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!
Branch Trustee (MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS BRANCH)
Help Us Make a Real Difference for Animals in Milton Keynes
Do you care deeply about animal welfare and want to use your skills to create lasting change? Do you have corporate business experience that you’d like to use to give back to your community? At RSPCA Milton Keynes, every decision we make, every pound we raise, and every hour we give is about one thing: helping animals in need.
Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity
We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate people who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims.
About the RSPCA
Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.
Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!
The RSPCA MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS Branch
We’re a small independent charity, run by passionate volunteers and supported by a dedicated team. Every year, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals who deserve a second chance. But we can only do this because of the funds we raise locally through our charity shops, fundraising events, grants, and public donations. We’re now at a pivotal moment, transitioning to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status, and we need strong leadership and fresh ideas to secure our future. We have two retail outlets, a growing online presence, and funds ready to invest in sustainable revenue streams. What we need is your business expertise and drive to make it happen.
Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee
What we are looking for in a volunteer:
We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds who can
- Make a real impact on animal lives: Every idea you bring helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more animals.
- Use your skills for good: Apply your business experience to strategy, fundraising, and growth that truly matters.
- Join a passionate team: Work alongside people who share your love for animals and commitment to making a difference.
- Feel proud and fulfilled: Experience the satisfaction of doing something good—every decision you help shape creates a positive change in our community and gives animals the second chance they deserve.
We’re asking for
- Up to 6 hours per week (flexible).
- Help us structure volunteering, drive fundraising, and develop revenue ideas.
- Bring your corporate experience, creativity, drive, and enthusiasm to a small team that’s ready to grow.
Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.
What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee
- We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
- Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
- The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
- The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
- A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.
Practical considerations
- Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
- Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
- Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
- Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
- References will also be required.
How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee
For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.
We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.
How to Apply:
If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.
Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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!
Sift is a UK charity providing specialist support, information and advocacy for people affected by self-harm. We work alongside people who have been directly affected by self-harm at every level of our organisation. We are service-user centred, and ensure our service users are at the heart of everything we do. Following an exciting rebrand and the launch of a new website, we are entering a new phase of growth, visibility and influence.
To support this next chapter, we are expanding our Board of Directors and are seeking professional, values-led individuals who share our commitment to compassion, dignity and meaningful change.
All Board roles are voluntary, unpaid positions. Reasonable expenses such as travel will be reimbursed. Please note that we are only accepting applications through the dedicated application form which can be found on the Volunteering page of our website and will not be accepting CVs sent via email. More information can be found in our downloadable recruitment pack - see our website for details.
The Roles:
Board Secretary
Role Purpose
The Board Secretary helps ensure that Sift is governed with clarity and accountability. This role supports the Board to function well, ensuring that decisions are properly recorded and that governance processes enable the charity’s mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare agendas and papers for Board and sub-committee meetings with the Chair and CEO.
- Take clear, accurate minutes that reflect decisions, context and agreed actions.
- With support from the Head of Operations, maintain key governance records, including trustee details, conflicts of interest and policies.
- Support compliance with the charity’s governing document and Charity Commission requirements.
- Assist with timely statutory filings and good governance practice.
- Act as a trusted point of reference for governance-related queries.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Clear, inclusive written communication.
- Respect for confidentiality and sensitive information.
- Commitment to Sift’s mission and lived-experience-informed values.
Desirable:
- Experience in charity governance, company secretarial work or
trustee roles.
- Familiarity with Charity Commission guidance.
Time Commitment:
- 6–8 Board meetings per year, plus preparation time.
- Up to 4 in person meetings in our Bristol based office.
Business Development Lead
Role Purpose
The Business Development Lead supports Sift to grow sustainably, so that more people affected by self-injury can access support. This role brings a strategic lens to income generation, partnerships and opportunity development, grounded in the charity’s values and ethical approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to the development and oversight of Sift’s income generation strategy.
- Support exploration of new funding, partnership and collaboration opportunities including the expansion and relaunch of our national in-person and online training programme.
- Offer insight and challenge on fundraising, commercial or social enterprise ideas.
- Network with key players in the mental health and wellbeing field.
- Help assess risk, impact and alignment with Sift’s mission.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience in business development, commercial income generation, partnerships or strategy.
- Ability to balance ambition with care and ethical decision-making.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Commitment to SIFT’s mission and lived-experience-informed ethos.
Desirable:
- Experience working with charities or social enterprises.
- Knowledge of trusts, foundations, corporate giving or
commissioning.
Time Commitment:
- 6–8 Board meetings per year, with occasional
input outside meetings.
- Up to 4 in person meetings in our Bristol
based office.
Leadership & Governance Director
Role Purpose
The Leadership & Governance Director helps ensure that Sift’s leadership, culture and governance remain strong, inclusive and fit for purpose. This role supports the Board to be reflective, effective and accountable as the organisation grows.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide oversight and constructive challenge on governance, leadership and culture.
- Support trustee recruitment, induction and ongoing Board development.
- Contribute to succession planning and long-term organisational resilience.
- Ensure governance arrangements evolve appropriately with growth.
- Champion equity, inclusion and lived experience at Board level.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience in senior leadership, governance, HR or organisational development.
- Strong understanding of effective Board dynamics.
- Confidence in offering thoughtful challenge and strategic insight.
- Commitment to Sift’s mission and values.
Desirable:
- Experience as a trustee, Chair or committee lead.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and people governance in charities.
Time Commitment:
- 6–8 Board meetings per year, with some additional
involvement as needed.
- Up to 4 in-person meetings at our Bristol based office.
We focus on improving support and knowledge, whilst working to sift out the causes, stigma and misinformation around self-harm.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.