Trustee volunteer roles

Quartet Community Foundation is seeking a new chair of trustees to lead our dynamic and committed Board.

Quartet distributes approximately £5 million across  1,000 grants each year to support local communities and charities in the region. ​Trustees on our Board  actively contribute to setting the strategic direction of Quartet, helping to advise and run the organisation. As Chair of Trustees, you will work with other members of the Board to form an effective, accountable governing body which provides leadership and support for the dedicated staff team in delivering Quartet’s strategic plan.​

The role of the Chair of Trustees

The chair, along with their deputy is appointed by the Board with the following key responsibilities: ​

• To effectively chair board meetings, ensuring that the board  considers and observes best practice governance of Quartet. ​
• To be actively engaged in setting the strategic direction and policy of Quartet.​​
• To contribute to the performance management and review of the strategic plan and related targets.​​
• To help set and agree a balanced financial budget and support the Chief Executive Officer and staff in remaining within it.​​
• To be an ambassador and advocate for the work of Quartet in the wider community, including representation at evening and daytime events (with and sometimes as a substitute for the CEO). ​
• To support the CEO in their work, conducting an annual appraisal of their work and setting realistic goals in agreement with them.​
• To participate in grant-making panels as a representative of Quartet, as required and to visit at least one funded project per year.​​
• To attend quarterly board meetings, the AGM, meetings of our four sub-committees, and chair of chairs meetings. ​
• To ensure that Quartet complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, charity law, company law, internal policies and procedures, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.​​
• To participate as appropriate in the national network of community foundations, contribute to its development and set the work of Quartet in the wider context.  This usually involves two days a year at a UKCF south west chairs and CEOs workshop.​
• ​Joining trustees are supported to understand and engage with all of these elements, and the successful candidate will also be offered the opportunity to shadow the existing chair  for 6-9 months, before she leaves the role in 2026.

Utilise your educational leadership to help close the attainment gap. Join the board of Tutor Trust, a proudly northern charity transforming young lives through tutoring across the North.

Closing date: Monday 23rd February

Who we are

For 15 years, Tutor Trust has been changing lives through high-quality tutoring, building long-term partnerships with schools across the North. We’re driven by a vision of an education system that provides excellence, equity and opportunity to every child and young person in the UK. Last year, we supported over 6,000 pupils across 149 schools, with 92% either entitled to Pupil Premium funding or attending schools in low-income areas. Our impact is proven: primary pupils made 7.07 scaled score points progress in their SATs, while secondary pupils made 0.86 grades progress at GCSE level.

We recruit talented university students, many from the communities we serve, who act as relatable role models while delivering evidence-based tutoring. Our approach works: Education Endowment Foundation trials showed our pupils made three months’ additional progress in maths, with even greater gains for those eligible for Free School Meals.

Following the end of the National Tutoring Programme, we’re continuing to successfully navigate challenges while maintaining our school partnerships and impact. We’ve diversified our programme, expanding into phonics, post-16 GCSE resits, and growing our specialist Tutoring Plus work for pupils with complex needs by 135%. We’re now implementing an ambitious strategy to 2028 that will see us broaden our reach, expand into new regions, and advocate for tutoring to become a permanent part of the education system, ensuring that every young person, regardless of where they grow up, has access to the support they need to thrive.

About the role

We’re looking for two trustees who will join our board of Trustees and sit on our Education Committee, bringing the voice of secondary school leadership to our board. This is a chance to contribute to something genuinely transformative during a period of both challenge and opportunity for education, working towards a future where excellence and equity go hand in hand across the North and beyond.

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for people with secondary school leadership experience, such as headteachers, executive heads, or senior leaders in multi-academy trusts, who understand the pressures schools face and the realities of serving disadvantaged communities. You’ll bring an understanding of boards and governance, demonstrating strategic thinking and appropriate challenge, alongside a genuine passion for closing the attainment gap and creating opportunity for all young people to succeed.

We’re particularly keen to hear from leaders across Liverpool, Merseyside, Leeds, Yorkshire, and the North East. We are interested in people with experience of school improvement, Ofsted, or broader curriculum expertise alongside secondary leadership.

While our primary focus is on educational leadership, we’re also interested in hearing from people with expertise in digital, fundraising, PR and marketing; skills that will be valuable as we implement our ambitious growth strategy and build our vision of an education system rooted in excellence and equity.

