Volunteer roles

About the job

As GoodWork enters an exciting stage of growth and increasing impact, we are delighted to invite applications to the voluntary position of Chair of Trustees. This is an opportunity to lead a committed and diverse Board in steering a fast-growing London-based youth employment and social mobility charity.

Key Info:

• Remuneration: voluntary, reasonable travel expenses can be reimbursed.
• Location: candidates must be based in the UK. While much of this role can be performed remotely, the Chair will be required to visit our London HQ regularly.
• Time commitment: approximately 10-20 hours per month, flexibly.
• Term: Three years from appointment, renewable with Board approval.
• Appointment is subject to Enhanced DBS Check. GoodWork operates in line with safe recruitment practices and adherence to our Safeguarding Policy is essential.

About the Role

Background

Our outgoing Chair, Dale Graham, has supported GoodWork since its inception as a Community Interest Company through to our transition to a registered charity in July 2025. Following a successful three-year tenure, Dale stepped back at the end of 2025 and Abu Sayed is serving as Interim Chair while the Board recruits externally for a new Chair of Trustees.

This recruitment process follows a period of sustained organisational growth, during which we have strengthened our Board with broader expertise, lived experience and sector insight. You can learn more about our current Board and staff team on our website.

Strategic leadership and governance

• Ensure GoodWork delivers effectively against its strategy, mission and charitable objectives. GoodWork’s existing Board and team are in the process of developing a new three year organisational strategy, which we expect to finalise in early 2026.
• Uphold robust governance proportionate to our scale, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission expectations and all legal and regulatory obligations.
• Lead Board stewardship of risk management, safeguarding, impact and evaluation, fundraising and financial oversight.

Board leadership and effectiveness

• Lead and inspire the Board, ensuring it functions as a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team.
• Chair quarterly Board Meetings and the annual Away Day, ensuring clear agendas, effective decision-making and constructive challenge.
• Support the development of Trustees through periodic 1:1 check-ins (1-2 per year), enabling continuous improvement, accountability and a positive Board culture.
• Ensure Board succession planning, diversity and capability to meet the charity’s evolving needs.

Executive support and accountability

• Build a strong, supportive and constructive partnership with the CEO.
• Facilitate monthly 1:1 meetings with the CEO, providing guidance, challenge and mentorship.
• Ensure appropriate delegation to the staff leadership team while maintaining clarity of responsibilities between governance and operations.

External engagement and advocacy

• Act as a credible ambassador for GoodWork, representing the charity at external events.
• Support fundraising efforts through advocacy, relationship-building and strategic introductions. Role modelling and holding other Trustees to account for their role in supporting GoodWork's income generation activities.
• Champion GoodWork’s mission, ensuring our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded in all aspects of governance and external engagement.

Future vision and impact

• Contribute to the shaping of long-term goals that align with our “north star”: ensuring all young people have the freedom to shape their lives.
• Support the Board and leadership team in evaluating opportunities for growth, transformation and innovation, with our organisational values and commitment to championing youth voice in mind.

What we're looking for:

GoodWork is a rapidly growing charity, requiring Trustees – and particularly the Chair – to balance strategic oversight with practical, hands-on support. We are seeking a Chair who demonstrates:

• Deep commitment to GoodWork’s mission, values and impact, with a strong understanding of the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Leadership experience, ideally with prior Board-level experience in the UK charity sector or a related mission-driven environment.
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to balance long-term vision with short-term priorities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, bringing tact, empathy and the ability to offer constructive challenge.
• Sound judgement and analytical capability, including the ability to engage confidently with financial information, organisational risks, and plans for growth.
• Flexibility and a proactive, problem-solving mindset, comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Commitment to safeguarding and alignment with GoodWork’s broader policies and procedures.
• Enthusiasm for being an active ambassador, championing our work with employers, partners and supporters.

We work with a diverse group of young people from underserved communities. We particularly encourage applications from minoritised ethnic candidates and those who have lived experience relevant to our programme, particularly non-graduates and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Application process:

• Apply via our application form by 12pm on Wednesday 28 January. You’ll need to submit your CV and answer the following questions in no more than 1,700 characters (about 250 words) each.
• Why are you a good candidate to be Chair of Trustees? Please tell us about your relevant personal and/or professional experience.
• Why do you want to support GoodWork’s mission?
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial 45 minute online interview with two of our existing Trustees between 9 and 13 February 2026.
• Following this, candidates will be invited to a further 30 minute online conversation with two additional Trustees between 23 and 27 February 2026.
• At the final stage, candidates will be invited to visit GoodWork’s offices on Monday 16 March to meet the team and for a final interview with our Interim Chair, Abu Sayed, and CEO, Felicity Halstead.
• Following an extraordinary meeting of the Trustees, we expect to confirm an appointment by the end of the day on Friday 20 March. Appointment will be subject to reference checks and the satisfactory completion of an Enhanced DBS check.
• We expect the new Chair to be in post by the end of April 2026.

