Low Vision Support Volunteer Roles

Our Trustees are a team of volunteers who use their diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to set the strategic direction of the charity and make sure it’s doing what it was set up to do in the best possible way. 

For families facing tough times, a holiday is a much-needed break from the day to day, as well as giving space and time to breathe, think differently. A holiday is essential for building wellbeing and hope for the future, especially when the present is challenging.

About you

You'll have the energy, integrity, passion, and skills to work with the Board of Trustees, our CEO and staff team, and our community, to drive forward a successful and dynamic future for our charity and the families we support.

We’re particularly looking to add the following professional skills and experiences to our team.

• Developing digital products, tools and/or services.
• Directly supporting children and/or families on an ongoing professional basis.
• Fundraising in a charity through voluntary donations or commercial income.

You don’t need to have been a Trustee before, but you do need to be willing to do some training to help you understand the role and the responsibilities that come with it.

We actively encourage applications from under-represented, marginalised and racialised groups, and those with lived experience of any of the barriers families face to having time away together. That’s things like mental or physical ill health, disability, domestic abuse, being a young carer or living on a low income.

We will make adjustments to our schedule and processes to ensure new trustees can be included and supported in the role.

More diverse perspectives on our Board help us make better decisions for families.

What we offer you

The biggest thing we have to offer is the chance to put your skills and experience to good use making the lives of families who are having a tough time better.

You’ll join a team who really care about making a difference and approach it with real openness and drive. Right off the bat we’ll connect you with the other Trustees and staff so you can get to know everyone, and we’ll buddy you up with another Trustee, so you’ve got someone to help you navigate it all as you settle in.

Expenses

You won’t get paid for your time, but we’ll make sure you aren’t out of pocket by covering the cost of your travel to meetings, childcare or other care if you need it, and a range of other expenses you might have while doing the role. We’ll book and/or pay for these in advance if you prefer.

How to apply

When you click 'Quick Apply' you'll find a link to upload your CV and answer a couple of screening questions.

We will make adjustments to the recruitment process wherever possible to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged for any reason. 

• Monday 20th May - Applications close at 9am
• w/c 3rd June and w/c 10th June  -  First interviews with a panel of current trustees 
• w/c 17th June - Second interviews with Jackie our Vice Chair of Trustees

After the interviews we’ll contact anyone we’d like to join the Board with an offer subject to references and checks.

If you accept, we’ll take up your references, do a DBS check and confirm your eligibility to act as a Trustee. If that’s all ok, you’re in! We’ll introduce you to the rest of the Trustees and get started with your induction.

Formal appointment happens at the next Board meeting which is on Thursday 5th August.

Home-Start in Suffolk is seeking up to four individuals to join our Board of Trustees to offer strategic support and guidance to Home-Start in Suffolk. You will join a strong, committed Trustee Board and help strengthen further the breadth of experience.

We are specifically interested in individuals with some of the following experiences:

• We want to ensure the voice of our clients is informing our governance and welcome applications from those with experience of our work this may be as a previously supported family or volunteer.
• We would like candidates with experience and strong expertise in marketing, networking, or expertise in volunteer management.
• We work across the county and are keen to have a geographic representation on our board. Currently, we have less representation from West Suffolk, Babergh and Waveney so would encourage applications from people living or working in these areas.
• We are also keen to bring further diversity and perspective to our Board. This might include experiences of life on a low income, your challenges in parenting or childhood or receiving support, migration or being in a minoritised racial community, being LGBT+ or in a family with this experience or living with a disability. Your diverse experience can help us as a Board better understand the wider range of families we aim to support.

If you are interested but don’t meet any of the above suggestions, please still get in touch as we will consider a variety of roles and experiences.

Previous experience of being a trustee is welcome but not necessary - we can provide a supportive environment for those wishing to gain their first trustee role.

If this sounds like your type of role, we would love to hear from you!

