Volunteer roles for the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector

Deadline: Tuesday 10 February
Interviews: Tuesday 3 March

Purpose of role

This is an exciting moment to join our organisation. Over the last three years, guided by our new Co-Directors and a collective of dedicated trustees and staff, we’ve shifted our perspective and priorities to centre our community across all the work we do. As a result, they’re our starting point for understanding culture, programming, the venue and everything else. We’re committed to working in long-term, transformative ways to ensure we’re an organisation that’s informed by the needs of now and makes space for a future for everyone. 

As Kami Lamakan steps away at the end of March, we’re looking for an experienced leader who can enthuse a team of trustees and provide clear guidance, mentoring and challenge to the Co-Directors and executive team, confidently advocating for the work we do. Well-connected, you’ll work hard to raise our profile as an international arts centre at the heart of our community, introducing Chapter to people and organisations who’ll support us to achieve our vision for a sustainable future.

You’ll be passionate about art and artists, building community cohesion, and believe that care and equity should sit at the heart of everything we do. You’ll need to balance this commitment with strong financial acumen and leadership experience within the creative, charity or public sectors.

These are challenging times for the arts and we’re looking for someone who can enable us to extend our reach, influence and impact.

We’re open to recruiting a Chair or Co-Chairs to this role. You can apply as either, but please indicate in your application which option you are interested in.

Find out more

See our recruitment pack for full information.

We’re also holding an informal, online session so you can find out more, ask questions and chat with some of our existing trustees. This will be held on Zoom on Tuesday 27 January, 5.30pm. This meeting will include BSL interpretation, live captioning and a notetaker but if you have any additional access requirements, for example you would prefer to meet in person, please let us know. If you’d like to join the online meeting, or arrange an in-person conversation, please email Rory Duckhouse.

Dancers’ Career Development (DCD) is the national charity that enables and empowers dancers to thrive professionally and personally leading up to and beyond their performance careers.

We are seeking a new Co-opted Committee Member with finance expertise and an interest in dance to join our welcoming and experienced Finance, Audit & Risk Sub-Committee of the Board of Trustees. Our ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the requirements of charity governance and risk.

For full details, including how to apply, please download the role information pack from our website. 

Application deadline: Monday 9 February 2026.

We are seeking someone who has experience of being a Treasurer or Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Member (preferably in the charity sector) and has a good understanding of the requirements of charity accounting and governance.

If you are excited by this opportunity and resonate with DCD’s values, please get in touch; we would love to hear from you.

Job Description

We are seeking four new Trustees to join our Board. This application process is rolling, meaning there is no deadline - so please enquire and apply sooner rather than later! We anticipate the process will conclude in mid-2026.

Who are we?

We are a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled creatives, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.

Our programmes have run for fifty years, supporting disabled creatives and those facing disabling barriers to creative careers or audience participation. Our current programme finds us opening new avenues for disabled creatives through commissioning, exhibitions, and learning-based support such as residencies, advice, and guidance.

We continue to break new ground in digital spheres and advocating for disabled people struggling to access the arts and creative industries through our consultancy services.

We work across three main areas:

1. A creative programme, working directly with disabled creatives
2. Heritage projects, documenting the social history of disabled people
3. Access consultancy, including training and auditing

We receive funding from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our creative programme and heritage projects.

We are recruiting disabled and non-disabled voluntary Board members. As a member of our Board, you will gain an insight to how the arts and cultural industries in the UK work. From lived experience to professional experience, we are looking for people from all backgrounds who are passionate about the arts and its potential to change disabled people's lives to join our Board.

Please read or listen to all guidance on our site before applying!

Job Requirements

The Board and Shape's Executive Team meet four times a year - once every three months. Each meeting takes up about half a day.

In addition, Trustees are expected to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the yearly Away Day, both of which happen once per year.

The main responsibilities of any Charity Trustee are outlined by the Charity Commission. You can browse their '5-minute guides' for Trustees on their website.

The Nolan Principles of Public Life set the standards for how our trustees are expected to conduct themselves. These are:

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

You can read more about these principles on the UK Government's website.

