Trustee volunteer roles

Are you ready to use your leadership, wisdom, and faith to make a tangible, life-changing impact across the UK? Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is embarking on an exciting new chapter as the nation’s largest specialist community-based debt help provider, and we are looking for dedicated volunteer Trustees to help guide our mission. For over 30 years, CAP has partnered with local churches to release thousands from the crushing chains of debt and poverty, restoring hope, financial resilience, and introducing people to the transformational love of Jesus. As a vital member of our Board, you will provide the strategic direction and prayerful governance needed to steer an agile, innovative £15m organization—vanguarding AI-driven solutions and cutting-edge platforms—while navigating a challenging economic landscape. If you are an active Christian with senior-level experience in fundraising, financial management, or strategic partnerships, this is your invitation to join a thoughtful, bold, and joyful team united to see transformed lives, thriving churches, and an ultimate end to UK poverty

Trustee Vacancies – Join Business Launchpad & Tooting Works

 Do you share our passion? Could you be our next trustee?

Do you want to help shape the future of an ambitious social enterprise supporting young entrepreneurs and creating inclusive economic opportunities in South London?

At Business Launchpad (BLP) and Tooting Works (TW), we are recruiting up to four new Trustees to join our Board and support the next phase of our organisational growth and impact.

Business Launchpad is an award-winning youth enterprise charity that supports young people aged 18–30 to start businesses, access employment opportunities, and develop the confidence and skills needed to achieve long-term financial stability. We offer support through enterprise and employability programmes, one-to-one mentoring, coaching, and workspaces, ensuring they have the opportunity to unlock their potential and thrive.

Tooting Works is our social enterprise business centre in Tooting, South London. By providing a range of office units, community spaces, coworking desks at below-market rates, the income generated through Tooting Works directly supports the charitable mission of Business Launchpad. This ensures our unique charity-social enterprise model is sustainable combining social impact with commercial enterprise.

As we continue to strengthen our governance, scale our impact, and deliver our 2025–2028 strategic ambitions, we are looking for passionate and committed individuals who can bring expertise, insight, and constructive challenge to our Board.

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance, audit, or investment
• Property, facilities, or capital projects
• Legal and governance
• Fundraising and income generation
• Digital transformation, technology, or AI
• Marketing, communications, or brand strategy
• HR, organisational development, or people leadership
• Social enterprise, entrepreneurship, or youth development
• Impact measurement, research, or data
• Lived experience aligned to the communities we support

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and those with lived experience of barriers to employment or entrepreneurship.

Previous trustee experience is not essential. We welcome applications from both experienced trustees and individuals considering their first Board role, and we will provide a supportive induction process.

What to Expect

Trustees play a vital role in ensuring the organisation remains mission-led, financially sustainable, and strategically ambitious. Trustees provide governance, oversight, and support to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, while also acting as ambassadors for the organisation.

The Board typically meets quarterly in South London, with some additional committee meetings and occasional strategy sessions or events throughout the year. Hybrid attendance options are available.

These voluntary roles are unremunerated; however, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is:

• Supporting hundreds of young people annually
• Building innovative pathways into entrepreneurship and employment
• Combining charitable impact with commercial sustainability
• Developing ambitious partnerships with major funders, employers, and institutions
• Entering a significant phase of strategic growth and transformation

As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while contributing your expertise within a collaborative, values-driven, and ambitious organisation.

Eligibility:

You cannot be a trustee if…

•  You are under 18 years of age.
• Have been convicted at any time of any offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless this conviction is legally regarded as spent.
• Are an un-discharged bankrupt.
• Have made compositions with your creditors and have not been discharged.
• Have at any time been removed by the Commissioners or by the course in England, Wales, or Scotland from being a trustee because of misconduct.
• Are disqualified from being a company director.
• Have failed to make payments under the county court administrator’s orders.

How to Apply

To express your interest, please send:

• A CV or LinkedIn profile
• A short supporting statement outlining your interest in the role and the skills or experience you would bring

If you would like an informal conversation about the opportunity before applying, please contact us.

We look forward to hearing from individuals who share our commitment to creating opportunities, supporting communities, and driving social impact.

Charity Trustees (volunteer) – North West, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire and Staffordshire

This is an opportunity to join a Board engaged in real strategic decisions, where your contribution will have direct and lasting impact. 

