
   Attend quarterly Fundraising Committee meetings (one of EAU’s management committees) and relevant Board meetings, ensuring clear income targets, performance monitoring and accountability for results.

Desired Background and expertise of Trustee with Fundraising expertise.

 Senior Fundraising Experience

• A substantial track record (ideally 5+ years) in charity fundraising, with experience operating at a strategic level. This should include demonstrable success in securing significant income from one or more of the following: trusts and foundations, major donors, corporate partnerships, institutional funders or high-net-worth individuals. Experience supporting organisations through periods of income growth or scale-up is highly desirable. International development experience is strongly preferred.

• Sector-Relevant Knowledge
  Strong understanding of fundraising dynamics and donor priorities within one or more of Equal Aqua’s core thematic areas, including:
  • WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)
  • Climate and environmental sustainability
  • Menstrual health and gender equality
  • Rural enterprise and livelihoods
  • International development

Familiarity with the funding landscape in these sectors – including trends, key funders and partnership models – would be a significant advantage.

• Network & Influence
  An established professional network that can be activated in support of Equal Aqua’s growth ambitions, with the credibility and confidence to engage senior decision-makers and prospective funders.

• Strategic & Commercial Acumen
  The ability to think entrepreneurially about income generation, identify new revenue opportunities, and contribute to building a diversified and resilient funding portfolio.

Join the RCGP Scottish Patient Forum

The Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland is recruiting new members to the RCGP Scottish Patient Forum.

From feeding into policy consultations, to assisting with the development of College communications and campaigns, members of the RCGP Scottish Patient Forum play a key role in helping to shape the work of the College in Scotland.

This is a voluntary role for a term of up to three years. 

You do not need experience of being on a committee or advisory group.

What You’ll Do

· Take part in up to three online Forum meetings per year, offering your insights and lived experience.

· Provide feedback on RCGP Scotland policy papers, consultation responses and strategic documents.

· Act as a sounding board for press and communications activity to help ensure the patient perspective is reflected.

· Represent the Forum at relevant conferences, workshops, seminars or clinical groups (subject to your availability).

· Contribute to wider College activities where capacity and interest allow.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals who:

· Understand or are interested in current health and social care issues in Scotland.

· Have an interest in the work and aims of RCGP Scotland.

· Can work collaboratively, respect diverse perspectives and contribute constructively to group discussions.

Interested?

If you want to help shape the future of general practice in Scotland and ensure the patient voice is heard at national level, we would love to hear from you.

RCGP Scotland

The Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland (RCGP Scotland) is the professional membership organisation for general practitioners in Scotland. We represent approximately 5,000 members in Scotland and our purpose is to encourage, foster and maintain the highest possible standards in general medical practice.

Join the Board of the Early Education and Childcare Coalition 

Are you interested in creating an early education and childcare system that delivers for all? Can you help the Early Education and Childcare Coalition move to the next phase of its development? 

We are seeking new non-executive board members to help shape our strategic direction, ensure robust governance, and contribute to the Coalition's collective expertise.
 

About us 

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition is a policy and advocacy partnership working to transform the system for families. We unite the voices of all those with a stake in the future of early education and childcare – children, parents, providers, the early years workforce and the business community. Founded by more than 30 organisations, our members are parent campaign groups, child advocacy organisations, early childhood experts, antipoverty campaigners, provider membership bodies, trade unions and business lobbying groups. 

Our vision is of a high-quality, inclusive system of early education and childcare that is accessible to all children, affordable for parents, fairly funded for providers, and offers decent pay and conditions for the workforce. Our mission is to rescue and reform the system by combining urgent policy measures to stabilise the sector with long-term transformation. 

About us

The Coalition was co-designed throughout 2022 by more than 30 organisations and launched publicly in 2023. Since then, we have gone from strength to strength, concluding a successful hosting relationship and becoming an independent organisation in the summer of 2025, with a team of eight staff influencing policymaking and connecting families, providers and decision-makers through advocacy, co-production and convening. 

Please note that the Coalition is in the process of registering as a charity; therefore, it is expected that board members will transition to become trustees within the next year.

About you

We are looking to grow our new board and strengthen our succession planning. Therefore, board membership could include taking on senior roles within the Board following a familiarisation period and supported development.

