5 Program administrative specialist volunteer roles in Bristol

Dorothy House is seeking an exceptional and inspirational leader to join its Board of Trustees with the intention of becoming the charity's next Chair.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced board leader to help shape the future of hospice and end-of-life care, providing strategic leadership, strong governance and influential external advocacy for one of the region's leading hospices. We are looking for an individual with the vision, credibility and commitment to support Dorothy House through its next phase of development and ensure it continues to deliver outstanding care and support for people and families at some of the most important moments in their lives.

As a Trustee and prospective Chair, you will help lead the Board in setting the organisation's long-term direction, ensuring effective governance, financial sustainability and organisational resilience. You will bring the ability to think strategically, navigate complexity, build strong relationships and act as an authentic ambassador for Dorothy House across a wide range of stakeholders and partners.

About the Role (Unremunerated Volunteer Position)

We are seeking someone who can demonstrate:

• Significant board-level leadership experience as a Chair, Trustee, Non-Executive Director or equivalent.
• Experience chairing boards, committees or senior decision-making forums.
• Support to the organisation in anticipating and responding to changing patterns of need, demographic trends, health inequalities, workforce challenges, technological developments and evolving models of care
• Visionary leadership with the ability to anticipate future opportunities and challenges, inspire innovation and shape long-term organisational sustainability.
• Strong understanding of governance, fiduciary responsibilities, risk management and organisational performance.
• Experience contributing to the development and oversight of organisational strategy.
• Experience leading or supporting organisations through change, growth or transformation.
• Ability to build effective relationships with Chief Executives and senior leaders, providing both support and constructive challenge.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A track record as an ambassador, advocate and relationship-builder.
• A genuine commitment to Dorothy House's mission, values and the provision of exceptional end-of-life care

Appointment Process While this recruitment process is being undertaken with the intention of identifying Dorothy House's next Chair, appointment as Chair cannot take place until the individual has first been appointed as a Trustee. Subject to the Board's decision and the provisions of the Articles of Association, appointment as Chair may take place immediately following appointment as a Trustee.

Why Join Dorothy House? This is an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a highly respected and ambitious organisation. As Chair, you will help shape the future of hospice care, strengthen Dorothy House's influence and impact, and ensure the organisation remains sustainable, innovative and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

Appointment Details The trustee term is 3 years, renewable up to a maximum of 9 years (3 x 3-year terms). The Chair serves up to 2 terms only. The time commitment for a Chair of Trustees can be up to 1 day a week. Training in the responsibilities of charity trustees will be provided.

Closing Date: Thursday 8 October

Interviews: Thursday 12 November

Location: Worldwide

Term: Voluntary – Unpaid (reasonable travel expenses can be claimed)

Closing date: Friday 2nd October 2026

Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by our values, we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled, and people respond as one to the suffering of others.

We provide lasting routes out of poverty, empowering people to transform their lives and serving all communities without prejudice.

As an independent faith-based humanitarian and development organisation, Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has been serving humanity for over 40 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty.

Since we were founded in 1984, Islamic Relief has grown into one of the world’s largest relief and development charities, touching the lives of over 120 million people.

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is seeking to appoint additional independent members to join our International General Assembly (IGA).

Following appointment to the IGA, independent members are eligible for nomination to the BoT after 1 year as an IGA independent member.

Appointments on the BoT are for a 4-year term limit.

The IGA is the highest body of the new Islamic Relief Worldwide governance structure and consists mainly of representatives elected by Islamic Relief family members across five continents, creating a body that is truly globally representative. It is from the IGA that IRW draws its trustees.

We would like to hear from exceptional applicants with considerable experience and specialist knowledge in a range of professional backgrounds: law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance. Those selected will play a vital role in IRW’s strategic work and in helping us respond to key challenges.

As a member of the IGA, it is expected you will be fully committed to the organisational objectives of IRW, sharing our vision, mission and values. You will be expected to attend meetings and be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role and to act in the best interest of IRW’s work and its rightsholders.

The Role

Key responsibilities:

• Participate in the oversight of the organisation in accordance with its statutory obligations, making sure that IRW satisfies its regulatory and legal requirements as a charity
• Act in a manner which supports the organisation in meeting aims and objectives as set out in IRW governing documents and in ensuring IRW long-term security
• Focus on strategic planning and governance when setting IRW priorities and objectives
• Participate in the approval of annual plans, strategies and budgets

• Support the financial stability of the charity and contribute to its effective and efficient administration, reviewing and approving financial strategies and monitoring income and expenditure, to ensure the organisation is in good financial health
• Promote IRW’s vision, mission and values and demonstrate IRW’s values in all of the IGA’s work.

About You

We are seeking exceptional candidates with a breadth of leadership experience who can enhance the strategic development of IRW and have the following skills and qualities:

• A deep commitment and passion for IRW’s faith-inspired values, vision and mission
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Considerable professional experience and specialist knowledge in one or more of the following – law, accountancy, audit, humanitarian programming, PR/communications, marketing or fundraising, IT, charity financial policy and strategy, shariah compliance
• Strategic vision and critical thinking skills
• Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution
• Legislative and operating framework for charities/voluntary and community sector organisations, especially an understanding of Charity Commission requirements
• A good understanding of the context IRW operates within
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; enjoys teamwork
• Willing to be an ambassador for IRW
• Demonstrates past public conduct, statements and behaviour that are in line with IRW’s values and expectations of the role

If you are interested in this role, please review the information pack before applying.

How to apply:

To make your application for the IGA position, please send a current CV and cover letter.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 2nd October 2026

PLEASE NOTE: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications without a cover letter will not be accepted.

Fundraising Events Organiser Volunteer

Would you like to be part of a dedicated and friendly team of volunteers and make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens in our care?Do you enjoy planning and organising for events?  Maybe you have a particular skill that you would like to put to use?
 
Then this could be the role for you! 
 
Our Fundraising Events Team are at the heart of what we do, raising essential funds for the cats.

Our Fundraising Events Organisersshare ideas, tasks and inspiration, planning and delivering local events, with the support of the Fundraising events helpers, such as Open Days (usually 2 per year) at the centre andour annual Christmas Bazaar.

Time Expectation:  This role can be varied and time commitment can be flexible. 

Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.

We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.

Please note:  Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Full training and support will be given for all roles.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Trust House Reading provides a confidential helpline service to victims/survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 18 or above.

Helpline volunteers are a key part of this service, and we value their contribution. Helpline volunteers aim to support victims/survivors of rape and sexual abuse by providing a safe space to talk and share their feelings and needs; by providing information and signposting to other relevant organisations/services; and by referring the clients to Trust House Reading’s different services.

Hours of work: This role requires one 2-3-hour session per week. This role can be office based at our offices in Reading or home based.

Helpline volunteers must complete Trust House Reading’s specialist training and induction programme and must attend monthly supervision.

No previous helpline experience is necessary as training and on-going support will be provided.

Please note that you must be over the age of 18 and eligible to volunteer in the UK. Unfortunately, we are currently only able to offer this role to people living in the UK.

Key Tasks:

• Ensure that calls are answered promptly and efficiently during your shift.
• Provide callers with emotional support, relevant information and signposting as relevant to the call.
• Listen to helpline telephone messages and make call-backs as necessary.
• Update our database for every telephone call.
• Keep accurate records, follow up and pass on accurate messages and complete records.
• To participate in on-going training and monthly supervision.

We will reimburse reasonable travel costs for those that volunteer at our office in Reading. Our Volunteer Policy provides further information.
Please note that for this role, a DBS check must be completed and you must provide two references.