About us

Adoption Matters is a children’s charity and one of the largest voluntary adoption agencies in the UK. We recruit, train and support individuals, couples and families looking to adopt and offer ongoing support and training. We also offer a support service for adopted adults and birth families, and a specialised therapy service.

In 2024, we launched our not for profit fostering agency, Foster Care Matters. As a non profit provider, the service is committed to reinvesting resources to deliver high quality support and ongoing training for foster parents. More recently in 2026, we acquired 1st Affinity Fostering Service in Wrexham, securing a not-for-profit future for the agency in Wales.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking Trustees to join our purposeful and dedicated Board of Trustees and contribute to our organisation and the lives of children and families. We are looking for individuals who share our ambition and have the skills and ability to make a meaningful contribution.

This is a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of a children’s charity that transforms the lives of children who cannot live with their birth families. For many of the children we support—often older, in sibling groups, or with complex needs - adoption can be life-changing.

For further information, please refer to the Person Specification in the Trustee Recruitment Pack. 

Term commitment 

The term of appointment will be three years initially, with a review of performance for renewal for a further three years and again after this period, up to a maximum of nine years. In exceptional circumstances, the term may extend beyond this period.

Remuneration and expenses 

This position is unremunerated; however, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Why become a Trustee? 

Make an impact, gain experience, expand your network, and enhance your skills and knowledge. If you are passionate about what we do and believe you can add value to the current Board of Trustees, we would be very interested to hear from you. 

What we offer in return 

• Our values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect, and Together — which we hope align with your own. 
• The opportunity to make a difference, feel valued, and achieve the role satisfaction you’ve always wanted. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement 

At Adoption Matters, we are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. Our ambition is to create a culture that embraces diversity, promotes equality, and ensures inclusion for all. 

We are open to discussions about any adjustments or flexible arrangements you may need at any stage of the process. If you join us, we will support you to reach your full potential. The only aspect we assess in your application is how you have demonstrated your ability to meet the essential requirements of the role. 

Together, we can build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive future.

Our values: Honesty, Empathy, Ambition, Respect, and Together - which we hope to align with your own.

The opportunity to make a difference, feel valued, and achieve the role satisfaction you’ve always wanted.

What’s next? It’s easy!

How to apply

Apply with your contact details and we will be in touch with the full Recruitment Pack and Application Form.

About Charity Right

Charity Right is an international food charity - Registered Charity No. 1163944 in England & Wales

The Objects of the Charity are

1. To relieve poverty worldwide by
   • Providing food supplies, items, grants and services to individuals in need and other groups or organisations that are working to prevent and relieve hunger and poverty
   • Providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient
   • Undertaking and supporting research into factors that contribute to poverty and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these
   • The provision of grants to enable young people to participate in healthy recreational activities that they could not otherwise afford
2. The relief of financial need and suffering among victims of natural or other kinds of disaster in the form of money (or other means deemed suitable) for persons, bodies, organisations and/or countries affected.

Our work centres on breaking the cycle of poverty through sustainable school meals programmes. We currently provide daily school meals in displaced communities affected by extreme food insecurity. Our programme has helped save thousands of young peoples’ lives by freeing them to get an education, develop new skills into adulthood and lift themselves out of poverty.

With millions still going hungry worldwide, our vital work is needed now more than ever. We are at an exciting stage of growth and seek a trustee who can help us deepen our impact, strengthen our strategic direction, and ensure our programmes continue to transform lives for decades to come. As we enter this next phase, we are particularly keen to strengthen the financial expertise and oversight on our board, and would especially welcome interest from candidates with experience of charity finance. This is one of several skill sets we value, however, and we encourage applications from people of all professional backgrounds.

Our Commitment to Diverse Leadership

We strongly encourage applications from women and younger Muslim professionals who can bring fresh perspectives, sectoral expertise, and a long-term strategic vision to our board. We recognise that diverse leadership strengthens our governance, deepens our understanding of the communities we serve, and ensures our programmes remain relevant and impactful.

Age, gender and background diversity is not just important to us in principle, but it is essential to fulfilling our mission effectively. We actively seek to build a board that reflects the breadth of our supporter base and the communities we serve.
 

