Trustee volunteer roles

We have the exciting and rare opportunity to join the Coventry Building Society Charitable Foundation’s Board of Trustees on a voluntary basis. The Foundation is a registered charity, incorporated in November 1998, and operates as a separate legal entity from Coventry Building Society. While the Foundation receives funding from the Society, it is governed independently, with decisions made by its Board of Trustees in line with its charitable purpose and governing documents.

The Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of grants to charities and community groups, with a strong focus on the Coventry area. Its charitable aims align closely with the Society’s community themes, including education and aspiration for young people, tackling homelessness and building financial resilience, and reducing isolation and vulnerability. The role holder will join a small and committed Board, currently comprising three Trustees, and will play an important part in shaping the Foundation’s impact within the local community.

The person in post will share collective responsibility for overseeing the Foundation’s funds and ensuring that its activities are delivered in accordance with legal, regulatory and governance requirements. This role involves contributing to decisions on grant approvals, monitoring the effective distribution of funds, setting the strategic direction of the Foundation and approving key documentation, including contracts, policies, the Annual Report and Accounts, and the Foundation’s Risk Register. The role holder will also help to ensure that robust governance, due diligence and training arrangements are in place and operating effectively.

Trustees meet at least four times a year, on a quarterly basis, with each meeting lasting approximately two hours. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the Coventry community, working collaboratively with fellow Trustees to ensure the Foundation continues to deliver positive and lasting social impact.

The successful candidate will attend meetings fully prepared and provide valuable contributions, insights and challenges, to ensure that the Foundation meets its charitable aims.

About you

For this role you'll need:

• Knowledge of the local area and alignment with the charitable aims of the Foundation.
• Experience in providing support to their community .
• Understanding of importance of enhancing the diversity, knowledge, skills, and experiences at Board level.

The successful candidate will join a friendly and enthusiastic group of likeminded Trustees and regular meeting attendees. The role presents a valuable opportunity to offer your unique skill set to the shared focus of the Foundation.

About us

In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank. Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UK’s original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey.

Trusted by over four million people, we’re a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.

We’re officially recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing. 

We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know you’ll build more than just a career with us.

Flexibility and why it matters

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.                 

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer

We’re proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.

The national charity for the Neighbourhood Watch Movement is seeking new trustees – could you be one of them?You’ve probably heard of us. You’ve probably seen Neighbourhood Watch signs. But you might be surprised at the range of work our volunteers carry out.

As the national umbrella organisation of the largest voluntary movement for crime prevention in England and Wales, we support people to prevent and reduce crime by coming together with their neighbours to create safer, stronger and active communities. We estimate that our 93,000 Neighbourhood watch Groups engage with over two million people in a spirit of local activism that can address the issues that often give rise to crime and anti-social behaviour and help prevent them from becoming more serious. In the past year we have partnered with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to provide training on being an “active bystander” and our “Are You OK?” campaign that showed how to respond in the event of witnessing aggression aimed at women, racial minorities or LGBTQ+ people. During 2022/23 we also launched a Community Safety Charter which has been endorsed more than 2500 times by Police Forces, local authorities and many different public and commercial organisations as well as by individuals and local communities.

Neighbourhood Watch Network supports these activities through a small central team of dedicated staff, led by our Chief Executive. Our work is funded mostly by grants from government, trusts and foundations, and partnerships with businesses but we are also developing ways for individuals to contribute to our work.

Become a Trustee with Berkshire Music Trust

Berkshire Music Trust is the lead organisation of the Berkshire Music Hub, and is a charitable organisation offering music learning opportunities to children, schools and adults across the whole of Berkshire.

We are currently looking for two new Trustees to join our Board and provide independent professional insight across two priority areas:

1.  Safeguarding Oversight: We are looking for an individual with professional expertise in safeguarding, child protection, or regulatory compliance, to provide rigorous oversight of our safeguarding framework and safer recruitment practices.

2.  Leadership & Governance: We are looking for a senior leader with a proven track record in strategic change, corporate governance, or legal contexts. You would be an active member of the Board, providing objective insight to help shape our long-term strategic direction.

