238 Relationship manager volunteer roles

Providing a confidential non-judgemental listening ear to Residents and Staff. Supporting those wishing to develop their spiritual journey from a Christian perspective. The role will be based across one of our hostels in Watford, Borehamwood, Bishop's Stortford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield or High Wycombe, 

Activities include:

• Proactively engaging with Residents and staff to build safe relationships and trust
• Offering a ‘listening ear’ to all and giving emotional support
• Sensitively discerning when to offer prayer and support from a Christian perspective, and when to use faith based language
• Be inclusive and welcoming to people of all religious faiths and none, referring people to other faith communities as appropriate
• Working alongside support staff, volunteers & local agencies
• Maintaining records of support and feeding back concerns about Resident welfare to Staff/Line Manager.
• Attend regular volunteer team meetings
• Being proactive in seeking spiritual and emotional support for your own benefit as this is a challenging role.

Additional activities could include:

• Facilitating group work for example: Retreat Programme, Bible Study, prayer or Mental Health Support.
• Welcoming new Residents by phone or in person
• Leading or helping with Chaplaincy lead events: Easter/Christmas activities, Remembrance Services
• Being an ambassador for YMCA’s mission in local Churches

Skills/Qualities/Experience:

• Be a good and active listener who can support others
• Be of a friendly, welcoming and cheerful disposition
• Self-motivated, reliable and punctual
• Sensitivity and courage to care for people experiencing a range of distressing situations including: grief, trauma, poor mental health, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts.
• A commitment to your own spiritual development
• A good understanding of the Christian faith, as well as some understanding of other faith traditions
• Ability to use both faith and non-faith based language, as appropriate
• Good communication skills in English; in person & over the phone
• A willingness to learn new things and get stuck in
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values
• Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have

Training Support:

• A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided
• A one day ‘Chaplaincy Essentials’ training, plus a menu of additional training will be made available
• Online training: Safeguarding (Adults & Young People), Fire Awareness, Manual Handling
• Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line-manager
• Team meetings and social events
• Mileage and expenses may be payable

You will need 2 x references and a DBS (we will apply for and fund this). 

Change a life. Mentor a Fatherless Boy. 

Who are we? 

At Chapter2, a Reading-based charity that mentors fatherless boys through a network of 1:1 male volunteers. Our mentoring is long-term and activity based in order to develop meaningful trusted relationships that can have a positive impact on a boy's life. 

What sort of person are we looking for? 

If you are a man living within a 45-minute drive of Reading, Berkshire, then we’d love to hear from you. We recruit, train and match men with boys aged 8 - 16 that do not have a healthy male role model. Our mentoring is activity-based, and we match mentees with a mentor based on their shared interests. You will be committed to walking alongside your mentee for a minimum of 2 years; meeting him for 1-2 hours a week/fortnightly. Most of the mentoring is doing normal activities a father might do with his son ie go for a bike ride, kick a football around, take a walk, etc. We also offer montly group activities that you and your mentee can access for free. In the past these have included paintball, laser tag, bushcraft, footgolf, beach day, go karting, rock climbing, etc. 

What do we offer you? 

You will receive high-quality training at the beginning of your mentoring journey, as well weekly check-ins from your mentor manager, who will support you throughout your time as a mentor.  Additional training is also provided throughout your mentoring journey. Most activities mentors do with their mentees is free, but we do cover some expenses if an activity has an associated cost. 

How do I apply? 

Register your interest on our website and we’ll send you an email within 1 working day. 

Safer Recuritment

The safeguarding and well-being of our mentees is of the utmost importance, and applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and, where necessary, an overseas background check.

There is also an assessment process which includes an application, references and interview.

Successful applicants will also be required to complete Basic Safeguarding training. 

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

The Conversation Class Teacher volunteer will deliver IRMO Conversation Class lessons as suitable, required and in support of our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision for adults. 

You will work closely with the ETE Education Assistant to support language development among IRMO ESOL Courses learners, following a scheme of work and basic course outline and planning the lessons at beginner and advanced levels (as allocated) according to your teaching approach, methods and techniques. 

Main tasks and responsibilities of the role: 

● Planning, preparing and delivering high-quality lessons to a range of classes and levels in a community setting. 

● Providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for learners, reinforcing and practising English focusing on particular areas of the learner's language. 

● Ensuring learners’ participation during classes and monitoring attendance. 

● Providing opportunities for social engagement to support learners to become more independent (eg. explaining necessary processes about daily life). 

● Promoting and encouraging language improvement (eg. motivating learners to participate in language learning activities such as conversation classes). 

● Keeping classes on track according to the syllabus and learning outcomes instructed. 

● Undertaking any other administrative tasks, consistent with the purpose of the role as required. 

● To deliver all aspects of this role description in adherence and compliance with IRMO's Policies and Procedures.

The Dementia Services supports people to 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.

We offer clients from the Dementia Services (befriending and wellbeing) a short performance or creative activity delivered by a volunteer visual artist, musician, dancer, actor, performer, and other creative artforms. You may choose to share a creative hobby or an art form you practice professionally.

What does the role involve? 

·Share your creative talent or hobby with older people living with dementia by delivering a short performance to an older person at home or providing an opportunity for them to participate in a creative activity.

·Visit a minimum of 4 times per year for up to 1.5 hours each time, including 20/30 minutes for the performance/activity.

·Provide opportunities for connection with older people during your visit through conversation and engagement.

• Liaise with service coordinators to link with clients who have asked to receive these visits/calls.
• Provide feedback after every performance, including positive impact, improvements to the delivery of visits or concerns regarding the client. 

What will you get out of it?

·An opportunity to create meaningful experiences for all

·Be part of something rewarding and fulfilling

·Training in dementia awareness, safeguarding and more

·Supervision and support

·Reimbursement of expenses

·Opportunities to meet other volunteers

What are the benefits for people living with dementia?

 Many of the clients we support in this service are housebound or do not have the confidence or opportunity to attend events. Some clients may be artists, performers and creatives in their own right who do not get an opportunity to engage with or experience this aspect of their lives anymore.

Giving people who are living with memory loss an opportunity to be part of creative activities is a stimulating, fun way of putting them in touch with memories, other people and the wider community.

Bringing your artform into peoples’ homes can have a huge impact on reducing isolation, encouraging connection and bring a sprinkle of joy to those living with dementia.

We are looking for people who have:

• An interest in sharing or performing their creative, artistic skill whether you are a hobbyist or a professional: 
• Singing

·Playing a musical instrument

·Visual art activity

·Poetry/acting

·Dancing

·Culture-specific art/music/dance/poetry

These are just a handful of examples, but we will consider applications from a variety of artists/musicians/ performers and are open to suggestions.

What other attributes do you need?

• Good verbal and written skills in English 

• Enjoy conversation.
• A desire to learn more about an individual and their interests and their past, and life history
• Consistency and reliability 
• An ability to empathise and understand the needs and experiences of an individual with dementia and memory loss.
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Patience and sensitivity
• Confidence to deal with emergencies
• Requirement to undertake induction training and follow guidelines and policies of Age UK Camden

Volunteering Hours 

Performances/activities:Usually approx. 20 -30 minutes but 1-1.5hrs are assigned to the visit

 Minimum of 4 - 6 visits a year (you can opt to do more). 

Visits will be a time agreed between you and the older person you are matched with.

Please note, early morning and late evenings are generally not suitable times for visits. 

Training and induction are provided for the role and includes: 

• Online Dementia Awareness course 
• Age UK Camden organisational induction 
• Induction to Dementia Befriending and Dementia Wellbeing Services and relationships, how to deliver a performer visit
• Safeguarding Adults online course
• Data Awareness online course

We will give you:

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the coordinator of the service.
• Reimbursement of agreed expenses 
• Access to Volunteer Forum events

 If you are interested, we will ask you to: 

• Complete an application form

• Meet with Dementia Services staff member
• Provide details of two Referees
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check (we arrange this with you)
• Induction and training (as laid out above)

We understand that completing the various steps takes time, and we support and keep in touch with you through the process. 

