Support and development worker volunteer roles

The Nehemiah Project is a small charity that supports men with experience of addiction to break the cycle of addiction and crime. We do this through supported living, programmes, key worker support, rebuilding family connections and providing move-on support to aid transition to independent living. We currently operate from houses in Streatham and Croydon.

We are a Christian-based charity open to men of all faiths and none. We have a partnership with the British Association of the Order of Malta who provide expertise, funding and volunteer support.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that The Nehemiah Project (TNP) achieves its core purpose of breaking the cycle of addiction and reoffending. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that TNP has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable TNP to grow and thrive.

As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of the Nehemiah Project' s financial affairs. The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Nehemiah Project is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

Treasurer Role

• Overseeing the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management.
• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity.
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with Chief Executive
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process Ensuring investments and assets are maximised.
• Lead on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors.
• Oversee the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting corporate risk.
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies, for example, the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Chief Executive to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

What we are looking for?

• A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage. Otherwise an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of SMEs.
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity.
• Clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists. Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors
• We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees. Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

Responsibilities of all trustees

• Support and provide advice on TNP' s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee TNP' s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve TNP’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to TNP’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs. Keep abreast of changes in TNP’s operating environment.
• Contribute to regular reviews of TNP' s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect TNP’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of TNP’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Personal skills and qualities

• To be sympathetic to and supportive of our Christian ethos. Practising Christian preferred.
• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member. Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission

Trustee Role Overview

Term: 4 years, renewable up to 7 years, with possible extension in exceptional cases under the Memorandum and Articles.

Remuneration: Voluntary role; reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Meetings: Attend four Board meetings a year (in person in Putney, with remote option).

Strategy Days: Up to one per year.

Events: Four annual celebration events at our houses; Trustees are encouraged to attend where possible

Committee Membership

Trustees may join one of three sub-groups — HR, Finance, or Fundraising — which meet remotely four times a year, with occasional ad hoc support to working groups or the executive team. 

Financial Commitment No donation is required, though regular modest giving is encouraged.

More Information can be found in the Trustee Pack below.

You will welcome clients and visitors, and support the smooth running of our local office at our drop in sessions on Mondays or Thursdays (or both)

Commitment: 6 hours/week (flexible)

Receptionists are the first point of contact for clients, welcoming visitors. You’ll record client details on our computer system, explain waiting times, and help ensure the service runs smoothly. The role builds communication, IT, and teamwork skills while making a real difference in the community. Full training and expense reimbursement are provided.

What you gain: Communication skills, admin experience, confidence using IT, and full training.

You'll gain valuable transferable skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork.

Whether you are starting out, changing career, retired, or returning to work, volunteering strengthens your CV and provides practical experience.

Make a difference in the lives of children and families. Become a PACT Trustee.

We are seeking an individual with strategic expertise in safeguarding gained within a children’s social care setting to join our exceptional Board of trustees. You do not need previous trustee experience as we provide a full induction and ongoing training. This is a unique chance to apply your expertise at strategic level, playing a pivotal role in ensuring we continue delivering high‑quality, trauma‑informed services, championing the welfare of vulnerable families, and shaping supportive policies that protect children and strengthen communities. If you are committed to making a lasting impact and guiding a charity that makes a positive difference to hundreds of lives every year, this is an incredible opportunity to join us on our mission.

PACT (Parents and Children Together) has been building and strengthening families since 1911 through outstanding adoption services and specialist therapeutic and trauma informed support services across Reading, the Thames Valley, and southern England. As one of the UK’s leading voluntary adoption agencies, we place children with loving, permanent families (over 84 placements last year) and offer lifelong specialist support through services like our Strengthening Families Team, CATCH and Adopter Champions. Alongside adoption, we empower women facing multiple disadvantages at Alana House and help children and their non‑abusing parents recover from trauma via our Bounce Back 4 Kids programme.

Who we are looking for

For this Safeguarding Lead Trustee role, we would welcome applications from interested individuals who have current strong understanding and experience of safeguarding legislation from within a children’s social care setting. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and actively encourage individuals from underrepresented groups, including those with lived experience of adoption, care or disadvantage to apply. Diversity of thought and experience strengthens our Board, and we value perspectives from different communities, cultures and lived experiences. Your expertise will help us deliver inclusive, high quality services for children and families.