Previous experience of music education or working with a charity would be beneficial but is not essential. We are committed to expanding the diversity of Board members, particularly as regards gender, age, disability, and ethnicity. Training can be provided.

Are you:

-  Passionate about the potential of music to change lives?

-  Driven to make a positive difference?

-  Willing to lead discussions and challenge ideas?

-  Able to commit to 6 board meetings per year on a weekday evening in Reading?

Although the position is unremunerated, reasonable expenses can be paid. All appointments are subject to a formal vetting process, including an Enhanced DBS check. Applicants must be eligible to act as a charity trustee; candidates with barred status need not apply.

For more than a century, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood beside the RAF Family;
through war and peace, hardship and change. From the first day in uniform to the final
years of life, we have been a constant source of emotional, practical and financial support.
Today, our work reaches serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved in more
than 30 countries.
As the demands on the RAF Family grow in complexity and urgency, so too must the resilience
of the charity that serves them. Our ability to provide life-changing support, whether keeping a
family in their home, helping veterans navigate injury or isolation, or walking beside the
bereaved, relies on strong, stable and sustainable income streams. Therefore, we are seeking a
Trustee with significant fundraising expertise to help shape and strengthen our long-term
financial future. The successful candidate will join our diverse and highly skilled Board and
Fundraising, Communications and Engagement Committee to:
• play a key strategic role in supporting our fundraising vision and strategy
• provide strategic input into fundraising plans and campaigns
• support and advise on income generation, donor engagement and partnerships
The full role description can be found on our website here. The role is voluntary, however
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are paid. We will provide the successful candidate with a
bespoke induction programme and relevant training / development.
Interested?
We would love to hear from you if you have the experience and passion we are seeking.
Please send an up-to-date CV and covering email / letter outlining your background, skills,
experience and interest in the role. Email address and contact details can be found on our website. If you have any questions about the role or would like to have an informal
discussion prior to applying, please contact Lisa (information on website).
We welcome applications from anyone who has the experience we are seeking, irrespective of
background, community, industry or protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable
adjustments as part of your application process, please let us know. You must be eligible to be
a charity trustee under UK law to be considered for this role. We operate safer selection
practices; this will involve the successful candidate being required to have a Disclosure and
Barring Service check.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and this position will remain open until we
have found our ideal candidate. No agencies please.

Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity which makes a positive difference to the everyday lives of others?

Then why not consider becoming a Trustee of Westminster Amalgamated Charity? 

Westminster Amalgamated Charity can trace its origins to Earl Craven’s Pest House, founded in 1665 to alleviate the suffering of plague victims. In 1961 Earl Craven’s Pest House was amalgamated with 6 other Westminster based charities, all of which had similar objects – the relief of need - to form the Charity which exists today.

Westminster is a city of contrasts, the seat of monarchs, the mother of parliaments and home to an ethnically diverse population. However, amongst the palaces, grand buildings and affluent residential areas there exist pockets of extreme deprivation. The remit of the Charity is the relief of need and it carries out its objects through 2 grants programmes, distributing annually approximately £200,000, of which £150,000 is distributed to front-line charities dealing directly with their own beneficiaries and the balance, via referring agencies, to individuals. Grants to organisations cover the areas of addiction, children & youth, community, the elderly, health and disability and homelessness. Grants to individuals are capped at £500 and are awarded for clothing, essential household items such as furniture, white goods and kitchen equipment and floor coverings.

Westminster Amalgamated Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which affords the Trustees limited liability whilst keeping the Charity solely under the umbrella of the Charity Commission.

We are looking to recruit a number of Trustees to the Board. An interest in and a knowledge of the Borough of Westminster is desirable but not essential.

Being a Trustee of Westminster Amalgamated Charity is an exciting and challenging role, bringing with it opportunities for applying strategic thinking, finance, planning, creativity, and stewardship which can help guide the Charity to achieve its goal. Our Trustees give their time voluntarily and the positions are unremunerated, but reasonable out of pocket expenses may be allowable.

