Volunteer roles in Blackburn

Reference Number: V560

Job Title: Treasurer (Trustee)

Contract Type: Voluntary

Expenses: Reasonable expenses paid

Closing date: 12th June 2026

Interview Date/s: W/C 22nd June 2026

Help shape the future of a national charity changing lives through volunteering

Who we are

At Volunteering Matters, we believe volunteering has the power to strengthen communities, reduce isolation and create lasting social change.

For more than 60 years, we’ve brought people together across the UK through volunteering and social action, supporting people of all ages to build connections, confidence and stronger communities.

We are now looking for a new Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees at an exciting time for the organisation as we deliver our ambitious 2025–2030 strategy.

This is an opportunity to use your financial expertise to help guide a respected national charity, influence strategic decision-making and support meaningful impact across communities throughout the UK.

Why this role matters

As Treasurer, you will play a vital role in helping ensure the long-term sustainability, resilience and good governance of the charity.

You’ll work closely with our Chair, Chief Executive Officer, Board and Finance team to provide financial oversight, strategic support and constructive challenge, helping us make informed decisions that maximise our impact.

This is more than a governance role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future direction of a values-led organisation making a real difference every day.

What you will be involved in

As Treasurer and Trustee, you will:

• Chair our Finance & Audit Committee
• Support the Board in understanding financial performance, risk and sustainability
• Help oversee budgets, reserves, reporting and annual accounts
• Provide strategic financial insight and constructive challenge
• Support strong governance and ethical decision-making
• Contribute ideas, networks and opportunities that help strengthen the organisation
• Help champion the role volunteering plays in creating fairer, more connected communities

You’ll join a supportive, collaborative and passionate Board that is committed to making a positive difference and receive a solid handover from our current Treasurer.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for someone with financial leadership experience and a collaborative, values-led approach.

You may come from the charity, public or private sector and could have experience in areas such as:

• Finance leadership
• Audit or assurance
• Accounting or financial management
• Risk or governance
• Strategic financial planning

Previous Trustee experience is welcome but not essential.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who:

• Believes in the power of volunteering and community
• Wants to use their skills to make a meaningful contribution
• Can communicate financial information clearly and accessibly
• Enjoys working collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and experiences
• Shares our commitment to inclusion, diversity and anti-racism

What you’ll gain

• The opportunity to influence the future of a respected UK charity
• Experience of strategic charity governance at Board level
• The chance to work alongside passionate and experienced Trustees and leaders
• A meaningful way to use your professional skills for social impact
• Opportunities to connect with projects, volunteers and communities across the UK

We value lived experience

At Volunteering Matters, we believe better decisions are made when different voices, experiences and perspectives are represented.

We particularly welcome applications from people whose lived experience reflects the diverse communities we work alongside.

Interested

If you’re excited by the opportunity to use your financial expertise to help shape stronger communities through volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

CHAS runs a number of charity shops locally, selling donated stock as well as new goods to raise the vital funds required to care for children and their families. You will be volunteering within our busy retail team, assisting with important stock room management tasks, the day to day running of the shop floor and providing excellent customer service.

By selling goods in the shops you are directly raising the funds that enable us to support children with a life-shortening condition and their families.

You can volunteer Monday to Sunday, in the morning or afternoon. Shifts usually last for four hours, but this can be flexible. This can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and even on a bank basis.

Helping in our shops is a great way to help CHAS and, as well as helping us raise money to fund our vital services, you'll be part of a really great team of volunteers. You'll be meeting new people, using your skills or learning something new, and making sure our customers get a great welcome and all the assistance they need.

It's always great to see our volunteers chatting to customers and telling them about CHAS - and there's so much more to this role too: you could be sorting donations, getting stock ready for the shop floor, wielding a steamer or a duster, processing Gift Aid, operating the till (we will show you how), merchandising and displaying stock - you'll never have a dull moment.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift each week, which is about four hours (but we're also happy to chat about more flexible times). No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest please tell us, it may come in useful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.

