Volunteer roles

Trustee

Location: Cannock, Staffordshire (Hybrid – UK-based applicants only)

Time commitment: Minimum 4 board meetings/year + occasional involvement

Remuneration: Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Closing date: 31 October 2025

About Newlife

As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.

Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career development.

Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives every day.

We’re now seeking new Trustees to strengthen our Board and help shape the future of our vital work.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome applications from individuals with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and our mission. We are particularly interested in candidates who bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Retail & Commercial – helping us grow and develop our network of charity shops and enterprise initiatives.
• Digital Systems & Infrastructure – supporting digital transformation, data management, and IT governance.
• Disability – lived or professional experience of disability, access and inclusion.
• Children’s Services – knowledge of child development, safeguarding, or children’s policy.

Previous trustee or governance experience is welcome but not essential. We offer support and induction for all new trustees.

Trustee responsibilities

• Attend and contribute to quarterly Board meetings (hybrid format, with at least one in-person meeting in Cannock annually)
• Provide strategic direction and oversight
• Uphold good governance and regulatory compliance
• Contribute to committees or working groups aligned with your expertise
• Act as an ambassador for Newlife, upholding our values and promoting our work
• Trustees are expected to dedicate time to meeting preparation, email communications, and occasional events, equating to roughly 1–2 hours per month outside of meetings.

Why join us?

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of disabled children and their families. You’ll contribute to meaningful change, work alongside passionate and skilled colleagues, and help guide a respected national charity into its next chapter.

How to apply

To apply, please email your CV and a brief covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience by 31 October 2025.

Informal conversations with the Chair can be arranged upon request. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview and a visit to meet the team and learn more about our work.

REF-223 793

Trustees x 2 (Chair of Audit & Risk Committee and member of the Finance, Investment & Resources Committee)

Join our Board and support us as we embark on a new chapter; launching our ambitious five-year strategy focused on helping more children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability to live the best life possible.

• Location: Tadworth Court, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5RU
• Applicatiosn close on Friday 17th October

Who we are

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability. With a clear vision for the future and a renewed leadership team, we are positioned to lead innovation in childhood brain injury and neurodisability rehabilitation. We have an ambitious new strategic direction focusing on innovative rehabilitation approaches that will help more children rebuild their lives after brain injury and neurodisability, and we’re seeking exceptional Trustees to help guide us through this transformational phase.

Every year, 40,000 children in the UK acquire a brain injury and neurodisability through accident or illness, often losing fundamental abilities like walking, talking, or feeding themselves. At The Children’s Trust, we help these children rebuild not just their skills, but their confidence and self-esteem. Through our unique combination of therapy, healthcare, education and joyful activities, we show children what they can achieve rather than focusing on what they cannot do.

Based at our specialist centre in Tadworth, Surrey, we deliver residential rehabilitation, operate a pioneering special school, and provide community services that reach families across the country. With recent CQC and Ofsted inspections continuing to be extremely positive, we are about to launch our ambitious five-year strategy, focused on helping more children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability to live the best life possible. There has never been a more important time to join us.

About the role

We have made a number of key appointments to the Board and senior leadership team in the last 12-18 months, including a new Chair and Chief Executive. With some of our longest serving Trustees approaching the end of their terms, we are looking to make further appointments to our Board and committees to bring fresh, external perspective, challenge and leadership.

We are seeking two outstanding individuals to join our Board as Trustees, each bringing distinct expertise to support our continued growth and excellence.

• Chair of Audit & Risk Committee:

This pivotal role will take over from our departing Chair of the committee when her second term concludes in April 2025. We need someone with substantial financial expertise and a deep understanding of governance and risk management who can provide both effective oversight and practical support. The ideal candidate will have recent experience with audit committees and external audits, bringing the technical knowledge and confidence to engage with auditors when necessary.

While we’re open to various professional backgrounds, some understanding of regulation and the charity context would be particularly valuable.

Above all, we need someone who understands what good governance, risk management and Board assurance looks like and can help us maintain the highest standards in a regulated environment.

• Finance, Investment & Resources Committee Member:

Our second Trustee will join a committee that covers not just finance, but the full spectrum of our resources, including estates, people, and digital infrastructure. This is very much about financial management and commercial acumen rather than purely technical accounting.

