Board members volunteer roles

About Women’s Aid in Luton
Women’s Aid in Luton supports over 800 of society’s most vulnerable women and children each year, all of whom are fleeing abuse and violence. The charity offers refuge across five safe houses in Luton, a helpline, tailored support for families, and access to legal advice, mental health services, employment, and resettlement guidance. It also prioritises prevention and early intervention through education, working closely with schools to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

The Opportunity: Chair of Trustees
Women’s Aid in Luton is seeking a new Chair of Trustees to lead its Board and help shape the future of the organisation. This is a pivotal leadership role with significant influence over the strategic direction and governance of the charity. The incoming Chair will guide the Board in supporting the Executive Team to sustain and grow its essential services, ensuring women and children can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

The current Chair will conclude her term next year, and the charity is therefore inviting expressions of interest from those who are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector.

Candidate Profile

Experience:

• A strong understanding and commitment to the VAWG sector.

• Substantial non-executive experience.

• Knowledge of UK charity governance and experience of working with or serving on a Board of Trustees.

• A background in senior strategic leadership.

• Proven ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.

• Sensitivity and discretion when dealing with confidential matters involving staff and service users.

• A track record of successfully leading teams or groups in either a voluntary or professional context.

• Chairing experience, ideally at Board or committee level.

• Significant experience in motivating, managing, and developing people.

• Experience in shaping and evaluating strategic plans to maximise impact.

• Sound financial acumen, including an understanding of charity finance.

Skills and Abilities:

• Inspirational leadership with the ability to foster collaboration and, when needed, make difficult decisions.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate the charity’s vision and inspire others.

• Relationship-builder with the ability to form effective alliances and partnerships.

• Sound judgement and the capacity for reflective leadership.

• A supportive presence for both the Board and Executive, fostering their continued development.

• Ability to operate within the realistic capacities and constraints of a charity environment.

Personal Attributes:

• A dynamic and inclusive leadership style that inspires trust and accountability.

• A visible and unwavering commitment to the charity’s mission and strategic aims.

• Tact, diplomacy, and strong listening and engagement skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.

• Well-developed networking skills that can be leveraged to support the charity’s objectives.

• A personal commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

• Willingness and ability to dedicate sufficient time to the role, including travel and occasional out-of-hours engagement.

Terms of Appointment
The initial term of office is three years, with the possibility of reappointment for one additional term, up to a maximum of six years.

Eligibility
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1), this role is open to female applicants only due to the nature of the services provided. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Encouragement of Diverse Applications
Women’s Aid in Luton warmly welcomes applications from women of all backgrounds. The charity is especially keen to hear from women from Black, Asian and minoritised communities, as well as from those with lived experience of domestic abuse.

A Trustee's Perspective
“Joining Women’s Aid in Luton as a Board member has enabled me to use my professional expertise in a way that gives back to the community. I know that all the energy and time I give is helping to strengthen the organisation and ultimately the women and children it seeks to support. Joining the Board has been immensely rewarding and I highly recommend it as a valuable way to volunteer your time for a good cause.”
– Current Trustee, Women’s Aid in Luton

To Express Interest
Women who feel they can contribute to the ongoing success of Women’s Aid in Luton and are passionate about supporting survivors of domestic abuse are encouraged to get in touch. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting difference.

Are you a committed environmentalist and a strategic thinker? Do you have skills in devising and managing or communicating about community based, environmental projects?

The Railway Land Wildlife Trust is seeking passionate and strategic individuals to join our Board of Trustees.

We’re particularly interested in those with skills in communications, fundraising or environmental projects. As a Trustee, you’ll help shape the future of our work, protecting and restoring habitats while deepening people’s connection to nature.

As a Trustee, you will:

- Support our strategic vision via one of our sub-committees (Project Strategy or Communications & Fundraising)
- Share your expertise to help us grow and diversify our impact
- Work collaboratively with a small, committed team driving grassroots environmental change

We are especially keen to hear from individuals based in East Sussex, as a strong local presence supports our hands-on, place-based approach. 
This is a voluntary role and a valuable opportunity to contribute to environmental leadership, gain experience in governance and be part of a meaningful local initiative.
 

