Policy sounding board volunteers volunteer roles in bristol

Introduction

Do you care about the future of the countryside in North and East Yorkshire?  Do you have skills and experience in supporter development/fundraising that you could bring to our work?  CPRE North and East Yorkshire are looking for a Trustee and Supporter Development Lead to contribute to our important work protecting our beautiful local countryside and green spaces.

Who we are

CPRE campaigns nationally and locally for positive solutions which safeguard the long-term future of our precious countryside. At national level, the charity produces in-depth research and sound arguments to press government, Parliament and other decision-makers to support our countryside, be it national landscapes or simply much loved local green spaces, through policies which ensure:

- The right development in the right place

- Active support to improve biodiversity and 

- Countryside protection from climate change impacts and contribution to climate change solutions.

Here in North and East Yorkshire, the largest of the CPRE regions (6,900 square miles!), we have a successful track record of enabling residents and community groups to help shape development in ways that enrich the countryside around them. We also use our planning expertise to proactively campaign for local authority planning policies that safeguard and enhance our beautiful and varied landscapes.

The role

Our small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enable people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live.  But with your support we can do even more! 

In joining us as a Trustee on the Board you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with our strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations.  However additionally as our Lead for Supporter Development you will use your specialist knowledge to inform and guide the Trustee Board in this area and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims.   As part of this remit, you will also oversee the recruitment of a Communications and Supporter Care Officer (a brand new role) and have ongoing responsibility for communicating organisational requirements and providing feedback to the individual once engaged.

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total. 

What we need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience but we are looking for applicants with manager/senior level expertise in Supporter Development/Fundraising.  By volunteering with us you’ll be using what you know to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside.  Our friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.  Further information on role responsibilities and our skill requirements are provided in the supplementary documents available on our application website CPRENEY. 

Purpose of the Role:
The Treasurer plays a key leadership role in ensuring SAPHNA’s financial integrity and sustainability. In addition to the responsibilities of a General Trustee, the Treasurer provides strategic guidance and oversight on SAPHNA’s financial matters.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee SAPHNA’s financial management, ensuring robust processes and controls are in place.
• Advise the Board on financial strategy, risk management, and resource allocation.
• Work closely with SAPHNA’s management team to monitor budgets, cash flow, and financial performance.
• Ensure the preparation of annual accounts in accordance with charity regulations.
• Present financial reports to the Board in a clear and accessible format.
• Support the development of financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure SAPHNA’s funds are invested appropriately, achieving both security and growth.
• Oversee financial compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Person Specification:

• Proven financial expertise, ideally with experience in financial management, accountancy, or charity finance.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly.
• Commitment to SAPHNA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Experience in governance, leadership, or financial oversight.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other Trustees and SAPHNA’s management team.

Time Commitment:
Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings, participation in working groups or committees, and occasional representation of SAPHNA at events. The Treasurer role may require additional time to review financial matters and liaise with staff.

Thank you for your interest in joining our board of trustees. Blue Ventures is an award-winning charity working to rebuild coastal fisheries. We are committed to making conservation work for people, demonstrating powerful win-wins for marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

We have a bold ambition: we’re working to create a world where small-scale fishers have bigger catches, better livelihoods and improved food security, and where healthy oceans teem with life for generations to come.

We are a diverse family of conservation and development professionals. Across 13 countries, our 300+ staff put fishers first. We fight for their rights, support them to fulfil their potential, and supply them with everything they need to manage and protect our oceans in ways that benefit people and nature alike. Our decentralised structure keeps us close to the coastal communities we serve and ensures our work is effective and sustainable.

Blue Ventures is going through rapid and sustained growth and is uniquely positioned to drive impact at scale in the marine conservation sector. We seek new board members to help maintain our commitment to strong and inclusive governance. We are truly committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our global organisation and board and welcome applications from candidates with lived experience in the countries and communities we serve.

