Legal Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation, which took place on 1st April 2023, will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency,
capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss. We have a clear ambition – to save sight and to change lives.
We are now seeking up to four new trustees as we establish ourselves in our new form and under our new name (soon to be announced). This is an exciting inflection point for us, and our new trustees will be central in enabling us to achieve our ambition.
We have worked through our merger and have a clear focus and vision, as well as a strong Board and senior leadership team, all of whom are ambitious for the potential impact we can make. Our re-brand will also enable us to amplify our position as a leader within the sight loss sector. Our merger was a critical step in accelerating research which will create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. We do not want this opportunity to pass us by and that’s what makes these such an important and exciting roles for the right people.
As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to steer the course of our charity and our sector, shaping our strategies, and advocating for meaningful change. You will be help us be a driving force behind world leading research into sight loss prevention, and transformative initiatives that enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.
We are particularly seeking individuals who have a medical or scientific research background, ideally in ophthalmology, and those who have experience in retail and fundraising. If you want to be part of something that will really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
“I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who share our commitment to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals affected by sight loss. Our journey towards a future where eye diseases are prevented and the challenges faced by the visually impaired are overcome requires the collective effort of dedicated individuals. We are seeking trustees who are not only passionate advocates for our cause but also possess the vision, expertise, and dedication to guide and govern our organisation. Your unique perspectives and skills will play a pivotal role in shaping and defining our impact for years to come.”
Dr Heather Giles, Chair
“Our two organisations came together to form a new dynamic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organisation to save sight and change lives. We are searching for trustees that can join us, and be at the forefront of creating the culture, the outlook and the methods of working and the operations to truly make a difference in society.”
Keith Valentine, CEO
ABOUT US
We are a new organisation forged from two ambitious charities: Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation. Our single, unifying mission is to save sight and change lives.
It is a mission that reflects two urgent questions everyone faces when they receive a diagnosis of sight loss: ‘How do I stop this?’ and ‘How do I live my life?’
Answering these questions guides our strategy as we progress a five-year plan with solid and lofty aspirations.
THE MERGER
Fight for Sight funds breakthrough research and life-changing services to build a more equitable future for blind and partially sighted people by accelerating breakthroughs in multiple sight loss conditions.
Vision Foundation works to inform, include and empower the visually impaired community. Empowerment is at the heart of what we do; our work focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.
The merger will help us to realise a joint ambition to tackle sight loss from both a clinical and social perspective. Our combined organisation is now grounded in data and insight into the science, as well as the lived experience of, sight loss. With this wealth of evidence we’re determined to:
- generate further investment into the sector,
- accelerate clinical progress,
- improve quality of life for people facing or living with sight loss
Crucially, coming together is about growing our influence and impact, not reducing or diluting what we do. So, as we evolve as a merged organisation, we are combining our teams, announcing our new name and fine-tuning our unified
mission and strategy – as well as continuing with the important work we’re already committed to – you can expect big things from us and it is an exciting time to join us as a trustee.
OUR FUTURE
Our principal role is as a grant-maker. We award grants to the scientific community that could lead to scientific breakthroughs and treatments to stop eye diseases from progressing. In the future, we believe research can prevent people from losing sight and reverse sight loss. We invest to advance treatments that will cure eye disease and protect and grow the community of world-class scientists, technologists, and data scientists who can deliver tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Historically, Vision Foundation has funded innovations that directly impact people who are blind or partially sighted, from music classes for children to projects that take eye tests into at-risk communities. We invest in programmes, organisations and activities that deliver equity for and with blind and visually impaired people.
As a grant-maker, we are change-makers, accelerators and drivers of impact. We are bold, energetic, challenging, disruptive, tenacious, and determined.
We aren’t afraid to tackle the challenges facing the sight loss community, either. Recent campaigns include The Unseen, which unearthed the shocking scale and nature of domestic abuse among blind and partially sighted people, and See My Skills, which addressed high unemployment rates. The charity excels at working in partnership with others towards creating a more equitable society for the sight loss community.
As we progress, we’ll scale the impact of projects like these, look beyond the nation’s capital, and drive systemic change. We’ll need to secure the funds to invest in our trusted partners to achieve our ambitions. We’ll continue to fundraise by engaging with supporters and companies through legacies, events such as the London Marathon, and our network of charity shops.
The evidence we commission influences policy and decision-making to demand equality for all.
We’ll shortly have a new name that reflects our united ambitions, so it’s an exciting time for us and the people we serve.
