113 Policy research volunteer roles

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Strategy and Programme Volunteer

The Goal:Help us turn our big dreams into reality. You will be part of the team that takes our ambitions and builds them into practical, life-changing projects.

We’d love help with:

• Planning the Journey: Helping us draft clear project plans and timelines.

• Tracking our Progress: Helping us collect information to see how well our projects are doing.

• Organising Teams: Assisting with the coordination of different tasks to keep everything running on time.

What you bring:

• An organised mind and a love for "getting things done."

• Experience in project management or a strong interest in how charities run.

• The ability to see the steps needed to reach a big goal.

Microbiology Society is looking to find three new voluntary members of its Audit, Risk and Evaluation Committee to take up their roles on 1 January 2027.

Please see the Terms of Reference for the Committee below. The Terms of Reference also includes some information about what is involved in the committee as an external member.

Find out more about the exciting work that the Microbiology Society does by looking at our website.

To make an application, please email the following to Jo Manning

• Your CV (no more than three sides)
• A supporting statement (no more than two sides) that answers the following questions:
  - Why do you want to be an external member of the Audit Risk and Evaluation Committee for the Microbiology Society?
  - How do your skills and expertise could you bring to the role?

The deadline is 27 September 2026.

Please do let us know if you have any questions about the role by emailing Joanne Manning, Chief Operations Officer.

Independent Trustee
Hybrid, with meetings typically held in London
Three years, renewable
Voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed

Help shape the future of child health: become an Independent Trustee at RCPCH

Every child deserves the best start in life. At the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), we work to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people through education, training, research, advocacy and leadership. Representing more than 25,000 members and Fellows across the UK and internationally, we influence policy, shape professional standards and champion better healthcare for children everywhere.

We are seeking an experienced Independent Trustee who will also chair our People & Remuneration Committee. This is a pivotal Board leadership role, providing strategic oversight of the College’s people, culture, workforce and remuneration agenda, while contributing fully to the governance and strategic direction of the charity.

If you are a senior people leader with a strong interest in organisational culture, leadership and workforce effectiveness, this is an opportunity to influence Board-level decisions and help improve outcomes for children and young people. 

We're particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in:

• People and organisational development
• Human resources, employment relations and workforce strategy
• Executive remuneration, reward governance and succession planning
• Organisational culture, employee engagement and culture transformation
• Employment law and legal practice
• Corporate governance, risk and assurance
• Leading significant organisational change and organisational effectiveness
• Chairing Boards, Committees or senior governance forums

We welcome applications from individuals who can bring independent judgement, strategic thinking and constructive challenge, together with a commitment to good governance and improving outcomes for children and young people. 

Previous Board experience is welcome but not essential, and a full induction and ongoing support programme will be provided.

Why join us?

As an Independent Trustee, you will play an important role in shaping the future of RCPCH and supporting our mission to improve child health outcomes across the UK and globally.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Apply your expertise in people, culture, organisational development and governance to an organisation that makes a real difference to children and young people.
• Influence Board-level decisions on workforce strategy, organisational effectiveness, leadership, remuneration and culture.
• Shape the future direction of a respected national charity and medical Royal College.
• Work alongside senior clinical, executive and non-executive leaders and broaden your strategic impact.
• Gain valuable experience of charity governance while contributing to RCPCH’s mission in the UK and internationally. 

What you’ll bring

We're looking for someone with:

• Senior leadership experience in people, workforce, organisational development, governance, remuneration or employment law.
• Strong strategic thinking, independent judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge.
• High personal integrity and the ability to work collaboratively at Board level.
• An understanding of Trustee responsibilities and a commitment to RCPCH's mission and values.
• A passion for supporting children and young people and the willingness to devote time to the role.

Desirable: Previous experience as a Trustee, Board or Committee member, experience of organisational change, culture and workforce development, healthcare, governance, remuneration, talent management, EDI, or supporting under-represented groups.

Key details

• Time commitment: Typically four Board meetings each year, including one full-day Away Day, plus the Annual General Meeting. The role also includes preparation for and chairing of People & Remuneration Committee meetings, reporting to the Board, induction and ongoing engagement. Allow approximately 4–6 hours to read the agenda and papers for each meeting.
• Location: Hybrid, with meetings typically held in London.
• Term of office: Three years, renewable.
• Remuneration: Voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. 

Inclusive and diverse governance

We believe our Board should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

We actively encourage applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, those with protected characteristics, and individuals who can bring a diverse range of experiences, perspectives and insights to the Board. If you have the skills, experience and commitment to help us achieve our mission, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.

How to contact us and apply

For an informal chat about this role, please email the Chair at least five working days before the closing date. Details can be found on our website via the application link.

To apply, please read the role description and follow the instructions on our website, via the application link.

Closing date: 12 noon, 21 September 2026.
Interviews: 30 September 2026, via Microsoft Teams

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

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

We’d love help with:

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

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

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

What you bring:

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

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

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

Overview

Position Title: Advisory Board member

Company: Well Adapt

Location: Online (with occasional optional in-person meetings)

Duration: 1 year initial term from Monday 19 October. Term to be extended if both parties agree.

Board Meetings: The first Advisory Board meeting is pencilled in to take place on Wednesday 28 October at 5pm.

Application Deadline: Monday 5 October, 23:59

Pay: Voluntary

About Well Adapt

Well Adapt is a disabled led social enterprise that aims to transform the health system so that it better serves disabled and chronically ill people. 

Disabled and chronically ill people face disproportionate inequalities in healthcare with many of us feeling completely disillusioned with and abandoned by the system that is supposed to support us. The inequality gets worse for those of us with intersecting marginalisations such as race, gender, class, and sexuality.

Well Adapt works with policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to build health and social care systems co-produced by disabled and chronically ill people and grounded in disability justice.

We are in the process of changing our governance structure from Company Limited by Shares to Community Interest Company.

We are forming our first ever advisory board to help us chart our course forward so that we can make a greater impact on healthcare policy. 

Role details

The Advisory Board as a collective will be responsible for:

• Attending online board meetings every three months (there may be optional in person meetings)

• Helping guide the strategic direction of the organisation

• Setting and maintaining vision, mission, and values

• Maintaining financial oversight of the organisation

• Championing our work and helping build relationships that strengthen our work

Essential criteria

We’re looking for a passionate and principled person who has:

• Lived experience of disability
• Professional experience within the NHS
• A passion for improving healthcare for marginalised groups

Application Process

1st stage: Initial Application (Deadline Monday 5 October, 11:59pm).

Please send a CV and covering letter or voice note by email that covers the following:

• Why you think disability advocacy is important (we want to know what you think, not what a generative AI thinks here)

• Why you would like to be a founding member of Well Adapt’s Advisory Board

• Any experience or skills not present on your CV (please don’t repeat information that is already on your CV)

You will find the email address to ask questions to on the Well Adapt webpage that opens when you click "redirect to recruiter".

We will assess your initial application as follows:

• We will score candidates based on the essential criteria to choose 3-5 candidates to invite to the next stage.

• If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified on Wednesday 7 October.

2nd Stage: Interview on Monday 12 between 3 and 5pm or Tuesday 13 October between 2 and 4.30pm. 

If you are successful at the 2nd stage, you will be notified by Wednesday 14 October.

Start date of role: Wednesday 21st October 2026

The first advisory board meeting is pencilled in for Wednesday 28 October 2026, 5pm, online.

Accessibility

As an organisation run for and by disabled people, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of applicants and employees. Please let us know if there’s anything you need to be able to engage with the recruitment process to the best of your ability by emailing us.

You will find the email address to ask questions to on the Well Adapt webpage that opens when you click "redirect to recruiter".

As a small but fast-growing charity, we have a strong trustee board in place but are looking to bring in new trustees to help in our new phase of growth and ensure a sustainable future. We are therefore looking for trustees who want to get closely involved in setting the strategy, direction and priorities of Write Back as we transition from new ‘start-up’ into a more established charity. We are therefore looking for individuals with:

● A strong commitment to the work of Write Back and empowering young people.

● The passion and enthusiasm to throw themselves into a new and exciting charity for young people to help us in our next phase of growth.

● The ability and experience of working at a strategic level, providing expert oversight, advice and guidance.

● The skills and temperament to collaborate effectively in a small, growing organisation.

● A good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship and an appreciation of the personal implications.

● A demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity.

We anticipate growing our trustee board significantly over the next 6-12 months. Our initial priority will be recruiting someone who is at least one of the following:

●experienced in financial processes and oversight.

● experienced in education, such as a qualified teacher.

● experienced in growing a small company or charity, in particular with legal, HR or other operational or governance matters.

● Under the age of 25 and who have lived experienced of the issues Write Back is trying to solve.

However, we are open to applications from a variety of backgrounds and would encourage you to get in touch if you are interested. We are intending to recruit 2 - 3 trustees in total.

Core requirements:

● This is a voluntary unpaid role, for which any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

● Your initial term will be for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal.

● Attendance at trustee meetings every two months (either online or in person, for roughly 90 minutes), as well as preparation for these meetings and any follow-up tasks. We estimate the time commitment to be no more than one day per month in total.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What does the role involve?

The Dementia Wellbeing Service provides practical and emotional support ​to help older people live independently and safely at home for as long as possible, stay socially engaged and carry on doing what they love. The service supports Camden residents over the age of 55 in the early or moderate stages of dementia.

You will work one-to-one with people in their own home and in the community, providing invaluable practical and emotional support and engaging the person in activities and opportunities that interest them through their wellbeing plan.

What will you get out of it?

• You'll be making a difference to the lives of older people.
• You'll gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact on older people’s lives.
• You'll have an opportunity to build confidence and skills in engaging with people.
• You'll be part of something that is rewarding and enjoyable. 

What is expected of me?

• Volunteers are asked to make regular weekly visits of about to two to three hours on a week day (Monday – Friday), between 9-5pm.
• Interested applicants must complete training in dementia in addition to the other training and induction linked to all our roles.