About the Role

We are seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our board of trustees. Our mission is to provide school meals to children in developing countries, with the goal of reducing hunger and improving educational outcomes

As a trustee, you will work collaboratively with fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the charity. You will help ensure our activities align with our mission and values. The trustee will work closely with other members of the board and staff to develop and implement plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and maximise the positive impact of its work.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the board of trustees, providing governance and oversight to the organisation
• Uphold Charity Commission and legal responsibilities as a trustee and company director
• Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff to develop and implement strategies, plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and values
• Champion the charity to external stakeholders and partners
• Attend and actively participate in board meetings and events
• Ensure robust compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, using your network to advance our mission

Person Specification

• Genuine passion for international development and our mission to end child hunger
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: [AK1] finance, programmes, marketing, fundraising, technology, and operations
• Experience of charity finance, for example financial oversight, budgeting, or reading and interpreting charity accounts would be especially valued for this appointment, although it is not essential
• Strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to contribute constructively to board discussions
• Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team
• Willingness to dedicate time and energy to the charity’s success
• Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements for charitable organisations, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and commitment to collective decision-making
• Demonstrates highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour, avoiding conflicts of interest and prioritizing the charity's mission
• Engages respectfully and collaboratively with board members, staff and stakeholders, fostering an inclusive environment and modelling the charity's values
• Understanding of the cultural and economic contexts of the countries where the charity operates is a plus.

Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are scheduled to accommodate trustee’s availability. Most meetings are done via video conferencing, and on occasion we meet in person at a suitable location. Individual commitments are agreed between each trustee and the Chair of the board, but the following is a general guide.

• Board meeting – quarterly
• 2-hour meetings with reports to read one week in advance
• Telephone meetings – as required
• 30-minute conference calls occasionally required in between board meetings
• Staff away day – once yearly
• A day of in-person workshops, planning and Q&A with staff
• Events – as required
• Occasional participation in promotional events – usually early evening
• Project groups – as required
• Occasional working alongside staff to complete projects – as fits expertise and diaries 

Charity Right is an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to building a diverse board and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in charity governance.

TRUSTEE VACANCY | COVENTRY CITIZENS ADVICE
Volunteer | Board Role | Coventry | ~5–7 hours/month | Reviewed regularly

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Coventry Citizens Advice is recruiting new trustees to join its Board of Directors.

We are one of the largest local Citizens Advice charities in England, helping more than 14,000 people each year with issues including debt, housing, welfare benefits and fuel poverty. For over 80 years we have been a trusted source of free, independent advice for the people of Coventry — and demand for our services has never been higher.

This is a genuine governance role. You will help set our strategic direction, oversee our finances, ensure we meet our legal duties as a charity, and hold the organisation accountable to the communities it serves. We want trustees who engage with the detail and bring their professional judgement to decisions that matter.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

No previous trustee or board experience is required — just sound independent judgement, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in:
→ Law
→ Fundraising
→ Research and Campaigns

These areas are of direct strategic importance to our work, and applicants with this background will be especially welcomed.

THE ROLE

- Time commitment: approximately 5–7 hours per month (meetings held in the evenings)
- Voluntary and unpaid; reasonable expenses reimbursed
- Full induction and ongoing training provided

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

- Real experience of charity governance and strategic leadership
- Development of financial, legal and governance skills
- A meaningful leadership credential for your CV
- The opportunity to make a direct difference to thousands of lives in Coventry

WHO WE WANT TO HEAR FROM

We are committed to a board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBT+ and non-binary people, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. All backgrounds and employment histories are welcome.

HOW TO APPLY

Download the application form and read our Trustee Recruitment Pack.

Please do not send a CV without an application form — it will not receive a response.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Closing date: 30 July 2026.

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Coventry Citizens Advice | 1–7 Station Street East, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 5FL
Registered charity. Trustee positions are voluntary and unpaid.

About the Trustee role

We have a detailed role description and person specification over the next few pages to

help you understand the requirements of the role.

The main purpose of our role:

As trustees at Back Up, we are volunteers with a specific legal responsibility to:

· Ensure our aims and objectives are being met

· Act in the best interest of the charity

· Manage responsibility for what we have (our people, our money etc)

· Act with reasonable care and skill

You can find more information from the charity commission.