We would therefore welcome applications from those who have held board officer roles in the past, including experienced Chairs. We are also particularly interested in applications from people who have experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Fundraising 

• Policy analysis and research 

• Campaigning/influencing 

• Legal and compliance 

• HR 

• Experience of working on issues related to children and families 

• Experience of working in other coalitions/alliances or movement building 

In order to maintain balance and equity across our membership and manage conflicts of interest, applicants should not have a current direct link to the Coalition. For example, we cannot accept applications from individuals who are currently working for a member or supporter organisation.

About the role

Board members will work closely with the Coalition’s Executive Director, staff team and Advisory Group to ensure the success of the organisation to meet its aim to transform early education and childcare in England. 

Board members are legally responsible for running the company, making sure information is sent to Companies House on time, setting the strategic direction of the organisation, monitoring progress, ensuring good governance and supporting the staff team in their work. 

Board members must follow the rules set out in the company’s Articles of Association, agree to act in the best interests of the organisation and raise any conflicts of interests throughout their term. 

Responsibilities: 

• Provide financial oversight of the organisation including overseeing budgeting, monitoring performance, signing off accounts, financial reporting and fundraising. (The Board Treasurer will lead on financial management and assessing financial risk, but financial oversight is a duty of all board members). 

• Work with other board members to continue growing the Board, identifying skill gaps, organisational needs and participating in the recruitment and onboarding of new board members. 

• Work with other board members to implement the strategic plan, contributing ideas and proposals. 

• Monitor progress on strategy through Board and other meetings. 

• Provide support to the Executive Director on operational matters, including but not limited to HR, legal compliance, communications and membership matters and where appropriate, policy developments. 

• Attend Board meetings, or when unable to attend, communicate ideas and comments to the Coalition’s Executive Director/Board Chair in advance of the meeting. 

• Work with other board members to identify and manage potential risks and opportunities to the company’s operations, finances and reputation. 

• Proactively promote the work of the Coalition through personal and professional networks. 

In addition, Board members may be invited to:  

• Represent the Coalition at appropriate meetings and events. 

• Participate in the work of the Coalition as appropriate (e.g. working groups, projects or recruitment panels). 

Further information 

• Board members are appointed for a term of three years, and they may be reappointed for a further three-year period. 

• All directors will be members (guarantors) of the company and all members (guarantors) will be directors, with a personal liability of £1 and listed on documents filed at Companies House. 

• Board members must be at least 18 years old, a UK resident and not disqualified from acting as a company director. 

• Find out more about the general duties of a company director here. 

Time commitment 

Board members will be required to attend up to five board meetings per year for approximately two hours each (with up to 4 hours preparation time). These are usually held on Zoom, with one away day in London expected per year with the staff team. Any travel and other related and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. 

Papers will be shared ahead of time and reading and preparation is expected ahead of each meeting.

Board members may also be asked between meetings to act as signatories, give time to contribute to reports, applications and accounts, and provide advice and guidance to the Executive Director and wider staff team on specific topics and/ or issues. 

The predicted time commitment for the Board members is estimated at 2-4 hours per month depending on Board role with one away day.

Remuneration 

This is a voluntary, unpaid role with reasonable expenses for in-person meetings paid in advance or reimbursed. 

The Coalition’s vision, mission and values: 

Our vision is to build a world-class early education and childcare system that supports children, parents and our economy to thrive, rooted in the following principles:

• High quality provision for all children, especially those who benefit the most

• Sustainable provision that works for all kinds of working parents and their employers

• Good pay, terms and conditions for the professionals who deliver it

• Accessible and affordable options for all parents, in all communities

• Locally shaped options that respond to local circumstances 

Our mission is to drive reform through coordinated advocacy among all stakeholders. Our mission recognises that transforming early education and childcare requires both immediate action and long-term reform. Our experience since launch has taught us valuable lessons about managing urgent needs while building toward systemic change. 

Our shared values are: 

• Fairness: as much as we believe in an equitable and fair early education and childcare system, we hold the same to be true in how we work as a Coalition. We do this by ensuring members' interests are represented equally through our internal systems and governance, and by committing to embodying co-production principles in our work.

• Integrity: we act in the best interests of the Coalition, its members and beneficiaries avoiding alliances or projects which may bring the EECC or its members into disrepute. When faced with difficult decisions, we prioritise the interests of the most disadvantaged child. Integrity is critical to an enduring sense of goodwill and thus the future sustainability and efficacy of the Coalition.

• Respect: the diversity of our membership is a strength, but we recognise that diversity can lead to different perspectives. Respect for that difference is essential in finding consensus that can be built on to secure change. We do not knowingly undermine each other or other stakeholders publicly or privately.

