Safeguarding Lead Volunteer Roles in Liverpool

We are a London based charity working with LGBT+ young persons 13 - 25.  We are looking for two trustees. One who could be our Safeguarding Lead and one who has lived experience of the trans community

Background to Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust

Mosaic’s vision is to build a proud, strong and cohesive LGBT+ community that is safe from abuse, free from prejudice, healthy and making a positive contribution to society.

For more than 20 years, we have supported, educated and inspired over 7500 young persons. We offer weekly Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon LGBT Youth Clubs – we offer two meetings because we cannot cover all those who wish to attend in one meeting. Each session attracts 20 – 30 young LGBT+ persons, aged 13 – 19, from across London. Coined by our members as ‘Mosaic’, the Youth Club has been regularly referred to as being ‘home’ or ‘like family.’ We are supported by a dedicated team of LGBT+ volunteer staff role models who run workshops and forums on a range of matters from sexual health to Queer literature.

Mosaic has also developed ground-breaking services for the young LGBT+ community we serve, which are co-produced with our own members. As well as our Youth Clubs we have a range of other offerings:-

● Mentors going into schools and mentoring LGBT+ young persons who are not able to come to our regular Youth Club

● Our “Culture Club” which provides regular trips to LGBT+ cultural events in theatres, museums and other venues.

● Counselling for those who would benefit from professional counselling services offered by LGBT+ therapists

● College and University advice from educational specialists

● Opportunities for work experience being mentored in the workplace by LGBT+ employees

● A range of wellness offerings including mindfulness, yoga and drama therapy

● Summer camp and winter retreat provide opportunities to get away with a group other LGBT+ young persons

● Celebration events like Homoween, Pride Prom and Summer Garden Party.

Our new 18 – 25 years old service has just launched providing Mosaic services to those who wish to continue once they have left our offerings for those younger.

About the current board

Mosaic was originally part of Brent Council’s Youth Service. When that ended Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1166676 in April 2016. The Charity renamed itself Mosaic LGBT+ Young Person’s Trust in April 2020.   You can find out more about our trustees on our website.

All of our Trustee roles are voluntary and unpaid, though we do pay reasonable expenses. We appoint Trustees initially for one year, and then if things are going well for both parties we re-appoint for 3 years, and Trustees can serve a further term by agreement.

What we are looking for

We have spent several years developing a firm foundation, with strong finances and clear policies. We now want to grow our services and programmes even more.

We employ several staff. We also have a great group of volunteers who dedicate time to the Youth Clubs and the other activities. Our Trustees should be very keen to be involved. We want you to be passionate about improving the lives of LGBT+ young persons. We also want you to be able to commit time to getting involved in our Trustee Board, picking up some of the tasks from there and working on them between meetings. We would also expect you to want to attend the Youth Club or some of the special events we run at least a few times a year.

• We need a Trustee with experience of working with young persons who has the experience to be our safeguarding lead. It is a requirement that we have a lead safeguarding trustee.
•  As we look at our Board, and compare it to the young persons who use our services, we do not have enough Trustees who are Trans. We are very keen to increase the number of Trans people on our Board.

We don’t need you to have been a Trustee before – we are committed to providing the training and support for anyone where this is their first Trustee role

How to apply

You will find the job descriptions for each role below. To apply please send us a CV along with a short email on why you wish to be a Trustee at Mosaic. The deadline for applications is 4th December 2023.

All trustee roles require the following:

As a member of Mosaic’s Trustee Board (the “Board”) you help provide overall direction and leadership for the organisation’s strategy, with accountability for the organisation: sound management; financial health and quality of programme delivery.

General responsibilities (common to all Trustees)

In carrying out the collective responsibilities of the Board, individual Trustees should:

· Be an active participant, making relevant skills, experience and knowledge available to the organisation. This includes sitting on the Board and one of the Board subcommittees, occasionally attending the Youth Club and any special events we are holding, and using personal networks to develop connections for the organisation

· Regularly attend Board meetings and prepare fully for those meetings including reading papers in advance, identifying key issues for discussion and providing advice and guidance on areas of expertise. Board meetings are held twice a quarter, in the evening. Preparation should generally take no more than an hour.

