Volunteer support officer volunteer roles in thamesmead, greater london

Join The Girls' Learning Trust as Chair of the Trust Board. A unique opportunity to influence the future of girls’ education in the UK’s largest all-girls and only state-funded multi-academy trust.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 23rd June 2025

Location: South West London, SM3 8AB

Time commitment: 8 – 10 meetings per year

About The Girls’ Learning Trust

The Girls’ Learning Trust (GLT) is a large all-girls multi-academy trust, comprising three high-performing schools: Carshalton High School for Girls, Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls. Each school maintains a strong identity and autonomy while benefiting from shared governance, support services and collaboration through the Trust.

Our purpose is simple but powerful: to transform lives through girls’ education. Across all our schools, we provide a broad and challenging curriculum, enriched by exceptional pastoral care and co-curricular opportunities.

Our students are supported by skilled, passionate staff who are experts in their fields and deeply committed to developing confident, capable young women.

The GLT is both a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, funded directly by the Department for Education. We also generate additional income through lettings and capital projects, reinvesting every penny into educational delivery.

We are known for our strong relationships between students and staff, within governance and with our wider community.

About the role

We seek to appoint a Chair of the Trust Board who can provide strategic leadership to the Girls’ Learning Trust during a period of development and change.

The Chair will lead us collectively to set the tone, expectations and culture of the Board. You will lead the governance of the Trust, working closely with the Chief Executive and fellow Trustees to oversee our strategic direction, performance, safeguarding and compliance. This includes championing our new Trust Strategy, ensuring that executive leaders are held to account for educational standards and financial risk outcomes and supporting the Trust to grow sustainably.

Who we are looking for

If you are an experienced leader with the time and commitment to contribute to a growing and ambitious Trust, we would be delighted to hear from you. While prior experience in education is welcome, it is not essential – we value strategic thinking, integrity and a collaborative spirit.

This role requires both strategic vision and a practical, hands-on approach. You’ll need to be available for regular meetings and occasional urgent issues, and you’ll be supported by a professional governance lead who manages scheduling, papers and compliance.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has the confidence and curiosity to challenge constructively and hold senior leaders to account.
• Understands the principles of good governance and is committed to accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Is passionate about educational equity, especially the value of girls’ education in creating confident, future-ready young women.
• Can bring people together, building trust and positive relationships across a diverse Board and executive team.
• Is committed to inclusion and values diverse perspectives.

Above all, we seek someone who embodies the Girls’ Learning Trust values: aspirational, inclusive, collaborative and courageous. You will be a visible leader of the Trust’s mission, playing a key part in its next chapter of growth and transformation.

Peridot Partners and The Girls’ Learning Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

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 at 9 a.m. Monday 23rd June 2025.

Healthwatch Haringey is the independent ‘people’s champion’ for health and social
care in the London Borough of Haringey.

We actively seek out the views of the public and patients on all matters relating to
health and social care, e.g. their experience in hospital, interim care, at the GP or
dentist, and collate those together to produce impact statements and reports.

With this evidence we seek to campaign for and change for the better the way
health and social care services are designed, delivered, and improved.

We have a statutory role, as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, are a
member of the London Borough of Haringey Health and Wellbeing Board and have
excellent relations with Commissioners across the borough. We also have a great
staff team who work hard to achieve the aims of Healthwatch Haringey.

While you might not have a background in health or social care, we are looking
for someone who has the transferrable skills to play a leading part in the future of
Healthwatch Haringey.

You will ensure Healthwatch Haringey is well governed with robust policies and
procedures in place, continue to establish and build constructive relationships with
Healthwatch Haringey’s key stakeholders and represent the organisation externally
whenever appropriate as one of its leading ambassadors.

As well as line managing the Healthwatch Haringey Manager, you will be responsible
for the strategic development of the organisation, the setting of priorities and the
delivery of statutory and contractual obligations.

We welcome applications from anyone who lives or works or is registered with a
GP in the London Borough of Haringey or North Central London ICS area (includes
London Boroughs of Haringey, Barnet, Enfield, Camden, and Islington). We absolutely
welcome and encourage applications from ALL sections of the community including
those from minority ethnic communities, disabled people, every gender, every age
group (over 18), and all socio-economic groups. You would be representing all
Haringey residents, but it is essential to make sure every voice is heard.

Please see the Person Specification in the recruitment pack on page 10 for more details and how to apply on
page 12.

We look forward to receiving your application. Thank you.

ABOUT US

Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat.

In our 30th anniversary year, The Trustees and Executive launched a new 2023-2028 Strategy – From Crisis to Hope in consultation with people with lived experience and key stakeholders. The three key goals are:

1. Going missing is understood as a crisis that can be a matter of life or death
2. All missing people and their loved ones get the right help at the right time
3. Fewer missing people come to harm.

THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE

Our Chair of Trustees is integral to the mission and purpose of the charity, holding the Board and Executive Team to account for delivering the mission and achieving our ambitious goals. The Board of Trustees is made up of an experienced team of individuals who bring breadth of background, a range of deep skill sets, lived experience of the issue of missing and demonstrable empathy and passion for the work of Missing People. The Chair of Trustees will be responsible for the effectiveness of the Board of Trustees, planning and guiding meetings to ensure broad dialogue, good decision-making and clear actions.

Our Chair will work closely with the CEO and the Board to develop the charity’s strategy and to oversee its implementation and progress against its business plan. As part of this the Chair will provide support and challenge to the CEO and their senior team. 

As the Chair of Trustees at Missing People you will be driven by a powerful mission to be a lifeline when someone disappears. You will work closely alongside the Board, Executive team and Chief Executive in a collaborative way to lead the charity. The role provides a good opportunity to be involved in strategic planning in an organisation grounded in the issue of missing with a diverse group of committed and motivated Trustees.

Trustees meet quarterly at online and in-person meetings (usually in London). The Board has dedicated Committees for Finance, HR, Ethics, and Safeguarding, and Advisory Groups representing people with lived experience of the issue of going missing, policing, fundraising and policy. The Chair will attend and be a member of other committees or working groups and ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the charity.

ABOUT YOU

The new Chair of Trustees must be passionate about Missing People, its purpose and its values. 

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who brings valuable experience, skills and expertise. This might relate to the issue of missing (including personal experience of going missing), senior financial experience, charity experience, policing, legal experience and safeguarding. We are keen to further broaden thinking and perspectives and welcome applications from all areas of the United Kingdom, from all communities, which is important as missing touches every community. We believe diversity is important, and we aim for our board to have a mix of people, talents and backgrounds..

You will need to be aged over 18 and have:

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to your duties as the Chair of Trustees - approximately 2-3 days per month
• Leadership, strategic vision and creative thinking
• Ability to manage a trustee board and take decisions for the good of the charity
• Ability to chair board meetings effectively and manage diverse perspectives
• Strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills
• Independent judgment and be willing to speak your mind
• The ability to read, understand and question reports including financial plans and information
• The ability to follow the rules of governing documents and any professional advice
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team and encourage team working
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE IN RETURN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT

In return for your commitment you will use your skills and experience to benefit society and to provide better services for missing people and the families left behind. You will receive training in your role as Chair of Trustees and learn new skills and confidence in a range of governance areas.

This is a voluntary role. Please note that Trustee roles are not paid. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

If you want to be a lifeline when someone goes missing, click apply. You will find attached a detailed role description and person specification, a letter to applicants, an overview of committees and a summary of Missing People's Achievements 2024.

To apply, please ensure you include your CV and a brief covering letter explaining the skills and experience you would bring to this role.. We look forward to receiving your application.

Closing date: 23:59 on 6th June 2025

Interviews: Mid June 2025

Our existing 12 trustees bring a variety of skills and experiences, such as fundraising, safeguarding, finance and investments and lived RAF experience to the Fund. Your background, skills and experience will further enhance this for the benefit of the RAF Family.

The successful candidates will:

• be aligned to our vision, purpose, key goals and values and be able to demonstrate their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion;

• be able contribute positively to the Fund in a non-executive capacity, operate strategically, be held accountable and hold others to account;

• be able to build supportive relationships and work as a team. This will involve working collectively with others, supporting collective decision-making, being comfortable in sharing your views and expertise with fellow trustees and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) trustees whilst still bringing your own ideas, perspectives and experiences to discussions;

• have the ability to analyse and interpret complex information and evidence, demonstrate impartiality, intellectual flexibility and sound judgment;

• have the ability to listen, communicate and influence effectively;

• have the capacity and skill to understand stakeholder priorities; and

• be a collaborative and pragmatic problem-solver and have the ability to adapt and respond to change.

What does a Trustee look like? 

Look in the mirror!  

Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.

We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.

It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence. 

What we’re looking for 

We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in one or more of the following areas – click on the links for a fuller description:

• Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law. 

• Marine Conservation – knowledge of the marine environment, with policy and/or practical experience of conservation. A network of contacts across the marine sector, particularly with business or government, would be an advantage.

What you can bring to our Board can be just as interesting as where you’ve been working. Ideally, you will have the relevant skills and experience set out in the profile but you should not feel prevented from applying if you do not have experience across all criteria. You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions.