Response line team leader volunteer roles
Trees for Cities
Salary: Voluntary role, reasonable expenses reimbursed
Location: London with flexibility
Closing Date: 11 March 2026
Trees for Cities is an independent national charity that empowers people to plant and care for trees in towns and cities, targeting places where they have the greatest impact for people and nature. Through trees, we connect people to nature, enrich lives and create leafy, liveable places for today and future generations. In a world facing unprecedented threats from climate change, biodiversity loss and disconnection from nature, our work has never been more urgent.
Since 1993, Trees for Cities has engaged 260,000 people to plant and care for almost 2 million trees across 100 urban areas in the UK and overseas. We are proud to operate at the intersection of social and environmental justice, focusing on communities with the least access to green space and the benefits it brings. To deepen this work, we have developed a new five-year strategy (2025–2030) with the goal of creating a Movement for Urban Trees and Tree Equity. As we enter this ambitious new strategic phase, the new Chair will play a leading role in overseeing its successful embedding and impact.
This is a rare opportunity to lead the Board of a dynamic, growing charity at a pivotal moment. Our Trustees are recruited for their diverse skills and perspectives, and we are proud of our strong governance practices and healthy Board culture. Together, we provide constructive challenge and meaningful support to the executive team, guided by the organisational values that sit at the heart of how we work. We are seeking an exceptional individual to become our next Chair, continuing this work, offering strategic leadership and robust governance to ensure Trees for Cities continues to thrive and grow in impact.
You will bring Board-level experience, including as a Chair, Vice Chair and/or Trustee/Non-Executive Director, and a proven ability to chair Board or committee meetings effectively. With strategic vision and the confidence to navigate complexity, you will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, build consensus and manage diverse perspectives. You will bring a supportive and empowering approach, with a coaching style of leadership that empowers and enables others to thrive. Experience in the environmental, sustainability or urban greening sectors is desirable but not essential; what matters most is your ability to lead with integrity, inspire others and drive impact.
We want our Board to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and those with lived experience of environmental or social injustice. If you are motivated to help shape our next chapter and bring the leadership and experience to guide our ambition, we encourage you to apply.
To read more about our work, the role and how to apply, please download the full appointment brief below.
People Beyond Profit on-line conversations: 17 March - 15 April 2026
CEO online ‘fireside’ conversations: 17 – 24 March 2026
Trees for Cities Interview Dates:
-
First stage in-person trustee panel: 27 April 2026
-
Final stage coffee with CEO and current Chair on one of the following: 28, 29 April, 5, 6 May 2026.
Registered Charity 
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Please read the attached Trustee Information Pack for more detail
As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in the governance and strategic oversight of the charity, ensuring that we operate effectively, achieve our mission, and comply with all legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees are collectively responsible for safeguarding the charity’s assets, ensuring they are used exclusively to further our objectives, and overseeing the charity’s financial health, including budgets, financial controls, and reporting. Acting with integrity and in the charity’s best interests is at the heart of the role.
The Treasurer oversees the financial affairs of the charity and ensures that they are conducted legally, transparently, and in line with the charity’s governing document. Working closely with the Chair, Managing Director, Trustees, and any staff or volunteers, the Treasurer helps safeguard the charity’s financial sustainability.
We welcome candidates from professional backgrounds who share our commitment to supporting those affected by Body Dysmorphic Disorder. If your current or previous skills or experience align with this post, we encourage you to apply and join us in driving meaningful change.
Please note, this role is being advertised on an ongoing basis, with interviews conducted on an ad hoc basis.
To apply for this role, please submit the following documents:
- An up to date CV outlining your relevant experience and qualifications.
- A cover letter of no more than 800 words explaining why you are interested in the Treasurer role, what you would bring to the board, and how your skills align with the needs of the charity.
Please note, this role is being advertised on an ongoing basis, with interviews conducted on an ad hoc basis.
0
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
If you care about equity in the arts, believe creative talent should thrive in Bradford, and want to play a part in shaping cultural change locally and nationally, we’d love to hear from you.
Bradford Producing Hub is an artist-led charity working to dismantle barriers in the arts and build more equitable systems in their place. Our vision is a just and joyful cultural future – powered by people, rooted in place, and open to all.
We support artists and creatives through development programmes, sector advocacy and strategic partnerships. We work locally in Bradford and influence nationally.
Who we’re looking for
We’re particularly interested in people with experience in:
- Chairing, or an interest in developing into a future Chair role
- Arts and cultural leadership
- Being an independent artist or creative practitioner
- Charity finance and accountancy
- Fundraising and charitable giving
- HR or legal practice
- Heritage, cultural building management and/or capital development
If you don’t have the specific experience listed above, but your values and outlook closely align with the work of Bradford Producing Hub, we’re very much interested in hearing from you.
We are also actively seeking voices that represent the Bradford district, and we particularly welcome applications from people from the Global Majority*, including Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities who are underrepresented in arts leadership and governance. We equally welcome applications from people who are LGBTQIA+, disabled**, and/or from working-class or low socio-economic backgrounds.
We are committed not only to diversifying representation, but to ensuring trustees feel valued, heard and able to shape decisions meaningfully. BPH is radical, kind, equity-driven and community-spirited. We are committed to anti-racist and anti-ableist practice, recognising that structural racism and ableism continue to shape the arts sector. We are actively working to challenge this within our governance and partnerships, and we expect trustees to share that commitment.
We know that joining a board can feel daunting, particularly where governance spaces have not always felt welcoming. We are committed to providing induction, support and space for all trustees to contribute confidently and meaningfully.
If you have ever looked at arts leadership and felt it did not reflect you, this is an invitation to help change that.
What does being a trustee involve?
Trustees shape our long-term strategy, influence cultural policy, and hold the organisation to account in line with our charitable aims.
You don’t need previous board experience. Collective leadership at BPH is built on shared responsibility, openness and learning together. We provide induction and ongoing development and training.
Commitment includes:
- Around four board meetings per year
- Preparation and reading in advance
- Occasional additional support or sub-group involvement
While the role is unpaid, we cover expenses and provide a role that offers valuable non-executive directorial experience, which includes:
- Professional skills development contributing to career enhancement
- Personal fulfilment through volunteering your time and expertise to an organisation you value, supporting it to realise its goals
- Expanding your professional network while working with like-minded people to support the creative and cultural sector in Bradford
If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please read the ‘recruitment pack’ here before applying.
How to apply
To apply, please email your application
- A summary of your experience (this can be a CV or short document)
- A letter explaining why you’re interested and how your skills align with the role
- Written, audio or video formats are all welcome
- If you have any access requirements at any stage, please let us know when emailing us.
Applications close: Monday 23 March 2026 at 11 PM
Interviews: Week commencing 30 March 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Chair of Trustees will:
-
Provide leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees and enable the Board to fulfil its responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation.
-
Ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity law, company law and other relevant legislation/regulations.
-
Work in partnership with the Director to support employees and volunteers, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation; and to optimise the relationship between the Board of Trustees and the staff.
-
Facilitate the Board of Trustees in stimulating excellent, well-rounded and carefully considered strategic decision-making.
Main Responsibilities of the Chair
The Chair of Trustees will be expected to:
In relation to the Board of Trustees
-
Formulate strategic plans and regular review of long-term strategic aims of the charity.
-
Develop organisational policies, define goals, targets and evaluate performance against agreed targets.
-
Approve the annual cycle of the board meetings, meeting agendas, chair and facilitate meetings, monitor decisions taken at meetings and ensure they are implemented.
-
Liaise regularly with the Treasurer to maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and to ensure full and timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the Board.
-
Lead and mentor other Board members to fulfil their responsibilities and enable access to training/coaching/information to enhance the overall contribution of the board.
-
Annually review the Board structure, role, staff relationships and ensure implementation of agreed changes/developments are carried out.
-
Encourage team working among Board members and encourage them to identify and recruit new trustees as required.
-
Create a strong, profitable and fulfilling working relationship with trustees and the Director through review and self-reflective evaluation of contributions and effectiveness of the board.
In relation to the Director
-
Assume guardianship of the legal and financial integrity of the organisation.
-
Consult with the Director on matters of strategy, governance, finance and HR.
-
Oversee the Director’s activities in the context of the implementation of the Board’s strategy and policies.
-
Maintain careful oversight of any risk to reputation and/or financial standing of the organisation.
-
Receive regular informal progress reports of the organisation’s work and financial performance through the Director.
In relation to the community and code of conduct
-
Represent the organisation as a spokesperson at appropriate events, meetings or functions.
-
Lead the Board in fostering relations with potential clients and potential funders/donors.
-
Act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.
-
Facilitate change and address conflict within the Board of Trustees, within the organisation and liaise with the Director to achieve this.
-
Undertake review of external complaints as defined by the organisation’s complaints procedure.
-
Ensure adherence and compliance around key policies to e.g. Hiring Policy,Health & Safety and in all decisions and discussions of the Board and its sub-committees.
-
Attend and be a member of other committees or working groups when appropriate in role as Chair.
-
In order to perform the above role, the Chair should have reasonable access to all staff and information, in line with the board’s fiduciary duties.
In relation to Child Protection
-
Uphold the charity’s Child Protection Policy, and ensure its rigid application to all of the Board’s duties and endeavours.
-
Place child safety at the forefront of all deliberations, and adopt a diligent awareness of any area in which child safety might be at risk.
-
Report any and all potential violations of the charity’s Child Protection Policy to the Board of Trustees immediately.
Qualities of a Chair
The Chair of Trustees is expected to demonstrate the following qualities:
Essential
-
Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
-
Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
-
Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.
-
Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.
-
Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to respect the confidences of colleagues.
-
Balancing tact and diplomacy with willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.
Desirable
-
Prior experience of committee/trustee work.
-
Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation - disability care and poverty alleviation.
-
A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.
-
Experience of chairing meetings, committee work, some experience of charity finance, charity fundraising.
-
Leadership skills exercised through a period change.
Time Commitment
-
The Board meets at least 4 times a year and the Chair is expected to be available 4 times in a year.
-
In addition to Board Meetings, other contact – usually electronic or by telephone – will be necessary.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.