We hope you will consider making an application. If you have questions about the role and would find it helpful to have an informal conversation, please contact Home-Start in Suffolk and we will be happy to arrange a call. To make an application, please provide:

Your CV – which should include a summary of your relevant experiences.

Supporting Statement – Please prepare a statement (no more than 1 A4 page) that sets out why you are interested in this appointment and highlights the experiences and qualities you believe will help your success in this role.

Please also inform us of any dates when you are not available for interview.

Interview dates: Interview dates will be mutually agreed and held via Teams/Zoom

The application

A standardised scoring system is used to ensure fair shortlisting of candidates for interviews.

If written format is not your preferred method of communication, we can offer the opportunity to apply via voice note or video recording instead. Simply contact us to discuss this option.

Please let us know if we can help you in overcoming any barriers to support you in making an application.

We are hiring! Trustee vacancy

• Time Commitment: typically, 4 hours per month, for a term of 3 years (initial 12-month period)
• Location: Board meetings are held 4 times per year, and we work to find times that are accessible for Board members, which could include evenings and weekends. We meet twice a year in person in Oxford, and twice a year via Teams
• Renumeration: this is a voluntary role and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

About Us

An independent charity, The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) has been leading efforts to incorporate the values of environmental sustainability into the health sector since its establishment in 2008. Our work is underpinned by CSH’s Principles of Sustainable Clinical Practice: prevention; patient empowerment; lean care systems; low carbon alternatives.   

CSH has a particular focus on:    

• engaging those on the front line of patient care and promoting the concept of ‘sustainable clinical practice’ 
• enabling the use of the natural environment at NHS settings to be used as ‘nature-based solutions’ in healthcare.    

As a trustee of our charity, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in shaping our organisation's future direction. The Board culture is friendly and lively, with an openness to creative ideas and input. There is a focus on core mission and values to inform decision making processes.  The meetings will be focused, effective and inspiring, and led in line with CSH’s overarching aim to transform healthcare for a sustainable future.  The Board values diversity and welcomes applicants from a range of backgrounds.  

About You

We particularly welcome new trustees who could bring skills and experience in financial management or legal and IP transfer. Though please do not be put off from applying if you do not have any of these skills or if you have never been a Trustee before.

How To Apply

For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact us. 

To apply, please send an up-to-date CV (or Linkedin profile) and simple covering letter answering two questions:

• why you’re interested in supporting CSH
• what you hope to bring to the Board

Or if you prefer to record your cover letter, verbally or with video, that’s also welcomed. Please contact us if you have any other accessibility needs or if you would like help with applying.

Diverse City is looking for a Chair to the Trustees who will be responsible for leading an effective board, managing the Executive and representing the organisation as an ambassador and advocate.

Diversity is central to our name, our art, and our values. We believe that theatre with its roots in diversity helps us imagine a fairer world, so that we can make one.

The company collaborates on the development and touring of nationally significant work to create equal representation in the performing arts. Our flagship collaboration is with Cirque Bijou. Together we lead Extraordinary Bodies a company that creates bold, provocative new circus performance.

Our mission is to fight for equality in every artistic arena. The boardroom, the audience, backstage and centre stage should all be truly representative, and we’re here to make that happen. We know that career pathways into the arts are only open to the few. This means, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, D/deaf and disabled people, and people from the global majority are all underrepresented in arts organisations, including ours. We want to change that. So, we particularly encourage applications from people from underrepresented groups.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), supported by Arts Council England.

We are entering an exciting period, and the Chair will be key in turning the page to the next chapter for the Company. The Board has recently been revitalised, and the Chair will be critical in driving the governance and Company forward. So, if you have experience and commitment to collaborative working, nurturing the voices and perspectives of all, social justice and the value of the arts, we could well be looking for you.

