Recruitment Consultant Volunteer Roles

Willow, a charity that provides special days and experiences for seriously ill young people, seeks to appoint two new board members to help scrutinise and enhance its fundraising strategy.

Willow was founded in 1999 by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, as a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. Anna's 'special days', memorable times she spent with family and friends during this time, was the inspiration for this special charity.

We are keen to hear from candidates who have skills or expertise in the following or similar areas:

Worked as a senior fundraiser in a charity with a range of public fundraising methods, and are used to setting targets and reviewing the effectiveness of different streams of income.

Served on, or supported a range of charity boards and are familiar with charity regulation, including the Charity Commission, HMRC and the Fundraising Regulator. We anticipate that you will join Willow’s governance committee and perhaps serve as a future Chair or Deputy Chair

A Senior Leader (CEO, Executive Director, Fundraising Director) from the charity sector, with particular expertise in fundraising and the use of technology to engage supporters

Trustees will be able to:

Identify with, and be motivated by, the values and objectives of Willow

Think innovatively, critically, independently and strategically, with the ability and a proven track record of translating strategy into operational plans

Demonstrate a consultative, strategic and supportive style

Demonstrate Nolan’s seven principles of public life, namely: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

This is your opportunity to lead the board of an organisation striving to make space for stammering and create a world where stammering is just a difference, no one judges stammering or how people choose to deal with it. Join the board of STAMMA and work with a brilliant community.

• Location: Hybrid, virtual and in-person meetings in London and Manchester

Applications close on Monday 27th May.

Who we are.

STAMMA is a small, award-winning charity with big ambitions working with a brilliant community keen to create space and respect for people who stammer.

Many people who stammer face daily ignorance, discrimination and disrespect. This can affect job prospects and mental health and cause social isolation. It can make a GP appointment a nightmare, stop you from accessing a service altogether and leave you feeling disbelieved. STAMMA is here to change that.

We have embarked on a new three-year strategy – Space to Stammer, to achieve real and practical change for people who stammer and showcase the inadvertent barriers they face. We aim to create a culture where consideration for people who stammer is akin to checking for wheelchair access; it is something to be thought about when it comes to every day like oral exams, customer services, booking GP appointments, online banking, or even being a parliamentarian. Our campaigns are about changing perceptions and have been award-winning and life-changing, and include Make GP Bookings Accessible, It’s How We Talk, No Diversity without Disfluency and campaigning against the Apple suggestion of the Woozy face emoji when the word ‘stammering’ is typed.

We want to reach more people who stammer and grow our base but to do that, we need to expand our training and advocacy services and underpin our whole range of support services, hence, we need to build our income streams.

We believe we’re on the cusp of creating real and long-lasting change for people who stammer. With this, this is a great time to join and lead our board as Chair.

About the roles.

Our new Chair

As our previous Chair, Joanna Gaukroger, stepped down due to illness, we are looking for a new Chair to lead our Board. It is vital that our new Chair shares our passion for creating a world that makes space for stammering, where a stammer is embraced as just a difference, and no one judges a stammer or how someone deals with it. Our new Chair will bring governance experience, be commercial and drive our strategy with our Chief Executive to continue our organisation’s development, including ensuring sustainability. Our new Chair will be committed to making a meaningful impact, foster engagement and strategic thinking.

Our new Chair will work with our ambitious board and executive team to ensure our organisation continues to be innovative and sustainable and champions the rights of those we support. We envisage our Chair as an inclusive leader, ensuring all voices are heard. We must represent our diverse communities, and we support everyone; those who passionately believe there should be no need to hide or control their stammer as well as those who seek more fluent or smoother speech.

Our new Fundraising Trustee

In addition to our new Chair, we are looking for a new Trustee who will bring skills and experience in strategic fundraising. Our new Trustee will have senior leadership experience with fundraising experience, particularly around individual giving, corporate partnerships, and major donor fundraising. Our new Trustee will share our excitement and ambition for change. We are looking for someone who can support us build our fundraising strategies and provide sound advice and challenge.

