Trustees volunteer roles

Overview

Julie’s Bicycle is seeking an outstanding Chair, Treasurer, and new Trustees to join our Board and help lead our pioneering not-for-profit organisation mobilising the arts and culture to take action on the climate, nature, and justice crisis.

Working closely with CEO and Founder Alison Tickell, Managing Director Laura Pando, and a committed team, our Board provides strategic vision, governance, and advocacy – championing the role of culture in creating a fair, sustainable future.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in climate change, policy, diplomacy, or finance, and who share our commitment to justice, inclusion, and the power of culture to drive change.

Terms of Appointment

An initial three-year term. Board members may be re-appointed to the Board of Trustees up to a maximum of two terms.

Location

Hybrid. Board and Subcommittee meetings are held either in person (primarily in London or at venues across the UK) or remotely.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary, unpaid position. Reasonable expenses, such as travel costs, will be reimbursed where applicable.

Time Commitment

• Chair: 2-3 days per month
• Treasurer: 1-2 days per month
• Board members: 1-2 days per month

Why Join Us?

This is a pivotal moment for the creative and cultural community. For decades, Julie’s Bicycle has championed the vital role of culture - heritage, arts and creative industries - in climate action. We have worked directly with organisations to understand the practical and conceptual changes needed, translating that knowledge into insights that inform policy and funding. Now, the potential of culture to contribute to a just and thriving future is being widely recognised.

Our previous Co-Director, Natalie Highwood, expertly steered the company through the first stage of post-Covid recovery and a new strategy, and we have now welcomed a new Managing Director, Laura Pando, from Climate KIC where she ran the flagship 30mil EU programme Pathways2Resilience. We are also energising our board. To that end we are seeking to appoint a Chair, a Treasurer and up to three new Trustees who share our vision, values, and passion to build on the successes of the past 17 years.

Julie’s Bicycle is deeply committed to becoming a more diverse and inclusive charity - this is one of our central priorities. We welcome applications from everyone who shares this commitment and particularly encourage applications from young people, members of the global majority, and disabled communities whose perspectives are central to climate justice and who may be disproportionately affected by climate-related issues.

This is a unique opportunity to help lead a pioneering not-for-profit organisation that mobilises the arts and culture to take action on the climate, nature, and justice crises. We hope you are interested in joining us in this vital work and look forward to hearing from you.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, we are open to informal chats from prospective candidates. If you’d like to have an informal chat to discuss your potential fit, please get in touch with our MD.

If you’d like to apply, please complete the application form, declaration of eligbility form and equal opportunities monitoring form on our website and submit these by 11.59pm on Sunday 23th November 2025.

We are committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer; we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, culture, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

A note on AI

While we understand that some people may use AI tools for accessibility (and recognise and support that many assistive technologies may use elements of AI), we ask candidates to consider what tools are most appropriate during the application process. For example, we recognise the value for many people of machine learning language tools like Grammarly. On the other hand we would discourage the use of generative AI tools in writing your application, as we'd like to understand your personal interest in working for Julie's Bicycle, and be able to understand your non-AI-assisted communication skills just as they are. We also recognise that for many of the people and creative communities we work with, the rise of generative AI poses a threat to their livelihoods, while the environmental impacts of AI are only set to grow: this means we also have a responsibility as Julie's Bicycle to consider where and when (and if) we use AI in our work. 

Thank you for your interest in Julie’s Bicycle.

We are at a very exciting stage in the development of the Trust, having increased our impact significantly over the last 3 years, with new 5-year strategy in place,  a small staff team, an expert group of Trustees, and a wonderful cohort of committed volunteers.

We are particularly interested in applications from people withknowledge, skills and experience in ecology and conservation; heritage, culture and the arts; the law; safeguarding; senior leadership experience, ideally at Chief Executive level, in the charity or social enterprise sector; and/or people with a strong connection to, and understanding of, the Forest through volunteering for EFHT or one of the other community organisations who work in/or around the Forest.

Through this recruitment process we are also aiming to further diversify our Board of Trustees, to ensure it reflects the communities surrounding the Forest. We are particularly seeking applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minority candidates and from people who are disabled. 

