Trustee volunteer roles

Do you have a passion to make a difference in the lives of children and families? Spurgeons is seeking new trustees to join our current Board in bringing prayerful wisdom and strategic guidance over the coming years.

Spurgeons is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years. Inspired by Christian faith and our founder Charles Spurgeon, we’re here for all families. Together, we create family hubs where we’re needed most, with counselling, early years and family support. We partner with local councils, churches and communities to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. Our services also include parenting support and resources, mental health support for children and young people, and working with families affected by domestic abuse and imprisonment.

These services are needed more than ever, and our current strategy focuses on growth, innovating in partnership with churches, developing online family hubs to expand our reach and ensuring fundraising is a strategic priority. We are ambitious and hopeful about how we can grow to make a significant impact on many more children’s lives in the future.

To support Board succession planning, we are seeking to appoint five new trustees with a range of skills and experience including:

· Fundraising and marketing

· Finance

· Children’s services e.g. senior leadership experience within social services, the care sector, local authorities, health, education, or charitable contexts

· Safeguarding

· Cultural change and transformation

Given an occupational requirement for these roles to be filled by Christians, we are seeking candidates with a personal and active Christian faith who are comfortable and aligned with the statement of faith outlined on our website.

In order to build on our Baptist heritage, we are also keen to ensure that at least one of our trustees is a member of, or has a connection with, the Baptist church.

Spurgeons values diversity, promotes inclusion, and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those with lived experience of children’s support services. We recognise the need to increase the diversity of the Board, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, gender and LGBTQ+ representation.

In terms of location, at present, Board meetings take place in London and committee meetings take place virtually via Teams.

For further information, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded from the application resources/ supporting documents section below. Application is by submission of CV and cover letter via email to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search (please see Appointment Details Pack for contact details).

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 2nd March 2026. 

Our Second Home (OSH) is the UK’s youth movement of people with refugee backgrounds. We have welcomed over 600 young people from 50 countries to our activities in London, Essex and Bristol.

Mission

For young people with refugee experience to build community, become leaders and flourish into adulthood in the place they call home. Through transformative activities, our members take control of their lives and create meaningful change for themselves and their wider community.

About This Role

OSH is at a pivotal point in its development.

Over the past few years, OSH has grown from a small, founder-led organisation into a national movement with increasing reach, complexity, and ambition. Our income has risen from £250,000 to £500,000, our staff and volunteer base is expanding, and our programmes are reaching more young people than ever before.

OSH now needs confident, experienced, and future-focused governance that can support scaling while protecting the culture, values, and relational way of working that make the organisation distinctive.

Your role will involve 4 main areas:

1. Board Leadership and Governance
2. Strategy and Organisational Leadership
3. CEO Support, Appraisal, and Accountability
4. External Representation and Engagement

More information is in the recruitment pack attached.

About You

Essential

• Significant experience in organisational and strategic leadership, ideally including guiding a charity or mission-driven organisation from small to medium scale
• A proactive and forward-thinking mindset, demonstrating the ability to anticipate potential issues and risks while identifying opportunities.
• Strong understanding of good governance, with the confidence to lead a board and hold senior executives to account
• Experience of or exposure to fundraising, financial sustainability, and organisational development
• The ability to balance support and challenge, particularly in a Chair - CEO relationship
• Commitment to OSH’s mission and values, including a genuine willingness to engage with and be guided by those with lived experience of the asylum system
• Highly organised and dynamic, with the ability to prioritise the effective use of Board time, facilitate the timely and focused distribution of information, and ensure appropriate follow-up to Board decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the emotional intelligence to lead inclusively, collaboratively, and sensitively

Desirable

• Lived experience of asylum or forced migration
• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice-Chair of a charity or similar organisation
• Experience working with youth-led or lived-experience-led organisations
• Familiarity with safeguarding in youth or community settings

Use your fundraising expertise to champion life-changing research and give hope to people living with debilitating, overlooked health conditions – join us as Trustee of the Medical Research Foundation.

The Medical Research Foundation is looking to appoint a trustee, with senior-level experience working within fundraising, preferably in biomedical science and with corporate or high value gift fundraising, to join our Board of Trustees.

Many of the diseases and conditions that affect human health have been cured or overcome as a result of medical research, but there will always be more to do and there are areas of medical need that receive little or no support – and people’s lives that see no improvement. That’s where we step in. The Medical Research Foundation is an independent charitable foundation, investing the power of our donations to change medicine and change lives.

In 2026, we are entering the third year of our current five-year Organisational strategy that focuses on changing the health of children and young people, those with neglected mental health conditions and those whose health will be impacted by the changing climate. Underpinning our mission is a strategic aim to secure our future for the generations to come, with a focus on increasing our fundraising capability and our voluntary income to at least £3m per annum by the end of 2029. We are looking to complement the current strengths of our Board with a trustee who brings senior‑level fundraising expertise, preferably in biomedical research and major donor giving, and will play a key role in helping us realise our vision and deliver on our five-year strategy to give hope through medical research. Ideally you will be familiar with the principles of corporate governance in the public or charitable sector.

Diversity and inclusion are a priority for us, and we encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Trustees are supported throughout their appointment with training and development opportunities, and we welcome applications from individuals are who new to charity trusteeship.

The Board typically meets four times a year in Central London. As part of their appointment, trustees are also asked to sit on the Board’s committees and attend occasional evening events. The position is voluntary and not remunerated, although reasonable expenses are paid, such as travel and childcare while attending our meetings and events.

The appointment will commence in May 2026 for a three-year term in the first instance.

How to apply

You can find full details of the role and how to apply by visiting our website.

Closing date: 23 March 2026 at 12:00 (noon)

Interview date: 14 April 2026

Please note that interviews will be in person in Central London.

Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents.  They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).

The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:

· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.

· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.

· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.

· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.

· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.

· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.

· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.

· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.

· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.

· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.

· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.

· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.

· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Working hours/commitment

All trustees are required to:

· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.

· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.

Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings.  This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise. 

About Proteus

Proteus is an award-winning theatre company that believes the audience is as vital as the artist. The company holds that truly dynamic and relevant theatre emerges when audience and artist inspire each other’s imagination. Quality, integrity, and innovation lie at the heart of Proteus’ work and form the criteria by which its success is measured. Founded in 1981 and based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, Proteus has a long-standing history of creating and presenting high-quality work that serves both local and national audiences.

The Role

Proteus is actively seeking new members to join its Board of Trustees, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The company is committed to transforming society through radical acts of kindness and believes in the universal value of the performing arts. Trustees will support Proteus’ mission to make culture thrive within the local community while helping to deliver theatre that tours across the UK.

Trustees contribute to creating innovative theatre and support leading artists working in the performing arts today. They help bring diverse forms of art—including theatre, circus, music, spoken word, visual art, cabaret, and film—to Basingstoke communities at accessible prices.

Beyond producing touring theatre, Proteus operates as a non-profit organisation that runs an arts centre, artists’ studios, a gallery, a café, and a wide-ranging programme of support for artists. Trustees engage with a dynamic organisation whose activities span local and international stages.

Serving as a Trustee offers a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, providing opportunities to meet artists from across the industry, collaborate with Proteus staff and fellow board members, and help shape the future of one of the South’s most exciting arts organisations.

Who Proteus is Looking For

Proteus seeks individuals who are enthusiastic and passionate about the arts as a force for social change. Prospective trustees should share the company’s conviction in the transformative power of the arts and its commitment to inclusivity. Proteus actively encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences.

Even those who feel they may not meet every criterion are encouraged to get in touch, as the organisation values the whole person and provides support for new trustees to develop their skills on the job.

Trustee Responsibilities

Trustees serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis. The primary purpose of the board is to ensure that Proteus achieves its objectives. Trustees are expected to:

• Attend four board meetings per year (usually via Zoom) for a minimum term of three years and participate in an annual one-day board retreat in Basingstoke.

• Attend Proteus performances and events when possible.

• Support fundraising activities where possible.

• Provide advice and guidance to staff as required.

• Commit to the mission and values of Proteus.

• Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of being a Trustee.

• Ensure Proteus is well-governed and complies with its constitutional and charitable objectives.

• Act as ambassadors for Proteus, opening doors and helping expand networks and contacts.

• Contribute actively to Proteus’ strategic direction and development, offering ideas, connections, and support in growing its network of partners, supporters, and donors.