Time commitment

Board meetings are held six times a year, typically at 8:00 a.m. for two hours, with most meetings conducted online and some held in person in Manchester. As members of the Education Committee, you’ll also attend termly committee meetings online, along with an annual half-day strategy session held in person. The overall time commitment is equivalent to up to a day per month.

Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, achieve, and build the future they envision. At Tutor Trust, we believe that high-quality tutoring is more than just academic support, it’s about unlocking potential, restoring confidence, and opening doors to opportunity.

If you share our belief that education should provide excellence and equity for every child, we invite you to join us. Whether you’re leading a school or MAT today or are a senior education professional, your experience and passion can help shape the future of thousands of young people.

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

Applications for this role close on Monday 23rd February. 

Community engagement charity Sobus is looking for talented, passionate individuals to join our Board of Trustees.  We are looking for a new Trustee Treasurer to help guide the charity through a time of exciting opportunity and development.

It's an exciting time for Sobus, as we look to refresh our service offer, and maximise the investment opportunity following the disposal of a property in 2024.

Our overarching aim is to “strengthen local communities”, through the provision of infrastructure support to the local voluntary sector in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and supporting business communities around our North Kensington hub. 

Our work is focussed on five main areas:

• Voice & Representation
• Information & Intelligence
• Brokerage & Partnerships
• Capacity Building & Business Support
• Affordable Premises (through the provision of our business hubs in Fulham and North Kensington)

Trustee Treasurer: We are seeking a committed individual with a proven, professional track record of financial management and leadership at the highest level, and a sound understanding and experience of the voluntary sector.  We need someone with significant experience of leading long-term strategic development and driving financial sustainability.

You will share our vision and want to take a leading role in our journey to be recognised as an outstanding organisation. It would be a significant advantage if you have an understanding or experience of working in the voluntary and community sector, and even more so if you are a current or former resident of Hammersmith & Fulham or have a tangible, established and current connection with the area.

Sobus was formed in 2014 following a merger between the Community & Voluntary Sector Association and Fulham Community Partnership Trust. However, we were first established as the local CVS in Hammersmith & Fulham in 1998. 

Sobus is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity to ensure that we reflect the full breadth of the people that we support. We therefore warmly welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Selection process:

Candidates are requested to complete an application and a equalities monitoring form., and if shortlisted, an interview with our outgoing Treasurer, Chair of the Board of Trustees and the CEO.  t

For an informal discussion about the position, of for the Job Description and application form, contact the Sobus CEO, Sue Spiller

BLUE SMILE - CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

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

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

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES ROLE

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

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

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Our new Chair of Trustees will:

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

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

• Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

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

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

TIME COMMITMENT

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

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

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

TO APPLY

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

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

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

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

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 clinical and support volunteers in 30 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 over 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 governance background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board.  Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with charity 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 Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s day to day governance to ensure we are fully compliant and champion risk management.  They will provide practical guidance on best practice enabling StreetVet to put procedures and policies in place to achieve this.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

· Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings) to provide strategic direction, support in setting overall strategy and policy, as well as, targets and evaluate performance.

· Act as a conduit for governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Operations Manger.

· Reflect upon the charity’s performance and advise appropriate changes to practice.

· To recommend work processes where StreetVet can improve its governance requirements.

· Work with the CEO, wider staff team and Board of Trustees to develop and implement strategy for the charity to strengthen our sustainability and integrity.

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience

· A thorough understanding of the Third Sector, Charity Commission legislation and charity governance.

· Ability to advise and recommend governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of Charity Commission.

· Awareness of the challenges a small charity can face in a fast-developing status.

· 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.

o Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees must 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 and offer new ideas.

· 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.

· Understanding of how to use Microsoft Teams to facilitate collaborative and remote working or willingness to learn.

Join DOCA as a Trustee (Secretary role) 
We're looking for a passionate, organised individual to join our board as a voluntary trustee – someone who can help keep us on track and bring some HR knowledge too.

You'll take minutes, help with key documents, and guide fair practice across our small but mighty arts organisation.

At DOCA, we bring people together through magical, shared experiences that transform places, hearts and minds.

We especially welcome applicants from global majority groups and those under-represented in the arts.
Based in Devizes, Wiltshire (hybrid considered).

Interested? Let’s chat!