If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this role and share our values and ambitions, we would love to hear from you. You will find more information about the role in the rest of this pack and on our website, along with further information about our work and our plans for the future.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Fiona Holmes
Chair, Board of Trustees
 

Location: Global, preferably in locations that intersect with BV’s work in our programmatic countries. (Bristol or London - UK, Madagascar, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal)

Closing date for applications: 15 May 2025, 12:00 A.M GMT.

Start date: June 2025

Contract duration: 3 - 6 years 

We rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities

Blue Ventures is a marine conservation organisation that puts people first. We support coastal fishers in remote and rural communities to rebuild fisheries, restore ocean life and build lasting pathways to prosperity. Our work began two decades ago in Madagascar’s remote coastal communities and is growing globally.

Across a dozen countries, we’re partnering with traditional fishers and community organisations to design, scale, strengthen and sustain fisheries management and conservation at the community level. We bring partners together in networks to advocate for reform and share tools and best practices to support fishing communities across the globe. 

Summary Terms of Reference

We currently have nine trustees on our board and three established subcommittees. One oversees our People and Culture function, one looks after our Finance, Risk, and Audit area, and the other is the Safeguarding Reporting Committee. All three are populated with trustees who are experts in their respective fields.

We are establishing a fourth subcommittee (the programme subcommittee) to address our core mission: supporting coastal communities in rebuilding fisheries and restoring ocean life. Our new trustee will be invited to join one of our subcommittees.

We seek two trustees to join Blue Ventures' Board of Trustees and contribute to the new Programme Committee. This committee provides strategic guidance and oversight of Blue Ventures’ global programme portfolio, helping to ensure its effectiveness, impact, and alignment with our mission to support coastal communities in rebuilding fisheries and restoring ocean life.

The ideal candidate will bring expertise in community-based conservation, small-scale fisheries, environmental governance, and/or international development. As a member of the Programme Committee, you will play a key role in reviewing strategy, assessing performance, monitoring risks, and advising on programme policies. You will act as a thought partner to our executive team and the Board, offering insight, challenge, and support to enable our programmes to grow responsibly, equitably, and with impact.

The Breastfeeding Network's services are essential for both families and reducing pressure on health services. We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure we can meet increased demand.

About The Breastfeeding Network

The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is the leading charity providing infant feeding and breastfeeding information and support that women and families trust at one of the most vulnerable points on their parenting journeys.

We work across the UK and aid women and families to feel supported in their feeding choices and are able to breastfeed for as long as they choose. 

What will you be doing?

BfN is the leading charity providing infant feeding and breastfeeding information and support that women and families trust at one of the most vulnerable points on their parenting journeys. We work across the UK and support women and families to feel supported in their feeding choices and are able to breastfeed for as long as they choose. BfN is a Scottish registered charity and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered at Companies House. 

The Treasurer will work closely with the Finance and Systems Manager and CEO to provide effective leadership on the financial good governance and resilience of BfN. 

 Main duties and tasks

The Treasurer has specific key responsibilities relating to their financial knowledge and experience. These include inputting technical expertise and overseeing where appropriate:

· Budgeting, financial control and reporting; 

· Fraud risk reduction;

· Management of deposits and investments; 

· Contract review and management including potential VAT implications;

· Meaningful reporting to the Directors, regulators and high value/ risk donors; 

· Appointment and management of the auditors; 

· Managing short and long term cash flow and reserves policy; 

· Cost recovery of core expenditure needs; 

· Accounting systems, policies and records 

The Treasurer will also help the full Board to understand and consider the financial implications of significant decisions.

The Treasurer will be one of the counter-signatories for online banking and applications to high value funders. 

For full details, please request the candidate pack from the TrusteeWorks team at the email address provided.

This is a remote opportunity.

What are we looking for?

The successful candidate will have a background as a chartered accountant, with experience of risk and strategy. An experience of working with public sector or charities and an understanding of charity finance will be desirable.

Essential

Qualified accountant with hands on experience of managing the finances of an organisation (or equivalent level, Qualified by experience)

Understanding of charity and/ or public sector finances or chartered / management accountant, ready, and able to proactively gain the understanding and insight on charity and public sector finance required for this role

Basic IT skills relevant to the requirements of the role

Hands on experience of governance in a charity or comparable resource-constrained organisation

Experience of managing relationships with auditors and regulators

Strong affinity with and commitment to the work of BfN

Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to a board and other stakeholders

Understanding and commitment to undertake governance and legal duties, including Treasurer responsibilities in particular

Availability to attend Board, FAR and other required meetings, in person or virtual – dates agreed by consultation in advance

Ready, willing and able to provide ad hoc advisory input as required to the Finance and Systems Manager, CEO, FAR, Chair and wider Board by email and attend remote meetings with BfN        

Desirable

Hands on experience of managing or auditing a charity’s finance

Knowledge / experience of the charity SORP

Experience of contributing to business planning

Knowledge of the infant feeding, early years, health or similar sectors

What Difference will you make?

By contributing to a charity that achieves phenomenal impact for women and families, you will have a rewarding opportunity to apply your skills and experience in accounting and finance, for good. You will know that your expertise and insight can really support in an increasingly challenging operating climate, for charities as a whole, not least in the health and social care sector.

Becoming a Director of BfN you will join a charity which is trusted by healthcare professionals and parents alike for the consistent quality of the services we run through mums and parents who have breastfed themselves. You will know the charity makes a difference and has a track-record of effective management and governance.

Time Commitment

Hours: Anticipated to be between two and two-and-a-half days per month.

Deadline: 9am, Monday 12th May 2025

Help us grow our young charity to get more children learning about germinating, nurturing, cooking and tasting food grown in nature, together with outdoor woodland activities.  This important part of learning is not yet in the national curriculum and school budgets are tight, so we need to fundraise.  Your help with this and the general develpment of the charity will be greatly valued..

We have three other trustees and three executive staff including the two founders. We hold at least quarterly virtual meetings which we'd wish you to attend. 

Most of our work is in West London schools but we also plant large numbers of trees, recenty in a London Park, involving local community volunteers and children from the local schools..

Please get in touch if this of interest.  We'd love to hear from you. .

Your invitation to join the Bath Phil Family
As a new trustee, you will be welcomed by the Board in to this exciting and fulfilling voluntary role and be encouraged to contribute ideas and decisions, and sparing a few hours each month. We meet every two months in Bath (with the option to join remotely usually) to review progress against our strategy, current activities, new initiatives as well as our financial health and development plans. Occasionally, individual trustees attend rehearsals, workshops and meet within thematic sub-groups and we ask that trustees commit to attending meetings and occasional concerts and events.

About you
We are seeking Trustees who have an interest in orchestral music and are willing to take the lead, supporting the General Manager and executive team, in particular:

• Fundraising and development: to help develop our fundraising strategy with experience in fundraising from diverse sources private donors, trusts foundations and public funding to corporate partners, social impact investment and philanthropy.
• HR including EDI: to further develop and embed our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy, along with our other HR policies.
• Branding, Marketing and PR: to strengthen our existing expertise, bringing new insights, networks and ideas to promote our activities.

We also welcome people with

• Experience of working within an arts (or arts marketing) organisation: to provide contextual knowledge of the sector and understanding of arts business models.

About Bath Phil
Bath Philharmonia is a professional orchestra based in Bath and touring South West England. We reach over 12,000 people each year (including 4,500 free gifted tickets to local audiences to encourage them to discover a live orchestra for the first time). through a combination of concerts and projects in communities, with a specialism in working with young carers to help them build personal confidence and supportive relationships through making and performing their own music.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, 2025, and winner of The Federation of Small Business (FSB) Community Award for the South West 2024 and Bath Life Arts & Creative Award 2024, the orchestra is on an exciting journey. A recent highlight has been the release of our Christmas single Love is Enough composed and sung by Young Carers which reached #37 in the charts. The impact of our decade-long project with young carers was shortlisted for a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award – the BAFTAs of the classical music world.