Job Responsibilities

Our team of Trustees are responsible for ensuring that:

• Shape complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and that it pursues only the objectives which are defined in it
• Shape complies with charity law, employment law and other relevant legislation or regulations
• Shape is financially viable
• the Board is defining goals and setting targets for the organisation, and that performance is evaluated against these targets
• Shape's ethos and reputation are safeguarded
• Administration is effective and efficient and we are accountable to our stakeholders and funders

The Board are also responsible for:

• Contributing to the Board's role in giving firm strategic direction
• Appointing the Chief Executive and monitoring their performance
• Sitting on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels, as required
• Attending either the Finance, HR and Risk, or Programme and Development Sub Committees

We are seeking two new Trustees with experience of senior organisational leadership ideally within the UK charity sector, with oversight of operations, finance, HR, and strategic development to join our Board of Trustees. This is  an exciting time in our development, when these functions are becoming more critical for us, as Board personnel changes. We are keen to appoint talented individuals who are as passionate as we are about public education, popularising critical thought, and addressing urgent questions of race and inequality in culture and society. Most importantly we need people who are willing to share their business, financial and operational skills and expertise with our Board and senior staff.

Inspired by the life and work of the eminent scholar and intellectual Professor Stuart Hall, the Stuart Hall Foundation (SHF) was launched in 2015 by his family, friends and colleagues to continue his life’s work and build on his unique and distinct legacy by attending to the urgent political, social, and cultural questions of our time. Our mission is to popularise critical thought by supporting the creative and intellectual development of a new generation of artists, academics and activists who are dedicated to challenging issues of inequality through their work. We pursue this mission by equipping underrepresented practitioners with the learning resources and research opportunities necessary to shape and expand public debates on politics, history and culture. We fulfil our mission by:

• Creating opportunities - offering artist residencies, commissions, scholarships, fellowships, and other opportunities to underrepresented people from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and geographic locations.
• Convening Spaces - creating digital and physical spaces for the public, our network of artists, researchers, activists and other stakeholders to exchange and generate ideas together.
• Developing Digital Resources - creating free-to-access digital learning resources that encourage critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to address contemporary political and cultural issues (across arts, academia and cultural activism).

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees plays a vital role in guiding the organisation’s long-term development and ensuring it remains true to its mission of working towards a racially just and more equal future. As a Trustee, you will share collective responsibility for setting the strategic direction of the Foundation, and make a significant contribution by providing oversight of business planning and resources, and ensuring that the organisation is well governed, financially sustainable, and delivering its work in the best interests of its beneficiaries. We are seeking individuals who share our commitment to public education and to fostering a diverse, intergenerational and inclusive public that is equipped to see and think about the world critically.

We encourage applications from anyone who is interested in working with us. At this time, we are particularly interested in candidates with knowledge and expertise in leading a charitable organisations in the UK.

We are an inclusive organisation that counts anti-racism among our core values. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups. 

To apply: please send a one-page A4 cover letter and a CV to Stuart Hall Foundation.

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm on Sunday 15th February 2026.

Applications received after this date and time will not be considered.

Interviews will be held via Zoom w/c 23rd February.

Duties:

1. Ensure that the organisation functions within the UK Charity Sector’s legal and regulatory framework and in line with governing documents, continually striving for best practice in governance, act in the best interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries at all times.
2.   Ensure the financial stability of the organisation; oversee the management of the organisation’s resources, ensuring income and expenditure are in line with budgets and meet accepted standards and policies.
3. Contribute to the overall direction and development of the organisation through strategic planning and fundraising.
4. Enthusiastically participate in the governance, management and administration by reading all relevant papers and reports in advance and contributing constructively to debate and discussion and maintaining confidentiality. 
5. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Stuart Hall Foundation’s strategic and operational progress and keep abreast of external developments within the arts and the  political and business world to ensure decision-making is well-informed.
6. Represent the organisation at functions, events and meetings as required, acting as spokesperson where appropriate, thereby demonstrating commitment to the ethos of Stuart Hall Foundation.
7. Demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to, equality, diversity and inclusion.
8. Any other duties commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

Essential:

1.  Enthusiasm for Professor Stuart Hall’s legacy and commitment to the Foundation’s mission and aims.
2. Senior organisational leadership experience with the ability to apply strategic judgement to complex organisational, financial and people-related issues at Board level.
3. Understanding the political context and operating environment of the charity sector and demonstrate the ability to think strategically and entrepreneurially within it.
4.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate with diplomacy, tact and sensitivity.
5. Experience of governing people, culture and leadership, including oversight of senior staffing structures, HR frameworks, wellbeing, and equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to align organisational values with practice.
6. Experience of supporting organisational growth, change or transition, with the ability to bring insight from managing complexity, scale or external pressures within the charity sector.
7. Ability to provide constructive collaborator to senior leaders while maintaining appropriate non-executive boundaries and collective responsibility.
8. Sound judgement and independence of thought, with the confidence to ask effective questions, assess risk, and contribute to balanced, well-reasoned Board decisions.
9. Sector awareness and strategic insight, including an understanding of the UK charity, cultural and funding landscape.
10. Available for the time commitment required: 4 Board meetings per annum and other duties equivalent to 1 day per every month.

