Trustees volunteer roles

Background: As their current Chair prepares to step down after an impactful and valued tenure, they are seeking a new Chair to lead their Board into the next phase of their journey. This is a planned transition at a pivotal time in their development. The Chair will work in close partnership with donors, the Chief Executive, trustees, and staff team to shape their future strategy and strengthen its governance. This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, lasting change for London’s communities — and to support the organisations at the heart of that change.

Overview of the role
 
The Chair of the Board of Trustees ensures that the organisation’s strategy seeks to address some of the most complex social and economic issues in London today by attracting the right partnerships and investments and ensuring that funds get to where they are needed most in the most effective, efficient and impactful manner.
 
The role holder ensures that this work is delivered with a strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion and outstanding governance.

Principal Responsibilities
 
Strategic Leadership
 
• Provide inspiring and inclusive leadership to the Board, helping define their strategic aims, and aligning these with its vision and values
• Lead on embedding DEI principles in Board culture and decisions, and fostering a culture of transparency, learning, collaboration, challenge, and accountability.
• Facilitate a constructive, purposeful, and productive dynamic between the Board and Executive team, supporting them in identifying and managing key organisational risks and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure the charity delivers maximum community impact through a sound strategy, strong governance, and continuous learning.
• Lead the Board in overseeing the financial resilience of the charity.
• Provide effective line management to the CEO.

Sound Governance and Compliance
 
• Work with the Chief Executive to shape the Board’s agenda, aligning governance with strategic priorities.
• Ensure the Board operates effectively and adheres to its legal and regulatory responsibilities and to best-practice governance principles.
• Encourage full, meaningful, and diverse participation at Board meetings and ensure Board decisions are evidence-informed, collectively owned, and implemented effectively.
• Lead on the annual appraisal of Trustees, on Board and Committee effectiveness, and on sound succession planning.

External Relations
 
• Act as a confident and credible representative of LCF; and support the Chief Executive in developing strategic relationships and enhancing the organisation’s profile and reputation.
• Promote external engagement and horizon scanning to identify emerging risks and opportunities for innovation.
• Engage with and listen to communities and partners across London to amplify under-represented voices.

Relationship with the Chief Executive
 
• Build a strong, supportive, and honest working relationship with the Chief Executive.
• Hold the Chief Executive to account for the achievement of agreed objectives and organisational health.
• Provide regular support and challenge, balancing encouragement with oversight.
• Lead the Chief Executive’s annual performance and remuneration review, with input from fellow Trustees.

Person Specification
 
Values and Personal Qualities
 
• A strong understanding of the issues facing London’s communities and commitment to their charitable objects and work.
• Deep commitment to their values, EDI focus and to lived experience and community voice.
• An inclusive leadership style, bringing people together and valuing collaboration and diversity of thought and experience.
• Credibility and authenticity to inspire confidence among a wide range of stakeholders and communities.
• Comfortable engaging with people across diverse sectors, from grassroots groups to institutional funders.

Experience
 
• Senior leadership experience in the voluntary, public, or private sectors.
• Experience as a trustee within a charity or similar, with experience chairing or participating in effective non-executive boards.
• Proven track record in strategy, governance, and impact-led decision-making.
• Proven experience representing an organisation publicly and engaging stakeholders.

Knowledge and Skills
 
• Understanding of the community foundation and philanthropic landscape.
• Strong working knowledge of charity governance and the regulatory duties of trustees, with the ability to promote and model good governance practice.
• Strong financial literacy.

Term
 
The Chair will serve a three-year term, renewable for up to two additional terms (maximum of nine years).

Remuneration
 
The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Time Commitment
 
The Chair role requires an estimated commitment of 15–18 days per year. This includes preparing for and attending four Board meetings annually, each held at their London office; participating in occasional extraordinary or quarterly sub-committee meetings; holding regular meetings with the Chief Executive; and representing the Foundation at key events or external engagements.