Our Vision is to transform lives through the joy of live orchestral music – and you’re invited to help us achieve this. If you too believe in the power of music, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be joining a committed and dynamic team to support the further development of the orchestra and enable yet more impactful programmes with young carers, primary and secondary schools, disadvantaged young people and support formusic leaders.

Interested in becoming a trustee of an award-winning arts organisation transforming the lives of young people and developing a new generation of audiences across Bath and the South West? Come and join the Bath Phil Family! Please get in touch for a confidential chat or download our application pack for further details. Thanks for your interest in this exciting opportunity and we look forward to hearing from you.

How to apply
If you’re interested in becoming a Trustee with Bath Philharmonia, please download our Trustee Recruitment Pack, before emailing us to outline how your skills and experience could contribute to Bath Phil’s Board of Trustees, along with your contact details. Feel free to include a CV or link to online profile and apply in which ever format you find most comfortable including written statement, short video, audio recording.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 14 May 2025, with interviews scheduled to take place in Bath on Thursday 22 May 2025.

Background to the Role

We are currently creating a brand new three-year strategy, setting out an exciting vision to support, promote and defend the mental health, rights and social position of young people. This follows a period of organisational growth, where expanding services into the North Somerset region, and working in partnership with the local statutory mental health provider, has increased our staffing to over 100 employees.

Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member who is skilled in effectively managing meetings for productive discussions. We are looking for someone with energy and drive and who will ensure robust governance, aligning strategy and operations. A number of our Trustees have been with us for less than a year and we also have a new CEO and a fairly new SLT, we are therefore looking for an experienced hand who is a skilled relationship manager and a decisive leader, capable of listening to all sides and finding compromise to make difficult decisions.

Main Responsibilities

• To be responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and management to the Board of Trustees, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of OTR.
• To chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• To plan the annual cycle of Board meetings.
• To set agendas for Board meetings and review minutes.
• To ensure the Scheme of Delegation to the CEO is reviewed and updated.
• To be knowledgeable about, and abide by, the Articles of Association and Charitable Purpose.
• To represent OTR at functions and meetings, and act as a spokesperson as appropriate.

Person Specification

• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative team member.
• Strategic vision.
• Able to display impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship from the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Excellent people management skills, and an ability to build trusting relationships with Trustees, senior staff, external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to make measured and fair judgements and decisions.
• A regard for Nolan's 7 principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Diversity and inclusion 

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all. We do not claim to be experts in this, but we are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey. 

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end, is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly. 

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism, and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary in order to improve access and ensure an equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR. 

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Off the Record (Bristol) in the recruitment of this role. Please click here to apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format. Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why is OTR’s work important to you and how can you contribute as our Chair?
• Your experience of working at a strategic level and of effective governance.
• How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level

Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application. 

The closing date for applications is Friday, 16th May. Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with the panel at OTR during the week beginning 2nd June.

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation was established as an educational charity in 2003. Our aim is to develop spiritual awareness and to support people of all faiths, and none, by delivering a range of training programmes that allow open-hearted adults to serve their chosen communities through Ministry, Spiritual Counselling and in supporting life’s transitions. Our interfaith ministers bring unconditional love and radical commitment to members of the public through ceremony, ritual, spiritual counselling, and other methods of support.

We are seeking new trustees, with a focus on marketing and/or legal experience, with a commitment to the vision and purpose of the organisation to join our board. Trustees are appointed for a term of 4 years and are essential to the progress and growth of our organisation.

Organisational purpose:

To benefit the public by the education of mature adults in:
• the core principles of the world’s religions, faiths, and spiritual traditions;
• principles and methods of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making;
• and the practice of non-denominational spiritual and pastoral service in the community.

Our Vision

is a world in which humanity awakens into an inclusive global spirituality that encompasses us all in the field of love and life.

Our Mission

is to work towards evolving consciousness in the world, by facilitating open-hearted people to awaken to inner leadership and their capacity for forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace-making.

Ideally, you will have experience working in a not-for-profit organisation and will be passionate about spiritual life and faith-freedom. We would particularly love to hear from anyone with experience of Human Resources, Adult Education, Financial Management, Fundraising, Legal, and IT.