You do not need previous trustee experience to apply for this role as we will provide a full induction and ongoing training. Trustee roles are voluntary positions that are home-based with occasional travel to our Reading head office for in person board meetings or to collaborate with PACT colleagues relevant to your lead role (reasonable expenses covered). The time commitment is around one day per month, including quarterly Board meetings and input into wider charity matters. We aim to be flexible and will make adjustments where we can support accessibility and your availability.

What would you get as a PACT trustee?

· Satisfaction of helping vulnerable children, women and families, and giving something back

· An opportunity to exercise your skills and knowledge, possibly in a different environment or context

· A chance to contribute to the charity’s strategic growth

· A chance to expand your experience of charities and gain new skills

· An opportunity to work alongside other skilled and committed trustees

· High-quality induction, training and support from us and other charity-support organisations

· Being a Trustee can support the acquisition of valuable skills and experience that support career development

We understand that becoming a trustee is a commitment and you want to ensure that you are applying for a role that matches your values and requirements. You will find lots more information about PACT on our website and one of our current trustees has also kindly provided a short video with further details.

If you believe you can contribute to the skills and diversity of our Board and would like to apply, please visit the volunteer page of our website where you will find the trustee recruitment pack and application form.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need the information in a different format or require adjustments during the application process, please let us know.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22nd March 2026 with interviews to take place on Thursday 26th March 2026.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.

Description

The National Youth Advocacy Service is a wonderful children's rights charity dedicated to supporting and empowering young people who have experienced care.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers in Shaftesbury to befriend and mentor a young person in care.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in a young person's life! 

Young Person quote:'It gives you a friend that you can spend time with doing the things you like to do’ 

Children and young people in care truly deserve an adult who can share their time, engage in fun activities, and build a trusting and meaningful relationship. Your visits can easily fit into your schedule, allowing you to juggle your commitments while being a positive role model for a young person. 

Volunteer quote: "Volunteering with NYAS has reinforced my belief in the crucial role of community support in empowering the next generation.  Witnessing the positive changes and growth in the young person I support highlights the tangible impact that dedicated volunteers can have on building a brighter future for vulnerable individuals." 

We kindly ask for just a few hours once a month for a minimum of two years.

A set budget will cover activities and travel expenses so you can focus on making a difference without any worries. 

If you're interested, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you for considering this opportunity! 

Expectations

• Two-year commitment
• Minimum age of 18
• Based in the UK
• DBS check
• Digital risk assessment compliance
• Completion of training relevant to the role
• Ability to complete online tasks and reports
• Ability to complete online tasks and reports

Benefits

This is a worthwhile opportunity where you will make a positive difference to the life of a vulnerable young person, become part of a leading national children's charity, gain valuable experience, meet new people and have fun!

Are you looking to get involved in the local community or perhaps have an interest in mental health? Volunteering in our mental health services is a rewarding and varied opportunity for someone who is interested in working in this field. You will support by offering a listening ear and will offer individuals tailored mental health support, alongside our team of trained workers. We are looking for a volunteer to facilitate a Men’s group. The group provides a safe, welcoming place for people to meet, share experiences and support each other’s growth.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate discussions
• Create a supportive environment for men to connect, share experiences, and empower each other
• Prepare hot drinks and snacks
• To negotiate/facilitate conflicts or disagreements that may arise during group meetings.

The skills you need

• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued, and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Strong listening and communication skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

About us:

H4All is working to advance the health and wellbeing of residents in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

This is done through our Community Champions programme, which is an initiative made up of organisations and local volunteers who promote positive wellbeing messaging and share healthcare information.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for committed volunteers who are interested in public health and meeting people in the community. As a Community Champion, you’ll be conducting community outreach, making new connections and supporting us with Community Health projects.

