Volunteer roles in Bedfordshire

VOLUNTEER ROLE: COMMITTEE MEMBER

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society

UK‑based applicants only

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society is a modern Scottish cultural organisation inspired by the legacy of Robert “The Lyon” and the survivors of Culloden. We celebrate Scottish heritage, Highland identity, and the enduring spirit of courage, kinship, and belonging.

As we continue to grow across the UK and internationally, we are seeking UK‑based Volunteer Committee Members to help guide the Society’s development, strengthen our governance, and support our cultural mission.

This is an important leadership role within the Society — ideal for someone who values heritage, community, and collaborative decision‑making.

About the Role

Committee Members play a key part in shaping the direction of the Lyonic Scots Clan Society. Working alongside the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and wider Council, you will help oversee our activities, support cultural initiatives, and ensure the organisation remains community‑focused, transparent, and well‑governed.

This role is remote‑friendly, but you must be based in the UK for governance and compliance purposes.

Key Responsibilities

As a Committee Member, you may:

• Contribute to decision‑making on Society activities, events, and heritage projects

• Support the development of policies, programmes, and community initiatives

• Attend regular Council meetings and participate in discussions

• Provide guidance and oversight to ensure good governance

• Assist with planning cultural events, campaigns, and membership engagement

• Champion the Society’s values of kinship, heritage, and community spirit

• Offer your skills, experience, and ideas to help the organisation grow

(Responsibilities can be shaped around your strengths and interests.)

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Are UK‑based

• Are reliable, collaborative, and comfortable working as part of a small leadership team

• Communicate clearly and respectfully

• Care about Scottish culture, heritage, and community building

• Want to contribute your time and skills to a meaningful cultural organisation

• Bring experience in any of the following (helpful but not required):

  • Community leadership

  • Governance or committee work

  • Event planning

  • Heritage or cultural engagement

  • Communications, outreach, or membership support

You do not need to be Scottish — only committed to cultural preservation and community spirit.

What You’ll Gain

• A leadership role within a growing cultural organisation

• Experience in governance and community‑group decision‑making

• A chance to support Scottish heritage and identity

• Flexible volunteering you can fit around your life

• A warm, respectful team who value your contribution

Help Guide the Future of the Clan

If you’re ready to contribute your skills and help shape a living Scottish cultural movement, we would be honoured to hear from you.

Apply now through CharityJob and become part of the Lyonic Scots Clan Society.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: EVENTS ORGANISER

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society

Flexible • One‑off or multiple events throughout the year

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society is a modern Scottish cultural organisation inspired by the legacy of Robert “The Lyon” and the survivors of Culloden. We celebrate Scottish heritage, Highland identity, and the enduring spirit of courage, kinship, and belonging.

As we continue to grow across the UK and internationally, we are seeking enthusiastic Volunteer Events Organisers to help us plan and deliver a number of small cultural events throughout the year. Whether you want to organise one event or several, your contribution will help bring the Clan together and strengthen our community.

About the Role

Events are at the heart of any clan society — moments where heritage comes alive, friendships are formed, and community is strengthened. We are looking for volunteers who can help plan, coordinate, and deliver small‑scale gatherings such as:

• Cultural meet‑ups

• Heritage talks or workshops

• Social gatherings

• Online events

• Local clan meet‑and‑greets

• Seasonal celebrations

You can take on one event, a few, or support the full calendar — whatever suits your availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and organise small events (online or in‑person)

• Coordinate logistics such as venue, timings, and materials

• Communicate with attendees and the Council

• Ensure events run smoothly and reflect the dignity and heritage of the Clan

• Work with other volunteers when needed

• Share ideas for new cultural or community‑building activities

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy organising gatherings or community events

• Are reliable, friendly, and good at communicating

• Can manage simple logistics and planning tasks

• Are creative and enjoy bringing people together

• Care about Scottish culture, heritage, and community identity

• Want to contribute to a meaningful cultural organisation

No professional events experience is required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience in event planning and community organising

• A chance to shape the cultural life of the Lyonic Scots

• Flexible volunteering — take on as much or as little as you like

• A warm, supportive team who value your contribution

• The joy of bringing people together through heritage and community

Help Bring the Clan Together

If you’re ready to help create meaningful cultural moments for the Lyonic Scots, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Apply now through CharityJob and help us build a vibrant calendar of clan events.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: SECRETARY

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society

Approx. 8 Hours Per Month

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society is a modern Scottish cultural organisation inspired by the legacy of Robert “The Lyon” and the survivors of Culloden. We celebrate Scottish heritage, Highland identity, and the enduring spirit of courage, kinship, and belonging.