The key areas the Chair is responsible for are:

• Leading the Board, stakeholder management and organisational governance. Including:
• Setting the Board agenda, ensuring legal and financial governance duties are met effectively.
• Effective operation of the Board in all its areas and responsibilities.
• Build and maintain positive relationships including existing and potential funders.
• Represent the organisation at outside events
• Develop the Charity's vision and strategy
• Line manage the Executive
• Support the Executive in fundraising and encourage Trustees to do so.

We are looking for candidate with the following skills and experience

• Record of engagement in arts & culture
• Commitment & understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion.
• Experience of governance, or other organisational leadership, particularly in arts & culture, a non-profit, charity or public sector setting.
• Familiarity with reviewing or managing budgets.
• Effective, confident & enabling approach to convening & facilitating meetings Experience of chairing or facilitation in both in-person & remote settings.
• Skilled at building & balancing relationships with stakeholders including Arts Council England.
• Enthusiasm & empathy for vision, mission, values & work of the charity.
• Commitment to trustee duties & openness with the charity's team & Trustees.
• Ability to work in a team, accept decisions & be tolerant of other views.
• Commitment to being informed about - and act as a champion for - the charity.
• Ability to treat sensitive information confidentially.

Our candidate pack outlines the responsibilities of the role as well as the skills and experience needed. The candidate pack is available as Audio and BSL versions. Other versions available on request.

What we do

We help everyone use parks and their transformative health and wellbeing benefits. DEFRA estimates that if everyone spent time in parks, the NHS could save £2.1 billion a year, however often the people who could benefit most from using parks, do not.

We work with under-served communities to help them spend time in green space and we support small groups and community organisations to do the same. From supporting people with complex mental health needs to connect with nature and build community, to identifying and removing physical barriers to park access, we work to make sure parks fulfil their potential as free to use, community assets.

The role

As a Trustee with a Human Resources background, you will take the lead at board level, whilst ensuring that the collective responsibility of the Trustees for the management, support and development of our staff is maintained. All Trustees share responsibility for the organisation.

The main responsibilities of a Trustee is to:

• oversee the strategic direction of the charity as it scales to meet demand, and support the CEO in managing this growth;
• use their expertise to help guide the process;
• ensure the organisation works within the law and in line with its governing document and policies;
• keep informed about the activities of the charity in order to maintain effective oversight;
• take a financial overview and ensure that the organisation’s finances are adequate and responsibly managed;
• promote the work and safeguard the reputation of Your Park Bristol and Bath.

Skills and experience needed

You do not need to have prior experience of being a Trustee or experience working with boards. We will provide training to fully induct you into the role and you will be buddied up with one of our longer standing trustees to support you in your first six months.

We are primarily looking for HR professionals who are passionate about the potential of Bristol and Bath’s parks and want to help everyone experience their benefits.

We’re particularly interested in receiving applications from people who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, Disabled people, unpaid carers, or people from low-income households.

Beacon Counselling are looking for enthusiastic volunteer counsellors to deliver across children and young people’s services within the organisation.

The role will require you to deliver across our community counselling children and young people services.

Appointments for services are delivered onsite however on occasion remote sessions may be offered

We are working to bring greater diversity in all areas of our workforce and are taking action to encourage applications from people of colour and other racially minoritised communities, people with a disability, and people who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or older people (aged 50+), to improve the representation of colleagues from these communities, and are a Disability Confident employer.

We particularly want to encourage people from minority backgrounds to apply. If you are unsure about applying or have any questions then please contact us directly and we will be happy to have a conversation with you.

If you have any questions or would like further information regarding the role before applying, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Join our passionate and committed board and help us continue providing high quality, innovative services to blind, visually impaired and those with profound disabilities across the West Midlands.

What will you be doing?

As the specialist fundraising trustee, you will play a pivotal role on the board of trustees in advancing the mission and objectives of our organisation. Your expertise in developing, implementing, and overseeing fundraising strategies and your commitment to improving the lives of adults with care and support needs will be crucial in securing the necessary financial resources. 