This is a meaningful opportunity to reduce health and social inequalities in the borough of Hillingdon, while gaining practical experience and benefiting from free training.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with the public as part of community outreach efforts, including attending our roadshow events and speaking with residents about health programs and activities. This role will take place at different locations and venues across the London Borough of Hillingdon.
• Support the community by providing information on health services, resources and support networks.
• Complete a monthly log detailing any health outreach undertaken.
• Assist in survey data collection.

Benefits for you:

• Free, specialised training and mentoring provided, enhancing personal and professional skills.
• Hands-on experience in health outreach and community engagement.
• Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, community organisations and other volunteers.
• A chance to demonstrate your commitment to community health.

Training and support given:

Mandatory training:

• Online Safeguarding and Suicide Prevention courses
• Current healthcare messaging
• NHS blood pressure testing

Throughout your time volunteering with us, there will be additional online and in-person training that will be offered (depending on interest and projects we are running).

Expenses:

We can provide expenses for travel and parking at events or training.

Skills and attributes required:

• Strong desire to make a difference in the London Borough of Hillingdon and improve the local community’s health.
• Confidence in speaking with the public and engaging with diverse communities.
• Respectful of confidentiality and procedures.
• Empathetic and understanding of others’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.

Desirable:

• Ability to speak a community language [e.g. Somali, Punjabi, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Mandarin, Spanish] would be beneficial.
• Previous experience in community health or outreach would be beneficial.

Commitment required:

• Full induction and Mandatory online courses, as well as Blood pressure checks training before starting your volunteering.
• Attend relevant training when offered.
• We ask for a commitment of 6 months due to free training and individual support/development offered to our volunteers.
• This is a flexible role, and you can select which outreach events or projects to join based on your commitments. We accept however much time you can spare.

Reporting to: Health and Wellbeing Programme Officer

Documents Required:

• In your application form, you will be asked for 2 references who have known you for at least a year. They can be from a professional, a friend, a support worker etc.
• A basic DBS check is required for public-facing roles.

To apply for this role:

A H4ALL application form must be completed. 

Trustee

We are seeking three committed Trustees to join a national fostering Board at a pivotal time, supporting strategic growth and championing foster care across the UK.

Position: Trustee (Volunteer)
Organisation: The Fostering Network
Location: UK wide. Particular interest in Wales and Northern Ireland
Hours: Approximately 10 to 15 days per year
Term: 3 years, renewable for up to two further terms
Remuneration: Voluntary role. Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed
Closing Date: Monday 23 February 2026
Interview Dates: W/C 16 and 23 March 2026

About the Role

This is an opportunity to join the Board of Trustees at a national fostering charity, following the launch of a new organisational strategy and the appointment of a new Chair in 2025. Trustees play a vital role in setting strategic direction, ensuring strong governance and supporting the organisation to deliver meaningful change for children and young people in foster care.

Key responsibilities include:

· Providing strategic oversight and constructive challenge at Board level

· Supporting delivery of the five year organisational strategy

· Acting as an ambassador for the charity and its values

· Contributing to effective governance, risk management and financial oversight

· Building strong relationships with fellow Trustees, senior leaders and stakeholders

· Attending Board and committee meetings, both in person and online

About You

You will bring personal experience of the foster care sector and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

We are particularly interested in candidates who:

· Are based in Wales or Northern Ireland

· Are qualified social workers working within fostering services

· Have skills in finance, particularly qualified accountants

· Have experience in commercial or business development

You will demonstrate sound judgement, strategic thinking, discretion and the ability to contribute confidently within a Board setting.

About the Organisation

The UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation. Founded 50 years ago by foster carers, it works across all four nations to influence policy, improve practice and strengthen the fostering community. At the heart of its work is a belief in the power of relationships to transform lives.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Trustee, Non Executive Director, Board Member, Independent Board Member, Social Work Leader, Finance Director, Commercial Director, Strategic Advisor.

Summary

Could you combine nursing skills, compassion and faith to offer care in body, mind and spirit?
Could you support people experiencing homelessness?

Detailed description

You could be part of our exciting pilot project as a volunteer Parish Nurse offering life-transforming whole-person healthcare, working alongside Chaplains, Complex Needs and Housing Support Workers.