You may also have experience in the following roles: Board Chair, Non-Executive Director, Trustee Chair, Board Director, Chief Executive, Managing Director, Senior Director, Executive Director, Non-Executive Chair, etc.

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Do you feel excited by the idea of guiding the future of a local mental health charity?

Rochdale and District Mind is a mental health charity that supports people in the community who are facing mental health challenges. Our area of operation is Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, Bury and N.E. Lancashire. As part of the Mind Federation and the Mind in Greater Manchester partnership, our goal is to ensure that individuals do not face mental health issues alone and can live free from stigma and discrimination.

Our team consists of over 70 dedicated staff members and volunteers who provide a wide variety of services and activities, including counselling, therapeutic group workshops, advocacy, crisis support, dementia support, two wellbeing cafés, as well as other wellbeing activities such as sports sessions. To ensure our services are effective and rooted in the needs of the community, we involve people who use our services in shaping our offer. We are also pleased to be recognised for our work with our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities in Rochdale. We work proactively both with our service users and with other key stakeholder organisations to tackle health inequalities.

Chair opportunity

We are flexible in our approach and are open to a single Chair or Co-Chair arrangement. We are looking for people with governance experience, the ability to lead and alignment with our values. Our new Chair or Co-Chairs will have energy and drive, a genuine passion for mental health support and be able to bring both knowledge and connections to the organisation.

This is an exciting moment to join us. Rochdale and District Mind has undergone a period of significant growth in recent years, with both our annual turnover and staff numbers doubling. We’ve successfully embedded our services within the strategic priorities of the local Integrated Care Board, adapting what we offer to meet the changing mental health needs of our community. Now, with our CEO Philip Bramson at the helm, we’re entering a period of reflection and consolidation, ready to build on our strong foundation as we shape the next chapter of our journey.

How to apply?

Eastside People is supporting Rochdale and District Mind in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format.

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following: 

• Why are you interested in a Chair or Co-Chair role with Rochdale and District Mind? 
• How can you contribute to Rochdale and District Mind as our Chair or Co-Chair?
• Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the role description.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is Monday 28th July, and our candidate assessment schedule is as follows:

• EP interviews and informal conversations carried out through the recruitment process with final interviews taking place by Thu 31 July.
• Formal interviews with Rochdale and District Mind Board, in the week commencing 4th August.
• The successful candidate or candidates will be asked to attend two Board meetings as an observer (the first one of which is on 13 Aug), after which the appointment will be confirmed via a trustee vote.

Eastside People is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and work with our clients to ensure that we recruit inclusively, seeking to address the underrepresentation of some groups of people in leadership teams. We warmly welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Over the last twelve months, Divided Culture Co. has overhauled it's business model to place it in a competitive and strategic position, with a very strong future ahead. With the launch of a Creative Engagement programme, the onboarding of three associate artists and the transition over to a registered charity - 2025 is a highly exciting year to join.

We are looking for a broad range of experiences to form our Board of Trustees. From artistic to financial, we're particularly interested in hearing from a range of individuals, that represent the diversity of the communities that we serve.

We would like to receive enquiries from leaders with the following expertise:

- Chief Executive/Executive Director experience.

- Charity/VCSE management experience.

- Commercial producing experience.

- Finance and accountancy.

- Legal & HR.

The role is expected to consist of no more than four meetings a year, plus a range of benefits including reasonable expenses for costs incurred.

Closing date: Friday 30th May 2025 at 11:59pm.

Opportunity to join The Restart Project’s board of trustees

As we embark on implementing our newly formed strategy, we are looking for a finance trustee who can support us by connecting our ambitious goals with financial realities.

Our vision is by 2035, we’ve helped to end the throwaway production and consumption of electrical products. With systemic support, repair and reuse is easier, cheaper and more rewarding for all.

In 2025 we are winning the argument and are now entering a new phase of doing the ‘hard yards’ of getting our ideas implemented. This requires an evolution of our funding model. At the same time, working with companies – who are both part of the problem and part of the solution – poses special challenges for us to get right.

