Volunteer roles in Dalkeith, midlothian

The Forum is looking for three new trustees to join our board as we launch a new strategy and look to develop our profile, attract new members and enhance our services. With a board of trustees who are experts in charity finance, we are endeavouring to broaden and the skill base and diverisify the trustee profile in perperation for eventual succession.

So if you have digital skills and or marketing experience you could help us become a much better known and digitally competent small but effective membership body. In addition the Forum is also looking for a trustee with fiancial skills and experience to complmemnt the current expertise. 

The Forum operates across the UK and the trustees meet quarterly twice a year in person in London and twice by zoom. Meetings are normally 1 to 2 hours in length. There are also several opportunities a year to chair several of 1.5 hors zoom events and the opportunity to attend 2 in-person events hosted by our sponosr and or a corporatem meber in London with these in peson meetings lasting 2.5 hours but give a great opportunity to meet individual members.

We would love to hear from you if you are interested.

The Lifescape Project is a quickly growing UK-registered charity whose mission is to protect and restore wild, natural landscapes. We use the skills and expertise of our multi-disciplinary team (spanning science, law, economics, technology and culture) to develop projects that pursue this mission.

We use the approach of combining disciplines to design and deliver our work because the biodiversity crisis is driven and impacted by social, economic, legal and other complex factors. It is increasingly recognised that the urgent transformative change needed for a sustainable future on our planet is most effectively achieved through this approach. The Lifescape Project has a unique ability to apply these diverse areas of expertise to our mission whilst maintaining the agility of a smaller organisation in delivering our work.

Working in pursuit of our 2020-2026 strategy, the Lifescape Project has seen rapid growth in its impact, team and revenue since commencing work in 2020. Our annual revenue has increased from £265,000 in FY 2020/2021 to £1.3m in FY 2025/2026, with further growth expected in the current FY. Our team has grown from just one to a team which will number 23 at the time of the new trustees joining.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Lifescape Project ("Lifescape") achieves its purpose. Trustees oversee the management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that Lifescape has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision: We want to live in a world rich in wild landscapes, providing a sustainable future for life on earth. 

Just as importantly, trustees support and challenge the executive team to enable Lifescape to grow and thrive, to achieve our mission of catalysing the creation, restoration and protection of wild landscapes by through building and employing our expertise in science, technology, law, economics, and culture. 

Duties include: 

• Support and provide advice on Lifescape’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation. 

• Oversee Lifescape’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

• Review and approve Lifescape’s financial statements. 

• Keep abreast of changes in Lifescape's operating environment, and ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled effectively. 

• Provide support and challenge to Lifescape’s CEO . 

• Contribute to regular reviews of Lifescape's own governance. Attend Board meetings, prepared to contribute to discussions. 

• Apply your expertise and knowledge and make use of your professional networks to contribute to the promotion of Lifescape's objects and aims, and to enhance the charity’s reputation.. 

As a small charity, there are times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may include assisting with recruitment, developing internal policies, ad-hoc reviews of strategic decisions or providing guidance to the executive team on specific subject areas within your expertise.

What we are looking for 

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role. 

Prior experience of working or volunteering for, or acting as trustee of, an NGO would be an advantage but is not required. We will provide a full induction and training.

For this round of trustee recruitment, we welcome interest from all candidates who believe they have something to offer. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Planning and delivering conservation or rewilding programmes in Europe, or in Eastern or Southern Africa; or having relevant professional networks in those geographies. 

• Environmental economics / natural capital accounting. 

• Major donor or grant fundraising for charities.

• Strategic communications.

Personal skills and qualities 

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member. 

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

• A strong personal commitment to our mission to protect and restore wild landscapes globally.

• A strong personal commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 

We are happy to consider trustees based in any geographic location.

We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, and are keen to broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. Prior experience of serving on a board is not required, and you don't need to meet every single requirement listed in order to apply. 

Our top priority is finding someone who is as passionate about Lifescape's mission and vision as we are and has time to commit to it 

Terms of appointment 

Terms of office 

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, subject to renewal at a designated board meeting. 

