Patient experience volunteer volunteer volunteer roles

United Colors of Cancer (UCC) is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented volunteer to support a groundbreaking health equity initiative focused on improving data representation in the BIPOC cancer community.

This role will contribute to the development and implementation of surveys designed to capture psychological, cultural, and socio-economic experiences of BIPOC individuals affected by cancer. The data collected will support the creation of the State of BIPOC Cancer Report, an initiative aimed at addressing critical gaps in cancer research and informing more equitable healthcare strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in designing culturally responsive surveys and research questions
• Conduct background research on disparities affecting BIPOC cancer patients
• Support survey distribution strategies and community outreach planning
• Help analyze responses and identify key themes and insights
• Contribute to early-stage findings for the State of BIPOC Cancer Report
• Collaborate with the UCC team to ensure research reflects lived experiences and community voices

Ideal Candidates May Have Experience In:

• Public health, healthcare research, or health equity initiatives
• Survey design, research methodology, or data collection
• Sociology, psychology, or community-based research
• Nonprofit or social impact work
• Cultural competency and a passion for addressing racial disparities in healthcare

This is an opportunity to contribute to one of the first initiatives focused on capturing the lived experiences of BIPOC individuals impacted by cancer and helping build a data foundation that can drive systemic change in healthcare.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

About ReMind UK

ReMind UK is an independent charity and an internationally renowned centre for research, diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Our research aims to improve life for people with dementia and their families and carers, and to find drug and non-drug treatments for people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases predominantly affecting older people. Our contracted NHS Memory Clinic service, paid for memory assessments, and allied activities also provide direct support to patients, families and carers. We are currently in an ambitious phase of development to increase significantly our clinical and academic research programme. We work closely with the Universities of Bath, Bristol and other research institutions, both nationally and internationally, and with the Royal United Hospital.

Role Title

Trustee (Board Member), ReMind UK

Time Commitment

We hold four full Board meetings per year, and an annual away day.

We currently have one subcommittee which is the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FAC) that meets four times a year should be a part of it.

Board and Committee meetings are generally of 1-2 hours duration. Once a year there is a remuneration meeting, which is a short meeting held directly after the Board meeting.  

We engage between meetings via email on issues of relevance to either individual Board members or collectively where appropriate

Trustees are volunteers and may claim eligible expenses.

Role Purpose

Trustees are responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring good governance, and overseeing the charity’s management and administration.  The day-to-day running of the organisation is undertaken by the charity CEO and the senior leadership team.

Trustees must act in the charity’s best interests, ensure it is well‑run, and that resources are used effectively to achieve its charitable purposes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

· Ensure the charity has clear priorities, future, and strategic direction.

· Oversee delivery of the charity’s mission to improve diagnosis, care, and research into age‑related disorders.

· Make well‑informed decisions that align with ReMind UK’s charitable objects and the interests of beneficiaries.

· Maintain high standards of governance and accountability.

2. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

· To ensure that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

· Act with reasonable care, skill, and diligence in all decision‑making and oversight.

· Manage and declare any conflicts of interest.

3. Financial Oversight

· Ensure the charity is financially sustainable, with adequate controls, appropriate budgeting, responsible use of funds and sound financial planning.

· Support and work with the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee where appropriate and engage in wider discussions around income and expenditure where necessary.

• Safeguard the charity’s assets and ensure funds are spent effectively.

4. Advocacy & Ambassadorship

· Act as an ambassador for ReMind UK’s work in dementia research, memory assessment, and post diagnosis support.

· Promote the importance of early assessment, treatment possibilities, and community‑based support.

· Support relationship‑building with stakeholders, partners, funders, and the wider community.

5. Organisational Support & Risk Management

· The Board have delegated the oversight of the Risk Register to the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FAC), however it is also the responsibility of all trustees to identify and manage organisational risks and hold the FAC to account.

· Ensure effective planning and promote resilience across the charity.

· Support and constructively challenge the CEO and senior leadership team.

Person Specification

Essential:

· Commitment to the vision, mission and values of ReMind UK.

· Understanding of or willingness to learn about trustee responsibilities and charity governance.

· Strategic thinking and strong communication skills.

· Integrity, sound judgement, and independence of thought.

Desirable:

· Experience in health, dementia research, social care, charity finance, legal compliance, fundraising, or lived carer experience.

· Previous charity governance or leadership experience.

Eligibility Requirements

Certain individuals are legally disqualified from becoming charity trustees. Applicants must be 18+.

As part of our safeguarding commitment, trustees will be asked to complete an appropriate level of DBS check (Basic or Enhanced, subject to eligibility). We will support you through this process.

How to Apply and closing date

Interested individuals should submit a CV and a short statement outlining their motivation and relevant experience.

Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents.  They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).

The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:

· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.

· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.

· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.

· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.

· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.

· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.

· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.

· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.

· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.

· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.

· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.

· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.

· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Working hours/commitment

All trustees are required to:

· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.

· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.

Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings.  This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise.