Policy volunteer roles

RSPCA South London Branch

Location: Crystal Palace, Tooting & Croydon

Are you practical, reliable, or good with technology? We are looking for local volunteers to support our charity shops as Drivers, Handymen, IT Support volunteers – or a combination of all three. Whether you can help with one area or several, your support will play a vital role in helping us raise funds for our animal welfare work. We’re looking for practical, reliable people to help keep our charity shops running. Whether you’re handy with tools, happy behind the wheel, good with tech – or a mix of all three – we’d love to hear from you. You can get involved in the areas that suit your skills and availability, and your help will directly support our animal welfare work.

Overview of the opportunity

Our charity shops rely on skilled and dependable volunteers to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. This flexible role is ideal for someone who can help with driving donations, basic maintenance and repairs, or IT and technical support across our local shops. You will need to be local to Crystal Palace, Tooting or Croydon, as this role supports shops in these areas.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA has been saving animals for almost 200 years and is proud to be the world’s oldest animal welfare charity. Our vision is a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, and our volunteers play a crucial role in helping us achieve this every day.

Our Charity Shops

Our local charity shops are essential in raising funds and awareness for our animal welfare work. They sell a wide range of donated items including clothing, books, bric-a-brac and collectables. Keeping our shops safe, functional and well-supported allows us to maximise the funds we raise for animals in need.

Volunteer responsibilities

Depending on your skills and interests, you may help with one or more of the following areas:

Driver support

• Collecting and delivering donated and purchased items
• Moving stock between charity shops
• Completing basic administration such as mileage returns
• Ensuring RSPCA policies and procedures are followed

Handyman / Maintenance support

• Carrying out basic repairs and maintenance in shops
• Fixing fixtures, fittings and shop equipment
• General upkeep to ensure shops are safe and welcoming

IT / Technical support

• Helping with basic IT issues (e.g. computers, printers, Wi-Fi)
• Setting up or troubleshooting shop technology
• Supporting staff and volunteers with simple tech queries

What we are looking for

• Someone local to Crystal Palace, Tooting or Croydon
• Reliable, friendly and willing to help
• Driver volunteers must have their own vehicle and good local knowledge
• Practical skills or IT experience are desirable but not essential
• Willingness to offer an ongoing commitment (days/hours flexible)
• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over
• All necessary training will be provided

What we can offer you

• The chance to make a real difference to animal welfare locally
• A friendly, supportive volunteering community
• Training, induction and ongoing support
• The opportunity to learn new skills
• Volunteering experience to enhance your CV

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the South London Branch.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Trustee Opportunity at Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire is seeking new trustees to help shape the future of our high-performing advice charity.

With offices in Grantham, Spalding and Stamford, plus outreach centres across the region, we support a population of 225,000 people. Last year, we helped 14,000 clients with 60,000 issues and secured over £7 million of additional income for them. We are here for everyone to help people move on with their lives.

As a trustee, you’d join a well-known, respected charity, influence strategy, strengthen governance and contribute to meaningful change. This is an opportunity to share your expertise with other professional, dedicated trustees, gain valuable experience, build on your leadership and strategy skills, and increase your employability. Prior Board experience is not required.

We welcome expertise in digital media, finance, fundraising, HR, IT, law, marketing, PR, risk management, senior management, local government, or strategy.

What do you need to become a trustee?

Trustees don’t need specific qualifications, but we expect all trustees to have six core skills:

● Insight into the organisation: considering CASL’s objects and its public benefit strategically

● Challenging constructively: clarifying facts; stimulating thought

● Analysing issues: being objective; evaluating risks; using evidence; planning ahead

● Weighing up opinions: using evidence; balancing long- and shortterm; prioritising value

● Interpersonal skills: communicating clearly; listening actively; supporting a healthy culture

● Confidence and self-awareness: collaborating with others; treating everyone with respect.

The Board also values specialist skills as assets among its members:

● experience or qualifications in:

 ‣ business or charity leadership

 ‣ equity, diversity and inclusion

 ‣ facilitation

 ‣ finance and accountancy

 ‣ human resources

 ‣ IT, AI or digital media

‣ law or governance

‣ local government

‣ marketing, PR or communications

‣ risk management, or

‣ strategy development

● past experience as a client or service user of this (or a similar) organisation

● a track record of charitable fundraising, or

● being an effective chair. 

Finally, competent trustees should have these six personal qualities to some extent, and demonstrate them in their behaviours:

● Committed - motivated, dedicated, persevering; plays an active role.

● Responsible - accountable, independent, reliable; accepts collective responsibility.

● Trustworthy - ethical, principled; is a critical friend and focuses on continuous improvement.

● Collaborative - team-oriented, approachable; builds relationships and seeks consensus.

● Confident - independent; contributes constructively and expresses opinions courageously.

● Thoughtful - curious, adaptable, open-minded; appropriately challenges the status quo

Description: Generally, interns assist the Legal Director and Legal Project Managers with all aspects of preparatory work for the AIRE Centre's legal advice services and cases, including:

· Legal research in support of cases.

· Correspondence with the client, the court or other legal professionals.

· Accompanying the legal team during hearings.

· Keeping effective files.

· Drafting advice letters for the advice service on the EU Settlement Scheme and associated areas, including eligibility for benefits.

In addition to the above, interns may be requested to assist with:

· Undertaking research for articles, both for publications of the AIRE Centre, and for outside journals/publications.

· Undertaking projects in which the AIRE Centre is asked to take part.

· Attending meetings/conferences/seminars on behalf of the AIRE Centre.

All Legal Work is supervised.

To be eligible you must:

· Have a completed law degree/GDL or equivalent

· Have a good understanding of the areas of Law in which the AIRE Centre works (EU Free movement, EU Migration, asylum etc)

· Have a good standard of written and spoken English.

All our internships are unpaid; however, we do cover up to £30 of expenses for travel and lunch

SLOW, an award-winning charity supporting bereaved families, is excited to welcome an experienced Chair to lead our Board of Trustees, when our current Chair retires in June 2026. The appointee will be tasked with moving the organisation to the next level in delivering the sustainable growth of its bereavement services. 

Nearly 400,000 women experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work each year, with just 1% filling a complaint with the Employment Tribunal. For those that do, the process can be extremely stressful and intimidating, as they face a battle against organisations who often have the resources to afford the very best solicitors. We’ve heard from many women and parents who have shared the impact Tribunal claims have had on their mental health, with the process leaving them feeling burdened, alone and frightened.

We are looking for volunteers who have been through the Employment Tribunal process before, and would like to use that experience to support others during their claims. 

Our Tribunal Mentors give around 1-2 hours a week of their time to offer peer support to their mentees for 12 weeks.  They offer a listening ear through regular calls, and kind, empathetic support to help build the confidence to face an Employment Tribunal claim. Tribunal Mentors are not legal experts and can’t give advice on claims, however they are willing to share learning and insights from their own experience. To find out more about the Tribunal Mentor programme, click here. 

About the role

Role Title: Tribunal Mentor
Location: Home-based (UK)
Reporting To: Head of Support Services

Time Commitment

We ask that all new Tribunal Mentors can commit to at least six months of volunteering for approximately one hour a week.

Mentoring matches offer 12 weeks of support, this is usually through weekly one-hour calls. However there is some flexibility available depending on both the mentee and mentors needs.

Main Role Purpose

To offer Tribunal Mentees peer support and regular check-ins for 12 weeks. Mentors should be comfortable discussing their own experience of the Employment Tribunal process and offering emotional support to their mentee as they navigate the system and their claim.

Essential requirements

• Experience of filing an Employment Tribunal claim.
• Able to commit to at least six months of volunteering, for approximately one hour per week.
• Access to a mobile phone/laptop/tablet to receive calls. You will not be charged for calls and your number will not be shared.
• Access to a reliable and secure WIFI connection.
• Excellent active and empathetic listening skills.
• A kind and welcoming telephone manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate with your mentees regularly for around 12 weeks. This is usually done through a weekly one-hour call.
• Listen actively, empathise, and provide guidance and support for mentees.
• Signpost to further information and other support organisations if necessary.
• Connect with and support other Mentors on the programme, usually through our Volunteer WhatsApp group.
• Record all mentoring calls on our CRM system.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions, adhering to all Pregnant Then Screwed guidelines and policies.

What you can expect from PTS

• The opportunity to use your experience to tackle the Motherhood Penalty and make a meaningful impact.
• An onboarding and induction period which can be completed at your own pace.
• Support from the PTS staff team and volunteer network.
• Access to our Volunteer Training Hub.
• CPD accredited Supportive Listening training from Samaritans.
• Opportunities to help us further develop and shape our Support Services.

Sound like the right fit for you? Then go ahead and click the link below to apply! We’re looking forward to meeting you. Please note that you will not be able to save your application to complete later, however you can submit your application again if you think you have made a mistake.

RSBC are looking for digital volunteers to help out at our Boys Crew online club. At Boys Crew, the children and young people meet twice a month and engage in different activities via Zoom!

We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate the clubs admin, make sure everyone feels involved and potentially lead an activity!

Role: Online Activities Volunteer (Boys Crew)

Commitment: Boys Crew is currently run twice a month, usually on a Tuesday from 17:00 - 18:00. There are also other clubs you would be able to get involved in such as our Audiobook club. 

Location: Remote

Availability: RSBC Events · https://lu.ma/rsbc

Age:  18+ 

Our Mission Statement: 

RSBC believes that every blind young person should have the chance to live life without limits. 

By giving young people the essential skills and confidence to take control of their life, they can unleash their true potential.

Our success depends on our values 

Underpinning all RSBC’s work are values embedded in trust and excellence: 

TRUST: Respect and accountability 

ENERGY: Straight talking and constantly learning 

AMBITION: Confronting reality and driving results 

MOTIVATION: Vision impaired children and young people are our number one priority, and we look for solutions, not problems 

What will I be doing?

Our amazing Activity Volunteers play a key role in supporting blind children and young people to take part in a variety of activities. These range from sports, creative (singing, performing, art), audiobook club and day trips. Our activities are designed for blind young people to meet new friends, gain confidence, learn new skills/sports, and become more independent. The skills you have developed in your career and personal life will be invaluable to our young people. 

Key Tasks and Main Duties 

Online activities: 

• support the session timetable 

• facilitate the communication and social interaction between participants 

• encourage members of the group to participate and share their opinions 

Who are you?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow RSBC’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for RSBC. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of sight problems. 

What’s in it for me?

RSBC offers the opportunity to gain insight and experience into helping others with sight issues. As part of your volunteering, you will have access to Sighted Guide training, a training session designed to help you understand the issues and complexities of sight problems and give you the ability to help others navigate the world.

RSBC also provides paid expenses for your volunteering experience, you can claim up to £10 per day.

RSBC can also provide references and impact reports from your volunteering if required. 

You will be fully supported in your role by our team of expert and compassionate service delivery team.

Develop or utilise your skills – As a volunteer, you’ll be given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills or use those you already have, which can help to build your CV, boost your employability and give you a sense of satisfaction. 

What's in it for the Community? 

Make a difference to people’s lives

Help in your community

Help deliver creative services to help people with sighted issues feel included in the world around them.

Make a direct and tangible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted children and young people. 

Safeguarding:

Due to the nature of the role, before you can begin volunteering with RSBC there are some required safeguarding checks which will need to be completed.

All RSBC volunteers undergo an Enhanced DBS check (paid for by RSBC) and must provide two references.