 As a YMCA Parish Nurse you would:

• Help service users identify issues and self-manage their wellbeing so they flourish in body, mind and spirit. This might be 1:2:1 or in a group setting.
• Signpost, support, and provide information and reassurance enabling service users to access NHS and other professional or community support as well as internal support from YMCA colleagues and projects.
• Offer spiritual care from a Christian perspective, such as prayer or acts of worship
• Be instrumental in supporting the project develop in this pilot phase

Training for this role is provided by PNMUK as part of their on-going programme of support and personal development for Parish Nursing nationally. The next course is 15-17th November with follow-up online sessions.

This project is being developed and lead by One YMCA’s Chaplaincy Team, together with our Medium Complex Intensive Support Service (MCISS) and supported by Parish Nursing Ministries UK (PNMUK).

The Chaplaincy Team offer life-transforming spiritual care and pastoral support. For us Chaplaincy is about journeying with people, inspired by the life, example and teaching of Jesus. Our vision for Chaplaincy is to see even more of our service users and staff thriving through experiencing the love of God for themselves. Following a re-shaping of our work, Chaplaincy is now part of the newly formed Christian Mission team, which is at the heart of this growing charity. 

YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by and faithful to our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive, and energising communities where young people can truly belong, contribute, and thrive.

What volunteers need�� Disclosure and Barring Service

What we will provide to volunteers

�� Reimbursement of costs�� Extra support

Are you passionate about health justice? Medact is seeking new Trustees to help oversee our governance and support our work.

About Medact

Medact organises the health community to work towards a world in which everyone is able to live healthy, dignified lives, supported by political and economic systems that centre health justice. Our priority work areas are some of the most pressing threats to health and wellbeing, including ending state violence, housing & energy justice, and migrant access to healthcare. Medact seeks systemic solutions to major social problems, and is unafraid to hold decision-makers to account. We launched our new five-year strategy at the end of 2025, embedding our vision for how we win and how we grow.

We’re member-led, and our membership spans a range of people who work in health, including nurses, doctors, midwives and clinical researchers, as well as people from the wider health community. If you share our vision and passion, why not join our Board and help us fight for health justice?

About the role

As a Trustee, you will provide guidance, governance and final sign-off on major decisions on behalf of our membership. As Board members, our Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation in line with the requirements of the Charity Commission. Trustees also contribute to the development of Medact's strategy and participate in a range of other activities to support the Director and staff with our work.

There are four planned board meetings per year, which are hybrid, and it is expected that each Trustee will attend most Board meetings. Trustees are also sometimes asked to give their views or sign off on issues between Board meetings if an issue cannot wait. It is hoped that each Trustee will have the capacity to use their unique skills to support the team more broadly with Medact’s work.​

Acting as a Trustee is a voluntary role but reasonable travel expenses can be paid. 

Who we are looking for

We would like to widen the diversity on the board by encouraging applications from grassroots campaigners, members of communities affected by the issues Medact campaigns on, those working with the third sector on similar issues, and from racialised, religious and other minorities.

Our current Board brings a broad range of skills, but we recognise that we do not yet reflect the diversity of the health community. There are also specific types of experience and expertise we would like more of on the Board. In particular, we are looking for potential Trustees with one or more of the following attributes:

• Lived experience of an issue that Medact campaigns on, for instance the Hostile Environment, the health impacts of economic or housing injustice, the health impacts of armed conflict or UK security policies

• Experience as a frontline health worker of any sort, preferably current

• Legal and safeguarding expertise

• Fundraising expertise, particularly individual giving or major donor fundraising

• Human resources expertise

We hope all Trustees will: 

• Share our vision for a fairer and safer world, and our analysis of the transformational change needed to get closer to it

• Approach Board discussions and conversations with the team with an open mind, able to listen to and genuinely engage with others’ views

• Display collaborative behaviours which promote harmony and good team working which supports Medact to be an effective, well-governed organisation

Previous experience on a charity board or in another governance role is useful but by no means essential. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee but aren’t sure you have the right skills and experience, or would like an informal conversation with an existing board member before applying, please get in touch.

Timeline

Applications are open until 9am on Monday 4th May. 