So we are now seeking a committed individual who shares our excitement and can help us realise the opportunities by serving as our finance trustee.

Who are we looking for?

The role would suit an individual looking to support the growth of a small charity, moving us beyond our 10 employees and further strengthening our finance and strategic approaches.

Having trustees with a mix of backgrounds, approaches and perspectives leads to better decision-making. We believe that a governance and accountability structure enriched by multiple voices and intersectional expertise, leads to more thoughtful, informed, just and liberatory strategies, decisions, and practices.

The finance trustee will take the lead at board level on:

• Advise on developing our business model and diversify earned and granted funding sources

• Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity

• Working with staff to develop a three year business plan, our annual budgets and preparing for the yearly reporting to the Charity Commission

• Keeping the Board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities 

Responsibilities as a board member

As well as the finance trustee specific responsibilities above, board members collectively:

• Contribute in giving strategic direction to the charity, setting overall strategy and policy, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Ensure the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuing its objectives

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity

• Safeguard the good name and values of the charity

• Declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee

• Are responsible for the actions of the charity 

• Participate in other tasks as arise from time to time when possible, such as interviewing new staff, helping with fundraising etc.

• Attend quarterly meetings and read papers in preparation for the meeting

• Keep informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues which affect its work

• Be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis 

Person specification 

We are seeking a finance trustee who has the following:

• Experience in business growth and financial management, ideally with a recognised accountancy or management qualification

• Understanding of charity finance

• A commitment to Restart’s vision, mission and values

• Willingness to devote the time and effort needed to fulfil the role

• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to contributing to a positive working culture

Further information is available about both the treasurer and trustee role in the job specifications available on our website.

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire (CASW) is inviting expressions of interest for the voluntary role of Treasurer. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong financial expertise to join a dedicated and talented Trustee Board and help shape the future of a trusted and impactful organisation. As Treasurer, the appointed candidate will play a central role in ensuring the financial sustainability and strategic direction of the charity.

Who we are

Citizens Advice South Warwickshire is a community based organisation helping the people in the South of the County across a range of issues including debt, housing and employment.

This is an exciting and challenging time to join us and I would encourage you to read our information pack and submit an application to be our Trustee Treasurer.

The role

The Treasurer is a key member of the Trustee Board, providing financial oversight and strategic guidance to help secure the long-term sustainability of CASW during a challenging time for the voluntary sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise on the financial implications of CASW’s strategic plans, including financial risk management.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Finance Manager on the presentation of budgets, management accounts, and statutory financial reports to the Board.
• Ensure accurate financial record-keeping and implement appropriate accounting procedures and controls.
• Monitor the financial viability of the organisation and support decisions on resource allocation.
• Ensure that investments and assets are being managed effectively.
• Support Trustees in understanding their financial responsibilities and enhance the Board’s collective financial literacy.
• Oversee compliance with all contractual and funding obligations.
• Promote and uphold good governance in line with CASW’s Articles of Association and Charity Commission best practice.

Candidate Profile:

Essential:

• Passion and commitment to CASW’s mission and strategic goals.
• Strategic mindset with experience interpreting complex financial data and supporting long-term planning.
• A recognised financial qualification or substantial experience in a strategic finance leadership role.
• Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desirable:

• Prior experience as a Trustee or Treasurer, particularly in the charity sector.
• Understanding of charity finance regulations and reporting requirements.

Time Commitment:

• Attendance at approximately six Board meetings per year.
• Chairing of the Finance Sub-Committee (approximately six meetings annually).
• Participation in Away Days and occasional ad hoc support to staff or fellow Trustees using financial expertise.

Data Protection Notice:
All application information will be used strictly for recruitment purposes and in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of over 250 vet and nurse volunteers in 23 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated nearly 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for a new Trustee with a veterinary background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board. Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with clinical governance, particularly regarding compliance, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. As a young charity we still need practical, hands-on support from time-to-time from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role. Being a trustee can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, offering opportunities to help shape the future direction of the charity, enhance the lives of people in our local communities and gain valuable satisfaction of contributing to an effective and ambitious growing charity.

