Volunteer roles

Could you be a Volunteer Chaplain and add real value to the work we do?

Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health.

We are looking for volunteer chaplains to help take part in informal weekly chaplaincy evenings to support the residents living in our Support Housing projects.

We house young people, aged 16-25, most of whom stay around 2 years. Our young people face many barriers; we provide a place and space for young people to feel safe through our projects that will lead to better life chances and a positive future. Our volunteers are at the heart of our work to support and encourage young people to turn their lives around.

YMCA DownsLink Group has a Christian foundation and inclusive vision. Our chaplaincy service helps ensure our YMCA supported accommodation is unique. Our multi-faith chaplains make a difference to the lives of young people in our supported accommodation by providing a space to be heard, to have fun and to eat together.

We are looking for people of faith or belief who are kind, good listeners, non-judgemental, with a sense of humour and a love of young people. We have a Christian Foundation and inclusive vision and we welcome applications from people of all faiths and beliefs. As a volunteer chaplain you will work as part of a team and spend time with the residents in their projects, cooking and eating with them, chatting, playing board games, and generally just being there for them. You will also receive training and support from one of our paid Chaplains.

We ask for a commitment of one evening (approximately 2 hours) every 2-3 weeks.

We are looking for Volunteer Chaplains in the following areas:

• Guildford and East Sussex
• Horsham and Crawley, West Sussex (one to two days a month preferably on Tuesday or Thursday evenings)
• Brighton & Hove

An inclusive workplace – We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. We encourage applications from people from all sections of the communities that we serve. We particularly welcome applications from People of Colour and minoritised white communities, people who are LGBTQU+, and people with disabilities and neurodiversities because these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.

Accessibility – If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact us. If you are local to our Head Office in Hove, we can provide you with a paper copy of the job advert and application form. If you are not local, we can post these to your preferred address. If you require these documents in another format, please let us know.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure (including the Children’s barred list and the Adults’ barred list) via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

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.

Academy trustees are volunteers. The Charity Commission defines trustees as the people responsible for governing a charity and directing how it is managed and run.

The purpose of the board of trustees is to provide:

• Strategic leadership of the academy trust
• Your role is to help set and embed your trust’s vision and strategy, and use these to monitor how the trust and its schools are progressing towards your strategic goals
• Accountability and assurance, meaning the board has robust oversight of the operations and performance of the trust, including education, pupil welfare and finance
• You'll monitor these areas and hold trust leaders to account for performance and compliance in them
• Engagement
• This means your board has strategic oversight of relationships with the trust's stakeholders: parents, pupils, staff, local communities 
• You'll make sure your schools and your trust are communicating with and involving these groups, so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement

Responsibilities

• Develop the trust’s vision and strategy
• Establish a culture of high educational standards, which promotes staff and pupil wellbeing
• Set the trust’s strategic aims and objectives
• Make sure all pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum
• Monitor provision for pupils with SEND
• Monitor educational performance of the trust’s academies, using a range of data sources
• Ensure stakeholders (parents, pupils, staff and the local community) are informed and consulted as appropriate
• Approve the budget for the academy trust and, where relevant, for academies within the trust
• Monitor and evaluate the trust’s financial performance 
• Approve and review trust policies, and hold staff to account for their implementation
• Ensure the trust is compliant with legal requirements, including that all statutory policies and documents are in place
• Make sure the trust complies with laws that apply to charities and companies, and with its funding agreement
• Carry out the appointment and performance management of the principal/chief executive
• Be a source of challenge and support to the principal/chief executive
• Monitor and evaluate the trust’s staffing structure(s)
• Monitor health and safety in the academy/across the trust
• In a multi-academy trust, work with those involved in local academy governance, supporting and holding them to account

Skills and experience

Essential:

• Critical listening and ability to ask effective questions
• Strategic thinking
• Excellent communication
• Problem-solving and analysis

Desirable:

• Understanding of data
• Information Technology expertise 
• HR experience
• Knowledge of education
• Leadership and management skills
• Risk management skills
• Legal expertise, particularly knowledge of charity law
• Marketing and communications skills

Benefits to you

New skills you’ll gain:

• Strategic planning
• Experience on a board
• Holding senior leaders to account and ability to provide challenge
• Finance, and maintaining oversight of potentially multi-million pound budgets
• Analysing data
• Human resources and performance management 
• Project management
• Marketing
• Communication and teamwork
• Decision making
• Problem solving

Time commitment

The time commitment for the trustee role will vary. However, all trustees must attend at least 3 meetings of the full board per year. The term of office is 4 years.