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.

Citizens Advice is a national charity working to ensure people don’t face problems alone. We support millions of people every year with advice on issues including debt, housing, employment, benefits and immigration.

The Board of Trustees provides the high-level governance and strategic direction for Citizens Advice. Working alongside our Executive Team, Trustees offer guidance and constructive challenge to ensure we deliver our strategy in line with our mission and regulatory responsibilities.

We are currently recruiting for two Trustee positions with the following specialisms:

Trustee: Local Government

As local government undergoes fundamental reorganisation and devolution, you will help us navigate this shifting landscape. We are seeking a senior leader (e.g., CEO, Director, or senior elected member) to serve as a strategic bridge between our mission and the public sector.

• Sector Authority: Deep knowledge of the pressures and statutory responsibilities facing local authorities.

• Strategic Insight: A vision for how government and civil society can partner to change lives.

• Influential Networks: Established relationships across the local government and devolution landscape.

Trustee: Systems Change & Reducing Inequality

Citizens Advice has transitioned to a mission-based model, focusing on providing advice fit for the future, closing the gap for marginalised communities, and taking earlier action. We need an inspirational leader to help us drive this systemic change.

• Systemic Impact: Experience delivering change in complex environments, such as public service delivery aimed at poverty prevention or community-led initiatives tackling structural inequities.

• Creative Strategy: A sounding board for movement-building, "power-shifting," and navigating change within federated or group-based organisations.

• Collaborative Power: A passion for mobilising collective action to achieve meaningful change for people struggling to find a way forward.

What We Expect of All Trustees

• Governance Excellence: Familiarity with financial oversight, risk management, and regulatory scrutiny in a large charity.

• Mission Alignment: A deep commitment to social justice, equity, and the values of Citizens Advice.

• Collaborative Leadership: Diplomacy, integrity, and the ability to foster open, non-hierarchical ways of working.

• Community Focus: Experience working in or alongside diverse communities to drive social change.

We hope you will consider making an application to join our Board as a Trustee of Citizens Advice.
To apply, please provide:

• A CV (no more than three sides)
• A short covering letter that explains your motivation, suitability, availability and confirms that you would not be subject to any conflict of interest.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is of strategic importance within the organisation and recognised as integral to all we do as a service.

Central to pursuing our EDI mission is building diverse and inclusive teams in which everyone has a sense of belonging. We believe inclusion is a social justice issue - a principle that underpins our all EDI work. To that end, we particularly welcome applications from people we would like to see better represented in our organisation and sector - people of colour, LGBTQ+ people and disabled people. We follow the social model of disability. We will offer an interview to disabled candidates who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment, where they meet our selection criteria in their application. Some of our roles attract a high volume of application,s and in some circumstances where it is not practicable or appropriate, we may limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. We will provide reasonable adjustments as needed.

This vacancy closes at 23.59 on the closing date.

We’re seeking committed new trustees to help guide a small but ambitious charity supporting children and young people with cerebral palsy, ensuring our funds deliver meaningful, life-changing impact.

Our Board is made up of a small, committed group of trustees who bring a mix of professional expertise and personal connection to our cause. Together, we oversee a grant-making charity that has a long heritage and a clear ambition: to increase our income and ensure we can support more children and young people with cerebral palsy in meaningful, practical ways.

Like many small charities, our challenge is balancing strong governance with growth. We are financially stable and well run, but we want to think more strategically about our future: how we prioritise funding, how we grow awareness and income, and how we ensure every grant we make delivers real, lasting benefit for families. The new trustee will play an active role in shaping these conversations and helping the Board move confidently from steady state to sustainable growth.

The role is hands-on and collaborative. Trustees are expected to attend four board meetings a year, contribute thoughtfully to discussion and decision-making, and engage between meetings when specific issues arise. Depending on interest and experience, the new trustee may also be invited to take a lead role in an area of work or join a small working group, for example around fundraising development, investment oversight, or grant assessment.

This is an opportunity to influence how limited charitable funds are used where they matter most. Trustees are directly involved in decisions that enable children to access therapy, specialist equipment, and support that may not otherwise be available. For someone who wants to make a tangible difference, this is a role where your contribution can be clearly seen in the lives of the children and families we support.