• Collaboration: transforming the early education system is a complex task that no single organisation can do alone. We believe that progress lies in partnership and that the best route to reform is through broad-based, powerful alliances with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We don’t believe in collaboration for its own sake. We think partnerships must be smart, strategic, and creative in order to be effective, but as far as possible, they must also be broad-based. 

Application and interview process

• Please apply with CV and statement of suitability/cover letter by 6pm on Friday 24th April.
• We will aim to respond to all applicants by Friday 1st May.
• Interviews will take place on 13th May and 22nd May. 

St Basils is looking for a new Non-Exec Director / Trustee to join our Board as the Designated Safeguarding Board Member.

About Us

St Basils works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities and ultimately prevent homelessness.

We help just over 4,000 young people each year across the West Midlands, with services in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Our services range from providing supported accommodation to outreach, advice, support, employability and engagement services to help young people regain the stability they need to rebuild their lives, gain skills, confidence and employment and move on. The aim is to help them successfully break the ‘cycle of homelessness’ so that they can go on to experience a bright, fulfilling future and never return to a state where they are at risk of homelessness again.

About our Board

We are a registered provider of social housing, a charity and a company limited by guarantee, meaning our Board members are both Directors and Trustees.

To navigate our challenging regulatory landscape, we need to be tightly governed. At the heart of this is a Board with the right knowledge, values, skills and diversity, all whilst working towards our vision that homelessness should not be part of growing up.

As a member of St Basils’ Board, you will be a guardian of St Basils’ charitable purpose. You will be responsible for holding the Senior Leadership Team to account through constructive challenge and support, and for ensuring St Basils’ strategic priorities are met.

You will form part of St Basils’ governance framework, providing oversight of key business areas, such as business planning, safeguarding, risk, finance, health and safety, EDI and business development. 

Our Board is made up of 14 members, 2 of which are designated for young people who have lived experience of homelessness and / or St Basils’ services.

St Basils has adopted the RACE Equality Code and is actively seeking applications for Board members from Black communities to ensure our Board is reflective of both the young people that we serve and our dedicated workforce.

About the Role

We are looking for a voluntary Director / Trustee with a professional background in safeguarding to join our Board as the Designated Safeguarding Board Member. Our new Board member will need to have a strong understanding of safeguarding, ideally with experience in supporting vulnerable young people.

As the Designated Safeguarding Board Member, you will:

• Work with St Basils’ Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to regularly review safeguarding reports, trends and serious incidents
• Act as a safeguarding champion at Board level, supporting other Directors / Trustees to develop their understanding and confidence in safeguarding
• Provide oversight of allegations or safeguarding concerns relating to staff, volunteers or Board Members
• Attend regular meetings and engage with services, staff and young people to maintain visibility of safeguarding in practice
• Support the Chair, CEO and DSL in ensuring appropriate governance oversight of serious safeguarding incidents, including reputational considerations
• Ensure the Board receives appropriate assurance on safeguarding risks and how they are managed

Our new Director / Trustee will sit on our Service Delivery & Development Committee which oversees both the housing elements of our services as well as the support / progression we provide to our young people. This committee meets virtually, one a quarter.

Although the role is voluntary, reasonable expenses will be paid for costs incurred in undertaking the role.

About You

You will be a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or have significant experience in a senior safeguarding role.

You will demonstrate sound judgement and be able to challenge confidently and constructively, although you do not need to have Board experience.

You will work within the principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and understand the needs of the diverse young people we serve.

You will put the needs of young people first, be passionate about ending youth homelessness and share our mission, vision and principles.

Time Commitment

You will need to be able to attend the majority of Board and Committee meetings, one of each is held each quarter (8 meetings total per year). Each meeting will last around 2 hours and will normally be held late afternoon/early evening (usually 4pm – 6pm). Board meetings are held in person at St Basils’ Head Office in Birmingham, and Committee meetings are held virtually via Microsoft Teams. The dates for meetings are set by calendar year, towards the end of the previous year.

Meeting papers will be shared via an online portal one week in advance of the meeting to allow for sufficient preparation time.

A Board away day is held each year, usually October, and every other year this includes an overnight stay. This will be fully paid for by St Basils.

We encourage Board members to visit our accommodation services to deepen understanding of our work and support effective governance and decision-making. We would like all Board members to make 2 visits a year if possible.

All travel expenses incurred in attending Board meetings / conducting site visits will be reimbursed by St Basils.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a series of essential online training courses (for example GDPR, Cyber Security, EDI, Safeguarding, Risk Management) and the opportunity to do additional online or in-person training, such as Psychologically Informed Environment training. As part of our commitment to race equality, we provide mandatory Anti-Racism training for all staff and Board members.