As way of background, several Trustees who have helped lead our transformation are now stepping down as a result of work changes or moving home, and we are recruiting between 3 and 5 new Trustees with the passion, skills and experiences to steer delivery of the new strategy, committed to making the Forest accessible to all as we help protect and preserve Epping Forest now, and for generations to come.

As a Trustee you will be expected to attend 4 Trustee meetings a year as well as our Annual General meeting, and take part in other activities as your time permits. The role is voluntary and unremunerated. 

We offer a full induction and training as necessary to help you fulfil the role.

Application is by CV and short covering letter (no more than 2 pages).

Applications close at 9am Wednesday 12th November with interviews planned for w/c 24th November.

We’re looking for two amazing trustees to join our board at Speech and Language UK. Could it be you?

You could help more children enjoy story time, learn their times tables, and share jokes with their friends and families by volunteering your time as a trustee. With a record two million children now dealing with speech and language challenges – and that number rising year on year – this a crucial time for our organisation and the children and families we support.

As a trustee, you will guide us, support us, and grow with us as we work to make sure every child can face the future with confidence. We’re looking for trustees with experience either in education (early years, primary, or secondary) or speech and language therapy (practice- or research-based or a combination) who are as passionate as we are about changing young lives.

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to make a difference.

For more information or to chat about the role, please get in touch or visit our website.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday, 24 November 2025. Interviews will take place on 10 December (morning) and 12 December (afternoon) via Teams.

Do you believe in the power of movement to transform lives?

Are you excited by the idea of helping a bold, growing charity make a real impact in Andover and beyond?

Then this could be the opportunity for you.

Valley Leisure exists to help people move more and feel better – physically, mentally and emotionally. Through inclusive, community-focused services like the I Can Therapy Centre, I Can Connect, and the newly expanded Riverside Activity Zone, the charity is reaching more people than ever – and has exciting plans for further growth.

Charisma Charity Recruitment is partnering with Valley Leisure to appoint new trustees to help shape the charity’s next chapter.

This is not a passive governance role. Trustees will bring insight, challenge, and fresh thinking to a board that is ambitious about both commercial success and social purpose. This is an opportunity to use your experience to drive real change – in people’s lives and in the future of the organisation.

The charity is particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in finance, commercial growth, business leadership and development, income generation, health innovation and marketing.

Previous trustee experience is not essential – what matters most is your passion for the cause and your ability to contribute strategically. Support and induction will be provided to ensure new trustees feel confident in their role.

Time commitment is around half a day per month, including bi-monthly board meetings, usually held in person at one of the charity’s Andover-based centres.

You’ll be joining a warm, forward-thinking board that balances strong governance with a genuine commitment to kindness, community and impact.

If you’re commercially minded, values-driven, and ready to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website. For an informal conversation, contact Adam Stacey, CEO.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic.

Closing date: 24 November 2025

Interview Dates: w/c 1 and 8 December 2025

Would you like to use your skills and experience to help some of the most vulnerable children in the UK? And to help a small user-led charity that has become reputationally successful and punches way above its weight to grow sustainably, yet at speed, into its next iteration and be able to serve more families?

Founded in June 2020, The Belay Foundation was created to fill an urgent need for practical ‘in-home’ support to families whose children have previously been in local authority care. We were awarded charity registration in December 2020 and were soon working with families and Local Authorities across the UK. Our main areas of focus are: finding, training and supporting people who can offer trauma-responsive childcare and respite; disability benefits advice to families and young people; training professionals and parents to understand and respond to the impact of early-life trauma. 

Currently, The Belay Foundation has an income of £120k and has supported over 400 families. Feedback from those families is very positive and reflects the change from crisis to coping. We are currently conducting a major review of our services and business model to enable us to relaunch services which can be scaled to the next level and respond to an ever-expanding need. This review is being led by our new CEO, Libby McVeigh, who looks forward to working with our new Trustees to ensure that our strategy, systems and processes match our ambition.