About Action Tutoring

Action Tutoring is a national education charity founded in 2011, committed to ensuring that no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background. Working across 11 hubs in England, the charity partners with primary and secondary schools to provide high-quality, curriculum-aligned tutoring in English and maths for pupils at risk of leaving school without reaching expected standards. By harnessing a network of trained volunteer tutors, Action Tutoring delivers personalised academic support to those who would otherwise be unable to access it.

The need for the charity’s work is significant. Disadvantaged pupils are, on average, 18 months behind their peers by the end of secondary school, and the attainment gap is now at its widest in 12 years. In 2024, only 46% of disadvantaged primary pupils met expected standards, compared with 67% of their non-disadvantaged peers.

Action Tutoring’s impact is clear. In 2023–24, pupils who received at least 10 tutoring sessions achieved markedly improved outcomes:

• Primary pupils were 15 percentage points more likely to meet expected reading standards and 11 percentage points more likely in maths
• Secondary pupils were nearly nine percentage points more likely to pass their maths GCSE

During this period, the charity supported 42,487 pupils, delivered more than 61,000 hours of tutoring, and engaged nearly 2,000 volunteer tutors nationwide. Its work is underpinned by diverse funding streams, including partnerships with organisations such as the Education Endowment Foundation and the Inflexion Foundation.

With a team of over 50 staff operating from a London head office and across regional hubs, Action Tutoring fosters a flexible, inclusive working culture grounded in social mobility, integrity, collaboration and evidence-based practice. The charity has been recognised for its commitment to staff wellbeing, partnership working and inclusivity, and maintains a strong focus on safeguarding and continuous learning.

Action Tutoring is now entering a pivotal period as it develops its next organisational strategy. This includes strengthening partnerships with schools and multi-academy trusts, expanding its reach to support more pupils facing disadvantage, and exploring how digital innovation and artificial intelligence can further enhance its tutoring model. Further detail on this strategic work can be found here.

Role specification

Trustees play a central role in shaping Action Tutoring’s long-term vision, supporting the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Senior Leadership Team, and ensuring strong governance across safeguarding, finance, strategy and risk. Working collectively, the Board provides constructive challenge and support to ensure the charity remains financially sustainable, evidence-led and focused on delivering meaningful impact for disadvantaged pupils.

Main responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that Action Tutoring pursues its mission and charitable objectives for public benefit, and that all strategic decisions reinforce this purpose
• Contributing to the formulation, oversight and review of the organisation’s strategic plan, ensuring it is ambitious, sustainable and underpinned by clear priorities for impact and growth
• Supporting and challenging the Senior Leadership Team and wider Board to ensure that strategic plans are implemented effectively and that progress is measured and evaluated
• Ensuring compliance with Action Tutoring’s governing document, charity law and regulatory requirements, including robust safeguarding practice in line with statutory guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Acting at all times in the best interests of the charity, upholding its values, championing its work, and serving as an advocate with external stakeholders
• Providing stewardship and oversight of the charity’s financial management, ensuring resources are used responsibly, risks are identified and mitigated, and long-term sustainability is maintained
• Holding the CEO and senior team to account for organisational performance, safeguarding effectiveness, programme delivery, impact evaluation and cultural alignment
• Reviewing data, financial information and operational reporting to ensure transparency, rigorous scrutiny and organisational accountability
• Bringing reasonable care, skill and professional expertise to the role, including preparing thoroughly for meetings, attending regularly, and applying relevant insight—for example, in safeguarding or multi-academy trust governance—to provide informed, strategic challenge and guidance

Person specification

Action Tutoring seeks to appoint two new Trustees to its Board: one bringing senior leadership experience within schools or multi-academy trusts (MATs) and who can act as the Trustee point of contact for safeguarding oversight, working closely with the internal team. The other will bring strategic insight into educational technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Both individuals will be driven, values-led and collaborative, with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people facing disadvantage. They will bring a strong understanding of the barriers faced by disadvantaged children.

Education Trustee:

The successful candidate will bring senior leadership experience from the education sector, and their professional background will equip them with a nuanced understanding of the challenges facing disadvantaged pupils and the school settings in which they learn. They will have strong safeguarding knowledge and be willing to act as the Board’s first point of contact for the Designated Safeguarding Lead and wider team, providing informed advice and scrutiny. They will offer insight into how Action Tutoring’s model aligns with school-based strategies for raising attainment and addressing disadvantage, and how the charity can strengthen its partnerships with schools, education leaders and MATs to support sustainable growth. From time to time, they may also act as a mentor to the Programme Director.