If you require adjustments to this process, please let us know by emailing us as soon as possible.

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by sharing your first aid skills and At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by sharing your first aid skills and knowledge. As a Community First Aider, you’ll deliver first aid to those in need through local events, as well as provide education to the public so that the ripple effect of First Aid grows. Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives. Through volunteering as a Community First Aider, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter. We are recruiting Community First Aiders in our three Networks; Hull, East Riding and South Humber. To help prospective volunteers learn more, St John Ambulance will invite you to attend a Recruitment Event. A date & location in your area for this will be confirmed via email.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 
31/10/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Support our mission to bring vital funding to adult carers in Solihull.
Your work helps keep services running and opens new opportunities for people who care for others.

As an Adult Carers Fundraiser Admin & Support Volunteer, you will play a key part in helping Carers Trust Solihull secure funding that enables us to continue and expand our vital services for adult carers across the borough.

Working alongside the manager, you will help identify and apply for funding opportunities, assist with administrative and community-based fundraising activities, and represent the charity in local events. Your support will directly contribute to improving the quality of life for carers by enabling new services, resources, and opportunities.

This role is ideal for someone with good communication and organisational skills who enjoys building connections and making a tangible difference in the community.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Research and help identify funding opportunities relevant to our work with carers.
• Support the manager with administrative tasks linked to grant applications and fundraising.
• Represent Carers Trust Solihull as a friendly and professional ambassador at fundraising events.
• Keep accurate records of fundraising activity, donations, and outcomes.
• Attend and help organise fundraising events that support our mission.
• Present pre-prepared presentations or films to funders and partners to raise awareness of our work.
• Assist or lead in writing small grant applications (and larger ones where confident).
• Collect and log donated items for our service (e.g., gift vouchers, tickets, Easter eggs, and Christmas selection boxes).
• Monitor when key funding streams renew or reopen, ensuring timely applications.
• Work collaboratively with the manager to assess the viability of opportunities within our available resources.
• Carry out any other agreed tasks related to fundraising and community engagement.

Preferred Skills and Qualities

• Good understanding of marketing and community engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident when approaching potential funders or representing the charity in public.
• Organised, reliable, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience writing small, medium, or large funding applications (desirable).
• Willingness to travel across the borough to attend events (expenses reimbursed).
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
• Able to understand and work within resource and role boundaries.
• Passionate about achieving a high-quality service for adult carers in Solihull.

What You Will Gain

• Purpose and fulfilment: Contribute directly to sustaining and growing services that support unpaid carers.
• Professional experience: Gain valuable insight into charity fundraising, marketing, and community partnerships.
• Skill development: Strengthen your communication, writing, and organisational skills.
• Confidence building: Engage with funders, local businesses, and the public in meaningful ways.
• Training and support: Receive full induction and ongoing guidance from experienced staff.
• Recognition: Be part of a supportive team, attend volunteer celebrations, and receive references or certificates for your contribution.

Additional Notes / Special Requirements

• Flexible working hours and days, with some evening or weekend events required.
• An enhanced DBS check and references will be required before commencing the role.
• Travel expenses reimbursed in line with Carers Trust Solihull’s volunteer policy.

FOI Researcher (Voluntary)

Location: Remote

Commitment: Flexible, part-time volunteer role

Organisation: Youth Advantage UK

About the Role

Youth Advantage UK is seeking passionate and detail-oriented volunteers to join our team as Freedom of Information (FOI) Researchers. In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting our advocacy and research projects by drafting, submitting, and tracking FOI requests to public bodies across the UK. The data you help uncover will directly inform our campaigns, reports, and youth-focused initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft clear, accurate, and effective FOI requests tailored to specific project needs

• Submit FOI requests to relevant public authorities and track their progress

• Follow up on outstanding requests to ensure timely responses

• Review and interpret data received from FOI responses

• Collaborate with project leads to integrate findings into reports and campaigns

• Maintain accurate records of requests, correspondence, and outcomes

What We’re Looking For

• Familiarity with the UK Freedom of Information Act and FOI request procedures

• Strong written communication and research skills

• Ability to interpret and summarise data clearly

• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple requests simultaneously