As this role brings our volunteers into regular contact with vulnerable older people, we make sure that all volunteers understand their role and have completed our recruitment procedures to both our and their satisfaction. 

About us: 

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C is a pioneering Podcast/YouTube Channel and healing membership organisation. We provide a platform for survivors and whistleblowers to share their lived experiences, highlight systemic frustrations and offer solutions rooted in culturally trauma-informed care.

Our membership offers young people and survivors a path to heal, learn digital skills and interactively participate in our Alchemic 369 Book Club, where members engage in weekly interactive discussions, debates and critical analysis of African, Caribbean and world history, Ifa, classics and political thought. Members will sharpen their reading, reasoning and imagination skills, with opportunities to discuss works directly with authors, highly subsidised plant-based transformative retreats and join a community designed to empower and educate.

We are a mission-driven, collective-focused C.I.C building a movement that combines healing, re-education and empowerment.

Our content focuses on:

• Survivors of CSA, RSA, CT, CA stories

• Whistleblowers and retired experts

• Generational trauma and healing

• Youth empowerment and education

• Community transformation through honest storytelling

Our mission is to challenge generational cycles, expose hidden truths, fight for justice and create a platform rooted in authenticity, deep healing, and transformation.

Job Purpose:

To actively identify, locate, and surface potential real-world stories, individuals, and lived experiences that align with the organisation’s mission, ensuring a continuous pipeline of high-quality, relevant story leads for the Story Intelligence Team.

This role exists to function as the organisation’s primary “frontline discovery engine,” scanning a wide range of public sources—including media platforms, social networks, interviews, documentaries, podcasts, books, advocacy spaces, and community forums—to uncover individuals who have either publicly shared their experiences or are visibly positioned within ongoing social, cultural, or institutional narratives.

The Research Story Scout is responsible for recognising not just individual stories, but also broader story ecosystems, including repeated patterns of lived experience, underrepresented voices, emerging testimonies, and whistleblower disclosures that may not yet have been formally documented or widely circulated.

A key purpose of this role is to convert scattered public information into structured, actionable story leads that can be passed efficiently to the Outreach Team for ethical and appropriate engagement.

The role also ensures that potential stories are identified early, before they become widely saturated or lost in mainstream attention cycles, enabling the organisation to engage responsibly, respectfully, and at the right stage of the individual’s willingness to share.

Ultimately, this role ensures the organisation maintains a consistent flow of credible, relevant, and timely story opportunities by continuously scanning the public landscape and translating discovery into structured, usable intelligence for outreach and engagement.

About the role:

Story Scouts spend their time locating individuals who have publicly shared their experiences or indicated a willingness to discuss their story.

Sources may include:

• Podcasts

• YouTube interviews

• Social media platforms

• Survivor groups

• Charity websites

• News reports

• Books

• Blogs

• Conferences

• Public speaking events

Once identified, the scout prepares a short lead profile and passes it to outreach for them to make contact, sign consent forms and safeguarding checks, schedule call with guest and host hand over to host. (PPTeam).

Ideal Candidate

• Extremely resourceful.

• Strong online research skills.

• Curious and persistent.

• Enjoys finding information.

• Comfortable working independently.

Experience Required

• Internet research.

• Community management.

• Journalism.

• Talent sourcing.

• Recruitment sourcing.

• Social media research.

What You Will Gain

• Real-world hosting and interviewing experience

• Opportunity to build a public profile and media presence

• Portfolio-building opportunities across podcasting and storytelling

• Networking and relationship-building opportunities

• Experience working within a growing media and advocacy platform

• Creative freedom and personal growth opportunities

• Leadership and media mentorship

• Opportunity to develop your own audience and storytelling identity

• Potential future paid opportunities and long-term media career pathways

• Direct pathway into a future paid role

• The chance to help build a nationally recognised media and survivor-support platform

• COS opportunities for top performing staff members 

This role is designed as a long-term pathway opportunity to a paid position and lifestyle transformation.

