Trustee volunteer roles

Trustee - Treasurer

Voluntary (unpaid) role, reasonable expenses paid.

About us

Learning and Work Institute is an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work. Our vision is for a fair and prosperous society where learning and work enable everyone to realise their potential. We research what works, influence policy, and develop new ideas to improve practice.

The Role

Learning and Work Institute are seeking a Trustee acting as Treasurer to join our expert Board. Applications from underrepresented groups are encouraged.

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity and its financial health. They help to develop the organisation’s aims, objectives, and goals in accordance with the governing document, and legal and regulatory guidelines.

As a Trustee you will:

· Contribute to the development, approval and monitoring of organisational strategy.

· Oversee financial performance and ensure effective financial stewardship.

· Provide constructive challenge and support to the executive team.

· Safeguard the organisation’s reputation, values and assets.

· Act in the best interests of the organisation at all times.

· Serve as an ambassador for Learning and Work Institute where appropriate.

Our latest financial statements and strategic plan can be found on our website.

You will be driven by our mission to widen access to learning and work opportunities so everyone in society can realise their potential.

The successful candidate will:

· Share our passion for everyone to have the opportunity in life to reach their ambitions and potential.

· Understand governance and preferably have experience of adult education or employment support, or experience in related sectors like housing, local government or the private sector that can help inform our work.

· Have the capacity to lend support and expertise.

· Demonstrate a sense of proportion of control relative to L&W’s operational needs and size.

· Be objective and independent without bias to any particular interest or stakeholder.

· Possess analytical ability, informed judgment, and the ability to focus on strategic issues.

· Have perspective, broad knowledge and experience that can be applied to discussions and decisions at Board level.

· An ability to balance challenge and support to the executive team.

In addition, while all Trustees take responsibility for the finances of the organisation, the Treasurer plays a key role and link between the Board and executive team and so requires:

· A recognised financial qualification or equivalent senior financial experience.

· Knowledge of treasury and investment matters.

· Finance expertise for the board.

· Partnership with the experienced L&W Finance function.

We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from different backgrounds and groups underrepresented in our Board, organisation and sector.  We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have accessibility requirements.

Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term. The Board meets four times a year for approximately 2.5 hours and has a Strategic Away Day each January. Two sub-committees each meet up to three times a year at which nominated trustees may be appointed. Meetings are a mix of in person in Leicester and London and online.

Trustees will be required to undertake appropriate pre- appointment checks. This may include a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, depending on the nature of the role and committee responsibilities.

If you possess the experience and attributes above and have a passion to support the delivery of our vision, then you could be the person we are seeking. Applications that include CV and covering letter are welcomed through the link below.

The closing date for applications is 12th May 2026. Interviews will be held as soon as possible thereafter.

Should you have any questions please contact the HR Team.

This is a great opportunity to play a strategic role making a significant impact on the future of our services. We’re looking for people who have a passion for tackling poverty and supporting their local community. We’re inviting people to apply who can bring their skills and experience to support the staff team, and their time to commit to working towards the eradication of food poverty whilst supporting our work in providing emergency food to people across Oldham facing crisis and hardship.

Anyone is welcome to apply, but we are ideally seeking people with a background in one or more of the following skills/experience;

• Knowledge or experience of local social services/NHS/care services (to give a better understanding of the needs and poverty faced by our clients)
• Charity governance including policies and procedures
• Experience or links with Oldham Council
• Health and Safety/Insurance (to lead on risk assessments of all areas of Foodbank)
• Lived experience of using a foodbank

Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of Oldham Foodbank. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy and procedures, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan and evaluating performance.

At the British Gas Energy Trust, our mission is clear and unwavering: we exist to reduce the harmful impact of poverty, with a dedicated focus on tackling fuel poverty across Britain.

Since our establishment in 2004, we have grown into one of the UK’s largest and most influential charitable funders in this field. Our work spans direct financial assistance, specialist advice, and community‑based programmes, and we continue to deepen our understanding of what truly helps households build resilience. This combination of practical support and system‑level insight places us in a unique and important position within the sector.

The Trust has evolved significantly over recent years. We now operate with a strengthened in‑house team, a clear strategic direction, and a growing reputation as both a funder and an influencer in the national conversation on fuel poverty.