What you will gain:

· An insight into how a charity runs, particularly how a charity board runs

· A new group of friends and colleagues

· A sense of pride when hearing about the difference our services make and that you

· A role in transforming lives affected by spinal cord injury.

· Confidence in building relationships with a wide range of people and speaking up at meetings

· An opportunity to develop your skills and experiences

· An opportunity to use your skills and experience to the benefit of the charity

Being a trustee is a voluntary role, therefore unpaid, but expenses including for travel are reimbursed.

You will receive a full induction to help you in the role at Back Up. In addition, where there is a training need, a range of training courses are on offer. You’ll need to commit time and energy to attend these, building up your knowledge so that you feel confident in the role. This often takes longer than you think, but we understand that – we were all new trustees once too.

Trustee Person Specification

Key Skills:

· Ability to support, motivate and inspire people to get involved

· Excellent communication skills in person, in writing and on the telephone

· Respect for others, for confidentiality and able to treat people equally

· Highly organised: able to manage multiple tasks, conflicting priorities, and responsive to deadlines

Qualifications and Experience:

Specific experience that would be useful to Back Up. You may have one or more of these:

· Accountancy

· Third Sector Knowledge

· Fundraising knowledge

· Personal experience of spinal cord injury

Personal Attributes:

· Integrity and honesty

· Proactive – seek out answers to your questions without a prompt

· A demonstrable commitment to Back Up's aims and values

· Honest, reliable, enthusiastic and conscientious

· Team player, flexible and adaptable

· Willingness to understand and hear about issues relating to spinal cord injury

Time Commitment:

· Currently, three and a half hourly board meetings four times a year, evenings in SW London

· One to two away-days per year

· Two-hour committee meetings (four times per year)

· Spending two to three hours prior to meetings, reading and absorbing information

· Reflecting and discussing by telephone

· Follow up to meetings – reading and commenting on minutes, carrying out any

· agreed actions

Requirements:

You must be…

· Over 18

· Not bankrupt

· Subject to satisfactory DBS check and references

· Not excluded by Companies House or Charity Commission

· Not bound by conflicts of interest that would be so significant as to undermine the role in general e.g. a member of a group that discriminates against people based on gender or ethnicity

Specific responsibilities

Role Description: Trustee

Reports to: Chair of Trustees

Accountable to: People affected by spinal cord injury, Charities Commission and Companies House

Summary:

The Board supports the vision and mission of the organisation. We ensure the delivery of the strategy, so that people affected by spinal cord injury can realise their full potential.

Vision and Mission

· To uphold the values of the charity, undertaking the duties of trusteeship in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity

· Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society

· To support decisions that are in the best interest of service users, donors, volunteers and stakeholders at all times

· To take big decisions about the future

Compliance, quality and effectiveness

· Support development of policies that further the aims and objectives of Back Up and to monitor their success

· Ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles

· Ensure Back Up’s accountability and legal obligations

· Maintain sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisation’s objects and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies

· Ensuring resources are used in an efficient and cost-effective manner

· Maintain effective board performance

· Remain aware of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship and act in accordance with liabilities

· Manage/declare any personal conflicts of interest.

· Strive for best practice in governance, through proactive learning and Development

CVS Cheshire East exists to ensure local voluntary and community groups are strong, empowered organisations that make a difference in our community. We are seeking trustees with a passion for the VCFSE sector, a desire to make a difference and achieve change, and the commitment and dedication to engage with the Board and senior leadership to actively drive the organisation forward.

Trustees are collectively responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of CVS Cheshire East. They develop the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with its governing document, legal obligations and regulatory guidelines, ensuring the charity operates effectively and delivers genuine public benefit.

Being a trustee is both a privilege and a responsibility. It means lending your experience, skills and insight to strengthen not just CVS Cheshire East, but the wider VCFSE sector across Cheshire East.

Key Responsibilites

• Legal and Governance Duties
• Financial Responsibility and Risk
• Safeguarding
• Strategic Leadership
• Supporting the Chief Executive
• Collective and Individual Responsibility for descisions

Time commitment

Trustees are expected to read all Board papers in advance of meetings and come prepared to contribute. In addition, trustees may receive requests for information or decisions between meetings and are expected to respond in a timely manner: we anticipate that in addition to the meetings outlined above, trustees will need to spend between 2-4 hours per month contributing to CVSCE governance.