• A commitment to transparency, accountability, and youth empowerment

• Previous experience with FOI requests (desirable but not essential)

What You’ll Gain

• Experience in legal research, public accountability, and data analysis

• Insight into public sector transparency and youth advocacy work

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your schedule

• A chance to make a tangible impact on youth-focused projects

About our charity

Everyone deserves to live their life to the full, with maximum choice and control.  Our purpose is to make that a reality for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.  They face a multitude of barriers because of the combined impact of a vision impairment with other disabilities and support needs.  We enable each person to find their unique pathway towards their very best life, using our specialist expertise and knowledge.

Our charity is now looking to recruit new trustees to help shape this vital work.

Plans to develop our board

We are specifically seeking one or more trustees with a good knowledge and experience of adult social care.  As well as the normal duties of a trustee, you would take a specific interest in our adult care service provision – St Davids House (residential care), Jigsaw (day service) and our Supported Living service.  You would scrutinise the quality and operation of our care services for adults and offer advice and challenge to our staff team as a member of our Adult Care Advisory Committee.  You will liaise closely with the Director of Care and Support.

You may have been a senior manager in an adult care service or have been a commissioning manager within the NHS for people with complex care needs.  You will have a passion for great person-centred care.  Experience of CQC would be an advantage.

The Board meets seven times a year and is also invited to all events and celebrations which is optional.  Trustees are warmly encouraged to attend meetings in person, but if required can attend some meetings online.  Expenses are paid for travel and overnight accommodation can be arranged for those not local to Devon.

Don’t have the time to become a full trustee?

Don’t have the time to become a full trustee?  We also have a role of Advisory Member on all our committees.  Advisors are appointed by the Board.  This role allows us to access knowledge and experience about running a charity, specialist SEND education and adult social care, but you do not have to take on the full role and responsibility of a trustee.  If you would be interested in finding out more about this role, please contact us.

Oxfordshire Mind is your local mental health charity, working across Oxfordshire and Berkshire West to make sure that everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect. We offer a broad range of services that help people stay well, manage difficult moments and build long-term resilience.

We are looking for a new Chair of the Trustee Board who will provide the leadership that can help guide us through both the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead of us. Our new Chair will provide leadership to the organisation and the Board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit and enable the charity to maximise its impact.

What are we looking for?

For our new Chair, we’re looking for someone who shares our values, believes in fairness and inclusion, and who cares deeply about our communities. You will bring steady leadership, warmth, curiosity, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Be able to operate strategically and work effectively with the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive to shape and develop the organisation’s strategic vision.
• Possess the leadership skills required to guide both the Board of Trustees and the wider organisation.
• Have relevant experience and knowledge in key areas that relate to the Charity’s sphere of operation: mental health, the voluntary sector, the NHS, public sector commissioning and local government, and business development; and
• Have experience and knowledge of the geographical area within which the Charity operates (i.e Oxfordshire and Berkshire).
• Experience of being a Trustee (you do not need to have been a Chair before). 

What difference will you make?

You will help guide the charity as it navigates the future and delivers an impactful strategy, ensuring we are collectively the best we can be for our beneficiaries and ensuring we deliver impactful services and continue to challenge stigma around mental health.

Time Commitment

Depending upon the Chair’s personal leadership style, it is estimated that the overall time commitment is likely to average around 4 days per month.

While the focus of our search is on finding our new Chair, we are also looking for new Trustees for our Board. Our Trustees ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations. The expected time commitment for a Trustee is expected to average around one day
per month.

We are looking for a Treasurer with an accountancy background and Board level experience to join our Board to support our small but mighty charity to bring the joy of reading to primary school children across the country.

Location: Online
Salary: Voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed
Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026

About Us:

The Children’s Bookshow is a national charity that inspires children with a love of books and reading through an annual programme of inspiring theatre and digital performances and engaging creative workshops. We showcase some of the best authors and illustrators of children’s books from around the world, and celebrate children’s literature in translation. 

We are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation that has been running successfully for 23 years. Each year, we deliver 15 events in venues ranging from iconic theatres such as The Old Vic in London to community spaces and smaller scale theatres such as the New Wolsey in Ipswich, plus a programme of 60 creative workshops in primary schools. We target areas of high socio-economic deprivation, support environmental sustainability through our programme, and partner with local authorities, libraries and education providers. Every child who attends our theatre performances receives a free copy of the author’s book to take home and keep. This is integral to our offer - putting excellent books directly into the hands of children.