Main Duties:

Fundraising Strategy: Provide expertise, advice and guidance in the development and implementation of our fundraising strategy.

Donor Engagement: Collaborate with the board and senior leadership team to develop and monitor the implementation of a comprehensive donor engagement plan that identifies and cultivates relationships with potential donors, sponsors, and partners who share our mission.

Grant Writing and Management: Provide expertise, advice, knowledge, and guidance regarding grant applications, work closely with the executive team to align grant proposals with organisational goals.

Fundraising Events: Contribute to the planning and execution of a community fundraising events program including mobilising volunteers and resources to ensure the success of these initiatives.

Major Gift Solicitation: Collaborate with the board and senior leadership to lead efforts to secure major gifts from high-net-worth individuals and corporate partners, leveraging your network and expertise in donor cultivation.

Online Fundraising: Provide oversight and guidance of our online fundraising campaigns, including crowdfunding, peer-to-peer fundraising and digital marketing initiatives. Monitor campaign performance and adapt strategies as needed.

Budget Oversight: Collaborate with the finance committee to develop and manage the fundraising budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and adherence to financial goals.

Compliance and Reporting: Ensure that Focus’s fundraising activities comply with legal requirements.

Advocacy and Public Relations: Act as an ambassador for Focus Birmingham advocating for the rights and needs of adults with disabilities. Assist in developing public relations strategies to raise awareness and support for the cause.

What are we looking for?

Strategic experience: Proven track record in fundraising at a senior level, with a deep understanding of various fundraising methods, including grants, major gifts, events, and online campaigns. 

Passion for the Cause: A strong commitment to improving the lives of people with care and support needs and a deep empathy for the challenges they face. 

Strong Networks in Birmingham: A skilled networker with strong networks in Birmingham and wider West Midlands area. 

Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to strategically assist with grant writing, donor communications, and public speaking engagements. 

Financial Acumen: Familiarity with budgeting and financial management related to fundraising activities. 

Legal and Ethical Awareness: Knowledge of fundraising regulations and ethical considerations in the non-profit sector. 

Team Player: Willingness to work collaboratively with other trustees and staff to achieve common goals. 

Time Commitment: Availability to prepare for and attend board meetings (4 per year), committee meetings (4 per year), and fundraising events and other meetings as required. 

We are particularly keen to achieve a more diverse Board of Trustees and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

What difference will you make?

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people with care and support needs.
• Networking opportunities with like-minded individuals and organisations.
• Professional development and experience in non-profit governance and fundraising.
• The satisfaction of contributing to a passionate organisation dedicated to making lives better.

If you are a dedicated fundraising professional with a passion for making lives better, we invite you to apply for this vital trustee role. Your expertise will be instrumental in securing the resources needed to enhance the quality of life and opportunities for people with care and support needs in our community.

Would you relish the opportunity to use your skills and experience to improve the lives of one million older people in financial hardship?

Independent Age is looking for enthusiastic and skilled individuals to join our Board of Trustees. If you’re passionate about our cause and want to help shape the future of our Charity, we’d love to hear from you.

Across the UK, more than 3 million older people are living with limited financial means and experiencing inequalities. At Independent Age, we believe that no older person should face financial hardship. That’s why, by 2027, the charity’s goal is to have improved the lives of one million older people. Through our policy, campaigning, information and advice and grant-making we improve lives by increasing the financial well-being of older people in financial hardship, enabling greater choice and independence.

We are seeking to appoint new Trustees to our Board. Board members serve on at least one of our Committees, which oversee our finance, risk, governance, services, and policy work. We estimate the time commitment for trustees to be around one day per month on average. 

We are particularly looking for skills and experience in one or more of the following:

• Fundraising strategy and performance
• Service delivery and performance 
• Grant-making strategy and evaluation
• Impact measurement 
• Investments (experience of social/impact investing would be a bonus)

If you have the passion to support our cause and strengths in any of these areas, we would love to hear from you.