Skills

CVS Cheshire East welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

What matters most is passion for the VCFSE sector, a desire to make a difference and achieve change, and the commitment and dedication to engage with the Board and senior leadership to actively drive the organisation forward.

We are particularly keen to recruit trustees who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, and those with lived experience of being an employee or trustee of one of our member organisations.

We are seeking applications from candidates who demonstrate the experience, enthusiasm and skills that will be needed over the three years (from September 2026) to fill vacancies and complement the existing Trustees on the Board.

The role of IWA Trustees is to drive the direction of the charity, monitor its effectiveness in achieving its goals, and ensure the organisation meets its charitable objectives. As a member of the Board, an individual Trustee’s role is to use skills and judgement to work collaboratively with the other Trustees to:

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with the charity’s governing document and the law
• Act in the charity’s best interests
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly
• Act with care and skill
• Ensure the charity is accountable and well managed

We are looking to complement our existing Trustees and have identified the following skillsets that we think need
strengthening:

• Experience of engaging and enabling participation of younger people with the charity
• Health and safety management
• Funding/fundraising
• Environment and sustainability
• Experience of restoration projects (not just waterways)
• Marketing, membership and recruitment

We would also welcome applications from individuals to apply if they think they have experience that would be valuable to the Association beyond those mentioned above. For example, we would like younger people (18 and over) to apply who may have very relevant skills and experience for growing IWA today.

Candidates must be passionate about our campaigning: for sufficient funding for Britain’s waterways; the sustainable operation of navigations; restoration of closed waterways; and our work to make the waterways great places to live, work, travel, play, and for wildlife, nature recovery and mitigating climate change.

Most Trustee meetings are held online. However, we feel it is important to meet in person and to visit sites and events from time to time. Reasonable expenses are covered. We are committed to improving the diversity of our Board. We encourage applications from individuals from under represented groups, including those of varying ages, genders and minority ethnic backgrounds. Selection will be made on merit and the ability to best serve the Association’s charitable objectives, taking into account the current skills and experience of the Board. Candidates should have sufficient time available to be able to spend at least one to two days per month on IWA business

If you care about our mission to make people’s experience of homeless temporary accommodation short, safe and healthy and would like to bring your unique perspective and experience onto our board of trustees we would love to hear from you.

We know that a stronger Board is one with a wider range of personal experience, work experience, community knowledge and skills. We want to build a Board that includes people with different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences. What we value: A genuine interest in Justlife's mission Willingness to learn and engage Your unique perspective and lived experience Curiosity, care and a collaborative approach

You do not need previous trustee experience, formal qualifications or a senior job title. What matters most is that you care about our mission, are willing to learn, and can bring your own perspective.

The Rio Cinema is looking to appoint up to four trustees, including a Treasurer, to complement its existing board.

The Rio Cinema is one of London’s most iconic independent cultural landmarks and the UK’s oldest cinema, operating continuously on the same site since 1909. As we mark our 50th anniversary of being named the Rio and operating as an independent charity (charity no. 277415) run by and for the community, we are looking to appoint up to four new trustees, including a Treasurer, to our board to help steward our legacy and ensure the future sustainability of the Rio for the next 50 years. 
We are looking to strengthen our board with individuals who can bring their professional skills, strategic mindset, creative problem-solving and diverse networks to help us thrive in an ever-changing cultural and economic landscape.
 

We are particularly interested in recruiting trustees with the following backgrounds:

• Finance & Accounting: We are specifically seeking a Treasurer who is a finance professional (ideally a qualified accountant or CFO) to provide high-level oversight of our financial health, statutory reporting, and long-term resilience (see here for a more detailed role description).
  
   
• Property & Capital Projects: We’re looking to undertake a number of capital projects on our Grade II-listed building over the next several years and we are seeking a trustee with experience in property development or managing large-scale renovation/restoration projects. Experience with heritage/listed buildings is a plus, but not a requirement.
  
   
• Fundraising: We are seeking a trustee with a proven track record in securing philanthropic income, corporate partnerships, and public grants within the cultural sector. Experience navigating major funding bodies (such as the BFI, Arts Council England or the National Lottery Heritage Fund), cultivating individual donors, trusts and foundations, or leading capital campaign strategies is very desirable.
  
