Volunteer roles

Ready to make a difference to a young person's life? Team Up is seeking dynamic volunteers to help transform the lives of disadvantaged pupils by building confidence, resilience and doubling their expected progress in English or maths.

We are looking for inspirational role models who will tutor Maths or English on one of our school programmes across London. You will be matched with a small number of pupils and provide them with the academic support, encouragement and inspiration they need to get back on track. All our volunteer tutors receive full training, lesson resources and support from a qualified teacher/facilitator throughout their placement.

Practical Considerations:

• You can choose a programme that suits your timetable and location.
• Sessions are between 60-90 minutes and will take place on a fixed day of the week, normally at the end of the school day (between 3-5pm).
• Each programme runs across a 12 week period, usually during term time. You will be expected to volunteer for at least one programme (10-12 weeks). 
• Team Up provides full lesson plans and teaching resources.
• This role requires you to undergo a free of charge DBS check, which will be arranged by Team Up.
• Travel expenses up to £15 per session are covered.

If you are looking to make a difference in a local community and find a fulfilling role whilst building your professional skillset, then look no further!

Our volunteers love building a rapport with each pupil, seeing pupil growth, and personal confidence increase across the 12 week programme. By the end of the programme, you will see how the support you give has enabled a young person to not only double their expected progress, but also build long term resilience. 

Alongside this meaningful experience, you will also be able to gain access to our career mentorship scheme and attend our employability seminars, as well as receiving a personalised reference upon completion.

This is an opportunity to enhance your CV and improve your employability skills - all whilst supporting young people from low-income backgrounds! 

You will receive:

• Full tutor-training, including safeguarding training. 
• Ongoing coaching, training and support from an experienced teacher during your placement. 
• Lesson observations alongside personalised developmental feedback and logged classroom hours.
• Opportunities to attend employability workshops incl. cover letter writing skills and coding.

We are looking for:

• Enthusiasm and strong grades in English/maths. 
• Committed and organised individuals who are keen to develop new skills.
• Individuals who are passionate about social mobility and helping to reduce the education attainment gap. 
• Good interpersonal skills when dealing with pupils. 

We are seeking a Trustee with experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs, as we expand our work to support women in recovery.

About Hope and Vision Communities

Hope and Vision Communities provides supported, move-on accommodation in the Reading area for individuals who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation.

The charity was founded in 2020 by Tony Attwood, a former offender who broke free from the cycle of addiction, and the very judge who sentenced him, Peter Ross. Together, they recognized the urgent need for stable housing and a supportive community for men leaving addiction treatment. Having witnessed firsthand how many relapse at this critical stage, Tony developed a plan - one shaped by his own experiences and those of the men around him and who remain an integral part of the charity today.

What will you be doing?

As part of our three-year strategy, we are expanding our work to support women in recovery. We recognise that women’s support and accommodation requirements are different to those of men.

We are developing a response that reflects their unique experiences. We are in the early stages of planning this next phase of our journey and are seeking a Trustee to help bring this exciting vision to life.

We are seeking someone who can bring experience of women’s rehabilitation and recovery, or insight from the women’s sector more broadly. We value wisdom gained through both professional roles and lived experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to help us expand our work to provide vital support to women in recovery.

What are we looking for?

· Experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs (e.g., addiction support, criminal justice system, mental health, trauma-informed care). This may have been acquired via professional roles or lived experience.

· Understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in recovery, particularly regarding domestic abuse, sexual violence, family relationships, motherhood / maternity and societal stigma.

· Understanding of the impact of trauma upon women, and a commitment to developing services that are trauma responsive.

· Passionate about championing the voices and needs of women in recovery, both within Hope and Vision and beyond.

· Commitment to co-production. A working understanding of how to embed it throughout all stages of service design and delivery.

· Commitment to Hope and Vision Communities’ mission and a passion for supporting people in recovery.

· Ability to provide strategic guidance and contribute to high-level decision-making.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage constructively with other trustees and staff.

· Experience working in or with charities, particularly in governance or advisory roles.

Time Commitment

· Monthly Board Meetings (general catchup): 1-hour virtual meeting via Teams

· Quarterly Board Meetings (formal): 3-hour in-person meeting (remote attendance can be accommodated if needed)

· Annual Strategy Day: In-person meeting to discuss long-term planning and goals

· Occasional email or ad-hoc discussions to provide advice and insight as needed

For further details, please request a copy of the candidate pack.

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers are integral to the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will make a difference while gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role 

We are looking for a Community Engagement and Co-Production Volunteer to support our Connect and Offload (CandO) Helpline in Gloucestershire. You will be based within the county of Gloucestershire and, ideally, you will be able to commit 5 hours every two weeks to volunteering. 

This is very much a ‘hands on’ promotional volunteering opportunity. You will be volunteering within our Community Engagement and Co Production team attending local events and attending key stakeholder meetings, with a view to promoting the Helpline and encouraging people to access support. You will also be interacting directly with service users to help identify ways in which we can improve the support we provide within Gloucestershire. 

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service 

Our service provides emotional support, information and signposting for any adult, living in Gloucestershire who would like support with their mental wellbeing.  The service is available every day of the year between 2pm and 9pm.  The service is confidential and promises a safe space in which people can talk freely about their mental wellbeing. 

What you will be doing as a Community Engagement and Co-production Volunteer: 

• Attending external events in order to promote the CandO Helpline. 

• Connecting and liaising with key stakeholders within the county to raise the profile of the Helpline. 

• Engaging with Gloucestershire stakeholders, to identify ways in which we can reach more marginalised members of the community. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Experience in mental health support services 

• Experience working or volunteering with people from diverse backgrounds 

• Good communication, organisation, and facilitation skills 

• Experience of organising events 

• A flexible and inclusive approach to volunteering 

• Understanding of the barriers faced by individuals with serious mental illness  

Who are we? 

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”     

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.     

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion   

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.   

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation   

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.   

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.  

Children With Voices is a grassroots community charity based in Hackney,

committed to supporting young people and families through initiatives that promote

mental health, well-being, food sustainability, and youth empowerment. Through

creative programming like Jumping Beans, the Food Hub, and holiday clubs, we aim

to foster inclusive, healthy, and thriving communities.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a passionate and creative Volunteer

Photographer/Videographer to help us capture engaging photo and video content

across our community projects. This role is ideal for someone looking to build their

portfolio, gain experience in the charity sector, and contribute to meaningful causes.

You'll work closely with our Social Media Manager and be an essential part of how we tell our story to the public.

Key Responsibilities:

Attend and photograph/video activities at our Food Hub on Thursdays

Capture content during Jumping Beans and other community events

Collaborate with the Social Media Manager to plan, produce, and edit

engaging visual content

Support the creation of digital assets (short videos, reels, photos, behind-the-

scenes clips, etc.)

Organise and file digital content for use across platforms

Respect the privacy and safeguarding needs of children and families

Represent the charity in a professional and compassionate manner

Time Commitment

Mondays: Office-based (between 11am–4pm, hours flexible) to work

alongside our Social Media Manager

Thursdays: On-site at the Food Hub (between 12pm–2pm, flexible)

Additional remote editing/content creation hours based on your availability

Flexibility offered around academic or work commitments

Person Specification:

Essential:

Access to your own camera or video equipment

Some experience in photography and/or videography (personal or

professional)

Strong visual storytelling skills and creative flair

Basic editing skills (e.g., using Canva, Adobe Premiere, iMovie, or similar)

Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively

Respect for confidentiality and safeguarding protocols

Desirable:

Experience working with community organisations or in event settings

Interest in youth empowerment, food justice, or social impact

Familiarity with social media trends (e.g., Instagram Reels, TikTok)

What You’ll Gain:

Experience working with a dynamic and community-led charity

A chance to develop your photography and videography portfolio

Opportunity to collaborate with a supportive creative team

Recognition of your volunteer work and a reference upon request

The chance to make a difference in local communities

About Children With Voices

Children With Voices (CWV) is a grassroots non-profit organisation dedicated to improving

the lives of children and families through community-driven programs. We run holiday clubs,

healthy lifestyle education, and intervention projects for children aged 5–11 to combat

childhood obesity, antisocial behaviour, and gang involvement.

Our goal is early intervention – giving children the tools to lead healthier, safer, and more

empowered lives.

The Role – Board Member (Volunteer)

We are seeking passionate, community-minded individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As

a board member, you will provide oversight, guidance, and strategic support to help CWV

grow its reach and impact. You don’t need previous board experience – just the drive to make

a difference and bring your unique skills, networks, or community insight to the table.

Key Responsibilities

•Attend and contribute to quarterly board meetings and occasional strategy sessions.

•Support the development of CWV’s strategic vision and community impact.

•Use your professional expertise or lived experience to inform board decisions (e.g.

education, youth work, business, legal, HR, marketing, fundraising, etc.).

•Leverage your personal or professional network to promote CWV’s work and connect us

with funding, partnerships, or opportunities.

•Ensure CWV operates in line with its charitable aims, legal obligations, and good

governance practices.

•Act as an ambassador for CWV at events, with funders, and across your networks.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome board members from a wide range of backgrounds. You may have experience

in:

•Community development or youth services

•Education, social work, or mental health

•Fundraising, business development, or marketing

•Finance, governance, HR, or legal

•Lived experience of the issues CWV addresses

•Or a strong passion for helping children and communities thrive

Commitment

•Time required: 6–10 hours per month (flexible)

•Location: Remote and/or London-based meetings (hybrid)

•Term: Minimum one-year commitment (renewable)

•Training and induction provided

What You’ll Gain

•A chance to help shape the future of a growing, impactful charity

•Experience in governance and leadership within the non-profit sector

•Meaningful connections with like-minded individuals

•Personal fulfilment from empowering children and families

How to Apply

Interested? Please email your CV or a short expression of interest to:

Subject: Board Member Application

Bring your voice to Children With Voices – and help us build healthier, safer, and stronger

communities.

Role Overview ( Board Member - Community Food Hub

As a Board Member, you will play a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the food

hub. Your contributions will ensure that the hub continues to support the community through

partnerships, volunteer recruitment, and maximising food resources for those who need them

most.

Key Responsibilities

•Strategic Input: Contribute to the overall strategic vision of the Food Hub and its

programs.

•Food Systems Knowledge: Share insights on food sourcing, sustainability, and

distribution to ensure the hub operates efficiently and ethically.

•Networking: Leverage your connections within the food industry, local businesses, and

community organisations to secure partnerships and support for the Hub’s initiatives.

•Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement: Help recruit, train, and retain volunteers to ensure

smooth day-to-day operations of the hub.

•Community Outreach & Partnerships: Forge relationships with local agencies, schools,

and organisations to enhance community engagement and food distribution efforts.

•Fundraising & Awareness: Support fundraising efforts by connecting the hub with

donors, sponsors, and funding opportunities to sustain its operations.

•Oversight: Attend board meetings and contribute to decision-making that ensures the hub

meets its goals and remains compliant with local regulations.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for individuals who have:

•Knowledge of Food Systems (e.g., food sourcing, distribution, nutrition, sustainability).

•Networking Skills: Ability to connect with local businesses, organisations, and

individuals who can support the Hub.

•Experience in Partnerships: Proven ability to foster relationships with external

stakeholders, including local food banks, schools, and community organisations.

•Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement: Experience in recruiting, training, and retaining

volunteers.

•Interest in Community Development: Passion for making a tangible difference in

addressing food insecurity and supporting community well-being.

Commitment

•Time Commitment: 6–10 hours per month (flexible)

•Location: Hybrid (Remote and in-person board meetings)

•Term: Minimum one-year commitment (renewable)

•Board meetings occur quarterly, with additional time as required for planning or

networking

What You’ll Gain

•The opportunity to be part of a growing initiative that tackles food insecurity in your

community.

•Experience in nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and community outreach.

•Access to a wide network of professionals, organisations, and partners in the food and

nonprofit sectors.

•Personal satisfaction knowing you’ve helped nourish your community and support those

in need.

How to Apply

To express your interest in joining the Board of Directors, please send your CV or a brief

letter of interest to:

Subject: Board Member Application

We value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Join us in creating a future where everyone has access to nutritious food and a strong,

connected community.

Join the Board of The Gestalt Centre as a Treasurer or a new Trustee, and help shape their ambitious growth strategy towards with the life-changing approach to counselling, psychotherapy and organisational development – applications from first time Trustees are very welcome.

• Interviews will be held in June 2025

About The Gestalt Centre

The Gestalt Centre is an established educational and therapy charity, supporting the mental and psychological well-being of individuals, groups, and organisations.

Gestalt is a humanistic life-changing approach to life, counselling and psychotherapy. It enables people and organisations to manage change, develop meaningful relationships and lead fulfilling lives by creatively utilising their own resources, skills and strengths.

We are a dynamic organisation and run several accredited counselling and psychotherapy courses, along with professional development programmes for practitioners and organisations. We also offer affordable therapy and counselling and are a hub for a range of health and wellbeing practices for people in the community.

We value awareness and change, collaborative working, diversity and the view that we are all connected and therefore together responsible for our communities.

About the roles

The Gestalt Centre is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation carries out its purposes and for overall planning and good governance. The Directors (executive and non-executive) make decisions about strategy, the running of the organisation and oversee the work of the Psychotherapy faculty, the Counselling faculty and the management team.

Purpose of the role

Trustees are legally responsible for all aspects of the Charity, including:

• agreeing the purpose and strategy
• ensuring the Charity is financially viable
• making sure a charity does what it was set up to, which includes making decisions about how it is run

Operational matters are delegated to the CEO and the Executive.

Who we are looking for

We’re also seeking new Trustees who can strengthen our expertise in critical areas as we look to strengthen our Board to devise and deliver our ambitious plans. We are keen to hear from people with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Events management 
• Fundraising
• Property 
• Higher Education
• Marketing and Social Media 

We are looking for a new Treasurer who will be a strategic thinker with good knowledge of charity accounting and the Charity SORP, and can ensure sound financial management. You will bring commercial acumen to guide our financial strategy during a transformative period.

You will also oversee our financial governance, reserve investment, and risk management while contributing your broader strategic insights and experience across all aspects of our work.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Interviews will be held in June 2025.

Closing date for applications: 31st May 2025

Location: New Cross, London

Salary: Voluntary, Unpaid

Interviews: June 9th - 10th 2025

___________________________________________________________________________________________

About Us:
​
Goldsmiths Students’ Union is a charity representing over 10,000 students studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, on issues that matter to them. We are student-led, with hundreds of volunteers, dozens of part-time elected officers, and four Sabbatical Officers - students who have been elected by their peers to take a year out of their studies to lead us from the front.

We are a democratic organisation, with a Student Assembly and established trustee board. The Trustee Board delegates responsibility for the day to day management of the organisation to the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive serves the Trustee Board and is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic plan for the management of all staff and resources. The Students’ Union staff team is made up of over 120 permanent and casual employees who work full-time and part-time. ​

Our Culture:

At the heart of our culture lies a genuine dedication to nurturing the personal and professional growth of our staff. In this year's engagement survey 93% of our staff wholeheartedly agreed that they would recommend Goldsmiths Student Union as a fantastic place to work. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where each team member thrives.

The Role:

As a trustee, you will work closely with the Student Union Officers, staff team and students, to deliver on our strategic aims, ensuring that we are making continuing progress to be recognised for the innovation and quality of the services and support that we provide.

We are seeking at least one trustee with experience in the charity or education sector. The Trustee Board meets formally six times annually, with meetings generally held midweek in the early evening and lasting a few hours.​

Download the full job pack ​below:​

______________________________________________________________________

Applications Process 

If everything above sounds good to you, we would love to receive your application. Please use our application form to apply as we do not accept CV's and Cover Letters.

_________________________________________________________________________

Students at Goldsmiths University come from a variety of backgrounds. We are therefore committed to ensuring our workforce is reflective of our members. We encourage applications from people with different circumstances and from all walks of life as well as those from traditionally underrepresented groups. 

Overview

The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes (TASO) is an affiliate What Works Centre, and part of the UK Government’s What Works Movement. Our vision is to eliminate equality gaps in higher education (HE). Our mission is to improve lives through evidence-informed practice.

TASO was set up in 2019 and became an independent charity in April 2021. Our work focuses on the generation, synthesis and dissemination of high-quality evidence about effective practice in widening participation and student outcomes. We primarily focus on developing and disseminating causal evidence. 

We are now looking to appoint new Trustees to take TASO forward into its next phase of development and ensure we are an effective and impactful organisation. This is a great time to join us on our journey, offering the opportunity to contribute to shaping and developing an organisation that has the potential to transform lives.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people who are values-led with wide-ranging experiences across different sectors who can bring a different way of thinking. Above all, our Trustees will be passionate about what TASO is striving to achieve.

We are looking for a number of new people with the following professional experience to join our Board:

• Finance and accountancy
• Risk
• People
• Charity and/or company law

We expect the time commitment to be a day a month. This will include quarterly meetings, occasional considered input into working groups and attendance at sector events.

We are looking for one, or more, of our new trustees to sit on our finance and risk committee. 

You do not necessarily need to have any experience of being a trustee; TASO will give you a full induction and support to help you develop into this role.

We are committed to diversifying the Board and welcome applications from people whose identities are currently under-represented on the Board: LGBTQ+ people, disabled people and Black, Asian and minority ethnic people.

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity please contact: Omar Khan CEO of TASO

For more information on the role please visit the TASO website

How to apply 

To apply, please visit the TASO website

Deadline for applications: 9am Thursday 22nd May

“Are you passionate about delivering high quality clinical care? Do you have clinical leadership experience and want to be part of an enthusiastic team? Then you may be interested in the Associate Clinical Director  as part of the National Medical and Clinical team. 

 A team of Associate Clinical Directors will support the Medical Director who is the professional and executive lead for clinical excellence, medical research and clinical development in St John. The post holder needs to be an experienced healthcare professional with a background in an area of clinical practice relevant to the activities of St John Ambulance, and with the relevant professional qualifications.

The closing date for this post is 02/05/2025

“Are you passionate about delivering high quality clinical care? Do you have clinical leadership experience and want to be part of an enthusiastic team? Then you may be interested in the Associate Clinical Director – Governance & Medicines Management role as part of the National Medical and Clinical team. 

 A team of Associate Clinical Directors will support the Medical Director who is the professional and executive lead for clinical excellence, medical research and clinical development in St John. The post holder needs to be an experienced healthcare professional with a background in an area of clinical practice relevant to the activities of St John Ambulance, and with the relevant professional qualifications.

The closing date for this post is 02/05/2025

Trustee

Unpaid Role (Voluntary role, but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed)

Bristol / Home based

Part-time, fixed term (Initial 3-year term with an option to extend to a maximum of 9 years)

Closing Date: 30th May 2025

Our client is inviting applications to join its board of trustees. The Charity is seeking applications with specific professional backgrounds to supplement existing expertise on the board.

They are looking for Trustees with experience in Legal, Property, or Communications, though we welcome applications from all sectors.

They also want their Trustees to represent Bristol, so actively encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and anyone who identifies as part of a community that is underrepresented in the charity.

Background

The foundation's mission is to bring the club and community together.

The foundation works across Bristol, with a primary focus on Young People and families, areas of deprivation, and South Bristol.

The foundation delivers programmes and services that support people who feel that society has written them off. Their high-quality, targeted work focuses on three key areas: Health and Well-Being, Education and Employability, and Youth Engagement.

Current Position

The foundation has steadily grown its programmes and services over the last eight years. The Foundation is nearing the end of its 2022-25 strategy and plans to launch a new three-year strategy in 2026.

Skills and experience required

They welcome applications from any candidate who can demonstrate such expertise and skills as:

• Relevant professional qualifications, experience, and expertise with board-level or senior management experience
• Experience working closely with communities
• Experience working in Legal, Property, or Communications

Personal Specification:

Essential

• Understanding and accepting Trusteeship's legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.
• Commitment to the charity’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities
• Strategic and forward-looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims
• Good, independent judgement, political impartiality, and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to respect the confidence of colleagues
• Balancing tact and diplomacy with a willingness to challenge and constructively criticise

Desirable

• Prior experience in committee/trustee work.
• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation
• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector
• Experience in committee work

All Trustees are expected to uphold and represent the foundation’s purpose, vision, values and mission in a personal and professional capacity. The board of trustees will consider any applicant with the right skills and experience.

The successful candidate will be required to spend a minimum of 12 days per annum on work for the Foundation, including Board Meetings, the AGM, an annual 1:2:1 performance review with the Chair, and a yearly Board away day and at least 4 Board subcommittee meetings per year.

The trustee is expected to support and participate in some Foundation events throughout the year and provide ad hoc support to the team and Board as required.

The Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse Board of Trustees and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.

All suitably experienced applicants will receive consideration for these positions without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or belief(s), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or pregnancy or maternity.

The Foundation is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults at risk and requires all employees to share this commitment and promote the welfare of these groups.

Apply today with a CV to start your application.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
• Access to Sense discount scheme, including cashback and discounts on high street brands, as well as 10% off at Sense charity shops.

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Do you want to help promote social mobility, and diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)? Can you play a valuable strategic leadership role in a charity that supports young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds to achieve their potential and progress to careers in STEM?

Remuneration: The Trustee role is not remunerated, travel and other reasonable expenses may be claimed.

Location: Remote, with one in person strategy meeting in London per year.

Time Commitment: Four board meetings per year, plus up to three virtual committee meetings per year (depending on committee membership) and a small amount of support and advice as required between meetings.

Application Submission: The application deadline is 17:00 on the 2nd of June 2025 

Overview of In2scienceUK

In2scienceUK is a charity with a mission to empower young people from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to achieve upward social mobility by unlocking their potential to access degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). 

Responsibilities

The role of a Trustee is to ensure that In2scienceUK fulfils its duty to the young people with whom it works and delivers on its vision. The trustees of In2scienceUK fulfil an essential and influential role, and have the opportunity to both support the activities and strategic decision making of the charity.

Trustees have collective responsibility for the strategy and oversight of the charity and the trustee board works as a team to fulfill its statutory role, to provide help and advice to the staff team, and to represent the organisation in their respective networks.