Role Description

As a trustee you will:

• Meet regularly (mostly online and in the evening) with the other trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity’s strategy
• Scrutinise the proper management and administration of the charity
• Champion the charity’s core values
• Help develop the financial sustainability of the charity
• Consider further service delivery in line with the charity’s aims
• Promote the work of the charity and develop contacts externally

Person specification

Essential:

• An interest in good governance and strategy
• Ability to scrutinise organisational systems and outputs, and a willingness and ability to support with operational tasks.
• Experience of providing oversight of operations in an organisation
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative, enthusiastic and empathetic
• Able to offer 4+ hours per month in Trustee and other meetings and in small group/1:1 support; and attend one in-person away day each year.

Preferable but not essential: 

• Experience of a trustee role
• Personal or professional interest in adoption, special guardianship and/or kinship care
• Experience in supporting the growth of a small organisation from its origins to its next stage 

In accordance with our commitment to equal opportunities and improving the diversity of our Board, we particularly  welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in our governance structure.

Click on the 'How to Apply' link for more information, including on how to apply by the deadline of midnight on Sunday 9th November

Cambridge Women’s Aid has been supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse for over 40 years. We are currently searching for new trustees to join our board.

Effective governance is key to the success and sustainability of our organisation. As a trustee, you will be able to use your experience, energy and creativity to shape our approach and help us to achieve our mission. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ trustee, and you don’t necessarily need previous board experience; we welcome women with a diverse range of backgrounds, skills and life experiences, who can commit and contribute to the success of our work.

At the moment, our Board of Trustees is particularly looking to build expertise in Legal, Finance, HR & Safeguarding. However, we welcome applications from all women with a commitment to our work and are interested in hearing about full range of skills applicants can bring.

As a trustee, you will receive training to carry out your role, have opportunities to represent CWA in the community, and be part of a supportive and welcoming board. Being a trustee gives you the chance to gain experience in strategic planning, develop skills in new areas, and add significant value to a thriving charity.

Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend and minimum of four in person board meetings per year, plus one away day and one Annual General Meeting. Most trustees will get involved in the work of sub-committees, such as the Employment or Finance groups, and will attend around six sub-committee meetings per year. The minimum commitment is 3 years.

Location

Cambridge city

Remuneration

This is a voluntary position, but expenses are reimbursed.

How to Apply

For more information about the trustee role, and to apply, please email to request an application pack from our website. 

CWA values diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination of all forms. We encourage and welcome applications from women of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants from minoritised women and younger women. We also welcome applicants with lived experience of VAWG services (though we ask that applicants have not accessed our service within the last two years).

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

An enhanced DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure will be required for this role.

Arvon, the UK's oldest and most celebrated creative writing charity, is recruiting up to two finance trustees to join its dynamic board and help shape the charity's future. If you have a passion for the arts and literature, and believe in the positive, even transformative impact creative engagement can have for everyone, then we'd love to hear from you. We have run creative writing courses for young people, disadvantaged adults and the general public at our three writing houses – located in beautiful rural settings across England and now also online – for nearly 60 years. This is an opportunity to play a part in supporting and influencing the future of a unique charity at a time of exciting change.

It is an exciting and challenging time for the international development sector. Vision Action is seeking to appoint two new Trustees, one of whom will serve as Chair Designate, to bring experience, insight, and energy in support of our ambition to increase equitable access to basic eye care services in Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia (with plans to expand further).

Vision Action was born in 2022 out of the merger to two charities, Vision for a Nation, an award-winning charity founded by the philanthropist James Chen and operating in Rwanda which developed a unique model for providing basic eye care in under-resourced settings, and Vision Aid Overseas, founded in the 1980s to establish accessible vision centres across Africa.  To learn more about our work please visit our website at Vision Action. The role of the Board of Trustees is to oversee the direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its Constitution. The Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team.

Terms of service

For Vision Action the Trustees are Members who have been elected to serve on the Board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 Trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years.  Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the Trustees are its legal directors. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid.  Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action Board of Trustees annually at the Board meeting following the Annual General Meeting. The time commitment in being a trustee involves attendance at four Board meetings per year, one of which will be an all-day strategy session. Otherwise, Board meetings are usually half a day in the afternoon of a weekday with at least half the meetings online.  Papers are circulated for reading in advance. There may be other ad-hoc meetings or online events to discuss specific topics.