Usually trustees sit on a committee focused on an area they have knowledge of, or are particularly interested in – for example, the finance committee. Committees generally meet up to six times a year.

Preparation for meetings includes reading papers and preparing questions for senior leaders. 

You will also be expected to undertake any training required to enable you to discharge your role effectively.

Additional information

Academies are both charities and companies limited by guarantee. Academy trustees are therefore both charity trustees and company directors, and must comply with company and charity law. 

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.

Who They Are

The Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) is committed to ensuring excellent science teaching in every primary classroom across the UK. Recognising the essential role science plays in everyday life—from expanding knowledge to addressing global challenges—PSTT believes that children should be inspired and engaged by science from an early age. The Trust aims to nurture children’s natural curiosity, encouraging them to explore, understand, and question the world around them.

The Role

PSTT is seeking new trustees with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Marketing
• Digital content
• Senior leadership

The Trust places a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion. They believe that no individual should be limited by any aspect of their identity and are dedicated to fostering an environment where equity is championed, diversity is valued and celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. These principles underpin PSTT’s work and help strengthen its support for teachers and the pupils they serve.

For full details and information on how to apply, please refer to the Trustee Recruitment Pack.

Voluntary Action North Somerset are seeking a new Trustee

Location: Weston Super Mare

Time Commitment: c.6-12hrs per month

Remuneration: This is a voluntary, unremunerated role. VANS will reimburse its Trustees for reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an independent charity that has championed the non-profit sector across North Somerset for over 27 years. They are dedicated to creating a connected, inclusive, and thriving community for all. ​

VANS’ central mission, primarily but not exclusively in North Somerset, is to champion, support and strengthen the role of the non-profit sector, including voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations; to establish projects that address the needs of the people in our communities; and to strive to grow this mission on a sustainable, long-term basis.

The key areas of work for the team are:

· Domestic Abuse Recovery Service (DARS). 

· Children & Young People

· Ageing Well

· Equality, Diversity and Physical Activity

· Volunteering

· Consultancy and specialised projects/programmes

Experience:

They are looking for people with general management experience, a commitment to the non-profit sector and a demonstrable ability to work effectively as part of a team, combined with integrity and strategic vision, and able to make the time commitment required to make a real difference, as outlined above.

Prior experience of voluntary, non-executive or Trustee work, while not essential, would be of interest and specific areas of interest include:

· Finance

· Human Resources

· Business/charity connections

· IT/Digital Systems management.

Completed applications should be sent by email FAO Sandy Hinks quoting Ref to:MC2605 

Closing date for applications: 6th July 2025

Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire ( HSBSG) are seeking a new Treasurer

Time Commitment: c18 hours a month

Remuneration: Voluntary, although travel and other agreed expenses may be claimed.

Home-Start UK is a national, charitable organisation with 180 local, independent Home-Starts of which HSBSG is one. Across all four nations of the United Kingdom, thousands of home visiting volunteers support over 43,000 families and 78,000 children to transform their lives.

HSBSG offers group work for parents and carers as well as their unique home visiting service, all provided by carefully trained volunteers who are managed by a small team of expert staff. They are particularly proud of their new and already expanding service, Dad Matters, that provides support for new fathers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Becoming a trustee at Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire is a rewarding role and we are now seeking a new Treasurer Trustee to join the board.  You will be joining the competent and friendly board of trustees as they develop and steer a successful local charity with a long track record of supporting families that need a helping hand. In the past four years they have streamlined their governance functions, digitised their office systems including implementing Xero finance software, developed their offer to families and started the journey to diversify the lived experience of their board, staff and volunteers.

Summary

The overall role of the Treasurer is to:

· Maintain an overview of HSBSG’s financial affairs.

· Ensure its financial viability.

· Ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

· Ensure that staff are paid.

General responsibilities:

· To ensure that HSBSG, regarding matters of a financial nature, complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

· To ensure that HSBSG applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.

· To ensure the effective and efficient financial administration of HSBSG.

· To ensure the financial stability of HSBSG.

· To protect and manage the assets of HSBSG and to ensure the proper investment of its funds.

· To ensure HSBSG complies with the Quality Assurance standards and criteria relating to financial management.

For further details and to apply, please contact Leighann Beck quoting reference MC2595.

Closing date for applications: midnight, Sunday 6th July 2025

Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire (HSBSG) are seeking a new Chair of the Board

Time Commitment: c12 hrs a month

Remuneration: Voluntary, although travel and other agreed expenses may be claimed.

Home-Start UK is a national, charitable organisation with 180 local, independent Home-Starts of which HSBSG is one. Across all four nations of the United Kingdom, thousands of home visiting volunteers support over 43,000 families and 78,000 children to transform their lives.

We are now seeking a new Chair for Home-Start Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The role involves leading the board of trustees as they develop and steer a successful local charity which has a long track record of supporting families and are always seeking to reach more families and to improve their support to them

HSBSG offers group work for parents and carers as well as their unique home visiting service, all provided by carefully trained volunteers who are managed by a small team of expert staff. They are particularly proud of their new and already expanding service, Dad Matters, that provides support for new fathers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Summary:

The role of the Chair of Trustees is to enable the creation and implementation of the charity’s culture, direction and strategy by leading the board and focusing it on strategic matters, oversight of the charity’s activities and maintaining high standards of governance.

Whether you have already been a chair, with experience of voluntary sector governance, or whether you have been on a board and are wanting to become a chair, you will benefit from the range of skills and experience that exists within the strong, friendly team of trustees.

General responsibilities include:

· Lead the board of trustees of Home-Start Bristol & South Gloucestershire (HSBSG), to ensure that it fulfils its governance responsibilities.

· Ensure that the trustees deploy HSBSG’s resources so as to comply with all legal requirements and in furtherance of its objects.

· Lead the board’s continuous development, ensuring planning, training, development, and evaluation is undertaken.

· Chair and facilitate meetings of HSBSG’s board, ensuring the smooth running of the board and the understanding and participation of all trustees.

· Set the agenda of board meetings with the Chief Executive; check and sign the minutes.

· Play a key role in managing the relationship between the trustees and advisers, the staff and the volunteers.

· Provide regular supervision for the Chief Executive, providing ongoing support, discussing and agreeing work priorities, preparing and agreeing supervision notes with her/him.

· Carry out an annual appraisal of the work undertaken by the Chief Executive.

· Ensure that HSBSG’s three-year Strategic Plan is reviewed annually, and ensure high-quality data is available to monitor its progress at board meetings.

· Drive trustee recruitment and succession planning and support the induction of new trustees.

For further details and to apply, please contact Sandy Hinks quoting reference MC2540.

Closing date for applications: midnight, Sunday 6th July 2025

Are you looking to volunteer your time and knowledge to support Age UK Oxfordshire who are seeking Trustees with specific skills to work closely as part of their Board.

Age UK Oxfordshire are an independent local charity supporting older people to maintain their independence and live life to the full, focusing most resource on reaching those older people who face a struggle, whether through low income, poor health or loneliness.  They are striving for a world where every older person and unpaid carer is seen, heard, included, and valued.

Trustees play a vital role as Board members, ensuring the organisation has solid plans in place to achieve their aims and that funding is being used positively to do this.  They are looking for enthusiastic individuals who will work in partnership with fellow Trustees, CEO and the Leadership team to ensure that Age UK Oxfordshire delivers on their vision, mission, and values.

Specific areas of focus for the board:

Given the needs of the charity and the skills of the current board members, they are looking for experience in HR, Governance, Adult Social Care and Lived experience is always welcomed.

They value and are actively seeking to increase diversity on their board in order to bring broader perspectives, achieve stronger community representation, inform sound decision-making, and help them serve more effectively and inclusively.