THE ROLE

As we prepare for our next strategic phase from 2026 where we will continue to focus on both immediate assistance and long‑term systemic change, we are seeking a Deputy Chair and two trustees to join our Board. We’re particularly interested in strategic thinkers with non-executive experience who bring strong relationship building skills and a proven track record of leadership within their fields from: the energy sector, technology sector, those with deep understanding of fuel poverty/poverty, and income generation/fundraising.

We are looking for people with sound judgement, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative, inclusive approach who recognise the dignity of the people we serve and the importance of working in partnership to achieve lasting change.

If you share our belief that no one should face energy hardship alone, and you are motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an organisation with both heart and influence, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Chair of Trustees role:

You will be chairing the Board of Trustees, ensuring that we have minimum representation required for decisions to be made, keeping the board aligned in decision-making, ensuring all minutes are recorded and that all decisions by trustees are made with the appropriate context provided.

This is a great opportunity to develop further governance skills and experience, and help steer an important charity in the right direction.

Trustees meetings are usually held every six weeks, plus there is an AGM, away days, and any sub-committee meetings that trustees may be involved in. Most meetings will remain virtual but there will from time to time be a need to attend key meetings and events in Nottingham. The time commitment is approximately 4hours per month, but there may be occasions when more time is required for a short period.

Who are we looking for?

• Previous chairing experience
• Relevant experience in any of the following financial management, HR, charities, fundraising, social prescribing, NHS, health inequalities (including deaf community), local authorities, marketing, business development, governance, strategy or legal
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Good, independent judgement
• The ability to challenge and ask questions
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership

NB: We are looking for both a Chair of Trustees and additional Trustees (particularly those with a finance background, but other functions are also welcome). If you are interested in a Trustee role instead of the Chair role, please mention this in your covering letter when applying. 

Both the Chair and Trustee positions are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

About Self Help UK

Self Help UK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. In 2026, we will collaborate with our Integrated Care System to improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position Self Help UK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.

A selection of causes covered by Self Help UK

• Peer support
• Long-term health conditions
• Cancer diagnoses and prevention
• Voluntary sector support
• Health inequalities (including the deaf community)
• Under-served communities

As our Chair of Trustees, we offer you a deeply rewarding role with the opportunity of personal fulfilment, leadership development, purpose and connection through your vital contribution to shape the strategic direction of a highly respected charity. You will ensure we achieve our mission to provide outstanding, free end-of-life care within our community.You will work alongside a skilled and passionate Board and executive team and have the chance to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of local people and their families.

We are seeking a passionate Chair of Trustees to help shape the future of our hospice and champion our vision that everyone has the opportunity to die at home with our community-based hospice care.

Every day, LGBTQ+ young people across the UK wonder whether things will ever get better. Whether they are navigating school, family, identity, or simply trying to find their place in the world, too many of them are doing it without the visibility, support, or role models they deserve. We exist to change that - to tell them clearly and consistently that it gets better, and that their lives have value exactly as they are.

It Gets Better UK is part of the global It Gets Better movement, present in over 20 countries. Since launching here in 2018, we have reached over 2.5 million people across all four nations through digital content, storytelling, and a growing volunteer community. We show up at Prides, we tell real stories, and we keep finding new ways to reach the young people who need to hear from us - through projects like our volunteer-led podcast and Voices of Wales, for example.

We are at a genuinely exciting point in our development. With a largely volunteer-led model that is embedded and working, and new trustees joining us to help shape our direction, we are focused on building a strategy that allows us to grow sustainably and serve LGBTQ+ young people more effectively across the UK. The people joining our board now will not just oversee that work - they will help design it.

We are looking for three new trustees, each bringing specific expertise:

• Fundraising and income generation - We are looking to diversify and strengthen our income base, with particular focus on grants, trusts and foundations and community fundraising. If you have professional fundraising experience and know how to build financial resilience in a values-led organisation, we want to hear from you.
• Marketing and communications - Our work is fundamentally about reaching people, and social media is central to how we do that. We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of digital platforms, content strategy, and how to build and engage audiences - particularly young people.
• Finance - Sound financial governance is essential as we plan for the future. We are looking for someone with a professional finance background who can support the board in its financial oversight responsibilities and help us build long-term resilience.

