Volunteer volunteer roles

Title: Trustee

Location: Our trustees are based across the world and the majority of Board meetings are held virtually. In-person Board meetings are held at key strategic times and to ensure effective governance, roughly every 12-18 months.

Time commitment: At least at 10 days a year, although Trustees often give more time – ideally 15-20 days. Four Board meetings take place a year (in March, July, October and December), mostly online, and lasting about 3 hours. In-person board meetings will be 2 days.  The next in-person board meeting will take place in Spring 2026.

The Finance Audit and Risk Committee and the Governance and People Committee also take place four times a year, and all of these are virtual meetings.

Term: Trustees are appointed for a term of three years which may be renewed once.

Remuneration: None. This is a volunteer role (in line with UK charity legislation). However, reasonable expenses to undertake the role will be covered.

Following a governance review, an audit of existing Trustees, and considering Trustee retirements due in 2026, we are looking to appoint a number of new trustees.

The Trustees of Practical Action share responsibility for governing the organisation and directing how it is managed and run by the Executive Team. Trustees make sure that the charity is carrying out the purposes for which it was set up and is in the best possible position to achieve its aims.

Trustees promote and safeguard the organisation's reputation. Each brings their own unique skills and experiences to support and shape our strategic direction and work. We have a particular interest in candidates with strong experience in the following areas:

• Supporting us to diversify and grow our funding base, especially through philanthropy and climate finance.
• Opening doors to potential donors and providing intelligence to inform our approaches to donors.
• A strong background in charity finance and UK charity governance (one Trustee may take on the role of chairing the Finance Audit and Risk Committee). Knowledge of the UK pension environment would be useful.
• Experience of senior organisational management and leadership.
• Understanding the local contexts and partners of our work in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In addition, these are our key behaviours for all Board members:

• A commitment to the mission, values and work of Practical Action.
• Strategic vision.
• Analysis and critical thinking with good, independent judgement.
• Curiosity and constructive challenge with the ability to think creatively.
• Valuing diversity, welcoming diverse views.
• Learning, encouraging change and innovation.
• Team players, with humility and ability to get on well with others.
• Commitment to developing Practical Action, not just for attending meetings but also the important work in between – including opening doors to funders and partners and giving expert advice.
• Understanding - or willingness to learn swiftly - and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship of a UK charity.

For more information and to apply, please click on 'apply'.

Practical Action is looking for additional trustees

Practical Action exists to change the systems that keep people in poverty and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, nature loss and pollution. We work alongside communities to build resilient livelihoods and inclusive, thriving societies.

Over 50 years ago, our founder – radical economist and philosopher E.F. Schumacher – published his influential book Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as If People Mattered. He believed in the principles of local people leading their own development. That ethos has always been, and will continue to be, the driving force behind our organisation.

Since then, we’ve continued to build a strong reputation and a track record for people-centred, sustainable development. And now, we’ve launched a bold new organisational strategy to take us to 2030, shaped to respond to the scale of the climate emergency and the rapidly changing world around us.

This is an exciting time to join us.

Your skills, experience, and passion could play a vital role in our next chapter.

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Youth leaders will be expected to regularly attend weekly youth meetings and undertake mandatory training to support the role. There will be e-learning to complete and three day courses, dates to be confirmed.

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 11/11/2025

Candidates will be invited to a selection event in Liverpool where they will meet local youth teams and young people, have an interview and talk to experienced youth leaders about the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is - 30/09/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Youth leaders will be expected to regularly attend weekly youth meetings and undertake mandatory training to support the role. There will be e-learning to complete and three day courses, dates to be confirmed.

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 29/09/2025

Candidates will be invited to a selection event in Liverpool where they will meet local youth teams and young people, have an interview and talk to experienced youth leaders about the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is - 18/08/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Children of Voices is a hugely respected charitable organisation helping to improve the lives of young people and their families through genuine care, love, and support.  