All volunteers will also be booked onto safeguarding training.

RSBC risk assesses all its services and activities.

Next Steps: 

If this sounds like you, please fill out an expression of interest, and one of our volunteer team members will get back to you!

Salary - Volunteer

35 hours per week (flexible working options available)

Remote/Hybrid/Flexible location

Ref: VCS-251 

Are you a creative, organised and collaborative communicator with a passion for digital content and social impact? If so, St Giles is looking for a Volunteer Communications Support to help strengthen our digital presence and support the delivery of high-quality communications across the organisation.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role

As Volunteer Communications Support, you will play an important role within the Fundraising and Communications team, working closely with the Senior Media and Publicity Manager and colleagues across St Giles. You will support the creation, scheduling and management of digital content that promotes our work, campaigns and values, helping us reach and engage key audiences. The role will also involve providing general support to the team. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop or apply their communications, digital and storytelling skills in a supportive, values-driven environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Creating digital assets to support St Giles communications campaigns and projects
• Writing engaging, audience-focused digital copy
• Using design software (e.g. Canva and AI tools) to produce content in line with brand guidelines
• Uploading and scheduling digital content across relevant platforms
• Supporting the maintenance and development of the St Giles website
• Researching and sourcing photography through stock image libraries
• Using analytics to help measure performance and engagement
• Assisting with organising events, where required
• Attending meetings relevant to the role and working collaboratively with colleagues
• Ensuring confidentiality, data protection and information security policies are upheld
• Promoting sustainable working practices and environmental responsibility

What we are looking for

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, SharePoint and Teams
• Experience of producing digital written content
• A sound sense of design and the ability to work within brand and photographic guidelines
• Experience using digital design tools such as Canva (and interest in AI tools such as ChatGPT)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong storytelling ability
• Experience uploading, scheduling and managing digital content
• Knowledge of producing email marketing copy
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and collaborate effectively as part of a team
• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the issues faced by people with lived experience and the barriers they may encounter

A Basic DBS check is required for this role.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: Friday 6th February 2026 at 9am. We will be reviewing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Volunteering in the shop

Monday Opportunity! 9.30am-1pm

We are currently looking to build a Monday morning team 9.30m-1pm. Initial training will be provided in store by the brilliant volunteer team during existing trading hours, Tuesday - Saturday and once we have a Monday Team in place we’ll start welcoming in customers!

Sunday Opportunity! 10am-2pm

Do you have some free time on a Sunday? We are looking to build a Sunday team to help open and run the Sunday shift. Initial training will be provided in store by the brilliant volunteer team during existing trading hours, Tuesday - Saturday, and once we have a Sunday Team in place we’ll start welcoming in customers!

Our Shrewsbury Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children.

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related).

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.

Our emotional support volunteers offer vital emotional support to woman, girl and AFAB non-binary survivors of sexual violence and abuse by providing our helpline, email support and live chat services.

We are the only specialist service in Cambridgeshire providing dedicated support to woman survivors of rape and sexual violence.

These confidential and anonymous services would not exist without our amazing volunteers, who provide life-changing support to survivors in their local community.

Who are we looking for?

Women of all ages (18 years +) and backgrounds who are:

• Empathetic, non-judgemental and good listeners.
• Self-aware and emotionally resilient.
• Interested in discussing and learning about sexual violence and its impacts on women and girls.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and anonymity.
• Able to work independently using initiative and also be part of a team.
• Share CRCC’s survivor-focused ethos.
• Ideally able to commit to three shifts a month (shifts are Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings).
• Ideally able to commit to volunteering for at least 18 months.

We especially welcome enquiries from women from minoritised and under-represented groups and communities. This includes AFAB non-binary individuals who feel comfortable volunteering within a service run for women by women.

We can contribute to childcare costs and reasonable travel expenses to enable women to volunteer with us.

Comprehensive training and support will be provided for this role. Training starts on the 20 April 2026.

