318 Team administrator volunteer roles

“Without advocacy, I would not have been able to pursue this.”
— Real Support participant

Help shape what comes next for Real

Real is looking for new Trustees to join our Board and help shape the future of a passionate, ambitious and proudly user-led organisation.

We’re not just a charity that works for D/deaf and Disabled people. We’re run by D/deaf and Disabled people. That gives us a different perspective, a different approach and a powerful reason to keep challenging the barriers Disabled people face.

We’re a small organisation with big ambitions.

Our team of 10 employees works across:

• Real Support – providing free, independent advocacy and advice, helping people understand and exercise their rights, challenge discrimination and navigate complex systems.

• Co-production – creating meaningful opportunities for Disabled people to shape the services and decisions that affect them.

• Campaigning and policy – challenging inequality and making sure Disabled people’s voices are heard by decision-makers.

• Research – gathering evidence about the barriers Disabled people face and what needs to change.

• Training – sharing our expertise with businesses, public bodies and other organisations to help make services and workplaces more inclusive.

We work locally in Tower Hamlets and increasingly across East London, building partnerships, influencing decision-makers and creating practical change.

As a Trustee, you won’t just be joining a Board and attending meetings. You’ll be joining a community of people who care deeply about disability rights and want to make a difference.

What could you bring?

We are particularly keen to hear from people with experience or expertise in:

Finance and accountancy – including someone who could take on the role of Treasurer.

Charity and voluntary sector leadership – particularly people who understand the opportunities and challenges facing small, community-rooted organisations.

Fundraising – helping us build a more sustainable future and develop new sources of income.

HR and staff development – supporting us to be an excellent organisation to work for as we grow and to provide supervision for our Seniot Management Team.

We’re looking for people who can bring curiosity, challenge, ideas and commitment to our Board. You don’t need to have been a Trustee before. What matters is that you are willing to listen, ask questions, share your expertise and work collaboratively with other Trustees and our staff team.

You will need:

• A genuine commitment to disability rights, equity and inclusion.

• The time and commitment to be an active and engaged Trustee.

• The willingness to attend training and upskill yourself in new areas of work

• The confidence to contribute to strategic discussions and constructively challenge when needed.

• An interest in the work of Real and the difference we are trying to make.

We would particularly welcome applications from people who:

• Are D/deaf, Disabled or have lived experience of a long-term health condition.

• Have a connection to Tower Hamlets or Newham, whether through living, working or studying here.

• Bring perspectives, experiences or skills that will help us make our Board more diverse and representative.

You don’t have to tick every box. If you can see yourself contributing to Real, we want to hear from you.

What does being a Trustee involve?

Trustees are responsible for ensuring that Real is well governed and achieves its charitable objectives. You’ll work alongside our Chief Executive and senior management team to provide strategic oversight, support and constructive challenge.

Our Board meets approximately every eight weeks. Most meetings are held online, with occasional meetings in person in Tower Hamlets.

Trustees may also support particular areas of work where they have relevant skills or experience, and attend occasional key events such as launches, fundraising or training events and our annual strategy away day.

Trustees are elected for an initial three-year term, renewable for two further three-year terms. This gives you the opportunity to really get to know Real, build relationships with our staff and members, and play a meaningful role in our development.

This is a voluntary, unpaid role, although reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses will be covered where necessary.

Our Board, staff and members bring a huge range of lived experience, expertise and perspectives. We believe that diversity makes us stronger – and that the people most affected by inequality should have a real say in how we tackle it.

For more information about Real and our work, please visit our website. If you’d like an informal conversation about the role or what it’s like to be a Trustee at Real, our CEO would be very happy to talk to you.

We recruit Trustees on a rolling basis and are always interested in hearing from people who can bring new skills, experiences and perspectives to our Board.