The Board values open discussion, shared responsibility, and a supportive culture, making this an especially rewarding role for someone who wants their time and judgement to have genuine impact.

Volunteer Trustee Opportunities at BD4 Community Trust – Make a Difference in Bradford

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? BD4 Community Trust is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a volunteer trustee, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our community-focused charity, ensuring that we continue to deliver vital services and support for the people of East Bowling and beyond.

About BD4 Community Trust

Supporting and Restoring Community across the Generations. BD4 Community Trust is a local charity committed to improving the lives of individuals and families in the BD4 area. We provide a range of services, including support for vulnerable groups, community events, educational programmes, and initiatives to tackle social isolation and disadvantage. Our mission is to create a thriving, inclusive, and resilient community for all.

Our BD4 Family project works to help families to come together to learn, share and grow, where they can feel safe to enjoy quality time together and access encouragement and support when needed. The groups we run support the needs of our ever-expanding community by really listening to families and encouraging them to be part of our decision making and offering opportunities to volunteer and get involved.  

Gems has been running since 1983 and works with the older members of our community delivering a variety of activities each week with additional activities at times throughout the year. The project provides opportunities for older people to make friends, participate in healthy activities, enjoy a nutritional meal, and enjoy the occasional day trip out.

Role of a Trustee

As a trustee, you will:

- Contribute to the strategic direction of the charity.

- Ensure that BD4 Community Trust remains financially sustainable.

- Provide support and oversight to the charity’s staff and volunteers.

- Help build partnerships with other community organisations, local authorities, and stakeholders.

- Ensure that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

- Bring your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to help us grow and achieve our mission.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking individuals with a variety of skills and experiences, including (but not limited to):

- Leadership and governance experience.

- Knowledge of community development or charitable work.

- Financial or legal expertise.

- Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

- Passion for improving the lives of those in the BD4 community.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage diversity in our board. Whether you have experience in the third sector, business, education, or other fields, your unique perspective will be invaluable to our work.

Time Commitment

- Trustees are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings (approximately 2 hours per meeting on an evening).

- Additional time may be required for training and community events.

- The role is voluntary, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

What We Offer

- An opportunity to make a tangible difference in your local community.

- The chance to gain experience in governance and charity leadership.

- A collaborative and supportive environment where your contributions are valued.

- Training and development opportunities to help you thrive in your role.

Role title
Trustee

Role purpose
As a trustee of Community Resource, you’ll play a key role in guiding the charity’s direction and ensuring we stay true to our mission.

You’ll provide strategic leadership and oversight, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to help us achieve our goals and deliver lasting impact.

Trustees take part in board meetings and may also contribute to subcommittees or working groups focused on areas such as finance, risk, events, and safeguarding.

You may also represent Community Resource externally, helping to build relationships with partners, supporters, and stakeholders and attend inspiring events that celebrate and support rural communities across Shropshire.

Requirements
We’re particularly keen to hear from individuals with current or recent senior-level experience in areas such as law, business accounting, IT, cybersecurity, health, or entrepreneurship. These skills are especially valuable as we navigate growth and innovation.

However, we also warmly welcome interest from those with other relevant expertise or lived experience that could benefit our organisation and enrich the board’s perspective.

Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Salary
Unremunerated, but reasonable expenses may be reimbursed.

Commitment
The board meets eight times a year, combining in person and online sessions (usually Tuesdays, 4– 7pm), including our AGM. Additionally, there is an annual trustee and leadership team away day.

Length of term
All trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years and are eligible to re-stand for election for up to a maximum of two subsequent terms.

Since 1988, Autograph has been shaping a more inclusive future in the visual arts and beyond. We champion artists who explore race, representation, human rights and social justice through photography. Autograph’s work ensures these stories are seen and celebrated, deepening understanding of ourselves and others.

Autograph is looking for trustees to help us plan strategically so that we can amplify the local and global reach of our artists’ projects and engage as many people as possible with our mission. Trustees hold a key role in helping us to realise social change through supporting us to deliver our mission and guiding our strategic development. You would have the opportunity to meet artists, participants and partners, join events, attend exhibition launches, get to know our collection of photography, and engage with selected projects if you want to.

Do you have any of the following?