· Regularly attend the meetings of any subcommittee of which you are a member. Subcommittee meetings are held once or twice a quarter in the evening and preparation should generally take no more than an hour.  It is expected you will join one subcommittee

· Have prior knowledge of, or take time to familiarise themselves with, best practices of Charity governance and operations including financial management. (We will provide guidance and training on this)

· Develop and maintain a sound and up-to-date knowledge of the organisation’s activities and any wider issues that affect its work

· Actively contribute towards the effectiveness of the Trustee Board, engaging in discussion, debate and voting in a considered and constructive way, participating in induction and training as required, and sharing ideas for how the Board can be improved

· Act in the best interests of Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre, including contributing to fundraising efforts, e.g. through personal contributions, introductions to potential supports and attending fundraising events

· Undertake an annual performance self-assessment, which will be reviewed in discussion with the Chair and Director of Services

· Act as brand ambassador when talking to other professionals raising profile and need for LGBT young persons’ services and placing Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre as a key provider of such services.

For the Trans Trustee role we are not looking for special skills. Just a willingness to get involved, a desire to help LGBT+ young persons, and a determination to share your perspective as a Trans person.  If you have specific skills that are relevant then of course we will want to utilise those but we are not mandating any specific skill set as a requirement.

For the Safeguarding Lead trustee role

Responsibilities specific to this role

· To contribute to the Frontline subcommittee, which makes recommendations to the Board.

· To offer frontline, youth work and safeguarding expertise, ensuring the needs of LGBT+ young persons are always at the centre of what Mosaic does.

· To provide safeguarding guidance and support to staff, volunteers and the Board of Trustees

· To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

Person Specification 

Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate the following skills, qualities and experience: 

· Knowledge and understanding of LGBT+ young people and the LGBT+ community.

· Experience of delivering frontline services to young persons.

· Trained in safeguarding vulnerable young people.

· Sound, independent judgment and strategic vision

· A willingness to speak their mind whilst doing so with tact and diplomacy.

· Confidence to take decisions for the good of the organisation.

· Confident public speaker with ability to inform and influence.

· Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the duties of a Trustee.

.Charity Jobs don't allow you to put your website in the advert.  But if you want to know more about us google "Mosaic LGBT".

Doorstep Library Online Reading Volunteers visit the same families online via Zoom every week to share their love of reading with the children they visit.

Our volunteers don’t just read stories though; they do silly voices, handpick the e-books, and give special recommendations for each child.

Through our long-term approach, our volunteers build trusting relationships with families, helping to connect them with the community and signposting to additional sources of local support. We are there to support children and families who need us most.

Our online projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. We have a weekly volunteer opportunity or a stand-in opportunity. Stand-ins fill in for when regular volunteers aren't available and volunteer every 3 weeks.

Time Commitment: Weekly or every 3 weeks if you are a Stand-in volunteer

Hours per week: 2 hours

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.  

Skills / experience needed

Be able to make a regular weekly commitment if you are a regular volunteer or every 3 weeks if you are a Stand-in volunteer, during school term time of at least 9 months

Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all

Have comfortable fluency in English

Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children's learning

Have excellent communication skills - be able to listen to families and communicate efficiently with Team Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)

Be confident in using technology – for connecting with families via Zoom and completing records

Be organised - be able to multi-task in a multi-faceted role comprising of much more than solely reading to children

Be reliable - always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences

Be friendly - to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team

Be confident - to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer

Be patient, persistent and flexible - tailoring your approach to each family's needs.