As our community continues to grow across the UK and internationally, we are seeking a dedicated Volunteer Secretary to support the smooth running of the Society and help uphold the dignity and organisation of the Clan.

This is a key administrative role within our Council and an excellent opportunity for someone who values heritage, structure, and community service.

About the Role

The Secretary ensures that the Lyonic Scots Clan Society operates with clarity, professionalism, and good governance. You will support the Chair and Council by managing communications, maintaining records, and helping coordinate meetings and activities.

This role is flexible, remote‑friendly, and ideal for someone who enjoys organisation and meaningful cultural work.

Time Commitment: Approximately 8 hours per month.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Society’s official email inbox.

• Prepare and circulate meeting agendas and minutes.

• Maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Support membership administration where needed.

• Assist with scheduling Council meetings and cultural activities.

• Ensure smooth communication between Council members.

• Uphold the Society’s standards of professionalism and heritage‑based identity.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Are organised, reliable, and detail‑oriented.

• Communicate clearly and professionally.

• Are comfortable using email, basic documents, and online tools.

• Can work collaboratively with the Chair and Council.

• Care about Scottish culture, heritage, and community building.

• Want to contribute to a meaningful cultural organisation.

You do not need to be Scottish — only committed to supporting a heritage‑based community.

What You’ll Gain

• A respected leadership role within a growing cultural society.

• Experience in governance and organisational administration.

• A chance to support Scottish heritage and identity.

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your life.

• A warm, supportive team who value your contribution.

Help Guide the Heart of the Clan

If you’re ready to use your organisational skills to support a living Scottish cultural movement, we would be honoured to hear from you.

Apply now through CharityJob and become part of the Lyonic Scots Clan Society.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: TREASURER

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society

UK‑based applicants only

The Lyonic Scots Clan Society is a modern Scottish cultural organisation inspired by the legacy of Robert “The Lyon” and the survivors of Culloden. We celebrate Scottish heritage, Highland identity, and the enduring spirit of courage, kinship, and belonging.

As we continue to grow across the UK and internationally, we are seeking a UK‑based Volunteer Treasurer to help steward our finances with integrity, clarity, and care.

This is a vital leadership role within the Society — perfect for someone who values heritage, community, and good governance.

About the Role

The Treasurer oversees the financial health of the Lyonic Scots Clan Society, ensuring our cultural projects, events, and membership activities are supported by sound financial management.

You will work closely with the Chair, Secretary, and Council to maintain transparent, accurate records and help guide the organisation’s financial decisions.

This role is remote‑friendly but you must be based in the UK for compliance and reporting purposes.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate financial records for the Society.

• Manage incoming membership fees and donations.

• Prepare simple financial reports for the Council.

• Oversee budgeting for events and cultural projects.

• Ensure compliance with UK charity and community‑group financial standards.

• Support the annual financial review.

• Advise the Council on financial planning and sustainability.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Are UK‑based.

• Have experience in bookkeeping, finance, or managing budgets.

• Are organised, reliable, and comfortable handling figures.

• Can communicate clearly with the Council and membership team.

• Care about Scottish culture, heritage, and community building.

• Want to contribute your skills to a meaningful cultural organisation.

You do not need to be Scottish — only committed to good governance and cultural preservation.

What You’ll Gain

• A leadership role within a growing cultural organisation.

• Experience in charity‑style financial management.

• A chance to support Scottish heritage and community identity.

• Flexible volunteering you can fit around your life.