Role Description:

The Clinical Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s clinical governance for the benefit of the animal patient and the client owner. Practical guidance will be provided to enable StreetVet to help all veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to understand clinical governance, whether they are in clinical practice, or not.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

• Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings)

• Act as a conduit for clinical governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Clinical Director.

• Meet with Clinical Director quarterly. 

• Ensure volunteers are familiar and coherent with the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons Clinical Governance Code and VMD requirements. 

• Keep up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and new developments relevant to the area of work. 

• Reflect upon the charity’s performance, making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Critically analyse the evidence base for procedures used and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with other members of the StreetVet team and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Reflect upon communication with clients and making appropriate changes to practice. 

• Have clear protocols in place to ensure all staff are familiar with procedures for ensuring patient safety. 

• Communicate changes in procedure to the whole practice team. 
   

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience  

• A thorough understanding of the veterinary sector. 

• Knowledge of veterinary care within the charity sector would be beneficial. 

• Must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 

• Ability to advise and recommend clinical governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of RCVS code of conduct and VMD requirements.

• Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills

 Input and Time Commitment:  

• A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected. 

• Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

• Attend at least one outreach a year. 

• Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours. 

• Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees are to ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully. 

• Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London. 

• Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London. 

• Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

 
Personal Attributes: 

• Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation

• Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion 

• An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making 

• Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role 

• Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively 

• An ability to think creatively 

• A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees 

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team 

• Up-to-date IT and digital skills to facilitate collaborative and remote working 

Potential Trustees must confirm that they are not disqualified under the automatic disqualification rules details on the government website - weblink included in the role description. 

Applications close: 31st July 2025. 

Intelligent, influential, and focused Trustees wanted for game-changing yet embracing charity 
 
A powerful campaigning organisation, Brain Tumour Research is the leading voice of the brain tumour community in the UK. Unique and much needed, we are the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumours. Our work focuses on campaigning to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence, across the UK. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.  All of us at Brain Tumour Research are passionate about finding a cure for this devastating disease.  

About the roles
We are looking to strengthen and complement our Board of Trustees with the addition of two Trustees with experience in (1) charitable fundraising/ income generation, and (2) marketing and communications, possibly with campaigning and policy experience. As a member of the Board of Trustees you will play a key role in ensuring sustainable growth of the charity, contributing to overall strategic direction and providing scrutiny to our processes and decisions as well as ensuring standards of governance are upheld.   
 
This role is pro-bono with Board meetings held in person four times a year in Milton Keynes and Sub-Committees held three to four times a year online. You will attend the annual Board away day in person and join one or more sub-committees. Trustees are given the opportunity to work together through participation at our annual research workshops as well as receptions at our Research Centres and parliamentary events and undertake structured learning and development. 

Appointment is for a 3-year term with the potential to serve 2 additional terms.

The Skills and Experience we are looking for
The ideal person will have a background at board or senior leadership level and will have significant experience in raising charitable income and/or campaigning and policy, ideally in the charity sector. You will be an effective communicator and be able to think creatively and strategically and work collaboratively with Board members, the Leadership team and key partners.

Closing Date: 8th August

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

The Vacancy

We are pleased to announce that we are looking to appoint a new Legal Trustee to our well-established Board. 

The Legal Trustee will utilise their legal expertise to provide support and guidance of the legal aspects of charity guidance and also oversee the Charity’s corporate governance and company secretarial functions.

Qualifications/Experience:

Currently practising within a legal role, able to demonstrate significant experience and knowledge.

Application of sound judgement and collaboration with others is key to the success of this role.

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office, renewal for one further term to a maximum of six years.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending four Board meetings annually.
• Attending annual strategy and training days.

Committee membership

You may be required to attend one other committee in addition to the mainboard. This will require attendance at an additional 4 meetings annually.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Julia’s House achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, ensure that the charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.  So, if you have the skills and experience we need we'd love to hear from you.