We are currently seeking a volunteer Personal Assistant/Office Manager. This role is ideal for an individual with experience as a P.A./Manager looking to work within the charity sector. 

Responsibilities typically include: 

• Acting as a first point of contact for enquiries: (email/calendar management and phone calls, managing diaries 

• Typing, compiling, and preparing reports, presentations, and correspondence. 

• Miscellaneous tasks to support the CEO which will vary according to projects and tasks but could include fundraising, event planning, social media, community outreach, press & PR. 

• Managing databases and filing systems. 

• Implementing and maintaining procedures/policies & administrative systems 

• Forming a relationship with our clients as they are part of the community. 

Essential skills for this role are: 

• Organisation skills: The ability to prioritise tasks, manage time, and keep track of deadlines is crucial.  

• Communication skills: should be able to communicate effectively in writing. 

• Attention to detail: the ability to pick up on small details can prevent costly mistakes from occurring. 

• Problem-solving skills: the ability to identify and resolve problems quickly and efficiently.  

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. The organisation has a warm and friendly atmosphere and will be extremely rewarding for the candidate. 

We are currently recruiting for volunteer Finance Manager for our newly formed not for profit organisation which provides fully qualified mental assistance dogs for those in need across Northamptonshire.

This is ideal for anyone who is looking to make a difference and be in from the start of designing policies and procedures for their area of the organisation.

Essential to the role

ü  Part-ACA/ACCA qualified

ü  Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

ü  Satisfactory references

ü  Strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook

Role and Responsibilities

• Preparation of year end accounts, company tax returns, individual tax returns, VAT returns etc.
• Preparation of monthly management reports, including analysis/presentation to client
• Provide excellent service to internal and external clients by supporting and answering queries.
• Managing Petty Cash.
• Cashflow forecasting and other project work.
• Steer the business of legal requirements for the organisation.
• You will be responsible for working with HR to recruit, train and coach members of your team to work alongside.
• You will be measured against Key Performance Indicators
• Work with internal departments and external partners such as HMRC. Along with senior stakeholders within the organisation.

· Be honest, reliable and knowledgeable about our services and how we support the local community.

Sense College Loughborough is a specialist Further Education (FE) college, supporting students between 16-25, who have a wide range of disabilities. We aim to prepare young people to be as independent as possible and help them to achieve their long term goals. We offer different pathways and work with Loughborough College, to help students gain the skills, experience, knowledge and confidence to achieve these goals. 

Candidates interested in the role of Lay Governor at college must be able to demonstrate commitment to Safeguarding, Strategic leadership and a passion to Further Education particularly Specialist Education. A understanding of issues facing the post 16 specialist education sector would be desirable. If you feel you have the ability to make a positive contribution to meetings and provide constructive challenge to support senior managers at the college we would love to hear from you. We anticipate that the successful candidates will need to commit a minimum of 4 half days per term to the role in relation to meetings and preparation. The ability to attend other ad-hoc college events and visits would also be very welcomed.

The role of members of the Governing Body is to provide strategic leadership, support and constructive challenge to the college senior management team to ensure that Sense College provides an excellent education experience for all students. The Governors will work with the college senior management to ensure the college offers a broad based curriculum to maximise the teaching and learning experiences of all its students, with demonstrable outcomes. Sense College Loughborough Lay Governors will attend 3 full committee meetings a year, plus 3 extra meetings for their chosen sub-committee. Meetings last from 90 minutes for sub-committees and 2 hours 30 minutes for the full committee, Lay Governors will come prepared and engaged, having done the reading the prior and ready to ask any questions they may have. Governors of Sense College have a varied role encompassing a range of duties. Much of this is undertaken through participation in the full Governing Body meetings and Sense College sub-committees according to a governor`s experience and skillset, and through college visits.

