Volunteer roles

Location: Hampshire (Board meetings in person)
Commitment: Approx. 1 day/month, including 4 Audit & Risk Committee meetings and 5 Board meetings annually
Remuneration: Unremunerated voluntary role with expenses reimbursed

A thriving community charity working across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to support children, young people, and families is looking to appoint a Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Through early years education, youth services, housing, and outdoor activities, the charity helps individuals belong, contribute, and thrive.

The Board is now seeking a Trustee to Chair the Audit & Risk Committee, a vital governance role at the heart of the organisation’s mission. The successful candidate will ensure robust financial oversight, effective risk management, and strong internal controls, supporting the charity to uphold the highest standards of accountability and compliance.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Senior-level experience in audit, finance, or risk management
• A qualification in accountancy (full qualified)
• Experience in being a Trustee, and/or chairing a committee
• Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial board members
• A collaborative approach and commitment to the values of the charity

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference to the communities YMCA Fairthorne Group serves.

Deadline: 14th September | Interviews: w/c 29th September

About Us

Age UK London is a charity that campaigns for an age-friendly London. We have been working to promote the interests of older Londoners for over 20 years and support the network of London Age UK’s and other older people’s organisations across all 33 boroughs.

Our CEO, Abigail Wood, joined us in 2020 and under her leadership Age UK London has gone through a significant period of consolidation and transformational change, streamlining activities and organisational structure, whilst maximising our impact.

Background to the role

A highly successful recent strategy day highlighted that the staff and trustees are closely aligned and have a strong sense of being part of one team, all pulling in one direction. We want to build on that by welcoming new Board members with key skills and expertise to enhance and further sharpen our work.

The Age UK London board currently comprises seven trustees, one of whose term will finish at our AGM in the autumn. Our chair, Tony Burch, took on the role in December 2024, having been a trustee since 2018. Our former chair, Imogen Clark, left having stayed on as a trustee until our CEO had returned from maternity leave in February of this year, and two other trustees resigned earlier this year for personal reasons.

We are a friendly, committed and effective board, and we foster a productive relationship with the Age UK London CEO and her team. We are passionate about campaigning to improve the lives of older Londoners.

We’re now keen to welcome someone who brings skills and experience in campaigning, public affairs and policy. Given that this is the key focus of our work, it’s important that our Board is replete with a deep understanding of the challenges as well as the possibilities for influence and change. 

If you feel you are the right person to join our board, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Main Responsibilities

• To be aware of and accept the responsibilities of a charity trustee and director of a charitable company.
• To ensure equality, diversity and inclusion is promoted and sustained through all aspects of Age UK London’s work and relationships.
• To represent the board as necessary, on internal disciplinary and complaint panels or other panels, and on external bodies by agreement.
• To act properly at all times, declaring any conflict of interests or perceived conflict of interests which may have a bearing on their role as a trustee.
• To act in good faith with due care and diligence for the best interests of Age UK London and working within the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• To attend and actively participate in board meetings, contributing own opinions and ensuring that papers are read in preparation for meetings.
• To undertake training and attend induction.
• To respect the confidentiality of matters discussed at board and any other meetings set up by the board.
• To evaluate the performance of the board in relation to the agreed objectives.
• To engage with the wider work of Age UK London and its network.
• Willingness to commit to a minimum of two years in the role.

In addition to the above duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they may have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person Specification

Among your key attributes, we are looking to secure experience at a senior level of public affairs, including how organisations can engage with Government and influence policy through a combination of lobbying and public campaigning, as well as:

• Ability to understand and accept the duties and liabilities of a Trustee and how they  differ from operational management
• Empathy with the vision, mission and values of the charity
• Willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort
• Ability to think and apply knowledge strategically
• Ability to analyse and evaluate management information and any other evidence
• Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively and to participate in discussions
• Ability to work effectively in group situations
•  Ability to constructively challenge and ask questions in an appropriate manner
• Ability to manage difficult/challenging situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality on confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to manage boundaries and conflicts of interest appropriately

Our commitment to diversity

We value equity, diversity and inclusion. We value and respect all the differences that make us who we are, including age, cultural background, ethnicity and race, disability and mental health, neurodiversity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, social background and lived experience.