For more information about Independent Age and the role of our trustees, please see the Candidate Pack below. To apply for this role, please visit our website. The application process will require the following:

• An up-to-date CV
• A supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) that outlines what attracted you to Independent Age’s mission (detailed in the Candidate Pack) and how your skills and experience relate to the role of Trustee.
• A completed diversity monitoring form (optional - link included below).

We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. 

Volunteer Receptionist/Administrator

Location: Saint Michael’s Hospice – Crimple House, Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, HG2 8NA

Hours: Flexible hours – Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm. 

Volunteers generally undertake to cover a 4 hour shift 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm

Closing Date: 28th April 2024

Interviews will be held after closing, on or around the 7th and 14th of May 2024 in Harrogate.

An exciting opportunity to join our team of Volunteers supporting the Reception and Administration staff based at Crimple House, who are the first point of contact for anybody arriving at the Hospice.

Key responsibilities will include answering and directing telephone enquiries, greeting patients, patient visitors and staff, ensuring they are warmly welcomed at all times, as well as undertaking a variety of administration tasks using Word and Excel.

The Reception desk is manned Monday to Friday and volunteers can undertake part or full day cover.  The volunteer rota is set a month in advance and volunteers will be contacted to gain their availability at least 2 weeks in advance.

For further details, please see a full copy of the role description attached.

Perspective Volunteers will be contacted via the telephone initially and if appropriate will then be invited for an interview, where they will have the opportunity to see in more detail what the role involves.

You will be joining an organisation that is driven, caring, and responsive and you will be playing an important role in enabling us to provide our highly valued services to the people of Harrogate, Hambleton, Richmondshire, and District.

At North Yorkshire Hospice Care we believe that children, young people and adults should never experience abuse of any kind. Every member of our organisation has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all who encounter our services. We aim to keep people safe and to operate our services in a way that protects them; to make reporting concerns as easy as possible and respond quickly; to listen to all worries and work in partnership with individuals and agencies. All our staff and volunteers receive annual training on both adults and children/young people’s safeguarding. This impacts our recruitment processes and we have adopted a number of safer recruitment practices, which our HR and People team can talk through with you.

We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks being obtained including but not limited to identity checks, DBS clearance at an appropriate level for the role, verification of right to work in the UK, employment references and employment history. Costs of pre-employment checks will be met by the organisation.

North Yorkshire Hospice Care is a registered charity in England and Wales (518905) with a family of services operating as Herriot Hospice Homecare, Just ‘B’, Saint Michael’s Hospice, and Talking Spaces. North Yorkshire Hospice Care is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (2121179).

Our Values at Work

North Yorkshire Hospice Care is clear about who we are, what we do and why we do it. It is our vision; mission and values that underpin this understanding and all three of these areas continue to evolve as we develop in response to the changing world around us.

We have re-examined our values with our stakeholders seeking to define a sense of who we are today. The result? A set of 10 values/behaviours that crystallize this thinking and act as a yardstick for our thinking and actions.

This shared set of values helps guide our decisions, actions and behaviours and is at the core of our collective aspiration to live in a community where everyone gets the care they need to live their last years, months and days with respect and dignity.

NB: This list is not exclusive or exhaustive but captures those values/behaviours currently at the top of our agenda.

· We put the people who use our services at the heart of everything we do

· We are caring and compassionate

· We are personal and supportive in our approach

· We engage positively

· We are responsive

· We are driven to do better

· We are fair

· We are professional

· We work collaboratively

· We are accountable

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.

Trustees - Field Studies Council

Thank you for your interest in being a charity trustee at Field Studies Council. We champion field studies in and beyond educational curricula. We encourage curiosity for the natural world. We practice and promote sustainability.

The Organisation:
We are an environmental education charity, best known for providing residential and day field trips for those studying biology and geography. But our mission is to create outstanding opportunities for everyone to learn about nature. 