The expected duties of an In2scienceUK trustee are:

•  To contribute actively to teamwork within the Board of Trustees, providing strong strategic direction to the organisation in line with its mission and purpose.
• To safeguard the reputation and values of In2scienceUK and ensure the effective and efficient administration and financial stability of In2scienceUK.
• Support the effective running of the organisation, by scrutinising the work of the leadership team in a way that is supportive and motivational. Trustees collectively hold executive staff to account for their performance, are involved in executive appointments as appropriate and appoint a Chief Executive Officer whenever necessary.
• Serve in one or more subgroups of the board for a deeper dive into Income/Growth, Operational Assurance, Evaluation & Learning, and People.
• To ensure that in2scienceUK complies with articles of association and fulfils charity commission responsibilities.

Experience and skills

The most important characteristic of our trustees is a commitment to helping young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds access social mobility through careers in STEM, and so helping to ensure that the STEM professions are populated by people reflecting diverse backgrounds, in all respects including socio-economic background.

We need the right mix of skills overall and anticipate making 4-6 appointments in this round who will work collaboratively to ensure good governance and the success of the organisation. Specific areas where we would like to strengthen the team, bearing in mind our natural turnover and our strategy for the future, are listed below. If you are able to contribute in one or more of these areas, please make this especially clear in your application.

Lived experience: Personal experience of transitioning into STEM degrees and careers from an underrepresented background.

• We are interested in applications from young people still going through this transition, for example undertaking undergraduate study, and for whom we can provide additional support in the trustee role as needed; we see this as an excellent development opportunity and a chance to get governance and leadership experience on the CV in line with our overall mission.

• We would welcome applications from current In2scienceUK participants and alumni. Trustees are required to be 18 years or older.

• We are also interested in hearing from people with current experience of working with young people undertaking this transition.

Professional expertise:  Finance, Communications, HR, Governance, Entrepreneurship, Fundraising and philanthropy, Career advice/coaching

• The whole of the board is responsible for key decisions such as budget setting, strategy, policies and prioritisation, however it is useful to have subject experts who can take a functional lead on helping ensure colleagues are asking the right questions and getting good answers.

Commercial contacts:  An understanding of corporate social responsibility and sponsorship, networks in industries and organisations that employ STEM professionals

Subject areas: Personal experience and industry or academic contacts in the following subject areas 

• Maths/Computing/AI, 

• Life Sciences, 

• Physical Engineering.

Treasurer: We are currently seeking a Treasurer to join the board of Trustees and take the lead on finance. This is an immediate vacancy with our current Treasurer coming to the end of their term. The Treasurer will be a qualified accountant. We are looking for people who have pre-existing experience or desire to support an organisation of our size. As such, the role will be both providing financial oversight and governance as well as providing advice, support and guidance to our executive team. Those applying without prior charity accounting experience should be willing to undertake any relevant training.

Chair succession: While not an immediate appointment, as part of managing Chair succession we are interested in people who would be candidates for a chair designate role and chair in due course, probably via an initial Vice Chair position within the organisation. 

For those who have any further questions or would like an initial discussion about these roles with our current Chair, Jonathan Flowers, please contact us. ( Our email address can be found in the documents under 'Application resources').

Recruitment Process

The application deadline is 17:00 on the 2nd of June 2025 

Please send a covering letter and CV about how you would contribute to the work of the trustee board . Please ensure you set out specifically how you would want to contribute and the experience, skills or insights you would offer us, based on the list of skills and experiences above. We would like each applicant to include a concise (no more than 2 sides of A4) cover letter that goes beyond repeating their CV.

Equal opportunities

In2scienceUK is committed to promoting diversity and equality of opportunity for all staff and trustees. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of ethnicity, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

As part of our commitment to creating a more inclusive environment, we ask all applicants to complete an equality and diversity monitoring form ( link can be found in the 'How to apply' section on Charity Job). This information is collected anonymously and used solely for monitoring and reporting purposes. It helps us to better understand who we are reaching, identify gaps in representation, and ensure that opportunities at In2scienceUK are accessible to all. All responses are kept confidential in line with data protection regulations.

Governance

We kindly ask all prospective trustees to complete a Declaration of Interest form as part of the application process. This helps ensure transparency and allows us to assess any potential conflicts of interest, ensuring the best governance for our charity. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work to strengthen our board and further our mission.

Interview and selection

Successful candidates from the application stage will be interviewed by existing trustees.  The interviews will all be held via Zoom and take place between the 7th and 21st of July.