You will be part of a knowledgeable and supportive Board and have the opportunity to work alongside young people with lived experience.

You will have the guidance of a knowledgeable Chair to support your development as a Director / Trustee, and you will have access to St Basils’ Senior Leadership Team to help you fulfil your role.

St Basils is a learning organisation and therefore we are able to support and develop Board members who are new to the role. In addition, St Basils has membership with the Board Development Agency, which provides our Board Members with access to webinars and development tools specific to housing sector Boards.

Being a Director / Trustee at St Basils is more than just attending meetings – if you would like to contribute to an organisation that has young people at its core, where you can visibly see the difference you are making, then this is the role for you.

For further information please see the link to the full job pack.

We welcome early applications and will interview on a rolling basis.

Letter from our Chair - Lucy Thomas

We are seeking a passionate and strategic individual to join our Board of Trustees, someone who brings strong commercial insight, business acumen, and ideally experience in fundraising and income generation.  This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a respected national charity that continues to grow its reach and impact.

As a Trustee, you will also sit on our Commercial Advisory Group (CAG) a dynamic sub-group that advises on the Trust's commercial strategy, innovation, and sustainability.  You'll help us strengthen our commercial performance, explore new opportunities for growth and diversification, and ensure we remain on strong financial footing to deliver our vital mission.

We welcome applicants from all sectors and backgrounds.  Experience in marketing, partnerships, or charity leadership would be an advantage, but what matters most is your ability to bring fresh thinking, sound judgement, and a commitment to using your commercial experience for social good.

Background

Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded by Diana and Paul Lamplugh following the disappearance of their daughter Suzy, a young estate agent, in 1986. Since then, the Trust has pioneered personal safety as a life skill and a public policy priority.

Our vision is to eliminate abuse, aggression and violence, creating a society where people are safer and feel safer.

Our mission is to reduce the risk and prevalence of abuse, aggression and violence with a specific focus on stalking and harassment through education, campaigning, and support.

What we do

• Campaigning - working in partnership with other charities, private and statutory organisations; raising awareness; influencing policy makers
• Education - advice; training; guidance; workplace support; free resources, information; consultancy
• Support - National stalking helpline and advocacy service; supporting people at increased risk of violence and aggression; community projects

Epilepsy Action is a national charity with a bold vision: to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. In 2024 we launched an ambitious new strategy to grow our income and extend the support we offer. After a successful start, we are ready for the next stage in the strategy, and we are looking for new trustees to join our Board and help turn our ambition into lasting impact.

You will bring the skills, values and perspective to help our charity thrive, whether that’s a track record of leading growth and transformation, the ability to open doors through your networks, experience in health or the medical sector, or expertise in law, digital technology or fundraising.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and effective Board that reflects the communities we serve, and people affected by epilepsy. We welcome applications from everyone and are particularly keen to hear from people who are underrepresented on charity boards, including people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people of different ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe greater diversity makes for better decisions.

If you want to help shape a world without limits for people affected by epilepsy, and use your voice and influence to raise understanding of the condition, then we would love to hear from you.

Purpose of the Role 

The role of a trustee is to share the Board’s collective responsibility for the effective governance and leadership of the charity, setting our strategic direction and major policies in accordance with our objectives, vision, mission and values.

Epilepsy Action (registered as the British Epilepsy Association) is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. As such, trustees are both charity trustees and company directors and have the statutory and legal duties which these roles impose.

This is a voluntary (unpaid) role with a three-year term of office, renewable for up to two consecutive terms.

You need to be able to commit approximately 6–12 days per year, including: 

• Four Board meetings per annum, plus meeting preparation 

• Subcommittee meetings (if applicable) 

• Strategy days, training, and occasional events 

Meetings are a combination of hybrid and fully remote, with an annual in-person meeting in September in Leeds. Overnight accommodation will be booked for trustees and travelling expenses reimbursed for in–person meetings. 

To Apply 

For any questions in advance of your application please contact us via our recruitment email.

To make an application please send your CV and a supporting statement to our recruitment email.

Your supporting statement should answer the following questions:

· What has drawn you to apply to be a trustee for Epilepsy Action?

· What are the main skills and experience that you bring that could benefit the charity?

· How do you think your values align with Epilepsy Action’s values of being supportive, empowering, inclusive and ambitious?

We also ask candidates to fill in the Trustee Application Questionnaire as part of the recruitment process.  This form includes sections for diversity monitoring, as well as skills and experience.