   
• Legal: We are looking for a trustee with a legal background to act as a sounding board for the board and management. You do not need to be a practising expert in charity law, but your general legal knowledge and analytical mindset will help us evaluate risk, sense-check decisions, and ensure good corporate governance across our operations and upcoming projects (see here for a more detailed role description). 

• Term: 3 years (renewable once)

  We want our board to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applicants from people of all backgrounds, and encourage applications from individuals who bring lived experiences and perspectives that reflect the vibrant, multi-cultural, and intersectional nature of our communities. We encourage applicants from Black & global majority backgrounds, and applications from younger people who can bring a generationally different lens to our Board.

  As a community-led organisation, we’re particularly interested in applications from Rio Cinema members and those with strong connections to the borough of Hackney. 

  We recognise that lived experience is as valuable as professional expertise and we are committed to removing barriers to participation. Previous board experience is not required; a comprehensive induction pack, mentorship from existing trustees, and ongoing governance learning will be provided. Whether you are an experienced trustee or want to take your first step at board level, we would love to hear from you.

  There will be a further online info session held at 12:30 on Friday 3rd July for those who want to learn more about the roles and ask any questions. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/281i3t55RFq4kdR_LUhtXQ

Trustee Recruitment – Join Our Board and Help Shape Our Future

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and bring fresh expertise, insight, and strategic leadership as we continue to grow our impact. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your professional skills to a mission‑driven organisation that makes a real difference in our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are particularly keen to strengthen our Board with expertise in the following areas:

Legal

Experience in charity, commercial, employment, safeguarding, or property law.

HR

Experience in HR leadership, people management, organisational development, employee relations, or workforce strategy

Marketing & Communications

Skills in digital comms, PR, brand development, or audience engagement.

Fundraising / Philanthropy

Knowledge of income generation, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, or grant‑making.

Commercial Tourism

Experience in visitor attractions, hospitality, destination marketing, or customer experience.

Adult Social Care

Understanding of care provision, safeguarding, regulation, or community support services.

Property / Surveying

Expertise in estates, facilities, compliance, capital planning, or asset management.

You do not need previous trustee experience - we value your professional insight, strategic thinking, and commitment to our mission.

About the charity: 

COT has been at the forefront of learning disability support for over 40 years. Our innovative approach blends high-quality care, supported living, and life skills development with a thriving 100-acre farm that doubles as a popular family visitor attraction. This rare combination enables people with learning disabilities and autism to develop skills in areas such as animal care, horticulture, customer service, and the culinary arts, while fostering a strong sense of community and inclusion.

With a mission to empower individuality and achieve happiness, we support over 96 people in community settings, offering residential and supported living services, as well as an additional 70 external students in life skills. We are known for our holistic, person-centred approach and commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical farming. Our close-knit team of dedicated staff and volunteers is guided by values of courage, opportunity-seeking, collaboration, and doing the right thing.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in shaping our strategy, ensuring strong governance, and supporting the organisation's long‑term sustainability. You will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the senior team to guide our direction and champion our values.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic oversight and constructive challenge
• Bringing your professional expertise to Board discussions
• Ensuring good governance, financial sustainability, and risk management
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation
• Supporting the senior team with insight, advice, and networks

 Time Commitment

• 4–6 Board meetings per year (in person)
• 4-6 Committee meetings (online)
• Occasional support between meetings, depending on your expertise
• A typical commitment is around 10–15 hours per month, flexible around your availability

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful leadership role in a purpose‑driven organisation
• The opportunity to use your skills for social good
• Experience in governance and strategic decision‑making
• A supportive, collaborative Board environment
• The satisfaction of helping shape our long‑term impact

 We Welcome Diverse Perspectives

We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We particularly encourage applications from people who bring lived experience, come from underrepresented backgrounds, or have non‑traditional career paths.

Our workplace is built on acceptance, respect and inclusion where everyone feels they belong and can make meaningful contributions. We encourage applicants regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status. If you need any assistance during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

About The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary rescues horses and ponies that have been abandoned, neglected or abused.

Together with our supporters, we ensure that horses and ponies have a sanctuary for life. Most horses and ponies are given care for life through our network of knowledgeable carers. Those horses and ponies with more complex needs are cared for in our peaceful sanctuaries.