We believe that effective leadership and good decision-making is enabled through a diverse board membership, a culture of listening to, and acting on, diverse perspectives and, having board behaviours that embody respect, openness and constructive challenge. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our broad and warmly welcome qualified candidates who bring new perspectives.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Age UK London in the recruitment of these roles. Please click here to apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following: 

• Why are you interested in a Trustee role at Age UK London 
• Having read the information pack, what relevant experience and skills do you feel you would bring to this role? This might come from paid work, study, community or voluntary work or other experience.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.

The closing date for applications is 15 September. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with Age UK London during the week beginning 22 September.

Location: Hampshire (Board meetings in person)
Commitment: Approx. 2 days/month, including 5 Finance Committee meetings and 5 Board meetings annually, and ad-hoc conversations with Finance team
Remuneration: Unremunerated voluntary role with expenses reimbursed

A thriving community charity working across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to support children, young people, and families is looking to appoint a Chair of the Finance Committee. They work through early years education, youth services, housing, and outdoor activities, the charity helps individuals belong, contribute, and thrive.

The Board is now seeking a Trustee to Chair the Finance Committee, a key governance role ensuring the charity’s financial sustainability and strategic direction. The successful candidate will provide oversight of financial performance, budgeting, compliance, and long-term planning, working closely with the Board and Executive Leadership Team to support the organisation’s mission and vision.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A professional finance qualification (fully qualified)
• Senior-level experience in financial planning, strategy, and risk management
• Experience in being a Trustee, and/or chairing a committee.
• Familiarity with charity financial management and regulatory requirements (preferred)
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial board members
• A collaborative approach and commitment to the values of the charity

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference to the communities that the charity serves.

Deadline: 14th September | Interviews: w/c 29th September

Are you an expert in finance ? Would you like to be involved in supporting a social justice cause ? Kent Refugee Action Network is looking for a volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. This is a pivotal moment in KRAN's history as we reach the £1 million turnover milestone, and focus on diversifying our income and funding streams, so we are looking for someone who can guide us on our next phase of development. If that sounds like you, please apply by September 8th. 

Join CARAS as Co-Chair of Trustees
Are you passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive environment for refugees and asylum seekers?
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is seeking a Co-Chair to join our Board of Trustees, working alongside our current Co-Chair, who has been in the role for two years and has served on the Board for nine years. Our outgoing Co-Chair will remain as a trustee, ensuring strong continuity.

About CARAS
CARAS works with people from refugee backgrounds to provide practical, educational, and social support. We build relationships, networks, and spaces that enable individuals to access what they need to improve wellbeing and safety. Our dedicated staff and volunteers offer a wide range of activities and services, creating a place of welcome and helping people recognise their skills and develop their potential.

As one of the largest providers of refugee support in South London—particularly for unaccompanied and separated children—we are proud of our agility in responding to changing needs.

The Role of Co-Chair

• Provide strategic leadership to CARAS and the Board, ensuring our mission is achieved.

• Work in partnership with the CEO, staff, and volunteers.

• Lead the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities.

• Strengthen the relationship between the trustees and CARAS’s team.

• Plan and chair Board meetings and the AGM (with others as appropriate).

What We’re Looking For

• Experience as a trustee (chairing experience is not essential).

• A strong sense of strategic purpose.

• Inclusive leadership skills that inspire equal participation.

• Excellent listening and engagement skills, with the ability to encourage healthy debate in a collaborative environment.

• Advocacy skills and willingness to champion CARAS’s work through personal and professional networks.

• A firm commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of a growing charity.

We especially welcome applications from people with lived experience of the UK asylum or immigration system, people of colour, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.

Time Commitment

• Four evening Board meetings per year (alternating between online and at our Tooting office).