“Having Frank Cottrell-Boyce in for a free workshop really did make such a difference to our school and to our children. Frank was able to inspire every single child to write, no matter their need or ability, and children who would normally be reluctant to share their ideas in front of the class were confident to do so. Every single one of them went home talking non-stop about the amazing author they had met - with many now inspired to become authors. I can't put into words how grateful we are or how much of an impact those couple of hours have had on both the children and staff.” 
Teacher, Winyates Primary, Peterborough 2024

The opportunities:

If you think you have the expertise and passion to support our work and help us to deliver the kind of impact and change experienced by Winyates Primary, then we would love to hear from you!

Thanks to successful fundraising The Children’s Bookshow is financially stable for the next two years. Iterative growth and continued financial sustainability are crucial for us to fulfill our aspirations for the future: 

• Give more primary school children the invaluable experience of a live author event at a local theatre
• Enable children to work creatively with a world class artist in their own classroom 
• Increase book ownership by putting a free book into the hands of every child who attends one of our performances

We are recruiting a Treasurer to join our Board of highly-skilled, committed and friendly Trustees to guide and support us in achieving these aims.

The Role:
Trustees share oversight of The Children’s Bookshow’s artistic programming, operations, fundraising and finances, to ensure good governance in compliance with our governing document and with UK charity and company law.

Time commitment: around 4-6 days per year.

Treasurer:
We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure high standards of financial governance and decision-making, and to act as a key sounding board for the Co-Directors in the financial planning, management and reporting of our charity. This will include overseeing our annual budget and cashflow and quarterly management accounts, and advising on how best to invest our reserve fund. 

We are looking for a qualified accountant with Board level experience with a UK charity and an interest in our work.

A background in children’s literature, publishing or theatre would be an advantage, but not essential.

The Children’s Bookshow is committed to creating a collaborative Board of Trustees that is inclusive and representative of our society. We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and from all sections of society to apply. 

Meetings:
There are typically four Board meetings a year lasting around an hour. Three of these meetings take place online and we endeavour to meet in person once a year in central London for a meeting followed by lunch. We welcome Trustees to attend our theatre performances and online events wherever possible to directly experience our work. 

We also have a Finance and Operations Committee that occasionally meets online and reports to the Board, which Trustees are invited to opt into to share their expertise in specific areas such as Finance, Fundraising and Development. 

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter (each a maximum of 2 sides of A4) detailing your relevant expertise and experience for the role of Treasurer, and why you would like to be part of The Children’s Bookshow. We look forward to hearing from you. 

Location: Exeter (hybrid options available)
Hours: Flexible
Term: Three-year periods
Type: Voluntary

Help shape the future of a charity supporting young people with vision impairment and complex needs.
At InFocus, we believe everyone deserves to live life to the full, with choice, control, and meaningful opportunities. We support young people who face multiple barriers due to vision impairment combined with additional disabilities, helping each person move towards their most independent and fulfilling life.

We are now recruiting a Volunteer Trustee with expertise in property or estate management to help guide our strategic development.

What the role involves

Alongside the standard duties of a trustee, you’ll take a focused role in shaping and overseeing the development of our 15-acre site, which includes a wide range of specialist buildings and facilities.
Your insight will help us:

• Refurbish and repurpose buildings

• Make best use of our physical assets

• Identify opportunities to generate income for the charity

• Plan for long-term site development and sustainability

This role would suit someone with experience in building, surveying, estates or property development.

Our Board meets seven times a year and trustees are also welcome (but not required) to attend events and celebrations. While in-person attendance is encouraged, some meetings can be joined online. Travel expenses are covered, and overnight accommodation can be arranged for trustees outside Devon.

Short on time? Advisory roles available

If you’d like to contribute your expertise without the full responsibilities of a trustee, you may be interested in joining us as an Advisory Member. Advisory Members sit on committees and offer specialist insight without taking on the full governance role. To find out more, please email Amanda Gorfin.

Location: Exeter (hybrid options available)
Hours: Flexible
Term: Three-year periods
Type: Voluntary

Help shape the future of specialist education for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.
At InFocus, we believe everyone deserves to live life to the full, with choice, control, and meaningful opportunities. We support young people who face significant barriers due to vision impairment combined with additional disabilities, helping each individual follow their own pathway towards independence and fulfilment.

We’re now looking for a Volunteer Trustee with strong experience in special education to help guide and strengthen our specialist FE College.