Formal trustee meetings take place with senior staff quarterly, and we hold up to nine trustee-only meetings annually. To ensure our work is collaborative, we also have an annual two-day gathering of trustees and the wider leadership team. All trustees are volunteers, with expenses available for travel to and from meetings and other incidental expenses where applicable. Please note that meetings are currently being held via Zoom.

We have a strong commitment to diversity and aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with on our Board of Trustees. We welcome all candidates irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, culture, religion, age, responsibilities for dependants, physical/mental disability (“protected characteristics” as per the Equality Act 2010), economic status or offending background.

We welcome both OneSpirit ministers and candidates who are not OneSpirit ministers.  However, we expect all candidates to adhere to OneSpirit’s code of ethics.

Thank you for your interest in joining our board of trustees. Blue Ventures is an award-winning charity working to rebuild coastal fisheries. We are committed to making conservation work for people, demonstrating powerful win-wins for marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

We have a bold ambition: we’re working to create a world where small-scale fishers have bigger catches, better livelihoods and improved food security, and where healthy oceans teem with life for generations to come.

We are a diverse family of conservation and development professionals. Across 13 countries, our 300+ staff put fishers first. We fight for their rights, support them to fulfil their potential, and supply them with everything they need to manage and protect our oceans in ways that benefit people and nature alike. Our decentralised structure keeps us close to the coastal communities we serve and ensures our work is effective and sustainable.

Blue Ventures is going through rapid and sustained growth and is uniquely positioned to drive impact at scale in the marine conservation sector. We seek new board members to help maintain our commitment to strong and inclusive governance. We are truly committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our global organisation and board and welcome applications from candidates with lived experience in the countries and communities we serve.

If you believe you have what it takes to succeed in this role and share our values and ambitions, we would love to hear from you. You will find more information about the role in the rest of this pack and on our website, along with further information about our work and our plans for the future.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Sincerely,

Fiona Holmes
Chair, Board of Trustees

Location: Global, preferably in locations that intersect with BV’s work in our programmatic countries. (Bristol or London - UK, Madagascar, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal)

Closing date for applications: 15 May 2025, 12:00 A.M GMT.

Start date: June 2025

Term duration: 3 - 6 years

We rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities

Blue Ventures is a marine conservation organization that puts people first. We support coastal fishers in remote and rural communities to rebuild fisheries, restore ocean life and build lasting pathways to prosperity. Our work began two decades ago in Madagascar’s remote coastal communities and is growing globally.

Across a dozen countries, we’re partnering with traditional fishers and community organizations to design, scale, strengthen and sustain fisheries management and conservation at the community level. We bring partners together in networks to advocate for reform, and share tools and best practices to support fishing communities across the globe. 

Summary Terms of Reference

We currently have nine trustees on our board and three established subcommittees. One is tasked with overseeing our People and Culture function, and the other is Finance, Risk, and Audit. We also have a Safeguarding Reporting sub-committee.

We seek a trustee with expertise in data governance, digital oversight, and Data Protection compliance to support Blue Ventures as we scale our digital infrastructure and strengthen our organisational technology capability. This trustee will provide strategic guidance and assurance over our digital transformation, particularly as we implement changes across enterprise resource planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. The role will also be key in helping to ensure that data governance frameworks uphold compliance, integrity, and ethical standards across all operating regions.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK Data Protection Act 2018, and practical experience advising on digital risk, cybersecurity, and data architecture in complex, international environments. Experience in the charity or international development sector is welcome but not required.

Experience in governance and compliance oversight relating to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of core systems across Blue Ventures is key.

Knowledge of Technology, Service and Change best practice frameworks, including ITIL, TOGAF, APM would be an advantage.

