Volunteering opportunities volunteer roles

Trustee for the Mustard Tree

Can you help us grow our support for often-marginalised communities and people facing barriers to opportunities?

You could be a trustee for the Mustard Tree, a Reading-based Christian charity that reduces health and social inequalities, builds stronger communities, and gives a voice to the unheard.

About us

Set up in 2003, the Mustard Tree Foundation (Reading), known as The Mustard Tree, is a charity where we are passionate that every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Our vision is to develop the work we do in Reading, identifying unmet needs and innovating and growing projects which support individuals who are marginalised and facing disadvantage, delivering high-impact services to some of Reading’s most underrepresented people.  As a charity with a Christian ethos, the projects we generate are inspired by our faith and are thus are designed to serve all sections of our diverse community.

We are an incorporated charity, with a financial turnover in 2024 of £335k. Our three focused projects: Engage, Rahab and Starting Point, all support different communities, whilst linked to our common vision.

The role and what we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in our work and we’d expect new trustees to have strong empathy with our cause and with the needs of our beneficiaries. 

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, although that would be welcome. You need to have a Christian faith and participate with us in prayer.

We are especially looking for people with skills and understanding of financial management in a not-for-private-profit context; a grasp of fundraising strategy; or understanding of HR management and compliance, but we don’t expect you to have all three of those abilities!

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

We ask for at least five hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc.  You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation? 

• An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context 
• An opportunity to influence and collectively-lead an organisation supporting often-marginalised communities
• A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work
• A chance to augment your experience of charities 
• A boost to your career and CV, if needed 
• Satisfaction of helping an organisation that supports communities in Reading, thus giving something back to your community 
• Induction training from us; training, support and assistance from local charity-support & advice agencies

What do we get? 

• Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding or experience
• Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future
• Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our charity governance and operational growth
• Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work
• Your enthusiasm

What do our beneficiaries get? 

• The ability to continue our support to access opportunities, as we plant hope and cultivate change
• A forward-looking and agile organisation, with a well-informed and well-managed Board of trustees

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Apply Now below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone)

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing:
• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups.
• Delivering Talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• 1 reference

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people • Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your story, or a willingness to try with our support. • Able to communicate effectively. • Have an outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing:
• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups.
• Delivering Talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• 1 reference

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Currently looking for applicants within the Belfast Area only!

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people • Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your story, or a willingness to try with our support. • Able to communicate effectively. • Have an outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people.

We are seeking a volunteer Trustee and Treasurer to help us manage the iconic Winterbourne Medieval Barn. You will join an experienced Board of Trustees who have developed activites to create a successful Community and Heritage Centre.

We run a programme of events for the benefit of the local community, as well as offering commercial hire  opportunities. The activities are  largely volunteer run and are supported by three part time staff. Our aim is to use this magnificent building for the benefit of all visitors and it ensure that it is preserved and managed so that it will continue to  inspire people for many generations.

As a Trustee and Treasurer you will use your skills and experience to ensure that the charity is run in a way that is responsible, effective and meets its legal and statutory requirements.

What Are we Looking For?

We are looking for someone with:

•  Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations 
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management 
• Good financial analysis skills 
• Ability to communicate clearly.

The main elements of the role are:

Summary

•  Oversee the financial affairs of WMBT and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice 
• ·As part of routine financial control ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial policies and procedures are in place 
• Monitor and report on the financial health of WMBT 
• Oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns and accounts 
• Chair the Finance committee. 

Specifically 

•  Ensuring that finance systems and processes which support the Financial Procedures Manual policies are set up, documented and implemented
• Ensuring that sufficient records are maintained to show and explain WMBT’s transactions, in order to disclose accurately, the financial position of WMBT at any time 
• Managing the budgeting process for the annual budget 
• Presenting financial reports at each Trustees’ meeting which give the Board of Trustees an understanding of WMBT’s overall finances, and giving advice and information to support decision making 
• Liaising with the independent examiner to produce the statutory accounts.
• Provision of overall management of the Trusts’s bank accounts 

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with:

•  Knowledge and experience of finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations 
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management 
• Good financial analysis skills 
• Ability to communicate clearly.

What difference will you make?