Details about the role

Location: CRCC's office in Cambridge and remotely (the latter only possible if volunteer has access to a private, confidential space to volunteer from that isn't their bedroom)

When: After the initial training period (starting 20 April 2026):

• Shifts: Wednesday 7-9.30pm and Sunday 10am-12.30pm
• Monthly reflective practice: Monday or Tuesday 6-7.30pm

Commitment: After the initial training period:

• 3 shifts per month on helpline/email/live chat (we operate a flexible rota)
• 1 reflective practice session per month
• Volunteer meetings once every 6 months
• Regular ongoing training
• Regular 121s

Oxfam Volunteers – Wigton, Cumbria

Oxfam GB

Job details

Job type

• Volunteer – Ecommerce – (Online)

Shift and schedule

• 4 - 8-hour shift – we are very flexible
• Location: 47 High Street, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9NJ - Full job description

Oxfam's Wigton Shop is looking for Shop Volunteers to help Oxfam’s fight to support the world’s most vulnerable communities.

We’re looking for volunteers who can give 4-8 hours (or more!) of their time in the shop each week, and we’re excited to welcome brand new volunteers to our stores!

Right now, we're looking for people to help in the shop in us with our ecommerce/online department!

Location: Oxfam 47 High Street, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9NJ

Become a volunteer!

· List donated items for sale online

· Dispatch items – (Picking/ Packaging and Posting).

· Expand your computer skills

· Learn what Ecommerce is all about.

Available Shifts:

· Mondays

· Tuesdays

· Wednesdays

· Thursdays

· Fridays

· Saturdays

Whatever your skills or interests, there’s something for everyone…

Why be a volunteer?

Your time will make a huge difference. We estimate one four-hour shift will, on average, provide enough income to enable Oxfam to provide life-saving handwashing facilities for 81 people.

Volunteering also has a positive impact on wellbeing, with an incredible 7 in 10 volunteers saying that their charitable actions were beneficial for their mental health.

Benefits of becoming a Volunteer:

· Gain genuine experience working in a retail environment.

· Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience, and develop your CV.

· Great way to meet new people & be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.

· Be part of a fantastic team and make a positive change to the world.

· Opportunity to utilise and develop your transferable skills.

Volunteering with Oxfam will give you the skills, confidence and experience you need to build your CV and boost your employability. Problem solving, communication, working with others and familiarity with the workplace are universally valued by employers.

No experience is necessary as full training, and an induction will be given. You don't need to be computer literate to join our team; there are volunteer opportunities for all. All we ask is that you’re happy to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

We can be flexible around parenting, caring, health, employment, education, and any other commitments you have.

Tempted? Apply now!

Oxfam covers expenses incurred in line with Oxfam’s Volunteer Expenses Policy, including local, reasonable travel expenses and lunch (for volunteering 5 hours +).’

· We take the welfare of volunteers and everyone we work with very seriously. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, abuse of power, or any sexual misconduct within the workplace.

· Oxfam do not accept applications from anyone on the Sex Offenders list. We may inquire about unspent convictions relevant to the role and you may be required to submit to PVG/DBS check (at no expense to you).

· *NB: due to the current capacity of some shops, it may be that you will be placed on a waiting list and/or, if you are under 18, until a shop has enough staff and/or volunteers DBS cleared. The Shop Manager will discuss this with you.

Job Type: Volunteer – Ecommerce (Online)

Work Location: In person at the Wigton Oxfam Shop

We're looking for a legal expert to join our friendly board, and help people excluded from society build bright futures.

Step Together Volunteering is a small but mighty charity. Through our unique, person-centred approach we support people to build the confidence and skills they need to look towards a positive future.

We work with young people, people in contact with the justice system, and the Armed Forces community, through 1-1 support, coaching and volunteering placements in the community. Our support doesn't have a time limit, we work with our clients until they have the confidence and skills they need to look forward to a more positive future.