We’re looking for someone who has run operations and can contribute to the strategic changes we’re implementing. Whether you’re a CEO, COO, or senior leader with a financial background, we want someone who brings that broader perspective of leading and managing an organisation and can help support executive leaders.

Who we are looking for

Both roles require Trustees who align with our mission and are genuinely excited by our work with children with brain injury and neurodisability. You’ll be joining a Board that’s been significantly refreshed over the past two years. We’re particularly committed to increasing diversity on our Board and would be especially pleased to hear from candidates with lived experience of brain injury, neurodisability, disability or neurodiversity, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, lower socio-economic backgrounds, or who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ communities.

You’ll need to be an effective communicator who can build relationships across our organisation, absorb complex information, and think laterally to find pragmatic solutions. Most importantly, you must be able to commit the time needed to help drive the charity forward through this period of change, demonstrating high ethical standards and a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Time Commitment

We estimate both roles require approximately the equivalent of two days per month.

This includes preparation for and attendance at board meetings, which typically meet 6 times a year, including our annual strategy away day, and committee meetings (committees typically meet 4-6 times annually). Outside of the formal meeting schedule,  it is likely that additional time for relationship building and ad hoc discussions with the executive team and fellow board members.

Board meetings take place in person at our Tadworth site, in Surrey, though we maintain flexibility for online participation where appropriate. Committee meetings are generally held online.

This is an ideal time to join The Children’s Trust. We have stable finances, a clear strategic direction, and the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation in childhood brain injury rehabilitation.

If you’re looking for a trustee role where you can make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable children in our society, where your expertise will be valued and utilised, and where you’ll be part of a forward-looking organisation with genuine ambition for the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ 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 Friday 17th October.

Graphic Designer: Create the Face of a Movement

Do you have a talent for visual storytelling and a passion for shaping a brand's identity from the ground up? Urban Youth is looking for a creative Graphic Designer to craft the visual identity that will attract and inspire young people.

We are a brand-new youth work charity committed to bringing young people in London, aged 11-19, together. We want to get them off their screens and into the real world, forging connections, building social and teamwork skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

This isn't just a design project; it's about giving a voice to a new movement. Your mission is to create a logo and brand identity that are fresh, bold, and irresistible to young Londoners.

In this vital role, you will:

• Design the Core: Develop our charity's logo and core brand identity.

• Create the Look: Design a visual style guide that is both modern and memorable, appealing directly to our target audience of 11-19 year-olds.

• Attract the Crowd: Ensure our brand's look and feel is exciting and inviting, encouraging young people to get off their screens and join our community.

• Build the Foundation: Lay the visual groundwork for all our future communications, from social media to flyers and website design.

We're looking for someone with a strong portfolio, a keen eye for youth-focused design trends, and a deep understanding of what resonates with today's teenagers. Your creativity will directly influence our ability to connect with the very people we aim to serve.

If you're ready to create the face of a movement and help us build a brighter future for young Londoners, we want to hear from you.

Be a visionary. Be an artist. Create our brand.

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures

Events Volunteers support the wide-ranging programme of events at the National Science and Media Museum, including Bradford Science Festival, Widescreen Weekend and Yorkshire Games Festival. Volunteers have the flexibility to choose events they are interested in volunteering at and have availability to support. 2025 is a big year for the museum and for the Bradford District as UK City of Culture; our flagship events will be bigger and bolder than ever. These events are usually held at the museum and occasionally at external venues.

The next opportunity to get involved is Bradford Science Festival, 25 October – 2 November 2025. Across 9 days, expect hands-on science activities for all ages to explore. This year's theme is all about the future of technology, fashion, climate, sound, and food. Don’t worry if you don’t have a science background; just bring your enthusiasm for helping our visitors make the most of their visit. We’ll provide a full briefing to help you understand what’s on and where.

This role gives volunteers the opportunity to make a difference as part of a lively programme of high-quality public events and activities. In this role, volunteers help the event run smoothly by assisting with activities and providing friendly customer service to all visitors. It also gives them the opportunity to meet new people with similar interests, meet colleagues across the museum, and gain valuable experience supporting public events.