The continued success of the Trust depends on the maintenance of  strong financial support to ensure that the building is maintained and managed in an appropriate manner. The business plan requires a mix of heritage and commercial activities to achieve this and to ensure that the Trust continues to serve the community.

What is involved

Much of the role can be performed remotely, but there will be a requirement to attend 8 meetings a year at Winterbourne (4 Finance Committee meetings and 4 Board of Trustee meetings)

About Roots Academy

Roots Academy’s Vision.

A generation of young Muslims who embody and promote a God-centred way of life.

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries. Our Mission is to deliver a structured and transformative education in the Essentials of Islam in a way that lowers barriers to access, develops a deep certainty, and inspires action.

Why Does Roots Academy Exist?

Crisis of Faith: 1 in 4 young Muslims are leaving the religion due to various factors, primarily the pervasive anti-religious content and temptations they encounter online and offline. 

Roots Academy exists to bridge this gap by providing a structured and transformative Islamic education that speaks directly to the needs and challenges of young Muslims today, delivered in an engaging and accessible form that removes barriers to access and provokes thought and action.

Role Summary.

Roots Academy is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to join our team as Event Organizers in Canada. In this role, you will assist in planning, coordinating, and executing Islamic educational and community events, ensuring smooth operations and a meaningful experience for attendees. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a growing organization while developing leadership and organizational skills.

Key tasks

• Assist in the planning and logistics of events (e.g., seminars, workshops, fundraising dinners, and youth programs).

• Help with on-the-day event setup, registration, and coordination to ensure a seamless experience.

• Promote events through social media, flyers, and community outreach to maximize attendance.

• Engage with attendees, speakers, and volunteers to foster a welcoming and beneficial environment.

• Attend weekly/bi-weekly team meetings to discuss event progress, updates, and strategies.

• Provide post-event feedback and suggestions for improvement.

What we’re looking for

• Passion for Islamic education and community service.

• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• Ability to work well in a team and take initiative.

• Availability to assist during events (some evenings/weekends may be required).

• Commitment to attending regular team meetings (weekly/bi-weekly).

• Previous event coordination experience is a plus but not mandatory.

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers across the UK, Ireland, Canada, US, UAE and Australia.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform. 

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen. 

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy

MhIST is an innovative, user-led mental health charity in Bolton. We're looking for some new Trustees due to a couple of long-serving Trustees recently stepping down due to personal and work commitments

Our trustees play an important role in ensuring that MhIST achieves its core purpose. Trustees oversee the overall management and administration of the charity to ensure that our work, goals and actions are in line with our vision. Trustees act as a critical friend to the business, supporting and often challenging, where necessary, to make sure that all decisions put the needs of MhIST’s members (service users).

Home-Start Suffolk is seeking an experienced and committed individual to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital leadership role in a well-established and growing charity that supports families across Suffolk. As Treasurer, you will work closely with the Chair, CEO, Finance Sub Committee and wider Board to ensure strong financial oversight and governance.

You’ll help guide our financial strategy, support budget-setting and risk management, and ensure that financial information is clear and accessible to the Board. We are specifically looking for someone with experience in charity finance, ideally with a background in accountancy or financial management. You will bring a solid understanding of financial governance and charity reporting requirements and be confident in offering strategic insight as well as practical advice.

This Treasurer role is part of our wider trustee recruitment, and we welcome applicants who also bring any of the following:

• Experience or knowledge of the local charity or voluntary sector
• Understanding of family support or volunteer management
• Strong networks and connections within local businesses
• Previous involvement with Home-Start Suffolk as a volunteer or someone who has received support
• A passion for making a difference in your community

VSO, in partnership with the Uzbekistan government, is looking for experienced teaching professionals to help strengthen the teaching of English language at secondary school level and build the capacity of in-service teachers.

This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise and skills, collaborate with local educators, and contribute to sustainable improvements in English language teaching in schools across Uzbekistan. As a volunteer English language teacher, you will work alongside Uzbek teachers, delivering school curriculum lessons, professional development and coaching workshops. You’ll support teachers and students in enhancing their English language proficiency, adopting student-centred methodologies, and implementing international best practices. Your experience will help shape the future of English language teaching in Uzbekistan. 