Some examples of governor duties are below, noting that these are not exclusive:

• Reviewing, approving and monitoring the implementation of the Sense College 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
• Approving the final Sense College Annual Self-Assessment Report (SAR)
• Reviewing and monitoring progress and outcomes from the Sense College Quality Improvement Plan (QuIP)
• Reviewing students’ progress and achievements through a range of products i.e. case studies, reports and visits to Sense College
• Reviewing college data against Key Performance Indicators and dashboards.
• Participating in Ofsted inspection meetings on governance to support Sense College and the college senior management team
• Monitoring implementation of safeguarding (SfG) procedures, keeping updated with current SfG legislation and governors Prevent responsibilities
• Monitoring college budget performance with the emphasis on new students  referrals funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency
• Attending and participating in governor training events, student celebrations and college visits 

About us 

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

Sense values 

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

What we're looking for

We need a finance-minded trustee who can keep us on the right track financially while we focus on creating real change. You don't need to be a charity expert (we'll teach you that), but you do need to care about what we're doing and have the skills to help us do it properly.

Your background might include:

• Professional experience in finance, accounting, or bookkeeping

• An ability to make sense of financial information and explain it to others

• Strong attention to detail (because the small stuff does matter)

• A genuine enthusiasm for our mission and charitable objects

What would be brilliant (but not essential):

• Previous charity sector experience

• Formal accounting qualifications

• Experience with charity accounting software

• Understanding of what it's like to run a small charity on a tight budget

What you'll be doing

This isn't about sitting in boardrooms making abstract decisions. You'll be:

• Keeping our finances healthy: Overseeing day-to-day financial operations and making sure our bookkeeping stays accurate

• Being our financial voice: Presenting clear, understandable financial reports at monthly trustee meetings

• Planning ahead: Leading our annual budget process and helping us make smart financial decisions

• Staying compliant: Ensuring we meet all charity financial regulations and coordinate our annual independent examination

• Managing risk: Helping us spot potential financial challenges before they become problems

• Helping with fundraising: Writing grant applications, helping come up with fundraising ideas

The need-to-know

Time commitment: Around 4-8 hours per month - this includes one monthly trustee meeting, your financial review work, and the occasional extra task that crops up

Term: We're looking for a minimum 2-year commitment initially, which then becomes a rolling 1-year term subject to the constitutional requirements. 

When we meet: We will be setting our meeting dates at the start of the organisation's year (October 2025) so everyone can plan ahead. 

Next steps timeline:

• Applications close: 5 September 2025 at 17:00

• Interview dates: TBC - dependent on application numbers

• Next board meeting: TBC

Why this role matters

Every month, we see the difference our work makes to neurodivergent legal professionals who've struggled to find their place in traditional firm culture. Your financial expertise won't just keep our books balanced - it'll help us scale our impact responsibly and ensure we're here for the long haul.

What we offer in return

• Real impact: See directly how your skills contribute to meaningful change

• Supportive team: Work with a committed and welcoming board that'll have your back

• Professional development: Gain valuable charity governance experience

• Flexibility: We’re a team of working professionals and always work around professional commitments

• Recognition: References and recommendations for future opportunities

• Reimbursed expenses: We cover reasonable costs related to your trustee duties

We're committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you need any adjustments to our application process, just let us know.

Application deadline: 5 September 2025 at 17:00

Our Linked Minds Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow due to a diagnosed mental health problem.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable, by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a (non-clinical) supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year. (Where applicable, this can count towards continuous professional development).

Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards, and the Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity. 

These visits make such a difference for the client, increasing their confidence and helping them explore and work towards getting a job, joining a club, meeting other people or whatever their goal may be.

The aim is that, by the end of the year, clients feel better about themselves, more valued, resilient, empowered, more linked to their community and better equipped for their journeys in recovery.

But volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Youth Helper work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

Applicant's must be available for regular Thursday night attendance and be able to get to Guildford before 17:00 for Badgers or 18:00 for Cadets

Interview will be conducted on a Thursday evening. Date options will be offered

You will get the chance to observe one of the youth unit sessions at the interview.