We have welcomed over 3.7 million visitors since we opened our first centre in 1946. In 2023 123,000 or so learners visited our centres: most were aged 25 and below and were in school or university groups. We (the Charity and its trading subsidiary) employ 325 or so people and in an accounting context have annual turnover in the range £15m to £20m.

The Role:
Who are we looking for?

You will bring diversity of thought and outlook, as well as new perspectives to the organisation.  You will improve board decision making and outcomes for an increasing range of members of the public, especially children and young people.

To find out more about us, the role description and person specification please download the Candidate Information Pack. 

Person Specification:
You may have had limited opportunity to explore nature, and you might be new to outdoor learning. And not every Trustee needs to be an academic, ecologist or environmentalist or have charity trustee, company director or equivalent experience. We are in particular looking for individuals who are able to bring their skills and expertise in the following areas:

•  Hospitality and tourism
•  The delivery of inner city projects for young people
•  Strategic management and development of a property portfolio

How to Apply:
If you are interested in applying for this role, please ensure you provide:

•  An up to date CV detailing your relevant experience and including the details of two referees (who will not be contacted without your prior consent).
•  A supporting statement addressing the criteria in the person specification and your motivations for applying.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, alternatively please contact Melissa Baxter. 

Closing date for applications: Monday 4th March 2024
Interviews with Field Studies Council: Week commencing 18th March 2024

We are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively across our organisation and to reflect this are keen to have a more diverse Board. Field Studies Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Good Vibrations is an award-winning, national arts organisation that changes lives through music. We work with some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach people in the UK, including in prisons, secure hospitals, and in the community. We are best known for using the Indonesian gamelan, a magnificent set of bronze gongs, xylophones and drums. We use communal music-making to support vulnerable people in challenging circumstances to develop transferable life and work skills and to forge fulfilling, constructive lives.

Our work currently involves a range of projects across the UK, including long-standing weekly music sessions at Bethlem and Lambeth hospitals, projects in around 12 prisons a year in England, and our Resonate programmes in Glasgow, Sheffield and Nottingham, which focus on those with disabilities and mental health issues in the community.

The Board of Trustees upholds the best interests of Good Vibrations, ensuring that we achieve our charitable aims whilst abiding by charity law and other relevant regulations.

Good Vibrations wishes to appoint a new Chair to our Board of Trustees who is experienced in organisational leadership, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  The Chair supports and empowers the Board and CEO to lead the charity so that we achieve our vision, mission and aims, whilst remaining sustainable and ethical.

The Board of Trustees

Good Vibrations is a registered charity in both England & Wales (1126493) and Scotland (SC048860). The charity is governed by the Board of Trustees, which currently numbers five following the standing down of some long-term members.

The Board is vital in Good Vibrations’ governance and is responsible for setting directions in strategy and maintaining oversight over all activity. Trustees also play an ambassadorial role in raising awareness of our work.

The current board includes expertise in arts and culture, legal and charitable affairs, finance and academia, helping to ensure that we extend our knowledge of the issues and challenges we face.

Good Vibrations is regularly in receipt of funding from Arts Council England and Creative Scotland, as well as from the National Lottery and several other Trusts and Foundations. The Board is currently involved in creating the organisation’s next 5-year Business Plan. You can see our most recent Annual Report and Accounts here.

What are we looking for?

The position has become available following the standing down of the current Chair Nick Jolliffe, who has been with the organisation since 2018. The organisation has recently appointed a new CEO, and this is an exciting time of development for the organisation.

As our new Chair, you will help shape the next exciting phase of our future development as we commence our new strategic plan, and embed our newest Trustees within our established Board. Your leadership and commitment will ensure we continue to provide and extend our range of much-needed support and services to our beneficiaries.