OUR FINANCES
The charity is in a strong position financially, with a high level of reserves that we intend to draw down over the coming years as we focus on investing in sustainable growth and increasing our impact. Compared to many charities, we
have well diversified income streams, predictable costs, and are in the fortunate position to hold a sizable portfolio of investments. Our plans for the short and medium term are to invest in our income generation infrastructure, and to significantly increase the amounts of funding we can put to our charitable purpose.
OUR BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM
Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation is the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team that has over half of its members with lived experience of sight loss.
The Board currently numbers ten trustees, including our newly appointed Chair.
The Board meets four times a year, or more often as required.
Follow this link to find out more about our Board.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
As the most senior leaders in our charity, trustees play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction, amplifying our impact, and ensuring the fulfilment of our mission to save sight and change lives. You will serve on the main board and will be invited also to get involved in one of our sub-committees. These are currently:
- Social Impact & Scientific Research Committee (SISR)
- Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources Committee (FARR)
- People Committee
- Retail Committee
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the charity, aligning efforts with the mission and values of the organisation.
- Collaborate with the board, executive team, and stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies that advance the charity’s impact and sustainability.
Governance
- Ensure effective governance, decision-making, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Work closely with board members, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration and open communication, harnessing different views and opinions.
Engagement
- Represent the charity at public events and networking opportunities to promote our mission and raise awareness about our cause.
- Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, corporations, government agencies, and the visually impaired community.
Evaluation and Accountability
- Collaborate with the board to evaluate performance, ensuring alignment with the charity’s goals and objectives.
- Ensure the charity is accountable to donors and beneficiaries, that is financially robust and sustainable, and that is effective risk management in place.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to serve as trustees of our ambitious merged organisation. The ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to our cause, along with the following:
Specialist experience
At this time, we are particularly interested in candidates who have leadership experience in:
- Scientific and/or medical research
- Ophthalmic research and/or clinical practice
- Strategic oversight of substantial fundraising and/or retail operations
Despite these areas of interest, we welcome a diversity of skills and experience at our charity and on our Board, and want to find the right candidates regardless of their specific areas of expertise or experience. So if you are interested in this role and think you can contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
General attributes
Knowledge & experience
- An understanding of governance, and experience on a committee or board.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, corporations and government agencies.
Skills & abilities
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision to deliver impact.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Entrepreneurial instincts and a healthy understanding of risk balanced with ambition using sound judgement.
Styles & behaviours
- High ethical standards and commitment to upholding the charity’s values, as well as a passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, sight loss.
- Collaborative, highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing difference perspectives.
- Solution-focused, with an ability to see the big picture and be pragmatic.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Remuneration
This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.
Time commitment
While the exact time commitment may vary based on the charity’s needs and priorities, we anticipate the following general expectations:
- A minimum of four Board meetings per year
- Up to four subcommittee meetings per year (the specific committee depending on skills and experience)
- Preparation for meetings, review of materials, and other trustee engagement as appropriate.
- Annual Strategy Day with full Board and executive team.
- Meetings with members of the executive leadership team as appropriate.
- Representing the charity at high profile events, functions and public engagements to enhance its reputation and partnerships.
Location
At present Board meetings are held in central London. Subcommittee meetings are held remotely.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Mid Norfolk Mencap we are passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities and their families. Enabling people to live independently, person-centred care is at the heart of what we do.
Our mission is to support and enable the people who use our services to lead fulfilling lives, to be involved in their local wider community, and to have access to the same opportunities as all members of society.
Mid Norfolk Mencap was established since 1977, and every year we provide residential living, social opportunities, and specialised Community Outreach support for more than 100 people with a learning disability in Norfolk. However, with around 16,500 adults in Norfolk with a learning disability, we know we can do so much more.
This is an exciting time for us as we work to grow and strengthen our services. As a trustee you will play a vital role in helping us deliver a stronger and more sustainable organisation for the benefit of our service users, their families, and for the staff who work to deliver those services.
Position: Trustee
Location: Trustee Board meetings and many of our charity’s activities take place in Dereham. In addition, some work may be required remotely using Zoom/ Teams, or in other parts of Norfolk from time to time.
Salary: This position is unpaid but reasonable expenses may be paid.
Responsibilities
This role is suited to candidates who can demonstrate professional or skills-based knowledge of benefit to the charity. We would particularly welcome applications from people with experience in the third sector, PR, fundraising, governance, risk management, management and law, and accountancy.
This job is for you if:
- You have a proven track record of integrity and respect for confidential and proprietary information.
- You are a keen and respectful listener who can empathise and respectfully challenge.
- You have a commitment to the charity, are approachable for our service users, and are enthused for its vision, mission and aims.