Time Commitment

The Board meets 6 times a year including an annual general meeting and our national conference – STAMMAFest. Meetings are usually held on a Saturday for 2 – 3 hours online and 4 – 5 in person. 3 of these meetings typically take place online, and 3 can take place in person in different locations across England, including London and Manchester.

We also have several committees; Trustees usually join one sub-committee. Our committees include the Finance Committee, the Fundraising Committee, the Research Committee, and the Membership Committee. Our new Fundraising Trustee will join our Fundraising committee.

We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary. On average, we would expect the equivalent of c.2 days a month, spread across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year. The time commitment of our Fundraising Trustee would be the equivalent of a day a month.

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

Applications for this role close on Monday 27th May. 

Location: London / Online

£5,000 per annum, plus expenses

Quarterly Board Meetings take place in London in person, with the ability to join online for those unable to make an in-person meeting

The Innovation Unit is a dynamic, not for profit social enterprise. With an expert team and board we endeavour to grow and scale the boldest and best innovations, that deliver long term impact for people, address persistent inequalities and transform the systems around them.

We design and deliver innovation programmes that develop new ideas, working with local places, systems and partners to help adoption and adaptation to different contexts and different needs. We also pass on tools and techniques to inspire people to keep innovating, learning and iterating.

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We value everyone’s lived experience, facilitate co-production and we help to reimagine and transform systems. Our approach is intersectional, and we share a core set of beliefs about enabling change that is owned and driven by the people it affects.

About the role

This role offers you the opportunity to sit together with people who are committed to using the power of social innovation to address the most persistent problems we face. The Board and executive have a strong sense of mission and are ambitious and focused on continuing to extend and amplify Innovation Unit’s impact.

Open, generative and productive, the Board brings together diverse experiences that contribute to rich conversations and offers high quality strategic advice, guidance and challenge. As Innovation Unit expands into current and new areas of work, we are looking for different experiences to continue to evolve our business model, deepen our impact and become more embedded in the systems that can affect change.

Who are we looking for?

We value all forms of diversity and thrive on new perspectives and constructive challenge, and we welcome individuals who are ambitious, optimistic and who are inspired to contribute to our future development.  In particular we, are looking for individuals who have expertise in the following areas:

●  Financial Strategy - IU starts 2024/25 in a strong financial position with a positive pipeline of contracts. We welcome someone who can analyse and understand our organisation through a strategic finance lens. Someone who is able to interrogate financial statements and reports to quickly identify core questions about organisational performance, priorities, and developments.

● Philanthropy and generating investment - we would welcome someone who has deep knowledge, strategic experience and credibility of generating investment from trusts and foundations. Expanding this aspect of our portfolio is central to our ability to drive, proactively, the change we want to see in the world.

● A ‘door opener’ - someone who can connect us and our work into public debate, thought leaders, and policy-makers - enabling us to contribute our learning to national conversations, as well as to our partners on the ground.

● Equity, diversity and inclusion - in the context of becoming an anti-racist organisation we are looking for someone who can offer strategic guidance and new perspectives on tackling inequalities within our organisation and through our work.

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

Applications for this role close at  9 a.m. Tuesday 28th May.

Avon Scouts seeks voluntary Trustee

Almondsbury, South Glos Evening Meetings or remote

6 x Meetings Per year

Avon Scouts is an organisation that helps young people to do more, learn more, and be more. They provide adventurous activities and personal development opportunities for people aged 6-25 - helping develop life skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership. Avon Scouts help individuals achieve their full potential by improving their physical, intellectual, and social well-being. They abide by a ‘Learn by doing’ policy, on the basis that young people develop most when they are given responsibility, work in teams, and learn for themselves.

Avon Scout County is one of the largest Scout Counties in the UK, with over 12,000 members and over 4,000 volunteers. They are responsible for a large area, radiating from Bristol to North & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. They have ambitious plans for growth in the coming years, as they aim to enhance the services they provide and increase their reach to more communities. To assist in these developments, they’re seeking a Trustee to join their Board.