Because we are a largely volunteer-led charity, our trustees tend to be more operationally involved than you might find at a larger organisation. This is a hands-on role, and one that offers a genuine opportunity to contribute your expertise to something that matters.

Please see the recruitment pack for more information. 

Role description

The Open Spaces Society, Britain's oldest conservation body, needs additional trustees to broaden our reach.If you are keen to develop strategy and policy for creating, defending, and maintaining commons, greens, and paths, and to develop new approaches to make open spaces available to all, this role is for you. 

Trustees may be co-opted by the present board, but are expected to offer themselves for election by the membership at the first available opportunity.

Working collectively, trustees have three main responsibilities. These are to:

1 set a direction for the society,

2 ensure the society’s plans are carried out appropriately,

3 ensure the society meets its legal responsibilities.

The duties of a trustee are to:

4 ensure the society complies with its articles of association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations,

5 ensure that the society pursues its objects as defined in its articles of association,

6 ensure that the society directs its resources exclusively towards its objects,

7 in association with the general secretary, ensure that the organisation is adequately staffed, and that the staff and volunteers have appropriate support and resources to pursue organisational goals,

8 contribute actively to the board’s role of developing strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets,

9 safeguard the reputation and values of the society,

10 ensure effective and efficient administration and financial stability, 1

1 appoint the general secretary and monitor her performance,

12 act in the best interests of the society at all times.

Person specification

• Commitment to the society’s mission

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Strategic vision

• Objective and insightful judgement

• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

• Adherence to Nolan’s seven principles of public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership).

The Ocean Regeneration Trust (ORT) is looking for dedicated individuals to join our Board and help shape the future of the Ocean Estate in Stepney. As a legacy successor for the NDC regeneration of the area, we work hand-in-hand with residents and stakeholders to ensure the social, economic, and physical regeneration of our vibrant community. 

About the Roles

We are currently recruiting for two types of Board Members:

Independent/Specialist Members: Professionals who do not live on the estate but bring specific expertise to strengthen our governance.

Community Members: Local residents living within the Ocean Regeneration Trust core area who want to represent their neighbours and guide local improvements.

What We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly those with experience in:

Financial Management & Accounting.

Legal Advice & Governance.

Human Resources & Organisational Management.

Neighbourhood Renewal / Management.

Enterprise & Business Development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Oversight: Help deliver ORT’s vision to improve the quality of life for those living and working in Stepney and the Ocean Estate in Tower Hamlets. 

Community Impact: Support 10 year objectives i.e. the implementation of NHS/Public Health initiatives such as neighbourhood health and wellbeing, capacity building for the local Voluntary and Community sector, employment and skills and strategic expertise in housing and welfare changes.

Governance: Attend Board meetings (at least 4–5 times per year) and contribute constructively to decision-making.

Time Commitment & Location

Meetings: Held at the Harford Street Multicentre, E1 or online (hybrid) 

Duration: Meetings typically last 1–2 hours and preparatory reading. 

Remuneration: These are voluntary positions; however, legitimate expenses (such as travel) will be reimbursed

Are you passionate about using your skills and expertise to help support and develop a UK-wide relationships and sex education charity?

Sexpression:UK provides high quality, comprehensive relationships and sex education workshops to young people between the ages of 11-18 in schools and youth groups. We operate across the UK through our unique network of affiliated branches and volunteers based at universities and students’ unions in 15 towns and cities.

You will have strong empathy with our mission to educate and empower young people to make individual, informed decisions about their bodies and their health. You will be committed to using your expertise to contribute to the future development of the charity and ensuring high quality governance of the organisation.

We are looking for a motivated individual with demonstrable experience in leadership or governance to join our board as Chair of Trustees.This is an exciting time to join our charity with the opportunity to contribute to a unique youth-led charity playing a leading role in some of today’s biggest issues.

Location: Exeter (hybrid options available)
Hours: Flexible
Term: Three-year periods
Type: Voluntary

Help shape the future of specialist education for young people with vision impairment and complex needs.
At InFocus, we believe everyone deserves to live life to the full, with choice, control, and meaningful opportunities. We support young people who face significant barriers due to vision impairment combined with additional disabilities, helping each individual follow their own pathway towards independence and fulfilment.

