Support officers volunteer roles

About The Role

 At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close and let it do the talking. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference.

By providing an excellent visitor experience as a member of the visitor services team, you will be encouraging our visitors to make the most of their visit to Washington Wetland Centre, and to understand and support our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.  

About You

To carry out this role, you will need:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Good listening skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit your audience
• Confident in the use of multi operation tills
• A confident attitude and/or experience of successful face-to-face contact with the public
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• An interest in and enthusiasm for the work of WWT
• The ability to work under your own initiative under the direction of the Visitor Services and Engagement Officer
• Commitment to undertake relevant training

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

Finance Trustee Position 

Exeter Students’ Guild is looking for a passionate and experienced External Finance Trustee to join our Board and help shape the future of our student-led organisation.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Trustees play a key part in making sure the Students’ Guild runs well and stays true to its purpose. As a Trustee, you’ll help set the Guild’s direction, support and challenge senior staff, and make sure we’re using our resources responsibly and operating within the law.

You’ll be joining a Board of 14 Trustees, made up of External Trustees, Student Trustees, and Elected Officer Trustees, all working together to support students at Exeter.

The role is a four-year term, with the option to serve a second term. You’ll need to meet The Charity Commission eligibility requirements. The role is unpaid, but reasonable expenses will be covered.

Further information can be found on our website.

Experience and Knowledge

We’re especially keen to hear from people who have:

• Senior-level experience in finance, accounting, or a related area
• An understanding of the challenges facing students in the UK and at the University of Exeter
• A good grasp of what good governance looks like
• Knowledge of the Higher Education sector and the issues it faces
• The time to commit to Board meetings, committee work, and key financial discussions

Skills

• The ability to ask questions and challenge the status quo.
• Sound judgement and the ability to think strategically, handle competing priorities and make informed decisions.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships with people at all levels.
• Able to respond positively to challenging situations and solve problems creatively.

Values and Attitude

• A demonstrable commitment to our values.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and able to engage with people from all backgrounds and at all levels.
• Passionate about working in a democratic, student led environment.

Interested?

Take a look at our Trustee Recruitment Pack for more details about the role and what we’re looking for.

How to Apply

To apply, please visit our recruitment portal to complete our application form by 8am, Monday 26th January 2026.

You’ll need:

• An up-to-date CV
• Short written answers (up to 300 words each) to:

• 1. Why do you want to be a Trustee at Exeter Students’ Guild, and how do your values align with ours?
  2. How would your skills and experience help the Trustee Board and staff team deliver our strategy?

Applications are open, and we’ll set up interviews as we meet great candidates.

Closing date for applications Rolling deadline

Panel interviewBased on candidate availability

First Trustee Board6th July 2026

Trustee Training30th June 2026

Please note we will aim to work flexibly with candidates around interview dates.

If you have any questions about the role, feel free to contact Dani Alexander - details can be found in the information pack or on our website. 

Testimonial from External Trustee, Sophie

What inspired you to become a trustee?

I was inspired to become a trustee to be able to use my experience and knowledge, both as a higher education professional and a former student (from a while ago!), to be part of something that benefits students and adds to their brilliant university experience. I also wanted to experience governance from 'the other side' and improve those skills.

How has the experience benefited you personally or professionally?

It has been really gratifying to be able to use what I do everyday and have it aid discussion. I've found it so interesting and refreshing to approach familiar topics from a completely different angle.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a trustee?

I would say to put yourself forward! Speak to someone who may have experience of being a trustee, have a look at the brilliant resources there are out there, and have confidence in your experience - a Board really needs a wide range of skills and experience and diversity of opinion, so go for it.

We are looking for 3 trustees.  One from the global majority, one with an interest in the management of risk and one with skills in marketing, communications or PR.     

Background to Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust

Mosaic’s vision is to build a proud, strong and cohesive LGBT+ community that is safe from abuse, free from prejudice, healthy and making a positive contribution to society. Over more than 25 years, we have supported, educated and inspired thousands of young persons.

