Schools volunteer roles

About The Big House

The Big House Multibank exists to improve lives and build a more sustainable Scotland by reducing waste, maximising resources, and supporting families facing hardship. We do this by redistributing surplus goods from corporate partners to frontline organisations, schools, social workers, health visitors and community groups who support families in crisis.

Based in Fife, with satellite hubs in Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh, and expanding across Scotland, we combine environmental action, social justice and community partnership to tackle poverty, reduce pollution and strengthen local support systems.

Our work supports families to stay together, children to thrive, and communities to flourish while diverting significant volumes of surplus goods from landfill.

Our Ambition
Our 2026 Business Plan sets out an ambitious growth agenda, including: 

• Doubling the volume of goods distributed 
• Expanding into the Glasgow City Region 
• Introducing digital inventory and tracking systems 
• Embedding wrap-around care pathways for families 

Strengthening our circular economy and environmental impact 

Increasing fundraising, communications and corporate partnerships 

To deliver this, we are strengthening our Board to ensure excellent governance, strategic leadership, and a clear focus on impact, purpose and people. 

Purpose of the Role

To provide strategic leadership and governance, ensuring The Big House fulfils its charitable objectives, operates effectively, and remains sustainable, accountable and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and uphold the strategic direction of the charity
• Ensure legal, regulatory and financial compliance
• Provide oversight of risk, safeguarding and organisational performance
• Support and challenge the executive team constructively
• Act as an ambassador and advocate for The Big House

Legal Duties

Trustees share collective responsibility for:

• Acting in the best interests of the charity
• Managing resources responsibly
• Ensuring accountability and transparency
• Complying with charity law and governance best practice

Skills & Experience We Are Seeking 

We are seeking individuals with senior-level expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

• Safeguarding & Social Care - senior experience in social work, education, health, early years or family support services, with strong safeguarding expertise. 
• Supply Chain, Logistics & Warehousing - experience in logistics, operations, warehousing, fulfilment, or supply chain transformation. 
• Digital Transformation & Data Governance - experience delivering digital systems, data governance, cyber security or operational technology. 
• Circular Economy & Environmental Leadership - background in sustainability, reuse, recycling, environmental strategy or circular economy innovation. 
• Corporate Retail, FMCG & Surplus Partnerships - senior experience within retail, manufacturing or FMCG, particularly in surplus, ESG or supply chain partnerships. 
• Social Enterprise & Scale-Up Leadership - experience growing mission-led organisations, trading models or hybrid charities. 

We also welcome candidates with strengths in: 

• Finance, audit and risk 
• Fundraising and philanthropy 
• Communications, brand and public affairs 

We are seeking Trustees who demonstrate: 

• Strategic thinking and sound judgement 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Integrity, empathy and emotional intelligence 
• Commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability 
• Willingness to contribute time, expertise and energy 
• Ability to challenge constructively and support collaboratively 

We particularly welcome applications from individuals who: 

• Bring lived experience of poverty or inequality 
• Are underrepresented in charity governance 
• Are at an earlier stage of their Board career 

Timeline: 

• We are recruiting Trustees on a rolling basis to allow flexibility and to ensure we appoint the right people at the right time as the organisation continues to grow. 
• Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with interviews scheduled throughout the year. 
• Appointments will be made on a rolling basis, with new Trustees formally ratified at the next appropriate Board meeting or Annual General Meeting (AGM), in line with our constitution. 
• While we anticipate a number of appointments during 2026, we encourage early applications and expressions of interest at any point. 

For more information, please download the job description attached in this advert. 

Action Tutoring is a national education charity that offers free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage. 

By volunteering as a tutor at a local school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

What will I be doing?

• Tutoring 1-3 pupils in Year 5 or 6, or Year 7, 10 or 11.

• Commit to one hour a week, for up to 20 weeks. You choose the day and time to sign up to.

• Use our tutor workbooks to guide your pupils through activities that will boost their confidence and grades.

What you'll gain:

• Receive induction training, tutor workbooks and ongoing support.

• Develop skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Meet like-minded people in our volunteer community.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

This volunteer role is perfect for you if you:

• Are passionate about making a difference and helping young people succeed, particularly those facing disadvantage.

• Seek valuable experience working with children and are eager to hone essential skills such as communication, mentorship, and leadership – all highly valued in any career path.