Trustees ensure that Avon Scouts operates at peak efficiency and delivers its full potential. The role is focused on strategy performance and assurance. Effective Trustee governance enables volunteers to deliver programmes that give young people skills for life. The Board of Trustees helps mould the vision of Avon Scouts while setting goals and objectives. They will approve operational strategies and evaluate their implementation and performance. Furthermore, Trustees oversee the financial plans and budgets and ensure key risks are identified, monitored and controlled.

The organisation is looking to broaden the diversity of thinking on the Board. They’re hoping to hear from candidates who will bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role. The successful candidate will be a creative thinker, able to work as part of a team and solve problems effectively. They will have strong communication skills and be able to participate in discussions with independent judgment. Ideally, the Trustee will bring an understanding of the different communities that Avon Scouts works in (Bristol, Bath, North & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire). A candidate who can provide insight into the socio-economic inequalities in one or more of these areas is highly desirable. Previous governance experience is not required, as training will be provided. It is far more important that the individual shows enthusiasm for the vision of Avon Scouts, alongside a personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

If you’re passionate about developing the skills young people need to succeed and improving local communities - we’d love to hear from you.

Citizens Advice Staffordshire North & Stoke on Trent

Admin Volunteer – Biddulph Office

We are looking for one or more administration volunteers to provide admin support to our advisers at Biddulph Town Hall. The office is staffed on Mondays and Wednesdays with a drop-in each morning from 10.30am to 1pm and pre-booked appointments in the afternoons.

Where: Citizens Advice Office, Biddulph Town Hall, High St, Biddulph, ST8 6AR.

When: Minimum of one morning or afternoon per week (3 hours) on a Monday and / or Wednesday.

What will you do?

• Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role.
• Help with the day to day running of the Citizens Advice service.
• Assist at drop-ins by greeting clients, assisting clients to fill in a personal information sheet and entering the data onto a database.
• Scan, print, and photocopy documents using a printer.
• Update spreadsheets and databases.
• Any other admin duties as required.

What’s in it for you?

• Gain and build on valuable skills and experience such as communication, admin, IT skills and working in a team.
• Increase your employability.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the advice service which makes a real difference to peoples’ lives.
• Work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.

And we’ll pay towards travel expenses too.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
• Have good IT skills.
• Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
• Be willing to undertake training in your role.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

If you are interested in becoming an admin volunteer and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.

Contact details

Call or email Margaret Collin to request an application pack. You are also welcome to contact Margaret if you have any questions before you apply.

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

We are partnering with the Social Interest Group (‘SIG’) to appoint new Trustees to join their board.  SIG brings charities together to work under one umbrella focusing on delivering good quality social and health care services.  They support people who are in the criminal justice system, stepping down from hospital recovering from mental ill health and those moving away from periods of homelessness, recovering from substance and alcohol issues.

Their Mission is to create powerful partnerships and solutions that bridge the gaps in local health and social care so people can live happy, healthy, productive and fulfilled lives.

SIG (the parent company), their subsidiaries SIG Penrose, SIG Housing Trust, SIG Equinox, SIG Pathways to Independence and SIG Safe Ground, work to tackle social and health care inequalities and fill gaps in service provision in order to ensure that people in our society have every opportunity to live fulfilled, healthy and constructive lives.

Through their values they are committed to:

• Delivering excellence and innovation
• Promoting equality and mutual respect
• A belief that positive change is possible
• Involving and consulting service users
• Active citizenship and community involvement
• Valuing staff, harnessing their full potential

They are keen to have an inclusive board, therefore backgrounds and experience is less important as the need for the passion, ambition and interest to help SIG fulfil its mission is the primary requirement. 

As mentioned, your background is less important but if you are in IT, Public Relations & Marketing, Operations, (maybe you have or are a COO) engaged in the medical profession with an emphasis on mental health, a service user or carer is of interest to the current board.

The successful candidates will demonstrate:

• A clear commitment to the mission and values of the Group
• The capacity to participate actively and from an informed position.
• A willingness to use personal networks and resources of relevance to their charitable purpose.
• A passion for their work, and to promoting SIG and its subsidiaries as an organisation.
• A firm understanding and respect for the Nolan Principles of Public Life

Meetings are held in the evening at their head office in the Angel/Highbury & Islington area or virtually; there are 4 meetings plus one ‘away day’ each year. The total time commitment is in the region of eight hours per month.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date for applications: 6 May 2024

Interviews: TBC

ESU invites a visionary leader to join our education committee to help shape the future of oracy education globally whilst supporting the creation and development of new ventures and a new 5-year strategy.

Applications close on: Monday 29th April 2024

Location: Dartmouth House, 37 Charles St, London W1J 5ED

About The English-Speaking Union (ESU)

The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth is a membership organisation with a charitable purpose. It was founded by the journalist Sir Evelyn Wrench in 1918 and is governed by a Royal Charter, granted by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. The Princess Royal is the President.

The ESU is best known for its extensive work in supporting children and young people to develop speaking and listening (oracy) skills through primary education programmes, public speaking competitions and debate.

The ESU is an international organisation with a network of 54 national ESUs, each operating independently and according to its own jurisdiction. The ESU provides secretariat to the International Council.

The international headquarters of the ESU are at Dartmouth House, one of the most notable properties in Mayfair.

It is Grade II Listed and is scheduled as a building of national importance. The venue is operated under licence by Graysons, who run weddings, private events, corporate activities and service our members.

The ESU also operates a private members’ club at Dartmouth House, where members establish new friendships and networks through its varied events programme.

We plan to refurbish our Grade II listed building in the heart of Mayfair whilst retaining our heritage and maximising our opportunities.

We plan to develop our volunteering strategy and grow our network of volunteers nationally and from within our existing membership and new audiences.

Alongside planning to establish our fundraising capability to grow, diversify and enhance our education and membership offers and establishing our new fundraising strategy.

ESU is not just an organisation; it’s a lifelong community. Our vibrant domestic and international membership network is the cornerstone of our charitable work, fostering connections that last a lifetime.

About the role

We have just appointed several new Trustees to our board and are looking to appoint a new Co-opted Advisor who can offer us support, guidance, challenge, and strategic advice through our education committee.

You will join us as we embark on new ventures to develop our site and offer, diversify our income streams, grow our volunteering and ultimately create our next 5-year strategy.

The co-opted advisor will have a one-year term.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an advisor with experience preferably at senior leadership level in secondary education, however, we are open to people with experience in primary and further education.

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

Applications for this role close on Monday 29th April 2024

Location: The Bandstand, Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ

When: Sunday 12th May, 10am - 4pm 

Supervised by: Volunteer Manager

On Sunday 12th May, The Passage will be having our first ever Walk to End Homelessness in Battersea Park. There will be three different distances around the park to choose from, 2.5km, 5km, or 10km, all of which are wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Our event village around the Battersea Bandstand will open at 11am, with entertainment and refreshments, and the walk will begin at 12pm.

About this role 

As a route marshal for our Walk to End Homelessness, you will be helping ensure the safety and smooth flow of the event. You will be positioned along one of the three routes in Battersea Park to guide our walkers, provide directions, and offer assistance or support if needed. You may also need to communicate with the Volunteer Manager to report any issues that might arise during the walk. Overall, your responsibility will be to ensure that our participants have an enjoyable and safe experience during the Walk to End Homelessness, collectively supporting those facing or at risk of homelessness in London as a community. 

 You will be one of 8 Route Marshalls and be supervised by the Volunteer Manager.

 Main Duties:

• Guiding walkers along the designated routes in Battersea Park
• Providing directions and answering questions from walkers
• Reporting any issues to the Volunteer Manager
• Offering support and encouragement to walkers
• Maintaining a positive and friendly attitude throughout the event

 Desired Qualities:

• Aged 18 or over
• Great punctuality
• Good communication with the walkers and other volunteers
• Comfortable standing for extended periods
• An inclusive and non-judgmental attitude 

 How we will support you

Volunteers are essential to The Passage and our success. Our team of volunteers add tremendous value to our services. 

Your travel expenses will be reimbursed and you will receive a free lunch and a complimentary t-shirt to wear during the event.