From touchdown to takeoff and everything in between, here at Travel Radar we don’t just report on aviation and air-travel news, we take off with it! Since 2015, we’ve soared from being a small startup to one of the world’s leading sources for commercial aviation and air-travel coverage, and we’re only just getting started! With a remote crew of over 50+ enthusiasts, we deliver fresh content 24/7, 365 days a year to over 30 million readers across the globe.

Travel Radar is growing; We are looking for 2x Operations Managers to join our team and support our growth by supporting our contributors, interns and volunteers in the smooth operations of the organisation. You will have a hands-on role managing a busy team within the organisation, composed largely of volunteers and interns.

Responsibilities and A Little More About the Role:

• Coordinate management activities and operations to secure efficiency and compliance to company policies
• Supervise department staff and divide responsibilities to ensure KPIs are met
• Hold a monthly department meeting with team members
• Handle a team inbox and handling internal correspondence as required
• Submit timely reports and prepare presentations/proposals as assigned
• Other administrative tasks to support the smooth running of the department

Who We're Looking For:

• Passion for Business/Organisation Management, Administration and Office Management is ideal
• Willingness to learn new skills, software and (likely) a new industry - Aviation and Air-Travel
• Great communication and teamwork skills
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office365 Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Interpersonal skills and ability to interact and work with staff at all levels

Why volunteer at Travel Radar?

• Fully remote position
• Perkbox / Discount Program with over 4,000 deals and discounts
• Great Training and Learning Resources, including a CPD Level 5 Accreditation in Business Administration
• Option to gain a recognised CIPD award (through experience) funded by the company
• Latest Tech including free subscription to Office365, Grammarly Premium, Adobe Photoshop and Canva Pro, as well as access to company Chromebook devices and Virtual Machines

Additional Information:

Commitment per Week: 6-12hrs per week (Approx)

Reports to: Senior Operations Manager

As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2028, we are looking for committed new trustees with energy, passion and time who will continue to drive us forward.

Musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn't: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. Young Sounds is here to change this.

For nearly 30 years we've supported talented young people from low-income families, helping them to overcome financial and social barriers. Whether they're making or creating music our programmes help young musicians from across the UK to fulfil their musical potential.

Trustees are expected to engage with and support all aspects of the charity, helping to foster stakeholder relationships, representing the organisation regionally and nationally and ensuring compliance and safeguarding. 

Principal responsibilities are:

• Strategy - contributing actively to the formation of strategy, the Young Sounds business plan, and evaluating the performance of the organisation against the plan.
• Oversight - ensuring that the charity is well run, efficient and compliant with the charity's Articles of Association, its policies, including safeguarding and EDI, governance codes of practice, legal responsibilities and upholding the organisation's reputation and values.
• Advocacy - advocating for the charity at all times, supporting fundraising efforts and promoting the work of the charity in the trustee's daily life.

Requirements:

Previous trustee experience is not necessary, and we welcome trustees who can bring a diversity of life experiences, cultural knowledge and expertise.

As a national charity we are keen to attract trustees from all parts of the UK, and particularly those who are based outside London and the South East.

For this round, we particularly welcome expertise in the following areas:

• EDI and CSR programmes in the creative industries
• Youth culture and content creation
• Music Hub and/or National Curriculum expertise
• Fundraising
• Contemporary music performance and production

Above all we are looking for trustees who are passionate about, and willing to advocate strongly for, giving all young people the opportunity to have a musical life, particularly those facing the most barriers. We also expect trustees to have an overarching commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Please see the Role Information Pack for full details including how to apply.

Mountview is one of the UK’s leading drama schools, and we are passionate about developing the next generation of creative talent. In our 80th birthday year, we are excited to invite applications for new trustees to join our Board and help provide strategic direction to the charity.

We are committed to maintaining and strengthening the diversity of our Board and particularly encourage applications from individuals from traditionally under-represented backgrounds, as well as those who live or work locally to our home building in Peckham, South East London. Applicants should have knowledge of, or a strong interest in, the performing arts and education.

Art Explora is a non-profit arts organisation that aims to share arts and culture with everyone - locally, nationally and internationally - and inspire new encounters between arts and audiences.

Arts at Home supports older people to access arts and culture by encouraging conversation and connection through art. We are looking for volunteers to participate in our "Arts at Home" sessions in residential care homes. In these sessions, you will introduce works of art of your choice and facilitate conversations around the artworks with residents. No prior professional experience is needed; we will provide you with the necessary training.

