Trustee Board Members Wanted Volunteer Roles
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We are looking for a new trustee to join our board of trustees, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering and community projects in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
Established in 1969, we are the oldest Volunteer Centre in the country and are deeply rooted in the local community, empowering individuals to contribute positively through volunteering. Our programs support diverse groups, including those living with disabilities and mental health challenges, ex-offenders, as well as marginalised residents seeking employment opportunities.
As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the Volunteer Centre towards its mission of fostering positive change in Kensington & Chelsea. Responsibilities include:
- Attend and actively participate in board meetings, promoting constructive dialogue and decision-making.
- Uphold the best interests of VCKC, maintaining positive public representation and adhering to confidentiality standards.
- Possess enthusiasm for volunteering, willingness to commit time and effort, and desirable knowledge of Kensington & Chelsea and the voluntary sector.
- Demonstrate strong communication, analytical, and collaborative skills.
Join us in shaping the future of volunteering in Kensington & Chelsea. Become a trustee and make a meaningful impact today. If you are ready to make a difference, apply now and be part of something meaningful.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have financial skills and enthusiasm to help an organisation that supports families of young children? You could be the next Treasurer for Home-Start Surrey heath and help drive our vision.
Our board includes people with experience and skills in support for Early Years; we'd expect our new Treasurer to have empathy with our cause and the families we support.
If you have some experience of charity finance, we'd welcome that, although if your experience is from other sectors, please talk to us. Full induction to our organisation will be provided plus specialist support as a new Trustee, including access to external training.
We’d welcome your financial qualification but that’s not a requirement as our finances aren’t complex. An understanding of how charity finance works is beneficial, with the important ability to communicate financial information clearly, especially to other trustees. Support from our employees is always available, as they will be dealing with day-to-day finances.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.
A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, after which we ask for completion of our Application Form.
Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.
Are you interested in supporting children and young people’s education, mental and physical health through the performing arts, theatre and dance?
You could be a trustee for Artemis Studios, a Bracknell-based charity that’s now growing our Board, ready for the next stages of development.
Artemis Studios Performing Arts Schools Limited is a Charity only Registered in March 2022, while our not-for-personal-profit organisation has been providing similar services in Bracknell since at least August 2014 and our roots go back locally to 2007. This, of course, means our charity Board of trustees is still growing, and needs new skills and abilities to achieve that growth.
If you have specific interests or skills in funding, fund-raising, strategic planning or the legal duties of trustees, we’d really like to talk with you; in any case, if you’re interested in helping our organisation’s growth as part of our collective Board, please read on and apply.
We’re interested in you if you’re interested in us!
About Artemis Studios
Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in performing and creative arts, and we’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.
Interest in young people, mental health support, education would be beneficial, but potential applicants do not need in-depth understanding of, or involvement in, our operational cause.
If you have specific experience, skills or abilities in:
- Funding and fund-raising
- Strategic planning for our charity
- Legal responsibilities in a Charitable Company
we’d really welcome your application.
If you have interests other than those, don’t be put off: ask us!
Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee including access to external training.
If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have what our trustees primarily need; you’ll also need to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, under the leadership of our CEO, who works closely with the Board to develop and implement our strategic and operational plans.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our Board, in all meanings, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.
We ask for about six hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc. You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.
What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation?
- An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context
- An opportunity to influence and collectively-lead an organisation supporting the arts
- A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work
- A chance to augment your experience of charities
- A boost to your career and CV, if needed
- Satisfaction of helping a charitable organisation, thus giving something back to your community
- Induction training from us; training, support and assistance from local charity-support agencies
What do we get?
- Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding or experience
- Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future
- Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our charity governance knowledge and operational growth
- Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work
- Your enthusiasm
What do our beneficiaries get?
- The ability to continue our support for children, young people and the preforming arts
- A forward-looking and agile organisation, with a well-informed and well-managed Board of trustees
How to apply
This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification can be made available to you upon request.
You will need to be eligible to be a Charity Trustee and Company Director, which we will explain. Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees & CEO, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.