• A warm, respectful team who value your contribution.

Help Guide the Future of the Clan

If you’re ready to use your financial skills to support a living Scottish cultural movement, we would be honoured to hear from you.

Apply now through CharityJob and become part of the Lyonic Scots Clan Society.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Help Bring the Story of the Lyonic Scots to Life

The Lyonic Scots are a modern Scottish cultural organisation inspired by the legacy of Robert “The Lyon” and the survivors of Culloden. We celebrate Scottish heritage, Highland identity, and the enduring spirit of courage, kinship, and belonging.

As our community grows internationally, we are looking for a talented Volunteer Graphic Designer to help shape the visual identity of the Clan and support our cultural projects, events, and heritage campaigns.

If you love Scotland, storytelling, and meaningful design, this is a role where your creativity truly matters.

About the Role

As a volunteer Graphic Designer, you will help create visual materials that represent our cultural organisation of the Lyonic Scots. Your work will appear across our social media, membership campaigns, ceremonial announcements, and cultural initiatives, and our upcoming website.

This role is flexible, remote‑friendly, and ideal for someone who wants to build their portfolio while contributing to a unique cultural movement.

What You’ll Design

You may help create:

• Logos.

• Social media graphics for heritage campaigns and clan announcements.

• Posters and digital flyers for events and gatherings.

• Ceremonial and heritage‑themed visuals.

• Membership materials and promotional assets.

• Banners, headers, and branded templates.

• Occasional print‑ready materials for cultural projects.

Your designs will help us share our story with Scots and friends of Scotland around the world.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Have experience with Canva, Adobe, Affinity, or similar tools.

• Enjoy designing with heritage, symbolism, or storytelling in mind.

• Can work collaboratively with our creative director.

• Are reliable, organised, and able to meet light deadlines.

• Want to contribute to a cultural organisation with a strong identity.

You do not need to be Scottish — only passionate about culture, creativity, and community.

What You’ll Gain

• A chance to contribute to a living Scottish cultural movement.

• Portfolio‑ready design work with real visibility.

• Flexible volunteering you can fit around your life.

• Experience working with ceremonial, heritage‑based branding.

• A warm, supportive team who value creativity and authenticity.

• A written testimony thank you for your help. (If you would like one).

Join the Pride. Shape the Story.

If you’re ready to use your creativity to help revive and celebrate Scottish culture, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now through CharityJob and become part of the Lyonic Scots.

LYONIC

SCOTS

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for patients and families affected by a chronic pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

We're looking for 3 qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists volunteers ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients or lived experience of chronic illness, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our adult service users (aged 18 & over) and help us to continue developing a mental health support service. 

As a Volunteer Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote counselling/therapy support services to adults aged 18 and over many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling/therapy sessions online via Zoom or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our services users.  

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, our volunteer counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling) or integrative counselling, or specialist services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, CFT and EMDR for CRPS patients, or their families & close relatives.

People will be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having patients and carers themselves referring into to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your counselling and therapy skills, organisation, communication and team working skills.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake client assessments following triage by Clinical Lead, followed by counselling / therapy (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 sessions for each client plus a check in and 4 psychometric assessments

• Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to clients aged 18 & over

• Update our database with the client’s information, sessional notes and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these confidentially and securely in acccordahce with GDPR

• Attending and participating in monthly group supervision support of 1.5 hours a month

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in volunteer meetings
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principles

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including a full induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us. We can offer you a supervisor as well as expenses for annual insurance and an external supervisor if required.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member (including student membership) of one of the recognised membership organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum (unfortunately no students at this time), Degree or Masters in Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, EMDR 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 3 clients a week, being three hours of your time for therapy sessions plus time for administration and attending group supervision for 1.5 hours a month. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a minimum commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Knowledge of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations You Must Be A Member of:

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• EMDR Association UK
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• British Psychological Society
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period where referrals are on the rise and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for our clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our CRPS patients & their families who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is rapidly expanding, you would have a key role in developing our counselling and psychotherapy programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in our clients' life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.

