External Trustees Volunteer Roles

Voluntary role
Responsible to: Chair of Trustees
Base: the Board works remotely 

Main Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure that SEED and its representatives function within all legal and regulatory frameworks continually striving for best practice in governance.

· Comply with SEED’s Code of Conduct and policies, providing leadership on its value base and organisational behaviour, including safeguarding, human resources and financial management.

· Work alongside fellow Trustees and the Senior Management Team in developing SEED’s strategic direction, promoting and developing this through good governance and clear strategic planning. To evaluate progress made towards achieving the strategic objectives.

• Ensure that SEED operates within its Charitable Objectives and organisational strategy in order that its work remains focussed and makes the greatest impact to those it serves.

• Actively contribute to the development of SEED’s business plan, monitoring and evaluating performance against agreed objectives.

• Prepare for and participate fully in board meetings reviewing all reports coming to these meetings.

• To undertake training when required.

• Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach quick and sound decisions and participate in sub-committees.

· Support the recruitment of senior staff and offer on-going support and monitoring of their work.

· Assist in the recruitment, on-boarding and support of new Trustees when required.

· Act reasonably in decision making and leadership of the organisation and manage risks with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach.

· Maintain sound financial management of SEED’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects and that assets are protected and managed to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.

· Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds.

· Ensure the effective and efficient administration of SEED including having appropriate policies and procedures in place. These policies and procedures are reviewed and signed off by the Trustee Board.

· Ensure that SEED has robust safeguarding policy and procedures in place and that safeguarding is embedded across the organisation

· Safeguard the good name and reputation of SEED, acting in the best interest of the charity, staff and beneficiaries at all times.

· Promote the work of SEED externally seeking opportunities that might further the work and visibility of the Charity.

·  Support the Managing Director in leading the Charity, providing advice and practical help and participating in their annual evaluation.

· Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive or confidential information received through carrying out the duties of a Trustee.

· Remain open and accessible to SEED’s staff through occasional communication and site visits.

Accountability:

As a Trustee you are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity and are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders including: service users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.

SEED Trustees should uphold the fiduciary duty required of all charity trustees to act in the best interests of both current and future beneficiaries of the charity, being held personally liable for any breach of that duty.

Support regarding this is given by fellow Trustees, the Managing Director and the Senior Management team.

Required skills & experience:

The successful applicant will:

• Demonstrate a passion for and sound knowledge of development and/or conservation issues facing least developed countries such as Madagascar.

• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in at least one of SEED’s core areas (community health; sustainable livelihoods; environmental conservation) or in a key functional area (management, finance, marketing).

• Have a reasonable level of understanding of legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity, ideally through experience as a trustee.

• Show commitment to SEED and have sufficient time and willingness to contribute effectively to board proceedings and sub committee work.

• Be able to make quick and sound decisions based on an analysis of information presented to them.

• Have the confidence to both advocate for or challenge ideas and can remain independent of any influence from other organisations or individuals.

• Be able to work effectively as a member of a team and independently.

• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s Code of Conduct and values and be a good ambassador for the organisation at all times.

• Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other Trustees or members of staff in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect the reputation of the NGO.

• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, working within SEED’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately.

• Have empathy with those living and working in a developing country with the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds.

• Have excellent listening and verbal communication skills and a flexible and patient attitude.

We are seeking a new trustee to join our Board. This opportunity has arisen at an exciting time in our journey at St Helena. We have recently agreed a new 10-year vision and strategic direction. However, to achieve our vision we need to find a way through a perfect storm of spiraling costs and increased demand, at the same time as income from traditional fundraising methods is diminishing and inflationary pressures are increasing. To help with income we have set up a subsidiary trading arm to manage our growing range of commercial activities. Already the lead organisation for palliative and end of life care in our area, we want to extend our reach and services to also become a key provider of complex frailty and dementia care. We are exploring moving to a new site and taking the opportunity that presents to develop business cases for new ventures that could be co-located with existing services. We operate two very successful B2B lottery partnerships delivering lotteries for other hospices and charities across the country. We have recently launched a new home care service in partnership with a national franchisor. We have a growing retail arm, with an increasing online presence. We also have a well-established and successful fundraising operation. We want to build on this success and diversify even further. You will be joining a welcoming, motivated, and supportive Board of Trustees, and you will find us a friendly and caring organisation to work with. We are keen to hear from you if you would like to be a Trustee. Previous experience in a management or leadership role and of working at Board level would be an advantage. Ideally, we are looking for someone who is motivated by our social purpose, and who will help us develop and implement new ways of delivering care and support that improve 

Treasurer needed for an established psychotherapy charity. We are part way through a change process at Share having moved premises in 2023. We are developing and strengthening our clinical services, improving our administrative and business systems and strengthening our financial position. We want to build upon our position as a centre of excellence in psychotherapy and make an even bigger contribution to improving mental health in Sheffield.

Would you like to volunteer for an established psychotherapy charity? We work at the vital intersection of psychological distress and poverty in the city and provide an excellent learning environment for qualified and qualifying counsellors and therapists alike.

We’re looking for a suitably qualified accountant to join us as our Treasurer, taking the lead on financial matters but also playing a full role on the Board of Trustees in the overall management of the charity.

The role would suit an experienced accountant wishing to contribute on a voluntary basis to a valuable charitable cause. Equally it would provide excellent board level experience for a young professional at an earlier stage in their career.

We have strong clinical services, administrative and business systems in place and continue to seek to increase and diversify our income. We want to make an even bigger contribution to improving mental health in Sheffield and we’re especially keen to attract people from minority communities to the Board.

For an informal chat please contact one of the co-chairs, Lynn or Astrid.

Tonic is seeking a new Chair to provide inclusive and collaborative leadership to the Board of Trustees. The Chair will be key in helping deliver Tonic’s charitable objectives and optimising the skills and experience of the Board.

For over a decade Tonic has been at the forefront of driving change within the performing arts and wider arts and culture, supporting the sector to achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusion. Our mission is to ensure that the broadest range of people can have art and creativity in their lives, whether engaging as professionals, amateur participants, or audiences. We do this via our thriving programme of sector-wide projects, one-to-one support for arts organisations, training, events and the creation and publication of books and resources.

Founded in 2011, we have successfully developed from an aspirational one-person start-up to a robust, mature charity which has steadily grown its income and workforce. We are now at a stage where we can further professionalise the way in which we operate and govern the organisation, providing a sustainable business model for our planned growth. We are seeking a Chair who will be excited to have the opportunity to review how the organisation is run and promote good governance and best-practise in all aspects of Tonic’s operations.

We are looking for dedicated, energetic and engaged people for the RE Museum’s first independent Board of Trustees.

We have vacancies for up to six Trustees who will join us at a truly groundbreaking time, as we transition into a Charity Incorporated Organisation.

We are building a Board of Trustees with a diversity of backgrounds, skills and experience; ensuring that we are best place to realise our ambitions, improve our public offer, our care for the heritage of the Corps of Royal Engineers and ultimately the positive impact we have on the lives of our growing audiences. 

Further information is available to download in the Trustee Recruitment Pack. We hope that you are keen to apply for the role and thank you for your interest.

Job Description

A contracted Ministry of Justice Approved Premises and Housing Charity working with released offenders on prison licenses and ex-offenders, to break the revolving door of re-offending, homelessness, and prison. Trustees will use their knowledge, experience, and skills in an environment they may not have previously encountered.

What will you be doing?

Trustees meet every two months with the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Charity offices to monitor activities, finances, and development of the organisation, giving advice to the SMT and making such decisions as required to ensure the organisation is acting appropriately to meet the requirements of our stakeholders; Ministry of Justice, National Probation Service, Leeds Local Authority and within Charity Commission regulations. 

The Organisation has grown rapidly, and it is essential that the Board of Trustees develops to meet the broad needs of this Charity. 

New Trustees will contribute to the stability and support, advice, and opportunity that the Charity provides to enable vulnerable ex-offenders to do things differently and by offering their experience and specialist knowledge in the areas identified will add depth and breadth to the existing Board of Trustees.

Additional time and specialist advice given as and when required, will enable the SMT to respond effectively to new challenges and external changes as they occur whilst the SMT concentrate on the day-to-day work of the Charity and its staff.

New Trustees must want to make a difference to individual lives and wider society by supporting the SMT and staff to help those vulnerable ex-offenders with very specific and high-risk offending histories, who are being released from long or repeated prison sentences, to believe that they can live positive fulfilling lifestyles.  It is essential that Trustees can view our service users with an open mind.

What are we looking for?

New Trustees are being sought with experience of Accounting and Auditing, Housing and Private Letting Legislation, accessing Funding opportunities, Police or Probation work, Mental Health, or Substance misuse fields.

It is vital that new Trustees have an affinity with the aims of the Charity and appreciate the value of giving individuals a chance to change their future and leave their offending lifestyle behind and the important role that stable accommodation plays in enabling individuals to turn their goals into reality. 