We have two distinct services: for 12 – 18 year olds and for 18 – 25 year olds.

Services for 12 – 18 year olds

- weekly youth group (Wednesday evening or Sunday night but you come to only one):  20 -25 young people, in our dedicated facility in Camden.  Adult mentors available to discuss issues, lots of games and chat and music and then settle down to that week's workshop. Coined by our members as ‘Mosaic’, the Youth Club has been regularly referred to as being ‘home’ or ‘like family.’ We are supported by a dedicated team of LGBT+ volunteer staff role models who run workshops and forums on a range of matters from sexual health to Queer literature.

- schools mentoring: for anyone in London, usually arranged via school, our mentor goes into school. Aimed at those who cannot make youth group

- culture club: around 6 times every month there is something we are doing cultural, be it going to a show, or a gallery or a museum.  We raise the funds so these trips are free and often there is a meal before or after

- book club, film club, homework club, yoga club:  regular sessions where the name is self explanatory

- drama therapy: team from RADA running a series of sessions a few times a year 

- counselling: we have a group of fully qualified psychotherapists offering one on one, group and family therapy

- big events:Homoween, Garden Party, Pride Prom, Clothes swap - big events which we advertise widely and attract up to 100 people to

- summer camp and winter retreat: residentials, the first focused on outdoor activity and the second focused on calmer activities

- Discord group: around 200 members in our moderated Discord space 

Services for 18 – 25 year olds

- month young adults group: similar format to youth group but less often so that they organise their own activities too

- Mosaic Works: CV, and interview advice, mentored paid work experience.  This is a huge focus for this group 

- outdoor group: meet every few weeks to go kayaking, hiking, cycling etc

- counselling: same as for youth group

- culture club: a monthly trip out, usually to theatre

- summer residential: usually at Pride Youth Games

What we are looking for

● A trustee from the Global Majority

● A trustee with an interest in the management of risk

● A Trustee with skills in marketing, communications or PR

We have spent several years developing a firm foundation, with strong finances and clear policies. We now want to grow our services and programmes even more.

We are a small charity. We employ full time our Executive Director, Services Manager and Business Development Manager.  We have a part time Marketing Officer. We also have a great group of volunteers who dedicate time to the Youth Clubs and the other activities. Our Trustees should be very keen to be involved. We want you to be passionate about improving the lives of LGBT+ young persons. We also want you to be able to commit time to getting involved in our Trustee Board, picking up some of the tasks from there and working on them between meetings. We would also expect you to want to attend the Youth Club or some of the special events we run at least a few times a year.

How to apply

You will find the job descriptions and person specifications for each role below. To apply please send a CV along with a short email on why you wish to be a Trustee at Mosaic.  Please explain why you think you are a good fit if your CV doesn’t make it clear.  If you would like an informal chat before deciding whether to apply please drop Ken a note and he will be happy to set this up.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 19th April however we will process applications as they arrive so please send us your application as soon as you are ready.

All of our roles have an initial common job description

As a member of Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust board (the “Board”) you help provide overall direction and leadership for the organisation’s strategy, with accountability for the organisation: sound management; financial health and quality of programme delivery.

General responsibilities (common to all Trustees)

In carrying out the collective responsibilities of the Board, individual Trustees should:

●Be an active participant, making relevant skills, experience and knowledge available to the organisation. This includes sitting on the Board and one of the Board subcommittees, occasionally attending events we are holding, and using personal networks to develop connections for the organisation

●Regularly attend Board meetings and prepare fully for those meetings including reading papers in advance, identifying key issues for discussion and providing advice and guidance on areas of expertise.  Board meetings are held 5 times a year.

●Regularly attend the meetings of the subcommittee of which you are a member and prepare fully for those meetings including reading papers in advance, identifying key issues for discussion and providing advice and guidance on areas of expertise. Committee meetings are held 5 times a year.