Training will be given during the youth night sessions. There is some online learning to be carried out too,

Closing date for these opportunities is: 5th October 2025

• Responsible for maintaining our hardware and software
• Responsible for all electric equipment being tested and meeting all legal requirements
• Have a basic understanding of Infrastructure management including Active Directory, file structures, and security, along with experience supporting Windows and Mac devices, Office 365, and end-user devices and systems, and able to work in a busy and dynamic office environment, supporting users in person and remotely.
• Assist HR with induction and ongoing training requirements across the organisation
• You will provide a proactive service to all users in diagnosing faults, answering requests, providing training and guides, and timely solutions.
• You will also maintain the asset registers and helpdesk system ensuring they are kept up to date. You will need strong administrative skills with good attention to detail and the ability to communicate and articulate clearly, written and verbally.
• You will be measured against Key Performance Indicators
• Work with internal departments and external partners such as HMRC. Along with senior stakeholders within the organisation.

· Be honest, reliable and knowledgeable about our services and how we support the local community.

We urgently need volunteers who can provide a friendly face, shop for and deliver groceries to our clients.

The Age Connects shopping service is an invaluable lifeline to so many older, vulnerable members of our local communities, particularly those with no family or friends to offer shopping support. We know that older people can become frail, and those who have mobility problems, who no longer drive or don’t have access to the internet, may find it difficult to do their weekly shop.

As a shopper you will be providing a shop and deliver service for the client either on a weekly or fortnightly basis. You will collect their shopping list, carry out the shopping and deliver it back to them. It could be that you’re the only person they see or speak to that day or even that week and it can be an opportunity to have a chat with the client, provide them with information about other services they may need or to offer practical help.

This is a fee paying service, the client will pay £5 per shop to the charity. If you are a friendly, reliable and trustworthy, you can help. You need to be aged 18+, and to be able to make a commitment for a minimum of 6 months: we will also require two character references, and will carry out a DBS check before you can start. It is best if you have access to your own transport, as some clients do not live centrally, or require large shops.

We'd love you to volunteer regularly at the Sensory Advice Resource Centre (SARC), Milton Keynes. Help local people with sight loss become independent technology users and enjoy the benefits of being online. You'll work closely with individuals, supporting them to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to get the most out of technology.

How often will I be needed?

• 6 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• This role requires 2 references.

Location

Region

• South East

Additional location information

• The Tech Hub takes place on the 2nd and last Friday of the month 11am-1pm. March – October it takes place at John Lewis, The Centre:MK, Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3EP November – February it takes place at the Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good communication skills
• Patient approach to training
• Natural tech user

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Youth leaders will be expected to regularly attend weekly youth meetings and undertake mandatory training to support the role. There will be e-learning to complete and three day courses, dates to be confirmed.

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 11/11/2025

Candidates will be invited to a selection event in Liverpool where they will meet local youth teams and young people, have an interview and talk to experienced youth leaders about the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is - 30/09/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Charity Treasurer

Voluntary role
15-20 days per year

Change lives, shape your community

Role details:

• Explain, guide and advise the board on the key assumptions, financial risks and implications of the charity’s budgets, operational and strategic plans
• Chair our Finance Subcommittee (four meetings per year)
• Support the Senior Leadership Team with financial matters
• Voluntary trustee role, all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed

We are looking for a Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees, and help to govern our charity finances. This is an exciting opportunity to put your financial skills, knowledge and experience to use.

To ensure our board is reflective and representative of our local communities and workforce, we strongly encourage applications from under-represented communities. Currently we are particularly seeking to increase the involvement of people under the age of 35, people with a disability, people of colour and/or LGBT+ people on our Board.

We are an advice charity based in Derbyshire, our advice makes a real and lasting difference to thousands of people, and we want you to help us continue to make a difference.

Closing date: When a suitable candidate is found

Job Type: Volunteer

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Treasurer - CADD