Not all skills need to be specialist and an understanding of the barriers to prison release re-settlement, housing, employment, and stable relationships that many disadvantaged or vulnerable people in society face on a day-to-day basis is helpful.   

Being able to work within a small team of Trustees and provide good interpersonal, supportive, and positive contributions is important.

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute and would like a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

What difference will you make?

The development and success of the organisation needs to be supported by maintaining the number of trustees and the range of expertise available to provide effective and sustainable governance going forward.  In an environment where government policies and funding strategies are susceptible to change, a robust Board of Trustees will help to maintain the Charity's ability to provide and sustain an effective service. 

This will thereby continue to increase the availability of stable accommodation with support; service user's ability to secure and maintain stable employment; build new relationships and increase access to healthcare and wellbeing support.  As a result, this can lead to reduced reoffending, reduced prison population and cost to the taxpayer and therefore has potential to actively achieve public protection, reduce the impact of offending on victims, families and children of both victims and perpetrators and local communities.

Before you apply

Previous experience of Charity Governance would be useful but not necessary.  Please contact us via Reach with any questions you may have, and we will be pleased to discuss the opportunity on offer.

• Role: provide financial oversight, analysis and strategic guidance to the CEO and board
• Liaises with: Chair, CEO, trustees, committees, external supporters
• Location: Cambridgeshire area/remote
• Voluntary role: reasonable expenses paid
• Term: negotiable, e.g. interim/three years/extendable by re-election
• Application closing date: 31 May 2024

Evolve Counselling is a long-established charitable social enterprise, providing low cost, affordable or funded mental health counselling to adults in Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties. Our professional counselling community is made up of 50 – 60 qualified self-employed practitioners, working part-time to deliver talking therapies both online and in person.

We deliver around 500 counselling sessions per month to a broad range of individuals, many of whom would not otherwise be able to access therapeutic support. Evolve also provides supervision, reflective practice, critical incident support, and mental health awareness and related training to organisations and businesses large and small.

We are searching for an experienced treasurer/finance specialist who can support our board, committees, and the CEO as we move through our next strategic stage of consolidation, then growth. Although long-established and successful, Evolve is reshaping itself and your financial expertise will be instrumental in positioning our charity to successfully meet the ever-growing demands and opportunities for supporting good mental health in our communities. Please note, a background in counselling is NOT a prerequisite for this role.

Including quarterly board meetings, committee sessions (at present virtual), a face-to-face AGM event, away days, and regular meetings with our CEO and the trustees, we anticipate a flexible time commitment of around 2 - 5 days per month.

For further information or an informal discussion of interest, please contact Kevin Bottrell, Chair of Trustees.

Application process: Expressions of interest in the first instance by email to Kevin Bottrell, Chair of Trustees.

Our Chair will review and assess expressions of interest and will then call for applications in the form of a CV and letter setting out the applicant’s motivations, which will be assessed by a panel of trustees under conditions that maximise our commitment to EDI principles. Applicants may be asked to interview, and appointment will be made at a meeting of the board of trustees and ratified by the membership at AGM.

Market Drayton Foodbank is committed to helping those facing food poverty, whilst also seeking to help our clients address some of its underlying causes. The Board of Trustees are looking for someone with accounting experience to join the Board as a Trustee, who will be able to advise on financial matters, ensure we meet our financial obligations and help us build a sound financial strategy as we move forward.

Key Tasks:

All Trustees

• To work alongside the Trustee board to ensure the organisation’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for and on time, independently examined (on income over £25k) and made publicly available when necessary.
• Ensure your charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law. 
• To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as looking after contractual agreements with external partners that award money for core costs and additional projects.
• To help promote the organisation to a wider audience of potential funders and beneficiaries.
• To ensure the Foodbank has appropriate procedures to: comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding & GDPR compliance/data protection etc.
• Act with reasonable care and skill, giving your time, thought and energy to the role.
• To serve as an additional promoter of the Foodbank in the community.
• To work with and support the Foodbank Manager as required

Finance Lead

• This role involves leading on the financial affairs of the Foodbank and ensuring that they are conducted within the required legal, accounting and good practice conventions.
• It is also the responsibility of the Financial Lead to work in partnership with the Chairperson, Foodbank Manager, Treasurer and other Trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the organisation.
• Ensure the Trustee board fulfils its financial responsibilities.
• Ensure that the Foodbank has proper systems for budgeting, financial control, insurance, and reporting.
• Work alongside the Market Drayton Foodbank Treasurer to inform the Trustee board members of the finances of the Foodbank by written report, at least on a quarterly basis ensuring that the board have a clear picture of the financial health of the Foodbank.
• Ensure that financial reports:
• Are comprehensible and properly discussed at Trustee board meetings.
• Are provided in the proper format and at the proper time, as required by the relevant charity regulator body (Charity Commission of England & Wales, Charity Commission of Northern Island or OSCR etc).
• Have properly appointed auditors or independent examiners (on income over £25k).
• Are reported on an annual basis at annual general meetings (AGMs).