I need to know more
Apply to this ad or contact Mike Allen for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone)
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.
Media Trust is looking for new Trustees to join its Board to bring different perspectives and areas of expertise to complement and strengthen the Board’s skill set, experience and diversity. The new Trustees will bring enthusiasm for Media Trust’s work as well as relevant expertise, experience and networks to support the organisation in corporate/philanthropic fundraising or its programmes aimed at improving representation in the screen industries (film, TV, and gaming).
About Media Trust
At Media Trust, we believe it’s by giving everyone a voice that we’ll get to a more equal society. That’s why we’re working with hundreds of charities to strengthen their storytelling, advocacy and campaigning, press engagement and social media. We do this through media, communications and digital skills training delivered in partnership with our media and creative industry partners and by matching media industry volunteers looking to give back with charities looking for help with content creation and other comms support. At the same time, our programmes for underrepresented talent are giving young and diverse talent the creative media skills, access and mentoring support to break into the media.
The charity has an extensive network of long-standing media and creative industry partners including Ascential, BBC, BBH, Bloomberg, Channel 4, Dentsu, Edelman, Google, Hearst, ITV, Meta, News UK, Ogilvy, Sky, Talon, Warner Bros. Discovery, WPP and Yahoo, whom it works closely with to deliver its programmes.
Role specification
Media Trust has a committed Board of Trustees and is always looking to bring in different perspectives and areas of expertise to complement and strengthen the board further.
All Trustees are responsible for ensuring that Media Trust acts in the interest of the charities and the underrepresented groups it serves and, in line with its charitable objectives, must ensure that the charity’s performance is evaluated in this respect. In addition to formal Board meetings, Trustees should be willing to engage in other ways, for example by joining a working group or committee for a specified period or providing advice to the senior leadership team on a more ad hoc basis.
It is an advantage, though not a requirement, if trustees have contacts who are interested in supporting Media Trust’s aims.
Person specification
The new Trustees will bring passion and enthusiasm for Media Trust’s work and be keen to learn and contribute to the organisation’s work: bridging the gap between the media and creative industry and broader society to strengthen the voices of charities and under-represented communities.
Candidates should possess relationship-building and strong interpersonal skills and will be expected to act as prominent ambassadors for the charity. Media Trust is open to appointing candidates for whom this would be their first board role and is committed to broadening the Board’s diversity across every axis.
For the current vacancies, Media Trust is seeking experience and expertise in the following areas:
- Industry fundraising expertise: to support the executive team in identifying and securing programme/event sponsors and other sources of industry income. You may have leadership experience working at a media or brand organisation, a marketing or media industry body, or experience as a fundraising professional in the charity, nonprofit or private sectors with strong connections to industry.
- Screen industry connections: to help the executive team secure screen industries’ support (trainers, mentors, facilities) to deliver programmes aimed at getting more under-represented talent into film, TV, and gaming particularly in behind the camera roles, we’re looking for new trustees with deep connections within the screen industries, particularly in development, production and post-production at the major studios, major broadcasters or industry bodies.
Diversity
Media Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.
Media Trust is particularly keen to improve the diversity of its Board and ensure that it is representative of the organisations and communities which Media Trust serves. As people who identify as women or non-binary and people with physical disabilities or neurodiversity are all currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged.
All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, overseen by Media Trust’s Nominations Committee. In line with the Equality Act 2010, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Expected time commitment
Media Trust holds four Board meetings per year which last around 3 hours, not including preparation.
There is also an opportunity, depending on skills and experience, for the new Trustees to join one or more Board committees. The Finance & Audit Committee meets four times a year for c. 1-1.5 hours each time, whereas the Nominations Committee meets according to need.
There is also the option to join the Advisory Board for a specific programme, depending on its relevance and a Trustee’s interest & availability.
Board meetings are usually held in Central London and are hosted at the offices of the charity’s Trustees, with reasonable travel expenses covered. Media Trust is a flexible employer: hybrid and remote working are welcomed, and there will be options to attend these meetings remotely.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for applicants who need additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please see our Equal Opportunities form for more details and do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss if you would prefer.