Main tasks

Charity Trustees have and must accept ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each Trustee will be expected to join one of the two sub-committees (Finance and Fundraising; and Programmes and Research). The Committees meet remotely at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings. 

General Responsibilities

• Ensure that Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its Constitution and Bylaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Recruitment, Child Protection and Anti- Bribery).
• Appoint and support the Co-Chief Executive Officers and monitor their performance.

Additional Specific Responsibilities

In addition to the above, we are looking for a Trustee who can be the Chair Designate and assume the role of Chair in December 2025.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Each Trustee must demonstrate:

• A commitment to the mission and values of Vision Action.
• A commitment to Vision Action’s key organisational policies, including those on Harassment and Misconduct, Safeguarding, Whistleblowing, Recruitment, Child Protection, and Anti-Bribery.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Willingness to represent, advocate for, and support the work of the charity.

Desirable Experience

While not essential, experience in the following areas would be an advantage:

• Leadership or senior management experience in business, the third sector, or civil service.
• Understanding of the International Development or Global Health sectors.
• Fundraising, philanthropy, or partnership development.

1.  Terms of Service.

The Chair is appointed by the Board annually for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. He/she will normally assume his/her appointment at the Board meeting following the AGM in November.

2.  Main Tasks:

• To lead the Board in ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action.
• To ensure the Trustees set and regularly review policy, overall strategy and objectives.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s funding target.
• To guide the Co-Chief Executives, to help achieve Vision Action’s objectives.
• To monitor approved strategies and business plans.

3.  Specific Duties relating to:

3.1 Ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of Vision Action:

• To chair meetings of the Board, seeing that it functions effectively and carries out its duties.
• To ensure the Board works within the framework of law, Charity Commission guidelines and management best practice.
• To ensure that the policies of the Board are compliant with its charity objectives.
• To ensure the Trustees set overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them.
• In conjunction with the Treasurer, to ensure Vision Action’s financial dealings are prudently and systematically accounted for in compliance with legal requirements.
• Make recommendations on the composition of the Board, with a view to succession, and future Chair.
• To serve as an additional spokesman for, and promoter of Vision Action (Note: The Co-Chief Executives act as the primary spokespeople)

3.2 To ensure Trustees develop overall strategy and policy objectives and regularly review them:

• To incorporate the skills and experience of the trustees and the Co-Chief Executives’ team in the development of strategic objectives and planning processes.
• Identify with the Co-Chief Executives, clear objectives and key performance indicators

3.3 Helping the Co-Chief Executives achieve Vision Action’s mission:

• The Chair should always adopt an attitude of strategic overview and avoid becoming immersed in the day-to- day details of running Vision Action. Such matters are the responsibility of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To support and monitor the work of the Co-Chief Executives.
• To assist in the promotion of Vision Action to a wider audience of potential donors and beneficiaries.
• To undertake a supportive role in achieving Vision Action’s fundraising target.

3.4 Optimising the relationship between the Board, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders:

• In consultation with the Co-Chief Executives, to agree the annual calendar of Board meetings and major events involving Vision Action.
• To thank and encourage Vision Action volunteers, staff and other stakeholders as opportunities present themselves.
• To conduct the annual appraisal of the Co-Chief Executives and agree their annual objectives and performance measures.

About the organisation

Salterns Academy Trust is a flourishing community of three schools committed to providing exceptional education and opportunities for every young person in our care. We are a collaborative family of schools focused on driving continuous improvement for all our learners and staff., We are now seeking additional Trustees to join our Board and help shape the next phase of our journey.

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We are proud to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do. We encourage applications from a wide range of professional fields and backgrounds. As part of our Board’s succession planning, expertise in Estates, IT and Facilities, Secondary Education, or Legal fields would help to strengthen and balance our collective experience. While being local to Portsmouth is not a requirement, an understanding of the local context would be advantageous.

As a Trustee, you will guide the Trust’s strategic direction, ensuring effective oversight and supporting our mission to deliver high-quality education across all our schools. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in local education and contribute to the success of a forward-looking Trust.