Interviews for Trustee positions will be conducted on a rolling basis during the application period.

We aim to co-opt successful applicants to the Board at the next Board meeting in April 2026, and potentially at later Board meetings.

Why we need your help

We provide free games and activity sessions with tailored support for children with additional needs and disabilities. We support over 100 children, known as our ‘athletes’, with a wide range of additional needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, non-visible disabilities, and global development delay. At KEEN London, we strive to use fun and games to improve young people's wellbeing, and personal, social and emotional development as well as broadening experiences to increase skills and confidence.

Purpose of the role

Our Volunteer Coaches are the backbone of a KEEN London session! You’ll provide one-to-one support to an athlete, helping them to access all the activities on offer, achieve their personal development goals, and of course have tons of fun! You can expect to get involved with a wide range of playground games, ball games, nature walks, and creative activities. From time to time, we also run trips for our athletes, and previous trips have included trampoline parks, high ropes courses, pedalo boating and slime-making classes.

Tasks and activities

● You’ll support our athletes to engage with the session, and have fun while they’re doing it.

● You’ll help our Service Coordinators develop goals for our athletes, track their progress, and give them lots of encouragement along the way.

● You’ll work with your Service Coordinators and fellow Coaches to come up with new games, develop resources, and plan activities.

● We want our athletes to enjoy being active, making friends, and trying new things - and we want you to join in the activities with them!

● Our athletes love working with energetic and enthusiastic people, and we’ll ensure that all your hard work will be rewarded with a great time.

Please note: To ensure that you are equipped and ready to take on this role, there is a thorough application process which includes but is not limited to: an information session, an in-person onboarding training evening, an enhanced DBS check, reference checks and a safeguarding quiz. All elements of the onboarding process have to be completed satisfactorily before you can start volunteering in this role. 

Why Volunteer with KEEN London?

KEEN London would not be what it is without the volunteers who support our work, and we want to ensure that all our volunteers gain just as much from their volunteering journey as they put into the charity. Here’s what you’ll get in return for supporting us:

● Regular volunteer social events, and opportunities to meet other coaches

● We will provide you with ongoing feedback and support to enable you to reach your full potential at KEEN, you will receive an induction and handbook prior to starting your role and you will receive access to a virtual training portal with additional resources.

● We will give you opportunities to access other roles to help you broaden your skills, such as becoming a Captain or Session Leader.

● Long-term volunteers receive t-shirts, badges, and advance sign-ups to our popular events

● We have a budget set aside to cover volunteer expenses (see Volunteer Agreement below)

● We will provide job/character references to volunteers after a reasonable period of volunteering with us.

Volunteer Agreement

All KEEN London volunteers are asked to observe the Volunteer Agreement. This agreement is binding in honour only, is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intends any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.

As a volunteer with KEEN London, you can expect:

● To be a part of a unique and evolving charity that is providing a valuable service to children and young people with additional needs.

● To be introduced to how the organisation works and your role within it.

● A supportive and reciprocal environment that ensures a positive experience for you as a volunteer.

● To be invited to volunteer at special events and fundraising activities.

● Reimbursement of any reasonable travel expenses.

● To be treated fairly and equally with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.

● A safe and healthy environment for you to volunteer in.

● Any problems or complaints to be investigated quickly and resolved fairly.

● Recognition for your efforts and successes – celebrating achievements and rewarding loyalty and dedication.

● To receive, if required, a reference after a reasonable time of volunteering.

● Access to free Charity Worker Discounts.

Our expectations of volunteers:

● To maintain and uphold the reputation and good name of the charity.

● To treat other volunteers, staff and service users fairly and with dignity, and to respect everyone equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.

● To ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality and data protection are upheld.

● To uphold our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. This includes ensuring that when out of sight of other adults a ratio of 2 adults to 1 athlete is in place, and that you report any concerns you have about the safety and wellbeing of athletes to the Coordinator as soon as possible.

● To adhere to all health and safety instructions.

● To be punctual and reliable when attending sessions, and inform the coordinator via phone call as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.

● To attend at least 2 sessions per month for at least 6 months.

