Volunteer volunteer roles in west ealing, greater london
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees at The Diana Award. We are expanding our Board to help shape the future of a charity that exists to celebrate and empower young people making positive change in their communities.
As we mark 25 years of continuing Princess Diana’s legacy, we stand at a pivotal moment. Our newly refreshed strategy and global partnerships demand an ambitious, dynamic, and forward-thinking Board – one that reflects both our values and the communities we serve.
We are seeking to appoint:
- Four new Trustees
- With one Trustee to serve as Chair of our new Income Generation sub-committee
A few words from the Chair
“This is a pivotal and exciting time for our charity. We have a clear vision, an ambitious strategy for growth, and the support of a skilled and dedicated senior team and Board.
Since stepping into the role of Chair last year, I’ve been continually inspired by the passion, expertise, and commitment of our trustees and staff. Their collective experience has been invaluable as we navigate the evolving challenges facing the sector.
While the external environment remains complex for all charities, we are focused on the future – confident in our direction and energised by the opportunities ahead. We are now seeking new trustees to join us on this journey and help shape the next chapter of our work.” - Rebecca Crook
ABOUT THE DIANA AWARD
The Diana Award is a charity legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. Since 1999, over 47,000 young people have been recognised with The Diana Award for making an outstanding difference in their communities’ across the globe.
With the support of HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge and HRH Prince Harry, The Diana Award aims to inspire and recognise social action in young people by going beyond its original Awards programme with three additional youth led initiatives that emphasize a peer led approach.
We exist to:
1. UNLOCK POTENTIAL
With support, guidance, and opportunities, every young person can reach their full potential, ensuring no young person is left out or left behind.
2. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
It is vital that young people have a seat at the table. Through our initiatives, we will provide them with skills, tools, and experiences which empower them to lead the change they want to see, both for themselves and the world around them.
3. INSPIRE ACTION
We will continue to inspire, empower, and advocate for action through our initiatives, guided by young people and the change they want to see in the world.
WHY WE ARE RECRUITING
Our Board of Trustees is committed, diverse, and values led. We have strong foundations in strategic leadership and finance. However, a recent skills audit highlighted areas we now wish to strengthen as we continue to evolve.
We are therefore seeking up to four Trustees with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Fundraising and Income Generation
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Education Sector
- Social Sustainability
- Marketing, PR, or Communications
- Legal and Compliance
We are particularly keen to hear from diverse leaders and individuals with lived experience related to our mission.
Please note: All applications must have the right to volunteer as a trustee in the UK. As part of our safeguarding commitments, all trustee appointments are voluntary and subject to a UK Enhanced DBS check, which must be satisfactorily completed before confirmation of the role.
THE ROLE OF A TRUSTEE
As a Trustee, you will be part of a Board that sets the strategic direction and ensures robust governance of the charity. You will work in partnership with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team to oversee the delivery of our objectives and safeguard the charity’s future. Training and support will be provided for all new trustees.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Trustees are expected to:
- Ensure compliance with Charity Commission regulations and governance best practice
- Uphold the charity’s vision, values, and legal and financial integrity
- Provide strategic oversight and challenge to plans, budgets and risks
- Support income generation through networking, advocacy or fundraising
- Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the charity’s work
- Attend and contribute to Board and sub-committee meetings
COMMITMENT
- A three-year term, renewable once
- About of 2 hours per month, which breaks down as:
- Four board meetings per year (2.5 hours each, usually 5pm–7.30pm)
- One full-day annual strategy session
- Optional participation in events or subcommittees
- Meetings are hybrid (London-based with virtual access)
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR - PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES
- Passionate about The Diana Award’s mission and youth empowerment
- Understand the importance of youth voice participation
- Strategic thinker with good judgement and independence of mind
- Inclusive communicator who values diverse perspectives
- Willing to contribute time, expertise, and networks
- Understanding of governance, or willingness to learn quickly
- Commitment to safeguarding practices
DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
One or more of the following:
- Fundraising and Income Generation - In an increasingly competitive and uncertain funding environment, we need trustees who can help us think creatively and strategically about income generation. This includes drawing on networks, identifying new opportunities, and supporting innovative fundraising approaches that will strengthen our financial resilience and enable us to deliver long-term impact for young people. We are also looking for a new Trustee to chair our new Income Generation sub-committee.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing - With youth mental health at a critical point, we seek trustees with expertise from educational, therapeutic, or public health settings to guide evidence-based strategies that help young people thrive.
- Education Sector - As our work is deeply rooted in schools and learning environments, we value trustees with knowledge of the education sector. Your insight will help us navigate its priorities and challenges, forge strong partnerships, and ensure our programmes complement and enhance the role of education in young people’s lives.
- Social Sustainability - We are seeking trustees who understand how to build inclusive cultures, systems, and communities. Your expertise will help us embed equity and belonging across our organisation, partnerships, and programmes, ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and able to thrive.
- Marketing, PR, or Communications - We need trustees with senior-level experience in communications, marketing, or public/government relations to help amplify our voice, strengthen our brand, and influence key audiences. Your skills will ensure our message resonates with supporters, partners, and decision-makers.