Could this be the ideal role for me?

To be considered for this role, you will require the following skills and competencies:

• Commitment to the organisation. 
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An understanding and knowledge of good governance.
• Able to work effectively as a member of a team.

What's in it for you

• Volunteering experience
• Interaction with leadership teams and board activity
• Working with different sets of people
• Annual strategic away day with Trustees and Leadership Team

Currently trustee meetings are held quarterly and alternate holding meetings virtually and in person in Abingdon. The meetings last about 2.5 hours. In addition, there are up to two away days a year and an AGM. Papers typically require about two hours reading per meeting.

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. 

These unremunerated roles are open to all.  To apply for these exceptional opportunities, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the Charisma website.

If you would like to have an initial discussion with Sandra Smith, Associate Director of Charisma Charity Recruitment, prior to submitting your application, please get in touch via the Charisma website.

Closing date for applications: 10th August 2025

Interview date: TBC 

Do you believe that no one in North and East London should have to call the streets ‘their home’ and that everyone deserves the right to a safe, secure, and settled home?

If yes, we are the opportunity for you!

Citadel Community Connectors London is a community-based, volunteer-led support service, designed to help end homelessness and make a real difference to the lives of those who need it most.

Our volunteers help individuals both emotionally and practically in making the move to safe and secure housing. This can include finding and settling into a new home, setting up utilities and bills, sourcing furniture and decorating. Volunteers also help individuals to connect and engage with relevant support providers and networks to help ensure new tenancies are a success.

Our support can be as simple as having a coffee, providing a listening ear, and letting an individual know that someone cares. Our volunteers also bring us ideas, and experiences to shape how we make a difference.

Volunteers receive a full induction, training, and ongoing supervision. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the community while connecting with like-minded, caring individuals.

We ask that you commit to volunteering for at least an hour a week, for up to six months, and participate in our induction, training, and ongoing support. We will arrange a DBS check, and you will be entitled to reasonable expenses and travel costs.

Could you lend a hand and be part of the solution?

If you live in any of the following Northeast London boroughs Newham, Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Hackney, Islington, Barnet, or Enfield or if you are willing to travel across boroughs, we would love to hear from you.

Job Types: Volunteer part-time

Contract length: 6 months Expected hours: 1-3 hrs per week

Benefits:Travel and Refreshments costs

Schedule: Flexitime (Mornings, afternoon or evening) Work Location: In person

Contract length: 6 months      

Expected hours: 1 – 3 per week

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 working with Canine Partners, a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Their amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks. These life-changing dogs also provide psychological and social benefits including increased independence, confidence, social interaction, and self-esteem.

With the planned departure of the Chair, the Board of Trustees are now seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees. The new Chair will foster an environment of consensus and collaboration, ensure Canine Partners' mission and vision is met and provide inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also work in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, helping them achieve their vision for the organisation, while serving as a line manager to the CEO.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of charity governance and of serving on a Board of Trustees, as a trustee, vice-chair or chair.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities and be comfortable in an ambassadorial role. 
• Experience operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation. 
• Significant experience of indirect leadership, chairing cross-functional meetings and events.

The Chair is expected to attend quarterly Board meetings, the Annual Retirement Meeting and 1-2 strategy days per annum. The Chair can also participate in sub-committees. The Chair’s time commitment is likely to be around 2 days a month (4 days a month initially for induction). Trustees are elected to serve terms of three years with an expectation that they will service no more than 2 terms of three years (6 years in total), with the exception, that service as an Officer might over-ride this.

Canine Partners particularly welcomes applications from people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds who are currently under-represented within the organisation.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your expression of interest should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and a 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.

Should you require any support or adjustments during the application process, please contact Charisma who will be happy to discuss this with you. 

Closing date: Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Interviews with Canine Partners: TBC

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by lunchtime on Wednesday 9th July, prior to shortlist submission by end of day. 

Job Overview
We are seeking enthusiastic individuals for our Skill Acquisition programme focused on learning how to sew clothes. This role is designed for those who are eager to develop their sewing skills while gaining hands-on experience in a supportive environment. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and enhance their abilities in garment construction and design.