As a Trustee, you’ll serve as a member of the Board and will also have opportunities to interact with the CEO and staff, adding to the range of knowledge, skills, and experience within the Charity’s team.  The Trustee role also includes responsibilities for the governance of the Charity, regulatory compliance and the effective stewardship of our finances and resources. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

If you would like to become a Trustee and have an interest in the relief of need then we’d be delighted to hear from you.

To apply, or for more information please forward your CV or details by email to Argonaut HR, the Charity’s retained consultant for all HR and recruitment matters:

The objective of Spotlight on Africa (“SoA ”) is to improve the livelihoods and opportunities of those in need in Africa through the following activities:

- Improved healthcare

- Access to education

- Improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene

- Economic empowerment through relevant skills training

To achieve its charitable purposes SoA provides grants to Spotlight on Africa-Uganda Foundation (“SoA UF”), a registered international NGO in Uganda (“SoA UF”) who execute the work and manage the activities in Eastern Uganda.

In this region we’ve built two primary schools serving 1,400 children, a health clinic treating 50,000 patients annually, and a maternity hospital delivering 1,250 babies safely each year and drilled 50 deep boreholes supplying clean water to 40,000 people. We have also built two Technology centres that provide teachers, students, health workers, and tradespeople with essential digital skills and alternative career prospects in the region which is particularly important for women. We also provide vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, agriculture, hairdressing, and borehole maintenance.

SoA continues to grow and in 2025-26 raised over £1 million from donations and fundraising events. It has strong governance provided by its UK Board of Trustees that is chaired by a King’s Counsel and by the Board of SoA-UF and its patrons who include the former Chief Justice of Uganda and the Ugandan Ambassador to the UK.

The role

As Treasurer you will chair our Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and act as the Charity’s lead voice on financial matters. Working closely with the Chair, Assistant Treasurer and SoA-UF’s Executive Director and Accountant you will help ensure SoA remains financially resilient, well-governed and delivering value by:

· Finance — overseeing our planning, budgeting and reporting processes including KPIs; guiding the Trustees and SoA-UF Board in reviewing the monthly management accounts, performance KPIs, approving annual accounts; advising on the financial implications of strategic decisions; and liaising with our external auditors.

· Risk management — providing oversight of our internal controls, financial control framework and risk register, and ensuring appropriate insurance and anti-fraud arrangements are in place. Actively managing foreign exchange risks and maximising interest income from deposits. Close stewardship and oversight of the application of grants to SoA-UF through to expenditure on its charitable activities.

· Governance — chairing the Finance Committee, leading the Trustees’ duty to ensure proper financial stewardship, and supporting compliance with Charity Commission and other regulatory requirements. Also supporting SoA-UF Board in ensuring they provide proper financial stewardship and compliance with local laws and regulations.

Who we are looking for

You will be a qualified accountant with strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate financial information clearly for a Board audience. Beyond the technical qualifications, we are looking for someone who brings:

· Experience of organisational risk management and internal controls, ideally from an international perspective

· A solid understanding of charity governance, trusteeship and the legal duties of a trustee

· Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to non-finance colleagues and stakeholders

· The leadership skills to chair the Finance committee and bring people together around shared goals

· Willingness for occasional to travel to our projects in Africa

Above all, you will share our belief that we can deliver sustained change that transforms the lives of those of the poorest of the poor in Africa through our charitable activities.

About the role:

· This is a voluntary, unremunerated role but with reimbursement of travel and other related expenses.

· The time commitment is:

o Monthly SoA Trustee meetings and Quarterly SoA-UF Board meetings

o Monthly Finance meetings with the SoA Chair, SoA Assistant Treasurer, SoA-UF Chairman, SoA-UF Executive Director and SoA Accountant

o An annual UK away day strategy session (weekend day)

o Additional time (average 10 hours a month) for preparing reports, liaising with the Assistant Treasurer, managing FX and deposits and ad hoc matters

The initial term of office is three years but can be extended by mutual agreement.

About International Lawyers Project

ILP is an alliance of talented and passionate lawyers drawn from diverse countries and cultures across the globe. We pull together teams of pro bono experts to support the policy and legal needs of individuals, communities and organisations that would otherwise not have access to expert advice.

