At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Board to oversee safeguarding practices and support women and girls in need.
- Company: Advance, a leading women's organisation focused on safety and equality.
- Benefits: Gain valuable governance experience while making a real difference in the community.
- Other info: Flexible volunteer role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team driving systemic change for women and girls.
- Qualifications: Experience in safeguarding leadership and a commitment to equality and diversity.
Join our Board of Directors. We are looking to appoint a Trustee to the Board with skills specifically focused on Safeguarding Adults & Children, to support and work alongside the Lead Safeguarding Trustee. Our vision is a world where women and girls lead safe, just and equal lives.
Reporting to: Board of Trustees
Role Type: Volunteer
Location: London
Renumeration: The role of Trustee is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed. This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010. Advance is committed to equality and diversity and aims to have a board of trustees that reflects the communities we work with. We strongly encourage applications from women with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, BAME and LBT communities.
About Us: Advance is a women’s organisation, delivering systems change, and trauma and gender-informed community-based support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. We work nationally through our innovative, best-practice approach and systems change initiatives. We deliver wraparound frontline services across the South and East of England, including Greater London. Our expertise lies in decades of providing specialist support by women and for women and girls, to achieve safety, justice and equality at the intersection of domestic abuse and the criminal justice system. Our whole-system approach is aligned with our values of collaboration and innovation, partnering with other statutory and non-statutory providers, to deliver a coordinated community and gendered response, improving access to services across the whole system, enabling consistency and continuity of support throughout a woman’s journey. Through our advocacy and awareness-raising work, we focus on systemic change and sustainable impact to meet women’s needs and improve their outcomes.
About you: Do you have expertise in the role described below and a belief that your skills will contribute to the strong and effective governance of an innovative medium-sized charity? We are looking to appoint a Trustee to our Board with skills specifically focused on Safeguarding Adults & Children. Alongside the Lead Safeguarding Trustee you will provide independent oversight, expert advice and strategic challenge to ensure the organisation upholds the highest standards in safeguarding our staff and our service users of women, young women and children. The role is central in promoting a safe culture and holding the Executive Team accountable for the effectiveness of safeguarding practices and risk management. You will bring significant experience in safeguarding leadership, regulation or governance (in education, health, social care or the charity sector). You will have a strong understanding of legal duties and statutory guidance on safeguarding and the ability to provide strategic oversight and constructive challenge at Board level. This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our experienced and committed Board. You will join a dedicated and skilled group of Trustees and support the charity through a significant period of growth. Our staff team now includes over 150 skilled and passionate women across our programmes and our 10 women's centres in London and the South and East of England.
Time commitment:
- Five Board meetings per year (in person in Hammersmith west London), plus membership of at least one board sub-committee (four meetings a year online)
- Ad hoc availability as matters arise (by telephone)
- Participate in one strategy away day each year (on a Saturday, usually held in January)
- Commit to the Board of Trustees for at least three years
The statutory duties of a trustee:
- To ensure the organisation complies with its governing document in the articles of association
- To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
- To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how charitable and worthwhile those activities are
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
- To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
- To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
- To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds
- To appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance
In addition with other trustees to hold the charity in trust for current and future beneficiaries by:
- Ensuring that Advance has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these
- Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its corporate behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
- Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application
- Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard
As well as the various statutory duties, any trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the board make good decisions. The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Trustee will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.
How to Apply: Please download the job specification below and complete the application form along with a copy of your CV. Closing date for applications: 04 September 2026. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first round interview w/c 7th September. Following this the successful candidates will be invited to an in person interview in Hammersmith, London. You can find more information on our website: To learn more about the role and duties of Trustees, please click here. We would love to hear from you.
Trustee - Deputy Safeguarding Lead in London employer: Advance
Advance is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting women affected by the criminal justice system, offering a compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in Hammersmith, our team enjoys flexible working hours, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. We foster a collaborative environment where staff are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers while contributing to vital community support initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trustee - Deputy Safeguarding Lead in London
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Trustee - Deputy Safeguarding Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Advance, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Advance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Advance and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
