636 Social support work volunteer roles

About UKCF 

UK Community Foundations (UKCF) brings together 47 accredited and independent community foundations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, connecting people who care with causes that matter. UKCF exists to strengthen, support and champion community foundations as long-term, place‑based funders rooted in local communities and committed to social justice, inclusion and sustainability. 

Community foundations are uniquely positioned to connect local insight, lived experience and trusted relationships with philanthropy, public funding and policy. Collectively, our movement supports thousands of grassroots organisations and community groups in every part of the UK, responding both to immediate need and to long-term, structural challenges facing places. In the 50 years since the first community foundation was established in the UK, our members have collectively distributed over £2 billion to grassroots community groups. 

UKCF’s role is enabling rather than directive: frontline delivery sits with local community foundations and the groups they fund, while we provide national leadership, coordination and representation. Our mission is to enable investment in communities to transform people’s lives – now and for generations to come. We do this by amplifying community voice in national decision making, growing regional and place‑based philanthropy, strengthening grant‑making practices and convening effective local systems. Learning, collaboration and insight run through everything we do.

UKCF’s current strategy reflects both the scale of opportunity and the complexity of the environment in which community foundations operate. We are increasingly working alongside government, national funders and professional advisers, helping to ensure that policy and investment decisions are informed by what is happening in communities on the ground. At the same time, we remain accountable to our members and focused on supporting a diverse network with different histories, capacities and local contexts. 

Our values shape how we work: we are inclusive, relational and ambitious. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring that power, voice and resources are shared more fairly. We place a strong emphasis on trust-based, flexible funding; on relational ways of working; and on acting with integrity, clarity and respect in all our partnerships. Environmental stewardship and climate justice are also embedded in our approach, recognising the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities already facing disadvantage. 

UKCF is governed by a Board that brings together elected member trustees and independent trustees, working in partnership with an executive team committed to high standards of governance, financial sustainability and organisational wellbeing. We are ambitious about our role and impact, while being realistic about capacity and risk. That balance – between confidence and humility, ambition and stewardship – is central to how we lead the organisation and support the wider community foundation movement. 

About the role 

As a trustee of UKCF, you will help provide thoughtful, strategic and accountable leadership for the organisation. You will work collectively with other Board members and the executive team to support UKCF’s mission, make well-informed decisions and ensure we remain focused on the needs of our members, partners and the communities they serve. 

Trustees share legal responsibility for ensuring that UKCF operates for public benefit, complies with its governing document and relevant law, and acts in the charity’s best interests. Just as importantly, trustees help shape the culture and direction of UKCF: bringing curiosity, constructive challenge, sound judgement and a commitment to inclusive, values-led governance. 

We are looking for trustees who are committed to UKCF’s purpose and values, and who want to play an active role in supporting a national movement rooted in local communities. You do not need previous trustee experience to make a valuable contribution; we are interested in the insight, perspective and experience you can bring, and in your ability to work well as part of a collaborative Board. 

Shared duties of the Board of Trustees 

• Set direction 

  • Keep UKCF’s vision, mission and strategy under regular review, ensuring they remain rooted in our charitable purpose and responsive to the needs of members, communities and the wider environment 
  • Support strategic choices that balance ambition, impact, financial sustainability and responsible stewardship 

• Provide oversight and assurance 

  • Approve plans, budgets and key policies, and monitor progress against agreed priorities, performance measures and resources 
  • Ensure UKCF remains financially resilient, well managed and able to deliver its charitable objectives 
  • Oversee the identification, management and escalation of risk, seeking appropriate advice where specialist input is needed 

• Champion good governance 

  • Ensure UKCF complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant legal and regulatory requirements 
  • Maintain clear delegations, effective internal controls and transparent decision-making 
  • Act with care, integrity and prudence, always putting UKCF’s charitable purpose and best interests first 

• Support and challenge the organisation 

  • Provide constructive challenge, advice and support to the Chief Executive and senior team, while respecting the distinction between governance and day-to-day management 
  • Act as an ambassador for UKCF, helping to build understanding of our work and strengthen relationships with members, partners, funders and other stakeholders. 
  • Bring networks, insight and expertise that can inform UKCF’s thinking and further our mission 

• Lead key appointments 

  • Appoint, support and review the performance and remuneration of the Chief Executive 
  • Appoint the Chair, Vice Chairs and Treasurer from among Board members, in line with UKCF’s governance arrangements 
  • Agree the appointment of UKCF’s auditors 

Person specification 

We value diversity in all its forms and believe a diverse Board strengthens governance. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including people with lived experience of the challenges community foundations work to address. We particularly encourage applications from people who have not served as a trustee before, as well as those with previous Board experience. All trustees receive a comprehensive induction, ongoing training and, where helpful, mentoring support. 

We are particularly interested in candidates who can bring experience or insight in one or more of the following areas: 

• Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence 

• Philanthropy

• Legal and Compliance 

• Community Resilience / Crisis Response 

• HR 

• Investment Management 

We want everyone to feel able to engage fully in our trustee recruitment process. If you have a disability, long-term health condition, neurodivergence, or any access requirements, please tell us how we can support you. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments and creating an inclusive environment where all trustees can contribute and thrive. 

What’s in it for me? 

This is an opportunity to contribute to a national movement working to make a lasting difference in communities across the UK. As an independent trustee, you will bring fresh perspective, specialist expertise and constructive challenge to UKCF’s national governance, helping ensure Board decisions are thoughtful, well-informed and responsive to the needs of members, partners and communities. 

You may also have opportunities to represent UKCF at national events and to meet and engage with community foundation members across the UK. 

The role can also support your own development, including through: 

• Experience for non-executive director positions 

• Leadership, governance and strategy in the charity sector 

• Coaching and mentoring opportunities for the executive team 

• Risk management, influencing, financial literacy, communications and other professional skills development 

We provide a structured induction pack with key resources and Charity Commission guidance, alongside induction meetings with fellow trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the wider team. First-time trustees can also be matched with a mentor as they settle into the role. On an ongoing basis, we offer training on relevant governance topics. 

Terms 

Appointments are for an initial three-year term. Trustees may serve for a maximum of two terms. 

Commitment required 

All trustees are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings and one trustee away day each year. Meetings are held during the working day, either online or in person, and usually involve around two hours in the meeting plus preparation time. 

Travel and other reasonable expenses incurred as part of the role will be reimbursed in line with UKCF’s expenses policy. 

How to apply 

Please submit a copy of your CV or biography, together with a short supporting statement outlining why you are interested in the role, what relevant experience or perspective you would bring, and how you could contribute to UKCF’s vision for a diverse, effective and dynamic Board. 

Please submit your application via Charity Job by Friday 9th October.  

The Nominations and Governance Committee will consider all applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview during w/c 12th October.

If you are interested in the role but have questions or would value an informal conversation, please email Laura Richards, Director of Finance and Resources at UKCF, via the contact details on our website.

Data protection 

The information provided in your application will be used to shortlist candidates for interview. Your data will be held securely, with access restricted to those involved in the recruitment process. Applications will be kept on file for a maximum of six months and then securely destroyed. By submitting your application, you consent to your data being used in this way.