Safeguarding

In2scienceUK is committed to our responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children. We are committed to recruiting trustees who share this commitment to safeguarding, and therefore we apply robust recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that the people selected are right for the job, and that all candidates are appropriately screened prior to appointment. 

The following checks will be undertaken as applicable:

• References 

• DBS check and/or Overseas criminal records check where applicable

• Self-Disclosure 

• Identity check 

• Confirmation of registration with applicable registered body where applicable 

Further information can be found in the documents below.

Thank you for your interest in the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees at Music For Youth (MFY); a national youth music charity that provides life-changing musical experiences for young people aged 25 and under. 

Music for Youth brings together over 40,000 young people a year to perform in live music festivals and concerts across the UK. The charity uniquely provides open access to young people, from whatever background or ability, to perform live to audiences: from grass-roots community halls to the Royal Albert Hall. We develop their musicianship, showcasing the richness and diversity of their music through our impactful live performance and development programmes. The wider social and life skills developed by participating in our events benefits all who take part and propels some of the UK's most promising young musicians onto career-changing platforms.

Our vision is to ensure that every young person in the UK can achieve their musical potential by performing the music they love. We believe that music, and the chance to participate in high-quality musical activities, should be open to every young person.

As Chair, you will guide a committed and experienced Board of Trustees, working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to drive strategic growth, strengthen partnerships, and champion our cause at the highest levels. 

This is a crucial time for Music For Youth, as we navigate a changing funding landscape and continue to innovate to reach even more young people.

If you are an experienced leader with a passion for the vision, mission, impact and potential of this unique organisation, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

Who We Are

Music For Youth is a national youth music charity that works with schools, youth groups, music hubs, and community organisations to break down barriers to music-making and showcase the incredible talent of young musicians.

Our Programmes and Impact

Each year, Music For Youth reaches over 40,000 young people across the UK, offering them platforms to develop their musical talents across all music genres, and gain confidence. Many of our alumni have gone on to successful careers in the music industry and beyond.

National Music Festivals and Concerts:

We produce and stage high-quality professional standard live music events (including gigs, concerts, and festivals) for young musicians, both regionally at grass roots level, and at the UK’s most prestigious live music venues.

Young Artist Development:

We nurture and develop young musicians so they can realise their musical potential, by initiating adventurous collaborations, commissioning new music, and providing a robust music mentoring programme.

Creative Skills Development:

We provide skills and training development for young people looking for a career in the creative industries in non-performance and stagecraft roles such as stage management, sound engineering, lighting and digital production skills. 

Advocacy for Young Musicians:

We campaign to highlight the brilliance of young musicians.

Our work takes place across the whole of the UK with events in all nine regions of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This coverage enables us to support and tour the work of other partner organisations so they can reach young people further afield.

For over 50 years, Music for Youth’s annual cycle of regional festivals, local events, a national festival and showcase concerts has made a significant contribution to the music education calendar, bringing together regional providers and young performers, and putting young people’s own achievements into a wider national context:

The Music for Youth Regional Festival is a collection of festivals across the UK aimed to inspire musicians at every level of experience and across every genre of music. This collection of regional festivals forms the UK’s largest festival for young musicians. 30,000 musicians take part every year and many go on to perform again at the Music for Youth National Festival and Music for Youth Proms.

The National Festival is a coming together of musicians, bands and ensembles from across the regions to perform on world-class stages including Symphony Hall, and the CBSO Centre. It is a key date in the Music for Youth calendar, hosted by the city of Birmingham in July. Over 12,000 young musicians aged 4-21 from across the UK take part, featuring all styles, instruments and genres of music. 

The Music for Youth Proms takes place at the renowned Royal Albert Hall in London. This two-day showcase celebrates the incredible diversity, talent and creativity of young musicians from all corners of the UK. From orchestral ensembles to choirs, bands, soloists, and more, these talented young performers get the unique opportunity to showcase their skills and share their music with a wider audience.

Staff and Head Office

Given the charity’s national reach, the head office recently relocated from London to Birmingham, now based in CBSO Centre (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) close to the city centre. The staff team of seven permanent staff are based across the UK, with hybrid home / office working arrangements.

Board and Governance

There are nine Trustees, each co-opted on to one (or more) subcommittees: the Audit & Risk Committee, Programmes Committee, and Fundraising Committee.

How Music For Youth is Funded

Music For Youth is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, receiving 42% of its funds from the annual grant of £279,980 in 2023/24. In addition, the charity raises income from fundraising (sponsorship, institutions, individuals) totalling 33% of annual turnover £672,938 in 23/24, with 10.6% from earned income including event ticket sales of £71,785 in 2023/24. 