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed. 

Time commitment 

• Trustees attend quarterly board meetings which last approximately two hours. These are usually scheduled towards the end of the UK working day (e.g. 5pm – 7pm) but timings can be varied if required.

• Board meetings are usually held virtually, with one in-person meeting a year (see below).

• An agenda and pack of supporting materials will be circulated in advance of the meeting. We would normally recommend allowing at least an hour to read these and prepare for the meeting.

• In addition, we may call ad hoc meetings of the board as needed, e.g. to discuss strategy or where an urgent board approval is required.

• Lifescape is a remote organisation and relies on periodic in-person meetings to bring team members together. The trustees are asked to attend an annual offsite, which may be held in the UK or abroad. Travel, accommodation and meals are paid for and organised by Lifescape. The length of the annual offsite varies depending on location but is usually four days, requiring trustees to spend at least three nights away from home. 

Committee membership

• The board delegates certain functions to committees. We currently have a Governance Committee and a Finance & HR Committee. There may be new committees in future. These committees meet approximately once a month, and the timing of the meetings is flexible to suit the availability of participants.

• If you would like to see the Terms of Reference for either committee, then please let us know. We would be delighted if new trustees were keen to get involved in our committee work. 

How to apply 

To apply, please send your CV (max two pages) and a statement of no more than 500 words explaining your interest in and suitability for the role.

Applications close at the end of 31st July 2026, although we may close applications earlier if we receive a sufficient number of qualified candidates before this date. 

There will be at least one interview for candidates who pass the first stage of review. 

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact us. If you require any information in a different format, please let us know. 

We are seeking an organised and enthusiastic Volunteer Recruitment Officer to utilise their excellent administrative and personal skills to advertise for, shortlist and onboard new volunteers.

Location: Remote (although ability to join occasional face-to-face training and meetings in Bounds Green desirable)

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 4,600 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in crisis where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• Liaise with different team leads to create enticing job descriptions for new volunteer roles

• Post and manage volunteer adverts on different recruitment websites like Indeed, Charity Job and Third Sector Jobs

• Review applications and shortlist suitable applicants, which will include speaking with them to answer questions and collaborating with the relevant team lead to organise interviews or opportunities to visit us to learn more

• Update the database with applicant contact points and recruitment progress

• Support with onboarding new volunteers, e.g. ensuring they have completed the relevant registration forms, provided any necessary documents,and are able to join our on-line communities. 

Person specification: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English

• Fantastic organisational skills

• Experience in administrative or recruitment roles desirable but not essential

• Willing to learn about what we do and why, to engage applicants to join us

Benefits:

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Upskill on a range of topics, e.g. customer service, interpersonal skills, organisational abilities and health and safety

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

Becky’s Child Foundation is a dynamic non-profit organization  in Uganda committed to uplifting vulnerable communities across society. We work with children, women, youth, families, and marginalized groups through education, healthcare, livelihood support, protection services, and community empowerment programs. Our mission is to create lasting impact by restoring hope, dignity, and opportunities to those who need it most.

Role Overview

We are seeking a creative, passionate, and digitally savvy Social Media Volunteer to amplify our voice online. You will help tell powerful stories, build meaningful connections with supporters, and drive engagement that translates into real-world impact for vulnerable communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage engaging content (images, reels, carousels, stories, and short videos) across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X (Twitter).
• Grow our online presence, increase followers, and boost community engagement.
• Create monthly content calendars aligned with our programs and fundraising campaigns.
• Identify trending topics and opportunities to raise awareness about vulnerable groups.
• Collaborate with the team to produce authentic, impactful storytelling content (with full consent and safeguarding standards).
• Monitor performance analytics and provide simple monthly reports.
• Support fundraising drives and donor engagement initiatives.

Who We’re Looking For

• Deep passion for social impact and supporting vulnerable communities.
• Proven experience or strong skills in social media management and content creation.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English (knowledge of other languages is an advantage).
• Proficiency with content tools such as Canva, CapCut, or similar apps.
• Self-motivated, creative, and able to deliver consistently with minimal supervision.
• Understanding of social media best practices, algorithms, and analytics.