EdTech/AI Trustee:

The EdTech/AI Trustee will be a strategic leader with a strong understanding of artificial intelligence and its potential application within education. They will bring awareness of emerging AI trends and the commercial implications for programme delivery, supporting the development of Action Tutoring’s AI tutor pilot, planned for 2026. While not required to be a technical specialist, they will be able to connect the charity to the right expertise when needed. Candidates may come from big tech, advisory, consulting or large-scale project environments, with EdTech experience valuable but not essential. They will provide strategic insight into how Action Tutoring’s model could evolve to harness AI responsibly, advise on technology-related risk, contribute to the organisation’s AI steering group, and act as a connector to key stakeholders who can support the charity’s long-term digital strategy.

Across both roles, Trustees will be expected to uphold Action Tutoring’s mission, values and safeguarding commitments, contributing to a culture of integrity, inclusion and accountability. They will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure effective governance, champion the charity’s work externally, and support the organisation to deliver high-quality, evidence-based programmes that improve life chances for disadvantaged young people.

Are you an experienced leader with a finance background and the passion for making a difference?

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is seeking a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer to help guide the charity’s strategy including a focus on financial responsibilities. This voluntary role is ideal for someone with strong knowledge of accounting, audit and risk management who can balance strategic thinking with attention to detail. If you are a confident communicator with extensive financial experience and a desire to use those skills to support a local charity, we’d love to hear from you.

Your expertise, insight and judgment could make a real difference to the lives of the local people we support.

Role requirements:

• Extensive senior financial leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, audit and risk management
• Understanding of best practice in governance
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic thinker with sound independent judgement 
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

The benefits of joining our Board of Trustees include:
• Professional recognition.
• Networking opportunities with fellow trustees as well as access to forums and communities of likeminded trustees at other organisations.
• Training and support to get the best out of the role.
• Career development: Diversify your experience and demonstrate leadership, governance expertise and commitment to public service.

AMR Action UK (formerly Antibiotic Research UK) is the UK Patient Organisation for Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Its legitimacy to advocate for patients, with policy-makers and with NHS systems, comes from its insight, and therefore through its patient support services, patient-focussed research and direct patient and public engagement activities.

The organisation is at an exciting stage of its development. Following the appointment of a new Chief Executive in late 2024 it has a new strategy in place and by greatly increasing its impact over the next 3 years intends to significantly reduce the harm from AMR across all four nations of the United Kingdom. The charity is also committed to expanding its services to meet the growing demand from patients and families directly impacted by AMR. This growth will be underpinned by a new name and new brand, a fresh approach to communications that will greatly increase awareness of the charity’s work with the UK public, and a new fundraising strategy that will both grow and diversify income and also increase sustainability.

The charity is now looking for a dynamic new Chair of Trustees who is excited by our plans, and by the difference this will make to peoples’ lives. Given the growth agenda for the period 2025-28, the suitable candidate at this point in time is likely to come from a commercial background, with a strong understanding of strategy, investment, business development, and communications in the context of a rapidly changing environment. They are also likely to have a track-record of successfully managing risk v reward in a growing business. Increasing donations from corporates and philanthropists is important to the charity at this stage in its development and the new Chair will be comfortable operating in these environments.

A key part of the role will be to support the new senior executive team charged with delivering the growth agenda, including establishing and maintaining a strong working relationship with the CEO.

This is a fully remote role, but the successful candidate must live in the UK. You would be expected to attend 1 strategy away day per year, and also to support the CEO in in-person meetings in London as and when required.

Progressive Farming Trust is looking for new board members

Progressive Farming Trust is a charity working to advance collective knowledge and practice in environmentally sensitive and organic farming.

We focus on three main areas:

• Enhancing knowledge exchange, education, and training that drive on-farm action
• Supporting farm businesses to adopt more resilient and sustainable models
• Strengthening shorter, fairer supply chains that empower both farmers and consumers

To help deliver these priorities we run:

• Agricology, a free information hub where farmers and growers can access practical guidance about sustainable agriculture
• Dean Organic Fund, offering small interest free loans to organic farmers

Established in 1980, the Trust has a long history of supporting progressive farming. For many years we worked as the Organic Research Centre, and following a de-merger in September 2025, we have refocused our activities and are now developing a new strategy to guide our future work.

We are recruiting up to four new volunteer Directors to join our Board and help strengthen the organisation. The Board currently meets quarterly (around one day every three months), either in person or online.