• Higher Education leadership experience in visual arts in the UK and internationally delivering multi-partner research projects.
• Legal experience in the field of civil law/human rights.
• Strategic experience in fundraising, cultivating and securing donors and patrons for arts projects.
• Financial expertise and knowledge of charitable regulation either in the arts sector or the wider charity sector.
• Knowledge and experience of property development.

And a very strong commitment to social justice and inclusion? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Voluntary
This is an unpaid, voluntary role

Term Length
Term of 4 years, with possibility of renewal

Board Meetings
Four meetings each year: two online and two at Autograph

Read more about what a charity Trustee does, the role at Autograph, and download the recruitment pack on our website.

Could you help shape the future of NDAS? We’re looking for new trustees to join the board of Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services.

This is a meaningful opportunity to use your skills and experience to make a real difference, while developing your own governance knowledge and being part of a supportive, committed Board.

Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services (NDAS) has been supporting people affected by domestic abuse since 2003. We provide free, confidential emotional, practical and therapeutic support to women, men, children and young people, helping survivors to cope, recover and move forward. Alongside this, we deliver prevention education to reduce the number of people who go on to experience or cause domestic abuse.

Who we’re looking for

We’re keen to hear from people from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences. In particular, we would welcome Trustees with experience in:

• Finance / financial management

• Human Resources

• Legal expertise

You don’t need previous trustee experience, what matters most is a commitment to our values, a willingness to learn, and a desire to help NDAS grow and thrive.

What being a Trustee involves

As a Trustee, you’ll help guide the strategic direction of NDAS, ensure good governance, and support the charity to continue delivering high-quality services across Northumberland.

• Board meetings take place quarterly and usually last around 2 hours, held at our Hexham office

• Additional commitments include:

  • An Annual General Meeting

  • Occasional sub-committee meetings

  • A Board development day

  • Occasional NDAS events

• The average time commitment is around 4 hours per month, with some periods requiring a little more time

Trustee roles are voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Why join NDAS?

• Be part of a charity with a strong reputation and excellent track record

• Use your skills to support survivors and help prevent domestic abuse

• Develop your governance, leadership and strategic experience

• Join a friendly, passionate Board committed to making a difference in Northumberland

Find out more – Open Evening

We’re holding an informal open evening for anyone interested in learning more about NDAS and the trustee role:

Thursday 26 February
6pm – 8pm
NDAS Office, Hexham

To attend, please get in touch. 

Are you passionate about health justice? Medact is seeking new Trustees to help oversee our governance and support our work.

About Medact

Medact organises the health community to work towards a world in which everyone is able to live healthy, dignified lives, supported by political and economic systems that centre health justice. Our priority work areas are some of the most pressing threats to health and wellbeing, including ending state violence, housing & energy justice, and migrant access to healthcare. Medact seeks systemic solutions to major social problems, and is unafraid to hold decision-makers to account. We launched our new five-year strategy at the end of 2025, embedding our vision for how we win and how we grow.

We’re member-led, and our membership spans a range of people who work in health, including nurses, doctors, midwives and clinical researchers, as well as people from the wider health community. If you share our vision and passion, why not join our Board and help us fight for health justice?

About the role

As a Trustee, you will provide guidance, governance and final sign-off on major decisions on behalf of our membership. As Board members, our Trustees are collectively responsible for the governance of the organisation in line with the requirements of the Charity Commission. Trustees also contribute to the development of Medact's strategy and participate in a range of other activities to support the Director and staff with our work.

There are four planned board meetings per year, which are hybrid, and it is expected that each Trustee will attend most Board meetings. Trustees are also sometimes asked to give their views or sign off on issues between Board meetings if an issue cannot wait. It is hoped that each Trustee will have the capacity to use their unique skills to support the team more broadly with Medact’s work.​

Acting as a Trustee is a voluntary role but reasonable travel expenses can be paid. 

Who we are looking for

We would like to widen the diversity on the board by encouraging applications from grassroots campaigners, members of communities affected by the issues Medact campaigns on, those working with the third sector on similar issues, and from racialised, religious and other minorities.