Our charity was founded on the principles that horses and ponies, as sentient beings, and close companions of people over the centuries, have a value and a purpose. They deserve our kindness and care.

The benefits to you

The benefits of becoming a trustee are not only in the interests of our charity. As an individual, it is also an excellent personal development opportunity and includes the following benefits:

· Contributing your skills and expertise to a cause that is important to you

· Playing a fundamental role in the strategic development of the organisation

· Gaining valuable experience and learning new skills within a leadership role

· Challenging yourself by applying your skills in a different environment

· Gaining non-executive board experience in a supportive, developmentally focused culture

· Learning from other trustees and gaining new insights from seeing how others respond to situations and make decisions.

Application Process

The attached recruitment pack will introduce you to our charity, our leadership team and the role of trustee. You’ll also find details of how to apply.

We welcome people from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds from the charity, corporate and public sector as trustees.

We are looking for our next Chair of Trustees – someone who will work closely with our Executive Team and Board to guide the organisation through what is both a challenging and genuinely exciting time. The funding environment is tough. The political context is difficult. And yet the need for what we do has never been greater.

This is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.

The successful candidate will lead a vibrant, well-established, national charity as it navigates the next chapter of its story.

Main tasks

• Developing and setting our future strategy, alongside the Executive Team and other Trustees
• Helping shape and deliver our future, identifying opportunities in an evolving landscape
• Leading the Board of Trustees, including regular 1:1s and providing space for reflection
• Acting as a 'critical friend' to our Executive Team, as well as formal line management to the CEO (and COO in their absence)
• Acting as an ambassador for the charity – raising awareness of what we do and engaging potential supporters and other key stakeholders
• Responsibility, along with the other trustees, for the governance of the charity
• Contributing to the ongoing strategy of the charity, in line with our charitable objectives
• Participating in board meetings and sub-committees in an inclusive and thoughtful way

Please download our Chair Application Pack for more information.

The Organisation

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage. 

The Roles

The need for our support has never been greater. Maintaining and growing that support requires us to find ever more creative and innovative ways to increase funding, communicate our work, and strengthen our brand profile so that we can continue to reach the families who need us most. Alongside this, we must ensure we are working efficiently so that every £1 of funding goes further for the benefit of those we support.

Trustees play an active role in governing the charity and are responsible for setting the vision and strategic priorities, while ensuring we comply with all legal, charitable, and financial requirements. We are now seeking two Trustees to join our Board and help shape the next stage of our development and impact.

Trustee – Income Growth

We are seeking a Trustee with the knowledge and experience to help us grow and diversify our income streams across both the Charity and Family Fund Business Services, working seamlessly and efficiently as one Group. We want to maximise the income streams, partnerships, and relationships we already have, while also exploring and moving at pace into new areas that align with our strategy and goals. This will require courage, resolve, and teamwork, and we are seeking a Trustee who can advise and work with us on this exciting journey.

Trustee – Fundraising & Philanthropy

We hope to find a Trustee with experience in major fundraising to advise us on strategies to strengthen and broaden our fundraised income. We want to enhance and grow our core fundraising functions, focusing on individual giving, legacies, and community engagement, to sustain current delivery and unlock new income streams that enable the development of future services and support. We will have clear plans for major donors and high-net-worth individuals, trusts and foundations, and corporate partnerships to build unrestricted and core funding.

For both roles, we are seeking Trustees who can bring thought leadership, constructive challenge, and fresh ideas as we strengthen and diversify our income base by growing existing and developing new income sources across fundraising, philanthropy, government, and commercial ventures.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills and experience while giving back to a nationwide charity that makes a real and practical difference to the lives of families every day.

The Person

We are looking for Trustees who can demonstrate:

• Commitment to the organisation and its mission
• Integrity, strategic vision, and good independent judgement
• The ability to make decisions in the best interests of the organisation
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role
• Strong communication skills, including the confidence to speak constructively and listen to the views of others
• Tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build positive relationships
• The ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
• An understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who have the skills and experience required to be a Trustee. We would particularly encourage applications from people with disabilities or long-term conditions, and from parents or carers of children and young adults with disabilities or serious illnesses, to help bring valuable lived experience and fresh perspectives to our Board.