● To bring energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn to all sessions.

Role Description Internal Ref Number: COACH4

Role: Trustee 
Hours: Attendance at Board meetings six times a year, with reading and preparation before meetings
No Salary:  Unpaid volunteer role, expenses paid
Location: Meetings held on zoom or at our head office in London SE20
Deadline:  17th May 2026
Interviews:  In person in London SE20

ABOUT US

Bromley & Croydon Women's Aid (BCWA) aims to empower anyone suffering domestic abuse so they can make informed choices about their future. Our services are confidential, non-judgmental and respectful of diversity.

BCWA puts anyone who contacts us for support at the heart of decision making, so that they can gain the confidence, strength and self-respect needed to free themselves from abusive relationships

Our Ethos

BCWA believe in providing high-quality services to anyone fleeing domestic abuse. We have been working since 1975 to:

• focus on maintaining the independence, confidence and self-esteem of anyone we help
• be responsive to the needs of individuals in a culturally appropriate and sensitive way
• treat our residents, clients, staff and partners with integrity, honesty and respect.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to end all forms of domestic abuse in our community.  Our vision is to support and empower women to create change in their lives, so that they and their children can live free from domestic abuse and improve their quality of life.

OUR SERVICES

BCWA provide a wide range of services including:

Refuge

We provide safe accommodation for any woman and her children who is experiencing domestic abuse, or who is at risk of abuse.

Children are welcomed by Child Support Officers. Refuges have fully-equipped playrooms, where the project workers organise activities, after-school clubs, play sessions, fun days and one-to-one therapeutic activities.

BCWA is a registered housing provider with the Regulator or Social Housing (i.e. a Housing Association) and operates supported housing in a mix of owned and leased properties, some as managing agent for other housing associations, some operated independently.

Advice & Support

BCWA telephone Helpline supports women in the community who want to know what their options are around domestic abuse, or who need a non-judgmental listening ear. We run 12-week ‘Keys to Freedom’ support groups which offer a path to recognising abuse and peer support for recovery.

We offer advice to the friends and families of anyone experiencing domestic abuse. We give our expertise to legal and social services professionals, and we support women at appointments, accompany them to court, and also put them in contact with other services that can help them.

Our other services include:

Japanese service - BCWA, in partnership with the Japanese Embassy in London, offers outreach advice in Japanese to survivors of domestic abuse

NRPF/EEA service - Our specialist advisor works with migrant women without recourse to public funds (NRPF) and those from the EEA to regularise their immigration status and access benefits & support.

Men's service - All BCWA locations are women-only spaces, but men can be supported via our One Stop Shop service or by the IDSVA (high-risk) service in Bromley.

Our Approach to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Our work is based on building meaningful, supportive, enduring and respectful relationships with women from all cultures. We cannot do this without a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. BCWA’s approach is to try to make sure that EDI is central to everything we do and informs both our services and our organisational culture. 

Our goal is to develop and deliver consistently inclusive programmes, projects and services that support and bring together survivors of domestic abuse and their children and facilitate empowerment and recovery. We believe this enables best practice domestic abuse support, hope this will make everyone's experiences richer, and ultimately lead to more inclusive communities and sector best practice. 

BECOMING A TRUSTEE

What is a Trustee?

Trustees ensure their charity has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision. A trustee's role in a charity is to be the ‘guardians of purpose’, making sure that all decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first. They safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. They make sure these are used well and that the charity is run sustainably.

Why become a Trustee?

Being a Trustee can be very rewarding. As a Trustee you have the chance to support and shape the work and strategic direction of an organisation, and you can make a significant difference to a cause that matters to you.

Being a Trustee offers the opportunity for professional development. It can let you gain experience of strategy and leadership, and boost your CV. It will give you experience of being a non-executive director, such as setting a strategic vision, influencing and negotiation, and managing risk. If you already have significant experience in these areas, it can be stimulating to use it in a different and potentially challenging context. You will be part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while learning from others. Working closely with a passionate team of people who have different perspectives is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. Trustees often say that being a board member has been one the richest sources of learning in their professional lives.

Why join our board?