Purpose of the Role:
As a Trustee of SAPHNA, you will play a vital role in ensuring the organisation achieves its mission to promote excellence in school and public health nursing. Trustees are responsible for the overall governance, strategic direction, and financial sustainability of SAPHNA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute actively to the Board’s strategic decision-making and direction.
• Ensure SAPHNA complies with its governing document, charity law, and relevant regulations.
• Uphold SAPHNA’s values and promote its objectives.
• Provide guidance and expertise to support SAPHNA's development and growth.
• Oversee SAPHNA’s financial stability, approving budgets and ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Attend and actively participate in Board meetings (approximately four per year) and contribute to subcommittees or working groups as required.
• Support fundraising, partnerships, and advocacy activities where appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador for SAPHNA, representing the organisation to stakeholders.

Person Specification:

• A commitment to SAPHNA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Experience in governance, leadership, or relevant professional expertise.
• Knowledge of school and public health nursing or the broader healthcare landscape (desirable but not essential).

Time Commitment:
Trustees are required to attend quarterly Board meetings, participation in working groups or committees, and occasional representation of SAPHNA at events.

The HMSA is a small and dynamic charity that helps those living with hypermobility syndromes (and carers and families) to be independent and live well. We also provide education for professionals in social care, health, teaching and local authority employees. We have big plans to expand our offer to our members and professionals, as well as raise the profile of the charity and hypermobility syndromes.  We are seeking to appoint up to 2 new trustees.  Recognising that most people with these conditions present and are supported in primary care, we are particularly keen to recruit someone with a background in Primary Care to help us develop our plans. We are also interested to hear from anyone with experience of strengthening social media channels and comms, especially within a small charity setting.

 The Trustee role involves:

•  Preparing for and attending quarterly board meetings – 2 hours in the evening or a half day on a Saturday (half online/half in person if possible). The in person meetings are likely to be in central London.
• Providing support/guidance to the other Trustees, the CEO as well as staff/volunteer team. This may include small group working in between Board meetings.
• You may also be asked to participate in sub-committees as required.
• Developing and supporting our Clinical Advisory Group and/or Comms work
• Promoting the HMSA to primary care and other health and social care professionals or other relevant external audiences.

​In addition, there may-be other events such as volunteer/staff/member meetings or conferences that would be useful to have Trustee support

We are looking for two dedicated Lay Trustees who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. We are member-led, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in our Lay Trustee roles here at Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union (The SU); based in beautiful Cornwall. We're very pleased to announce the opening of applications for our esteemed Board of Trustees. We are very proud of what we do, and we are looking for two dedicated Lay Trustees who will join our Board to support the strategic direction of the charity. You will need to share the values of the SU and commitment to achieve our priorities, working collaboratively to help take us to the next level. We are a member-led charity, funded by our universities and together with students we strive to create a world class student experience for all.

Our membership comprises of students studying with both Falmouth University and the University of Exeter (Cornwall) which creates a unique and special experience of which we love to be a key part of.

The role of Lay Trustee provides an opportunity to support our President Trustees and Student Trustees, foster a culture of student leadership and deliver a student focused service.

You will be taking up the role at a critical and exciting time, as we are undertaking two crucial pieces of work: finalising our new 2025-2028 strategic plan, and beginning the quintennial review of our Constitution.  If you are excited at the prospect of contributing to the growth and development of the SU, then we eagerly anticipate the possibility of working alongside you to shape the future of our organisation.

We are especially keen to hear from applicants with experience in Finance, Higher Education, Human Resources, Charity or Employment Law.

About Us

We’re an autonomous organisation and we’re funded by the University of Exeter and Falmouth University. Acting independently ensures that we remain entirely focused on our students with one purpose in mind: to improve their student experience.

As a registered charity (1193045), our charitable purpose is the advancement of education, and our funds can for used for this charitable purpose only. This means that as a not-for-profit organisation: any income we gain goes straight back into providing services for students.

We are a member-led democratic organisation; our students are at the heart of everything we do. Our members views, opinions and experiences regarding students’ lives influence decision makers operating at every level, helping to shape the wider student experience and we enjoy positive collaborative relationships with both universities. Students have the power to shape what the Union does through our Annual Student Members’ Meetings and referenda, and they lead our Student Forum, which determine our Union priorities.

