Private sector housing officer volunteer roles

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an important time for Asylum Aid as we continue to strengthen our impact and support survivors, asylum seekers and refugees. Our work is more crucial than ever as we advocate for people seeking protection within an increasingly challenging and evolving global landscape.

We are looking to recruit a Trustee to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the charity’s financial affairs and fundraising activities. This is a key role within the Board of Trustees, helping to ensure that Asylum Aid remains financially sustainable, well governed and equipped to deliver its charitable objectives.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Governance, Group Director of Fundraising and the wider Board, the Trustee will provide expert advice and support on financial strategy, budgeting, risk and reserves management, audit and financial governance.

Full details are available in the Recruitment Pack.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for the role of Trustee, please submit your CV and a short statement.

Your statement should then address the following three questions:
1.What is the main thing that interests you about applying for the role of Trustee at Asylum Aid?
2.What is the particular skill (or skills) you have that you feel would be beneficial to this role? Please relate your answers to (1) and (2) to the information in this pack about Asylum Aid and the skills we are looking for.
3.Do you have any previous experience of working with a charity board in particular or supporting a charity in general? If you do, please let us know what this was.

The questions can be responded to in one of four different ways:
1.Written A4 (No more than 2 sides of A4)
2.PowerPoint (No more than 3 slides)
3.Audio recording (No more than 5 mins)
4.Video Recording (No more than 5 mins)

If you would like to submit your application using these methods, please email us.. 

Otherwise, please submit your application via the website along with your CV and statement by 10am on Monday 14th September. 

If you would like to get more information about the role - or talk to the Chair of Trustees at 
Asylum Aid, Elizabeth Mottershaw - before you express an interest in our trustee position
please contact Hannah Padfield, Director of People (details on the website).

TIMELINE

Closing date: 10am on Monday 14th September 
Preliminary interviews (online): Monday 21st September 
Final panel interviews (in person): Friday 9th October

EXPERTS BY EXPERIENCE SUPPORT

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network , which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources at their website.

White Lodge Centre provides services that enable those with a range of disabilities, their families and carers to lead fulfilling lives. Supporting over 2,500 people across Surrey, the charity delivers a range of specialist services that help people build independence, confidence and meaningful connections at every stage of life.

Following a significant period of modernisation, White Lodge is entering an exciting new chapter. With strong governance, modern infrastructure and a clear strategic direction, the charity is well positioned to build on its foundations. The Active Plan 2025–30 (linked in the Application Resources section at the bottom of this advert) sets out an ambitious vision to strengthen its community reach, champion the voices of people with disabilities and help create a more inclusive Surrey where everyone can thrive.

The charity is now seeking a Chair of the Board of Trustees to help bring that vision to life. This is an opportunity to join a well-established, values-led charity at a pivotal point in its journey to provide strategic leadership, bring fresh perspectives and work alongside the Board and Chief Executive to shape White Lodge’s next chapter.

Role Overview

Alongside your duties as a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, accountability and oversight of White Lodge. 

Working closely with fellow Trustees and the Chief Executive, you will ensure the charity operates in line with its charitable purpose, legal obligations and strategic ambitions while responding to new opportunities and challenges.

You will champion ethical leadership, encourage robust debate, and ensure decisions are principled, well-governed and strategically sound. 

The Chair plays a key role in fostering an effective, collaborative Board and building strong relationships with Trustees, senior leaders and external stakeholders to support White Lodge’s long-term success and strategic ambitions. 

The initial term for this position is 3 years, with the possibility of extending for another 3 years.

Key Responsibilities

• Promote and uphold high standards of governance, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House and relevant legislation. 

• Chair Trustee Board meetings, setting agendas that prioritise strategy, risk, performance and impact. 

• Model ethical, values-led leadership and act at all times in the best interests of White Lodge. 

• Work in close partnership with the Chief Executive to ensure governance aligns with delivery of the Strategic Plan, while maintaining clear boundaries between governance and operational management.

• Ensure effective oversight of financial stewardship, safeguarding, risk management and organisational performance. 

• Ensure risk and assurance processes are embedded across Board and committee work.

• Oversee Board effectiveness, including annual evaluations, Trustee development and succession planning. 