• One away day annually (usually on a weekend).

• Membership of working groups.

• Regular meetings with the Co-Chair, CEO, and other trustees.

• Occasional attendance at activities (daytime, evenings, or weekends).

How to Apply
You can also request a conversation with our current Co-Chairs, Helen Gribble and Keith McGuinness, for more information.

Closing Date 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we encourage early submissions.

MenWalkTalk has been developing at a pace and is now looking for new Trustees to help strengthen the Board to continue the growth.

Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that MenWalkTalk achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity ensuring that MenWalkTalk has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable MenWalkTalk to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that Trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

Duties:

• Support and provide advice on MenWalkTalk’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee MenWalkTalk’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Review and approve MenWalkTalk’s financial statements.
• Provide support and challenge to MenWalkTalk’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
• Contribute to regular reviews of MenWalkTalk’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect MenWalkTalk’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of MenWalkTalk’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

As a small charity, there will be times when the Trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

What we are looking for

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. The ideal candidates will have 3 or more years previous governance experience in the UK charity sector.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term of office.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending 6-9 Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held remotely each month.
• Attending 2 annual strategy / training days

Committee membership

Membership of at least one of the Trustee committees attending relevant meetings and reporting back to the Board.

GACD (the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases) is the only alliance of international research funders jointly funding, developing and facilitating global research collaborations to tackle the growing burden of chronic ‘non-communicable diseases’ (NCDs) including heart disease, diabetes, cancers and mental health conditions. The worldwide burden of NCDs is increasing, but doing so most rapidly in poorly resourced countries where they are a significant risk to health and wellbeing. GACD aims to provide essential evidence on the most effective ways to prevent or manage these chronic conditions and improve health equity.

As a member of the GACD Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for GACD as it seeks to fulfil its charitable objects. You will ensure GACD operates in accordance with its governing document and meets its legal and regulatory requirements.

At this time, we are particularly looking to attract a candidate with a strong understanding of the UK charity sector, including experience with charity governance and best practices in charity management.

This is a voluntary role and the position is expected to start from December 2025/January 2026 for a three-year term, in the first instance.
You can find full details of the role by downloading the role description.

Closing date: 26 September 2025 at 12 noon
Interviews (virtual): w/c 13 October 2025

Volunteer Illustrator for Mental Health App Needed!

A volunteer opportunity has opened for a talented Illustrator to join our mental health startup, Running Mammals. We’re looking for someone with a unique style, empathy, and creativity to bring sensitive topics to life through thoughtful, engaging visuals. You’ll collaborate closely with our UX/Product Designer and Graphic Designer to help shape a compassionate user experience.

Responsibilities

• Craft empathetic, visually sensitive illustrations tailored to mental health topics.
• Maintain a distinctive and consistent illustration style aligned with brand tone.
• Collaborate closely with UX/Product Designers and Graphic Designers to support the app’s user experience.
• Translate complex emotions and concepts into user-friendly visuals, supporting accessibility and compassion.
• Manage projects: from initial sketches to final assets, incorporating feedback and ensuring timely delivery.

Key Requirements

• Proficient in digital illustration tools like Procreate (or other industry-recognised tools).
• A strong portfolio showcasing unique style, emotional resonance, and diversity of work.
• Excellent communication, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively within a design team.
• Highly organised: clean file structure, layered assets, and an ability to respond efficiently to feedback in fast-paced environments.

To apply, please include your CV and portfolio.

Treasurer vacancy at the Gender and Development Network   

GADN brings together NGOs, consultants, academics, and activists committed to advancing women’s and girls’ rights, gender equality, and decolonised international development. Our vision is a world where social justice and gender equality prevail, and all women and girls can realise their rights free from discrimination.

We are now recruiting a Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees — a vital leadership role in the financial governance and future direction of our dynamic feminist network. Together with the Co-Chairs, the Treasurer is one of the Officers of the Board, a role which you can hold for a maximum of two 2-year terms. Trustees may serve a maximum of two 3-year terms. 