●Have prior knowledge of, or take time to familiarise themselves with, best practices of Charity governance and operations including financial management. (We will provide guidance and training on this)

●Develop and maintain a sound and up-to-date knowledge of the organisation’s activities and any wider issues that affect its work

●Actively contribute towards the effectiveness of the Trustee Board, engaging in discussion, debate and voting in a considered and constructive way, participating in induction and training as required, and sharing ideas for how the Board can be improved

●Act in the best interests of Mosaic, including contributing to fundraising efforts, e.g. through personal contributions, introductions to potential supports and attending fundraising events

●Undertake an annual performance self-assessment, which will be reviewed in discussion with the Chair and Vice Chair.

●Act as brand ambassador when talking to other professionals raising profile and need for LGBT+ young persons’ services and placing Mosaic as a key provider of such services.

Specific to these jobs: 

A trustee from the global majority

We need a Trustee from the global majority who will be able to provide us with insight and perspectives that are not fully represented at our Board meetings.  We do have a diverse Board, but we are conscious that our membership, particularly in the young adults group, draws heavily from the global majority.  We think we would benefit from another Trustee from this background.  We are passionate about having diverse voices in our leadership because it helps us make better decisions. We also think we need to be sure we are hearing from people who have similar experiences to those we work with.

This Trustee position is open to those with a range of skills or specialisms, including but not limited to the provision of frontline services (for example safeguarding, working with young people, working with or knowledge of the challenges faced by LGBT+ refugees), marketing and fundraising (for example working in PR, having a knowledge of fundraising or events management) or charity management (for example financial skills - maybe gained outside the charity sector, governance or risk management).

We don’t need you to have been a Trustee before – we are committed to providing the training and support for anyone where this is their first Trustee role. Many of our current Trustees took this on as their first role and would now be regarded as experienced Trustees with a good knowledge of what is required to make the role a success..

Person Specification

Essential 

● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community. 

● Lived experience of being from the global majority

● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.

● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role 

● Good communication skills and creative thinking 

● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision 

● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically

● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee 

Desirable

● Experience managing a team

A Trustee with an interest in management of risk

We need a Trustee with an interest in the management of risk. For us that means keeping the risk register (we already have one, and its up to date and in good shape), and working with the chairs of the committees to ensure that their committee reviews the risks that they own (our experience is that they need a bit of a push to do it, but when they do it, it is done well).  It also means saying “have we considered the risks here” when we discuss things at Board and making sure we keep that as a focus.

You don’t actually need to have done this before because it is relatively easy to understand and the role is keeping the organisation focused on risk rather than actually doing the risk management yourself.

We have a robust risk register and in the last 12 months we have spent half a day thinking specifically about our risk posture. We are losing the trustee who led this area and we need to replace them. If you have experience in governance of risk that would be great, but if you are simply interested in working with us and happy to pick up this area that is fine too.  You don’t have to have been a trustee before, but if you have been that would be good.

Responsibilities specific to this role

● To work with the members of the Finance, Risk and Governance committee to maintain a register of the critical risks that the Charity faces.

● To work with the chairs of the Board Committees to ensure that the committees are regularly assessing their risks, and regularly taking action to mitigate those risks

● To be responsible for the keeping the risk register up to date

Person Specification

Essential 

● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community. 

● Knowledge of risk, or willingness to learn, in relation to a charity for young persons and vulnerable adults.

● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.

● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role 

● Good communication skills and creative thinking 

● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision 

● An ability to work with others

● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically

● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee 

Desirable

● Have managed a team of people

● Have an interest in corporate governance

A Trustee with skills in marketing, communications or PR

We need a Trustee with experience in marketing to join our Board and also our Marketing and Fundraising committee.  We have a part time staff member who creates our material and posts it.  We need ideas on how we might do better, reaching out to those who would benefit from what we do. You may have ideas about how we can improve our messaging, or where we could start to advertise and talk about what we do. We don’t need specific marketing skills but rather someone who is familiar with the way marketing works, who understands messaging and who has ideas on what we could do better.  If you are familiar with new trends and technologies we could be making better use of that would be great.