The Trust oversees two secondary settings, Admiral Lord Nelson School and Trafalgar School, as well as Mayfield School, which is a through-school serving pupils aged 4 to 16. Together, these schools form a close-knit community that values inclusion, ambition, and continuous improvement.

Since our formation, the Trust has built a strong reputation for partnership working, effective leadership, and steady school improvement. Each school retains its own identity while benefiting from the collective strength, shared expertise, and resources of the wider Trust. The focus is firmly on delivering high-quality teaching and learning, fostering aspiration, and ensuring that all students are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.

Underpinned by values of respect, responsibility, and resilience, Salterns Academy Trust is forward-looking and community-minded, working closely with local partners and families to make a lasting, positive difference. The Trust benefits from an experienced and dedicated leadership team, continues to build on its successes and strives to provide the very best outcomes for children and young people across Portsmouth.

About the role

Time commitment: 8 hours / 1 day a month

Trustees work collectively to provide strong governance, effective oversight, and constructive challenge to the executive team. You will use your professional expertise and strategic insight to help us maintain high standards of performance, financial sustainability, and educational excellence as it continues to evolve and expand.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and governance as Salterns Academy Trust continues to develop into the primary education sector.
• Offer insights and guidance based on your experience to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning.
• Support the development and implementation of policies that promote a nurturing and inclusive environment for primary school students.
• Collaborate with fellow trustees, the executive team, and school leaders to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Champion the Trust’s vision, mission, and values within the community and among stakeholders.
• Attend evening Board meetings (up to 6 per year) and committee meetings (up to 6 a year), as well as occasionally undertake school visits and meetings with senior leaders in

Who we are looking for

We are seeking individuals with the vision, integrity, and strategic insight to contribute to the continued success and growth of the Trust. The ideal candidate will bring professional expertise, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. You do not need prior board experience; what matters most is the ability to think strategically, ask constructive questions, and share your experience in a way that supports the Trust’s development.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to contribute to long-term planning and development.
• Strong commitment to educational equity and a passion for making a positive impact on children’s lives.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Professional expertise in areas such as Estates, IT and Facilities, Secondary Education, or Legal services, though other relevant backgrounds will also be considered.
• Integrity, independence of thought, and the confidence to both support and challenge constructively.

This is an opportunity to apply your skills and experience to help shape the future of a forward-looking, values-driven Trust.

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

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 8th December

BLUE SMILE - CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Founded in 2010, Blue Smile is a Cambridgeshire charity supporting children aged 3-13 to manage big feelings, process difficult emotions, overcome anxieties and build resilience.

Blue Smile's mission is to transform the mental health and life chances of Cambridgeshire children through arts-based therapies, supporting over 200 children a week in the region’s schools, providing one-to-one therapy and groupwork. We work in particular, in accordance with our charitable aims, with those who face disadvantage or deprivation.

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES ROLE

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and governance to ensure that Blue Smile fulfils its charitable objectives. You will lead the Board in an inclusive way, promoting collaborative working and provide support and challenge to the Charity Director.

This role is vital to ensuring the charity operates in accordance with the law, delivers public benefit, and remains financially and strategically sustainable.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Our new Chair of Trustees will:

• Have board level experience as Chair, Non-executive or Trustee.

• Show a strong understanding of governance, strategy and the legal duties of a charity trustee.

• Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have sound judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to build a collaborative environment.

• Demonstrate a passion for improving children’s mental health and wellbeing which aligns with the charity’s values and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Six meetings a year, including one as the AGM and an annual strategy day. Board meetings are currently held online.
• Monthly scheduled meeting with the Charity Director with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.
• Ad hoc/occasional support through working groups and to the wider Blue Smile team.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• The Chair is appointed for a 5 year term of office, renewable for 1 further term to a maximum of 10 years in line with Blue Smile’s Articles of Association.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

TO APPLY

If you would like to be part of a welcoming and well-respected charity, please send your CV and a covering letter, outlining your interest and suitability for the role. We will be recruiting on a rolling basis so please do get in touch soon!

Blue Smile is committed to a diversity of voices in our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. 