Autism Together is looking to recruit two new Trustees to its board. If you are an enthusiastic professional with senior level experience, preferably at Board level, in areas including social care, finance and accountancy, human resources, fundraising, health & safety, and audit & risk, then we would like to hear from you.

Successful applicants will be joining the board of one of the UK’s leading specialist service providers, a charitable organisation which directly supports over 450 autistic individuals, and a staff group of over 800 main staff and 100 relief workers.

Founded in Wirral in 1968, Autism Together is a complex, stimulating, award-winning organisation with an annual turnover of £26m and a substantial property portfolio. The charity provides Residential care, Supported Living, Day Services, and Respite for autistic adults, alongside a range of support for young people and their families.

Our Trustees contribute significantly to the strategic planning and direction of Autism Together and successful candidates will need to demonstrate experience in governance, good communication and an ability to conform to our Trustee Code.

The Board recognises that diversity of Trustees is vital if we are to operate with excellence, and we warmly welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Trustees are expected to attend 8 board meetings per year, become actively involved in at least one quarterly sub-committee, and to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the charity’s work.

We are seeking Trustees who will bring relevant skills and experience in one of the following areas:

⦿ Community-led development and action.

⦿ Financial management.

⦿ Legal and HR experience in the field of commercial and charity law.

⦿ Communication experience particularly in the area of social media.

⦿ IT and governance structures.

⦿ Property and Estates.

⦿ Governance and/or knowledge of quality assurance.

Beyond technical and strategic abilities, we are looking for individuals who are committed to our mission and values, with strong interpersonal skills to constructively challenge the Board and the Executives in the best interests of the people we support.

For more details about this role, please download the Trustee Application Pack below.

You can apply directly via this site, or via our website, or by post at the following address:

Autism Together, Oak House, 6 Tebay Road, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 3PA

Reg. Charity No: 1007878

Opportunity to Make a Difference: Become a Trustee at St. Luke's Hospice

St. Luke's Hospice is here for our local community when and where they need us. As a Hospice we provide compassionate care and work to ensure equity of access to those in the communities we support, whose illnesses are no longer curable.

Our care ensures dignity and empowers people to make the choices they want from the moment they are diagnosed. We provide support from our two Hospices (Basildon and Thurrock) as well as out in the community at a person’s place of residence, when needed. Our team is made up of various health and social care professionals, many of whom work with us on a voluntary basis.

Our organisation is going through an important and exciting period of transformational change, and we are looking to recruit new Trustees to be part of this on a voluntary basis and to help diversify skills and lived experiences that our Board has.

Our Board are collectively responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity working with the Chief Executive and Executive Team. 

We would welcome applications from individuals from a range of backgrounds (private/public/third sector) who have experience of working at a senior level with or without board experience. For an informal discussion about joining our Board, feel welcome to contact Eileen Marshall, Chief Executive.

Role Details

• Salary: The role is unremunerated, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• Contract: Trustees are appointed to the Board which is renewable annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Time Commitment: There will usually be up to eleven meetings a year at 4-6 week intervals. Meetings are currently scheduled for Wednesdays and last for 2 hours. Board members are expected to attend at least eight meetings a year and actively contribute to discussions.
• Location: St. Luke's Hospice, Basildon and possible hybrid arrangements available.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with fellow Trustees and the Executive Team, to set and review strategic goals.
• Ensuring the hospice complies with its governing document, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Attend Trustee meetings (in-person or remotely), which are approximately every 6 weeks and also represent the organisation at external events or other meetings.
• Being an ambassador for St. Luke’s Hospice, promoting its values and work within the wider community.
• Actively contributing to Board meetings and Sub-Committees with insight, perspective, and expertise.

About You:

• Commitment to the mission and values of St. Luke's Hospice.
• Experience in HR, Digital/IT, commercial retail management or clinical.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• A passion for making a difference in the community and improving the lives of those facing life-limiting illnesses.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and independently when necessary.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

At St Luke's Hospice, we are committed to creating an inclusive Board that promotes and values diversity. We particularly invite applications from disabled, LGBTQ+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented. We have procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at all stages of the recruitment process, including the consideration of access requirements for individuals with disabilities.