- You understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
- You are willing to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee (c. 2 – 3 hours per week depending on your role and any specific responsibilities within the Board).
- You are willing to participate in frank and open discussion and can work effectively as a member of a team.
- You can analyse proposals and their consequences, have a good level of competence with IT.
- You are willing to be available to provide guidance to the senior management team on an ad hoc basis.
Training
You will be given a basic induction to the charity and opportunities to meet with the senior management team. We also strongly encourage trustees to spend time participating in our services delivery, getting to know our staff and volunteers – and most importantly, our beneficiaries. We will customise a training and familiarisation package for the successful candidate based on prior knowledge and experience.
Our Recruitment Process
Excellence is important to us, and we know that being a trustee is a great commitment, so it has to be right for both the organisation and for you. Our recruitment process typically includes:
- Two interviews, providing the opportunity for you to meet with at least two existing trustees.
- An invitation to attend the Mid Norfolk Mencap head office and residential home, meeting some of our service users and staff
- An informal meeting with a member of our senior management team
- Dedicated email/phone support for any queries or concerns
Our recruitment process is designed to facilitate a two-way dialogue. We recognise that you need to be as comfortable with us and our operating model as we are with you. Our commitment throughout, is to be open, transparent and to give you as much information as we possibly can so that you can be sure you are making an informed choice to volunteer as a trustee with us.
We look forward to meeting you!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Equal Lives we care about breaking down barriers for people with lived disabilities, we want to create more opportunities for a fairer, more accessible world. Our Benefits Advisers provide essential support to those who lack the skills or kknowledge to deal with benefits claims or appeals on their own, the people in our community who rely on this vital support in order to live as normal a life as possible. Together with your help we can extend our support to more vulnerable people within the local community and ensure they get the help they so rightfully deserve.
Our volunteer Benefits Advisers support clients with disabilities in Norwich (NR1-NR7 postcodes). This is a great opportunity for you to learn all about PIP benefits, from finding out about conditions of entitlement to learning how to make the best case for a client. Whether you already have some knowledge and you want to make use of this to help others, or if you have no experience and are keen to learn, this role could provide you with an interesting and challenging volunteering opportunity.
The Benefits Adviser role will involve assisting our clients with the following:
• Assisting them to make claims, including support with form filling
• Offering information by telephone or email
• Signposting or referring clients on to other organisations where appropriate.
• Keeping accurate and up to date case notes
• Ongoing learning to ensure knowledge is kept up to date and accurate
Full training is available to provide you with the skills and knowledge required to carry out this.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
EqualEdge Seeks Passionate Non-Executive Directors to Join its Board
EqualEdge is a for-profit company with a social mission to enable Manchester-based Disabled Peoples Organisation, Breakthrough UK to provide services to disabled people, to increase their opportunities to be employed and to reduce any social isolation. We're passionate about inclusion and diversity in the workplace, and we're expanding our horizons to revolutionise Workplace Personal Assistants, funded by Access to Work and in the future Personal care services in the UK.
The idea of a Workplace Personal Assistant (WPA) agency was conceived by Breakthrough UK, a disabled people’s organisation majority led by disabled people. Breakthrough UK discovered through lived experience that it was extremely difficult to hire and retain WPA’s in the United Kingdom and so the idea of solving the problem through EqualEdge was born.
EqualEdge believes in a world where disabled people have equal access to meaningful employment, thriving in inclusive work environments, and reaching their professional aspirations. Our mission is to bridge the gap between disabled people and their career goals by offering tailored workplace personal assistance services, fostering inclusion, and enhancing professional opportunities.
To achieve this ambitious vision, we're searching for experienced and enthusiastic non-executive directors with expertise across various sectors to join our board and help us shape the future of our company.
About the Role
As a non-executive director, you will play a vital role in providing strategic guidance and oversight to our executive team. You will also be a champion for our mission of fostering a more equitable landscape and launching innovative personal care services within the UK.
We are particularly interested in candidates with strong experience in:
- Recruitment (HR): You have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams. You understand the intricacies of talent acquisition, particularly within the recruitment and personal care sector or a similar service industry.
- Marketing: You have a deep understanding of brand development and implementation of successful marketing strategies. You're passionate about reaching new audiences and driving growth in a competitive market.
- Personal Care: You have extensive knowledge of the UK care sector, its regulations, and best practices. You're a visionary leader with a passion for improving the quality of life for those who require personal care services.
- Finance: You have strong financial acumen and experience in overseeing financial performance. You can provide strategic guidance on resource allocation to support both national expansion and the launch of our new service line.
