Senior philanthropy manager volunteer roles in Bermondsey, greater london
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This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to get involved in an impactful charity making a tangible difference to the lives of refugees here in the UK.
Our work is simple – we refurbish unwanted bikes and donate them to refugees and people seeking asylum, many living on less than £7 a day, giving them freedom and independence whilst they rebuild their lives.
A bike makes a huge difference – not only is it a practical tool for tackling poverty, those who receive bikes from us report they are more connected in their community, happier and healthier as a result:
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91% of people use their bikes weekly for essential journeys
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84% of people are better able to access legal and other vital support services
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93% report better physical and/or mental health
Alongside our core Bike Donations Programme, we support refugee women to learn to cycle through our Pedal Power Programme; provide ongoing support with bike maintenance through our Repair or Replace Programme; and offer the opportunity for connection and friendship through our volunteer-matching Bike Buddy Programme.
“The Bike Project has given me so much more than just a bicycle — it has given me confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Receiving a bike as a gift allowed me to feel free in society, explore my community, and even join a cycling group where I’ve met wonderful people.
Thank you again for everything you do. Your work changes lives, including mine.”
Ladan, Bike Recipient
About You and the Role
You don’t need to have experience of being on a Board. In fact, the role would be ideal for someone considering taking on their first role as a trustee. We will work with you to understand your duties as a trustee and support you.
You will, however, have experience of one of more of priority areas we are looking for:
- Personal experience of our programmes and/or the UK asylum system
- Press and PR
- Charity governance
- Public, philanthropy and/or high-net worth giving
- Sector experience and/or contacts relevant to the work of The Bike Project
You will be joining a highly committed group of trustees who give their time, expertise and contacts to support the charity. Our trustees are critical in enabling us to thrive and this role plays a key role in supporting the wider board to fulfil its financial responsibilities.
You will work together with the wider staff team to set our strategic direction and improve our work with refugees. At the heart of everything we do is the real and immediate impact a bike makes to the lives of those who have been through so much. You will be part of us achieving that.
The time commitment for a trustee generally totals approximately 8 hours per month. Please see the role description for further details.
Application Process
Deadline for Applications: Friday 28 August 2026
Interviews: Late September – Early October 2026.
Appointment: October 2026
We particularly encourage applications from people with personal experience of the asylum process, women, people of colour / people of the global majority, and people with disabilities.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact hradmin [at] thebikeproject [dot] co [dot] uk
All candidates should complete the application form, including the scoring matrix, and the Trustee declaration as part of this process. Candidates require completing both the CV and application form to be considered for interview. If you have any issues with accessing or editing the document please contact hradmin [at] thebikeproject [dot] co [dot] uk.
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!
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in business development, corporate partnerships, account management, sales, CSR, philanthropy, or fundraising to use their skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees.
You will play a key role in helping Plateful Café develop relationships with local and national businesses, generating support through corporate donations, sponsorship, employee volunteering, catering contracts, and long-term strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Corporate Engagement
- Identify and research prospective corporate partners aligned with Plateful Café's mission.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential supporters and business contacts.
- Introduce Plateful Café to local businesses, corporate foundations, and employers.
- Arrange introductory meetings and networking opportunities.
- Support the development of corporate partnership proposals and presentations.
Income Generation
- Help secure financial donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
- Identify opportunities for corporate grant funding and charitable giving programmes.
- Promote employee fundraising opportunities and workplace giving schemes.
- Explore sponsorship opportunities for training programmes, events, and community activities.
Catering and Enterprise Development
- Promote Plateful Café's corporate catering services to local businesses.
- Identify opportunities for meetings, events, lunches, conferences, and hospitality catering.
- Support the development of long-term catering relationships and repeat customers.
- Help position Plateful Café as a preferred socially responsible catering supplier.
Employee Volunteering and Skills Sharing
- Develop opportunities for corporate volunteering.
- Encourage businesses to provide mentoring, employability support, and workplace visits for our trainees.
- Build relationships that create pathways into employment for refugees completing our training programmes.
Strategic Support
- Provide advice on corporate engagement and relationship management.
- Help strengthen our corporate partnership strategy.
- Support impact reporting and stewardship of existing partners where required.
We Are Looking For Someone Who Has
Essential
- Experience working in a corporate environment, business development, account management, sales, marketing, CSR, partnerships, fundraising, or a related field.
- Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
- Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and proactively.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and supporting refugees.
Desirable
- Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
- Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG, or social value initiatives.
- Experience securing sponsorships, partnerships, or fundraising income.
- Existing business networks in London.
- Experience developing corporate volunteering programmes.
What You Will Gain
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum.
- Experience supporting a growing and ambitious social enterprise charity.
- The chance to shape and influence our corporate partnerships strategy.
- Opportunities to meet business leaders, charity professionals, and community partners.
- A reference and recognition for your contribution.
- The satisfaction of helping create employment opportunities and brighter futures for people rebuilding their lives in the UK.
Our Values
At Plateful Café, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive. We celebrate diversity, value lived experience, and use food to bring communities together.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals with experience of migration, displacement, or supporting diverse communities.
Often accompanied by live music, and the opportunity to buy artwork created by refugee artists plateful employs refugees to chef at events in the SE



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.