Excalibur Academies Trust, a dynamic and growing Academy Trust with schools spanning from Bristol to Reading, is looking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees, possessing extensive leadership, governance and chairing experience, to lead its Board. The Trust is based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, comprises 20 schools and has an annual budget of £140m.

Excalibur Academies Trust (EAT) is a dynamic and growing Multi-Academy Trust based in Marlborough, Wiltshire. The Trust comprises 20 schools across a broad geographical area, stretching from Bristol in the West to Reading in the East. It includes six secondary schools (four of which have post-16 provision) and 14 primary schools, some of which include nursery provision, enabling the Trust to deliver education across the full 2–19 age range.

EAT was established in 2012 and has grown steadily, expanding significantly in 2023 by welcoming a five-school Multi-Academy Trust into its fold. The Trust now operates a diverse portfolio of schools serving a wide range of communities, from small rural primaries with mixed-age classes to large urban secondaries with over 1,700 pupils. The Trust includes five Church of England schools linked to the Oxford and Salisbury Dioceses, making EAT a ‘mixed MAT’ with bespoke Articles of Association that accommodate both faith-designated and community schools. The diversity of the Trust is a key strength, underpinning its inclusive ethos and commitment to high standards across all settings.

Ofsted has judged the majority of EAT’s schools as ‘Good’, with one school rated ‘Outstanding’. The Trust has a dedicated School Improvement Team which works closely with schools to support them on their development journeys.

The Trust’s finances are managed prudently, with schools maintaining balanced budgets despite ongoing pressures in the education sector. EAT has an annual income of approximately £140 million and holds comfortable reserves. Some schools include specialist resource bases for pupils with additional needs such as hearing or visual impairments or autism spectrum conditions, and EAT’s provision for SEND and safeguarding has been consistently strong. EAT receives annual capital allocations to maintain and improve its estate. A central estates team supports individual schools, ensuring all buildings are safe and well-maintained.

Governance at EAT is well-established and effective. The Trust has four Members, including a representative of the Church of England, and 13 Trustees from diverse professional backgrounds. Several Trustees joined following the 2023 merger, bringing valuable insight and expertise. The Board is supported by a Head of Governance and has benefitted from an External Review of Governance (ERG), conducted by the Confederation of School Trusts (CST). The recommendations from the ERG have largely been implemented, and the Trust operates a stable and robust governance structure. EAT is a member of both the CST and the National Governance Association (NGA), giving Trustees access to extensive training and support.

The Trust’s Requirements

Excalibur Academies Trust is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead the Trust Board and support the Trust’s continued development. The current Chair, who has served since 2018, will step down in summer 2025 due to increasing work commitments. This role offers a rare opportunity to influence the strategic direction of one of the largest and most diverse MATs in the South of England.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience of chairing a Board or acting as vice-chair or committee chair in a complex organisation. They will be comfortable leading a board of significant scale and overseeing matters such as finance, education, risk, and governance. A background in executive leadership—particularly within education, public service, or corporate governance—would be advantageous.

The Chair will play an important strategic and leadership role, working closely with the CEO, Trustees, Members, and executive leaders. While current arrangements do not include a regular scheduled meeting between the Chair and CEO, the CEO is open to establishing a routine catch-up—initially more frequent, then settling to monthly or half-termly as appropriate.

Board meetings are held six times per year, typically on Friday mornings from 9am – 11am, and usually followed by a school tour to see the Board’s impact in action. Meetings take place across sites in the Trust but most commonly include:

• St John’s Marlborough, SN8 4AX
• Ashton Park School, Bristol, BS3 2JL
• John O’Gaunt School, Hungerford, RG17 0AN
• Fairfield High School, Bristol, BS7 9NL
• The Wren School, Reading, RG30 2BB

Occasionally, meetings are held at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, Swindon, SN5 8UB.