Advert for additional trustees

The objective of Self Help UK is to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals through participation in self help groups and peer support activity We are at an exciting time moving from a mainly Nottingham based charity into an organisation working across the UK. We are looking to expand the range of expertise and experience of our Board and are looking to recruit additional Trustees, with skills and experience in the following areas:

• · Experience of attending or leading a self-help group or other peer support activities
• · Financial management
• · Fund raising/social investment
• · Management of a small charity
• · Communications and marketing

Trustees are required to attend four board meetings per year plus the AGM, away days and any sub-committee meetings they are involved in. Most meetings will remain virtual but there will from time to time be a need to attend key meetings and events in Nottingham. The time commitment is approximately 4- 6 hours per month. Trustee positions are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

For an informal discussion please contact our Chair Nina Ennis (contact Katharine for email). To apply for this role please send the following information to Katharine.Mckinnon. 1. CV2. Covering Letter (Please outline how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification). The closing date for applications is 5pm on 15th December 2023. On receipt of your application you will be sent an equal opportunities form to complete. We are committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive community. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. Much of our work has a focus on improving equality of access, opportunity, and care, and we particularly welcome applications from individuals whose experience of inequalities might enlighten our future work.

ROLE DESCRIPTION FOR A TRUSTEE OF SELF HELP UK 

The duties of a trustee are as follows.

• · Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• · Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• · Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• · Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• · Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• · Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• · Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• · Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• · Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Managing Director

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person specification

• · A commitment to the organisation
• · A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• · Strategic vision
• · Good, independent judgement
• · An ability to think creatively
• · A willingness to speak their mind
• · An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• · An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• · A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

We are seeking passionate and empathetic individuals to join our team as a volunteer Been There mentor. In this online chat-based role, you will have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of people struggling with body image issues.

In return, you have the chance to:

• Use your experience to benefit and support someone else
• Make a difference in someone’s life and contribute to changing the current epidemic of body image issues in our society
• Deepen your understanding and skill base with our in-house training course, partnered with The Body Image Treatment Clinic 
• Build your communication and interpersonal skills
• Gain confidence and leadership skills
• Share your personal experiences to help others in need
• Flexible working hours
• Attend virtual meetups with other mentors and experts for support and discussion opportunities
• Enjoy being part of the Been There community, and become part of Been There’s incredible journey.

Our requirements:

All mentors must have had personal experience with body image issues, and are now in a position where they feel able to support someone else through their own.

Alongside this, we need you to:

• be over 25 years of age
• be able to complete around 6-8 hours of online training and assessment 
• successfully undergo all necessary safeguarding checks including DBS and personal references
• agree to Been There’s confidentiality and privacy policy guidelines
• be able to commit to a minimum of six months volunteering with Been There
• have access to a quiet and private environment to complete your online training and deliver one-to-one mentoring sessions (for 1-3 hours per week).
• have a secure internet/data connection in order to access the Been There app

If you are interested in joining our amazing and growing family, then you can apply via our app.

You can contact us via our web page or any of our socials if you need more information.

Description: To transport victims of Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking to a place of safety. You may be the first person to show care and empathy to the victim on their journey to recovery.

Location: Journeys can be anywhere in England & Wales and will be split with other volunteers if over a certain distance or time period.

Accountable to: National Transport Coordinator

Background: The Salvation Army has delivered the UK Government’s contract to provide support for victims of Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking since 2011. As part of the contract, The Salvation Army are required to provide a safe, effective & demand led Transport Service.

What you will do:
• Undertake transport journeys for victims as arranged by Transport Team
• Reply to notifications via smartphone app or text message to advise if you are available
• Complete and submit relevant paperwork
• Ensure that the vehicle used is clean, roadworthy and legal
• Share any concerns about the victim with the transport team or relevant agencies whilst adhering to GDPR

Skills / Experience needed:
• In sympathy with the general aims & values of The Salvation Army
• Sensitive interpersonal & communication skills
• Commitment to safeguarding and a willingness to raise concerns where appropriate
• Understand the importance of confidentiality & be able to keep confidences
• Full driving license and access to a car (maximum 6 points on licence allowed)
• Good organisational skills
• We welcome applications from Husband & Wife / Families or teams of volunteers as all our volunteers travel in a pair

