496 Volunteer roles in North West

Help shape our next chapter

Could your experience help more people with sight loss live with confidence, independence and connection? Join our Board and help guide a charity with 150 years of local impact as we shape the next chapter of our work.

We welcome people with different professional backgrounds and life experiences. Experience of supporting people, leading organisations or improving how they work would be especially valuable. You do not need to have been a trustee before.

About Vision Support

Established in 1876, Vision Support works across Cheshire, Halton, Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire. We provide practical and emotional support, while working with people with vision impairments to challenge barriers and create more opportunities.

Our services include independent living support, home visiting, digital skills, benefits advice, counselling, befriending and peer support. From helping someone use accessible technology to supporting them through the emotional impact of sight loss, our work helps people take part in everyday life on their own terms.

Our purpose is simple: no one should experience vision impairment alone. Our vision is a society in which people are connected, confident and capable, with equal opportunities to lead fulfilled lives.

Our values in practice

Developed with people with vision impairments, staff and trustees, our values guide how we work and how we govern. As a trustee, you will help us put them into practice by:

· Standing alongside people with vision impairments and making sure their voices influence decisions and positive change.

· Working together to shape services that make a meaningful difference.

· Acting honestly and with integrity, respecting each person’s choices, independence and dignity.

· Showing care, empathy, respect and reliability.

· Championing inclusion, diversity and equality, and leading by example.

The purpose of the role

Working with fellow trustees, you will help set our direction, oversee our performance and protect our long-term future. You will bring your own perspective, ask thoughtful questions and offer constructive challenge and support to the Chief Executive. The Board holds collective responsibility for the charity; day-to-day management is delegated to the Chief Executive and staff team.

What you will do

· Shape our strategy and priorities, keeping people with vision impairments central to decisions.

· Ensure we pursue our charitable purposes for public benefit, comply with our governing document and the law, and fulfil your duties as a company director.

· Act in the charity’s best interests with independent judgement, reasonable care and skill, and proper management of conflicts of interest.

· Oversee financial sustainability, resources, risks and service impact.

· Oversee governance, safeguarding, policies, statutory reporting and delegated decisions.

· Promote an inclusive culture that supports staff and volunteers and reflects our values.

· Prepare for Board meetings, participate in trustee learning and contribute to agreed committees or projects.

· Represent Vision Support positively and build relationships and support for our work.

What you will bring

You will bring commitment to our purpose and values, sound judgement and a willingness to learn. You should be able to assess information, think strategically, listen and challenge respectfully. Reliability, confidentiality and time to contribute are essential.

We particularly welcome experience in one or more of the following areas:

· People management, organisational development, workplace culture or inclusive leadership.

· Strategy, governance, organisational change or business leadership.

· Fundraising, communications, marketing or partnership development.

These are areas of interest, not an exhaustive checklist. We value lived experience of sight loss, disability or barriers to inclusion. Charity experience and specialist knowledge of vision impairment are not essential.

What you can gain

You will influence local services, put your skills to work for a clear social purpose and develop your governance experience, supported by induction, trustee learning and your fellow Board members.

Practical details and applying

The role is unpaid. The indicative commitment is around four hours per month, including quarterly Board meetings in Chester, preparation and occasional contributions between meetings. Additional committee work may require more time. Trustees will receive a full induction into the role. Trustees serve three-year terms, with re-election subject to the governing document. Appointment is subject to eligibility and appropriate checks.

We welcome all backgrounds, particularly lived experience of vision impairment and perspectives underrepresented on charity boards. Please tell us about adjustments that would help you apply or undertake the role.