External Trustee
Durham Students’ Union
Location: Durham
Commitment: Voluntary
Term: Four years (renewable)
Closing date: Midday on 29 May 2026
Atkinson HR and Marble Mayne are pleased to be supporting Durham SU in their search for two External Trustees to join their Board.
Durham students created Durham SU in 1899 as the Student Representative Council, the first and only thing owned by every single student at our university, no matter what their course or College.
Over one hundred years later, student life is very different, but much of what we think is important and the way we work would be recognisable to our founders. We’re still unique at Durham, because we belong to every single student, and we’re where every single student belongs.
Durham is a leading students’ union, working with a world-class university, in an exceptional city, and our foundations are strong. We’re proud and privileged to be able to use this heritage to be ambitious about our future.
Our Board of Trustees is now looking for two new members of, and we’re so pleased you may be interested in helping us to bring students together to make Durham University fairer and better.
About the Role
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of students in Durham. As an External Trustee, you will play a key role in setting and monitoring Durham SU’s strategy, providing financial oversight, managing risk, and ensuring the organisation remains fit for purpose. The Board meets five times per year, with trustees also invited to engage in other opportunities such as sitting on an appointments panel, meeting with auditors or attending a student awards ceremony
Durham SU is keen to hear from individuals who are curious, genuine and enthusiastic about Durham SU doing well. They are particularly interested in candidates who bring knowledge of the Higher Education sector or Students' Unions, and experience in political, corporate or financial settings.
Durham SU will also welcome applications from first-time trustees and aim to have an inclusive Board with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form, where you will be asked to answer three questions:
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Tell us why you’d like to join Durham SU as a Trustee and how do your personal values align with the SU’s?
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What knowledge, abilities, and experience can you contribute to our Board’s collective skills?
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How would you add value to the Board and our work to support students?
Each answer should be a maximum of 400 words.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Atkinson HR via. the details in the candidate pack.
Key Dates
Closing Date: Midday on Friday 29th May 2026
Interviews: Monday 8th June 2026
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!
A bit about this role
As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!
You can expect us to
- make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
- support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
- cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
- provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities
What we need from you
- help set up and/or man stalls at events
- help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
- help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
- promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events
Time expectation
This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.
We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.
You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!
We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
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!
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Cats are at the centre of everything we do, and our objectives are homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.
We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.
A bit about this role...
Every penny counts when it comes to improving the lives of the thousands of cats and kittens across the UK that need our help each year. Our Collection Box Volunteers help us raise vital funds by collecting and distributing collection boxes in their local area. Making a difference can mean as little as raising 20p, which is enough to feed one cat in our care for a day, to £150 which is the average cost of a cat in our care.
What can I expect to be doing?
As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:
- Researching local shops, pubs and businesses to place Collection Boxes
- Delivering Collection Boxes to locations
- Recording donations and thanking local businesses and supporters
- Collecting and replacing Collection boxes when they're full
- Sharing your passion for cat welfare and promoting the work of Cats Protection
What are the benefits to you and the cats?
You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of Volunteers.
Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.
We're looking for someone with:
- Sympathy to cats and our values
- Good communication skills
- Confidence in speaking to members of the public
- Confidence in handling money
How much time is expected of me?
Our Collection Tin Volunteer role is very flexible and can be completed at your own pace, independently with our dedicated support.
Support, guidance and keeping you safe
At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.
The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.
Thank you for your support and sharing in this commitment and for everything you will do during your time with Cats Protection!
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.