We don’t operate on individualism—we build through collectivism, meaning:
  As the platform grows, your role, influence, and opportunities grow with it

Additional Notes

This role is not suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work

• Avoid handling sensitive data or detailed reporting

• Are seeking immediate paid employment

• Are uncomfortable applying analysis to strategic decisions

To Apply

Please send:

• Your CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile (if available)

• A short introduction about yourself

• Why this mission resonates with you

• Any relevant experience, skills, ideas, or vision you would bring to the role

We welcome individuals who are passionate about helping create platforms that inspire healing, justice, truth, education, empowerment, and lasting community impact. That see themselves transforming their lifestyles to maintain the above for the generations to come.

We are currently looking for a new Clinician Trustee who can use their expertise and strategic insight to support our growing charity at a critical time for cleft care and NHS reform.

The Clinician Trustee will contribute to all aspects of the charity’s governance while providing essential clinical expertise to support and enhance our work.

We are seeking an experienced professional to help drive CLAPA’s clinical impact in line with its strategic priorities. We are particularly interested in hearing from clinicians with experience of strategic leadership within cleft services, specialised commissioning, workforce development or national clinical networks, who can help CLAPA navigate a period of significant change and reform across the NHS.

In this role, you will offer insight into the patient journey across the evolving cleft care pathway, strengthen relationships between CLAPA and clinical teams and provide clinical guidance to inform our campaigns and initiatives. You will bring a strong understanding of patient centred care and use your expertise to help shape and influence improvements in services and outcomes.

Ideally, you will also draw on safeguarding experience from your clinical role to support the charity’s safeguarding function and promote best practice across our work.

If you think you have the experience, passion and leadership to help us meet the needs of the community we serve, we want to hear from you.

Help Shape the Future of Children’s Healthcare in Sussex. Join the Board of Trustees at Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

As a Trustee, you'll work alongside fellow Board members and our Executive Team to:

• Help shape the charity's long-term strategy and future direction.
• Ensure Rockinghorse is well governed, financially sustainable and delivering the greatest possible impact.
• Support and challenge the Executive Team as we deliver our ambitious plans.
• Champion the charity and help build relationships that strengthen our work across Sussex.

This is an opportunity to contribute to decisions that will help thousands of children and families every year.

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

• Finance
• Healthcare or allied professions
• Charity governance
• Fundraising
• Business leadership
• Marketing and communications
• Research, data or evaluation
• IT
• Digital
• Business development

We're particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of children's healthcare and from people whose backgrounds and experiences are currently underrepresented on charity boards.

About Rockinghorse

Rockinghorse was set up in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann as an appeal to provide the first neonatal incubator outside London.

The appeal not only marked the beginning of our charity, but also the very early days of what later became the Trevor Mann Baby Unit. Dr Mann was intrinsic to paediatric care in Sussex as we know it today.

Roll forward to today, and we are proud to be the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton along with the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

We also support many other NHS hospital settings throughout Sussex, including Bluefin Ward at Worthing, Chalkhill and the Special Care Baby Unit at Haywards Heath, and Howard Ward at St Richard’s in Chichester.

Working in partnership with these services, we fund projects which focus on improving children’s physical and emotional well-being, while providing additional support services for parents and carers.

The projects we support fall into six key categories: toys, equipment, spaces, research, activities, and people.

Our Vision

Rockinghorse’s vision is a world where children are healthy and happy.  

Our Mission

We fund and deliver transformative projects and services that enhance the care and support given by our incredible colleagues in the NHS.

We invest in state-of-the-art treatments, life-saving equipment, critical mental health support, additional people, ground-breaking research, and inspiring spaces that go above and beyond for children.