We work nationally, our Head Office is Bristol, and our frontline staff are home-based in the regions they cover.

Our legal trustee has recently reached the end of her term, and we're now looking to find a new trustee who'd be happy to share their expertise with the board, and provide ad hoc advice to the CEO from time to time.

As a trustee, alongside your fellow board members you'll be responsible for the strategic leadership and administration of Step Together, and we're keen for you to contribute your perspectives and experiences to discussion. Specifically in relation to law, you may be asked to:

• Provide legal expertise and support to the rest of the Board and senior staff to ensure the charity complies with its duties and obligations.
• Ensure there are robust policies and procedures in place for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with senior staff on ad hoc legal matters to provide support and advice.
• Advise on legal implications of any plans or strategies to aid good decision making at Board level.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years.

What are we looking for?

Your experience will ideally have been gained as a qualified lawyer (in any field, but those with knowledge and experience in employment law, company or charity law preferred).

Good networks within the Bristol area would be advantageous. You will be knowledgeable about the legal environment that charities operate in, including governance best practice, and be comfortable working at Board level, contributing to discussion and enhancing decision-making.

Ability to work at a strategic level is essential.

We are looking for someone passionate about the work we do, who is happy to advocate for and represent the charity to key stakeholders to help further our work and impact.

What difference will you make?

You'll be helping ensure Step Together is meeting its legal and regulatory duties as well as providing the board and senior team with the advice we need to operate well. More broadly, as a trustee, you'll play an important role in ensuring Step Together is sustainable, well run and has a clear, strategic direction so that it continues it's brilliant work, supporting people who are otherwise left behind.

Commitments

We have two in person meetings per year (one in London, one in Bristol) and two online, plus an 'away day' in the autumn. We're ideally looking for trustees who based in Bristol or the surrounding areas.

Our board meetings and away day are fixed but there may be times we need to get in touch on an ad-hoc basis, or ask you to be involved in task-focussed committees.

Before you apply

Please get in touch if you've any questions, or to find out more.

If you'd like to apply, please get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! It would be helpful to hear a bit about you, what you'd like to bring to the board, and why you're interested in Step Together Volunteering.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of clinical and support volunteers in 30 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated over 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Fundraising Trustee to work with the staff and Board to develop and build the existing fundraising strategy and capability of this small but rapidly growing national charity to the next step in realising our ambition, whilst embedding good governance, and strengthening the charity’s financial position. As a young charity we still need practical, hands on support from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role.

Broad Description of Role

· Contribute actively as a member of the Board of Trustees to provide strategic direction, set overall strategy and policy, set targets and evaluate performance.

· Oversee all fundraising and ensure it is undertaken legally, honestly and accountably. Adhering to the Fundraising Regulator guidelines.

· Work with the CEO, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, Fundraising Manager and Board of Trustees to develop and implement a fundraising strategy for the charity to strengthen our financial sustainability, including maintaining existing donors and developing new funding streams.

· Use pre-existing networks to identify funding opportunities and facilitate introductions as well as strengthening relationships with existing donors and supporters.

· Support the development of a HNW network which will take some creativity in the current climate.

· Oversee the development and use of campaigns, social media and celebrity engagement so support income generation.

· Ensure donor reporting and compliance with fundraising legislation.

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience

· Demonstrable experience of fundraising at a senior level within the Third Sector.

· A thorough understanding of the Third Sector, Charity Commission legislation,  charity governance and the Fundraising Regulator’s guidelines.

· Awareness of the challenges a small charity can face in developing long term funding streams.

· Experience of donor cultivation and journey.

· Experience of a diverse range of funding streams such as trust and foundations, corporate giving, HNW, individual giving and commercial income generation.

· Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills.

· Active support of fundraising programme.

· Help to create a culture of philanthropy.

Input and Time Commitment:

· A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected.

· Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

· Attend at least one outreach a year.

· Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours.

o Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees must ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully.

· Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London.

· Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London.

· Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

Personal Attributes:

· Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation.

· Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet.

· Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

· An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making.

· Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

· Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively.

· An ability to think creatively and offer new ideas.

· A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees.

· An ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.

· Understanding of how to use Microsoft Teams to facilitate collaborative and remote working or willingness to learn.

Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day. 

 This role will suit you if you are:

• Warm and friendly.
• Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
• Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
• Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
• A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
• Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
• Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
• Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
• Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
• Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
• Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
• Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
• Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines 

 By getting involved you could· 

• Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
  Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty.
• Meet people from all walks of life
• Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
  Improve your communication skills.
  Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.

 You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.

All National Trust volunteers will be asked to

• Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
• Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
• Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity. 

 We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:

• Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
• Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
• Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website 

Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts

Are you interested in giving back to your local community?

Can you bring the relevant experience to help us extend our reach and enable us to reach more young people and sustain our growth?

We are currently recruiting for Chair, Treasurer and Trustee Board Members. 

What will you be doing?

Welcome to YMCA Thames Gateway and thank you for taking the time to look into our voluntary leadership roles. This is an exciting time to get involved in our YMCA. We work across a number of geographical locations, including East London, Essex and Kent, with a commitment to making a positive difference within the communities in which we work.

To help us in the next chapter of our journey, we are looking to recruit Trustees who can help us shape our new strategy and develop the strength; depth and resilience of our charity’s work, helping more people belong, contribute and thrive.

We have a strong and vibrant Trustee Board and we are looking to extend its diversity and skills base so that we are well prepared for the future.

Though we actively encourage people of all faiths and world views to work, volunteer and become members of our Association, it is a requirement that two thirds of those who sit on our Board are Christian in order to maintain the Christian purposes of the Association. We recognise that faith is a deeply personal part of our lives and that part of the great mystery is the uniqueness by which our faith lives and breathes in our lives and actions. There is no test or specific criteria for how an individual makes manifest their Christian commitment, rather we ask Board colleagues to self-identify on their faith basis and agree to live out and champion the Christian values that underpin the work of our YMCA in their service.

We would particularly like to hear from people who self identify as Christian and who have experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas:-

• Capital Developments
• Social Housing Management
• Fundraising
• Working with Children & Young People
• ICT
• Governance
• Finance

Our trustees are required to attend 8 evening meetings per year.  8 of those are Board meetings and usually in Dartford, the other 8 will be for an agreed board sub-committee.

In addition, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Trustee Board reach sound decisions. These may involve scrutinising board and committee papers, contributing to discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives and other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

If you believe you have the experience and skills to help us on our journey, we would like to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

• To develop and agree the long-term vision, mission and strategic plan for the Association
• To ensure the Association acts within the aims and purposes of the Association and the wider Movement and to ensure the board expresses the Christian mission of the Association within its work
• To ensure plans and annual budget reflect the agreed strategic direction and are appropriate
• To monitor progress against key outcomes from the plan and against budget and to hold the Chief Executive and Executive team accountable for these
• To contribute actively to the work of committees and task groups
• To pro-actively review the level of risk annually
• To agree the Association’s key policies and ensure they contribute to the achievement of the Association’s intended outcomes
• To ensure the Association has effective and appropriate financial control systems and procedures
• To ensure the Association complies with the requirements of its multiple regulators
• To ensure governance is of the highest possible standard
• To work in partnership with board, committees, Chief Executive and staff
• To reflect annually on the Board’s performance, collectively and individually
• To appoint the Chief Executive, and to set their terms and conditions
• To play a part in representing YMCA Thames Gateway on a regional, national and international level
• To promote and develop the role of the Association in the community and with its stakeholders

What difference will you make?

YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.

Before you apply

To express an interest in becoming a trustee, please send an up to date CV together with a supporting statement via Reach explaining how you believe your experience and skills are relevant and what you are able to bring to the role.