BCWA was founded by a group of local women in Bromley who wanted to do something practical to support women in their local community and has been run by women and for women ever since. Over the past few years the organisation has grown considerably but still operates very much in the spirit of grassroots feminist women’s movement of the 70s, out of which it was founded.

Many of our trustees, staff and volunteers have lived experience of domestic abuse, and the organisation actively welcome survivors at all levels. We are a supportive, warm and friendly group and we genuinely strive to foster great relationships. Our Board is made up of a diverse group of women with a broad range of backgrounds, skills and experience. This team operates on mutual respect and true collaboration in order to provide the best leadership possible to the charity. We are solutions oriented, creative, forward-thinking and passionate about working to end domestic abuse.

BCWA has seen sustained growth over the last few years and has increased its property portfolio to provide a range of dispersed ‘move on’ accommodation for women leaving refuge, with continued support.

The charity is also committed to an ongoing process of service improvement via stakeholder feedback and analysis of needs and gaps in provision. Our local knowledge and specialist expertise positions us very well to innovate in co-producing new services.

In addition to trauma-informed accommodation and community-based services, BCWA has developed a therapeutic service alongside, which encompasses child play therapy and a specialist in-house counselling service for women. This supports the health and wellbeing of survivors going forward as well as working towards the prevention of repeat victimisation.

A trusteeship with BCWA is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic organisation, contribute to the local community and impact thousands of women’s lives for the better. It is a truly pivotal time to join the board at BCWA, as we develop and implement innovative new services that will add significantly to the breadth and impact of support available to survivors of domestic abuse in Bromley & Croydon.

What skills are we looking for?

We are looking for a range of new trustees with a range of different skills to shape and steer the future of this dynamic organisation, as well as bring wisdom, energy and new perspectives to our governance.  We would particularly welcome applications from women with knowledge of or experience working in the following sectors:

· Social housing, social investment, housing, company or charity or general legal background

· Provision of mental health services

· AI expertise

ROLE DESCRIPTION

We are looking for strategic-minded individuals with a variety of skills to join our board. Our trustees play an essential role in making sure that BCWA achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

Trustee duties

• To ensure the BCWA is carrying out its purposes, as set out in its governing document.
• To ensure the charity complies with its governing document, charity law and any other applicable laws.
• To act in the charity’s best interests, making balanced and adequately informed decisions.
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees in giving firm strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets (including evaluating performance against set targets).
• To provide guidance using previous experience and expertise on a range of aspects of BCWA's business, including support to set up new initiatives.
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Organisation.
• To monitor the financial, strategic and operational performance of BCWA.

In addition to the above responsibilities, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they possess, to enable the Board to reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, scrutinising reports, providing advice and guidance on new issues, particularly where a Trustee has specific expertise. Our board meets bi-monthly and holds an Annual General Meeting.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision: working to end domestic abuse.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

What impact will you have?

You will be joining an organisation actively opposed to all forms of discrimination providing a service that is confidential, non-judgmental and respectful of diversity.

You will have the opportunity to showcase your skills as well as learn new ones.

We are a feminist organisation and recognise the gendered nature of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls.

Time Commitment

• Attendance at board meetings which take place six times a year. Meetings are held in the early evening, mostly on-line, with one or two held in-person at our south-east London Head Office.
• Trustees will also need to carry out any pre-meeting reading and preparation and may be contacted occasionally for advice.

Further Information

We are very happy to have informal discussions about the role and warmly welcome candidates to visit us or observe a board meeting if they wish.

New Trustees are assigned an existing member who is responsible for their induction and support for a period of 6 months.

As our organisation works with extremely vulnerable clients, safeguarding is one of our key priorities. Please contact us if you would like more info or to view our SG policies. In light of this, offers are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Female applicants only: In light of the nature of work, the candidate’s gender is considered to be an occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010. 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: BCWA is committed to supporting and promoting equality & diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. To achieve this, we seek to employ a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds to better represent the communities we serve. 

BCWA is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 

Reg. Charity No.1068007. 