Responsibilities

• Engage in practical sewing sessions to learn various techniques and methods for sewing clothes.
• Assist in the preparation of materials and tools required for sewing projects.
• Collaborate with instructors and peers to complete assigned tasks and projects.
• Maintain a clean and organised workspace, ensuring all equipment is properly stored after use.
• Participate in discussions and workshops aimed at improving sewing skills and knowledge of fabric types.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, both verbal and written, during training sessions.
• Provide feedback on the learning process to help improve the programme.

Requirements

• A basic understanding of English is essential; knowledge of Spanish or other languages is advantageous (bilingual or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply).
• Strong analytical skills to assess fabric types and sewing techniques effectively.
• Ability to communicate clearly with instructors and fellow participants.
• Experience in data entry or related tasks is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Demonstrated phone etiquette when interacting with clients or suppliers during training activities.
• A willingness to learn and adapt, with a positive attitude towards skill development.
• Previous experience in upselling or customer service roles would be an asset.

This position offers a unique opportunity to acquire valuable skills while contributing to a creative environment. We look forward to welcoming passionate individuals who are ready to embark on this exciting journey into the world of sewing.

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting St Hilda’s College Oxford in their search for an inaugural independent Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. 

St Hilda’s College was founded by Dorothea Beale in 1893 as a Hall for Women Students. The College received its first Royal Charter in 1926 when it was incorporated under the title “Principal and Council of St Hilda’s College, Oxford”. In 1960, it became a College of the University, and since 2008 has welcomed the admission of male students.

The College is seeking to recruit an independent Chair for the newly-established Audit and Risk Committee to assist the Governing Body in fulfilling its governance and oversight responsibilities by monitoring and reviewing the following aspects of its work:

• Integrity of financial statements.
• Mechanisms through which the College ensures its financial sustainability and value for money.
• Effectiveness of risk management policies, processes and oversight.
• Effectiveness of internal controls.
• Mechanisms through which the College ensures ongoing compliance of the College with the conditions and principles of the Charity Commission, Office for Students and other legislation under which the College operates.
• Consideration and approval of plans for external and, where appropriate, internal audits.
• Effectiveness of arrangements for corporate governance and making recommendations about these to the Governing Body.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the audit and risk function at St Hilda’s College. The person specification for this opportunity is as follows.

Essential:

• A good knowledge and experience of working in a senior finance role.
• Experience and an excellent understanding of audit and risk.
• Experience as a Trustee and a good understanding of the role and operation of an Audit and Risk Committee.
• Board level leadership experience with the ability to provide constructive advice and challenge in a manner which inspires confidence and enables a culture of continuous improvement.
• The ability to think strategically, analyse information and debate complex issues.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, to motivate and empower others to achieve desired outcomes.
• A commitment to the tenets of diversity, equality and inclusion.
• A commitment to the Nolan Principles.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of charity finance and accounting.
• Holds a CCAB qualification.
• Knowledge of the tertiary education sector.

Our network of committed local vegans across the country is growing! The Vegan Society organises various outreach activities to influence change in every level of society. There are a range of activities going on all the time, from general educational stalls at events to meeting with local policy influencers.

What does the Advocate role involve?

Being an Advocate for veganism with The Vegan Society will mean communicating with people in your local community. You'll share the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. You will form part of a local group, headed up by a local Organiser. The Organiser will feed back your collective efforts to staff. You will also be invited to our private Facebook group, for vegan socialising and ideas sharing.

You’ll stay in touch with the Organiser and bring your passion to tasks. Activities can range from staffing a stall to giving a talk at an employee event. It could also mean writing to a local newspaper or lobbying an MP.

Messaging can differ every month. Part of our mission statement is to ensure people can remain vegan, so you might focus on getting more vegan options available in local businesses. Or within our Live Vegan for Less campaign, you may share cheap vegan recipes to help people with the cost of living.

When acting as an Advocate, you will use The Vegan Society’s branding and messaging guidelines. Your local Organiser will guide you in doing this, as they hold physical resources and handbooks. You can report any issues and feedback you have to your Organiser. You can also contact staff if your Organiser isn't available or you have any problems.