A UK registered charity founded in 2005, we are staffed by a group of lawyers dedicated to using the law to achieve economic and environmental justice through strategic pro bono legal support. Our focus areas are environment and sustainable development, sustainable finance, governance and accountability (with a focus on anti-corruption measures), and protecting the civic space of those working on these themes. Over twenty years we have supported partners in more than 100 countries.

We are proud to have a diverse staff team from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, reflective of the communities we support. Our staff have extensive experience in our focus areas, as well as international law and development. We work primarily in the Global South, with active projects across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe.

As a charity, our ultimate aim is to help our partners create long-lasting change, in line with our vision of a just and sustainable world in which law serves as a tool for those who need it the most.

You may find out more about ILP’s work at its website.

About the Role

ILP has a 13-member Board, with members based in the UK, Spain, Kenya and the USA. Successful candidates will be joining a collegial team with a wide range of expertise in the thematic areas of ILP’s work and experience in charity governance.

ILP is a growing and ambitious organisation, with its budget more than doubling in size over the course of the last few years. Currently with a budget of approximately £500,000 and an additional £6 million value mobilised in pro bono hours, we are looking for a trustee and ultimately a Chair who is able to support the team as the organisation continues to grow and move to the next level.

Successful candidates will be appointed initially as an ordinary Trustee. The term of the current Chair comes to an end in mid-2027. Shortly before then the Board will decide on the appointment of a new Chair, with the expectation that the successful candidate will be elected from the Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.

The key responsibilities of Board members are to ensure that the organisation has a clear strategy for the fulfilment of its charitable purposes, and to provide oversight of and support to the executive team, in accordance with the Articles of Association and the guidance on governance obligations established by the Charity Commission.

 In addition to these general obligations the Board Chair’s key responsibilities are to:

• Provide leadership to the Board of Trustees in oversight of the strategic direction and execution of the governance responsibilities of the Charity.

• Chair and facilitate meetings of the Board (hybrid meetings held from ILP’s London office), ensuring that they are conducted in an effective and inclusive manner and monitoring the implementation of decisions taken at such meetings.

• Support ILP’s Executive Director in leading the day-to-day management of the Charity and preparing for Board meetings.

• Take lead responsibility on behalf of the Board for the relationship with ILP’s Executive Director, appraising their performance and holding him or her to account.

• Give direction to Board policy making.

• Act as an ambassador for the Charity, representing its strategy and contribution to its partners and funders.

• Plan for the recruitment and development of Board members as needed in order to improve the performance of the Board.

Term of Office: Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term, serving a maximum of 3 consecutive terms.

Expected Time Commitment: Variable, but up to two days a month as Board Chair. Ordinary trustees attend four two-hour Board meetings annually, for which moderate background reading is required, and may be requested to assist with other contributions.

Compensation: This is a volunteer role, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Specification for Board Chair

• Experience serving on the Board of one or more other registered UK charities.

• Understanding of the Charity Commission’s governance requirements, and the balance of roles between governance and management.

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to support the charity.

• Professional background related to ILP’s thematic areas of focus and familiarity with the non-profit sector working in an international context.

• Commitment to ILP’s strategic objectives.

• Good communication and people management skills and strong independent judgement.

Who is Quaker Social Action?

QSA works with people on low incomes to seek solutions to the issues affecting their lives.

The services that QSA deliver are varied but all are about building respectful and dignified relationships with people who need support in some way. We address issues around food insecurity especially for asylum seekers, the dearth of support on the streets for people who are homeless, and the financial struggles many people experience when arranging a funeral. As well as these direct services we convene an advocacy group of hundreds of grassroots charities tackling child poverty in London. 

Some of our services operate in person, in London, some are national and delivered online or through a telephone helpline. Across all services, we seek to share our learning with others, through advocacy, campaigning or training; or by having a voice with policymakers and in the media on issues where we have credibility.

QSA was founded in 1867 by Quakers troubled by the social injustices of the time and keen to tackle them. This sense of taking practical action to address societal challenges has stayed with us over our 150-year history, and our organisational values are aligned with Quaker values of equality, truth and peace.