About Us

Cherry Trees is a charity. located in East Clandon (near Guildford, Surrey), providing home-from-home short breaks for children aged 0–19 with a range of complex disabilities, including learning, physical, and sensory impairments.

We are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and care for more than 100 children and young people in a safe, stimulating, and fun environment. At Cherry Trees, we see the child first and the disability second, valuing every child for who they are. We are a dedicated community, enabling children to spend time with friends and enjoy new experiences while their families have a much-needed break from care.

It’s an exciting time to join Cherry Trees. We have recently recruited a new Head of Fundraising and Communications who will be building the team as we invest in a programme of service growth in conjunction with a new 5-year strategy which will be publicised in 2026.

What difference will you make?

Cherry Trees offers a lifeline to vulnerable children and their families. As a Trustee, you will play a key role in helping us to grow and develop and to enable us to continue to provide support and a critical lifeline to even more vulnerable children and their families in great need. Alongside a team of 8 trustees you will play a key role in ensuring we have the maximum impact we can for our community.

Role Description

The treasurer is an officer of the trustee board and not a paid worker. The role of the treasurer is to ensure that all the finances and the supporting financial control systems are kept in order.

Key objectives of the role:

• To provide strategic advice to the Trustees on financial matters as regards the operation and development of Cherry Trees within the direction set by the Chairman of the Trustees.
• To oversee the financial affairs of the Charity and ensure that they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.
• To ensure that proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place.
• To monitor and report on the financial health of the Charity.
• To oversee the production of necessary financial reports, returns, accounts and audits.
• The role requires active participation in board meetings and collaboration with fellow trustees and the executive team to support Cherry Trees’ mission.
• The will be a minimum of 8 board and committee meetings to attend

Principal Tasks

The responsibilities of the treasurer are essential for maintaining the financial stability and integrity of the charity, ensuring that it can continue to fulfil its mission and objectives. Specifically, these include:

Financial oversight

• Ensure that all financial records are accurate, up to date and compliant with legal and accounting standards.
• Ensure that effective financial procedures and controls are in place.
• Appraise the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
• Chair the Management and Finance Committee (M&F) quarterly, monitor performance against budgets and ensure that Capital Expenditure is properly controlled in line with the latest Capex Policy approved by the Trustees.
• Attend half-yearly meetings of the Investment Committee at which the Charity’s investment brokers report on their management of the Cherry Trees investments and measure performance against their benchmark.
• Liaise with the investment brokers as necessary to ensure that adequate liquidity (cash flow) is available and that Cherry Trees is able to meet its liabilities.
• Assist the trustees and management in ensuring that the financial reserves of Cherry Trees are maintained at an appropriate level.

Budget Management

• Oversee the production of the annual budget and propose its adoption by the board.

Financial reporting

• Work closely as necessary with the CEO and COO to appoint appropriate external auditors and to ensure that any audit recommendations are implemented in a timely manner.
• Oversee the production of necessary financial reports and accounts and present them, along with any audit recommendations, to the board.

Strategic advisory

• Provide strategic advice to the board on financial matters and help shape the charity's financial strategy.
• Work closely with the CEO and COO to ensure that a long-term financial strategy is in place, which can guide the organisation in achieving its objectives.

Board liaison

• Regularly report the financial position and ongoing financial viability of the charity at board meetings.
• Make fellow trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data.
• Assist the trustees in ensuring that appropriate steps are taken to manage financial risks that could impact significantly upon Cherry Trees.

Personal skills and qualities

• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management.
• Good financial analysis skills with the ability to think about the future as well as the present.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Be methodical, organised and consistent.
• Ability to communicate clearly.
• Have a strong commitment to the organisation.
• Some experience or knowledge of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes would be an advantage.

Qualifications

• Strong skills and experience in Financial Statements and Accounting
• Proficiency in Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Finance
• An understanding of charitable organisations and nonprofit financial management is a plus
• Good communication and teamwork abilities
• A commitment to the vision and values of the Cherry Trees Charity
• Professional qualifications in accounting or finance are desirable

Safer Recruitment

Due to the vulnerability of our children and young adults, applicants will be required to complete a short application form and will require an Enhanced DBS check, which the charity will facilitate.