Why we want you

As a Charity Shop Volunteer, you will play an important role in helping raise vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. There's never a dull moment in our shops and in Dunfermline you'll be working both in the stock room - sorting and preparing stock - and on our shop floors, providing great customer service.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming and assisting customers and serving at them at the till
• Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
• Merchandising and displaying stock
• Accepting, sorting and preparing donations for sale
• Housekeeping on the shop floor and in the stock room

The skills you need

• A real aptitude for team working
• Good communication skills and attention to detail
• A good understanding of what makes excellent customer service
• The ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately

What's in it for you

• Getting involved in your local community and making a difference to CHAS families
• Meeting new people
• Making the most of your existing skills or possibly learning some new ones too (maybe adding to your CV)
• Full training and on-going and support. Plus a range of accredited online courses if you're interested in personal development.

Helping in our shops is a great way to help CHAS and, as well as helping us raise money to fund our vital services, you'll be part of a really great team of volunteers. You'll be meeting new people, using your skills or learning something new, and making sure our customers get a great welcome and all the assistance they need.

It's always great to see our volunteers chatting to customers and telling them about CHAS - and there's so much more to this role too: you could be sorting donations, getting stock ready for the shop floor, wielding a steamer or a duster, processing Gift Aid, operating the till (we will show you how), merchandising and displaying stock - you'll never have a dull moment.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift each week, which is about four hours (but we're also happy to chat about more flexible times). No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest please tell us, it may come in useful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.

Why we want you

As a Charity Shop Volunteer, you will play an important role in helping raise vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. There's never a dull moment in our shops and in Dunfermline you'll be working in a busy team, both in the stock room - sorting and preparing stock - and on our shop floors, providing great customer service.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming and assisting customers and serving at them at the till
• Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
• Merchandising and displaying stock
• Accepting, sorting and preparing donations for sale
• Housekeeping on the shop floor and in the stock room

The skills you need

• A real aptitude for team working
• Good communication skills and attention to detail
• A good understanding of what makes excellent customer service
• The ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately

What's in it for you

• Getting involved in your local community and making a difference to CHAS families
• Meeting new people
• Making the most of your existing skills or possibly learning some new ones too (maybe adding to your CV)
• Full training and on-going and support. Plus a range of accredited online courses if you're interested in personal development.

As part of the Government led Gommunities for Afghans programme, we are looking to recruit individuals or groups (UK BASED ONLY) to make up a team of 6 volunteers to support an Afghan family - you could be friends, neighbours, colleagues, faith groups, veterans, or community organisations are welcome.

We are currently focussed on supporting families across Wales, West Midlands and Scotland but be keen to support elsewhere geographically where possible.  With this in mind, you may live in these areas, but we are also delighted to bring volunteers together remotely to support a family. 

You will be at the heart of this programme. It is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference!

The Communities for Afghans programme is a community-led Government initiative supporting families as they rebuild their lives in the UK. It is a Government-approved scheme that enables local people to welcome Afghan refugee famiklies into their community. Volunteers will be supported by us to find housing for a family, provide practical and emotional support enabling them to settle into daily life and feel a genuine sense of belonging in the community.

How community sponsorship work

1. Form a Sponsor Group Create a team of six or more volunteers — friends, neighbours, colleagues, faith groups, veterans, or community organisations.
2. Training & Ongoing Support Our partners provide full training, so your group feels confident and well prepared. This simple, practical training is offered before you begin and continues throughout the sponsorship journey.
3. Identify Suitable Housing With our guidance, your group helps find long-term accommodation. We then match an Afghan family of the appropriate size and ensure the property is suitable and affordable. Government funding is available for rent deposits and related costs.
4. Welcome & Support the Family Volunteers help the family register with schools, healthcare, benefits, and local services, while introducing them to the community and supporting them as they adjust to life in the UK.
5. Be the Local Point of Contact You act as the family’s trusted guide, helping them navigate the area, understand local systems, and access opportunities that only residents truly know.
6. Commit for Three Years Sponsor groups support the family for three years, providing consistency as they grow in independence, confidence, and resilience.

Why Your Support Matters

Volunteering through Community Sponsorship is a powerful act of solidarity. You are not only helping one family — you are strengthening your entire community.

Your support helps families: 

• Rebuild their lives in safety and dignity
• Access education, healthcare, and employment
• Learn English and integrate into the community
• Become confident and independent

And your community benefits:

• Stronger local connections
• Celebrated diversity
• Practical meaningful humanitarian action

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising events organisers have the exciting and varied role of helping plan and deliver local fundraising events to raise the vital funds needed to help cats. Our fundraising events organisers use their passion for cats and people to plan cake sales, barn dances, quiz nights and everything in between.