Are you interested in communication? Have you got experience of using Mailchimp? Help us engage our charity's audience by creating compelling email and newsletter content so that we can support more people affected by a complex, debilitating chronic condition as well as raise awareness of this rare disease. This is a great opportunity to assist a small but mighty charity.

Description

Our small charity delivers awareness campaigns and a range of support services to patients, relatives, partners and carers who have been affected by a debilitating chronic condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). We are urgently looking for 2 experienced email marketing volunteers to join our communications team.

You will be a big link to our charity's clients who are vulnerable and isolated, to them learning more about events, our latest articles, fundraising events as well as ensuring they are aware of the services that we offer that be of help to them. You will also be helping us to raise awareness of this devastating chronic condition.

Even though we are a small organisation we have big ideas and having regular contact through emails and newsletters will show consistency and know they can rely on us to be there for them.

We would like the volunteer to help with:

• Email content: Develop our communication & marketing content calendar, write compelling regular email content, including calls for donations & support, that is relevant and has clear a call-to-action and high click through rates;
• Email content (membership): Create a regular email newsletter for our membership scheme
• Create a number of automated email series - for donors, members, fundraisers and more
• Newsletter strategy: Help us plan and articulate how we can use emails and newsletters to strengthen our organisation, motivate our supporters and communicate with our sponsors;
• Design and implement campaigns and promotional activity

What are you looking for in a volunteer?

We are looking for 2 volunteers who have:

• Strong writing and editing skills
• Good communicator
• Good computer skills and a willingness to be contacted via email and/or video chat
• Experience using email marketing software - specifically Mailchimp
• Marketing skills
• Experience of working on marketing strategies
• Ability to quickly understand the needs of our team, organisation and our services users (we are not expecting you to know about the condition we support)
• Can ask key questions to enable us to clarify requirements
• Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and is able to work with these
• Open to feedback
• A passion for marketing and email marketing
• Ability to work flexibly on your own or as part of a team with enthusiasm and commitment
• Ability to create email campaigns with little supervision (after initial support)

Skills

• Digital: Email Marketing
• Marketing and communications: Copywriting/Journalism

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will be joining a small charity during a challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we reach the patients, relatives, partners and carers who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our readership to ensure more people are aware of this condition, which will help those affected by it when they see a health professional.

What's in it for the volunteer?

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching more people affected by this rare condition who may not know that we exist to support them. You would have a key role in developing a strategy to complement our awareness campaigns. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in someone’s life which is already isolated and painful, but who may not know there is support out there and to then realise they’re not alone.

About the location

Where will the volunteer be working?

The volunteer will be working remotely, online and entirely from your own home.

Travel Limit

This role will be completely remote.

When will the volunteer be working?

Volunteer availability

• Either in or office hours - however we are flexible

Estimate the time commitment

• 3-6 hours / week - but this is flexible however ideally it would be 4 hours or over to ensure email campaigns are going out at the right time

To apply for the email marketing volunteer please send by email your CV together with a covering letter saying why you think you would be a good candidate for this position, via the Charity Job 'Apply Online' 

Are you a Child and Young Person Clinical Supervisor interested in supporting child and young person counsellors and therapists?

Burning Nights CRPS Support has a highly skilled counselling and therapy team who provide counselling and psychotherapy to adults and children who have been impacted by a debilitating pain condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This team is expanding rapidly and we are now looking for 1 volunteer Child and Young Person (CYP) Clinical Supervisor to join this team ensuring we can continue the provision of our vital emotional support services to this community specifically for young people. We would ideally like to take on 1 CYP Clinical Supervisor supporting a small group of CYP therapists who specialise in a range of modalities.

All our Counselling and therapy team help to develop our growing mental health support service for patients, families and carers affected by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). As a volunteer with the CRPS Counselling & Therapy Service, your skills and experience as a CYP Clinical Supervisor will be providing support to therapists who offer therapy to vulnerable children and young people aged 5-18.