The role of the Chair is a voluntary, non-executive appointment. The role requires a commitment of approximately two hours a week, with the capacity to flex upwards should the need arise.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Strong leadership skills that engage, inspire and motivate the Board, staff, freelance team and other external stakeholders.
• Genuine interest and commitment to social justice issues and improving outcomes and opportunities for marginalised people in our society.
• A proven track record in developing strategic initiatives and steering an organisation toward success
• Previous experience on the Board of a UK charity, or operating at a senior strategic leadership level in previous roles
• Knowledge about UK charity governance and commitment to maintaining high standards of governance and risk management in all areas including finance.
• Excellent communication skills and networking capabilities, and able to act as an ambassador for the charity and cause.
• Ability to commit time, interest and effort to conduct the role well.

How our Board works

Trustees meet quarterly at Board Meetings, either in person in London or online from 5.00pm – 7.30pm.  There is also an annual Strategy day in London.

In addition, a Finance sub-committee meets quarterly, looking in-depth at finance and other matters, before putting recommendations forward to the Board.

Trustees do not receive remuneration or other benefits, but all expenses can be claimed including those required to cover access needs such as sign language, interpretation, captioning or travel expenses. The full legal framework for Trustees is laid out in the Articles of Association, which were recently revised in 2022.

Trustees serve for an initial term of three years and will have the opportunity to be re-appointed for a second and final term (maximum of nine years).

What Responsibilities will you have?

Trustees ensure the good governance and smooth running of the charity, supporting the Chief Executive Director, the wider staff team, and our team of freelance facilitators.

ow there are lots of ways that someone can gain experience and insight, not just through professional experience. Having trustees with lived experience of the settings in which we work is essential to our work.

All Board members can have access to training and charity networks to benefit not only the charity, but individual’s personal development.

All Good Vibrations’ Trustees have responsibility for the:

• governance of the organisation in line with legal and financial requirements of the Charity Commission, OSCR, other regulatory bodies, and funders;
• appointment, including the approval of job descriptions and pay levels of members of staff; agreeing terms & conditions and employment procedures;
• recruitment of new Trustees;
• approval of Good Vibrations’ strategy, its business, and artistic plans, and use of resources;
• approval of budgets, annual accounts and financial strategies;
• approval of all policies ensuring that they are updated in line with law and best practice.

The Chair, as the leader of the Board of Trustees, has some additional responsibilities including:

• working with and line managing the CEO to develop the direction and strategy of the charity;
• conducting annual performance reviews for each trustee and the CEO;
• ensuring high standards of governance, risk management and strategic direction
• ensuring that all Trustees have the information available to carry out this task and monitor progress;
• leading and developing the Board of Trustees and CEO including induction, training and succession planning;
• support of the CEO in their role, including developing external relations with key agencies;
• working with other members of the Board to organise and populate sub-committees and short-term working groups;
• planning the cycle of Board Meetings and working with the CEO to set agendas and plan meetings;
• chairing and facilitating Board meetings effectively, encouraging discussion, summarising key points and ensuring decisions are made fairly;
• acting as a principal ambassador for the organisation at Board level and developing external relationships for the benefit of Good Vibrations

Before you apply

Good Vibrations is committed to becoming an organisation that reflects society and promotes diversity of thought and experience and inclusion of those who are historically underrepresented in leadership roles. We would particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of the contexts in which we work, including from people with a previous conviction.

For an informal conversation about the role prior to application, please contact us through details on our website.

Please note this post will require a Disclosure & Barring Service check (DBS) and references.

How to Apply

We welcome all applications but particularly those from individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system, disability, including physical disabilities, sensory impairments, long-term health conditions, mental ill health, and autistic and neurodivergent people. We also encourage applications from those protected under the 2010 Equalities Act due to age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We are interested to hear from those who may not consider a position like this due to social or financial disadvantage. Those with caring responsibilities and on low incomes are encouraged to apply, and we will work to make provision where possible.

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and cover letter detailing your interest through Charity Job. We will also accept applications in any preferred format (including audio or video).

