Trustees sought by the Prisoners’ Advice Service
The Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) is the only independent registered charity dedicated to offering free legal advice and representation to adult prisoners on their rights and prison rules in England and Wales.
At PAS we believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly, properly and with respect. Prisoners can be ‘ out of sight, out of mind’, or considered to not be as deserving of good treatment as other people – but not for PAS; our reason for existing is ensuring that prisoners can fully exercise their rights.
It is my privilege to be Chair of Trustees for PAS, I believe that the work we do is fundamental to my belief that we judge our society by the way in which we treat the most vulnerable people. Contrary to popular culture, prisoners are some of the most vulnerable, neglected people in our society, and I am proud to be a part of an organisation that helps to protect them.
My fellow trustees are an impressive group of people, actively engaged with PAS, who energise me whenever I meet with them. However, our numbers have dwindled over the past year, as it can been difficult for people to fit in the demands of being a trustee around their busy lives. We also very sadly lost one of our most long-standing trustees to cancer – he is still sorely missed by us.
If you feel that you could offer your skills and experience, but most importantly your commitment and enthusiasm to our cause, we would be very interested in considering you joining us as a new Trustee.
As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic governance of the organisation and the setting and monitoring of overall policy; refine strategic priorities; agree targets and budgets; evaluate organisational performance and help the organisation fundraise.
Meetings take place quarterly in central London in the evening (with some virtual attendance), with additional attendance requested at Awaydays and PAS’s Annual Lecture and debates.
The Board encourages applications from candidates with disabilities or experience of mental health services, as well as black and minority ethnic applicants and ex-prisoners.
PAS does not accept Home Office or Prison Service money as this may affect its independence.
Trustees are volunteers, but travel costs and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
Closing date for applications: Friday 13th June, 2025. Interviews will take place on Monday 23rd June, 2025 at PAS’s offices in central London or virtually via Zoom/Teams.
If you are interested in playing a strategic role in PAS’s developments, please apply with a current CV and covering letter.
If you would like to talk to me about the role, I would be happy to set up a meeting with you – please email the admin address above, and we will arrange this.
Thank you.
Dominique Webb
Chair of Trustees
PRISONERS’ ADVICE SERVICE
TRUSTEE ROLE DESCRIPTION
Purpose
Trustees collectively hold legal responsibility for the charity, and are entrusted to ensure that the organisation runs in accordance with its constitution, Charity, Company Employment and any other legislation or regulations relating to it.
Trustees set and maintain the overall vision, mission and values of the Charity, evaluating performance against agreed targets, and setting out plans for improvements and changes as needed to ensure that the charity remains a going concern.
We are keen to recruit trustees who have direct experience of the prison system, as we believe this brings a unique perspective to our Trustee Board.
Main responsibilities
With other trustees:
- Act at all times in the best interests of the charity.
- Ensure that the policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims, fit for purpose and reviewed appropriately.
- Ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
- Take part in formulating and reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation.
- Contribute specific skills or interests in order to support the committee with
- Monitor all aspects of PAS’s work, as required by the Chair and Trustee Board
- Oversee employment procedures and respect the roles of staff/volunteers within PAS, and to take interest in the progression of their roles within the organisation.
You will be expected to:
- Attend quarterly management committee meetings, including reading and reviewing all documentation in advance.
- Attend additional reviews, induction training and Awayday sessions as requested (and with sufficient notice).
- Reflect the organisation's vision and principles, strategy and major policies at all times.
- Be an active member of the trustee body in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
- Fulfill such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Chair.
What we are looking for:
- To have an interest in the welfare and legal representation of prisoners, and a belief in rehabilitation as the primary purpose of prison
- Willingness and ability to commit the required time to undertake Board duties
- Willingness and ability to serve on appropriate formal and informal committees / advisory groups relating to specific functions or projects
- Willingness and commitment to read, question and understand information about PAS (and its key messages) so as to be an effective ambassador for the organisation
- Ability to think strategically, creatively and for the long-term
- Knowledge of and ability to discharge the core responsibilities of being a charity trustee
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Thank you!