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, you will provide group and 1-2-1 Supervision support for CYP counsellors or psychotherapists who provide counselling support or specialist services for children and young people. The service currently offers specialist support to anyone over the age of 5 who is affected by CRPS.

Key Tasks and Objectives

• Facilitate Clinical Supervision group sessions on a monthly basis (online) and be able to offer at least 1 or 2 supervisees on 1-2-1 basis mainly trainees

• Administer this supervision from invitation through to record keeping

• Take part in complex case allocation meetings with the Clinical Lead

• Maintain appropriate clinical records of all work and to report, along with any concerns on individuals or their practice to the Clinical Lead

• Commitment to ongoing supervision of supervision practice at Burning Nights CRPS Support as well as engaging in separate own personal supervision

• Work flexibly as part of a small team as necessary to provide maximum coverage for supervision, such as in the event of emergencies

• Abide by all Burning Nights CRPS Support policies and procedures

• Adhere to BACP, BABCP (or other appropriate therapies governing body) Ethical Framework

Key Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Psychotherapy/Counselling qualification with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a similar field

• Qualification in Clinical Supervision - ideally level 7 or above (could also suit experienced counsellors who require a placement during Clinical Supervision placement, or experienced counsellors wishing to gain experience in supervision)

• Had experience of supervising CYP therapists 

• Accreditation/registration (or working at the level of or towards this qualification) as a Supervisor with BACP/HCPC/BABCP or equivalent

• Significant proven experience of supervising individual CYP counsellors/psychotherapists from a range of training backgrounds 

• Appropriate and proven clinical experience of working with young people with a range of difficulties including complex medical health issues, loss and bereavement. Ideally experience of working with children and young people living with or affected by chronic pain or chronic conditions

• Willingness to engage in any Burning Nights CRPS Support training

• Understanding of issues regarding confidentiality and management of risk within a counselling service

• Good administrative skills

• Understanding of the voluntary sector

• Commitment to on-going engagement in personal supervision

• Knowledgeable of and committed to equalities’ provision

Desirable:

• Appropriate and proven clinical experience of working with children and young people living with or affected by chronic pain or chronic conditions

• Being able to supervise CYP therapists in small groups

• Experience of working within a low-cost / free voluntary sector counselling setting

• Experience of working within the voluntary charity sector

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

ADVERT – BBC Charity Appeals Advisory Committee Members (2) (Voluntary Posts)

Could you lend your skills to help the BBC’s work with charities?

We are looking for 2 new senior charity leaders to join the BBC’s Charity Appeals Advisory Committee (AAC) which is made up of independent experts from the charitable sector.

The AAC is a voluntary body which advises and supports the BBC’s Executive Board in matters relating to good governance and effectiveness of BBC charity appeals.

Role Responsibility

AAC members advise on policy, scrutiny, the allocation of broadcasting time and the strategic development of the BBC’s relationship to appeals. These include BBC Children in Need, Comic Relief, the Radio 4 Appeal, BBC One Lifeline, appeals on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee and other projects where funds are raised for charities.

The Ideal Candidates

We are looking for 2 people.

· One with specialist knowledge and experience of environment and conservation charities

· One with generalist charity experience, but with an interest in the social welfare, homelessness and/or cultural fields

We are particularly keen to hear from people with additional financial expertise to fill one or both of these roles.

You need to be currently in an executive leadership role in a charity i.e. a CEO or Senior Director. We’ll also need you to be able to demonstrate expertise in at least 2 of the following: social policy, fundraising, grant making, legal issues, monitoring and evaluation.

Closing date for applications: 7th June 2026

Interviews are expected to take place in the last 2 weeks of June.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. Our Cat welfare team leaders have the important role of coordinating, encouraging and supporting teams of fosterer volunteers and cat care volunteers. They help make sure volunteers with direct cat care roles are happy and confident and provide advice and guidance when needed. This incredible teamwork means we are able to help more cats and kittens in need.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

 Welcome to the NHS Retirement Fellowship

Thank you for your interest in becoming the new chair of the NHS Retirement Fellowship. We are halfway through a five-year plan which is transforming the way we operate, how we engage with the NHS and other key stakeholders, and how we support our members currently and in the future. We have already come a long way from where we started and we are now beginning an ambitious plan of doubling our membership and raising awareness so we can continue with our mission of supporting retired and retiring NHS, health and social care staff. We are seeking a dynamic and professional chair with significant senior leadership experience in the NHS (or the broader health and social care sector) and/or extensive experience of governing a charity to work with us to deliver our vision.

