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Join the Board of SOS Children’s Villages UK – Fundraising Trustee

Location: remote with occasional in-person commitments

Time commitment: 8-10 days per annum (quarterly board meetings)

Remuneration: voluntary

 SOS Children’s Villages UK is seeking passionate, strategic and collaborative individuals to join its Board of Trustees at one of the most important moments in the Charity’s history. In December 2025, the Board made the pivotal decision for the Charity to leave the SOS Children’s Villages Federation after more than 50 years. In autumn 2026, the organisation will re-launch under a new name and logo, while continuing to work with many existing partners and building new ways to increase its impact. 

The Charity’s core belief remains unchanged: all children have the right to feel loved, safe and supported. It focuses on children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, through family strengthening, quality alternative care, youth employability and education, emergency support, advocacy and research.

Fundraising Trustee

Looking for someone with expertise in:

• Mass market fundraising and communications
• Strategic partnerships and/or philanthropy
• Driving awareness and income in a competitive charity landscape

Why Join Us?

• Join a charity at a defining moment as it becomes fully independent and prepares for a public re-launch in autumn 2026. 

• Help increase influence and impact for children without parental care, or at risk of losing it. 

• Support locally led interventions, youth participation, child safeguarding, income growth and a strong values-led culture. 

• Work with a collaborative Board and executive team that values diverse backgrounds, perspectives and lived experience. 

• Contribute to stronger systems, advocacy and partnerships so more children can grow up with love, respect and security. 

About you:

We are looking for those with strong empathy for the mission, strategic insight, sound judgement and a collaborative spirit. Board experience is helpful but not essential: first-time trustees will be considered. SOS Children’s Villages UK particularly welcomes applications from individuals with direct experience of the UK or other care systems, as a child or adult. 

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

• Ability to build and sustain relationships with stakeholders and colleagues. 

• Good independent judgement, strategic vision and willingness to speak your mind respectfully. 

• Understanding, or willingness to learn, the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship. 

Recruitment timeline:

To ensure equitable access to information and uphold the organisations commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, they will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair/Executive team. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Thursday 27th August 6-7pm and we will send you a link.

Application deadline: 5pm Friday 11th September

How to apply:

Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to SOS Children’s Villages UK on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack. For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala or Tiku van Houtem or via email at Senior Appointments at Charity People

Use of AI in applications:

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

VOLUNTEER CHAIR OF TRUSTEES WANTED

Could you help turn a big idea into a charity that changes lives?

SUNSHINE Charity is on a mission to smash loneliness and social isolation through positivity, human connection, community and belonging — bringing SUNSHINE into people's lives.

We're a brand-new grassroots charity with a big ambition.

And we're looking for someone very special.

1. A Chair.
2. A leader.
3. A mentor.
4. A sounding board.
5. A champion.

Someone who knows what good charity governance looks like — but also understands that great charities aren't built by sitting around a boardroom table.

• They're built by people.
• They're built through energy, relationships, ideas, teamwork, determination and action.

And that's where YOU could come in.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED TRUSTEE TO BECOME OUR CHAIR

SUNSHINE's current Board is made up of enthusiastic people who are passionate about our mission — but this is their first experience of being charity trustees.

That's why we're looking for an experienced trustee and confident Chair who can help guide, support and develop the Board as SUNSHINE grows.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

As Chair, you'll help provide the leadership, direction and confidence that our growing charity needs.

You'll help:

1. LEAD THE BOARD

Bring trustees together, create focus and ensure the Board operates effectively.

2. DEVELOP OUR TRUSTEES

Help our first-time trustees understand their responsibilities, develop their confidence and become an effective governing team.

3. KEEP US ON TRACK

Help us balance our big ambitions with good governance, responsible decision-making, financial sustainability, safeguarding and accountability.

4. CHALLENGE & SUPPORT

Ask the difficult questions when necessary — but always constructively and with SUNSHINE's mission at the heart of decisions.

5. WORK WITH OUR FOUNDER

You'll work closely with our Founder to help turn the vision for SUNSHINE into a sustainable, properly governed and genuinely impactful charity.

The Founder has a huge amount of passion and ideas for SUNSHINE — but is also juggling a lot.

We're looking for someone who can become a trusted leadership partner and sounding board, helping turn ideas into priorities, decisions and action.

6. HELP DRIVE THE TEAM

SUNSHINE is going to need people who make things happen.

You'll help create a culture where trustees, volunteers and leaders feel:

• SUPPORTED.
• CHALLENGED.
• CONNECTED.
• VALUED.
• ACCOUNTABLE.
• INSPIRED.

THIS ISN'T A "TITLES & BOARDROOMS" ROLE

We're not looking for someone who simply wants another trustee position on their CV.

We're looking for;

1. Someone who genuinely wants to build something.
2. Someone who gets excited by the idea of helping a small grassroots charity grow from the ground up.
3. Someone who can bring experience without bringing ego.
4. Someone who can lead without needing to control everything.
5. Someone who can challenge without crushing enthusiasm.
6. Someone who can see the potential in people.
7. And someone who believes that loneliness shouldn't be something people simply have to put up with.

We're particularly interested in someone who has:

• Previous charity trustee experience (Experience as a Chair, Vice Chair or senior trustee would be fantastic).
• A good understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities.
• The confidence to chair effective Board meetings.
• Experience supporting or developing fellow trustees.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to challenge constructively.
• Strategic thinking — while still being willing to roll up your sleeves.
• A genuine interest in tackling loneliness and social isolation.
• The energy and enthusiasm to help a young charity grow.

But above all...

WE WANT SOMEONE WHO GETS SUNSHINE.

Someone who believes that positivity matters.

That connection matters.

That community matters.

That belonging matters.

And that sometimes, something as simple as giving someone somewhere to go, someone to talk to and people to belong with can make an enormous difference.

WHY JOIN SUNSHINE?

Because you won't be joining an established organisation where everything has already been decided.

• You'll be joining at the beginning.
• You'll have the opportunity to help shape:

OUR CULTURE.
OUR GOVERNANCE.
OUR PROGRAMMES.
OUR VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY.
OUR PARTNERSHIPS.
OUR FUTURE.

• You'll help create the foundations that could allow SUNSHINE to reach thousands of people across London in the years ahead.

And you'll have the opportunity to help a group of passionate first-time trustees become a confident, capable and effective Board.

COME SHINE WITH US.

SUNSHINE Charity
Positivity • Human Connection • Community • Belonging