• Lead regular review of Board composition, skills and diversity. 

• Support Trustees to understand and discharge their duties as Charity Trustees and Company Directors. 

• Work closely with Committee Chairs to ensure effective reporting, escalation of risk and alignment with Board priorities. 

• Represent White Lodge externally where appropriate, acting as an ambassador for the charity and helping to strengthen its reputation, build strategic relationships and develop partnerships that support White Lodge’s long-term ambitions.

• Maintain up-to-date awareness of charity governance practice, regulatory developments and sector expectations. 

• Participate in Board committees if appropriate, recognising that committee responsibilities may evolve over time to reflect the needs of the organisation.

Time Commitment

This is a voluntary role. The typical time commitment includes:

• Quarterly Trustee Board meetings (evenings; in person)

• Annual Board Away Day / strategic planning session (full day; in person)

• Attendance at bi-annual committee meetings if appropriate, to be agreed with the Board

• Regular liaison with the Chief Executive and Committee Chairs (hybrid)

• Preparation time and occasional external representation (hybrid)

Experience & Person Specification

To be successful in this role you will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience, with experience of governance, Board leadership or working alongside Boards. This experience may have been gained within the charity, public or private sectors.

• A strong understanding of strategic leadership, sound governance and organisational oversight, or the ability to develop knowledge of charity governance quickly.

• Experience contributing to organisational performance, strategic planning, risk management and effective decision-making.

• The ability to chair meetings, facilitate constructive discussion and build consensus across a diverse group of stakeholders.

• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to represent White Lodge externally and develop strong partnerships. 

• Sound judgement, integrity and a collaborative, values-led leadership style. 

• A genuine commitment to White Lodge’s vision, mission and values, and a passion for creating inclusive opportunities for children, adults and families. 

We welcome applications from individuals who bring diverse perspectives and lived experience relevant to White Lodge’s mission. We recognise that exceptional Chairs come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and encourage applications from people who share White Lodge’s vision, values and commitment to creating an inclusive society. 

How to Apply

To express your interest in becoming the next Chair of Trustees at White Lodge, please complete the form linked within the “Redirect to recruiter” button.

As part of the form, you’ll be asked to provide:

• Your personal and contact details

• Information relating to your eligibility to act as a charity trustee, including any conflicts of interest

• Declarations relating to safeguarding, DBS checks and the accuracy of the information you provide

• Your CV

• A cover letter

Your cover letter should explain:

• Why you are interested in becoming Chair of Trustees at White Lodge

• How your skills, experience and leadership approach align with the role

• What you would bring to the organisation as Chair, with reference to the person specification where appropriate

We encourage you to keep your cover letter to no more than two pages of A4.

The deadline for applications is 9pm on Sunday 20th September 2026, although applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and first stage conversations may take place before the deadline. We will not conduct final stage interviews until after the deadline has passed to ensure we consider all applications.

The recruitment for this position is being exclusively managed by Radiate Hiring. If you have any questions, need to request adjustments for the application process or would like to discuss the position further then you can do so via the "Redirect to recruiter" button.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting We Change Lives in their search for three new Trustees to join their Board.

About We Change Lives

We Change Lives is one of England’s leading specialist care charity providing expert, personalised support for adults with complex needs, including learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health needs. Through our expanding residential care and supported living we help people live with greater independence, dignity and confidence.

Our purpose is to help people lead their lives in a purposeful, healthy and enjoyable way, as full and equal members of their local community. We do this by providing residential homes and supported living schemes, as well as other forms of support for individuals in the community. We’re a thriving, ambitious organisation with big plans to grow, so we can support even more people across the UK to live life on their terms

About the Trustee Opportunities

We Change Lives operates with a Trustee Board as its senior decision-making and accountable body. The Board are supported by the SLT and external advisors as required. 

We are seeking 3 new trustees to join the Main Board.

Experience is also required in one, or all of, the following areas: 

• Health and / or Social Care: Care quality or other operational complex, highly regulated environments that require high levels of assurance.
• Growth and Transformation: Experience ensuring an organisation can deliver growth to a high standard and in a fully rounded manner.

Please visit Inclusive Boards website for more information and to apply.