We welcome applications from people who bring any of the following:

• Experience as a grower, farmer, or food producer
• Knowledge of charity sector finance
• An interest in improving uptake of knowledge and skills in sustainable agriculture and food supply chains

We are actively working to build a more inclusive and diverse Board and particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in food growing, farming, and the environmental sector. We value lived experience as well as professional expertise.

We are currently looking to recruit an external trustee to join our Board of Trustees and also act as chair to the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee. We will also require the trustee to support our whistleblowing policy, acting as the nominated trustee contact for whistleblowing concerns.  You’ll champion openness and ensure the organisation has safe, fair, and effective processes for raising and handling concerns.

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees, and our trading subsidiary (CUSU Services Ltd) is overseen by our Commercial Services Board . They are both made up of a collection of our elected Officers, students, university staff and external professionals that ensure the Charity and the Trading Subsidiary remain sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status.

You will be expected to attend Board meetings 4 times per year – these will be a mix of in person and Teams meetings. You will also be expected to support at least one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction. You will need some time to allow for prereading of reports and other documentation before meetings. 

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm. Most of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.) There is also a strategy day once a year as well as the occasional social activity!

For this trustee role, we are looking for an experienced professional ideally with third-sector governance experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees the trustee will be required to chair the Finance and Audit subcommittee and should possess a strong finance background with analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, including but not limited to those from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those from a Global Majority background. We hope that by enhancing our diversity we can extend our organisational creativity and problem solving through the different perspectives and life experiences which diversity brings.

Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.

For further information there is a full recruitment pack and role profile posted on our website.

Be Enriched - recent recipients of The Kings Award for Voluntary Servie 2025 - are seeking an inspirational Chairperson to lead our Board of Trustees and guide our next phase of strategic growth. We use food as a tool to bring people together, cultivate joy and dignity whilst fighting food waste and nourishing the community.

What will you be doing?

The Chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board, ensuring the charity is governed effectively and remains true to our vision and mission. With an inclusive leadership style, the Chair will foster a collaborative atmosphere within the board, while offering both support and constructive challenge to the CEO. Additionally, the Chair serves as a passionate ambassador for the charity, representing its values and goals.

What difference will you make?

Since 2013, we have been dedicated to enriching our communities through food. Our work tackles critical issues head-on: alleviating food poverty, combating social isolation, and empowering individuals through practical skills training. We believe in the power of food to bring people together, share knowledge, and cultivate lasting connections. 

As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering our ambitious strategy, working closely with an active and committed Board and our dedicated staff team. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership skills to strengthen our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our vital community services. 

Scope of Responsibilities 

Governance and Strategic Leadership 

• Provide leadership to the board in the establishment of organisations overall strategy and policies.

• Direct boards policy-making process and guidance to ensure strategic alignment. 

• Monitor decisions taken by the board to ensure effective execution. 

Board Management 

• Build and develop the board by leading efforts in recruiting new trustees and ensure the board is diverse, skilled, and working cohesively. Foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration. 

• Plan annual schedule of board meetings and establish agendas. 

• Chair and facilitate board meetings. 

Representation and Advocacy 

• Act as Ambassador for Be Enriched at external events, meetings and functions when required. 

• Actively participate in and show support for the charity's events and projects, demonstrating leadership and commitment to its mission. 

Executive Liaison and Oversight 

• Liaise closely with CEO to maintain strategic overview and provide appropriate support. 

• Serve on senior appointment panels as needed.

Formal Procedures 

• Act as the final stage adjudicator in formal disciplinary and grievance procedures, in accordance with the organisation’s policies. 

What We Are Looking For 

Essential Qualities

• Proven experience as a trustee, with a passion for governance and making a difference.  Prior Chair experience is welcome but not required. 

• A keen sense of strategic purpose. 

• An inclusive leadership style. 

• The ability to listen and engage. Comfortable with challenge and debate and can encourage that in others whist fostering a collaborative board environment.

• Advocate – be able and willing to champion Be Enriched’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels. 

• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Be proactive and responsive – as a small charity, there are times when issues arise that require the Chair's guidance, support, or approval. 

In addition to the above, the Chair will have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees: 

Responsibilities Of All Trustees 

• Support and provide advice on Be Enriched’s visions mission and goals. 

• Ensure the effective, efficient, and prudent administration of the organisations.

• Safeguard the organisations financial stability and ensure proper investment of funds. 