What training and support is available?

You will be provided with a big welcome and full induction from your local Organiser. They will introduce you to the group and any actions that are ongoing. Any training and development will be provided via your Organiser, and you can also ask for specific training on any areas that you need some development in.

What skills would be useful in doing this role?

• The ability to stay motivated in order to achieve the best possible outcomes
• Good email etiquette, responding in a timely manner
• Committed to veganism and the mission of The Vegan Society
• Ability to stay calm if confronted with differing opinions or challenges
• A good communicator, with the ability to be persuasive
• Confident in communicating with people from a range of backgrounds
• Experience of campaigning
• Any experience in talking with members of the public through customer/public service would be helpful
• Awareness of current affairs, especially those that relate to veganism
• Regular availability and a willingness to stay committed to actions
• Good team player

How much time do I need to invest?

For Advocates, we ask for people to engage in a minimum of four to six actions per year. An example of an action could be writing to an MP or holding a stall. But the more you can do, the better! On occasion, there may also be online meetings to plan for actions or provide training.

Who can I contact to find out more?

Enquiries are welcome! Please contact Katy Malkin (Volunteering Coordinator).

How do I apply?

Interested? Simply fill in our Community Advocate application form. This should take a few minutes.

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.

Role Description: Charity Trustee Treasurer - Norfolk Ornithologists Association (NOA)

• Role Title: Trustee Treasurer
• Location: Norfolk, UK (Flexible, with meetings held virtually and in-person at Holme-next-the-sea)
• Time Commitment: Approximately 6-10 hours per month
• Reporting To: The Board of Trustees

NOA's Mission:

The NOA is a conservation organisation dedicated to the scientific study of birds and other wildlife, with four visitor reserves in Norfolk. We collect information which helps us to monitor and understand how birds and wildlife are coping year to year. Our work also enables people to encounter wildlife in a friendly and personal way. The results of the Association’s work are published yearly in its annual reports

Purpose of the Role:

The Treasurer plays a crucial strategic oversight role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the Norfolk Ornithologists Association (NOA). This role is focused on maintaining financial probity, providing clear financial guidance to the Board of Trustees, and ensuring that NOA’s financial practices are transparent, compliant, and well-managed. As a full Trustee, the Treasurer holds collective oversight and responsibility across all aspects of the organisation, not just in financial matters, ensuring that all decisions align with the organisation’s broader mission to conserve and protect Norfolk’s wildlife and habitats.

This is a high-impact volunteer position requiring strategic financial oversight rather than day-to-day involvement in operational tasks. The Treasurer will work collaboratively with fellow Trustees, providing leadership and contributing to decision-making on a wide range of organisational matters.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Oversight and Governance:

• Ensure the financial integrity of NOA by overseeing the organisation ’s financial reporting and controls, acting as the nominal account holder for our accounts.
• Review and approve financial reports and statements prepared by an outsourced team of bookkeepers, ensuring they are accurate, complete, comply with legal requirements, and are submitted to the Charity Commission before the end of October each year.
• Provide strategic advice to the Board of Trustees on financial matters, helping to ensure that financial decisions align with NOA's long-term goals and mission.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and charity law, including proper reporting to the Charity Commission, and that NOA’s registration is up-to-date.

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning:

• Support the creation of the annual budget, ensuring it aligns with NOA’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Advise the Board on long-term financial planning and sustainability, helping to identify opportunities for growth or savings.

3. Financial Strategy:

• Ensure NOA’s financial practices and resources are used effectively to support conservation work and the fulfilment of the organisation’s mission.
• Provide guidance to help NOA navigate financial challenges, ensuring appropriate use of reserves and funding.

4. Working with the Team:

• Work closely with the bookkeeper and the Warden team to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day financial tasks, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll, without directly managing these processes.
• Ensure that the Quarterly Gift Aid claim is submitted to HMRC.
• Review financial records and key documents, including budgets, annual reports, and financial statements, in collaboration with the team.