You will need to be able to travel to Birmingham locations independently (pre agreed local travel expenses paid). 

Why you'll love it:

• You will meet new people & alleviate feelings of loneliness through creativity and connection.
• You will be offered spaces on trips to galleries and theatres with our care setting residents as part of our ‘Art Explorers at...’ project. 
• You will learn about art, heritage, and history, through your research and other volunteers.
• You will develop communication and public speaking skills
• You will gain experience working with vulnerable adults and build an understanding of how art can support a sense of community and wellbeing. 

If you are a confident communicator and passionate about arts, we would love to hear from you!

This is an opportunity to use your expertise and skills in website development and social media presentation to make a difference to the arts in Ukraine. Our charity is focused on projects within Ukraine to support the future of dance there. This volunteer role will play a key role in fundraising and communications in support of this work.

Responsibilities:

Website:

• Developing and maintaining website (currently Wix)
• SEO and analytics

 Social media:

• Technical support for development of presence on Instagram, Facebook
• Support for Fundraising and Communications Manager in development of presentation

Technical oversight:

• Ensure and advise on security
• Ensure data protection compliance
• Advise on development of technical support for administration of the charity

 Key Skills / Attributes:

• Strong interest in volunteering within the arts in the third sector
• Strong experience of website development and maintenance
• Knowledge of JavaScript, SQL useful
• Experience in use of social media for corporate communications

Likely to have had 3 years plus relevant professional experience supporting corporate communications or  marketing or similar disciplines.

Who We Are

South Asian Arts-UK (SAA-uk) is a Leeds-based charity and recognised centre of excellence dedicated to celebrating, teaching, and evolving South Asian classical music and dance. The organisation delivers weekly academies, concerts, festivals, and community engagement and education programmes that nurture talent, foster cultural pride, and ensure high-quality artistic experiences are accessible to all. By preserving tradition while inspiring creativity, SAA-uk enriches communities and champions South Asian arts across the UK and beyond.

The Role

Who the Organisation Is Looking For

SAA-uk welcomes applications from both emerging professionals and experienced leaders. The organisation is particularly interested in individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising (particularly individual giving)

• Capital development

• HR and/or legal expertise

• An interest in non-formal performing arts education

• Strong knowledge of the UK arts sector and the cultural policy landscape

Applicants who bring passion, commitment, and skills that can strengthen the organisation’s mission are encouraged to apply.

Organisational Commitment

SAA-uk is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equitable governance.

Curious About Becoming a Trustee?

Prospective applicants are invited to join an informal session to gain insight into how the Board operates:

• Online group or one-to-one “Let’s Talk Board!” sessions (20–30 minutes), taking place during the week commencing 19 January 2026. These sessions offer a friendly conversation with a Board member, facilitated by the Senior Administration Officer, including an overview of Board responsibilities and time for questions. Interest can be indicated within the application form.

• In-person sessions at the office, available on request during the week commencing 26 January 2026. These sessions will be scheduled only if requested, to ensure they remain manageable for Trustees.

  Interview Panel Composition

  Chair or Vice-Chair, one Trustee, and one senior staff member.

  Key Dates

• Application deadline: 6 February 2026

• Shortlisting completed: Week commencing 10 February 2026

• Interviews held: 17–27 February 2026

• Outcome communicated: By 6 March 2026

Grand Union Orchestra is a music-led charity that brings together world-class artists and diverse communities to create powerful, socially engaged work through collaborative, cross-cultural performances. Through a wide range of productions, recordings, and educational programmes, we celebrate cultural heritage while empowering new generations of artists.

As we enter 2026, we are embarking on a new structure to expand our impact and define a long-term strategy to create new live music, foster creativity, and stand up against intolerance.

As a Trustee, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring the charity is meeting its goals and has a solid operational base.  We are looking for candidates to take an active role, and share expertise in income-generation, marketing, communications and community engagement. 

We would particularly welcome applications for the role of Treasurer to take responsibility for overseeing our finances, and helping with budgeting and management accounts. Knowledge of Charity finance would be extremely beneficial to us.

The Institute of Conservation (Icon) is seeking an enterprising and passionate supporter of cultural heritage to chair our Board of Trustees through an ambitious period of growth and change.

This fulfilling role will appeal to a people focused individual, who will welcome the opportunity to actively engage with Icon's membership and the wider heritage sector. We are looking for the skills and ambition to support us as we establish a new strategy to champion conservation and deliver sustainable financial growth to support our charitable objectives.