We are proud of the range of opportunities and services that we provide to students, which includes student led societies and sports clubs, volunteering opportunities, professional independent specialist advice, academic representation, and democratic activities. We also help students to organise a wide range of events and activities specifically for their fellow students.

Our Board

Our board is unique in the charity sector. We have a young and dynamic board; two thirds of the trustees are either recent or current students at the universities resulting in a purposefully high turnover of trustees. The charity is based in a complex, ever-changing Higher Education sector, working closely with two very different universities.

We have three sets of Trustees:

• Four President Trustees: a President and Vice President from each university, elected by cross-campus ballot. These are student leaders who have either just finished their degree or take a sabbatical to take up this role, in which they are also a full-time employee. Term: one year, maximum of two terms.

• Four Student Trustees: two from each university, appointed via the Appointments Committee. These are current students who offer direct insight into university life. Term: two years, maximum of two terms.

• Four Lay Trustees: appointed via the Appointments Committee. These trustees offer expertise, continuity, and insight. They are experienced, skilled members who enjoy being part of a dynamic board and supporting the younger trustees. Term: three years, maximum of three terms.

The Chair of the Board will always be a President Trustee, and the Deputy Chair will always be a Lay Trustee. Any Trustee can chair one of our three sub-committees: Finance, Appointments, Remuneration and Human Resources.

Why Should You Become a Trustee?

Being a Trustee is a valuable and rewarding experience. You’ll get to make a lasting difference to the lives of our students, and influence how the Union is run. You will use your skills, knowledge, and experience to support the Board in reaching sound decisions. You will be involved in leading discussions, making collective decisions, and identifying key issues. You’ll have the opportunity to mentor and support our President and Student Trustees. As a Lay Trustee, you are eligible to become Deputy Chair of the Board, or Chair of one of the sub-committees.

You will receive comprehensive induction training, and further training relevant to your role as a Chair or member of a sub-committee.

Job Description

We’re looking for someone to work collectively with our board of trustees to provide support and strategic direction to our Students’ Union.

Remuneration: Lay Trustees are voluntary, unpaid roles. However, all reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed, such as travel costs to board meetings.

Hours: Hours can vary however typically each year:

• Four Board of Trustees meetings – each meeting is around three hours long conducted online.

• Additional two (eight for Finance) sub-committees meetings conducted online – each meeting is around 45 minutes.

• There are usually one or two in-person events per year including a Board of Trustees meeting – each event is usually a day and/or an evening event. These are delivered in Cornwall (expenses paid).

Term of office: three years, up to three terms.

Location: Homebased with one or two in-person events in Cornwall per year.

Role Purpose

The Trustees are ultimately responsible, individually and collectively, for all activity within the SU. The Board is legally responsible for our staff, finances, risk management and reputation. The Board is responsible for setting the vision and values of the organisation and for ensuring the delivery of organisational purpose. The Trustees ensure development of and agree a long-term strategy. They approve and monitor plans to deliver the strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• To ensure The SU acts in accordance with its charitable purpose, constitution and other governing documents and relevant legislation while remaining true to its Mission, Vision and Values.

• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees role by determining the Students’ Union strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• Ensure The SU uses its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects/purpose.

• Act as guardians of The SU’s assets and ensure the financial stability of the organisation.

• Prepare for Board meetings by reading through materials and Board papers beforehand, scrutinising information and be able to discuss issues.

• Take advice on matters on which you are not competent to decide.

• Provide support to President Trustees and Student Trustees.

• Take part in Board Reviews and Skills Audits each year.

• Use personal skills and experience to ensure the Union is well-run and efficient

• Seek external professional advice where there may be material risk to the Union or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties or at any other appropriate moment.

• Add value to the Trustee Board and the Union through generating ideas, challenging the status quo, broadening thinking and supporting and promoting innovation and creativity.

• Abide by the Union Trustee Code of Conduct.

CRITERIA

All Trustees must display the following characteristics

Commitment to and passion for The SU.