We’re now looking for a Volunteer Trustee with strong experience in special education to help guide and strengthen our specialist FE College.

What the role involves

In addition to the standard responsibilities of a trustee, you will:

• Focus on the delivery and development of post-16 education for learners with vision impairment and complex needs

• Scrutinise the quality of teaching and learning

• Provide constructive challenge and professional insight as part of our Education Advisory Committee

• Work closely with our College Principal to champion high-quality, person-centred education

This opportunity would suit someone with experience as:

• A senior leader within a SEND provision

• A headteacher or principal

• A SEND improvement partner

• An Ofsted inspector

Our Board meets seven times a year, with optional invitations to events and celebrations. Trustees are encouraged to attend in person, though online attendance is possible where needed. Travel expenses are covered, and overnight accommodation can be arranged for trustees living outside Devon.

Short on time? Advisory Member roles available

If you’d like to share your expertise without taking on full trustee responsibilities, consider joining us as an Advisory Member. Advisory Members sit on committees and offer specialist knowledge without the full governance role. 

Join us as a Trustee / Director and make a difference!

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the community? Do you have a strong desire to contribute your skills to a cause that matters? We invite you to become a Trustee / Director and be a driving force for change!

Who we are: A purpose-driven charity, dedicated to making a difference to the lives of young, homeless people. We believe in the power of community, collaboration, and transparency to create lasting change.

Our organisation comprises a registered Charity and Community Interest Company, each with its own Board. The Charity provides supported accommodation, advice, support & guidance to vulnerable, homeless young people. The Community Interest Company provides 24 / 7 concierge services to CAYSH young people & externally to vulnerable adults with complex needs.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking dedicated individuals to join our board of Trustees / Directors.

What we're looking for: Passionate individuals from a variety of backgrounds, with a range of expertise to contribute to our board. We are particularly looking for people with skills and experience in:

· Enterprise – running and growing a small business

· Fundraising

· Cyber security.

As a Trustee / Director, you will play a pivotal role in guiding our organisation towards success and helping us develop our business growth strategy. We are particularly seeking a trustee with safeguarding experiences.

Why you should join us as a trustee / director: Impact: Be part of an organisation making a real difference in the lives of homeless young people. Leadership: Contribute to strategic decision-making and shape the future direction of the organisation. Fulfilment: Experience the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts contribute to positive change.

Commitment to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults is essential as well as commitment to equal opportunities and eliminating discriminatory practice.

Time commitment: Our Trustees and Directors provide a valuable and positive contribution, building on our strengths and ensuring our results are sustained. There are currently 9 Trustees / Directors within the Group who bring a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to the organisation.

To support the decision making at CAYSH, you will attend an average of 4 Board meetings and up to 4 Committee meetings a year, plus Trustee / Director away-days & other events, such as AGM. Meetings are held outside regular business hours and are mostly online. Events (including strategy days, AGM and service user get-togethers) usually take place at our offices in Croydon.

How to Apply: If you are ready to embark on a rewarding journey and become a Trustee with CAYSH, we would love to hear from you!

Apply now and become a catalyst for positive change! Together, let's build a better future.

Epilepsy Action is a national charity with a bold vision: to create a world without limits for people with epilepsy. In 2024 we launched an ambitious new strategy to grow our income and extend the support we offer. After a successful start, we are ready for the next stage in the strategy, and we are looking for new trustees to join our Board and help turn our ambition into lasting impact.

You will bring the skills, values and perspective to help our charity thrive, whether that’s a track record of leading growth and transformation, the ability to open doors through your networks, experience in health or the medical sector, or expertise in law, digital technology or fundraising.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and effective Board that reflects the communities we serve, and people affected by epilepsy. We welcome applications from everyone and are particularly keen to hear from people who are underrepresented on charity boards, including people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and people of different ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe greater diversity makes for better decisions.

If you want to help shape a world without limits for people affected by epilepsy, and use your voice and influence to raise understanding of the condition, then we would love to hear from you.

Purpose of the Role 

The role of a trustee is to share the Board’s collective responsibility for the effective governance and leadership of the charity, setting our strategic direction and major policies in accordance with our objectives, vision, mission and values.