5. Strategic Advice and Reporting to the Board:

• Report to the Board regularly on the organisation ’s financial health, making recommendations for any necessary corrective actions or strategic decisions.
• Advise the Board on the potential impact of external financial factors (e.g., funding sources, investments, and grants).

6. Supporting Fundraising and Financial Sustainability:

• Assist in fundraising strategy development, particularly with regard to long-term financial sustainability, including legacy donations and major fundraising initiatives.
• Help ensure that NOA’s funding sources are diversified and stable to support ongoing conservation projects.

Skills and Experience:

• Organizational and Financial Oversight: Strong organizational skills with an ability to assess and oversee financial operations. Experience in managing or advising on financial matters is highly beneficial, but the role does not require professional accounting qualifications.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically about NOA’s long-term financial health and sustainability.
• Attention to Detail: High attention to financial accuracy and integrity.
• Experience with Governance: Experience working within a board or governance structure is desirable but not essential.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to explain financial matters to Trustees and other stakeholders who may not have a financial background.

Time Commitment and Trustee Role:

As a full Trustee, the Treasurer will have a responsibility to attend regular Board meetings, which typically occur monthly, and the annual AGM.

Each Board meeting will last approximately two hours, and will be held predominantly at Holme-next-the-sea, occasionally virtual.

Trustees are expected to contribute actively to Board discussions, decisions, and the strategic direction of NOA. The Treasurer will also play a key role in shaping financial and strategic decisions across the organisation.

In addition to Board meetings, Trustees may be asked to serve on or contribute to specific subcommittees within the Board, depending on the organisation’s needs. These committees may include areas such as finance, fundraising, or conservation strategy. Participation in these committees is flexible but will provide an opportunity to have more focused involvement in particular areas of the organisation.

The NOA Board of Trustees:

The Board is composed of [insert number of Trustees, e.g., 6-10] Trustees with diverse skills and backgrounds, all working together to oversee and guide the organisation . As a Trustee, you will be expected to collaborate with the other Trustees, each of whom brings valuable expertise and experience to the organisation . The Chairman of the Board leads the Trustees, and each member is committed to advancing NOA’s mission through strategic leadership, governance, and oversight.

What NOA Offers:

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of wildlife conservation in Norfolk.
• Flexibility in how you perform the Treasurer role, with an estimated time commitment of around 6-10 hours per month (including meetings and preparatory work).
• Collaboration with a passionate and dedicated team of Trustees and staff, with the chance to contribute to the strategic direction of NOA.
• A structured governance framework with opportunities for growth and leadership within the organisation .

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for this role, please submit a CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and why you are interested in becoming the Treasurer of NOA to the Chairman, Steve Newman.

By joining the NOA as Trustee Treasurer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the ongoing success of NOA’s conservation efforts and its financial health, making a lasting impact on the future of wildlife in Norfolk.

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.

Heartwood House is a dynamic education charity that supports young people who self-exclude from school and are missing education because of bullying or other trauma. They provide both an academic and therapeutic programme to enable their students to get back on track and reconnect with society. Heartwood House has been delivering services in NW London for 20 years.  They have supported many students in their return to mainstream education, further education and employment.  They work with many local authorities such as Harrow, Hillingdon, Hertfordshire, Brent, Ealing, Barnet, Camden and many more.

Heartwood House (based in Harrow) is now looking to strengthen its Board and we are seeking a Company Secretary and named Trustee for Governance and Law – you will bring insight and understanding of charity law, Charity Commission legal regulations, Company Legislation and best practice. 

Trustees have a duty to ensure that the charity is well run, solvent, legally compliant, and working towards the charitable purpose for which it was established, and Trustee roles are an important and a highly rewarding way to support an organisation. Please note that Trustee roles are unremunerated voluntary positions, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

Heartwood House is committed to equality of opportunity, supports, and encourages under-represented groups, and values diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, who will bring a fresh perspective to the Board, and having reviewed existing Trustee's diversity, skills, and experience, Heartwood House are keen for the Board to reflect the diversity of the communities that they work with and therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please contact Heidi Earp, Director of Langton Not 4 Profit our retained consultants for further information on the role.