Who we are

We are seeking trustees to work with a small non-profit family mediation service covering West and North Yorkshire.  The service has been in operation for 30 years, helping families that have experienced a breakdown to resolve their outstanding issues surrounding their children, property and finances with a view to avoid the trauma and expense of attending family court. Our mission is simple, by helping people resolve these issues we aim to reduce the mental health traumas incurred by both adults and children who have experienced a family breakdown whilst helping them to alleviate the financial hardship that so often follows a relationship breakdown.

We deliver our service to over a thousand clients annually both remotely and face to face from our main office suite in Bradford and from our satellite suites in Leeds and York.

We do have a small but active board of trustees who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the service and who provide the financial and operational oversight that the service requires. 

Who we are looking for

We are looking to expand the number of board members and would welcome expressions of interest from people who would like to be involved with the service and to help us on our mission to continually improve and grow. Whilst there is no specific criteria requested, we would welcome expressions of interest from people who have a legal background, or can help develop our business acumen, or who can aid us with marketing and promotion or who have experience in HR.

The involvement of our trustees in the strategic planning and oversight of the charity is absolutely essential to the success of the service.  We hold four trustee meetings each year, three of which are usually held remotely.

How to contact us

If you would like to get involved in the charity sector and have an interest in learning about family mediation then please contact our service manager, Gordon Laing.

Location: Remote
Department: Executive
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Part time, 4 board meetings per annum
Salary: Expenses only
 
Who they're looking for 
 
Our client is seeking a new Trustee with a background in veterinary or medical practice to support their Board and team in achieving their charitable aims. They are looking for someone who, in addition to their own expertise, has an interest in human-specific research approaches. This is a unique opportunity to join the country's leading animal-free medical research charity, where you will play a key role in helping to advance science to improve treatments for humans without the use of animals. You should have a strong interest in their mission and be willing to advocate on the charity’s behalf. Previous experience of being a Trustee is not necessary as a full induction and ongoing support will be provided. 
 
Equality, diversity and inclusion 
 
They want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or stakeholder to feel included and that they belong. Our client is committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities they serve and ensuring inclusion in everything they do. They will support you to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. 
 
Board meetings and time commitment 
 
The Board ordinarily meets four times per year in March, May, August and November. Two of these meetings are held remotely via video call on a Saturday, and two are held in person in London across weekends. In addition, Trustees are encouraged to join a Committee relevant to their area of expertise which meets at least once per quarter via video call. An appropriate time commitment will be required over the course of the year for preparative work between meetings. Trustees are also invited to attend occasional charity events and join recruitment panels on an ad hoc basis. Following a probationary period where Trustee-elects attend at least 3 board meetings, appointed Trustees serve a three-year term, with the option to renew for a further three years. Trusteeship is an unremunerated position, though reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be paid. 
 
If this opportunity to join a small but ambitious charity appeals to you, and you have enthusiasm and a commitment to their vision of a world where animal-free, human specific technologies secure breakthroughs for patients then they'd like to hear from you.
 
You may also have experience in the following roles: Board Member, Non-Executive Director, Charity Trustee, Medical Advisor, Veterinary Advisor, Clinical Director, Medical Trustee, Healthcare Trustee, Scientific Advisor, Research Trustee, etc.
 
REF-222 147

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 Quick Apply below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone)

We’re a specialist provider of support services for autistic people, people with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries. We work across London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Suffolk, Hampshire Cambridgeshire and Shropshire.

What will you be doing?

As well as providing an invaluable service for an organisation and it's people, becoming a trustee can be an excellent step for your career development. 

Anyone can apply to be a trustee with us. Avenues is a hugely diverse community of people and we always want our trustee group to reflect this. 

At present we are looking for (core) trustees with experience in these particular skills:

• Financial experience within the Care Sector Experience in Health and Social Care (outside Avenues) 
• People management and organisational development 
• Risk Management (specialising in a quality, compliance and regulatory environment).

What are we looking for?

Do you have experience in any of the following?

• Care Sector Financial Experience to join our Board and Finance Committee
• Health and Social Care Experience (outside Avenues) to join our Board and one committee (to be decided).
• People management and organisational development to join our Board and the People, Culture and Reward Committee
• Risk Management (specialising in a quality, compliance and regulatory environment) to join our Board and our Audit and Risk Committee.

The following characteristics, knowledge and experiences (or willingness to learn) would be helpful in being a trustee:

• a high level of understanding and interest in the charity and its work a commitment to the values and principles of the charity; 
• strong business and financial acumen; 
• experience of committee work; 
• good interpersonal and communication skills; 
• sound, independent judgement, courage, common sense and diplomacy; 
• an interest in politics and current issues in social care clear understanding, and acceptance, of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees; knowledge of charity governance; 
• enough time and commitment to fulfil the role ability to listen to and welcome other opinions and experiences; 
• flexibility in thinking; a desire to implement the highest standards of governance.

What difference will you make?

Trustees are responsible for providing appropriate oversight, governance and leadership to the charity in the pursuit of its strategies to fulfil its charitable purposes. 

A trustee’s main duties under charity law are to: 

• ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit;
• comply with the charity’s governing document and the law; 
• act in the charity’s best interests; manage the charity’s resources responsibly; 
• act with reasonable care and skill; and ensure the charity is accountable.

Before you apply

How to apply Applications should consist of:

• A full CV (or video application) including the names and addresses of two referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.
• Complete a covering letter (or send a video if you prefer) of no more than 2 sides of A4 which answers the following questions: What motivates you to join our Board and why will you be successful? How do your skills and experience match what we are looking for? What will you bring of yourself, your life experience and your perspective to the Board? As a Board Member, how will you apply the Avenues values (Respect, Integrity, pride and Excellence) when helping us make decisions?

Welcome to 2-3 Degrees

Thank you for your interest in the role of Trustee of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO. 

Since launching in March 2016 we have worked with over 10,000 young people across the UK, delivering fun, engaging and dynamic workshops and programmes to inspire young people to become the best version of themselves. Following a period of growth and reflection, we are embarking on the journey to establish our own charity.

The new charity will become a platform for us to grow our reach and impact, delivering more transformational programmes for young people.

We are looking for exceptional candidates to join our Trustee Board, providing strategic guidance and oversight during this crucial transition.

Trustee Duties and Responsibilities

• Support and provide advice on 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s purpose, vision, goals and activities. 
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress. 
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
  • Contribute to regular reviews of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s own governance. 
  • Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Harness personal and professional networks to support our fundraising strategy.
• Keep abreast of changes in 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s operating environment.
• Use independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.
• Contribute to the broader promotion of 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO’s objectives, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
• Jointly with other Trustees, to hold the charity ‘in trust’ for current and future beneficiaries.

Support

• 2-3 Degrees Legacy CIO is committed to developing and supporting our Trustees throughout their time on the Board, from initial induction to training and mentoring.

Time commitment

• Trustees are volunteers. You should be able to commit at least half day a month (4 hours) to support the work of the charity. This will include keeping abreast of the work of the charity through reading staff reports and attending Trustee Board meetings four times a year, responding to emails and providing advice and support to staff as necessary. In addition, you should be able to attend at least one full Board Development Day per year.

• Alongside this, Trustees are expected to have a passion for the 2-3 Degrees mission and engaging with young people, this should be reflected (but not limited to) attending a minimum of 2 workshops per year to stay engaged with the impact of the organisation and its key events. 

Term of office

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office.

*Read more about our organisation via the attached PDF, which will become visable when you start the application*

Trustee of North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service

Our Charity

North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS) supports anyone affected by domestic abuse and their children living in the boroughs of Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Epsom and Ewell. We provide free, confidential and independent advice, skilled practical help and ongoing emotional support and information, regardless of sex, race, ability, gender, religion or income level.

Historically the service was provided as part of Citizens Advice Elmbridge (West). We have operated as an independent charity since April 2024 (charity number 1203855) and this is an exciting time to help shape the strategy and direction of the organisation.

The board currently comprises of nine trustees and we are looking to appoint another trustee with experience of strategic HR and/or cultural change.

The Role

The duties of a trustee are as follows.

·Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy

·Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations

·Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects for the benefit of the public

·Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets

·Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation

·Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place

·Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation

·Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds

·Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive and other staff members

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise. 

Person specification 

·A commitment to the organisation 

·A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort 

·Strategic vision 

·Good, independent judgement 

·An ability to think creatively 

·A willingness to speak their mind 

·An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship 

·An ability to work effectively as a member of a team 

·A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 

Trustee with Legal Expertise - Join Us in Transforming Children’s Lives! 

At School-Home Support, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to be in school and ready to learn – no matter the obstacles they face. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to ensure that every child is in school, every day, by 2050. We are looking for a passionate and experienced Trustee with Legal Expertise to help us make this vision a reality and have a lasting impact on children and families across the country. 

We’re seeking an individual who shares our passion for improving children’s lives. If you have experience as a trustee and are ready to take the next step in your governance journey, we would love to hear from you. 

Who We're Looking For: 

We are looking to recruit a Trustee with Legal expertise who is passionate about the work of School-Home Support and brings energy, commitment and leadership combined with a willingness to advocate for the work we do and the cause we serve. 

As a Legal Expert Trustee, You Will: 

• Contribute to setting goals, targets, and overall policy for the organisation

• Share your expertise and networks to support the development and growth of the charity. 

• Help ensure compliance with our legal obligations and the organisation’s core purpose. 

• Provide oversight of the budget to guarantee School-Home Support’s financial sustainability. 

• Ensure measures are in place for safeguarding for the children and families we support and the staff team

• Act as a champion and ambassador for School-Home Support, enhancing our reputation, representing us at key events, and supporting fundraising efforts. 

What We Offer: 

• Impactful Role: By joining our Board of Trustees, you will play a key role in shaping our national impact and supporting our mission to transform the lives of children in need. 

• Training & Development: You will receive tailored training specific to your role and access to additional learning opportunities through our staff-led EDI networks. 

• Networking Opportunities: You’ll have the chance to expand your professional network and make valuable connections within the education and charity sectors.

• Support Throughout Your Journey: We will buddy you with a more experienced trustee or corporate volunteer to ensure you feel supported and confident throughout your time with us.

Expectations: 

• Commitment: A commitment of three years to this voluntary role

• Meetings: Attend four half-day board meetings and one AGM each year, which are typically held in Stratford, London, or remotely. 

• Sub-Committees: Participate in one of our sub-committees to help guide specific areas of our work. 

• External Events: Attend 2-3 fundraising events each year (usually evenings) and make at least one school visit annually. 

• Inclusion & Diversity: A strong commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and the promotion of diversity in all aspects of your work. 

If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to creating brighter futures for children and their families, we want to hear from you! 

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please review the Trustee Pack and submit your application today!

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 67% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

About the Role

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Scotland (SWS) Board of Trustees as Trustee and Treasurer

Our Trustees support all aspects of our work, with the aim of providing strategic support, governance and assurance that enables us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.

As Treasurer, you will work with the Chair and Head of Smart Works Scotland to ensure the charity is well-run and effective, and with Smart Works Charity on key financial activities throughout the financial year.

The Treasurer has oversight of the financial strategy and management of Smart Works Scotland, monitoring the financial health of the charity and ensuring the wider Board are provided with the financial information they need to make well considered decisions. This includes producing monthly management accounts and monitoring monthly income with the Head of Scotland and the relevant staff members.

How to Apply

If you are interested in learning more about the role before applying, please email us to be connected with a member of the Smart Works Scotland Board of Trustees. You can also view the ful role descriptrion on our website. 

To apply for this position please apply via our online portal by Midnight on Sunday 6th July. If you require any adjustments for your application, please email us and we'd be happy to help. 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a first interview on either 10th/11th July via Zoom and then final interviews will be week beginning 21st July.

PASSIONATE ABOUT THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS?

We are seeking new Trustees to join the Board of GROW – a small, but growing charity in South Yorkshire, providing bespoke support to women and girls. We have a skilled and dedicated team, with plans to expand and aims to continue to develop effective needs-led services. We need Trustees who can help guide and support us as we continue to develop and expand our range of specialist services.

COMMITMENTS

GROW’s board currently meets approximately 6 times per year, quarterly, with occasional half/full days for service and strategy development.

Your role as a Trustee would include:

• Ensuring GROW maintains its strong values and continues to deliver public and social benefit
• Supporting high standards of governance
• Overseeing the development of policies
• Working within the law, GROW’s governing document
• Participating in decision making, seeking specialist advice where necessary
• Willingness to give the necessary time and effort to undertake the duties of a trustee

REWARDS

• Make a significant difference in the lives of women, girls, and children
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Reimbursement of reasonable expenses
• Work with a supportive team of trustees, staff, and volunteers
• Training on legal duties, safeguarding, and other relevant subjects

YMCA Trinity Group – Trustees

‘Inspiring communities, transforming young lives’

 

Job Advert Ref: Trustees2025

Registered Address: YMCA Trinity Group, Queen Anne House, Gonville Place, Cambridge CB1 1ND

YMCA Trinity Group is seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Trustees. Our programs span Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, putting people at the core of our mission. We take time to find the right fit, believing that open dialogue builds the strongest Board. We're a dynamic, team-oriented group seeking members who can contribute their unique skills and experience.