Safeguarding is central to all Blue Smile activities, and we recognise that the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care when they are in our charge, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities.

We are committed to safer recruitment and trustees will be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly, values-driven charity making a real difference to people experiencing homelessness. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will do our best to meet accessibility needs.

Housing Justice brings together communities and finds solutions to homelessness by building personal connections, a sense of belonging, and creating justice in the housing system. Through compassionate, courageous, and collaborative action, we support over 100 community-run night shelters, deliver our own services to help people find and sustain tenancies, and influence national policy to create a fairer housing system.

We are now seeking two Finance Trustees to strengthen our Board. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with charity finance expertise who can support our Finance Subcommittee and provide insight and guidance to the wider Board.

For the full role description and requirements, please see the attached JD and Person Specification.

We’re looking for people who care deeply about making a difference, people who want to help shape a more compassionate, care-centred future for the performing arts.

Our aim is to build a Board that truly represents the people we serve — in background, identity, experience, and voice. We want everyone to feel that they belong and can play a meaningful part in our work.

We know that joining a Board can sometimes feel daunting, so we’re committed to removing barriers and offering the support you need to take part fully and confidently.

We especially welcome people with lived experience that reflects the realities of care — whether you’re a carer or young carer, a young person, or someone from a background or identity that’s often under-represented in leadership.

Your insights, your story, and your perspective are invaluable in helping us shape a more inclusive and responsive organisation — one that truly reflects and serves the communities around us.

If you’re passionate about what we do and ready to bring your experience and ideas to help lead positive change, we’d love to hear from you.

For full details of the role and how to apply, please download the Job Pack from our website.

Application closes: Monday 24th November 2025, 11:00

We are a passionate, mission-driven charity working to protect and restore nature across Tees Valley and beyond. Through our nature reserves, community engagement, and advocacy, we empower people of all ages to connect with wildlife and take action for the environment. We are looking for a new Trustees to support the charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for a you to lend knowledge and expertise to inform strategic leadership to support the Trust’s governance and long-term impact.

Trustees drive our strategic direction, offering guidance, support and constructive challenge to the CEO. As passionate ambassadors for our work, they leverage networks to influence key partners and secure vital funding. Drawing on their expertise, they collaborate to position the charity for success in delivering strategic priorities. With strategic vision, independent judgement and commitment, our Trustees steer the Trust through

Trustees responsibilities

• Shape the Trust’s strategic vision, ensuring alignment with our goals and values
• Provide constructive challenge and support to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team
• Act as an ambassador, building relationships with partners, funders, and community groups
• Offer professional expertise to strengthen governance, policy development, and decision-making
• Commit to upholding charity law and the highest standards of integrity

Key information about London PLAY and the Co-Chair role

About Play

Play is important. It is deemed so vital to children’s health, happiness, and development that the right to play is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet play in London is under threat:

• Space for play is threatened by development and traffic.
• Freedom to play is stifled by perceptions of risk, and fear.
• Time for play is limited by more testing in school and sedentary activities.
• Funding for play workers and play spaces is increasingly scarce. About London PLAY London Play works to ensure children have the space, time and freedom to play.

We want every child in London to have high quality, free play opportunities, near to where they live. We’re working to achieve this through campaigning, organising events, supporting play providers and play workers and others whose work or lives include children, and creating opportunities for more and better play across the capital.

About the role

London PLAY is seeking a Co-Chair of Trustees to work alongside our current Chair, oversee the implementation of our strategy, and help us increase our impact and influence. The Co-Chairs will work closely with other trustees and staff to ensure effective governance, and to achieve London Play’s aims. After a period of transition, it is envisaged that the new Co-Chair will take on the full responsibilities of the role of Chair.

Key responsibilities (shared with the other Co-Chair)

In addition to the general duties and responsibilities of a trustee, the Co-Chair will: ▪ Plan the annual cycle of board meetings, in conjunction with the Director. ▪ Set agendas for board meetings, in conjunction with the Director. ▪ Chair and facilitate board meetings. ▪ Give direction to board policy-making. ▪ Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision-making. ▪ Represent the organisation at functions and meetings. ▪ Meet regularly with the Director to gain an overview of the organisation’s affairs and operation and for the purposes of providing support. ▪ Liaise with the Director to continually develop the board of trustees. ▪ Lead the annual performance appraisal process for the Director. ▪ Sit on selection, disciplinary, grievances and complaints panels, as necessary, and in particular where the appointment of new trustees is concerned. ▪ Support the organisation’s overall development. 