Committee meetings are held online via MS Teams, usually on Friday mornings and lasting up to two hours. Trustees are expected to join one or two committees. The current committees include:

• Finance, Premises & IT (six meetings per year)
• Audit & Risk (three meetings per year)
• Education Scrutiny & Student Welfare (four meetings per year)
• Staffing (between four and five meetings per year)
• Academy Committee Chairs (six meetings per year)
• Christian Distinctiveness (one meeting per year)
• Admissions Panel (ad hoc as required)

While the Chair is not expected to lead all committees, the current view is that the incoming Chair will sit on the Finance, Premises & IT Committee (which will be chaired by another trustee, per DfE requirements) and attend Audit & Risk Committee meetings.

The successful candidate will be well-supported in their induction and transition into the role. Existing Trustees bring substantial experience and are committed to ensuring a smooth handover. EAT’s Head of Governance will provide detailed onboarding and compliance support, while the CEO and fellow Trustees will welcome the new Chair into a culture of collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced leader to contribute to the strategic growth and educational excellence of a forward-thinking, values-driven trust. With a proven track record of school improvement and sound financial stewardship, EAT is poised for continued success – and the new Chair will be central to that journey.

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution seeks - Voluntary Cultural Activities Lead

Key information:

- Location: Bath, UK.

- Time commitment: ~0.5-1 day per week (varying week to week).

- Unremunerated: Voluntary role.

- Closing date: July 17th 2025.

Founded in 1824, the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) began as a social and intellectual hub for Bath's citizens. After a quiet period in the 20th century, the BRLSI was revitalised in the early 1990s. Today, it's a thriving organisation with nearly 900 members, hosting over 120 world-class lectures annually across diverse subjects. It also boasts what is likely the city's largest museum collection and a significant historic library.

The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution promotes and advances science, literature, and art for the public benefit in the City of Bath. This is achieved through:

- Maintaining a museum with exhibits of historical, scientific, literary, or artistic interest.

- Providing a library, lectures, and educational facilities related to literature, science, and art.

- Promoting and publishing useful research in these fields.

The BRLSI operates as a volunteer-led charity, with its Board of Directors overseeing financial affairs and governance. Various committees manage activities, supported by a small team of employed staff. The Board has agreed to create a third committee to oversee cultural and educational activities, which will also report directly to the Board. This is a new volunteer role, established by the Board to lead cultural activities. The successful candidate will become a key member of the senior management team, and will chair a new committee (reporting to the Board) overseeing the organisation's cultural and educational activities.

The Cultural Activities Lead will oversee the development of a rich and varied programme of cultural, curatorial, and educational activities, attracting new audiences and building its reputation. They will facilitate the new committee’s management and advise the Board on strategy and policy. Furthermore, the Lead will establish successful and proactive relationships with local, regional, national and international organisations, helping expand the Institution’s cultural offering and commercial success.

The successful candidate will be a proven leader, experienced in heritage, cultural and/or curatorial sector governance. They will be skilled in project management, relationship-building and budgeting, with a background in volunteer-based organisations. The ideal individual will have Board-level experience and knowledge of capital development projects. They will be passionate about science, literature and the arts and committed to enriching the city of Bath for residents and visitors alike.

This is a rare opportunity to take on an important role at one of Bath’s oldest cultural and educational organisations and help them become a leading cultural destination.

For further details and to apply, please contact Sandy Hinks quoting the applicable reference number: MC2590

Are you the future FOMA leadership?

FOMA trustees seek Expressions of Interest (EoI) from parties that would like to explore the options to take forward FOMA under new trustee leadership, or merge FOMA with an exsisting organisation, as outlined below. Trustees are open to considering EoIs from any person or organisation, including organisation and people we have worked with previously.