We work in partnership with the UHSussex NHS Trust and other charities to ensure every young patient and their family receive the best possible care when they are unwell.

Our Values

We strive to always operate in line with the following guiding values.

We care

We care about children, young people, their families, and all those that look after for them. We always act with kindness and compassion. We care about the NHS and all those who work there. We care about the world and want to make it a better place.

We’re passionate

We are passionate about making life better for children, young people, and their families. If there’s something we can do to make life better for patients and their families, we’ll go above and beyond to do it. We are passionate about our community and all those in it.

We’re honest

We are open and honest about our work, what we fund and how we raise funds. We work hard to ensure money goes to projects that genuinely make a difference. We involve our supporters in our projects and share our learning and experience wherever possible.

We’re supportive

We help wherever and however we can. We support children and their families; we support Health Care Professionals (HCP) and paediatric

services, and we support each other as team members. We work with and support other charities and organisations who are doing great things for children in Sussex.

We’re collaborative

We prioritise working with people and organisations wherever possible. We work with experts and others for the best possible outcome for sick

children and their families. We love a partnership that prioritises impact and avoids duplication.

How to apply

If you’d like to help shape the future of children’s healthcare across Sussex, we’d love to hear from you. Please email a covering letter outlining your skills and experience in relation to the Trustee Job Description to Dr Oli Rahman, our Chair of Trustees, by 30 September 2026.

Interviews will be held in person in Brighton in October (dates/times flexible to shortlisted candidates).
If you have any questions about the role, process or the charity please email our CEO, Donna Holland.

For email addresses and further information, please refer to the attached Application Pack.

Read Easy UK provides free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, delivered through a dedicated network of local volunteer groups. Across the country, our volunteers are helping adults gain the skills and confidence to read, opening the door to new opportunities in work, family life and everyday independence. By volunteering with Read Easy, you can play a direct role in transforming someone’s future. Whether you’re coaching a Reader, helping run a local group, or spreading the word in your community, your time and commitment can have a lasting impact. 

Outline of the Team Leader role
As the Team Leader you are responsible for the proper and effective direction of your local group. This role will appeal to 
someone with enthusiasm and energy who will enjoy managing a team of diverse volunteers. Ideally, the Team Leader will remain in this role for at least two years.

How we will support you
You will be provided with a full induction and training, a Management Team Handbook and all the policies, and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, as well as support from your local group. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK’s regional and national forums which create opportunity for you to network with volunteers from other groups.

What you will be doing
● Be a visible ambassador for your group, building meaningful relationships with stakeholders and representing Read Easy with pride.
● Champion the reputation of your group and Read Easy UK, helping everyone uphold the organisation’s values.
● Leading your group to develop strategically, so that it functions effectively in delivering reading coaching to as many people as possible.
● Inspiring and supporting team members, helping them thrive and enjoy the roles they love and managing succession planning for the group.
● Leading the Management Team in setting goals and planning activities
● Delegating projects to your Deputy Leader, such as setting up a new hub or developing remote coaching for your group, to reach even more people eager to learn to read.
● Ensuring that everyday tasks are delegated and effectively completed so that all on the Management Team are able to contribute to the success of Read Easy locally.
● Providing encouragement and support to Hub Leaders to help hubs grow and succeed.
● Leading meetings and setting agendas.
● Playing a vital role in ensuring the group meets its Constitution and Affiliation requirements, and that the guidance from Read Easy provided to keep things running smoothly is followed
● Liaising with other Team Leaders to discuss issues and share best practice
● Building strong relationships with your Read Easy UK Regional Adviser. 

The skills you need
● Strong leadership and team management skills and experience, with ability to motivate and inspire trust and confidence in others.
● An ability to think and act strategically, set goals, plan work and delegate.
● A willingness and ability to challenge others, deal with underperformance and manage conflict when necessary.
● Reasonable confidence in using IT. 
● The ability to use initiative and work independently. 
● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures. 
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team. 
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included. 
● Energy and enthusiasm with four to five hours a week to commit to the role.

What is in it for you? 
● Use your knowledge and skills to lead a team to support Reader achievement
● Meet and work collaboratively with new people
● Be active and engaged, adding value to your local 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".

Chair of Trustees - Gorse Hill Studios Community & Cultural Centre (GHSCC)

Help Shape the Future of an Ambitious Youth Arts Charity

Gorse Hill Studios (GHSCC) is seeking an exceptional individual to become our next Chair of Trustees.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Board of a respected and ambitious youth arts charity that has transformed the lives of thousands of young people across Greater Manchester. Working closely with our Chief Executive and fellow trustees, you will help shape our strategic direction, strengthen our governance, and champion our mission to ensure every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

About Us

At Gorse Hill Studios, we believe all young people deserve social, emotional, educational and cultural investment in their future.

For over a decade, we have supported young people aged 8 to 25 through a unique combination of arts, youth work and creative learning. Our work focuses on inclusion, disability, youth voice, alternative education and creative engagement, helping young people build confidence, resilience and meaningful pathways into adulthood.

Through our programmes, we empower young people to discover their potential, strengthen their communities and achieve aspirations they may never have thought possible.

The Opportunity

As Chair of Trustees, you will provide leadership to our Board and help ensure GHSCC remains focused on achieving its charitable objectives while operating to the highest standards of governance.

You will act as a trusted partner to our Chief Executive, providing support, challenge and strategic oversight while maintaining the appropriate distinction between governance and operational management.

This role provides a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people while contributing your leadership skills to a values-driven organisation at an exciting stage of its development.

Key Responsibilities

As Chair, you will:

• Lead and facilitate an effective, inclusive and high-performing Board of Trustees.
• Ensure the Board fulfils its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive to develop and monitor organisational strategy.
• Foster constructive relationships between trustees, staff and stakeholders.
• Support the recruitment, development and succession planning of trustees.
• Ensure risks are appropriately identified and managed.
• Champion GHSCC's mission, values and reputation across the sector and wider community.
• Encourage robust discussion, constructive challenge and effective decision-making.
• Lead Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting.

Who We Are Looking For

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate:

• Senior leadership or board-level experience.
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement.
• The ability to inspire, influence and build consensus.
• A commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• An understanding of good governance and organisational accountability.
• Experience of leading meetings and facilitating effective group decision-making.

Previous Chair experience is desirable but not essential. We are equally interested in hearing from candidates with strong leadership experience who are ready to take on their first Chair role.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Charity leadership and governance
• Fundraising and income generation
• Marketing and communications
• Education and alternative provision
• Finance or risk management
• Legal or HR expertise
• Public sector or community engagement

Time Commitment

The Board currently meets four times per year in person at Gorse Hill, Trafford.

In addition, the Chair is expected to:

• Meet regularly with the Chief Executive.
• Attend occasional committee meetings and key events.
• Support trustee recruitment and board development activities.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity when appropriate.

We estimate an average commitment of approximately 1 to 2 days per month.

This is a voluntary unpaid role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who bring lived experience, perspectives and voices that are currently underrepresented in charity governance. We celebrate the richness of our differences, including social class, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, faith and age.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV alongside an expression of interest (maximum two sides of A4) outlining:

• Why you are interested in becoming Chair of Trustees at Gorse Hill Studios.
• The skills, experience and perspectives you would bring to the role.
• How your values align with our mission and work with young people.

Deadline midnight 25th September 2026.

Interviews 9th October 2026 afternoon and early evening TBC

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 3 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

Location

Region

• South West

Additional location information

• This role will be based at home and in your local area.

Who this opportunity will suit

• This role is reserved for blind and partially sighted applicants

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people. • Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your story, or a willingness to try with our support. • Effective communication skills. • An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people. • Confidence in using a smart phone and email and engaging in meetings via video calls.