QSA is the largest independent Quaker charity and Quakers across the UK support our work –approximately 20% of our £1million+ income comes from Quaker sources. We are proud of our Quaker heritage and our place within the Quaker community, while also clear that our services, jobs and trustee roles are open to all.

“The advice and support was beyond beneficial. As a family we were just above the threshold for getting any financial support and at a very difficult time already, money worries was the last thing we needed.”

- Down to Earth funeral costs helpline caller.

What are we looking for?

The Charity Commission defines trustees as "the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run".

Therefore, we need new trustees who are:

1. Passionate about the aims of QSA and excited to contribute to our work

2. Empathic and understanding of the issues affecting people living in poverty, and keen to learn more

3. Wanting to make a positive contribution to our commitment to increasing inclusion, including giving voice to those with relevant lived experience

4. Willing to take on this responsibility and committed to learning more about charity governance

5. Able to commit the time needed to be a trustee and to take this responsibility seriously, for an initial term of three years.

While previous trustee experience is not necessary, we need trustees who have the confidence to actively contribute to the work of our charity from their appointment date, and who have capacity to engage with the governance task. The trustee task is more than attending meetings: we estimate it represents 1-2 days per month in total, accounting for board preparation, engaging with emails, and taking up opportunities to see the work and meet QSA staff.

Some of our trustees are Quakers but most are not, and we warmly welcome applications from people of all faiths or none. We are looking for trustees who will be in sympathy with Quaker values of peace, equality, integrity and simplicity.

​

How do I contribute as a trustee?

Trustees meet four times a year. Usually, two of these meetings are in person in London, on an afternoon; the other two are online and in the evening.

Each trustee is expected to join one committee: finance & fundraising, governance & nominations or people & wellbeing. These meet quarterly, online, and are arranged to meet the needs of their members.

There are also formal and informal opportunities to meet with fellow trustees and with the QSA staff team, including online meetings, away days and special events. We encourage trustees to take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible.

As well as this, trustees contribute by playing an active part in the life of the charity and by being responsive, supportive and committed to the fulfilment of QSA’s charitable purposes.

Trustees as a whole are responsible for:

· Setting the strategic direction of QSA

· The financial oversight of QSA

· Ensuring we comply with relevant legislation

· Supporting the paid staff of the charity to deliver our mission.

Being a trustee for a charity as diverse and energetic as QSA offers an exciting opportunity for people who are passionate about tackling poverty.

“I feel the service from these marvellous book fans and their very committed, caring staff are an essential…I use them twice a week every week. Please may they continue.”

- Visitor to Turn a Corner library van for people experiencing homelessness.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at QSA

QSA has been working hard on equity, diversity and inclusion and see it as a golden thread which runs through our organisation. We are still learning and we invite new trustees to join us on that learning journey.

Inclusion is important to us – the arrival of new trustees brings fresh perspectives and we are excited that our culture will expand and be enhanced by new people joining the board.

We are particularly keen on recruiting trustees who are closer to our cause. By this we mean people who have current or previous experience of living on a low income. We're aware that poverty disproportionately affects people with disabilities and also people who are black and others from global majority communities. Therefore, we'd particularly like to encourage you to apply if you're from one of these groups.

We are committed to addressing any barriers to inclusion, so do speak to us if there are changes we might need to make to enable you to participate.

Discussion and challenge are at the heart of good governance, so we need people who are different from each other to make that happen. We know this requires full engagement from all our trustees and commitment from us to make it work.

What support will I get?

We know that new trustees will need to get to grips with the role, and we offer support:

• New trustees receive an induction where they meet key staff and other trustees, and learn how our trustees work together.

• We have a buddying system in place for new trustees, providing support and reassurance from a more experienced trustee, especially for the first few months.

• New trustees receive all the information needed about QSA: governing documents, organisational chart, plans and recent trustee papers.

• We support trustees' learning and development and encourage our trustees to take opportunities to broaden their knowledge and skills.

• We do not want cost to be a barrier for trustees. Expenses are covered to ensure trustees can fulfil their obligations, such as travel, accommodation, and childcare.