The closing date for this position is 14th May 2024 with interviews to be held on the week of 20th May.  Any access requirements will be met.

Are you passionate about taking action on climate change, biodiversity loss and social equity?

Do you believe that it's possible to meet today's needs without compromising those of future generations?

If you combine these beliefs with leadership skills and governance experience, we want to hear from you. Our Board of Trustees needs you to help us put Sustainability First in the UK.

Who we are

We’re a small, highly regarded think-tank and charity that promotes practical, sustainable solutions to improve environmental, economic and social wellbeing.

What we do

Sustainability First works towards real environmental and social change. Primarily

focussed on the energy and water sectors, we:

• undertake research

• initiate policy discussions

• make complex issues accessible to the public

• promote under-represented voices

• develop solutions to influence Players in the sector

The opportunity

You will be joining Sustainability First at a critical time, when we are stepping up our ambition to drive change in the energy and water sectors in a way that benefits people and responds to the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable future. You will work collaboratively with our Executive Director in meeting our ambitions to scale our work, drive change across the sector and embed the representation of people into decision-making.

This will include six primary responsibilities:

1 Ensure that Sustainability First has a clear strategic direction aimed at fulfilling its charity objectives and that the Strategy is regularly reviewed.

2 Oversee the governance of the Charity with:

     a. an effective, diverse and relevant Board of Trustees.

     b. appropriate policies, processes & financial management such that the Charity operates within the law, in pursuit of its Strategy and demonstrating good practice.

     c. regular and effective liaison, reporting and oversight of the Executive Director, Company Secretary and, as necessary, staff and panel of experts in order to ensure effective and proportionate planning, use of resources, monitoring and reporting by the Board of Trustees.

3 Set the agenda for and chair Board meetings to ensure engagement of, and discussion amongst Trustees based on the best possible information, input from the Executive Director and team, leading to clear and accountable decision-making.

4 Appoint, support and manage the Executive Director on behalf of the Board.

5 Ensure that the charity has an income generation strategy which is monitored and actively supported by trustees and Chair, in order to achieve the Board’s stated objective to build resilience and capacity for Sustainability First to successfully fulfil its charitable objects.

6 Represent the charity externally as required.

Skills

After many years of service to our charity, our current Chair is retiring. At a time of opportunity and challenge for our organisation, we’re looking for someone with a proven track record of leadership at board level, ideally in the UK charity sector. Your experience of running and growing a small but impactful organisation in a professional or voluntary capacity will be crucial to the work of our Board, dedicated staff and expert associates.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, you will draw on your experience of collegiate collaboration, positive decision-making and effective problem-solving to help ensure funding, organisational excellence, and ultimately environmental and social change.

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR CHAIR

The ideal candidate will have proven knowledge/ skills/ experience in the following areas:

• Governance and board experience (essential) and in a chairing or leadership role (desirable)
• *Demonstrable leadership skills consistent with Sustainability First’s values and charitable purpose (essential)
• *Ability to both manage and support the Board and Executive Director to help achieve the best outcomes (essential)
• Support the vision and mission of the charity (essential) with experience, networks and profile in one or more of our areas of operation (desirable)
• *Sufficient time and energy to fulfil the role (essential)
• A growth mindset* (essential) and income generation experience (desirable)
• *Experience of small organisations and their particular challenges in a professional or voluntary capacity (essential)
• Experience of working within the UK Charity Sector (desirable)

In addition to preparing for and chairing the Board, the Chair will be an ex officio member of all Board Panels, will line manage the Executive Director and will represent the charity externally as requested.

The commitment is likely to average around two days per month. The appointment is for an initial three-year term with the option to renew.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 13th May. You can read our recruitment pack in full on our website. Please send a cover letter explaining your reasons for applying, the skills and experience you would bring to this role, and a copy of your CV plus a completed EDI Monitoring Form to our Company Secretary and Head of Finance, Claire Williams.