• Ensure key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively. 

• Provide support and challenge the CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs. 

• Attend quarterly board meetings (online) and AGM (in-person), adequately prepared for group discussion.

• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect Be Enriched’s interest, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or third-party interest.

• Maintain a thorough and informed understanding of the organisation's activities, as well as the broader external issues that affect its work.

• Accept collective responsibility, as part of the board, for the actions and decisions of the organisations and its trustees. 

• Participate in additional tasks as required, such as providing expert advice or assisting with fundraising initiatives.

Terms of Appointment 

Terms of Office 

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term, with renewal available at end of first term.

Time Commitment 

• Attendance required at four quarterly board meetings (conducted online via Teams from 4:30-5:30pm). 

• Attendance compulsory at the Be Enriched AGM (conducted in-person).

Overview of the role

Warrington Foodbank are seeking someone to take the lead in organising and  monitoring the work of our Board of Trustees, liaising between members to ensure our strategy and operations remain on track. As our Secretary of Trustees you will lead the administrative duties of the Board of Trustees, ensuring that its activities are conducted within the legal requirements, with board meetings being properly administered.

Responsibilities

As a trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of the food bank and all decisions made by the board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, is compliant with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable. 

The Secretary of Trustees is responsible for leading on the administrative duties of the food bank and Board of Trustees. They will ensure that the foodbank’s activities are conducted within legal requirements, and that board meetings are properly administered. The Secretary will also lead on the development and management of policy schedules, ensuring that the Board of Trustees are aware and kept up to date regarding their legal, regulatory, and governance responsibilities.

Key tasks:

• to ensure that there is a record of all Trustee Board correspondence to ensure that details of Trustee meetings are circulated to the board together with minutes of the previous meeting and any other instructions in good time to ensure the trustee board meets its legal obligations, including reporting, meeting charity and company law, as well as insurance requirements

• to ensure all relevant stakeholders are informed of the annual general meeting (AGM)

• to ensure that the annual report (to accompany the annual accounts) is produced and sent to the relevant charity regulator body (Charity Commission of England & Wales).

Other responsibilities, along with the Board of Trustees, include:

• to approve, support and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives 

• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity

• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate

• to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored and controlled appropriately

• To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated

• to review and approve financial statements 

• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries

• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection

• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.

About you:

We are looking for people who want to help their local community. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate: 

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of Warrington Foodbank 

• previous experience or an ability in:

  • secretarial or administrative work

  • managing project and keeping them on schedule

  • coordinating the activities of a group or individual

• add any further essential qualities the food bank is looking for, to fit in with any strategic objectives the food bank may have.

Benefits of volunteering:

• feeling you are making a difference whilst volunteering with us

• meeting new people and being part of a motivated team who share a passion to eradicate poverty in our community

• building a movement of change with our volunteers, staff, and the people who use our food bank

• bringing our staff, volunteers, and trustees together to achieve our vision

• gaining a greater insight and understanding of local agencies and partnerships.

Impact of your role

By leading on the administrative matters of the food bank board, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with Warrington Foodbank.

Support

A full trustee induction is in place to support the prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary action trustee training. 

Please Note:

• You must be 16 or over and must not be disqualified from acting as a trustee and declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee.

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office.

• This is a voluntary position.

Carers UK is the national membership charity for the millions of people in the UK who are unpaid carers. As an organisation we provide expert advice and information for carers, campaign for greater recognition and support for carers, and use our experience and expertise to help other organisations do more for carers. Our Board of Trustees plays a vital leadership role in the work we do while ensuring the charity is equipped and governed effectively, establishing and monitoring strategy and ensuring we are true to our values and keep carers at the heart of everything we do.

We are now seeking to appoint up to four people to join our Board of Trustees, to steer us towards our vision of a world where carers are recognised, valued and supported.

It’s an exciting time to be part of Carers UK, as we launch our new strategic review in 2026. Our Board is instrumental in ensuring we make the future really impactful for carers through our vision and strategy while fulfilling all our obligations as a charity.

We are also seeking to appoint a Nations Trustee for Scotland. In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the Nations Trustee will be expected to ensure that the Carers UK Board is informed on key issues affecting carers in their Nation. 

To find out more about this opportunity and apply, please download the Trustee recruitment pack from our website

Carers UK is committed to representing the diverse society in which we work and actively encourages applications from people with current or recent experience of caring from all backgrounds and experiences.