In this role you will:

• Assist staff with the smooth delivery of events and activities
• Provide excellent customer service to all visitors, including a warm welcome and promoting what’s on and where
• Support visitors waiting to take part in activities and help make sure queues are managed positively
• Help with the set up and pack down of events and activities
• Assist in visitor surveys and data-gathering

What you’ll bring to the role: 
This role is perfect for people who:

• Are friendly, approachable, and enjoy working as part of a team and chatting with people
• Have the confidence to meet people from all walks of life
• Are reliable and able to follow instructions

It would be good if you:

• Have customer service experience
• Are proactive and willing to take initiative where needed 

We are seeking two Non-Executive Directors to join the Board of St Helena Hospice Trading Lts, the wholly owned trading subsidiary of St Helena Hospice. As we continue to diversify our income to support specialist palliative and bereavement care across North East Essex, our trading company plays a vital role in generating sustainable revenue through retail and enterprise.

We are now seeking two new Non-Executive Directors to strengthen our Board:

• A commercial retail leader with experience in high street, online, or multi-site operations
• A finance professional with senior-level experience in financial strategy, risk, and performance

You will join a dynamic, commercially focused Board committed to growing our trading activity with purpose and impact. Your expertise will help us sharpen our business model, enhance profitability, and ensure our trading arm continues to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Youth Programme Manager: Design the Future for Young Londoners

Are you a creative visionary with a passion for designing unforgettable experiences? Do you have a knack for turning a great idea into a tangible, inspiring activity? Urban Youth is looking for a dynamic and innovative Youth Programme Manager to craft the activities that will be at the very heart of our mission.

We are a brand-new youth work charity committed to bringing young people in London, aged 11-19, together. We want to get them off their screens and into the real world, forging connections, building social and teamwork skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

This isn't a role for the faint of heart; you'll be the architect of adventure, connection, and growth. Your mission is to create one-off and short-term programmes that get young people off their phones and into a world of real-life interaction.

In this vital role, you will:

• Innovate: Design and develop engaging activities and workshops that align with Urban Youth's mission to boost young people's social skills, teamwork abilities, and confidence.

• Create Impact: Craft programmes that provide positive, hands-on experiences and help young people build memories that will last a lifetime.

• Collaborate: Work closely with our Volunteer Coordinator and team to bring your programmes to life.

• Be a Catalyst: Ensure our activities are not just fun, but truly help young people build the skills and resilience they'll need for a successful future.

We're looking for someone with a creative spark, excellent organisational skills, and a deep understanding of what makes young people tick. Your work will directly shape the experiences that will define Urban Youth and its impact on the community.

If you're ready to design programmes that will help young Londoners thrive, we want to hear from you.

Be a creator. Be an innovator. Design their future.

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures 

Volunteer Coordinator: Lead Our Urban Youth Movement

Do you have a passion for people and a knack for bringing out the best in others? Are you a natural leader with a talent for building strong, positive teams? Urban Youth is looking for a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator to be the heart of our new community.

We are a brand-new youth work charity committed to bringing young people in London, aged 11-19, together. We want to get them off their screens and into the real world, forging connections, building social and teamwork skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

This isn't just an administrative role; you'll be the architect of our volunteer team. Your mission will be to find, inspire, and support the incredible individuals who will directly shape the lives of young people in London.

In this vital role, you will:

• Recruit & Select: Find passionate volunteers who align with our mission to get young people away from screens and into the real world.

• Induct & Train: Equip our volunteers with the skills and confidence they need to become positive role models.

• Inspire & Retain: Foster a forward-thinking, supportive team culture where everyone feels valued and motivated.

• Build the Dream Team: Help us create a community of like-minded individuals who are excited to make a difference and build something special together.

We're looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a genuine belief in the potential of young people. Your work will directly impact our ability to provide unforgettable, life-changing experiences for teenagers across London.

If you're ready to lead our urban youth movement from the front, we want to hear from you.