Note: This is a volunteer role, but we provide:

• Official volunteer certificate and recommendation letter
• Professional experience and portfolio building
• The joy of making a tangible difference in people’s lives
• Pathway to future paid roles as the organization grows

How to ApplySend the following

• Your CV or Portfolio
• Links or samples of your previous social media work
• A brief note (maximum 200 words) explaining: Why you want to volunteer with Becky’s Child Foundation
• How many hours per week you can commit

Let’s use the power of social media to change lives.
Every story shared is a life touched.

Becky’s Child Foundation – Restoring Hope. Building Dignity. Creating Impact.

The Believe Foundation are a charity in its early stages, with an important yet impactful vision of helping victims throughout their healing journey, by providing ongoing support, guidance and a safe place for the victims. We are passionate about supporting the Victims integrate back into the community the right way.

The Believe Foundation are seeking a reliable and organised Volunteer Administrator to support with day-to-day administration. This is a flexible, remote-based role that offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to our work while gaining valuable experience within the charity sector

Main Duties 

• Conduct research and gather information to support the creation of social media content.

• Draft, schedule, and publish social media posts across the charity's platforms including Linked In and Facebook. 

• Share updates about the charity’s activities, events, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives.

• Research potential fundraising opportunities, grant programmes, and community fundraising ideas.

• Support the administration and promotion of fundraising events and campaigns.

• Monitor and maintain Gift Aid records, ensuring information is kept up to date.

• Typing meeting minutes for internal Board meetings.

• Assist with general administrative duties when required. 

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience of working within an administrative role 

• Have an understanding of social media platforms such as Linked In 

• Possess strong written skills with the ability to write engaging and meaningful content 

• Be available to support the charity for up to a three hours per week 

• Be a strong believer of supporting victims of domestic violence

About the Trustee role

We have a detailed role description and person specification over the next few pages to

help you understand the requirements of the role.

The main purpose of our role:

As trustees at Back Up, we are volunteers with a specific legal responsibility to:

· Ensure our aims and objectives are being met

· Act in the best interest of the charity

· Manage responsibility for what we have (our people, our money etc)

· Act with reasonable care and skill

You can find more information from the charity commission.

What you will gain:

· An insight into how a charity runs, particularly how a charity board runs

· A new group of friends and colleagues

· A sense of pride when hearing about the difference our services make and that you

· A role in transforming lives affected by spinal cord injury.

· Confidence in building relationships with a wide range of people and speaking up at meetings

· An opportunity to develop your skills and experiences

· An opportunity to use your skills and experience to the benefit of the charity

Being a trustee is a voluntary role, therefore unpaid, but expenses including for travel are reimbursed.

You will receive a full induction to help you in the role at Back Up. In addition, where there is a training need, a range of training courses are on offer. You’ll need to commit time and energy to attend these, building up your knowledge so that you feel confident in the role. This often takes longer than you think, but we understand that – we were all new trustees once too.

Trustee Person Specification

Key Skills:

· Ability to support, motivate and inspire people to get involved

· Excellent communication skills in person, in writing and on the telephone

· Respect for others, for confidentiality and able to treat people equally

· Highly organised: able to manage multiple tasks, conflicting priorities, and responsive to deadlines

Qualifications and Experience:

Specific experience that would be useful to Back Up. You may have one or more of these:

· Accountancy

· Third Sector Knowledge

· Fundraising knowledge

· Personal experience of spinal cord injury

Personal Attributes:

· Integrity and honesty

· Proactive – seek out answers to your questions without a prompt

· A demonstrable commitment to Back Up's aims and values

· Honest, reliable, enthusiastic and conscientious

· Team player, flexible and adaptable

· Willingness to understand and hear about issues relating to spinal cord injury

Time Commitment:

· Currently, three and a half hourly board meetings four times a year, evenings in SW London

