Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What does it look like to Chair a charity at a pivotal moment of change?
Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond.
With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, VANS plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact.
Now, at an important point in its development, the organisation is focused on building on its strengths, refining how it works, and positioning itself to be futureproof. We’re looking for a new Chair to lead the charity into its next phase.
Location: Based in North Somerset working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered
Time commitment:Governance commitment supported by a Vice-Chair. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development days per annum, 3-4 Governance group meetings, regular meetings with the CEO, as well as ad-hoc meetings, preparation and urgent matters arising.
About the opportunity
This is a Chair role with real scope to shape both direction and approach. You’ll work alongside a committed Board and Chief Executive to provide strategic leadership, focus on achieving growth, and building a high-performing team and organisation as it continues to evolve.
As Chair, you’ll play a key role in:
- Keeping the Board focused, effective and forward‑looking
- Providing support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive
- Ensuring clear governance, decision-making, and delivery
About you
We’re open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Chair, or an experienced trustee or senior leader ready to be one. What matters most is your ability to provide confident, thoughtful and effective leadership.
We’re particularly interested in people who can:
- Operate at a senior strategic level and see the bigger picture
- Build strong, effective relationships across a Board and executive team
- Balance support and challenge in a constructive way
- Bring a level of commercial awareness and focus on sustainability
Experience of the voluntary sector, health or place‑based working would be valuable, but it’s not essential if you can quickly build that understanding.
Why this role matters
VANS has laid solid foundations under the previous Chair’s tenure, with a strong local reputation, passionate people and now gathering momentum.
The next Chair will play an important role in ensuring the organisation is:
· Strategically-focussed, well governed and meets its goals
· Investing in building VANS and financially resilient
- Ready to grow its impact across North Somerset and beyond
This is a unique and special opportunity to meaningfully contribute to an organisation at the heart of community life.
How to apply
A CV or short profile is a great first step. We’d also welcome an informal conversation if you’d prefer to ask some questions first.
Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.
Deadline: As this role has been advertised previously, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way at all, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking committed individuals to join our Management Committee, supporting the strategic oversight and governance of Help4Homeless.
This is a voluntary leadership role responsible for ensuring the charity operates effectively, ethically, and in line with its mission to support people experiencing homelessness in Peterborough.
Management Committee members carry out trustee-style responsibilities, providing oversight, guidance, and accountability for the organisation, without being part of day-to-day operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic oversight of Help4Homeless and its long-term direction
- Act in the best interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries at all times
- Attend committee meetings and contribute to decision-making and planning
- Support and challenge the leadership team to ensure effective delivery of services
- Monitor the organisation’s activities, impact, and overall performance
- Help ensure financial transparency and responsible use of funds
- Identify risks and help ensure appropriate safeguarding and compliance measures are in place
- Uphold the values, mission, and reputation of Help4Homeless
- Act as an ambassador for the organisation within the community
- Declare and manage any conflicts of interest appropriately
Please Note
Although this role is titled Management Committee Member, it carries responsibilities equivalent to a trustee position, including governance, oversight, and accountability. The committee collectively ensures the organisation is well-managed and acting in the public interest.
Location
On-site / Hybrid – Peterborough, UK
Working Hours
Approx. 2–6 hours per month (including meetings and review responsibilities)
Expenses
Reasonable expenses may be covered where agreed in advance.
Reports To
Collective responsibility as part of the Management Committee
Works Alongside
- Founder / Operations Lead
- Directors and Senior Volunteers
- Community Engagement Team
- Social Media and Fundraising Teams
Skills & Experience
- Commitment to helping people experiencing homelessness
- Good judgement and ability to think strategically
- Willingness to take responsibility for governance decisions
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to act independently and objectively
- Experience in charity, business, community work, or leadership (desirable but not essential)
Important Governance Note
Help4Homeless is currently transitioning from an informal community group into a more structured organisation. Management Committee members will play a key role in shaping governance, policies, and long-term sustainability.
Why Join Us
This is an opportunity to help shape a growing grassroots charity making a direct impact in Peterborough, ensuring that every donation goes directly toward supporting people in need.
nclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Canterbury Cathedral to appoint a Non-Executive Member of Chapter and Lay Canon with expertise in Safeguarding.
About Canterbury Cathedral
Founded by St Augustine in 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is a unique place of worship, a major pilgrimage destination, a masterpiece of art and architecture, and one of the UK’s most-visited historic sites. Often referred to as ‘England in stone’, the Cathedral has been at the centre of momentous events and upheavals. It is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and resting place of royalty and saints.
Chapter is the body corporate of Canterbury Cathedral. Its members have the general control and management of the administration of the Cathedral. Canterbury Cathedral became a full charity in February 2024 (under the Cathedrals Measure 2021) and as well as being regulated by the Church Commissioners, will also be regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
About the Role of Member of Chapter and Lay Canon
Chapter members play a vital and strategic role in maintaining the Christian vision and mission of the Cathedral, as well as its corporate governance.
All Chapter members must either be an actual communicant (within the meaning given in Rule 83(2) of the Church of England’s Church Representation Rules) or a communicant member of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. An “actual communicant member” of the Church of England is legally defined as a baptized person who is confirmed (or ready to be confirmed) and has received Holy Communion at least three times in the preceding twelve months.
Person Specification
In this recruitment campaign we are seeking to appoint one member of Chapter and Lay Canon. We are particularly interested to hear from candidates who have a safeguarding background, with knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy and practice that encompasses both adults and children.
We are also seeking candidates who:
- Are committed to the Cathedral’s Christian vision, mission and ministry.
- Are able to reflect the ethos set out in the Nolan Principles within our charitable context.
- Show demonstrable strategic leadership and management skills and able to provide effective strategic guidance.
- Have strong intellectual and analytical skills with a broad based and long term view of strategic and organisational goals.
- Possess the highest levels of trust and integrity.
- Have the ability to gain the trust, respect and support of fellow members of Chapter and the wider Cathedral community.
- Are able to show empathy in dealing with others and to engage diplomatically and with authority in dialogue and debate on critical issues.
- Are able to voice concerns appropriately in a frank but professional manner and to deal with conflict constructively.
- Have knowledge of principles and processes in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of relating well to diverse stakeholder groups.
Canterbury Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
Please visit Inclusive Boards' website for more information and to apply.