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

We are looking for a Lay (external) Trustee to join our Board of Trustees with strong financial experience and who is also able to commit to Chair our Finance, Audit & Risk Committee. This is an incredibly exciting time to join Imperial College Union. This year we launched our new strategic plan, designed to guide our charity to become a highly effective, impactful and sustainable organisation. Joining us means joining a Board responsible for the strategic direction of our charity. Being a trustee in a students’ union is an extremely rewarding experience. You will get the opportunity to work in close partnership with student representatives, many of whom are just embarking on their leadership journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to mentor and support our future leaders, imparting your own experience and industry knowledge to help them develop and thrive.

The Organisation

We are an exciting, inclusive membership charity and our core purpose is to represent, support and empower all 24,000 students studying at Imperial College London. We work in close partnership with Imperial College London and are proud to deliver services to support students studying at one of the world’s truly outstanding higher education institutions.

Imperial College Union is one of the oldest students’ unions in the UK. We exist to support and empower Imperial students, to ensure they get the most from their university experience. There is so much that makes Imperial College Union special. We are lucky to work in a historic campus environment located in a bustling, beautiful part of London. Imperial students are some of the highest performing and dedicated students in the world. They are hugely committed to their university education and want to get the most from their experience. This means they are incredibly engaged and keen to participate in the activities we offer.

More information about Imperial College Union can be found on the website. 

The Role

We are interested in receiving applications from individuals keen to provide strategic direction to our organisation and work with us to ensure we develop and thrive in the future. As a trustee you will focus on:

• Helping ensure that we comply with any charity law, rules and regulations governing our work

• Actively contributing to Board discussions to provide clear strategic direction for our charity

• Helping to promote the values and safeguard the reputation of Imperial College Union

• Working collaboratively with other trustees and our Managing Director to contribute to the effective and efficient operations of our organisation

• Ensuring our charity’s governance is of the highest standard.

Person specification

In addition to the above, we would like to receive applications from individuals experienced in these areas: 

· Strong financial acumen including financial planning, management, and strategy

· Familiarity with financial reporting requirements and regulatory compliance

· Knowledge of financial and broader risk management and the ability to identify and mitigate potential risks

· Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders

· Understanding and acceptance of the role’s legal duties and responsibilities

· Collaborative mindset to work within a team environment

· Commitment to the charity’s objectives, aims and values and willingness to devote sufficient time to carry out responsibilities

Please download the Candidate Information Pack for further information.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about joining the Imperial College Union board and believe you have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply with the following:

• An up-to-date CV

• A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, detailing why you would like to be considered, your relevant experience and expertise and what you think you can bring to the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Trustees Unlimited (part of the Russam group).

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, alternatively please contact Melissa Baxter at Trustees Unlimited/Russam.

Closing date for applications: Friday 3rd May 2024

Interview with Imperial College Union: Monday 20th May 2024

We hope you will join us on our journey.

Join the governing body of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, and share your knowledge of finance, audit/risk or law to support the organisation deliver their exceptional outcomes for both learners and apprentices.

Location: Leicestershire and Warwickshire

Applications close at  9 a.m. Friday 3rd May.

Who we are.

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College is a medium-sized general further education college that serves south Leicester and Leicestershire and the north of Warwickshire, including the districts of Blaby, Oadby and Wigston and Harborough and the boroughs of Nuneaton and Bedworth, North Warwickshire and Hinckley and Bosworth. The College operates from campuses in Wigston, Nuneaton, Hinckley town centre and a further specialist construction centre in Hinckley.

About the role.

North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College’s governing body, known as the Corporation Board, has an inclusive, collaborative and respectful culture. The governing body includes 10 external members in addition to the Principal & CEO, a staff member and a student member. The Corporation Board currently holds 4 formal meetings a year (to be reduced to 3 meetings a year in 2024/24), together with a Strategy Day and a Creative meeting, and in addition to the four different committees that also meet throughout the academic year. These meetings take place both in person and online.

The role of a governor is to be a critical friend of the College, offering appropriate scrutiny and challenge, whilst also offering insightful thoughts and ideas for future opportunities. Governors add value to the board through increased diversity of thought and add value, based on each individual’s experience, to the organisation’s strategic plan.