· One to two away-days per year

· Two-hour committee meetings (four times per year)

· Spending two to three hours prior to meetings, reading and absorbing information

· Reflecting and discussing by telephone

· Follow up to meetings – reading and commenting on minutes, carrying out any

· agreed actions

Requirements:

You must be…

· Over 18

· Not bankrupt

· Subject to satisfactory DBS check and references

· Not excluded by Companies House or Charity Commission

· Not bound by conflicts of interest that would be so significant as to undermine the role in general e.g. a member of a group that discriminates against people based on gender or ethnicity

Specific responsibilities

Role Description: Trustee

Reports to: Chair of Trustees

Accountable to: People affected by spinal cord injury, Charities Commission and Companies House

Summary:

The Board supports the vision and mission of the organisation. We ensure the delivery of the strategy, so that people affected by spinal cord injury can realise their full potential.

Vision and Mission

· To uphold the values of the charity, undertaking the duties of trusteeship in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity

· Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society

· To support decisions that are in the best interest of service users, donors, volunteers and stakeholders at all times

· To take big decisions about the future

Compliance, quality and effectiveness

· Support development of policies that further the aims and objectives of Back Up and to monitor their success

· Ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles

· Ensure Back Up’s accountability and legal obligations

· Maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisation’s objects and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies

· Ensuring resources are used in an efficient and cost-effective manner

· Maintain effective board performance

· Remain aware of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and act in accordance with liabilities

· Manage/declare any personal conflicts of interest.

· Strive for best practice in governance, through proactive learning and Development

Become a Community Wish Maker in Scotland (North, South, East & West)

Right now, 93 children in the Scotland are waiting for their life changing wish — part of a much bigger picture of children across the UK still waiting for theirs. You can help make that happen, from as little as one hour a month.

Help Make Wishes Come True 

Every pound you help raise goes directly towards granting wishes for children facing critical illnesses, creating hope, joy, and unforgettable memories for families who need it most. 

What Makes This Role Different? 

This is a flexible, ad hoc, volunteer-led role that fits around your lifestyle and commitments. There are no set fundraising targets or fixed weekly hours. You decide how you'd like to support Make-A-Wish and how much time you can give. 

Fundraising is at the heart of this role and is driven by your own ideas, local connections, and enthusiasm. Whether it's organising a community event, engaging local businesses, securing donations, or encouraging others to get involved, you'll help generate the funds needed to grant wishes. We'll provide guidance, resources, and support along the way. 

How You'll Get Started 

Getting started as a Community Wish Maker is simple. Within your first few months, you'll choose a fundraising activity from our Community Fundraising Toolkit or create your own fundraising idea. 

You can: 

- Organise an activity independently
- Fundraise with friends, family or colleagues 
- Team up with other local Community Wish Makers 
- Support an existing Make-A-Wish fundraising campaign or event 
- Whether it's a bake sale, quiz night, sponsored challenge, workplace fundraiser, school activity or local business partnership, you'll be helping raise the funds needed to grant more wishes

We'll provide resources, guidance and support to help you succeed

What We're Looking For 

You don't need fundraising experience—just enthusiasm, initiative, and a desire to make a difference. 

We're looking for people who are: 

- Confident building relationships and engaging others 
- Self-motivated and proactive 
- Creative in finding fundraising opportunities 
- Organised and reliable 
- Positive, enthusiastic, and passionate about helping others 

What we will do for you: 

- You will receive a 12 week induction training
- Community Fundraising Volunteer Toolkit to help you get started 
- A one-to-one introductory phone call with a member of our team 
- Materials to get you started in your role 
- A dedicated Volunteer manager 
- Access to connections & networks in your region 
- Make-A-Wish email address / ID Badge / Letter of Authority to help with your fundraising
- Help & support you with ideas and steward you as much as you would like
- Regular volunteer newsletters with updates, opportunities, and useful information 

Commitment 

Aged 18 or over 

Commitment of at least 12 months 

If you're passionate about making a difference and enjoy bringing people together to raise funds for a great cause, we'd love to hear from you.