The Forum is looking for three new trustees to join our board as we launch a new strategy and look to develop our profile, attract new members and enhance our services. With a board of trustees who are experts in charity finance, we are endeavouring to broaden and the skill base and diverisify the trustee profile in perperation for eventual succession.

So if you have digital skills and or marketing experience you could help us become a much better known and digitally competent small but effective membership body. In addition the Forum is also looking for a trustee with fiancial skills and experience to complmemnt the current expertise. 

The Forum operates across the UK and the trustees meet quarterly twice a year in person in London and twice by zoom. Meetings are normally 1 to 2 hours in length. There are also several opportunities a year to chair several of 1.5 hors zoom events and the opportunity to attend 2 in-person events hosted by our sponosr and or a corporatem meber in London with these in peson meetings lasting 2.5 hours but give a great opportunity to meet individual members.

We would love to hear from you if you are interested.

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

Become a YHA Trustee

Help shape the future of a charity that opens doors to adventure for young people.

YHA (England & Wales) is recruiting new Trustees to guide us through an exciting and challenging period of transformation. We’re looking for people who believe in our mission, can bring fresh perspective, and want to help increase access to the outdoors, nature and heritage.

Whether you’re an experienced leader or taking your first steps into governance, we’d love you to take a look at the opportunity.

As a Trustee, you’ll prepare for and take part in Board meetings, asking important questions to help make key decisions. You’ll share legal responsibility for the charity.

What you’ll get from joining our Board

• the opportunity to guide the strategic direction of a national charity

• the chance to use your knowledge to make a valuable contribution to society

• the forum to develop your skills and knowledge in key areas including principles of governance, financial management, strategic planning and problem solving

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and especially welcome applicants from young people under 30. These voices are currently under-represented on our Board. As a young people’s organisation, we are committed to changing that.

All successful applicants will receive a full induction and membership of an inclusive, welcoming Board.

We’re also looking to strengthen the Board with Trustees who bring strategic insight in one or more of the following areas:

• hospitality leadership

• data strategy, cyber security or business transformation

• proven senior leadership in a school or trust, bringing strong safeguarding leadership experience and well-established professional networks within education to support partnerships and strategic insight

Candidates must be over 16 years of age.

Apply by 9am, Monday 20 July 2026

This is a pivotal governance role for experienced, values-driven Trustees who can provide strategic insight, support strong and effective governance, and act as positive ambassadors for the organisation.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in the following areas:

• People and Culture (including candidates interested in Chairing the People and Culture Subcommittee)
• Safeguarding and Youth Services
• Fundraising
• PR and Communications
• Finance

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.

Who We Are
Somerset Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. We are a science-led movement focused on restoring habitats to support a wide range of wildlife and to restore natural processes that are essential for healthy landscapes. This also provides vital services such as clean air and water, food production, carbon absorption, and flood alleviation.

We have had some fantastic successes over our 60 years, such as working in partnership on the Levels and Moors to return the iconic Bittern, securing the purchase of Honeygar Farm to restore degraded peatlands, working with Devon Wildlife Trust on the reintroduction of pine martens, and developing climate adaptation plans with communities already affected by climate change.

However, we know we need to do more. The scale and urgency of the nature and climate crisis has never felt more pressing than it does right now.

The Role
We are looking for new Trustees to join us in our mission to create a wilder Somerset by 2030.

We understand that to deliver real-world change, we need to think and act differently. We want to recruit people with a range of different backgrounds and experiences, and with a variety of areas of interest, who can bring new energy and expertise to achieve more for nature in Somerset.

We are seeking individuals who share our passion for nature and our ambition to see it recover across Somerset and beyond. We are looking for people who believe we can address nature loss and climate change by supporting and inspiring others to take action.

We welcome applications from all applicants who can dedicate the time needed and demonstrate their commitment to our goals and values. We are looking for people with:

• A passion for nature 
• A shared commitment to Somerset Wildlife Trust’s goals and values 
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to be a Trustee 
• The ability to think and operate at a strategic level 
• Good independent judgement and problem-solving skills 
• An ability to think creatively 
• An ability to speak honestly and act as the minority voice when needed 
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship 
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team