What the role involves

In addition to the standard responsibilities of a trustee, you will:

• Focus on the delivery and development of post-16 education for learners with vision impairment and complex needs

• Scrutinise the quality of teaching and learning

• Provide constructive challenge and professional insight as part of our Education Advisory Committee

• Work closely with our College Principal to champion high-quality, person-centred education

This opportunity would suit someone with experience as:

• A senior leader within a SEND provision

• A headteacher or principal

• A SEND improvement partner

• An Ofsted inspector

Our Board meets seven times a year, with optional invitations to events and celebrations. Trustees are encouraged to attend in person, though online attendance is possible where needed. Travel expenses are covered, and overnight accommodation can be arranged for trustees living outside Devon.

Short on time? Advisory Member roles available

If you’d like to share your expertise without taking on full trustee responsibilities, consider joining us as an Advisory Member. Advisory Members sit on committees and offer specialist knowledge without the full governance role. 

Volunteer Opportunities at Coombe House Farm
Our farm is in the early stages of an exciting journey. We are already cultivating a vibrant mix of fruit and vegetables, including our no-dig beds, polytunnels and orchard. We currently care for chickens, ducks, sheep and guinea pigs with more animals being introduced as the site develops. We are expanding and would love volunteers to join our friendly team! 

Interested in volunteering? Please contact Claire Taylor, Assistant HR Manager for further details.  We are always happy to discuss how you can get involved. We can then advise you of the application process and next stages. 

Volunteer Content Creator – West Midlands | Inspire Action for Nature

Are you passionate about video, storytelling and the natural world? Do you want your creativity to make a real impact?

RSPB is looking for a Volunteer Content Creator to help bring our conservation work to life across the West Midlands, including Staffordshire, Birmingham and the Black Country.

In this role, you’ll film inspiring volunteer activities, events, nature reserve trails and family-friendly play spaces. You’ll then edit this footage into engaging content tailored for different audiences and platforms, from short, eye-catching social media videos to longer films that showcase the power of our projects and the people behind them.

In return, you’ll gain hands-on experience with Europe’s largest conservation charity, build a strong and varied content portfolio, and learn how creative storytelling can help save nature and connect people to it. You’ll receive ongoing support from the Area Manager, access to RSPB online and in-person training, and become part of a friendly, supportive and enthusiastic team. We can also provide a laptop for the duration of the placement, and all travel expenses will be reimbursed.

This flexible role is mostly remote, with occasional on-site filming days. We’re ideally looking for someone who can commit 3–5 days a week for around six months, but we’re happy to discuss different levels of availability. Your creativity could inspire more people, from more diverse backgrounds, to take action for nature. ��

The purpose of the role is to design and facilitate gardening activities at our community allotment with refugees and people seeking asylum, alongside our other gardening volunteers.

The role includes:

• planning and facilitating seasonal gardening activities with small groups
• supporting participants to bring their own ideas, work independently or lead their own activities where appropriate, providing support and guidance as needed
• fostering a positive culture of support and community
• raising any safeguarding or support concerns with our People Support Team
• setting up/packing down around sessions, generally contributing to the smooth running of sessions
• maintaining tools
• contributing to overall running of the charity (attending monthly online meetings, taking on organisational tasks)
• maintaining participant confidentiality
• attending training sessions as needed

At the garden we run gardening, art and craft activities. Through these sessions we maintain our beautiful community garden, grow and harvest vegetable/fruit crops and create wildlife and social areas. We always try to make sure there are a range of activities to choose from to fit with a range of energy/ability levels. All new ideas for activities to do at the garden are welcome!

Our sessions are on Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings

Gardening expertise is not necessary for this role, although it is always very welcome.

Volunteer HR & Volunteering Manager/Lead (Building Culture, Community & Volunteer Excellence)

Unlock YOUR Potential – Adult Social Mobility Charity

Location: Remote

Hours: Flexible

Type: Volunteer Leadership Role

Help Build a Thriving, Supportive Volunteer Community That Changes Lives

Unlock YOUR Potential is an ambitious adult social mobility charity dedicated to supporting people from deprived communities to gain the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to transform their lives. Through programmes in employability, personal development, wellbeing, and life skills, we empower adults to break cycles of disadvantage and step into brighter futures.

As we grow, we are seeking a passionate, people‑focused HR & Volunteering Manager/Lead to help us build a warm, inclusive, close‑knit volunteer culture — one where every volunteer feels valued, supported, and part of something meaningful.

Your leadership will shape the heart of our organisation: our people.