Volunteer Opportunity – Join the KA Radio Team!

Are you passionate about music, radio, and entertainment? KA Radio is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us grow our online radio station.

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in online broadcasting, work with a friendly remote team, and develop valuable skills in communication, media, and teamwork.

We’re looking for people who are:

• Passionate about music and radio.

• Reliable, friendly, and willing to learn.

• Able to work well as part of a remote team.

Roles:

• Radio Presenter/DJ

• News Reader

• Social Media Assistant

• Content Creator

• Events & Promotions Support

• Marketing Assistant

• Website Support

• Technical Support

• Station Administrator

• General Station Support

• …and much more!

What you’ll gain:

• Hands-on experience in online radio broadcasting.

• Training and support from the KA Radio team.

• A chance to build your confidence and communication skills.

• Experience that can strengthen your CV or college applications.

• The opportunity to be part of a growing online radio station.

Please note that this is a volunteer position and is unpaid. We’re looking for people who enjoy radio and want to be part of an exciting community while gaining valuable experience.

Apply today and become part of the KA Radio family—we’d love to hear from you!

Our partner is a national civil society network in Central America that supports and strengthens non-profit, community-based and civil society organisations. Its work focuses on institutional strengthening, governance, legal reform, member engagement, and building a more resilient and coordinated civil society sector.

The organisation is seeking remote finance support to strengthen its financial management systems and improve the way financial information supports decision-making, donor reporting and future planning. It currently uses QuickBooks and would value an experienced finance professional to review the current setup, identify areas for improvement, and provide practical recommendations that support stronger reporting, compliance and audit readiness. Alongside this, the organisation would like support to think through financial sustainability.

Key areas of support

• Review the current QuickBooks setup, including the chart of accounts, class or project tracking, donor reporting setup and financial workflows.
• Identify gaps, risks or inefficiencies in the current financial management and reporting processes.
• Provide practical recommendations to strengthen accounting practices, compliance, audit readiness and management reporting.
• Review the organisation’s current funding model and sources of income.
• Support the organisation to understand financial risks and consider possible income diversification opportunities.
• Help test sustainability ideas led by the organisation, adding financial assumptions, costs, risks and practical next steps.
• Support improved use of financial information for planning, Board discussion and decision-making.

Volunteer Profile

This assignment would suit a finance professional with:

• Experience in non-profit accounting systems, QuickBooks, donor reporting, financial controls and management reporting.
• Experience supporting small civil society organisations, membership networks, non-profit governance, or financial sustainability discussions would be particularly helpful.

The ideal volunteer will be practical and collaborative, able to provide clear recommendations while recognising that fundraising strategy and resource mobilisation ideas need to be shaped by the organisation’s own context, relationships and priorities.

Time Commitment
The assignment can be delivered entirely remotely. The anticipated commitment is approximately 30 hours in total, ideally over a period of 2–3 months. A commitment of around 2–3 hours per week would be helpful, allowing time for the QuickBooks review, discussions with leadership and Board members, and financial sustainability support in a way that is manageable for both the organisation and the volunteer.

Our partner is a small faith-based organisation supporting indigenous communities in Central America through integrated health, education and community care programmes.

The organisation has grown around a committed local team and is now reviewing how its finance and operations functions should be structured for the next stage of development. It currently has a Finance Manager who also holds some operational responsibilities.

The Executive Director is seeking support from an experienced finance professional to offer an external perspective on how finance and operations responsibilities could be organised in a way that protects financial controls, supports staff development, and enables the Executive Director to focus more time on fundraising and organisational leadership.

Key areas of support

• Review current finance and operations responsibilities, including how tasks are currently split across finance, administration, purchasing, inventory and related operational processes.
• Consider possible organisational structure options for the finance and operations functions, including whether the Finance Manager’s role could evolve into a more strategic finance and systems position, and whether a separate operations-focused role may be needed to take on non-finance operational responsibilities.
• Review how additional accounting or finance responsibilities could be delegated safely within the team, identifying the internal controls, reporting lines and role clarity needed under different structure options.
• Provide practical recommendations on structure, controls, staffing options and job description content where useful.