We are also open to applications from experienced professionals in other sectors who share our values of inclusion and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Have a good black book of connections to allow us to build our client base and reach the people who need us most.
- Provide strategic guidance and advice to the executive team on a range of issues, including business development, marketing, and operations, with a specific focus on national expansion and the launch of our personal care services in the UK.
- Oversee the company's financial performance and ensure that we are on track to meet our financial goals, considering the resources needed for national growth and the launch of a new service line.
- Serve as an EqualEdge ambassador and help us build relationships with key stakeholders in new markets and within the UK care sector.
- Attend board meetings and actively participate in discussions, bringing a national perspective and insights relevant to your area of expertise.
You would be a great fit for this role if you have:
- A proven track record of success in a senior leadership role
- A deep understanding of the business landscape, with transferable skills applicable to our areas of focus
- A passion for inclusion and diversity, with a national mindset
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
EqualEdge is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We recruit, select, train and promote personnel based on their skills and abilities.
We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marital status or civil partnership, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, age or disability.
We expect to have board meetings every month for the first year, the meeting is expected to last 1 hour. This is a voluntary role however expenses are paid.
We plan to have interviews by the end of April.
Join us and be part of shaping a more inclusive future for workplaces and revolutionising personal care in the UK!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Caberfeidh Horizons is a vibrant social enterprise, working with adults and young people who have learning disabilities, at the heart of their local community. We are looking for a new Chair and Trustees to join our Board. Applicants must live within the Badenoch and Strathspey area.
Our mission is to improve the future prospects of the adults and young people we work with by providing training, work experience and social opportunities to increase their confidence, health, life skills and community involvement.
We currently run three shops in Kingussie, a Charity Shop, Bookshop and Community Hub. Between them, they sell everything from books, clothes, children’s toys, furniture, bric-a-brac and more. Our main shop, The Hub also houses the Community Food share. For further information about who we are and what we do, please visit our website.
Trustees are appointed on a voluntary basis, and do not receive any remuneration. As a board member you will play a critical role in the future governance of the charity. You will help to oversee the activities of the charity ensuring it remains compliant with regulations, help to set strategic development and help to shape its future.
This is a great opportunity for individuals with a passion for supporting our cause and gives the potential for the development of new/existing skills, to meet new people and support our community and to enhance the lives of those we support.
We are looking for people with H.R, I.T, Legal, Governance, Leadership, Strategic Planning and Fund Raising skills, who believe that they can really make a difference to our community. If this is you we would love to hear from you, contact details as per our website.
The closing date for these posts is on-going.
Please apply as per our website, where you will find full contact details.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
A talking newspaper is a simple concept: articles from a printed newspaper are read out loud into a recording (memory stick or app) for the benefit of those who cannot do this for themselves - e.g. blind or partially sighted or anyone who finds reading a newspaper difficult.
Lothiansound is a small Scottish registered charity based in Edinburgh, run entirely by volunteers, funded by donations, and managed by a Committee of Trustees. With the publisher's permission, we produce a weekly audio edition of articles selected from the “Edinburgh Evening News”. This is distributed by returnable memory stick inside a returnable wallet. New Listeners are sometimes referred to us by SSI agencies, or they can self-refer on request.
Lothiansound’s Listeners are mainly in the Edinburgh area, but might be anywhere in the UK (and sometimes beyond) and receive this service completely free of charge. We know that our Listeners appreciate us hugely, because they regularly tell us so!
Your SECRETARY role would be to assure the Charity’s handling of administrative matters, including:
- Prepare Agendas and Minutes of Committee Meetings (currently on Zoom) – six meetings per year.
- Prepare Agenda, Notice and Minutes of Annual General Meeting (currently on Zoom).
- Maintain Register of Operating Policies.
- (In association with Chair & ViceChair) Maintain existing good relationship with the landlord of our physical office (in an Edinburgh suburb) which is where our weekly admin/copying teams do their stuff with Listeners’ incoming/outgoing wallets.
- Assist (the Treasurer) in preparation of Annual Report and Accounts.
- Be Lothiansound’s nominee with the Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Your (Trustee/Office Bearer) role can be carried out mainly from home, other than ad hoc visits to the office if necessary.. There is no involvement in recording and distributing the audio newspaper unless the applicant wishes to do so.
No professional qualification is needed. Experience of some of the above matters would be advantageous. Requirement for competency with word processing, plus clear and accurate communication skills, and ability to convey documents efficiently by email etc. Occasional need for printing out can occur – e.g. simple A4 sheets for notice boards at the office. Outgoing Secretary will be on hand for initial assistance and transition.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.