• Have a busy schedule but are keen to contribute to your community, as this flexible role requires just one hour a week, either in-person or conveniently online.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes, so if your qualifications differ from those mentioned - we still encourage you to apply! Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: this is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

VSO – Uzbekistan Education Project

International Volunteering Opportunity: English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teacher (Aug 2026 – June 2027)

About VSO: 

VSO is a global development organisation that uses the power of volunteering to tackle poverty and inequality. Rather than providing aid, VSO works in partnership with governments and local institutions to strengthen skills and systems so that sustainable change continues long after a project ends. Volunteers are placed at the centre of community-led development to empower the most marginalised people.  

Project Summary

The Government of Uzbekistan is prioritising improved English language learning across the education system as part of national development reforms. In partnership with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, VSO will place experienced and passionate volunteer teachers in public secondary schools to strengthen English language teaching and learning outcomes.  

Why this opportunity is unique?  

This is more than a teaching role — it is an opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful and lasting impact on education reform

• Gain valuable international experience in a multicultural environment.

• Be part of a global movement for positive change

• By supporting teachers and students to reach their full potential, you will leave a legacy that continues long after your placement ends.

Role Summary – EFL Teacher (English Language-Teacher)

Location: Public secondary schools in Uzbekistan Duration: 10–11 months (August 2026 – June 2027)  

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering interactive English classes to students aged 11–16

• Mentoring and coaching local teachers

• Leading extracurricular language activities and English clubs

• Integrating technology and modern teaching methodologies in the classroom  

Eligibility Criteria

• Graduate in Education / TESOL / Linguistics or related fields

• Final-year undergraduate or master’s student (who completes the course by July 2026)

• Fluent in English language (minimum C1 level)

• CELTA / TEFL / TESOL / DELTA preferred

Allowance, Costs & Support

There are no programme fees for volunteers. Fully funded project, all cost covered by VSO, including:

• Monthly living allowance equivalent to a local teacher’s salary

• Private accommodation near the workplace

• Return international flights, Visa, vaccinations & DBS -onboarding costs

• Comprehensive medical insurance and 24/7 mental health support

• Access to VSO’s global learning platform and continuous professional development

• In-country support from VSO for the full duration of the placement  

VSO has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We will expect all our employees/ volunteers to commit to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.

All successful candidates will have enhanced criminal background check done during onboarding 

Application Closing Date: 31 March 2026

Location: Birmingham | Commitment: 3-8 hours per week (working week) | Work style: Hybrid

Since 2024, we’ve been honoured to support over 800 individuals on their journey toward a better future. Looking ahead, our 2026 strategic vision is bold. We want to be recognised as a collaborative support service that truly transforms lives. To help make that happen, we’re looking for a passionate team of fundraisers to work alongside one another, supporting the Creative Director, each contributing in different ways to support the organisation’s sustainability and impact.

The Internal Community Fundraiser supports internal and community-based fundraising activities, organising and coordinating opportunities at local events such as school fetes, markets, fairs, and larger public events. Through these local events you will cultivate relationships with individuals, groups, schools, and businesses to drive income and raise awareness.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys planning events, organising, and bringing people together, and wants to help grow our income in a practical, hands-on way.

Key Responsibilities:

• Help identify and organise community fundraising opportunities, including events, challenges, and campaigns

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local businesses, schools, faith groups and community organisations to encourage financial and in-kind support.

• Support planning and logistics for attending events (stall set-up, materials, rota support)

• Liaise internally to ensure events are well-prepared and staffed

• Help coordinate fundraising resources

• Support with new ideas for local fundraising opportunities

What difference will you make:

• An opportunity to make a real impact on a grassroots organisation.

• Your support will help raise vital funds within the local community, increasing visibility and enabling us to continue outreach and support for people experiencing homelessness.

• Ultimately your input will help turn good intentions into meaningful, lasting change.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience in fundraising, or community engagement.

• Experience planning events or organising community-based campaigns.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.

• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage your time effectively while balancing the voluntary role with other commitments.

• Understanding of homelessness-related issues, or a genuine interest in learning about the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in the community.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

We are looking for a dedicated Lay Trustee who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. We are member-led, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in our Lay Trustee role here at Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union (The SU); based in beautiful Cornwall. We're very pleased to announce the opening of applications for our esteemed Board of Trustees. We are very proud of what we do, and we are looking for a dedicated Lay Trustee who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. You will need to share the values of the SU and commitment to achieve our priorities, working collaboratively to help take us to the next level. We are a member-led charity, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.