Volunteer Profile

This assignment would suit a senior finance professional with experience in:

• Small or growing non-profits, finance operations, internal controls and organisational structure.
• Managing finance teams and supporting operational change
• Working with organisations in Latin America would be helpful, and Spanish language skills would be beneficial, but are not essential.

The ideal volunteer will bring a practical, sensitive and collaborative approach, with the ability to support a small leadership team to think clearly through structure, controls and capacity before making changes.

Time commitment
The assignment can be delivered entirely remotely. The anticipated commitment is up to 15 hours in total, ideally over a period of approximately 4–6 weeks, with the hope that the bulk of the work can be completed in July.

Our partner is an established international development organisation seeking an experienced finance professional to undertake a short, independent process review relating to the financial management of a large donor-funded programme.

The assignment relates to a complex grant management issue involving the treatment and interpretation of foreign exchange gains and losses, donor policy requirements, partner payments, internal decision-making and communications. The situation has involved a number of finance, programme, donor and partner considerations, and the organisation is seeking an external professional who can help establish a clear, balanced and factual account of what happened.

The purpose is to support transparency, shared understanding and organisational learning, and to identify practical recommendations that could strengthen future grant management, documentation, financial decision-making and communication between teams.

Scope of support

The volunteer will be asked to:

• Review relevant grant documentation, donor correspondence, internal communications, financial records and policy guidance relating to the issue.
• Understand the organisation’s approach to calculating, recording and managing foreign exchange gains and losses within the grant.
• Review the sequence of internal and donor-facing communications, including key decision points and financial implications.
• Conduct remote conversations with approximately 4–5 key staff members involved in the process.
• Identify any areas where interpretation, documentation, process, communication or escalation could have been clearer.
• Prepare a concise written note or report setting out the chronology, observations, learning points and practical recommendations.
• Maintain a sensitive, balanced and non-judgemental approach throughout, recognising the complexity of the issue and the range of stakeholders involved.

Volunteer Profile

This assignment would suit a senior professional with experience in international NGO finance, donor grant management and financial controls. The ideal volunteer will bring:

• Strong experience of complex donor-funded programmes, including restricted funding, donor compliance, grant financial management and partner payment arrangements.
• Ability to interpret financial information, donor requirements and organisational policies clearly and objectively.
• Experience reviewing financial processes, internal controls or grant management issues.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce a concise, balanced and practical report.
• A calm, thoughtful and sensitive approach, particularly where issues have involved internal tension or differing interpretations.

Time commitment

The assignment can be delivered entirely remotely. The anticipated commitment is up to 30 hours in total, ideally over a period of approximately 4–6 weeks. A commitment of around 5 hours per week would be helpful, although there is some flexibility depending on the volunteer’s availability and the agreed approach. They are seeking for the bulk of the work to be compelted in July - August. 

We are seeking applications from candidates who demonstrate the experience, enthusiasm and skills that will be needed over the three years (from September 2026) to fill vacancies and complement the existing Trustees on the Board.

The role of IWA Trustees is to drive the direction of the charity, monitor its effectiveness in achieving its goals, and ensure the organisation meets its charitable objectives. As a member of the Board, an individual Trustee’s role is to use skills and judgement to work collaboratively with the other Trustees to:

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law
• Act in the charity’s best interests
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
• Act with care and skill
• Ensure the charity is accountable and well managed

We are looking to complement our existing Trustees and have identified the following skillsets that we think need
strengthening:

• Experience of engaging and enabling participation of younger people with the charity
• Health and safety management
• Funding/fundraising
• Environment and sustainability
• Experience of restoration projects (not just waterways)
• Marketing, membership and recruitment

We would also welcome applications from individuals to apply if they think they have experience that would be valuable to the Association beyond those mentioned above. For example, we would like younger people (18 and over) to apply who may have very relevant skills and experience for growing IWA today.