Governors provide a great level of expertise within their specialist fields and encourage a collaborative and inclusive environment, ensuring that their work is to the highest standard. Governors work in close partnership with the senior management team to ensure the College’s objectives are achieved, and the experience and outcomes for students are at the forefront of their decisions.

Who we are looking for.

You will need to have a passion for education and understand the benefits that education can bring, not only to the learners but also to the wider community. You will share the values of the College and aspire to achieve great things for the College’s students, staff and community.

The College seeks to engage candidates with experience in leadership and management and who can demonstrate a successful track record throughout their career in creating positive impact and change. Ideally, candidates will bring experience in chairing meetings in either a leadership or non-executive capacity, though this is not essential.

The College is currently looking to recruit governors with experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Financial Expertise – Professionally qualified with experience in strategic financial planning or the analysis of financial management accounts is desirable for this area of expertise.
• Legal Expertise – This experience can be drawn from a variety of sectors, including but not limited to, law firms, company secretary roles, general counsel, and governance advisory roles.
• Audit Expertise – We welcome senior leaders who have experience in overseeing and the development of internal and external audit, compliance, and risk management.

Previous board experience is not essential for this role and full training will be provided.

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

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 3rd May 2024.

Help us reduce loneliness and increase happiness in older people in Northwest Leeds.

Location: Northwest Leeds

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th May

Who we are.

Set up in 1994 by local people, BEA/OWLS is a community-based charity with a community interest company called UpBEAt, which runs Bramley Community Shop. In 2011, we set up Older Wiser Local Seniors (OWLS) to provide the Neighbourhood Network Service in Headingley, Burley, Hyde Park and parts of Kirkstall. We currently have around 1,500 members.

With a small staff team and 200 volunteers, we work with a range of partner organisations, both voluntary and statutory, to improve health, increase happiness, and reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people.

At a strategic level, we seek to influence local and city-wide policy development as active members of the community and Leeds’ third sector. We share good practices whilst at the same time learning from others.

Our strategic aims are to:

• Increase membership of the charity and the happiness of our members.
• Be more effective and efficient.
• Further engage our members, volunteers and staff, and ensure that we remain sustainable as an organisation.

About the roles.

The Chair of the Board will manage Board meetings, support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board of Trustees is well-inducted, managed and developed to be effective and efficient in its governance responsibilities.

Committee Chairs will bring their HR and Finance experience to strengthen the technical capability of our committees. As well as Chairing the Committee Meetings, Committee Chairs will lead the strategic development of key finance and people issues.

Other people who want to be Trustees, regardless of background, will help to maintain oversight of the financial health and sustainability of the organisation and ensure that our resources are managed in a way that achieves the charity’s objectives.

Who we are looking for.

First and foremost, we are looking for local people committed to helping older people live happy lives in our community. A willingness to invest the time and effort in delivering for local older people is important to us.

Specifically, we are looking for a Chair of the Board who is ambitious for the organisation, is comfortable building a good local profile and can develop influential relationships with partners and other stakeholders. The Chair will run the Board meetings, support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive and continue to drive Board Member engagement and effectiveness.

We are looking for Committee Chairs with specialist backgrounds in finance and HR to lead the Money Committee and People Committee.

We are open to the other backgrounds of people who wish to put themselves forward as Trustees.

All Trustees need to think strategically, challenge constructively and listen to others to ensure that we are inclusive and all voices are heard.

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

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th May

We are currently experiencing the most significant threats to refugee protection in the UK since the UN Convention was signed in 1951.

Against this backdrop, The Asylum Reform Initiative (ARI) is an alliance of leading groups working in collaboration to secure deep-rooted change in the refugee and asylum system. It includes the British Red Cross, Citizens UK, Freedom from Torture, NACCOM, One Strong Voice, Rainbow Migration, Refugee Action, Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council.
 
The ARI incubated, launched and supports the public-facing Together With Refugees coalition, which now has over 600 national and local member organisations taking collective action to project widespread support for a positive alternative approach into public and political debate.

The Asylum Reform Initiative is now seeking to appoint its first independent Chair.