Few institutions are or Students Unions are developing as fast as we are. Both UCB and the Guild of Students aspire to being models of excellence serving our unique a diverse student body.

We serve students from 6th form, vocational courses and degree and post grad, local and many international students. We have an exciting plan to take us into the next few years and need someone brilliant, experienced and enthusiastic to help steer us on this ambitious, challenging journey.

We think someone with experience as a senior Students' Union and perhaps some broader experiences and interests too would be great for the role but we would be happy to talk to someone who has a good understanding of governance and students' unions acquired during their varied history.

About the Guild of Students

Since becoming an independent charity six years ago, the Guild of Students has become a hub of student life and advocacy, in line with our mission to help every student at University College Birmingham achieve their potential. We run a Course Representative scheme of over 400 volunteers, lead change campaigns in students’ interests, facilitate around 25 student-led clubs and societies, and organise exciting social opportunities.

We’ve been recognised with several accreditations, including Investors In People, Disability Confident, and most recently the National Union of Students’ ‘Quality Students’ Union’ status.

The Guild is led by three elected full-time Officers: an Education Officer, Equalities and Wellbeing Officer, and Societies & Activities Officer. They, in turn, are supported by a team of 6 part-time volunteer Officers and a small but dedicated staff team, which we are keen to expand to develop the quality and breadth of our services.

About our Members

UCB is home to a wide range of courses with a particular emphasis on skills-based education. We are proud to welcome a diverse student body, including many from the West Midlands who have traditionally faced barriers to accessing further or higher education.

The Guild represents around 10,000 students, including apprentices, college-level students, UCB’s new Sixth Form, and university-level students. We engage with a clear majority of our members each year, and are keen to deepen our reach — especially with FE students.

About the Role

As Chairperson, you will lead a Board comprising external trustees, student trustees, the three full-time Officers, and a member of UCB’s governing body. The Board meets quarterly for around three hours, and the chairperson will be expected to provide additional support and guidance between meetings (which can be done remotely).

The initial term of appointment is four years, with the option of renewal.

We ask candidates to note the following key dates:

• Applications close: Friday 7th November, 16:00
• Interviews: Week commencing 17th November (to be confirmed)
• First Board meeting (if appointed): Thursday 27th November in an observing capacity

Further Information and Adjustments

For an informal conversation about the role or to discuss the appointment process in greater detail (including any adjustments we can make to ensure accessibility) please send us a message for the attention of Alex Harden-Way, Guild Director.

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Group Coordinator for our Barnsley and District group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the Barnsley and District area to carry out this role.

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Group Coordinator for our Barnsley and District group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the Barnsley and District area to carry out this role.

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Trustees play a vital role in making a positive impact on the lives of the people we support. We do this through personalised, affordable care, sharing a home and family life, and supporting involvement in the local community.

What will you be doing?

About Shared Lives South WestShared Lives South West recruits, trains and supports individuals and families (Shared Lives Carers) who can offer accommodation and care for adults with care and support needs in their home, enabling the person to share in family life and maintain their independence. This is known as Shared Lives.If I join Shared Lives South West as a trustee what can I expect? You will be joining an enthusiastic and committed team of trustees. Induction and training for the role will be provided. The appointment will run for three years and be subject to an annual review with the Chair of the Board. 

Two further terms of three years may be agreed. You will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement, declare any relevant business interests and complete an insolvency check as well as a charity related parties register prior to your first Board meeting. You will be required to declare, on an ongoing basis, any further relevant business interests and/or conflicts of interest that may arise. 

You will help enrich the lives of people we support by becoming a part of this friendly charity known for providing high quality support to people as recognised by our current 'Outstanding' CQC award. You stand to also enrich your own life through the empowering and satisfying sector of volunteering as well as having access to training and development opportunities through SLSW.This is a voluntary post and would be offered subject to satisfactory references and DBS check.Trustees will be asked to commit to:• Endeavouring to be available for up to 7 meetings per year with a requirement to attend at least 50%• Endeavouring to be available for the annual Board Away Day• Be able to respond via email to discussion and potential issues between board meetings• Supporting SLSW staff by being able to be involved on an ad hoc basis in an identified area of interest• Being involved in one task and finish group/sub-group per annum if/as required• Complete an induction programme as required during the first six months of their appointment, including a visit to a SLSW household• Complete a programme of mandatory training, proportionate to the role, renewed every three years• Attend an annual review with the Chair

What are we looking for?