Our membership comprises of students studying with both Falmouth University and the University of Exeter (Cornwall) which creates a unique and special experience of which we love to be a key part of.

The role of Lay Trustee provides an opportunity to support our Sabbatical and Student Trustees foster a culture of student leadership and deliver a student-focused service.

You will be taking up the role at a critical and exciting time, as we are within the first year of our 2025-2030 Strategy.  If you are excited at the prospect of contributing to the growth and development of the SU, then we eagerly anticipate the possibility of working alongside you to shape the future of our organisation.

We are especially keen to hear from applicants based in the South West, with experience in any of the below areas:

· Finance:

o Financial planning and management

o Development of income streams and financial sustainability

· Law and Compliance:

o Charity Law

o Employment Law

· People:

o HR management 

o Learning and development

· Fundraising:

o Grant fundraising 

o Social investment and enterprise

o Developing commercial income streams 

For full details of the role, please see the Lay Trustee Recruitment Pack below. 

Why Should You Become a Trustee?

Being a Trustee is a valuable and rewarding experience. You’ll get to make a lasting difference to the lives of our students, and influence how the Union is run. You will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to support the Board in reaching sound decisions. You will be involved in leading discussions, making collective decisions, and identifying key issues. You’ll have the opportunity to mentor and support our President and Student Trustees. As a Lay Trustee, you are eligible to become Deputy Chair of the Board, or Chair of one of the sub-committees. This is dependent on vacancies for these roles.

You will receive comprehensive induction training, and further training relevant to your role as a Chair or member of a sub-committee.

Job Description

We’re looking for someone to work collectively with our Board of Trustees to provide support and strategic direction to our Students’ Union.

Remuneration: Lay Trustees are voluntary, unpaid roles. However, all reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed, such as travel costs to board meetings.

Hours: Hours can vary however typically each year:

· Four Board of Trustees meetings – each meeting is around three hours long conducted online.

· Additional four (eight for Finance) sub-committees meetings conducted online – each meeting is around 1 hour.

· There are usually one or two in-person events per year including a Board of Trustees meeting – each event is usually a day and/or an evening event. These are delivered in Cornwall (expenses paid).

Term of office: three years, up to three terms.

Location: Homebased with one or two in-person events in Cornwall per year.

Role Purpose:

The Trustees are ultimately responsible, individually and collectively, for all activity within the SU. The Board is legally responsible for our staff, finances, risk management and reputation. The Board is responsible for setting the vision and values of the organisation and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose. The Trustees ensure development of and agree a long-term strategy, approving and monitoring delivery plans.

How To Apply

Please visit the role posting on our website for further details on how to apply. We require the completion of a Person Details form, and Skills Audit spreadsheets, along with your CV and covering letter. The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Monday 13 April. Applications will be considered and shortlisted upon receipt, with interviews to take place (online) on a rolling basis.  

Ideally, you will be available to attend a Trustee Induction on the morning of Tuesday 23 June, ahead of the first Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday 24 June (as an observer), both online via MS Teams. Your term of office will start on Wednesday 01 July.

For full details of the role, please see the Lay Trustee Recruitment Pack below. 

About Children With Voices

Children With Voices (CWV) is a grassroots charity supporting children, young people, and families through alternative education, life-skills programmes, wellbeing activities, and community food hubs.
Our mission is to empower children with confidence, resilience, and the tools they need to thrive. We work closely with local schools, families, and partners to create safe, supportive learning environments where every child is valued and heard.

Role: Youth Mentor / Support Worker

Location: Community sites / schools
Hours: 2–4 hours per week (flexible)
Contract: Volunteer
Reports to: Head of Programmes & Education

Role Overview

As a Youth Mentor, you will provide emotional, practical and wellbeing support to young people who need a positive role model. You will help build resilience, confidence, and healthy life-skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 mentoring and group support

• Encourage positive behaviour, engagement and wellbeing

• Support workshops, activities and trips

• Build safe, trusting relationships with young people

• Report safeguarding concerns appropriately

• Log basic session notes and progress

Person Specification

Essential:

• Empathy, patience, and strong listening skills

• Experience supporting young people (formal or informal)

• Commitment to safeguarding and boundaries

Desirable:

• Experience in youth work, coaching or education

Benefits

• Safeguarding, mentoring and youth-work training

• Flexible volunteering

• Excellent experience for education, youth work, or social care careers

• Meaningful impact on young people’s lives

Our busy Homework Club is part of our delivery of child and family support services, in order that low income and vulnerable families have improved access to services, employment opportunities and life chances.