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

What we need from you

You'll be:

• planning fundraising events and activities like cake sales, quiz nights and barn dances
• providing the treasurer with information on funds raised from fundraising events
• encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising events organisers usually spend two to three hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

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

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.

We’re looking for a new Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee who can use their skills to support our growing charity. In early 2026, CLAPA relaunched with a new brand identity. This role will ensure that our team are supported in brand and content strategy and making the most of the new brand for growth and engagement.

The Brand, Communications and Creative Trustee will participate in all areas of the charity’s governance with a special interest in brand strategy, content, communications and creative to support with the Board’s understanding and interpretation.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing CLAPA’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. You would be joining our board at an exciting time, as we continue to implement our 5-year strategy for 2025-2030.

About CLAPA

The Cleft Lip and Palate Action (CLAPA) is the national charity for people affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA supports people affected by cleft to take control of their journey, connect with others, and use their voices to impact the future of care. Our vision is that no one affected by cleft lip and palate in the United Kingdom will go through their journey alone.

We are looking for a Volunteer Investigative Journalist to research, uncover, and report stories that align with our mission. This role is ideal for students, hobbyists, career changers, or those with lived experience who want to tell stories about social injustice, trauma, and community issues.

You will work closely with the Volunteer Editorial Lead, who will guide editing, fact-checking, and narrative development, ensuring every story is polished and impactful.
 
Key Responsibilities
Story Research
•        Identify potential stories related to CSA awareness, safeguarding, survivor experiences, or systemic issues
•        Conduct responsible research to verify facts and context
•        Identify individuals or sources willing to share their story
Interviews & Story Development
•        Conduct interviews via online platforms or in person where appropriate
•        Develop stories in a respectful, trauma-informed way
•        Work with the editorial lead to shape stories into publishable content
Ethical Journalism
•        Prioritise consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding
•        Ensure stories are handled with care and sensitivity
•        Protect the dignity and safety of individuals sharing their experiences
Reporting Output
•        Aim to produce one story per month or at an agreed pace
 
Types of Stories We Encourage
Stories may include:
•        Survivor journeys and recovery stories
•        Community awareness and prevention efforts
•        Failures or gaps in safeguarding systems from whistleblowers, retired professionals, etc
•        Advocacy work and survivor support initiatives
•        Cultural or societal issues surrounding abuse disclosure
•        Investigative pieces highlighting systemic concerns
The focus should always remain respectful, responsible, and survivor-centred.
 
Skills & Experience (Helpful but Not Required)
We welcome individuals at beginner to intermediate to expert level who are eager to continuous learning.
Helpful experience includes:
•        Journalism, media, or writing experience
•        Interviewing and research skills
•        Interest in investigative storytelling
•        Podcasting, documentary, or narrative journalism
•        Academic study in journalism, sociology, criminology, psychology, or law
Lived experience and a passion for truth-telling and social awareness are highly valued.
 
Personal Qualities
We are looking for volunteers who are:
•        Curious and thoughtful researchers
•        Compassionate and respectful listeners
•        Ethical in handling sensitive topics
•        Comfortable speaking with people about difficult experiences
•        Committed to responsible storytelling
Because this role involves sensitive subject matter, emotional maturity and ethical awareness are essential.
 
Working Arrangement
This role is remote and flexible.
Volunteers may:
•        Conduct interviews online from anywhere in the world
•        Investigate stories within their local communities
•        Work independently while receiving editorial guidance
This allows volunteers to pursue stories within their own environment or network.
 
What You Will Gain
•        Real investigative journalism experience
•        Opportunity to build a portfolio of meaningful stories 
•        Opportunity to apply for paid positions once C.I.C grows
•        Mentorship and editorial guidance
•        Experience working with a mission-driven C.I.C
•        Opportunity to contribute to awareness and social impact
 
Important Note
Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, all stories must be handled with:
•        Full consent from participants
•        Respect for confidentiality
•        Survivor-centred ethics
Tell My Truth & Shame the Devil C.I.C. prioritises dignity, safety, and responsible storytelling in all work we publish.
 
How to Apply
Please send:
•        A short introduction about yourself
•        Your interest in investigative storytelling
•        Any writing, research, or media work (if available)

Students, early-career journalists, and individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.