The Role: Volunteer HR & Volunteering Manager/Lead

This is a key leadership role responsible for creating an exceptional volunteer experience from first contact to long‑term engagement. You will design and lead our volunteer recruitment, onboarding, culture‑building, and retention strategies, ensuring that Unlock YOUR Potential becomes a place where volunteers feel inspired, connected, and proud to contribute.

You will work closely with the Founder and leadership team to build a strong organisational culture rooted in compassion, professionalism, and shared purpose.

What You’ll Do

Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding

• Lead the full volunteer recruitment cycle — from role design to interviews to selection.

• Create a welcoming, inspiring onboarding journey that sets volunteers up for success.

• Develop clear volunteer pathways, role descriptions, and expectations.

Culture, Community & Engagement

• Build a warm, supportive, close‑knit organisational culture where volunteers feel valued and connected.

• Develop initiatives that strengthen community — team meetings, recognition, social connection, and shared learning.

• Ensure volunteers feel heard, appreciated, and part of a mission‑driven family.

Volunteer Management & Support

• Provide ongoing support to volunteers and volunteer leads.

• Help resolve issues with empathy, fairness, and professionalism.

• Maintain volunteer records, policies, and compliance in line with best practice.

Strategic HR & Organisational Development

• Shape HR policies, processes, and systems that support a healthy, ethical, inclusive organisation.

• Advise the Founder and leadership team on people‑related matters, culture, and volunteer strategy.

• Contribute to the overall strategic direction of the charity as a key member of the leadership team.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience in HR, volunteer management, people development, or organisational culture.

• A natural ability to build relationships, trust, and community.

• Strong organisational and communication skills.

• A warm, supportive, and people‑centred leadership style.

• A passion for social mobility, equality, and empowering adults to thrive.

• Integrity, empathy, and a commitment to creating a positive volunteer experience.

• A collaborative, mission‑driven mindset.

What You’ll Gain

• A senior leadership role shaping the culture and people experience of a national charity.

• The opportunity to build a volunteer community that is supportive, joyful, and deeply connected.

• A meaningful addition to your HR, leadership, or organisational development portfolio.

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your life and commitments.

• The fulfilment of knowing your work is helping adults transform their lives — and helping volunteers find purpose and belonging.

Be the Heart of a Mission That Matters

If you’re ready to use your HR and people‑leadership skills to build a compassionate, energising, and empowering volunteer community, we would love to hear from you.

Help us to build for the future while navigating the challenges of today

Queen Mary Students’ Union is seeking to recruit External Trustees to join its Board of Trustees

We live in challenging times - cost of living increases mean many students are balancing work and study, higher education funding is under pressure, major domestic and international events increasingly concern, or directly impact upon our students. The Students’ Union plays a vital role in helping and supporting our diverse student membership and their elected representatives to navigate these challenges.

Queen Mary Students’ Union (QMSU) represents the interests of over 31,000 students drawn from over 170 nationalities (approximately 43 per cent from overseas) at Queen Mary University of London. Queen Mary is a Russell Group university and describes itself as ‘a leading research-intensive university with a difference’.

Of our domestic undergraduate students, 91 per cent are from state schools, 77 per cent are BAME, and 46 per cent are the first in their families to enter into higher education. Queen Mary has the best record of all the Russell Group universities in England for recruiting undergraduate students from state schools and from lower-income families. The Students’ Union provides social, cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities for our students, helping them to develop the skills they need to succeed in life after university.

The Students’ Union is a registered charity and is overseen by a Board of Trustees. It has overall responsibility for the management and administration of the Students’ Union, including its governance, budget and strategy. In its last accounting year, the Students’ Union had a turnover of over £7.8m (including our wholly owned trading subsidiary, Queen Mary Students’ Union Services Ltd).

The Board of Trustees is made up of six elected Officer Trustees, six elected Student Trustees, and six External Trustees. Day-to-day management of the operation and administration of the Students’ Union is delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer.

We are currently seeking to appoint three additional External Trustees. We will provide full training and support on the role and responsibilities of a Trustee and the work of a Students’ Union. As a Trustee, you will contribute the benefit of your experience, enthusiasm, and a willingness to both challenge and support us in our work. These are voluntary positions, but reasonable expenses will be paid.

Whether you have never considered being a Trustee before, or whether you have already served in this role, we would like to hear from you, particularly if you have experience in any of the following areas: wellbeing, welfare and support; equality, equity, diversity and inclusion; or business, finance and risk, and would like to use it to help us to build for the future. However, these are not essential - we will consider all applications based upon what you feel you can bring to the role.