What you will get from us:
• Volunteer induction including ilearn courses (Safeguarding, Data Protection and Diversity, Equality & Inclusion)
• Transport Volunteer Handbook
• Ongoing support from the transport team
• Pastoral support from our chaplaincy network
• Opportunity to debrief after a journey with transport team or Divisional Volunteer Coordinator
• We ensure the safety of our volunteers are at the forefront of all our journeys. All journeys will be risk assessed and the well-being of our volunteers will be checked throughout the journey

Commitment:
• To complete all the required training before acceptance into the role
• A commitment to complete one journey a month or 12 over a 12-month period

To fulfil this role:
• Two satisfactory references
• An informal interview and introductory period
• Mandatory checks including Enhanced DBS
• Completion of all required training
• Have a passion and desire for wanting to transform and support the lives of victims of Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking

Want to work with a team that does something worthwhile? We are proud to work together to Beat Macular Disease – and this has been recognised by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023 list.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to Beat Macular Disease forever.

As part of our Board of Trustees, your role will be to oversee the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. You will use your knowledge, skills and experience to ensure the Macular Society achieves our charitable objectives and provide support and advice on matters that impact us.

We wish to encourage applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds who will bring a breadth of expertise and experience to the Board.

We are keen to ensure we have the right expertise across our board to match our future needs, with this in mind we are particularly looking for candidates who have skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:  lived experience of macular disease, safeguarding, employment law, or experience of translational research and early drug discovery pipeline.  We have a number of roles available, including a lead trustee for safeguarding.

We are passionate about treating people fairly and as equals, doing so is instinctive to us. We know that to Beat Macular Disease for all we have work to do. That’s why we are keen to hear from people of all backgrounds who have the skills and experience we are looking for. We particularly encourage applications from people from under-represented groups, to help ensure what we do and how we do it is inclusive – for everyone.

Many of our meetings are held virtually, however travel to either our head office in Andover or to London to attend in person meetings will be required for this role.

Nurse Lifeline is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation  which aims to launch a peer-led listening service to support the mental and emotional health  and wellbeing of nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and the friends and family of such staff. 

Our vision is to provide a space for all nurses, midwives, health care support workers and the friends and family of such staff to decompress and chat with a peer via a confidential listening service, with your support.  We launched a new email based service which allows service users to be able to offload by emailing in instead of speaking on the phone if they prefer.  Nurse Lifeline aims to foster a positive community, provide encouragement, and empower those within the nursing and midwifery workforce. We believe it’s time to get talking about mental and emotional health.

'Being a Not A Phase trustee has been such an incredible reminder of how a group of people can come together to create change. The mix of trustees meant we helped and learnt from on another with the same common goal.'- Allegra Haines, former trustee

Not A Phase is a registered charity founded in 2020 in response to the huge challenges trans+ people currently face in the UK.

Discovering that there wasn’t a charity which focused solely on the support of trans+ and gender diverse adults, Not A Phase was born.

Not A Phase is a trans-led, grassroots charity committed to uplifting and improving the lives of trans+ adults, through awareness campaigning, social projects and funding trans+ lead initiatives.

The charity aims to give the trans+ and gender non-conforming community space to thrive, whilst working with organisations on D&I strategies to promote positive change.

For more information about our history, funders, our staff team and current trustees, please visit our website

What does being a Trustee mean and who can apply?

Trustees provide advice and oversee the work of charities. They have a responsibility to make sure that the charity is managed and run well including in delivering its mission and strategic plans, making sure that finances are managed responsibly and compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees don’t get paid and this is to ensure that their decisions are for the best interests of the charity and not for their own financial gain. 

Whilst there are some legal responsibilities, being a Trustee is a great experience. Many people join Boards to develop new confidence and skills, to support a cause they believe in and give something back to the community. We are especially keen to make sure that our Board reflects a representation of broader society, and we’re actively encouraging applications from people from trans+, queer, POC, BAME, neurodiverse and those that are disabled.