Our Board is made up of a variety of professionals from across the NHS and beyond, a number of whom are members of the Fellowship. We work closely with our dynamic senior leadership team, branch officers and volunteers and have fostered an excellent working relationship for the benefit of our members.

The Fellowship has a small executive team of seven part time staff who all work remotely from home.

The potential for the NHS Retirement Fellowship is immense, and I very much look forward to welcoming you and working with you on this exciting journey.

Julia Hickey

Acting Chair

NHS Retirement Fellowship.

About the NHS Retirement Fellowship

“One of things that makes the NHS a special place to work is the sense of togetherness, belonging and family. So, when colleagues come to retirement, the Fellowship is a wonderful way of maintaining these things and allowing colleagues to continue their connection with the service. I think more can be done to help retired colleagues share experiences, perspectives and support and the Fellowship is ideally placed to do this.” Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive, NHS England

Our motto is fun, friendship and fellowship and it sits at the heart of everything we do.

The NHS Retirement Fellowship began in 1978 when retiring nurse Irene James recognised that for significant numbers of retiring NHS staff, their colleagues and friends had also become their family and that those pivotal connections could be lost. Our role has changed during that near 50 years as the NHS has changed and more latterly with the seismic transformation into a digital world. We now have almost 100 branches from the Highlands of Scotland to the north Devon coast and from Swansea in west Wales across to Norwich in East Anglia. About a third of our members are now national members, often choosing to engage on a more remote, digitally based basis. All our members have access to a portfolio of benefits which we offer, including our flagship travel insurance policy, and we are actively pursuing a partnership which would bring a huge range of benefits and discounts to our members. We also have a special fund to support members at a time of need.

Our branches run semi independently from our main charity with their own committees and bank accounts. Volunteers arrange a variety of activities for their members at local and regional level. National members, who choose not to join a specific branch, can join in with local activities and also have access to an increasing number of online based activities. We also hold an annual conference and AGM where the Board, staff and our members can all come together.

We are increasingly working with the NHS and other stakeholders in partnership to see how we can support employers and retain connections, experience and expertise at local level. We’re helping foundation trusts with governors, hospitals with volunteers and NHS charities with supporters. We’re looking to grow so that we are the voice of the retired NHS and wider health service community and see how our members can offer mentoring, support and guidance to the younger generations of NHS staff. 

Our charity is looking to become a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) over the next year.

Our values and mission are unchanged from when Irene James recognised the need to continue to support NHS staff when they retired to enable them to retain links, mutual support and understanding and friendships built over the years in their shared working lives. The NHSRF supports people in retirement to maintain friendships and make new ones, from the NHS, health and social care sectors from a diverse background irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and to support each other through friendship.

Role description and time commitment

Our Chair will lead the Board in developing and delivering our strategy, working closely with, and providing line management and support to, our chief executive. They will also support our chief operating officer in preparation for Board meetings and our head of communications in the planning of our conference and other duties. Our Chair will also be a key representative of the Fellowship in meeting and liaising with key stakeholders.

Our Board meets remotely three times a year and once a year in person. We also have two strategy days a year and our AGM and conference which takes place over a weekend in October. There is also a standing invitation to our Members Council meetings, which are three times a year remotely and once a year in person.

Timeframes

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 1 June. Shortlisting will take place in the following week with interviews to take place in London on Thursday 2 July.

Term of office

We are looking to appoint for a three-year period initially. This will take us through 2028 when the NHS will mark its 80th anniversary and the NHS Retirement Fellowship will celebrate its 50th birthday.

Our chair role is unpaid, but we will reimburse you for reasonable travel expenses.