Do you have some teaching or coaching exeperince either as a parent, classroom assistant or teacher? On Fridays afternoons from 3.30-5.30pm the Centre provides an after-school Homework club during term time. Children from three local primary schools, and a few from Year 7 attend the club.  Many come from families where English is a second language.

Volunteers sit on a table with 1 or 2 children and provide help with their homework, maths and English work mostly, and some reading.  Volunteers commit to one session a week on Friday (3.30 – 5.30pm). 

Our Mission

Each Person Matters: The Cardinal Hume Centre enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.

What are we looking for?

• Ideally you have some experience in teaching, either professionally, voluntary or at home with your own children. 
• You are friendly, patient and can have rapport with children easily.
• Able to help with maths and English at primary school level. 

What is the time commitment?

• Ideally at least one academic term
• Fridays, 3.30 – 5.30pm at The Cardinal Hume Centre and we are trialing an outreach sessions at a local Library & Hotel on otger weekdays

How will you be supported?

• You will be supported by the Family Services staff team. 
• You will have access to wide range of e-learning topics.  Child safeguarding and fire safety awareness is mandatory for all new volunteers.
• You will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

The Brigantia Learning Trust Governance Model is different to the way a governing body in a non-academy or traditional school undertakes governance.

Essentially, there are four elements to the governance of the Brigantia Learning Trust academies – local councils that are delivered via the Academy Advisory Councils (AAC), Trust governance, delivered via the Full Board of Trustees (Non-Executive Directors), the Trust Leadership Team (Executive Directors) and the Trust Members. 

The Board of Trustees has 4 sub-committees, concerned with Finance, Risk & Audit, HR, Education & Standards and Remuneration along with the four Academy Advisory Councils: Brigantia Hill Fort, Hinde House (2-16), Yewlands and Longley Park Sixth Form. As the trust continues to grow, and the Academy Advisory Councils become more experienced and confident, greater delegated powers will be identified and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Local Councils - The Academy Advisory Council

Each AAC consists of a group of people who could be parents, community nominees, academy staff. They will meet with the academy (Executive) Principal, Associate Principal and other senior leaders where appropriate. In attendance at these meetings will be Link Trustees and members of the Trust Executive Team may be in attendance. This is to ensure that the voice of the local stake holders is heard first-hand by the Board of Trustees.

The Brigantia Learning Trust Board has established six key roles for Academy Advisory Councils: 

• To advise/act as a critical friend to the (Executive) Principal of the academy

• To advise the Trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the academy

• To support the Safeguarding Trustee with localised academy information

• Represent the interest of the academy community in the running of the academy

• Represent the academy in its community

• Provide support to the (Executive) Principal in undertaking appropriate day to day procedures that are essential to the life of the academy

The six roles translate specifically into the following tasks that the AAC undertakes:  

• To act as a key link between the academy, parents and local community

• To support the work of the academy in the community

• To help on the ground with the implementation of certain academy policies

• To offer challenging but positive and proactive support to the (Executive) Principal

• To regularly discuss the academy’s performance in relation to the KPIs (Key

• Performance Indicators)

The difference between Brigantia Learning Trust Governance and a traditional Governing Body

By comparison to a traditional school Governing Body:

• The AAC’s role is not to “manage” the Academy as such.  This is done through the Trust Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees.  Therefore, the AAC is not required to take decisions on staff or financial matters affecting the Academy.  As an Academy Advisor you should have an understanding of strategic issues that impact on the Academy, and be updated on them regularly by the Principal, but you are not required to have direct responsibility for them.
• As the Trust Leadership Team and Board of Trustees takes responsibility for educational standards, legal compliance and financial viability, the AAC then has the time to investigate the impact of policy on the ground, to see how they are working, and explore how the Brigantia Learning Trust ethos is being understood and expressed in the way the Academy operates. As an Academy Advisor, your view as a parent or as part of the community is vital in this discussion.