Our current Board brings a broad range of skills, but we recognise that we do not yet reflect the diversity of the health community. There are also specific types of experience and expertise we would like more of on the Board. In particular, we are looking for potential Trustees with one or more of the following attributes:

• Lived experience of an issue that Medact campaigns on, for instance the Hostile Environment, the health impacts of economic or housing injustice, the health impacts of armed conflict or UK security policies

• Experience as a frontline health worker of any sort, preferably current

• Legal and safeguarding expertise

• Fundraising expertise, particularly individual giving or major donor fundraising

• Human resources expertise

We hope all Trustees will: 

• Share our vision for a fairer and safer world, and our analysis of the transformational change needed to get closer to it

• Approach Board discussions and conversations with the team with an open mind, able to listen to and genuinely engage with others’ views

• Display collaborative behaviours which promote harmony and good team working which supports Medact to be an effective, well-governed organisation

Previous experience on a charity board or in another governance role is useful but by no means essential. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee but aren’t sure you have the right skills and experience, or would like an informal conversation with an existing board member before applying, please get in touch.

Timeline

Applications are open until 9am on Monday 4th May. 

Interviews for Trustee positions will be conducted on a rolling basis during the application period.

We aim to co-opt successful applicants to the Board at the next Board meeting in April 2026, and potentially at later Board meetings.

Mavar is currently seeking a seasoned networker to join the Mavar Trustee Board as a Trustee with special responsibilities for strengthening our fundraising practice and broadening the charity’s donor base. Working with our Board and CEO, you’ll bring experience, insight and strategic guidance to help develop our fundraising capacity in support of the strategic development of the charity.

Mavar’s Mission

Founded on the belief that everyone has the right to choose their own path in life, Mavar’s central mission is to empower individuals who choose to explore opportunities beyond the strictly orthodox community to fulfil personal goals. Mavar supports our members’ efforts to achieve independence, live authentically and cope with the obstacles they may encounter as they explore options to live, work or study in the secular world – whether or not they choose to leave the Charedi community.

Mavar’s Service Users

Some men and women who have grown up in the closed world of the Charedi community hold personal and religious values that are not in line with the rest of the community. Attempts to follow their own path often bring them into direct confrontation with family, friends and neighbours who regard expressions of individualism or self-determination as heresy. These individuals fear that the community will ostracise them, leaving them feeling trapped, isolated and helpless.

Some may simply wish to explore options for obtaining a general education or improving their access to employment opportunities whilst wishing to remain within the ultra-orthodox community; others may look to divest themselves of the strictures of ultra-orthodoxy and to lead a more mainstream lifestyle. They all typically lack the everyday life skills to cope with the challenges of the secular world, which appears to them as a confusing, frightening and alien planet. Any effort to integrate with the outside, secular world is hampered by limited English language skills, cultural disorientation, lack of basic education or qualifications and negligible skills for employment.

Trustee Role Details

The day-to-day operations of Mavar are conducted by staff and volunteers under the leadership of our CEO and with the overall oversight of the Trustee Board.

Main Duties of the Fundraising Trustee:

• Contribute to the overall governance of the charity as a member of the Board of Trustees.
• Provide advice and support on fundraising strategy, ensuring income generation is planned and executed in alignment with Mavar’s budget framework and objectives.
• Act as a fundraising champion on Mavar’s board, working with the CEO and supporting other trustees to explore fundraising possibilities.
• If you have personal networks with fundraising potential, utilise them to support the work of the charity.
• Support the development of diverse fundraising streams (e.g. individual giving, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, corporate support) and advise and support with appeals and major fundraising events/campaigns.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work and helping to raise its profile.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation and best practice, as well as Mavar’s policies and procedures.

You are expected to give at least one day per month to your role. Board meetings take place four times a year in London, with a mixture of online and in-person meetings and are complemented by occasional online or in-person feedback meetings with the CEO and the Treasurer.

Person Specification

Essential

• Commitment to the charity’s mission and values
• Understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of charity trusteeship
• Knowledge and experience of fundraising (e.g. trusts, corporates, major donors, community fundraising, or digital campaigns)
• Strategic thinker, able to balance long-term planning with practical advice
• Strong communication and networking skills

Desirable

• Experience of charity fundraising
• Existing networks that could support the charity’s fundraising efforts
• Understanding of charity finance and/or marketing
• Familiarity with Jewish cultural context