Background
The Friends of Malawi Association (FOMA) was formed in 1969 to foster friendship, goodwill and understanding between
the people of the United Kingdom and the people of Malawi. It is strictly non-political. Many of the members have lived
and worked in Malawi and wish to maintain their links with the country and with one another. There are two entities that
form FOMA:
● Friends of Malawi Association - where FOMA members pay to be part of and support the organisation
● Friends of Malawi Association Charitable Trust Fund - which seeks to help the people of Malawi by providing
small project grants
FOMA has an active membership of around 300 people, and has a (mainly passive) income of around £10,000 per year.
Each year FOMA organises a Spring meeting online and Summer Garden Party as well as an AGM in September. At these
events there is the chance to hear about the projects we support, talks on Malawi’s history and current events, and meet
other members.
FOMA has delivered a huge amount of positive social impact, by providing grassroots grants to people or organisations
running projects, normally up to £1,000. We have a role is supporting people and organisations that are normally
overlooked by international development funders, due to the small size of grants. FOMA has funded over 255 projects
since 1990, totalling around £250,000. More information available on the FOMA Website.
 

FOMAs Future
FOMA was established to continue bonds of friendship between people in the UK and Malawi after Malawian
independence in 1964. This created a strong platform of members, but over time FOMA has not attracted new younger
members leading to the membership being largely an older demographic.

In late 2024, FOMA’s treasurer Peter Lawrance very sadly passed away. He will be very much missed, not in the least
because of the huge amount he did for FOMA as Treasurer, managing events and donations. FOMA’s trustees are now
unable to continue running the organisation in its current form.

Trustees are looking for options to continue the
organisation in its current format, if a suitable new treasurer and other trustees can be found:

• Recruiting a new treasurer, and other trustees to continue the organisation in it’s current format. Trustees have put out a live advert for this role.

However, the organisation has struggled to recruit new trustees in the past, and therefore the current trustees are also
considering the following options outlined by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO):

•  Merger. A merger is where two or more organisations formally come together. It’s most common for one organisation to transfer everything they own to the other. Typically this leads to one legal entity being closed. Trustees are happy to consider possibilities for merging FOMA to another organisation, in order to deliver the most social benefit from FOMAs history and association of members.
• Radically change FOMA ways of working. Since FOMA was established, the world has significantly evolved. Indeed, over the last year, the massive reduction in Foreign Aid globally has sped up this change. FOMA trustees would be open to a new set of trustees taking forward the organisation in a new direction. Examples of this may be to explore a partnership organisation like Scotland Malawi Partnership or a more Malawi based organisation.
• Closure. If the other options do not appear to present a viable alternative, then trustees will close FOMA. Given how far the world has moved on since FOMA was established in 1962, this may be the right option and will allow FOMA trustees and member to support new causes in Malawi.

FOMA trustees seek Expressions of Interest (EoI) from parties that would like to explore the options outlined above. Trustees are open to considering EoIs from any person or organisation, including organisation and people we have worked with previously.

In your EoI please outline the option you would like to explore, and summarise how you could see the option working in practice. Please summarise the inputs and help you would like from existing trustees. Please outline how you think the option would deliver on the FOMA Charitable objectives. Trustees will consider these options, before presenting an suggested option to members at the next FOMA AGM in September. 

We are seeking to appoint a voluntary Trustee for our charity who will also take up the role as our secretary.

We are looking for someone who wants to make a difference; helping build & grow the charity with the benefit of good governance. 

Is this role for me?

As you would expect the secretary role will be responsible for supporting the Chair by making sure meetings are communicated, agendas are developed, & that minutes are produced with actions followed up. It would also involve maintaining a well-organised filing system of critical documents, policies & governance records, as well as ensuring compliance with reporting requirements such as Charity Commission filings. But this will not be a case of walking in & taking over the reins; we are going through a period of change & are looking for someone who will help us put in place the processes & controls needed for a well-run charity. 

We are looking for a secretary who will push us & keep us on track. Make no mistake, it will certainly be hard work initially as it will take some time as we work to get everything in place, so you would need to be ready to commit to this. Once things become established then it would be up to you just how much time you want to dedicate beyond keeping everything on track. 

Who is The League of Friends of St Mark’s Hospital Maidenhead?

The League of Friends have been supporting patients in St Mark’s Hospital for over 50 years, helping to provide equipment & an environment that enhances their comfort & care.