- Legal and Compliance - Robust governance is critical to maintaining the trust of our stakeholders and the integrity of our work. We are seeking trustees with expertise in legal and compliance matters to help us navigate an evolving regulatory landscape, manage risk effectively, and ensure our policies and practices meet the highest standards.
GOVERNANCE
The Board is chaired by Rebecca Crook and supported by a strong leadership team including CEO Dr Tessy Ojo CBE. The Nominations Committee, a sub-committee of the Board, leads the trustee recruitment process. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome candidates from all backgrounds. In particular, we welcome and encourage applications from young people, and those from black, Asian and global majority backgrounds.
You can see more information about the Nominations Committees governance structure and terms of reference at the end.
RESOURCES
If you’re new to being a trustee, you may find the following resources helpful in understanding the role and responsibilities:
Charity Commission (UK): The Essential Trustee Guide
Young Trustee Movement
Getting On Board - Resources for aspiring trustees
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please email:
1. Your CV (including contact details for two referees)
2. A Supporting Statement (no more than two pages), outlining:
o The skills and experience you bring in relation to the list of desirable criteria
o How your skills and expertise align with the needs of our Board at this time
o If you wish to be considered for the role of Chair of the Income Generation Subcommittee, please outline your relevant experience and how it would support this area of our work
o Your motivation for becoming a Trustee of The Diana Award and the contribution you hope to make to our mission
Email Subject line: Trustee Application – Your Name
Please submit your applications by Friday 26 September 2025 at 5.00pm
PROPOSED TIMELINES
Application Milestones
Dates
- Trustee Recruitment Launch: Week commencing 1st September
- Deadline for Applications: Friday 26th September, 5:00pm
- Interviews Conducted: Thursday 9th & Friday 10th October
- Induction Begins: November
- Trustees Officially Begin: November/December
INTERVIEW PROCESS
Youth Panel Interview (Online) 30 minutes - You will meet with members of our Youth Panel. This will include structured questions and a 5-minute presentation about yourself, focusing on your background, motivations for applying, and what you hope to bring to the trustee role
Nominations Committee Interview (Online) 45 minutes - You will also meet with our Nominations Committee. This will involve structured interview questions focusing on your skills, experience, and alignment with our organisational values and strategic priorities
FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
Dates
- 21st November 2025 - Strategy Day
- 12th February 2026, 5-7pm
- 7th May 2026, 5-7pm
- 10th September 2026, 5-7pm
- 26th November 2026 - Strategy Day
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is an exciting time to join The Diana Award. As we enter a new chapter, we are looking for bold, compassionate and future-facing leaders to help us shape our journey. We hope you are inspired to join us in empowering young people across the UK and the world.
We look forward to hearing from you.
APPENDIX
Purpose: The primary purpose of the Nominations Committee is to identify, evaluate, and recommend candidates for appointment as Trustees of The Diana Award. This committee ensures that the Board has the appropriate mix of skills, expertise, and diversity to effectively govern the organisation and fulfil its mission.
Membership: The Chair of the Nominations Committee (a Trustee) A minimum of two other Trustees CEO (ex officio member) Any additional members as deemed necessary (e.g., board secretary or HR support)
Frequency of Meetings: The committee will meet as required, typically monthly, and more frequently when necessary for the recruitment process
Key Responsibilities:
- Review the current composition of the Board of Trustees to identify gaps in skills and diversity
- Develop a recruitment strategy that aligns with the strategic direction of The Diana Award
- Source and evaluate potential Trustee candidates
- Conduct interviews and assessments of candidates’ skills, expertise, and commitment to the mission
- Provide recommendations for new Trustee appointments to the full Board
- Ensure that diversity and inclusivity are considered in all recruitment activities
- Ensure compliance with legal and governance requirements related to Trustee recruitment
- Onboard new Trustees and ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities
Reporting Structure: The Nominations Committee reports to the Board of Trustees, providing recommendations for Trustee appointments
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Us
Age UK London is a charity that campaigns for an age-friendly London. We have been working to promote the interests of older Londoners for over 20 years and support the network of London Age UK’s and other older people’s organisations across all 33 boroughs.
Our CEO, Abigail Wood, joined us in 2020 and under her leadership Age UK London has gone through a significant period of consolidation and transformational change, streamlining activities and organisational structure, whilst maximising our impact.
Background to the role
A highly successful recent strategy day highlighted that the staff and trustees are closely aligned and have a strong sense of being part of one team, all pulling in one direction. We want to build on that by welcoming new Board members with key skills and expertise to enhance and further sharpen our work.
The Age UK London board currently comprises seven trustees, one of whose term will finish at our AGM in the autumn. Our chair, Tony Burch, took on the role in December 2024, having been a trustee since 2018. Our former chair, Imogen Clark, left having stayed on as a trustee until our CEO had returned from maternity leave in February of this year, and two other trustees resigned earlier this year for personal reasons.
We are a friendly, committed and effective board, and we foster a productive relationship with the Age UK London CEO and her team. We are passionate about campaigning to improve the lives of older Londoners.