Responsibilities specific to this role

● To work with the members of the Marketing and Fundraising committee to improve awareness of what Mosaic does among our target audiences.

Person Specification

Essential 

● Lived experience of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community. 

● At least 2 years in a marketing role

● Commitment to Mosaic’s vision and mission.

● Understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee; or a willingness to get that understanding very early in the role 

● Good communication skills and creative thinking 

● Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision 

● An ability to work with others

● A willingness to speak their mind persuasively but diplomatically

● Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation

● Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee 

Branch Trustee (MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS BRANCH)

Help Us Make a Real Difference for Animals in Milton Keynes

Do you care deeply about animal welfare and want to use your skills to create lasting change? Do you have corporate business experience that you’d like to use to give back to your community? At RSPCA Milton Keynes, every decision we make, every pound we raise, and every hour we give is about one thing: helping animals in need.

Overview of the Branch Trustee opportunity

We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate people who could devote the time to volunteer with us as one of our Trustees. As a Trustee of the Branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long terms aims.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

Through our numerous campaigns, we seek to raise standards of care, and awareness of issues, affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS Branch

We’re a small independent charity, run by passionate volunteers and supported by a dedicated team. Every year, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals who deserve a second chance. But we can only do this because of the funds we raise locally through our charity shops, fundraising events, grants, and public donations. We’re now at a pivotal moment, transitioning to Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) status, and we need strong leadership and fresh ideas to secure our future. We have two retail outlets, a growing online presence, and funds ready to invest in sustainable revenue streams. What we need is your business expertise and drive to make it happen.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are looking for people from all social and cultural backgrounds who can

• Make a real impact on animal lives: Every idea you bring helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome more animals.
• Use your skills for good: Apply your business experience to strategy, fundraising, and growth that truly matters.
• Join a passionate team: Work alongside people who share your love for animals and commitment to making a difference.
• Feel proud and fulfilled: Experience the satisfaction of doing something good—every decision you help shape creates a positive change in our community and gives animals the second chance they deserve.

We’re asking for

• Up to 6 hours per week (flexible).
• Help us structure volunteering, drive fundraising, and develop revenue ideas.
• Bring your corporate experience, creativity, drive, and enthusiasm to a small team that’s ready to grow.

Alongside the relevant experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.
• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.
• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.
• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Citizens Advice Winchester District is a dynamic, values-led, and award-winning local charity which is passionate about creating a fairer society for all.

We do this by helping people to resolve a wide range of problems they’re facing, so that everyone can achieve a good quality of life.Every year, we provide free, confidential and impartial advice on issues such as debt, housing, benefits and employment advice to people across the Winchester district, many of whom are in desperate or challenging situations and have nowhere else to turn. We may also suggest to our clients' other agencies that may be helpful to them, depending on their individual circumstances.

Our greatest asset is our dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees, who also advocate for lasting policy change both locally and nationally. To help us in our work, we are seeking an additional 3-4 trustees to complete our board and help us lead the charity over our next phase of strategic development.

The role  

We want our board to have a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds and are looking for strategic thinkers with a commitment to good governance and a willingness to work collaboratively and challenge constructively. Previous experience of Citizens Advice, or of being a Trustee (or equivalent), would be advantageous, but the commitment and enthusiasm to help us shape the work and strategic direction of our forward-thinking charity is essential. 

We would be particularly interested to hear from people with experience in HR (especially those with current CIPD membership), Charitable Trust and Foundation fundraising, and change management.

We are committed to being an inclusive workplace and we value diversity - we welcome and encourage applications from all walks of life, whatever your background or situation.

This is an exciting opportunity to be able to influence the direction of our charity, making a real difference. You will work alongside passionate and skilled colleagues and use your experience to create positive change for thousands of people in the Winchester district every year.

We look forward to hearing from you!