This is an exciting time to be joining UoGSU as we are implementing our new strategy. As an organisation we have been focused on communities, change and the education of our members.
We are looking for a trustee with experience and expertise in finance – this trustee will sit on our Audit and Risk committee. You will be a qualified accountant with experience of financial management, governance and oversight and an understanding of financial audit best practice. Previous experience of Audit and Risk committee work is of interest but not essential.
The individual appointed as trustee will need to be sympathetic to the aims of the SU and more generally share a commitment to the broader values of the student movement; student representation, student rights and the student experience – and the importance of students having a platform to organize together to help make these values a reality.
The role requires a careful balance; trustees need to respect the democratic will of the membership where possible but also be willing to think creatively, challenge constructively and point out potential risk. The Board is comprised of External Trustees, Officer Trustees and Student Trustees and oversees the work of a team of permanent staff a led by the Chief Executive.
An eye for detail to ensure the SU is being well governed and the ability to see future opportunities are also important.
The role is to serve on the board of trustees. Each term lasts 3 years and trustees can serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms. Extensions are dependent on re-election to the board.
General candidate requirements:
All candidates will need to be comfortable reading and understanding financial information (or be willing to learn more about this aspect of the role). They should also have the following:
- An understanding of business management.
- A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to attend board andother meetings, including preparing and reading for those meetings.
- A willingness to speak their mind and contribute.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Analytical ability and good independent judgement.
- An understanding and acceptance of the role of a Charity’s Board of Trustees (including the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of Trusteeship).
- A commitment to act in accordance with the Nolan principles for ethical conduct in public service and the SU own values.
Desirable but not essential:
-Recent experience of the higher education sector or of Students’ Unions.
-Experience or knowledge of board governance.
Commitment required
Board Meetings: There are 5 scheduled hybrid meetings each year, usually held early evening and lasting 2 to 2.5 hours, with extra meetings added if required (although this is rare). Each meeting will have associated reading and preparation work. Meetings are usually conducted face-to-face, but trustees may participate remotely depending on their schedule and other commitments.
Sub-committees: All trustees sit on a remote board sub-committee – the Audit & Risk or People Committee. These committees usually meet up to 4 times each year and are scheduled to fit trustee availability.
Board members will also need to be available to approve decisions electronically between meetings if required.
If feasible, Board members are also encouraged to visit the SU and observe major events such as Welcome.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
UoGSU exists to support its members to overcome the myriad challenges they face, so that they can love their time at the University of Gloucestershire
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
What does a Trustee look like?
Look in the mirror!
Right now, less than 3% of charity Trustees are under 30, 8% are people of colour and 36% are women. We are looking for people from across the UK and are keen to recruit trustees from all nations in the UK.
We value the many skills and experiences that you can bring to the Marine Conservation Society. We are committed to a Board culture that enables everyone to be their authentic selves and to enjoy the Trustee experience.
It’s a critical time for our ocean. There is not a moment to waste. Our goal is to recover the health of our ocean so it can help with healing our climate; to make seas protected in law to be protected in practice; and to stop the tide of plastic that’s getting into our waters. By joining as a Trustee, you will help navigate us through the risks and opportunities that we meet.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are essential to achieving ocean recovery so everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect in an atmosphere without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for people to join our Board with expertise in one or more of the following areas – click on the links for a fuller description:
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Governance/Legal – expected to be a legal professional with experience in charity, company or regulatory law.
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Marine Conservation – knowledge of the marine environment, with policy and/or practical experience of conservation. A network of contacts across the marine sector, particularly with business or government, would be an advantage.
What you can bring to our Board can be just as interesting as where you’ve been working. Ideally, you will have the relevant skills and experience set out in the profile but you should not feel prevented from applying if you do not have experience across all criteria. You do not need to have previous charity trustee experience, but you will need to be comfortable participating at a senior level with complex discussions and the need to be comfortable making pragmatic but key decisions.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We tackle the ocean emergency by working with communities, businesses and governments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.