This is a unique opportunity for an inclusive, collaborative leader to work with a highly talented and committed team to develop and drive the ARI forward with passion and humility. The Chair will play an integral role in providing inclusive governance leadership, enabling each member to fulfil their duties and responsibilities and to maximise impact.

We are seeking someone with significant experience of leadership and governance, who is deeply committed to reshaping the UK’s approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. A strategic thinker who is willing to engage with relevant policy issues around refugee and asylum.

Furthermore, the ARI’s Chair will be committed to anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion, and in particular lived experience inclusion. They will display the highest personal standards regarding integrity and transparency, and be a positive, collaborative, and inclusive leader.

Recruitment Timetable 
Deadline for applications: 12th May 2024

Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 20th May 2024
 
Interviews with the Asylum Reform Initiative: From 3rd June

Finance Director

Road Farm Countryways CIC is looking for a Director/Trustee to join the existing leadership team of 5. This important role will ensure the efficient delivery of wellbeing and skills to a wide community of ages, including those with learning, physical and mental health challenges. We are keen to encompass diversity and we would find it especially beneficial to have someone experienced in health and disability or social care. We’re entering our 10th Year and have a new Business Plan to deliver. 

What will you be doing?

Road Farm Countryways CIC is looking for another Director /Trustee to join the existing leadership team. We normally have 4-5 voluntary Directors and have an additional group of volunteers more involved with our regular farm helpers on a daily basis.

This vital role includes:

• Improving the quality and sustainability of Countryway’s Care Farming service to people with disabilities.
• Developing and promoting new initiatives, especially considering online options and social media.
• Promoting Care Farming and education opportunities here, incorporating life skills, especially for those transitioning to adulthood.
• Networking with other organisations and sectors in society (e.g. local authorities, health and social care agencies, educational institutions, businesses, other voluntary organisations)
• Developing opportunities to address mental health problems and anxiety amongst families and individuals, especially following the impact of Covid-19

Where and how?

• Flexible hours, but we tend to have a monthly meeting of up to 2 hours (which can be held remotely) with additional communication by phone or email as necessary.
• Own Transport is preferable as there is no direct public transport to the farm. Reasonable out of pocket expenses can be met and some training provided.
• A DBS check may be required.

What may also be helpful?

• Enthusiasm for farming and wildlife and its links to human well-being.
• Experience of working in the charitable sector.
• Experience of health and social care
• Interest in Social Prescribing
• Interest in traditional country craft skills.
• Ability to follow social media

What are we looking for?

Vital qualities of our preferred candidate:

• Patient and determined individual with time available.
• Can work in a team but able to take initiative and get a job done
• Experience in the health and/or education sector
• passion for enabling those with disabilities to be active
• compassion for families and carers
• Computer and IT literate
• Confident at networking
• Interest in the countryside and farming

Additional experience or skills in the following would be helpful:

• teaching /education
• interest or experience in occupational therapist
• interested in recovery/rehabilitation following injury to make links with the Spinal Injuries Unit etc. 
• crafts, whether woodwork, sewing, basket making, painting etc
• interest in fundraising
• willingness to help with occasional events
• skill in social networking

What difference will you make?

Having worked with young adults with learning difficulties for the past 10 years, we have now improved our facilities and can include physically disabled people, those retired for health reasons, as well as provide space for addressing the mental health needs of many people impacted by anxiety or bereavement, especially through Covid-19. We can also provide more specific skills training to a range of ages, including school age, as well as environmental benefits and engagement with nature through wildlife and active conservation on the farm. 

These are critical growth points and your involvement will have direct impact on many, helping us have a clear focus and giving us the energy and man-power to deliver.  It will help people of all ages, with a range of needs, to learn new things and be able to interact more easily in an everyday environment, having a huge positive impact on their families and beyond.  Your help in guiding the organisation will enable people to learn new skills, feel included and better prepared to face the day ahead.  Bonus...we're excited and hope you will be too.

What's in it for the volunteer?