All Trustees are expected to be an ambassador for the work of Not A Phase, which means being a proud advocate of the rights and equality of trans+ people.

If you’re thinking of applying but you’re not sure if you have the right experience, please get in touch with us for an informal chat.

The Role

As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction and governance of Not A Phase. At this stage, we are particularly interested in trustees with skills and expertise in policy, fundraising and charity infrastructure building. This is a voluntary position that requires a deep commitment to our mission. It would be beneficial (but not vital) if you have worked in the charity sector at some point in the past and have experience of working with a Board of Trustees (either as a Trustee or as a reporting officer to a Board).

Key Responsibilities:

● Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with fellow trustees and senior management to develop and implement the charity's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.

● Governance: Uphold the highest standards of governance, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including Charity Commission guidelines.

● Expertise Contribution: Utilise your expertise in immigration/asylum law, safeguarding, or fundraising to provide guidance, insights, and support in these critical areas.

● Fundraising Support: Assist in fundraising efforts, including grant applications, donor relationships, and fundraising strategy development.

● Safeguarding Oversight: Contribute to the development and oversight of safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring the safety and well-being of those we serve.

● Advocacy and Networking: Act as an advocate for Not A Phase’s goals, leveraging your networks and expertise to advance our cause.

● Continued Involvement: Participate in working groups and offline issues as needed, bringing your specific skills and knowledge to relevant initiatives.

● Risk Management: Help identify and manage risks that could affect the charity's operations, reputation, or financial stability.

Personal Qualities of a Trustee

● Comfortable in public facing roles involving public addresses, engaging with the media, funders, volunteers and a wide range of people involved in the charity

● Integrity and discretion; respecting the confidentiality of information discussed at Board meetings

● An understanding of the legal responsibilities of charity Boards (training available if needed)

● A commitment to the values of Not A Phase and an advocate for trans+ adults.

● Good communication, tact and diplomacy – a willingness to speak your own mind but to listen to the views of others

● Availability to give the required time commitment to support the organisation

The time commitment

The role of Trustee is a voluntary, unpaid position. However, all reasonable expenses (such as travel costs) will be covered by the organisation.

Board meetings are held 4 times a year either in Central London or on Zoom, depending on availability. Board meetings normally take 2 hours. You can expect to commit 8-10 hours a year to participation in the Board meetings. You’ll have a close working relationship with the CEO and participate in discussions that shape the direction of the organisation.

Trustees should be available for events, media enquiries and ad hoc meetings as required and be prepared to give an estimated 1-5 hours per week of voluntary time when required.

We’re looking for an experienced fundraising volunteer to join our team – working with the Trustees and Programme Managers to identify possible funders and take the lead on writing and submitting grant applications on our behalf. 

In 2018/19 Big Leaf was reliant on two main funders for the majority of its income. In 2020 we grew our funding base, receiving funding from 10 trusts and organisations. But as demand for our services continues to grow and the number of displaced young people we’re supporting keeps increasing, we need to build and diversify our funding base further.

Our focus over the next year will be on securing multi-year core funding to build long-term sustainability and help us meet the growth in demand for our services. 

KEY TASKS

• Increase funds by researching and targeting charitable trusts whose criteria match Big Leaf Foundation’s aims.

• Lead on writing grant applications and providing follow-up reports to funders as required.

• Engage new donors while maintaining and developing relationships with existing donors.

• Work with our Partnerships, Governance & Admin Coordinator to ensure funding deadlines, reports

  and donor contact is recorded on our database and shared with the team.

• Provide regular feedback to the Trustees and core team on fundraising activities and opportunities.

• Liaise with other members of the Big Leaf team as needed to fulfil the role.

SKILLS

Essential

• Passion for the role and commitment to our aims and values.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to ‘sell’ an idea.

• Previous experience of fundraising in the charity sector and/or at a community level.