Candidates must be passionate about our campaigning: for sufficient funding for Britain’s waterways; the sustainable operation of navigations; restoration of closed waterways; and our work to make the waterways great places to live, work, travel, play, and for wildlife, nature recovery and mitigating climate change.

Most Trustee meetings are held online. However, we feel it is important to meet in person and to visit sites and events from time to time. Reasonable expenses are covered. We are committed to improving the diversity of our Board. We encourage applications from individuals from under represented groups, including those of varying ages, genders and minority ethnic backgrounds. Selection will be made on merit and the ability to best serve the Association’s charitable objectives, taking into account the current skills and experience of the Board. Candidates should have sufficient time available to be able to spend at least one to two days per month on IWA business

We are looking for our next Chair of Trustees – someone who will work closely with our Executive Team and Board to guide the organisation through what is both a challenging and genuinely exciting time. The funding environment is tough. The political context is difficult. And yet the need for what we do has never been greater.

This is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.

The successful candidate will lead a vibrant, well-established, national charity as it navigates the next chapter of its story.

Main tasks

• Developing and setting our future strategy, alongside the Executive Team and other Trustees
• Helping shape and deliver our future, identifying opportunities in an evolving landscape
• Leading the Board of Trustees, including regular 1:1s and providing space for reflection
• Acting as a 'critical friend' to our Executive Team, as well as formal line management to the CEO (and COO in their absence)
• Acting as an ambassador for the charity – raising awareness of what we do and engaging potential supporters and other key stakeholders
• Responsibility, along with the other trustees, for the governance of the charity
• Contributing to the ongoing strategy of the charity, in line with our charitable objectives
• Participating in board meetings and sub-committees in an inclusive and thoughtful way

Please download our Chair Application Pack for more information.

Deaf Unity is a deaf-led charity that works to empower deaf individuals. We equip deaf students, jobseekers and professionals with the knowledge, confidence and community to succeed in education and employment.

Working closely with our deaf community, we identify the barriers and inequities that deaf people meet as they move from school into education and employment; seek work; and strive to build successful careers. We work with them and with universities, employers and voluntary sector partners to overcome these barriers through carefully tailored, impactful interventions.

Our vision is of a world where every deaf person has an equal chance to study and work, achieve their professional ambitions and contribute their full potential to society.

Purpose of the role

To oversee Deaf Unity’s financial operations, ensuring that the charity remains financially viable and complies with Charity Commission regulations and strong accounting practices at all times, The Treasurer will ensure that proper financial records are kept and that the Board of Trustees understands the financial position at all times. 

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the charity’s financial position
• Present budgets, management accounts and financial statements to the Board
• Help trustees understand financial information and advise on financial implications of the charity’s strategic plans
• Support budgeting and financial planning, including developing and implementing financial policies (e.g. reserves and investment policies),
• Ensure proper financial controls are in place and that proper accounting records are kept
• Oversee the preparation of annual accounts
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and HMRC regulations (e.g. Gift Aid)

You will work closely with the CEO, Chair, trustees and staff who are managing day-to-day finance and banking and will be required to attend quarterly meetings of the Finance and Risk sub-group of the Board, in addition to the full Board meeting

What is a trustee?

All trustees share responsibility for running the charity.

This includes:

• Attending board meetings, usually 4 times per year.
• Helping make strategic decisions
• Acting in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries

Trustee responsibilities are set out by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Skills we are looking for

Essential skills:

• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management (e.g. use of XERO, SAGE accounting packages)
• Experience of financial reporting, budgeting and risk management
• An understanding of (or willingness to learn about) charity accounting
• Ability to explain financial information clearly
• Good judgement and decision-making skills
• Interest in supporting deaf communities

Desirable:

• Professional accounting qualification
• Previous experience as a trustee or treasurer
• knowledge of, or interest in, the deaf community.
• BSL skills

What you will gain

• Experience of charity governance
• Board-level leadership experience
• Opportunity to support Deaf communities
• Networking and professional development 

Please send a CV and/or a short expression of interest