Epilepsy Action (registered as the British Epilepsy Association) is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. As such, trustees are both charity trustees and company directors and have the statutory and legal duties which these roles impose.

This is a voluntary (unpaid) role with a three-year term of office, renewable for up to two consecutive terms.

You need to be able to commit approximately 6–12 days per year, including: 

• Four Board meetings per annum, plus meeting preparation 

• Subcommittee meetings (if applicable) 

• Strategy days, training, and occasional events 

Meetings are a combination of hybrid and fully remote, with an annual in-person meeting in September in Leeds. Overnight accommodation will be booked for trustees and travelling expenses reimbursed for in–person meetings. 

To Apply 

For any questions in advance of your application please contact us via our recruitment email.

To make an application please send your CV and a supporting statement to our recruitment email.

Your supporting statement should answer the following questions:

· What has drawn you to apply to be a trustee for Epilepsy Action?

· What are the main skills and experience that you bring that could benefit the charity?

· How do you think your values align with Epilepsy Action’s values of being supportive, empowering, inclusive and ambitious?

We also ask candidates to fill in the Trustee Application Questionnaire as part of the recruitment process.  This form includes sections for diversity monitoring, as well as skills and experience.

If you need any adjustments to support you to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal meeting where they will have a chance to find out more about our work.

Formal interviews will be with the Chair, the CEO and relevant members of the Board and / or Advisory Panels will take place at the end of May and beginning of June.

Letter from our Chair - Lucy Thomas

We are seeking a passionate and strategic individual to join our Board of Trustees, someone who brings strong commercial insight, business acumen, and ideally experience in fundraising and income generation.  This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a respected national charity that continues to grow its reach and impact.

As a Trustee, you will also sit on our Commercial Advisory Group (CAG) a dynamic sub-group that advises on the Trust's commercial strategy, innovation, and sustainability.  You'll help us strengthen our commercial performance, explore new opportunities for growth and diversification, and ensure we remain on strong financial footing to deliver our vital mission.

We welcome applicants from all sectors and backgrounds.  Experience in marketing, partnerships, or charity leadership would be an advantage, but what matters most is your ability to bring fresh thinking, sound judgement, and a commitment to using your commercial experience for social good.

Background

Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded by Diana and Paul Lamplugh following the disappearance of their daughter Suzy, a young estate agent, in 1986. Since then, the Trust has pioneered personal safety as a life skill and a public policy priority.

Our vision is to eliminate abuse, aggression and violence, creating a society where people are safer and feel safer.

Our mission is to reduce the risk and prevalence of abuse, aggression and violence with a specific focus on stalking and harassment through education, campaigning, and support.

What we do

• Campaigning - working in partnership with other charities, private and statutory organisations; raising awareness; influencing policy makers
• Education - advice; training; guidance; workplace support; free resources, information; consultancy
• Support - National stalking helpline and advocacy service; supporting people at increased risk of violence and aggression; community projects

Portland Charity is currently recruiting for at least 3 trustee positions following the retirement of two trustees and a review of the skills mix of our current Board.

Portland Charity has been operating for 75 years from a beautiful woodland campus in the heart of historic Sherwood Forest. Our Further Education College is one of the UK’s leading specialist colleges for disabled people, rated Outstanding by Ofsted and holding Advanced Accreditation status from the National Autistic Society. We also operate highly regarded residential and day adult social care services, a multi-award winning community adult education programme and an active theatre and activities outreach programme. Every year we make a positive difference to lives of hundreds of disabled people and those with mental health difficulties.

Our trustee board play a pivotal role in keeping us at the top of our game and we are now seeking to appoint new trustees with specific expertise in one of the following areas:

• Legal services
• Adult social care
• People development and management
• Mental health support

Our Board meets 4 times per year and most trustees also support one of our sub-committees or working groups (Audit, Remuneration, Quality & Standards, Finance and Estates Planning).

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience (personal or family and friends) of disability and/or mental health issues. A personal induction, Governor Handbook, access to free training courses and buddying are all provided.

We welcome people with no previous, or limited, experience of a non-executive role. Out of pocket expenses can be paid.

We welcome expressions of interest at any time but we would particularly like to hear from you by Friday 17th April 2026 if you are interested in one of the current opportunities.