Be a leader. Be an inspiration. Build our community.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Thousands of cats each year rely on the help of animal charities because they have been abandoned, they have strayed or because there has been a change in their owner’s circumstances. Becoming an administration volunteer is just one way you can help improve the lives of cats in your local community. Our administration volunteers help provide vital admin support to our volunteer groups and teams across Cats Protection. They help keep up to date records of the number of cats that have been rehomed, collate supporter details and send out newsletters. This could be the perfect volunteer role if you have administrative experience, a passion for cats, or both!

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Recording relevant information related to your volunteer group

· Signposting enquiries to the relevant teams within Cats Protection

· Sending information to supporters, volunteers and to our Head Office

· Distributing information leaflets if required

Time expectation

Our administration volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Thousands of cats each year rely on the help of animal charities because they have been abandoned, they have strayed or because there has been a change in their owner’s circumstances. Becoming an administration volunteer is just one way you can help improve the lives of cats in your local community. Our administration volunteers help provide vital admin support to our volunteer groups and teams across Cats Protection. They help keep up to date records of the number of cats that have been rehomed, collate supporter details and send out newsletters. This could be the perfect volunteer role if you have administrative experience, a passion for cats, or both!

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Recording relevant information related to your volunteer group

· Signposting enquiries to the relevant teams within Cats Protection

· Sending information to supporters, volunteers and to our Head Office

· Distributing information leaflets if required

Time expectation

Our administration volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food

· Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

● A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us

● Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction

● A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare

● Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home ● You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Urban Youth: Be a Catalyst for Change

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? The excitement, the challenges, the endless possibilities. Now, imagine a city where every young person has the opportunity to connect, grow, and build a positive future. That's the city we're creating at Urban Youth, and we need your help to make it a reality.

We are a brand-new youth work charity committed to bringing young people in London, aged 11-19, together. We want to get them off their screens and into the real world, forging connections, building social and teamwork skills, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Join Our Board of Trustees

Are you a passionate, experienced professional ready to make a significant impact? We're building our founding Board of Trustees and are looking for dedicated individuals to guide our mission and ensure we provide the best possible support for young Londoners.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a new and vital organization from the ground up. We are actively recruiting for the following roles:

• Vice Chair: Help lead the board and provide strategic direction.

• Treasurer: Manage our financial health and ensure sustainable growth.

• Company Secretary: Ensure we operate with the highest standards of governance. Take meeting minutes and keep official records for the Charity Commission.

• Trustees: Contribute your expertise and passion to our mission.

As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in:

• Setting the strategic direction and vision for Urban Youth.

• Overseeing our financial performance and ensuring we meet our goals.

• Ensuring the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

• Acting as an ambassador for Urban Youth in your professional networks.

This is a volunteer position, with quarterly evening meetings. We are seeking individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, a passion for youth development, and a strong commitment to our values.

Ready to help us build a brighter future for young Londoners?

Be a role model. Be a guide. Be a part of something big.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food

· Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

● A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us

● Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction

● A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare

● Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home ● You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

About Roots Academy 

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

As part of teaching at Roots, instructors are supplied with many teaching resources to help them teach the Roots way, such as instructor slides, teaching notes and walk-through videos.
Your role at Roots is to produce well-curated teaching notes, to ensure instructors understand the content and know exactly what is being taught.

Key tasks

• Assessing the current standard of teacher note 

• Taking on the role of editor/proofreader of all academic content

• Have a keen eye for detail such as grammar, language and punctuation

What we’re looking for

• Has a keen eye for detail

• Has experience in copy editing 

• Able to prioritise and organise workload

• Has some experience in assessing the quality of educational material

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers from across the country.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform. 

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen. 

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across Cats Protection some of our cats looking for new and loving homes might be shy, nervous or aggressive depending on their past or if they are struggling to adapt to the rescue environment. Our kitten socialisation volunteers help the kittens in our care by spending time enriching each kittens experience through play, exercise and handling until they are happy and confident enough to find their perfect forever homes.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Spending time with kittens so they become fully socialised

· Making sure infectious disease control measures are in place

· Recording socialisation tasks and keeping information about the kittens up to date

· Determining the needs and requirements of the kittens

· Following cat care standards and procedures

Time expectation

Our kitten socialisation volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours a week in this role which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. We request that volunteers spend time with a particular litter of kittens on a weekly basis, as this will be more beneficial for the kittens.