The charity’s turnover in 2023/24 was £672,938, ending the year with reserves of £101,224.

For further information, please see our latest Annual Account and Report here.

The Opportunity

We are excited to be seeking our next Chair of Trustees to lead the organisation, as our current Chair, John Dixon, comes to the end of his term of service. 

With an energetic, skilled and focused Executive Team led by Phil Castang MBE - and a highly experienced supportive Board of Trustees bringing their wealth of collective experience spanning leadership in music, education, arts, fundraising and industry - now is an exciting time to join this unique national music charity, as we prepare for the next phase of development.

The Chair of the Board of Trustees will provide strategic leadership and governance to Music For Youth, ensuring the organisation is well-managed, financially sustainable, and delivering on its charitable objectives: 

Leadership 

• Chairing meetings of the Board and ensuring that it runs effectively, fulfils its duties and carries out resolutions. 
• Creating an environment in which all Board members are encouraged to participate and challenge constructively and appropriately. 
• Provide clear strategic direction for the charity, working with the CEO and Board to set long-term goals.
• Act as an ambassador for MFY as required, promoting our work and advocating for youth music at national and local levels.
• Support MFY in maintaining strong partnerships with funders, arts organisations, schools, and the wider music sector.

Governance & Compliance

• Lead an engaged and effective Board of Trustees, ensuring good governance and compliance with charity law.
• Manage, support and appraise the performance of the CEO, ensuring they and their senior leadership team have the resources and guidance to deliver MFY’s mission.
• Oversee financial sustainability, risk management, and organisational policies.

Fundraising & Advocacy

• Work with the Board and executive team to develop fundraising strategies, securing income from grants, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.
• Represent MFY at high-profile events, engaging with stakeholders and championing the value of youth music.

What we are looking for

As our new Chair, you will share a commitment to the mission of Music For Youth. While it is not essential to be from a Music or Music Education background, we are looking for someone who has passion for the impact - and potential - of the charity and can demonstrate how their experience can help us navigate the pivotal years ahead.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following:

• Strong leadership and strategic thinking.
• Financial literacy
• High level networking and advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of charity and corporate governance.
• Experience and confidence in managing risk, change and innovation.
• Understanding and awareness of broader social, political and economic issues.

In addition, please let us know if you are able to bring experience, skills or knowledge in one or more of the following beneficial areas.

• Board membership in the not-for-profit sector
• Working in or with organisations and with individuals in the cultural sector
• Working in or with public bodies or national policy makers

The organisation recently undertook a Skills Audit of the Board and identified the following areas where we are looking to continue strengthening the experience. While not essential for the role of Chair, alongside the core skills and experience outlined, we would certainly welcome individuals who may also be able demonstrate experience around:

Digital: to take advantage of the potential for digital transformation

Finance: to provide additional oversight and financial rigor 

Fundraising: with income from individuals a future opportunity to explore further

Time Commitment

The Chair can expect to commit the equivalent of 12-15 days per year at - and in prep for - key Trustee meetings, including full Board Meetings held four times a year (at least one in person in Birmingham, where the charity is headquartered). This time also includes regular meetings with the CEO (the majority online), and regular comms with the CEO as required, which may ebb and flow, depending on the time of year. In person meetings are kept to a minimum.

In addition, the Chair would be expected to attend a minimum of two of our: Regional Festivals (March – April), National Festival (Birmingham or elsewhere, early-mid July) and the Youth Proms (London, end of November), to represent the Board and host key stakeholders, including funders. ,

Term 

We are looking for someone who can commit to an initial three-year term, which could then be renewed for a second term.

Learn more and apply

If you would like to have an exploratory conversation with the current Chair or Vice Chair about the charity or the role, please contact John Dixon (current Chair).

Application Process

To apply for the role of Chair at Music For Youth, please submit:

• 1. A CV.
• 2. A cover letter (max 2 pages) detailing:
• Why you are interested in this role.
• How your skills and experience align with MFY’s mission.
• What you would bring to the organisation.

Please send your CV and Cover Letter to Phil Castang (CEO) with the subject line: Application for Chair of Music For Youth.

Deadline for Applications: Friday 27th of June at 12pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Music for Youth National Festival taking place between Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th July in Birmingham. (Please note - this is not a requirement of the application process but a chance for you to see the work of the charity in person).

Interviews: will take place on Wednesday 10th September in Birmingham.

The week before the interview (week commencing 1st September), you will have the opportunity to have an informal conversation with the CEO and other Trustees online. Date to be confirmed.

If you have any access needs or other practical questions - or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the role with the Vice Chairs before applying - please get in contact.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.