Person specification: Co-Chair of the board of trustees

▪ A commitment to the organisation, its vision and passion to make play accessible for all children. ▪ A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort. ▪ An ability to think creatively and strategically. ▪ An ability to work effectively as a member of a team. ▪ Selflessness, integrity, and objectivity. ▪ A willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis.

Other key information

• The role of Co-Chair is not remunerated, but reasonable expenses will be paid.
• The board meets four times a year, twice in person and twice online.
• In person meetings are held in London.
• The Co-Chairs (and board members) serve a three-year term to be eligible for reappointment at the end of each term for a maximum of two additional terms.

Summary and how to apply

This is an exciting role and opportunity to co-lead a small but influential charity that has championed children's right to play for nearly 30 years. If you are interested in applying for this role, please email (email address listed below) a copy of your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are applying for the role and outlining your relevant experience. Your cover letter should be no more than two sides of A4.

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented on our board including younger people, people from ethnically diverse groups, and people with disabilities.

Important dates to note

• Deadline for applications: Thursday 13 November, 5:00pm.
• Note that first-round interviews will be held online on Thursday 20 November.
• Second-round interviews will be held in-person (in Hackney) on Monday 24 November.

If you cannot attend an interview on either of these dates, please state this in your application and we will do our best to work around your availability.

Other information to note

Current Chair of Trustees (to become Co-Chair): Melian Mansfield

Current Co-Vice Chairs: Barry Walden and Hal Davidson

Number Champions supports London primary school children who struggle with numeracy. Independent evaluation shows our highly positive impact. We seek two capable and committed trustees to help drive our strategy and oversee delivery.One new trustee may become Vice Chair.

What will you be doing?

Numeracy, like literacy, is a core life skill. However, many children do not learn well in a classroom setting. Number Champions was the first and is still the only UK charity focused on supporting primary school children who struggle with numeracy. By helping children improve their confidence, enjoyment, and skills in maths, we support their wider development and help them achieve their potential.

Our trained volunteers run weekly one-to-one sessions with each child, during the school day but outside the classroom. They use games and other creative activities to engage the child and to enable them to build confidence and skills. Experienced teachers volunteering with us as “Mentors” provide support.

The trustee board meets about seven times a year. It sets strategic direction, reviews all aspects of the charity in rotation, and takes corrective action where it identifies that we are not achieving our planned objectives. All trustees are expected to study the papers for each meeting and to contribute to all discussions. We currently have eight trustees with two reaching the end of their terms, so we will be eight again after the recruitment process.

You would use your experience, skills, and current awareness to identify risks and opportunities to bring to the board’s attention, and you would influence the other trustees to follow your ideas through to implementation. 

Board meetings alternate between in-person in London and online.

We encourage trustees to meet our volunteers and staff, and to ensure that their experience and voice is taken into account in directing the charity.

What are we looking for?

You will:

• bring relevant senior experience from any sector, including education, business, professional, or charity.
• have skills which would enhance the capability of the board. The attached role descriptions list skills, but we are open to other skills you can offer which you can persuade us would be important to the charity.
• function effectively as part of a team, thinking creatively and strategically, listening, stating your position clearly and succinctly, and accepting group decisions.
• be open, deliver on commitments and show attention to detail without losing sight of the big picture, and understand your own strengths and weaknesses.
• be enthusiastic about our mission to help children achieve their potential.
• devote time to reading papers and attending board meetings and to progressing issues as needed between meetings – probably about ten to twelve hours a month.
• ideally have experience in fundraising or volunteer management, but this is certainly not a requirement for the roles.

We serve the diverse population of London children. This diversity is reflected in our volunteers but not in our current board. We welcome applicants from all ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds, including those with disabilities.

You do not need experience as a trustee.