As we continue working to decolonise our practice and build an anti-racist organisation, we actively welcome applications from Black women and Women of Colour who we recognise are under-represented in decision-making spaces in the UK international development sector.

About the role

As Treasurer, you will:

• Maintain strategic oversight of GADN’s financial affairs on behalf of the Board.
• Provide expert advice to Trustees and the Secretariat on financial planning and stewardship.
• Work closely with the Co-Directors and Secretariat to ensure sound financial systems and decision-making.
• Support the preparation of budgets, accounts, and key legal reporting.

This is a voluntary position requiring approximately 3 days per quarter, including an in-person meeting in London.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking someone with:

• Experience in financial oversight, budgeting, and/or charity finance.
• Strong accountancy or numeracy skills and the ability to communicate financial matters clearly.
• A commitment to GADN’s values, including gender equality, anti-racism, and decolonisation.

Experience in the international development or women’s rights sector is desirable, but not essential.

Please send your CV and cover letter to our email as outlined on our website, referencing the role profile below. The closing date is Tuesday 19 August with interviews held on 2 and 3 September. Please let us know in your email if you are not available on those interview dates.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Catching Lives is looking for a Chair and up to 4 Trustees to join our Board. We are an award-winning homelessness charity with a strong reputation and local presence in East Kent. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. We work to achieve this by supporting people at our Canterbury day centre, providing essential facilities and individual support to improve housing, health and social connection.

Previous experience of charity governance is essential for the role of Chair, while for general Trustees we are interested in a range of professional skills. We also value lived experience of issues such as homelessness and substance dependency.

There are 5 Board meetings a year, plus an AGM and away day, either in our day centre or at another location near Canterbury city centre. Trustees usually meet in person with the option of occasionally joining remotely. For full details please download the recruitment pack.

Please apply by sending your CV or a link to your LinkedIn profile, along with a supporting statement explaining why you are interested in being a trustee at Catching Lives, the skills and experience you will bring to the Board and what you would hope to get out of the role. If you are applying specifically for the Chair role, please mention this in your supporting statement and briefly describe your prior governance experience.

The closing date is 4 September 2025.

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board of Trustees as Vice Chair.
This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that
supports families across Suffolk. As Vice Chair, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO and wider Board to
help shape our strategic direction, support strong governance and ensure we continue to meet the needs of
families in our communities.

We are specifically looking for someone with charity governance experience. You will bring a solid
understanding of how effective boards operate and feel confident supporting other trustees, offering
constructive challenge and helping to ensure the charity meets its legal and strategic responsibilities.
This Vice Chair role is part of our wider trustee recruitment and we welcome applicants who bring any of the
following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

Interested?
We would love to hear from you. more information and a candidate pack can be found on our website.

Closing date: This is an open and rolling recruitment
Interviews: Held as applications are received
 

Role Description

This is a part-time, unpaid role for a Chair of Trustees for Equilore, a mental health charity located in Croughton, Northamptonshire. The Chair of Trustees will be responsible for collaborating with other board members to guide and support the organisational mission, developing and maintaining policies and procedures, ensuring financial stability and accountability, monitoring and evaluating organizational performance, and participating in fundraising and strategic planning activities, working closely with the Founding Director.

Qualifications

• Experience in governance, strategic planning, and policy development in Charities.
• Financial acumen and understanding of non-profit financial management or fundraising
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills
• Commitment to the mission and values of Equilore - Equine Therapy and Learning
• Previous board experience is advantageous
• Background in healthcare, therapy, or equine-related fields is a plus

Time Commitment

• Board meetings: 6 times per year (2–3 hours each, plus prep)
• Regular contact with the Founding Director (monthly check-ins)
• Emails, reviewing documents (budgets, policies, reports)
• Ad hoc support during funding bids, strategic planning, safeguarding issues, or crisis management

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer  Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual;

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering 

To Apply: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.