We’re now keen to welcome someone who brings skills and experience in campaigning, public affairs and policy. Given that this is the key focus of our work, it’s important that our Board is replete with a deep understanding of the challenges as well as the possibilities for influence and change.
If you feel you are the right person to join our board, we would be delighted to hear from you!
Main Responsibilities
- To be aware of and accept the responsibilities of a charity trustee and director of a charitable company.
- To ensure equality, diversity and inclusion is promoted and sustained through all aspects of Age UK London’s work and relationships.
- To represent the board as necessary, on internal disciplinary and complaint panels or other panels, and on external bodies by agreement.
- To act properly at all times, declaring any conflict of interests or perceived conflict of interests which may have a bearing on their role as a trustee.
- To act in good faith with due care and diligence for the best interests of Age UK London and working within the charity’s vision, mission and values.
- To attend and actively participate in board meetings, contributing own opinions and ensuring that papers are read in preparation for meetings.
- To undertake training and attend induction.
- To respect the confidentiality of matters discussed at board and any other meetings set up by the board.
- To evaluate the performance of the board in relation to the agreed objectives.
- To engage with the wider work of Age UK London and its network.
- Willingness to commit to a minimum of two years in the role.
In addition to the above duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they may have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person Specification
Among your key attributes, we are looking to secure experience at a senior level of public affairs, including how organisations can engage with Government and influence policy through a combination of lobbying and public campaigning, as well as:
- Ability to understand and accept the duties and liabilities of a Trustee and how they differ from operational management
- Empathy with the vision, mission and values of the charity
- Willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort
- Ability to think and apply knowledge strategically
- Ability to analyse and evaluate management information and any other evidence
- Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively and to participate in discussions
- Ability to work effectively in group situations
- Ability to constructively challenge and ask questions in an appropriate manner
- Ability to manage difficult/challenging situations
- Ability to maintain confidentiality on confidential and sensitive information
- Ability to manage boundaries and conflicts of interest appropriately
Our commitment to diversity
We value equity, diversity and inclusion. We value and respect all the differences that make us who we are, including age, cultural background, ethnicity and race, disability and mental health, neurodiversity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, social background and lived experience.
We believe that effective leadership and good decision-making is enabled through a diverse board membership, a culture of listening to, and acting on, diverse perspectives and, having board behaviours that embody respect, openness and constructive challenge. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our broad and warmly welcome qualified candidates who bring new perspectives.
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting Age UK London in the recruitment of these roles. Please click here to apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc format.
Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:
- Why are you interested in a Trustee role at Age UK London
- Having read the information pack, what relevant experience and skills do you feel you would bring to this role? This might come from paid work, study, community or voluntary work or other experience.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If you have a disability or require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us so we can support you appropriately.
The closing date for applications is 15 September. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with Age UK London during the week beginning 22 September.
Are you passionate about building a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy? Are you looking for a meaningful way to use your finance expertise?
ECU is a small, dynamic non-profit working to transform the economy so that everyone has the freedom and security to live a good life.
ECU’s board members are responsible for ensuring that ECU is well-run and delivers on our ambition to accelerate the transition to a fair, sustainable and resilient economy. They are responsible for fulfilling the legal duties of a Company Director, as set out by Companies House. Although ECU is not a charity, it is focused on delivering a public purpose, so most aspects of the role are similar to that of a charity trustee role.
We are now recruiting for ECU’s first Treasurer, who will lead at board level on monitoring ECU’s financial performance and sustainability, ensuring that we have robust financial policies and processes in place, and supporting other board members to fulfil their collective responsibilities around finance.
This is an exciting time to join ECU. We have an ambitious vision for change, a strong analysis of the opportunities and barriers to progress, and a clear view of our role in building a better economy. Our board is committed, collaborative and inclusive, with a strong understanding of its role and remit, and a culture of open dialogue. Our work is challenging, fascinating, and fulfilling – and, with rising levels of inequality, an unfolding climate emergency, overstretched public services and a growing concentration of corporate power, it couldn’t be more important.
Cripplegate Foundation is looking for new Governors (trustees) to join our board. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a trusted, independent and innovative grant- making organisation that has been supporting Islington for over 500 years.
Working alongside our partners at Islington Giving, we invest over £2 million a year in local charities and community groups. Together we amplify local voices, improve access to opportunities and support lasting change.
Who we’re looking for
- Do you want to make a real difference in Islington?
- Are you passionate about tackling local poverty and inequality?
- Can you help amplify the voices of those we work with, through your personal or professional experience?
- Could you bring additional diversity to our board so that we better reflect the communities in which we work?
- Do you have some frontline charity experience, senior leadership or otherwise?
- Are you able to commit the time required to make the most of joining us?
We are genuinely encouraging a wide range of people to come forward and cannot emphasise enough how your background, life experience, approach and values are more important than any knowledge or experience of grant making, or of being a trustee elsewhere.
Full induction, mentoring and ongoing support will be provided. This is a voluntary/unpaid role, with expenses covered.
The closing date for applications is 16th October at 5:00 p.m.
For more details and how to apply, please visit our website and download the full Candidate Pack.
Our vision is of a society where everyone can live a rewarding and fulfilled life, free from poverty and inequality.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.