3. HOW THE AAC OPERATES 

Expectations

Brigantia Learning Trust understands that the role of an Academy Advisor is voluntary, however, in order for the Academy Advisory Council to function efficiently and effectively, there are certain expectations of Academy Advisors in order to achieve this.

i) Meetings

Meetings of the AAC take place 3 times over the academic year. The meeting is prepared by the Principal and the Chair of the AAC, and the process is supported by the clerk to the AAC. You will receive a link to the agenda and papers in advance of the meeting from the clerk electronically.

Meetings are usually held after school or at other times as agreed locally by all Academy Advisors.

ii) Contribution at meetings and outside of meetings

Academy Advisors are expected to come to meetings prepared; having read and familiarised themselves with the agenda and accompanying papers as well as being prepared to ask relevant questions (Please see section 3.2 for further detail and examples).

iii) Business Interest and code of conduct

Academy Advisors are required to declare any business or other interests in any item being discussed at the AAC meeting. The Academy Advisers are asked to abide by the AAC Code of Conduct. The AAC clerk will provide the appropriate forms for AAC members to sign.

iv) AAC Responsibilities

Academy Advisors should make every effort to visit the Academy during the Academy day; all visits must be planned and focused on areas as agreed by the full Academy Advisory Council. Visits inform the work of the AAC and provide valuable information for support and challenge to the Academy’s Leadership Team. AAC members are asked to report on their visit using the appropriate form. This report will be presented at the AAC meetings, and a central record of all visits will be held by the Clerk to the Board of Trustees.

v) Skills Audit

All Academy Advisors are expected to complete a skills audit at the beginning of every academic year, this assists the Trust Executive and Trustees to identify gaps in skills and arrange appropriate training.

vi) Safeguarding

All Academy Advisors are required to have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check, as well as undertake annual safeguarding training as required, this will be delivered at the first AAC meeting of the academic year.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Overview:
Lead the design and delivery of all educational and life-skills programmes for children and young people. Ensure high-quality, inclusive learning experiences that promote wellbeing, confidence, and personal development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and oversee delivery of alternative education and life-skills programmes

• Line-manage tutors, youth mentors, and programme volunteers

• Develop curriculum materials and evaluation frameworks

• Build partnerships with schools, youth organisations, and local authorities

• Monitor safeguarding and child welfare in all sessions

• Report impact data and outcomes to the CEO and trustees

Skills & Experience:

• Background in education, youth work, or social development

• Experience managing staff or volunteers

• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection

• Excellent communication and organisational skills

• Creative, passionate, and able to motivate others

RC Archdiocese of Southwark
Lay Trustee Appointments
Unremunerated

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark covers the geographical area of the whole of London south of the Thames, all of Kent and the eastern parts of Surrey.  With currently 180 parishes, 171 schools and 450 employees it is one of the largest dioceses in the UK.

The Diocese Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is run by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible for determining the strategic direction of the Diocese, management of the assets, the smooth running of the day-to-day administration and the legal discharge of its responsibilities.

The role of a Lay Trustee is about helping the Archdiocese achieve its ambitious vision for evangelisation and leading people to Christ, while especially promoting our diverse and vibrant communities. The Archdiocese is seeking to secure a range of skills and expertise in the appointments, which include legal, property or safeguarding. Experience within the education sector may be helpful.

In addition to the general duties and responsibilities outlined by the Charity Commission of England and Wales, Lay and Clerical Trustees collaborate to help shape the strategic vision of the charity and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and his team focussed on key functions including education, fundraising and property management.

This will mostly be achieved through attendance at the Trustee meetings, which take place at least once a quarter. There is a minimum requirement of three meetings a year, with additional meetings for the first year.

Lay Trustees must be practicing Catholics, but they do not have to be Southwark Archdiocese parishioners.

How to apply

Application is by way of CV initially followed by a Supporting Statement, which should concentrate on motivation, credentials, experience and knowledge and be around 1,000 words max.

Expressions of interest and applications will be reviewed and progressed on a rolling basis.

Candidates taken forward to interview will be required to complete a formal declaration of eligibility to become a Trustee.

Every effort will be made to facilitate an informal visit to the Archdiocese Offices and the opportunity to meet with the Financial Secretary prior to formal interview.