If you need any adjustments to support you to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal meeting where they will have a chance to find out more about our work.

Formal interviews will be with the Chair, the CEO and relevant members of the Board and / or Advisory Panels will take place at the end of May and beginning of June.

Honorary Treasurer (Trustee)

Foundation for Science and Technology

The Foundation for Science and Technology is at the heart of the UK’s science and technology policy landscape. For nearly 50 years, we have provided an independent platform bringing together Parliamentarians, civil servants, industry leaders, researchers and charities to explore the most pressing issues shaping the future of science, innovation and public policy.

From artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, to net zero, research culture and skills, the Foundation convenes informed, cross-sector debate and supports the development of future leaders across the UK science and technology ecosystem.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2027, we are seeking an Honorary Treasurer to join our Trustee Board and play a key role in supporting the Foundation’s continued impact and sustainability.

The role

As Honorary Treasurer, you will be a full member of the Trustee Board, sharing collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the Foundation.

This is a non-executive role, focused on governance, oversight and constructive challenge. As a trustee, you will contribute to the stewardship of the Foundation, helping to ensure its financial sustainability, integrity and long-term success.

In addition to your general responsibilities as a trustee, you will:

• Provide oversight and assurance on the Foundation’s financial position, ensuring appropriate controls and compliance with charity law and good practice
• Support the Board in scrutinising financial reporting, including budgets, forecasts and annual accounts
• Offer insight and constructive challenge on financial planning, risk and long-term sustainability
• Contribute to Board-level thinking on income generation, including sponsorship and grants
• Act as a source of financial insight and support to fellow trustees and the Chief Executive

About you

You will bring:

• Senior financial expertise, whether from accountancy, finance leadership or equivalent experience
• Experience of financial oversight and governance
• An understanding of, or interest in, the charity sector
• The ability to work effectively as part of a Board, providing both support and appropriate challenge
• An interest in science, technology, research or innovation policy

Just as importantly, you will bring sound judgement, curiosity and a collaborative approach, with the ability to see both detail and the wider strategic picture.

Time commitment

Approximately three hours per month, plus attendance at three Board meetings per year, typically in London.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to contribute to an organisation that sits at the interface of science, technology and public policy in the UK, helping to ensure that important decisions are informed by evidence, insight and cross-sector collaboration.

Rainbow Migration, the longest-running UK charity dedicated to supporting LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system, is seeking a trustee who is or has been a refugee due to persecution as an LGBTQI+ person. This is part of an ongoing commitment to increase leadership in the organisation by people with lived experience of the issues we work on.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about our vision that LGBTQI+ people can settle in the UK and lead fulfilling lives, and our mission to support LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration system and influence policy and practice.

At Rainbow Migration, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We particularly encourage applications from people who have sought asylum on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics. 

More information on Rainbow Migration is in appendix 1 of the application pack.

If you would like to find out more before applying, you can attend a webinar on Friday 17 April 2026 from 1 to 2pm. This is an opportunity to meet Rainbow Migration’s Executive Director and a trustee and ask us any questions. It is not part of the application or selection process. Please register using the form linked in the application pack and a Zoom link will be sent to you. If you cannot attend, you can still fill out the form and request a recording afterwards.

If you would prefer to have a one-to-one conversation, or have any questions about the role, the webinar or how to apply, please contact us using the email address in the application pack.

The role of trustees

Trustees are volunteers who bring their skills and experience to shape our strategic direction. They have legal responsibility for the charity, ensure good governance, and make sure our finances and resources are used well to implement our mission. Trustees also play a role as ambassadors for the organisation and our work.

Trustees do not get involved in operational decision-making. For example, decisions on which social media platforms we use or what group activities we run for service users are taken by staff.

Because trustees are volunteers, they do not receive payment for their time. Rainbow Migration can pay your costs when incurred solely for fulfilling trustee duties (e.g. travel, phone top-ups if needed exclusively for trustee work).

You can find out more information about what being a trustee involves at the links available in the application pack.

Time commitment

We are looking for people who can commit to being a trustee for at least three years. Trustees can then be re-elected for another three years. The maximum term limit for our trustees is nine years (in line with Charity Commission guidance).

Trustees meet on a weekday evening, from 6 to 9 pm, five times per year. There may be additional meetings in 2026 as part of our work on anti-oppression and to develop our next organisational strategy.

Meetings are usually held on Zoom except in December when we meet in-person in London, with an informal dinner first. For in-person meetings, travel costs (and meals and accommodation if relevant) can be covered.

You will need to spend two to four hours reading 8 to 30 papers before each meeting. Papers are provided a few days in advance of meetings. The “Board Buddy” (see below under Support for Trustees) can help with understanding them. You can also ask to meet with the Executive Director or Chair to explain them.

You can see examples of topics of discussion at board meetings in appendix 2 of the application pack.

You will also need to give some time between meetings. This includes, for example:

• Spending 10 to 30 minutes reviewing and correcting the minutes (written record) of the last board meeting
• Spending 30 to 60 minutes reviewing and giving feedback on documents, such as a new or updated draft organisational policy (e.g. data protection, safeguarding, health and safety)
• Reading and responding to emails within one or two days.

The board has two subcommittees: one on HR and one on finance. You may be asked to join one of these a few months after you become a trustee. If you do, there will be up to four more meetings a year and there will be papers to read for each of these meetings.

Support for trustees

We provide numerous resources for trustees. Below are some examples but they are not exhaustive and we are open to suggestions. Support can be accessed throughout the time someone is a trustee.

Training:

• We can pay for trustees to access training on good governance, the duties of a trustee, and charity finance.
• We give access to webinars and online training e.g. on safeguarding and cyber-security.
• We provide internal training (by staff) on areas such as safeguarding and data protection.

One-to-one support:

• New trustees have induction meetings with Rainbow Migration staff.
• An existing trustee can act as a “Board Buddy” for new trustees, which includes formal and informal meetings and support around board meetings and papers.
• We can help you to find a mentor e.g. The Experts by Experience Employment Initiative can provide mentoring for people with lived experience of migration.
• We can discuss accommodations that are needed for disabled people and other ways to ensure trustees feel fully included and able to participate

Equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-oppression

We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we know this is ongoing work. We are also reviewing what we do and how we do it through an anti-oppression and anti-racism lens, as well as investing in being more informed and led by LGBTQI+ people who have sought asylum. We want our organisation — including our trustee board — to be increasingly shaped and led by LGBTQI+ people who have sought asylum. That is why this trustee position is specifically for someone who has been granted refugee status in the UK as an LGBTQI+ person.

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, identities and experiences – including from people who are trans (including non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender non-conforming and agender) and intersex. We recognise that people have different journeys, strengths and access needs, and we are committed to removing barriers wherever we can. If you share our vision, mission and values, we encourage you to apply and let us know how we can support you through the process.

To support candidates during the interview process, we send some of the questions in advance to give applicants more thinking time. You are welcome to bring notes with you and also take notes in interviews to help process information. Please let us know if we can make other adjustments to support you through the application and selection process.

Once appointed, trustees can continue to access a range of support options throughout their time on the board.

Person specification

Essential

For this role, we are looking for someone who has been awarded refugee status in the UK on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. At this time, we are not accepting applications from people who still in the process of applying for asylum, or who have leave to remain in the UK on other grounds (e.g. work, human rights, marriage) as these experiences are already represented on our board.

We welcome applications from people who have used our services as well as those who have never interacted with us before.

In addition to having been granted asylum in the UK as an LGBTQI+ person, the following are necessary:

• Commitment to Rainbow Migration’s mission, vision and values
• Ability to work constructively with other trustees and staff
• Good English (so you can understand spoken conversations in meetings and contribute)
• Ability to read and understand long documents (e.g. trustees must be familiar with our policies, such as our safeguarding policy, and the key points in our publications such as Still Falling Short)
• Courage and enthusiasm to learn, encourage, challenge, influence and support other people and the organisation
• Confidence to ask questions (this helps everyone learn and improve) or request training or support
• Ability to analyse and scrutinise information provided by staff and trustees (the Board Buddy and other trustees can assist you in this)
• Ability to use independent judgement and share your thoughts with trustees and the Executive Director
• Willingness to share your opinion and give guidance to the board in areas where you have knowledge or experience
• Commitment to speak well about the organisation to others (e.g. funders, other charities)
• Regular access to a secure, private email account and a quiet, private space for joining online meetings and telephone calls
• Be living in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland)
• Aged 16 or over
• Not be previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, have an undischarged bankruptcy or have unspent criminal convictions for an offence involving dishonesty or deception (such as fraud).

Desirable

It would be beneficial if you have work or volunteer experience in an area relevant to Rainbow Migration’s work (e.g. service delivery, communications, campaigning, lobbying, fundraising, HR, IT) but this is not a requirement.