Trustees use skills and personal experience to:• Ensure SLSW complies with its governing document and all charity and other appropriate laws• Ensure compliance with the values, ethos and ethics of SLSW• Approve policies and plans to achieve strategic objectives, especially those with significant financial risk or risk management implications• Contribute to the development of SLSW strategy and business planning processes.• Scrutinise and sign off each year’s financial accounts prior to publication and acceptance and agree each year’s annual budget• Play your part in ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks• Help ensure the Board sets challenging goals and targets for the organisation and monitors these effectively• Participate in the recruitment of Leadership Team and other staff members as requiredWe are looking for new trustees who will complement our existing board. Previous board-level experience is welcome but not essential.We value fresh perspectives and provide the training and support needed to succeed. If you can commit time, bring curiosity and are willing to contribute your skills, we would love to hear from you.We welcome applications from adults of all backgrounds and identities and are striving to ensure our board reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. 

What difference will you make?

Trustees have independent control and legal responsibility for the charity’s management and administration. They support the strategic development and success of SLSW through ensuring good strategic planning, effective governance and the monitoring of the performance of the organisation.As a trustee, you will work alongside the chair, vice chair and other trustees to bring good governance and strategic oversight. You will share responsibility with other trustees and the Leadership Team for the success of the organisation.Our service supports adults over 18 years of age and occasionally young people in transition into adult services from the age of 16 upwards. We currently support around 300 people on a long-term basis in around 270 shared lives homes and have up to a further 140 people using our short break services.We provide support to people with learning disabilities, people who have a diagnosis of dementia, a physical or sensory disability, mental ill health and parents who have a learning disability with their child.We currently have five contracts from local authorities across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to support our work and a range of project funding totalling around £1.8 million per annum.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete our additional short application form.

About Roots Academy. 

Roots Academy’s Vision.

A generation of young Muslims who embody and promote a God-centred way of life.

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries. Our Mission is to deliver a structured and transformative education in the Essentials of Islam in a way that lowers barriers to access, develops a deep certainty, and inspires action.

Why Does Roots Academy Exist?

Crisis of Faith: 1 in 4 young Muslims are leaving the religion due to various factors, primarily the pervasive anti-religious content and temptations they encounter online and offline. 

Roots Academy exists to bridge this gap by providing a structured and transformative Islamic education that speaks directly to the needs and challenges of young Muslims today, delivered in an engaging and accessible form that removes barriers to access and provokes thought and action.

Role Summary

As part of teaching at Roots, instructors are supplied with many teaching resources to help them teach the Roots way, such as instructor slides, teaching notes and walk-through videos.
Your role at Roots is to produce well-curated teaching notes, to ensure instructors understand the content and know exactly what is being taught.

Key tasks

• Turn raw feedback data and numbers into clear reports that show what’s working, what isn’t, and exactly what we should do about it.

• Lead meetings with delivery teams, share findings, and work with them to make improvements.

• maintain clear documentation for all pilot courses, the feedback we receive, and the key metrics we're tracking from start to finish.

• Track changes that are being implemented and measure whether they're actually making a difference for students.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a data, research, or insight role.

• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in handling both qualitative (e.g., thematic analysis) and quantitative (e.g., survey data, performance metrics) data.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to different audiences.

• Experience in creating user-friendly documentation is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders and influence cross-functional teams to act on recommendations.

• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel/Google Sheets is essential, along with experience with survey platforms (e.g., Tally, SurveyMonkey) and BI tools (e.g., Google Looker/Data Studio, Power BI).

• Proficiency in SQL and Python for data manipulation; experience with version control (Git/GitHub) and familiarity with data engineering concepts (e.g., ETL) or the GCP data stack (e.g., BigQuery) is desirable.

• A proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership, able to independently identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers across the UK, Ireland, Canada, US, UAE, and Australia.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform. 

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Professional development and practical experience in design and digital marketing.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah (personal & spiritual development) sessions to develop your deen.

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy. 

Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB) is a leading provider of legal advice and information, supporting thousands of clients every year. We are a busy, client focused and dynamic service with a track record of delivering high quality advice face to face, over the phone and digitally.
 
Our communities continue to face unprecedented challenges with rising costs. The rising cost-of-living continues to directly impact individuals and families, with more people than ever in negative budgets, debt and housing crises.
We are seeking to strengthen our board of trustees, who share our values and are committed to tackling poverty and improving social justice.

We are looking for local individuals who want to share their specialist skills to challenge the impact of poverty, inequality and discrimination and to making a positive difference to the clients we help. 

Having recently undertaken a skills assessment survey of our board, we are now in a position to recruit board members and prioritise the areas needed to enhance our collective board.
Our recent survey identified 2 key areas of strength:

• Core Governance Strength in fundamental governance areas, including Strategic Planning, Risk Management, and understanding the Legal Duties of Trustees. This provides a solid foundation from which to lead the charity. 
• Core Financial Strength: we have a strong finance sub-committee that work closely with the operational team, ensuring our accounting, financial processes and budget are in line with our charitable objectives and remain in a sustainable and stable position. 
   

The key skills gaps identified in our survey, and ones which we are keen to prioritise when recruiting new trustees are:

• Lived experience of advice services and/or social welfare issues
• Service design and impact
• Digital strategy

What does a trustee do:
Attend board and committee meetings (quarterly), ensuring that you are prepared for the meetings (reading papers etc) and taking an active part in discussions to; 

• Set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of CABB.
• Use experience, knowledge and expertise to dissect the information provided by the organisation to satisfy that board is reaching sound decisions, which benefit our communities.
• Monitor the financial position of the CABB ensuring that it operates within its means and charitable objectives.
• Seek the views of all sections of the community, review and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.
• Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers is effective and sustainable.
• Review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement.
• Work on specific projects with other trustees or staff within CABB to further our strategic objectives.
• Safeguard the reputation of CABB and ensuring the compliance of governing documents and processes (articles of association, charity law, company law etc).
   

In a stable position both financially and operationally, we are now in a period of growth and development, ensuring our ambitious business plan is not only met, but aligned to the emerging needs of our clients. 

To apply, please submit a CV and Cover Letter.

As life becomes ever more difficult for migrants across London, the UK and the world, Waltham Forest Migrant Action (WFMA) are committed to fighting back in solidarity and supporting our fellow human beings who are often suffering in the most extreme of circumstances. Since 2013, we’ve run a weekly Drop-in Centre providing visitors a warm welcome, free advice on immigration, accommodation and welfare issues, and opportunities to socialise with the local community. Last year, we helped 366 people from 71 nationalities, and our numbers continue to grow. WFMA is currently in an exciting phase of development. In recent years, we have transformed from an all-volunteer organisation to having six part-time staff, navigating a period of sustainable growth.

The role
We are looking for 2-3 compassionate individuals with a strong interest in migrant justice to contribute to an organisation that centres migrant voices and experiences. Whether you bring experience in HR, marketing & communications, finance, legal, fundraising, operations, service delivery, or another area, your insight and guidance has the potential to strengthen our organisation. We welcome applicants from all ages and backgrounds, and we are open to first time Trustees!

We strive to have a board that is diverse and representative of the communities we work with and for, and we are particularly keen for those under 30 and / or with lived experience of the UK migration system to apply. We value skills gained both through formal professional experience and through grassroots activism, voluntary work, or community organising.

Essential

• A strong interest in migrant justice and anti-racism

• Commitment to the aims and objectives of WFMA, and its vision 

• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort required

• Good oral and written communication skills in English

Desirable but not essential
Following recent a skills audit, we have identified priority areas and skills needed for our board, and we are particularly keen to hear from candidates who can contribute one or more:

• Lived experience of the UK migration system and the difficulties faced by migrants in accessing services

• Fundraising and bid writing experience

• Financial oversight and accounting experience (we are keen to recruit and train a potential future Treasurer)

• Experience and/or willingness to serve as Chair

Time commitment
This role requires around 10 days commitment a year, and this includes attending bi-monthly board meetings, sub-groups, strategy days and reading board reports prior to meetings.