• The ability to build and maintain relationships.

Please note: Recruitment is conducted in line with safe recruitment practices. Applicants for this role will not have regular, direct contact with our beneficiaries and therefore a DBS check is not required for this role. But all volunteers will be required to complete Safeguarding training as part of their induction and training.

• Highly motivated and pro-active.

• Good organisational and project management skills.

• Able to work as part of a team.

About Alopecia UK

Alopecia UK is a charity working to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia through aims of Support, Awareness and Research.  Founded in 2004, we work to help adults, young people and children affected by alopecia.  This includes those with the condition, as well as their loved ones.  We are a small charity working nationally across the UK.  Despite being small, we are the largest alopecia charity in the UK and have big ambitions to continue our growth and development, reaching more people and funding more research than ever before. 

We have a fantastic staff team and board of Trustees, as well as a loyal network of volunteers and supporters. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and innovative applicant to support a small yet dynamic charity, and make a lasting difference to the lives of those affected by alopecia.

Alopecia UK Trustee Board

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Alopecia UK. They represent a wide range of expertise from across finance, healthcare, communications, management and risk; in both private and public sectors.

The Trustee Board meets 4 times a year (two face-to-face meetings and two virtual meetings). Face-to-face meetings tend to be held on Saturdays from approximately 11am-4pm. Virtual meetings tend to be held midweek from approximately 6.30-8.30pm.

Trustees are encouraged to participate in charity campaigns and attend flagship events e.g. our Big Weekend and Alton Towers trip.

Trustees serve for a period of three years, with some trustees serving for more than one term.

The duties of a Trustee are as follows:

• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects.
• Ensuring that the charity complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensuring that the charity applies its resources exclusively in pursuit of its charitable objects.
• Ensuring that the charity defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the charity.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Ensuring the financial stability of the charity.
• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the staff team.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each Trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Please refer to the Charity Commission guidance on good practice of charity meetings, also to Alopecia UK’s Charity Commission records. You can also read Alopecia UK’s 2021-2024 strategy. 

Requirements for the role:

• A commitment to the charity’s mission to improve the lives of those affected by alopecia.
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Strategic vision with an ability to think creatively and generate ideas.
• Good, independent judgement.
• The confidence to challenge, question and speak their mind.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• Ability to work collaboratively and establish credibility with the Charity's trustees.

Additional desirable skills:

• Charity experience/understanding of charity sector
• Legal background (compliance, data protection, HR etc)
• Fundraising experience
• Digital leadership skills
• Medical/clinical background

Supporting Statement

We would love to understand more about you and your reasons for wanting to join the board of trustees at Alopecia UK and this information will be key for us in shortlisting.  Within your supporting statement please comment on:

• Why you want to support the work of Alopecia UK as a trustee
• How you meet the person specification
• What you feel you would bring in terms of experience, skillset, and knowledge base
• Any knowledge/experience you have of Alopecia UK and whether you have been involved in the charity’s work in the past (not essential)

Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words. 

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia simply means hair loss.  There are many types of alopecia, and the charity supports people with all types of alopecia, because the psychological impact can be the same, regardless of cause or type.  The majority of people who contact Alopecia UK have Alopecia Areata, which is understood to be an autoimmune condition.  Alopecia Areata typically appears as patches on the scalp and/or beard. It sometimes progresses to Alopecia Totalis (total hair loss on the scalp), or Alopecia Universalis (total loss of hair from scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and body).  This dramatic change in appearance, while not life threatening, is certainly life changing.  Altered feelings around identity and sense of self can impact on confidence and self-esteem, resulting in psychological challenges being presented in many everyday life situations.  What does Alopecia UK do?

Support – we facilitate peer support through our UK-wide support group network, online peer support platforms, national and regional events, and one-to-one support given to individuals via phone and emails.  We also maintain a website full of information, advice and support.

Awareness – we educate the general public about alopecia through social media, advice packs, events, our website and podcast.  We support various TV, radio, newspaper and magazine (both print and digital) media articles. We also advocate for the alopecia community amongst healthcare professionals and peer charities, with a view to improving the patient experience.

Research – we distribute research grants and lead our own research, with the support of our Research Committee and Lay Research Panel. We also support various research projects by helping to recruit participants for them.  We build awareness of alopecia research within the general public, the alopecia community and the medical community.

Alopecia UK Staff Team

Following 10 years of being entirely volunteer-led, Alopecia UK moved towards having paid staff resource in 2014, eventually culminating in the Charity’s first full-time employees in 2016.  The Charity opened its first office in the same year.  We now have six employed staff, led by our Chief Executive Officer Sue Schilling. Our staff are skilled, enthusiastic, and passionate about delivering the Charity’s aims.

While we have a small paid staff team, we have a larger overall team, as we utilise a lot of volunteer help in order for the Charity to provide the range of services that it does. 

The tenure of our current Co-chairs will be coming to an end in November 2023. We are recruiting for an experienced Chairperson, to collaborate in leading our charity for its next chapter. For full details of this vacancy and how to apply, please read on…

Our charity

ADHD Aware is a national charity, founded in Brighton, UK. We offer a mixture of in-person and online peer support groups – for ADHD adults, their partners, and parents of ADHD children/young adults. Our services also include Webinars, Training courses for individuals and couples, and Neurodiversity Training for organisations. We are predominantly run by Volunteers. Many of our team have ADHD, and most have Neurodivergent family members.

Objectives

• To work with the other ADHD Aware Co-chair and the rest of the Board of Trustees, to continue and to sustainably develop the charity’s work, supporting ADHD adults nationally (and locally in Brighton), primarily through the delivery of peer support services.
• To chair the Board of Trustees, attend relevant sub-committee meetings, and provide supervisory support to our Operational Manager.
• Alongside the other Co-chair, to share tasks and provide leadership to the organisation, with a particular emphasis on valuing the volunteer base and making connections with services and funders.

Responsibilities

• Chairing the Board – Being an effective Trustee and Co-chair, working both in a partnership and a team to take forward the aims and objectives of the organisation. See the list of these dates for 2024 (below).
• Supervision – Supporting and supervising our Operational Manager, working with individual members of the Board as well as the Co-chair.
• Administrative tasks – Liaising with the Board Secretary and Ops Manager to produce the Board agenda and ratify the minutes. Working on the Risk Register and policy updates. Keep abreast of charity commission and funding reports and monitoring deadlines. Writing monthly to volunteers.
• Strategy & planning – Working with the Board on ADHD Aware’s Strategic Plan including the fundraising strategy.
• Charity Commission – Awareness of the requirements and laws around charity status.
• Ambassador – Appropriately promoting ADHD Aware’s work.
• Equal opportunities – Implementing and promoting ADHD Aware’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Safeguarding – Implementing and promoting ADHD Aware’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
• General – Undertaking all other reasonable tasks and responsibilities requested by the Board.

What we’re looking for

Experience, Knowledge & Skills

• Board, chairing & supervision – Experience of being on a Board of Trustees and ideally, as a Chair. Supervisory/person-management experience.
• Understanding neurodiversity – An awareness and understanding of ND and in particular, ADHD.
• Collaborative working – Ability to work with ADHD Aware trustees, volunteers, the wider community beneficiaries, and other partners, so that our work is jointly developed.
• Community development – Demonstrable commitment to including the wider ADHD/neurodivergent community in the work that we do.
• Communications – Ability to share information clearly and to use IT tools. Ability to share information in an accessible and meaningful way with individuals and groups.
• Confidentiality – Ability to maintain confidentiality appropriately.
• Equal opportunities – Good understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and experience of working with diverse communities, cultures, and faiths.

We gratefully welcome applications from anyone who is a good fit for the above.