We are specifically looking for expertise and skills in the following areas;

· Business Development

· Strategic Planning

· Change Management

· People and Culture

· Finance

· Marketing

· IT

YMCA Trinity Group has served local communities since 1852, and we're committed to a Board that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We also welcome young people seeking Board experience.
 

Trustee roles are both rewarding and demanding. Join us in creating new possibilities for young people and communities. If you're ready to make a difference, we want to hear from you!

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

YMCA Trinity Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Summary of the role of Trustee

Trustees are individually, and as part of the Board, the ‘guardians of charitable purpose’, making sure that all Board and Board Committee decisions put the needs of the beneficiaries first; safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation ensuring these assets are used well, and in ensuring that the charity is run sustainably.

But this specific role requires the Trustee to Chair the crucial Board’s Income Generation Committee (IGC).

Like other hospices, in the context of Government decisions about tax and minimum wages and in the generally challenging environment for most donors, we are not able to purely fund our work from current donations, meaning we have been drawing from our reserves.

This has to change if we are to survive and satisfy the ever -increasing demands for palliative care.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Chair the Income Generation Committee, which has the following key priorities:

• Review and constructively challenge the annual fundraising (FR) plans and budget

• Maintain an overview of current fundraising initiatives and their return on investments, working in partnership with the FR team

• Evaluate the risks to achieving projected income streams and advise the FR team and Board accordingly

• In conjunction with the FR team, creatively develop new and potentially high return initiatives that are intended to deliver significant additional income, in excess of current FR budgets

• As part of the Board of Trustees:

• set and maintain vision, mission and values

• ensure plans are in place to deliver income/cost levels that can at least fund current expenditure

• Develop strategy, set overall policy, define strategic objectives and evaluating performance against agreed targets

• Assure continuous compliance with the legal and regulatory standards governing the operation ofthe charity, the charity governing document and any other relevant legislation, updating the articles of association as required.

• Assure proper financial control and ensure the application of resources is exclusively in pursuance of the charitable objects i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are

• Assure the effective and efficient administration of the charity including funding, insurance and premises

• Assure that The Hospice of St Francis pursues its objects as defined in its governing document (e.g. the promotion of any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in the district of providing palliative care at the Hospice, at patients home, in our Spring Centre and in the community, and in particular the advancement of education, the protection of health and the relief of distress and sickness)

• Assure employment procedures and policy and proceduresfor volunteering are compliant with legislation and regulation, subject to regular review and support the fulfilment of strategic objectives

• Assure risk assessments for all aspects of the business are carried out including accurate and timely reporting using the format of risk registers

• To contribute to, assure and maintain effective performance of the Board and Committees, including systems and processes for external assessment of these arrangements

• Support the CEO and Executive Team to fulfil their delegated responsibilities and hold them to account for delivery of strategic objectives

• To attend Board meetings quarterly, up to two Board awaydays annually and serve as a member of up to two Committees.

• Able to be registered as a Directors of the Charity at Companies House, sharing ultimate responsibility for governing the charity and directing how it is managed and run.

• Act as an ambassador supporting the work of the Hospice in generating income and in its relationship with the communities served.

Today Kensal Green Cemetery is at the start of an exciting new chapter in its history.  After several years of hard work and collaboration with stakeholders such as Historic England, a private Bill is currently passing through parliament that will enable the General Cemetery Company to transfer the land, buildings and company into the ownership of a newly formed charity.  As a result, the cemetery will be owned and operated by a modern organisation with contemporary powers and freedoms, releasing it from the constrained governance arrangements of the founding Act(s).

In parallel with the Bill making its passage through parliament, the General Cemetery Company directors are setting up a Steering Group that will form the embryo of the board of trustees of the proposed charity that will ultimately own and operate the site. 

We are therefore seeking three experienced external individuals to join the Steering Group and contribute towards the establishment of the new charity and form the starting point for a larger board of trustees.  It is anticipated that the Steering Group members will transition into trustees in the next 12 months or so as the charity is established.

About Kensal Green Cemetery

Kensal Green Cemetery and the company that owns and operates it - the General Cemetery Company - was established by an Act of Parliament in 1833.  It is one of the ‘magnificent seven’ great Victorian London cemeteries and the only one that remains owned and operated by its original founding company. 

Kensal Green Cemetery is widely regarded architecturally as the most important of the great Victorian cemeteries, containing the greatest concentration of buildings and monuments of particularly high-quality design.  As the chosen location for several Victorian royal burials, Kensal Green Cemetery also became regarded as particularly desirable amongst the great and the good of Victorian and Edwardian society.

Over the last half a century the General Cemetery Company has struggled to keep up with the huge task of maintaining the site to the standard it deserves.  And as time has passed, the General Cemetery Company’s 200-year-old governance framework has become increasingly anachronistic in the modern world, preventing it, for example, from applying for major capital grants or making structural changes to the way the site is owned and operated.  Whilst the company is in reasonable financial shape and actively serving its community with burials and cremations, parts of the cemetery are in poor condition and it contains one of the largest concentrations of ‘Heritage At Risk’ structures in England.

Our vision

The GCC directors and inaugural members of the proposed charity have established an outline vision for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery for the next 25 years to 2050 to give the proposed charity a clear purpose. We have also started to set a series of objectives that the charity must deliver to give its role and function more definition:

The vision is to care for Kensal Green Cemetery as a place of burial, cremation and quiet contemplation for current and future generations of our diverse community.  To do this we will carefully and sensitively conserve and repair our buildings and monuments, promote education about them and improve the condition of infrastructure & landscape whilst operating an active cemetery and crematorium for the public benefit.

The strategic objectives are:

1. To maintain an open and active cemetery and provide for existing and future generations of friends and families of the deceased

2. To conserve and enhance the heritage of Kensal Green Cemetery;( the densest concentration of highly listed heritage assets in England)

3. To continue to operate a high quality, financially viable cemetery and crematorium whilst diversifying income streams from other assets and activities

4. To engage and educate people about the social, economic, architectural, environmental and cultural history of the cemetery and those buried in it

5. To balance the conservation and enhancement of the historic landscape features with nature conservation to provide a green space for commemoration and the quiet enjoyment and contemplation of the community.

We are seeking three high calibre individuals to the following three roles:

1. Treasurer

2. Heritage-lead

3. Management-lead

Further details are provided in the attached information pack however it is key that all three trustee roles are filled by individuals who have board-level experience and experience of charities, and ideally charitable start-ups in particular.

We are looking for individuals who understand and will embrace our vision and who can help to shape plans for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery.

In the short-term the individuals will be members of the Steering Group.  It is anticipated that these individuals will be key members of the team which will create the proposed charity and that their roles will transition to trustees during their tenure.

 

What you will gain

• The opportunity to shape an organisation responsible for one of the most remarkable concentrations of heritage assets in England
• Satisfaction for being responsible for a cemetery and crematorium that is deeply rooted in the lives of the West London community
• The opportunity to develop your strategic and leadership skills
• Working with a friendly and committed team of trustees and staff.

Location

All members of the Steering Group and successor trustee board will be expected to participate fully in the development of proposals for the future of Kensal Green Cemetery including at the attendance of events and relevant meetings on site in London.  It is expected that there will be five formal meetings each year which will be a mixture of virtual and in person that members will be required to attend as a minimum.  During the first formative year or so of the start-up phase we expect the level of time commitment will exceed that of a typical trustee position.

Terms of appointment

The three roles are voluntary and will not be remunerated however reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

The appointment is for a three-year term, which can be renewed for one further term.

About being a Trustee

It is fully expected that the individuals we are seeking for the Steering Group will transition into trustees in due course. More information is available online about general trustee responsibilities from websites such as the Charity Commission however, in summary, trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.  Trustees have six main overarching duties:

1. To ensure their charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit

2. To comply with their charity’s governing document and the law

3. To act in their charity’s best interests

4. To manage your charity’s resources responsibly

5. To act with reasonable care and skill

6. To ensure their charity is accountable.