Non exec directors volunteer volunteer roles in Leeds, west yorkshire

Executive Director

The Longest Yarn

Flexible

Initially Voluntary Basis with Expenses Covered to be based in the U.K. 

About The Longest Yarn

The Longest Yarn is an internationally recognised knitted and crocheted exhibition project preserving wartime stories through immersive textile art, historical interpretation and community participation. Registered as an Association in France since 2023 with CIO pending in U.K. 

Having toured extensively across the United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States, The Longest Yarn now consists of two major exhibitions.

One exhibition, The Longest Yarn: Britain at War, is based in the United Kingdom and is already booked to tour major cathedrals and other significant venues through to 2028.

The original D-Day exhibition now has its permanent home in Normandy near the landing beaches, where it is exhibited for approximately six months of the year, with the flexibility to tour across the UK or Europe during the winter months.

Together, the exhibitions continue to grow as a major international remembrance and heritage initiative.

Founded as a simple project combining creativity, education, remembrance, community involvement and support for veteran causes through large-scale public exhibitions and events, The Longest Yarn rapidly exceeded all expectations, attracting more than 500,000 visitors within just 23 months.

We are currently working with several veteran charities, including one major initiative helping to provide a home for a homeless veteran living with PTSD. Developing and expanding our support for veteran causes remains an important part of the future vision for The Longest Yarn.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, capable and highly motivated Executive Director to work alongside the Founder & Creative Director and Board of Trustees to help lead the next phase of development and growth.

This is a senior leadership role for somebody able to combine practical management with vision, diplomacy, organisational skill and public engagement.

The Executive Director will help oversee day-to-day operations, volunteer management, partnerships, touring logistics, fundraising support, visitor experience and organisational development, while helping strengthen the long-term sustainability of the project.

This role would suit somebody with experience in the charity, heritage, museum, tourism, arts, events or community sectors. Flexibility, humour, imagination and genuine ‘can do’ attitude are absolutely paramount. 

Remuneration

The position is initially offered on a voluntary basis, with reasonable agreed expenses covered.

However, as merchandise, retail activity and other revenue streams are developed and strengthened, remuneration and salary arrangements will be reviewed.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Founder & Creative Director in delivering the long-term vision for The Longest Yarn
• Help oversee operations at the Normandy exhibition site and touring venues
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, organisation and support
• Develop relationships with heritage organisations, tourism bodies, sponsors and veteran charities
• Support fundraising, sponsorship and income-generation initiatives
• Coordinate exhibition logistics, installations and event planning plus workshops at varied venues
• Assist with media enquiries, public engagement and promotional activity
• Help strengthen administrative systems, visitor experience and organisational structure
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on future planning and development
• Social media development

About You

You will be organised, resilient, adaptable and people-focused, with the ability to work within a unique and evolving international heritage project.

You may come from a background in:

• charities or non-profit organisations
• museums or heritage
• tourism or visitor attractions
• arts, exhibitions or textile art
• events or public engagement
• operations or project management
• fundraising or sponsorship
• community arts, craft or creative education initiatives

Strong communication skills, initiative and a practical hands-on approach are essential.

An interest in remembrance, WWII history, community projects or the arts would be advantageous.

What Makes This Different

The Longest Yarn is not a conventional organisation. It is a deeply personal and internationally recognised remembrance project built through creativity, storytelling and community spirit.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a growing heritage initiative with international reach, meaningful public impact and ambitious future plans.

Reporting Structure

The Executive Director will report directly to:

• Founder & Creative Director
• The Board of Trustees

To Apply

• A CV
• A covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role
• Examples of relevant project, leadership, heritage, community or organisational work where applicable

Basis Yorkshire is seeking a committed and values-driven individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is an opportunity to support a long-standing, specialist organisation working alongside sex workers and people experiencing sexual exploitation across Yorkshire.

Basis has over three decades of experience delivering trauma-informed, non-judgemental support, advocacy, outreach and education. We work with people across all sectors of the sex industry, as well as young people and adults at risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation. Our approach is rooted in dignity, agency, social justice and harm reduction, with the voices and experiences of the people we support at the centre of everything we do.

As Treasurer Trustee, you will play a key role in supporting the Board’s oversight of the charity’s financial health, sustainability and governance. While professional financial qualifications are not required, we are looking for someone who is confident in scrutinising financial information, asking constructive questions, and contributing to strategic decision-making.

We are particularly interested in individuals who share our commitment to challenging stigma and inequality, and who can bring thoughtful, independent judgment to Board discussions. Previous experience in the voluntary or community sector, safeguarding, or connections to strategic networks in Leeds would be welcomed.

Trustees are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings, contribute to working groups where possible, and engage with role-specific matters between meetings. An enhanced DBS check will be required and arranged by Basis.

We warmly encourage applications from people with diverse lived and professional experiences, particularly those currently underrepresented at the Board level.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance in their search for three new Trustees.

About  Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is one of the UK’s leading Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) charities, providing rapid, life-saving critical care across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our Helicopter and Critical Care Cars take the expertise of the hospital directly to the scene of the emergency, reaching any point in our two counties in under 20 minutes. Each mission costs approximately £4,000, and with over 32,000 missions since our founding in 1994, our service is made possible entirely through the generosity of the communities we serve.
​​​​​​
LNAA is in a period of significant growth and transformation. We celebrated our 30th anniversary and our 30,000th mission in 2024 and were rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in 2025 – a milestone that reflects the exceptional standards across our entire organisation. Looking ahead, our five-year strategy focuses on expanding our service further, including the introduction of a second helicopter in 2027 to ensure we can be by the side of even more patients when they need us most.

About the Trustee roles

To support this ambitious strategic direction, LNAA is seeking to appoint up to three new Trustees. These individuals will join a committed, values-driven Board focused on strong governance, strategic oversight, and ensuring LNAA continues to deliver outstanding critical care across our region.

To ensure a diverse and balanced Board, we are specifically looking for up to three new Trustees with skills and significant experience in the following areas:

1. Clinical/Healthcare background with executive experience in a CQC regulated organisation
2. Finance Expertise
3. Digital Technologies / AI Expertise

​​​​​​Role 1: Clinical/Healthcare background

A senior professional with executive experience within a CQC regulated organisation, with sound CQC knowledge and a strong understanding of governance. You will be the lead Trustee for clinical governance oversight, maintaining a high-level overview of LNAA’s clinical services, seeking assurances in line with Trustee responsibilities.

Essential:

• Governance and leadership experience within a CQC regulated setting
• Thorough understanding of CQC standards

Desirable:

• Experienced registered healthcare professional
• Track record in governance and leadership in a clinical setting

Role 2: Finance Expertise

A strong financial professional, bringing experience in budgeting, financial analysis, investments and risk management.

Essential:

• Strong financial knowledge and governance experience
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex financial information

Desirable:

• Experience with investment strategy or long-term financial planning
• Familiarity with the charity or not-for-profit sector

Role 3: Digital Technologies / AI Expertise

Use your skills and expertise to provide insight into digital transformation, AI innovation and emerging technologies, ensuring our work remains relevant, ethical and future-ready.

Essential:

• In depth knowledge of Digital and AI technologies, including strategy and emerging trends
• Experience providing strategic oversight or advisory input at board or senior level

Desirable:

• Awareness of ethical and regulatory issues around AI and digital transformation
• Track record in driving digital innovation, ideally in a non-profit or public sector setting