Additionally, although it is not a requirement of this role, we would like to explicitly invite and encourage applications from people who are racially minoritised, male, and/or physically disabled. These groups are currently under-represented on our Board, and we aim to continually improve our ability to provide relevant and effective support to individuals of all communities and backgrounds impacted by ADHD.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Unfortunately our feline friends can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats. 

What can you expect to be doing?

• Responding to enquiries from the public about lost and found cats
• Keeping up to date records of lost and founds cats
• Matching cats that are reported lost with those reported found
• Advertising lost and found cats
• Providing help and information to owners about their lost cats

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping reunite lost cats with their owners. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Record keeping and administration skills
• Good IT skills
• Patience and the ability to deal with sensitive situations
• Willingness to be part of a team 

Time expectation 

Our lost and found volunteers usually spend between 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Our publicity team leaders have the important role of supporting a wider team of publicity volunteers. As a team our publicity volunteers collectively keep members of the public informed of the vital and varied ways we help our feline friends in need. Raising awareness is crucial to us being able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us. A higher profile can help raise funds, raise awareness of adopting a cat, promote neutering and encourage as many people as possible to learn about feline welfare. 

What can you expect to be doing? 

• Communicating with others including newsletter, social networking and website volunteers
• Advising others on the content of newsletters and web posts
• Interacting with others to make sure information is positive, accurate and consistent
• Liaising with your volunteer group and our National Cat Centre to organise media campaigns
• Responding to local media requests if required 

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by supporting other publicity volunteers in their roles and raising awareness of Cats Protection. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Willingness to be a part of a team
• The ability to prioritise and delegate
• Good IT skills
• Editorial skills and experience in PR and marketing (would be an advantage) 
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation 

Our publicity team leaders usually spend 3 to 4 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

School Partnerships Manager

We are looking for a committed and engaging person to join our small team who are developing AFFCAD UK during an exciting time of growth to ensure our long-term sustainability. This role will be responsible for developing and supporting our relationships with school partners to raise funds and awareness for the work we are doing empowering communities in Uganda.

We currently hold relationships with 3 schools in London. This role will support us to develop and nurture these relationships and develop a formalised strategy for our school partnerships programme over the next 2 – 5 years. 

This is an important but flexible role in which the volunteer can develop their skills whilst working alongside our leadership team and trustees. 

We are looking for applications from a range of potential volunteers that think that they can support this programme – if this sounds interesting to you please do get in touch and let us know how you might be able to help us to grow this important source of income and support young people to become positive global citizens. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and support the implementation of AFFCAD School Partnerships strategy 

• Liaise and develop relationships with points of contacts within existing school partnerships

• Lead on and participate in fun and engaging assemblies and classes for young people 

• Coordinate and attend school fundraising events on behalf of AFFCAD UK 

• Develop a programme/package of activities that can be used to pitch to new schools and provide structure for activities within schools

• Develop policies and processes around our school partnerships e.g. safeguarding, risk assessments 

Requirements:

• Energetic, enthusiastic and hands-on! 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work independently 

• Desire to make a difference 

• Desired: Experience working within a school environment/ motivating and encouraging children and young people

• Interest in education, international development, youth empowerment 

• Proven working experience developing relationships/ experience in fundraising

Time commitment: 

Estimated at 2-3 days/month - this may vary depending on projects/events. 

You can split up your time however best suits you, but would need to be available for meetings/calls with school staff within school hours (9am - 4pm). 

A bit about us: 

AFFCAD UK is a grassroots charity supporting projects focused on youth empowerment, education, health in Bwaise, Uganda. We work in partnership with AFFCAD Uganda to identify needs and deliver relevant programmes in the local community. We are run by a team of part-time volunteers with a full-time love for what we do. 

We’re a great bunch of people to work alongside; everyone has great enthusiasm for our work and programmes and together we pull off ambitious projects like rebuilding Excel Primary School. You’ll be asked to contribute ideas from the get-go and will see how the work you’re doing feeds into our work in Uganda.