Lay trustee volunteer volunteer roles in Birmingham

Role summary

The Lay Advisory Group helps drive and strengthen patient and public involvement (PPI) within Kidney Research UK and provides opportunities to influence change externally to help transform kidney health. This is a senior volunteer role and will provide effective leadership for the Lay Advisory Group and its work.

After leading the group for five successful years, the current lead is stepping down, so we are looking to appoint a new lead. You can find out more about the group and meet the current members here.

What does the group do?

• Attend and input into group meetings every other month 

• Act as a charity ambassador at events 

• Engage with the charity to advise on projects such as policy, marketing or communications. 

What is the role of the lead? 

• Chair the group meetings every other month 

• Actively lead the work of the Lay Advisory Group focusing on developing a variety of ways to strengthen the patient voice across the charity 

• Work alongside the patient involvement team to identify external PPI opportunities 

• Develop interaction with the board of trustees by sitting as a permanent observer at trustee meetings.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of clinical and support volunteers in 30 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated over 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for a new Trustee with a governance background who can bring a fresh perspective to our board.  Working with the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team to support with charity governance, particularly regarding compliance, statutory, legal and regulatory requirements. As a young charity we still need practical, hands-on support from time-to-time from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role. Being a trustee can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, offering opportunities to help shape the future direction of the charity, enhance the lives of people in our local communities and gain valuable satisfaction of contributing to an effective and ambitious growing charity.

Role Description:

The Governance Trustee will oversee the charity’s day to day governance to ensure we are fully compliant and champion risk management.  They will provide practical guidance on best practice enabling StreetVet to put procedures and policies in place to achieve this.

Role Responsibilities and Duties:

· Play a full and effective role on the Board of Trustees (attend minimum 75% Trustee Board meetings) to provide strategic direction, support in setting overall strategy and policy, as well as, targets and evaluate performance.

· Act as a conduit for governance information between the Trustee Board, CEO and Operations Manger.

· Reflect upon the charity’s performance and advise appropriate changes to practice.

· To recommend work processes where StreetVet can improve its governance requirements.

· Work with the CEO, wider staff team and Board of Trustees to develop and implement strategy for the charity to strengthen our sustainability and integrity.

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience

· A thorough understanding of the Third Sector, Charity Commission legislation and charity governance.

· Ability to advise and recommend governance activities and reviews, where necessary, to fulfil the requirements of Charity Commission.

· Awareness of the challenges a small charity can face in a fast-developing status.

· Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills.

Input and Time Commitment:

· A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected.

· Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

· Attend at least one outreach a year.

· Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours.

o Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees must ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully.

· Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London.

· Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London.

· Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

Personal Attributes:

· Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation.

· Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet.

· Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

· An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making.

· Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

· Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively.

· An ability to think creatively and offer new ideas.

· A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees.

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

· Understanding of how to use Microsoft Teams to facilitate collaborative and remote working or willingness to learn.

About StreetVet

StreetVet is a fast-growing national charity, committed to providing free vet care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness and to keeping pets and owners together to maintain the human-animal bond. StreetVet relies on its team of clinical and support volunteers in 30 locations around the UK to provide free veterinary treatment, funded by grants, corporate and private donors and partners. Since inception in 2016, the charity has treated over 3,000 pets and has won numerous awards including the Vet Trust Award for the Most Trusted Veterinary Charity, Purina Better with Pets Prize and Homeless Link Excellence Award for Excellent Support.

Our Top Priorities

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Fundraising Trustee to work with the staff and Board to develop and build the existing fundraising strategy and capability of this small but rapidly growing national charity to the next step in realising our ambition, whilst embedding good governance, and strengthening the charity’s financial position. As a young charity we still need practical, hands on support from the trustees in their area of expertise while we work to mature into an organisation where the trustees can focus on a purely governance role.

Broad Description of Role

· Contribute actively as a member of the Board of Trustees to provide strategic direction, set overall strategy and policy, set targets and evaluate performance.

· Oversee all fundraising and ensure it is undertaken legally, honestly and accountably. Adhering to the Fundraising Regulator guidelines.

· Work with the CEO, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, Fundraising Manager and Board of Trustees to develop and implement a fundraising strategy for the charity to strengthen our financial sustainability, including maintaining existing donors and developing new funding streams.

· Use pre-existing networks to identify funding opportunities and facilitate introductions as well as strengthening relationships with existing donors and supporters.

· Support the development of a HNW network which will take some creativity in the current climate.

· Oversee the development and use of campaigns, social media and celebrity engagement so support income generation.

· Ensure donor reporting and compliance with fundraising legislation.

Who we’re looking for - knowledge and experience

· Demonstrable experience of fundraising at a senior level within the Third Sector.

· A thorough understanding of the Third Sector, Charity Commission legislation,  charity governance and the Fundraising Regulator’s guidelines.

· Awareness of the challenges a small charity can face in developing long term funding streams.

· Experience of donor cultivation and journey.

· Experience of a diverse range of funding streams such as trust and foundations, corporate giving, HNW, individual giving and commercial income generation.

· Excellent networking, influencing and communication skills.

· Active support of fundraising programme.

· Help to create a culture of philanthropy.

Input and Time Commitment:

· A time commitment of 2-4 hours a month would be expected.

· Trustees are expected to be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues in between meetings, usually via email.

· Attend at least one outreach a year.

· Attend virtual quarterly board meetings, held on third Tuesday of January, April, July, October at 6pm. Meetings duration approx 1 – 2 hours.

o Papers for the meeting are sent the week prior and Trustees must ensure they have read and understood all the information in advance in order to participate fully.

· Attend annual conference – usually 2 days in London.

· Attend in-person annual strategic review, usually half a day, in London.

· Training will be provided to give a good understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, liabilities and responsibilities of trustees.

Personal Attributes:

· Good time management and personal motivation, and ability to work flexibly with a small fast-growing organisation.

· Belief in the vision, mission and values of StreetVet.

· Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

· An ability to think logically and objectively to identify key issues and good judgement to support robust decision making.

· Ability and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.

· Good communicator, able to both empower and challenge supportively.

· An ability to think creatively and offer new ideas.

· A willingness to speak their mind and voice opinions even if these are not shared by other trustees.

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

· Understanding of how to use Microsoft Teams to facilitate collaborative and remote working or willingness to learn.

We are seeking a Trustee with expertise in income generation and sustainability to
help guide the charity through its next stage of development.

You will join a committed Board of Trustees who work closely with our small
operational team. Together, we ensure that Tackle remains financially resilient,
strategically focused, and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of those we
support.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Board’s strategic oversight, particularly around fundraising andl ong-term income development.
• Support the Executive Team to explore and strengthen diverse income streams, including grants, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and trading opportunities.
• Help shape our sustainability plan as we transition from growth to consolidation.
• Champion good governance and ensure that fundraising aligns with our values and ethical standards.
• Act as an ambassador for Tackle, using your networks to open doors, raise awareness, and build partnerships.
• Attend quarterly Board meetings (online and in person) and occasional away days or events.