We maintain the gardens in the Henry Tudor ward & in Out-Patients, including providing outdoor furniture & planting, as well as providing a range of daily newspapers & making sure a nice cup of Nespresso coffee is available too. We have also helped the hospital over recent years by providing; a cardiac resuscitator, an ECG module, hydraulic treatment couches, specialised podiatry & audiology equipment, and software for a Dexta bone density scanner.

Why are you recruiting now?

While we are proud that we have been supporting St Mark’s for over 50 years, including during the COVID19 pandemic, we have recognised that we now need to need to “regroup”.

The charity has identified 2 immediate objectives; firstly, to develop our fundraising efforts as these have slipped since the pandemic, & secondly, to introduce standards of governance which ensure we fulfil statutory obligations & achieve best practice within a small charity environment. 

We have recently appointed a new Treasurer to strengthen financial controls, & a further trustee with responsibility for developing our marketing effort which will provide a firm footing for fund raising. Further trustees have recently been appointed which support our charitable giving within the hospital. But we recognise that we are lacking the skills, knowledge & disciplines that a good secretary can provide. 

What sort of person do I need to be?

• Hungry for change
• Tenacious
• Pragmatic
• Detailed & meticulous 
• Knowledgeable of charity regulations & best practice - or not frightened to find them out & go on to implement them
• A self-starter who is able to drive us towards the changes needed
• A strong communicator
• Tech savvy – able to use MS office & have the ability to work online as needed 

How much time would I need to dedicate?

You would need to have enough time to arrange, plan & follow up on Trustee meetings. At present these typically take place in alternate months but there may be a need to move these to monthly as the charity grows. One of these meetings will also include the AGM. Meetings are held in Maidenhead.

As secretary there will be other activities which will require action between meetings, for example, keeping the Charity Commission updated, maintaining policies & renewing insurance. While these activities are not onerous their timely upkeep is obviously important.

One of the key features of this appointment will be the need to drive change & establish good governance within the charity. Although we are looking for someone who can help move this forward at speed, we also recognise that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”!

What will I get out of it?

• Helping to make the lives of patients in hospital more bearable is hugely rewarding. 
• The role will be CV enhancing, demonstrating valuable skills & qualities to potential employers; particularly being able to illustrate your ability to influence & to drive change

Is there anything else you think I should know?

Apart from attending our meetings in Maidenhead all other work should be able to be done from home.

This is a volunteer role & necessary expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Lead the change. Use your strategic skills to empower communities in LeicesterShire.

Last year, we helped 31,000 people find a way forward, securing them £14 million in income. Citizens Advice LeicesterShire is a dynamic £1.7m charity with a clear purpose: sharing knowledge to transform lives.

We are now looking for strategic leaders to join our Board of Trustees and steer our future. This is a high-impact role, moving beyond traditional governance to shape our strategy and drive performance. We need your professional expertise to help us pioneer new solutions and ensure our sustainability.

Your experience in one of the following areas will be critical to our success:

• Financial planning, risk management, and data ethics (including AI).
• HR, people management, organisational design, and wellbeing strategies.
• Compelling storytelling, PR, strategic marketing, and professional networking.
• Business strategy, project management, and technology.

While professional experience is key, your personal commitment is what truly matters. We are looking for people who share our values – we care, we help, we excel, we challenge – and have a passion for social justice. We believe lived experience is as valuable as professional skill.

The return on your investment:

• Apply your leadership skills to a significant social challenge.
• Directly influence the strategy of a respected, high-impact local charity.
• Collaborate with a dedicated professional board and senior leadership team.

"Being a trustee for Citizens Advice allows me the opportunity to use my skills to the benefit of others.” - John Walters, Trustee

This is a flexible, voluntary role with bi-monthly evening board meetings. All expenses are reimbursed.

If you're ready to make a difference, visit our website to read the full information pack and apply.

For an informal, confidential discussion about the role, please contact our CEO, Vicky Gutteridge.