The setting of Road Farm in the midst of the Chiltern Hills is fantastic and inspiring, especially if you love animals and wildlife.  Enjoy being part of a team and making a massive difference to many different ages - we have school groups, Scouts, Guides, Cubs, WI, Rotary, Colleges, U3A. You will meet many different kinds of people both within our organisation and around the Networks we have with other local and national organisations. We encourage training and have a brief induction programme to follow.  If you feel stressed, just sit and talk with the turkeys, hug Joey the donkey or bask under blue sky!

A few more details

Whilst we are looking for a further Director, we also have roles for Fundraising, Online Engagement (e.g. social media, editing/film You Tube), Ambassador, General Helpers. Do contact us if you can help us deliver better.

Objectives

Road Farm Countryways CIC is committed to enabling farm and countryside interaction to improve well-being, self-worth and promote learning, especially for those rarely able to access it. We work with people with many different life challenges and educational interests including those with learning difficulties, complex needs, physical and mental health problems, providing active Care Farming involvement with animals and learning life skills to help maintain our countryside.  Many of our farm helpers cannot cope in large social settings or corporate establishments, but here feel part of a real working environment and become more confident, capable of interaction, self-control and independence, amongst many other positive things. They know that here, they matter.  They develop greater independence and improved work and social skills as well as better physical health which impacts their whole wellbeing and indirectly influences their home and family setting for the better.

We also provide educational and special interest group visits, enabling people of all ages to actively learn more about farming and biodiversity interactions, helping develop a love of the outdoors and sustainability. There are opportunities to cook farm field to fork and get involved with crafts too, with an excellent wood-work shop to include all levels of skill.  Everyone can do something well and need to know they can, so we try to help this happen!

Activities

By interaction and care with animals (donkeys, goats, hens, turkeys, sheep, cattle etc) and maintaining the countryside (eg coppicing; woodland maintenance, work on bee-hives & bird boxes) in a beautiful, non-threatening place, our service users get involved, learn skills and feel a sense of purpose and inclusion. These can be one-off visits or structured programmes over many months or years with supported learning and reflection built in. All visits are strictly pre-arranged and vary according to individual needs.

Other information

Where 

Great Missenden, HP16 9LS
Mainly at home

Travel limit 

Volunteers should preferably be within 15 miles. 
Meetings can be online.

Time

Mostly outside office hours. 
Estimate of time needed: 1-3 hours / week. Meeting monthly or every 6 weeks for approx 2 hours. We would hope for an involved Director to give a few hours per week, albeit often homebased.

Deadline

9th May 2024

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

Aylesbury Wheels For All - Active In The Community

Role Title: Disability Cycling Volunteer

About Active In The Community

AITC aims to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be more physically active in an accessible and affordable way across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire.

Information of our Wheels For All session

Wheels For All is an inclusive cycling project, with adapted cycles that cater for individuals with disabilities for all ages. We offer an accessible and creative way for people and their families to be active together. Run by volunteers, these sessions are open to all individuals, as we aim to make cycling inclusive and accessible to everyone.

We have a range of volunteering roles to meet what you can offer, examples of role responsibility can be seen below:

• Completing session registration
• Meeting and greeting individuals
• Helping participants pick a bike to ride
• Supporting and encouraging participants throughout the session
• Making tea and coffee for participants and guests

Benefits of volunteering at our sessions

• Build social connections that can lead to new friendships or even mentorship or job opportunities
• Contribute to the well-being of others in your community
• See the positive impact your help will have on participants and their families attending the sessions
• Skill development, for example: communication, leadership skills, project management experience
• Can be provided with a CV reference

Location

The Kingsbrook School, Armstrongs Flds, Bierton, Aylesbury, HP22 7BR

Hours

Sundays 11am - 1pm (running weekly starting from the 19th May into October

Flexible - If you are available every week or even just a couple of times per month, we would love to see you there!

Support/Training

Before our sessions begin, we will be hosting a training session for all the volunteers, enabling the opportunity to meet others, find out more information of what the role consists of and have a look at all the bikes we have. We will also cover costs of regular volunteers for a safeguarding course, a DBS check and uniform.

For more information or for any further questions please email us or visit our website. 

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