About the Role 

The Chair’s responsibilities include those of all Icon Trustees, with the additional operational responsibilities:

• Providing leadership to the Board in its strategic and policy role
• Chairing the Board and other meetings to facilitate positive discussion and development
• Ensuring the Board fulfils its legal and charitable responsibilities for the governance of Icon
• Establishing a constructive working relationship with the Chief Executive
• Appraising the performance of the Chief Executive and the Trustees
• Advocating for Icon and conservation via public speaking appointments at Icon events and within the wider heritage sector
• Supporting Icon’s petition for Royal Charter through stakeholder engagement activity

For the full list of responsibilities and information on Icon including its mission and values, please refer to the Chair of the Board of Trustees Recruitment Pack

About You

You will be:

• Committed to Icon’s values and the conservation of cultural heritage
• Committed to the professional ethos that defines Icon and its members
• Able to direct the business of the Board efficiently and effectively
• Skilled in developing and nurturing productive working relationships
• Willing to challenge us and introduce new ways of thinking

You will have experience in:

• Charity or corporate governance
• High level advocacy across a range of media, including public speaking, interviewing and written commentary
•  Successful fundraising and/or entrepreneurial activities
• Delivering organisational growth and future resilience
• Problem solving, building understanding, and fostering collaboration

All trustees must agree to comply with the Trustees’ Code of Conduct. You can find more information about being a Trustee on Icon’s website.

How to Apply

If you would like to be considered for a position on our Board of Trustees, please submit a brief covering letter (no more than one side of A4) explaining why you are interested in the role and highlighting your relevant skills and experience. Please also provide your CV, covering no more than two sides of A4. 

Detailed application instructions can be found on Icon's website.

Applications close on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 5PM.

Volunteer Admissions Assistant

You'll be multitasking throughout the day, with a mix of responsibilities including customer service, ticket sales, promoting Gift Aid donations, shop duties, guiding visitors and providing information about the Museum and the collection. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and love engaging with people, this is the role for you. 

The Volunteer Admissions Assistant role is all about making a lasting impression and creating a memorable visitor experience. You’ll be:

• Welcoming and engaging with visitors, sharing information about the museum and its collection.
• Selling tickets and gift shop items, ensuring smooth transactions and great customer service.
• Collecting data for Gift Aid and marketing purposes, including how visitors found out about us.
• Creating positive experiences to encourage return visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Helping visitors explore the Museum through interpretation, answering questions and distributing trails, accessibility and family activities.
• Maintaining the gift shop, including restocking, counting stock, and setting up attractive displays.
• Conducting online research and building contact lists to support marketing efforts.
• Promoting the Museum locally, raising awareness and encouraging more visitors to discover what we have to offer!

Who we’re looking for:

We’d like to extend an invitation to anyone, particularly members of the local community.  Full training will be provided, we are looking for anyone with:

• Great customer service skills – you will be friendly and confident about approaching visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Great communication skills – you will be able to clearly explain information about the Museum and ticketing to visitors
• Good computer skills – with training, you will be able to use our ticketing system, email and Microsoft Office
• Good Sales Skills – you will be able to promote ticket sales and gift shop items as well as encouraging Gift Aid donations
• Multitasking skills – with various responsibilities such as selling tickets, guiding visitors, and managing the gift shop, you will be able to juggle tasks efficiently
• A good telephone manner
• Good team working skills

This role offers plenty of variety, and you'll play an important part in making every visitor's experience unforgettable.

Training and support:

All volunteers will first be invited for a training shift.  We have an induction and training process, during which we give volunteers the information they need to enjoy their time with us. Training is mainly 'on the job', supported by an experienced volunteer as well as the manager on duty. Volunteers are given regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience. The Admissions Assistant receives continued training and development throughout their time with us.

Availability:

We are looking for volunteers who would ideally like to donate 2-4 shifts per month, weekdays or weekends, either as a 10-1.30pm shift, or a 1.30-5pm shift, for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally, you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential. Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are on a full day shift.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

We are seeking an experienced professional to volunteer as a Contract & Compliance Advisor. This role is ideal for someone with significant experience in law, compliance, procurement, or contract negotiation, who would like to use their expertise to support a values-led charity.

Key Responsibilities

• Review contracts, agreements, and supplier documentation
• Identify potential risks, liabilities, and areas requiring clarification
• Highlight key terms, conditions, and small print in clear, accessible language
• Provide guidance on compliance, procurement, and contractual best practice
• Support staff to understand contractual implications (non-legal advice)
• Offer input on negotiation points where appropriate

This role is advisory and does not involve acting as Chickenshed’s legal representative.