Calibre Audio is a national charity providing an audiobook and audio content service to anyone who is print disabled.

Our members may be blind, partially sighted, have dyslexia or other learning difficulties or even be unable to hold a book. Whatever the reason for their struggle to access print, our vision is an inclusive society where everyone has access to audiobooks.

This pack outlines more about what we do and the impact of our work which we hope you find informative.

Our Board of Trustees is highly motivated with a genuine commitment to use their business and life experience to help make a difference. We are currently looking to appoint a new Trustee to take on the position of Treasurer, joining the Board to support the charity as it moves into an exciting period of growth and development. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024, it is more important than ever that the charity is well positioned to broaden its membership and to maximise the opportunities presented by the ever-changing technology landscape.

To fulfil the position of Treasurer we are looking for someone who can oversee the monitoring of the organisation’s finances on behalf of the Board. A personal connection to the experiences of our members (visual impairment, dyslexia etc) is useful, but not essential. Other important skills include the ability to be visionary, think strategically and to influence key stakeholders, both within your sphere of expertise and more broadly. Strong communication skills along with a collaborative approach and a commitment to our aims are also vital.

If you have the enthusiasm, skills and experience to help us drive growth and increase our impact, we would love to hear from you.

Are you passionate about supporting people who have experienced homlessness? Do you believe in giving people a second chance?If so, then this opportuity could be for you!

Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland, support people who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness, find a place where they can enjoy companionship and support.

We are about to embark on an exciting project to redevelop our Stockwell Head site based in Hinckely. If you enjoy a challagne and would like to be part of the new look Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland - please get in touch.

Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 2-3 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.

Purpose of the role: 
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life. 

The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity. 

The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic leadership and vision: Guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Lead the development and review of long-term strategies to ensure responsiveness to community needs and adaptability to the changing environment.
• Governance and oversight: Ensure effective governance, oversee board operations, and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and functional responsibilities. Monitor financial performance and adherence to non-profit management best practices.
• Resource mobilisation: Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work.
• Building and leading the board: Ensure the board comprises members with diverse skills and perspectives. Lead recruitment, orientation, and training of board members and facilitate effective meetings and discussions, ensuring productive governance to advance the purpose and values of the organization.
• CEO support and evaluation: Support and maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary. Ensuring accountability for organisational performance.
• Ambassadorship: Act as the primary ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.

Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd May. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

Due to Trustee retirement, Braintree Area Foodbank is looking for a new volunteer Finance Trustee. You will be part of Braintree Area Foodbank's board of Trustees, which provides governance and leadership over a Charity that provided over 12,000 meals last year. Braintree Area Foodbank has grown significantly in recent years, with new, exciting projects on the horizon. The Charity is looking for a candidate from a financial background, with experience of planning, preparing and monitoring budgets with expertise in the preparation of annual accounts. Support is available from a volunteer Treasurer along with additional support and guidance from the Board. If you are looking for a new volunteering role in a fast moving environment that directly supports those in poverty and makes a real difference then this could be the role for you.

Brief outline of Braintree Area Foodbank: 

Braintree Area Foodbank started in 2012. We are a part of the Trussell Trust network of food banks and distribute food and other essentials to people in crisis food poverty. We operate over a wide area around Braintree, with distribution centres in Braintree itself, Great Notley, Sible Hedingham, Halstead and Witham, supported by home deliveries where required. We work with a wide range of frontline referral agencies, voluntary and statutory, which are issued with vouchers to enable them to refer clients to the foodbank, having assessed their needs. Clients then visit one of our centres where they are met with light refreshments and a listening ear. Additionally, in order to try to mitigate the underlying cause of the crisis, our centres have information on a wide range of organisations to which clients may be signposted by one our volunteers.

Key duties and responsibilities: 

• Review timesheets, run payroll including the maintenance of this system. Set up payments for travel and remuneration. This includes managing the Inland Revenue system and the pension scheme.
• Monitor and manage our online finance management system, including updating our internal cash flow report.
• Provide supporting financial information for grant applications. Including monitoring and maintaining records for related expenditure for grants received for inclusion in donor reports.
• Review Charity savings including the investigation for new or renewable investments, with the completion of paperwork as necessary.
• Prepare and present the annual budget for the Board of Trustees agreement.
• Complete the SOFA, balance sheet and notes for inclusion in the TAR. This will include liasing with Trustees to support a Trustee commentary to sufficiently explain financial data.
• Obtaining the acceptance of the TAR from Trustees and organise and attend meetings with the Independent Examiner.

A full job description and person specification can be found attached to this advert.