Willingness and reliability to devote the necessary time and effort.

Strategic vision.

Good, independent judgment.

Ability to think creatively.

An understanding of and commitment to the values and principles of student representation and democracy.

Willingness to speak their mind.

Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Responsible, especially when handling sensitive and confidential information.

A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service.

We are looking for individuals who have skills, knowledge or experience in one or more of these sectors

Finance

Higher Education

Human Resources

Charity or Employment Law

How To Apply

Please visit the role posting on our website for further details on how to apply. We require the completion of a Person Details form, and Skills Audit spreadsheets, along with your CV and covering letter. The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Friday 16 May. Interviews will take place online via MS Teams on Wednesday 21 May, an additional slot is also available on Thursday 22 May if this is not convenient.

You must be available to attend Trustee Training on Friday 20 June, and Board of Trustees on Wednesday 25 June (as an observer), both online via MS Teams. Your term of office will start on Tuesday 1 July.

Eligibility

There are strict conditions placed on charity Trustees by law and all applicants must declare that they are eligible to become a charity Trustee. You will not be eligible if:

• You are on the Sex Offenders’ Register

• You have any unspent conviction for an offence involving:

o deception or dishonesty

o terrorist offences

o money laundering

o bribery

o misconduct in public office, perjury, perverting the course of justice

o contravention of certain preventative Orders of the Charity Commission (Section 77 of the Charities Act 2011)

o attempting, aiding or abetting the above offences

• You have any designation under specific anti-terrorist legislation

• You have been convicted of contempt of court

• You have been removed from:

o trusteeship, or as an officer, agent or employee of a charity by the Court or the Commission for misconduct or mismanagement

o a position of management or control of a charity in Scotland for mismanagement or misconduct

• You have been found guilty by the High court of disobeying a Commission order or direction

• You have an undischarged bankruptcy

• You have a composition or arrangement with creditors which includes an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) and is currently on the Insolvency Service Register

As part of the recruitment process, we will ask you to sign a declaration that you are legally entitled to become a Trustee and commit the required time.

Data Protection

We’re committed to data protection and it’s important to know what’s happening with your data when you apply for a role. That means we’ll only use the information you supply for the purposes of progressing your application (or to fulfil legal or regulatory requirements if necessary) and we’ll never share your information with any third parties for marketing purposes or store it outside of the European Economic Area.

Equal Opportunities

We’re committed to ensuring our workforce accurately reflects the diversity of the world we live in. We positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of their gender, age, home country, ethnic background, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability. All candidates will be treated equally and all appointments made on merit.

Become a Trustee at Sunrise Multicultural Project

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community?

We are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the future of Sunrise Multicultural Project.

As a trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping our strategy, ensuring we stay true to our mission, and supporting the development of initiatives that promote inclusivity and integration. We are seeking individuals with a range of skills, backgrounds, and experiences – whether in community work, finance, governance, fundraising, or marketing – who share our commitment to empowering minority groups and fostering a more connected, diverse community. 

If you are eager to contribute your time, expertise, and passion, we would love to hear from you!

Join us as Dog A.I.D.'s new Honorary Secretary and you would be joining the Board at an exciting time as we have launched the charity’s Strategic Plan with a new CEO supported by a small but strong team, which we will be building further this year. As Honorary Secretary you would be using your skills and experience to support the leadership and strategic direction of our charity as we look to achieve ambitious strategic growth targets over the coming years, becoming a larger, more robust charity with increased profile and reach.

Dog A.I.D. empowers physically disabled people by coaching them to train their own pet dog to become an accredited Assistance Dog. By focusing on the existing pet/owner bond, outcomes for our clients include:

 · increased independence and self-confidence

· improved mental well-being

· reduction in social isolation

· reduced reliance on family members and/or carers.

· increased opportunities, with many of our clients being able to return to work or education, supported by their accredited Assistance Dog.

We are looking for an active and well-organised Secretary who can provide support for our governance functions. You will be required to attend and minute online quarterly Board meetings and other ad-hoc meetings and strategic discussions.