A guide to timings:
- Deadline for applications: 31 May 2024
- Interviews conducted: June 2024
- New Trustees appointed: July 2024
Please complete and submit our Equal Opportunities form, along with your CV and a covering letter (max 2 pages) describing how your skills and experience match our requirements.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for applicants who need additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please see our Equal Opportunities form for more details and do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss if you would prefer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Introduction
We appreciate your interest in joining Feedback’s Board of Trustees.
This application pack gives an overview of the organisation, the role and the application process.
Feedback was founded in 2009, and in 2013 was established as a charity. The Board of Trustees introduced then has overseen Feedback’s development as an organisation and a programme that has helped make food waste the massive issue it now is in society. Today we are known for tackling issues like food access, justice, and the environmental impact of food production and for piloting alternative models for a fair and sustainable food system for all.
Feedback is at an exciting time in its development. We are looking for someone who can bring passion, experience, knowledge and insight as we continue to help further our mission of a food system that regenerates the natural world while sustaining people on a fair basis.
We have taken positive steps to increase the diversity of trustees on the Feedback Board, but like a lot of environmental charities we don’t have the level of diverse backgrounds, particularly around race and disability, on our governing body we really should. We want to change that.
If you would like an informal discussion about any aspect of the role and / or the organisation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Shirley who will arrange a telephone call with our Executive Director, Carina Millstone or Chair of Trustees, Ruth Chambers.
Here are the profiles for current staff and Trustees at Feedback.
Aims and Activities
Anti-oppressive statement: Feedback is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.
Feedback is a UK and Netherlands-based campaign group working for food that is good for people and planet. We want a world where:
- All people have secure access to delicious, culturally appropriate food that is nutritious and does not cause environmental harm
- Global supply chains, farming and fishing contribute to food sovereignty, good livelihoods, mitigate climate change and enable nature to thrive
- Communities have agency to create food economies that are inclusive, equitable, resilient and celebratory
To meet these objectives, we carry out the following activities:
- We delegitimize corporations
- We ideate and advocate for policy change and regulation
- We nurture community agency
- We widen our circle of allies
- We change culture and public discourse
More information is set out in Feedback's Strategic Framework here
The Role of the Board
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. Specifically, the Board is responsible for:
- Ensuring that the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of charities and in line with the organisation’s governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance.
- Upholding the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.
- Determining the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning.
Trustee - Role Description
- Ensuring the charity complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance to organisational activities contained therein.
- Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
- Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.
- Maintaining sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies.
- Interviewing, appointing, and monitoring the work and activities of the senior paid staff if necessary.
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources, acting as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds if necessary
- Maintaining absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of trustee’s responsibilities to the charity.
Accountable to
- Funders, beneficiaries, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.
Time commitment
- Attendance at quarterly meetings (held in central London on a weekday from 2–5pm)
- Ad hoc advice and support to senior staff and Board members, usually via email.
- Term for all Trustees is 3 years, with the option of re-election by mutual agreement for one further term.
Person Specification
- A commitment to the organisation and fixing our broken food system, including a commitment to Feedback's core values of collaboration, celebration, audacity, solidarity and impact
- Previous governance experience and an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a team
- A commitment to Feedback’s anti-oppression work
- Experience in either marketing, community work and safeguarding, or law
Remuneration
This is an unsalaried position. Appropriate expenses associated with travel will be reimbursed by the charity.
The Recruitment Process
Please write a statement of no more than 500 words detailing why you’d like to be considered and how you meet the criteria in the person specification. Please submit this with your CV.
Deadline to apply: Wednesday 15th May, 9am
Interviews: Week commencing 3rd June 2024
Board meeting dates (successful candidates will be invited to join):
Thursday 25th July 2024
Thursday 24th October 2024
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are Knottingley Foodbank, providing emergency food and compassionate, practical support to people in crisis. Since 2013 we have operated in the Knottingley area and are currently based at Ropewalk Methodist Church, providing 1,714 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year. Our foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area.
As a Trustee you will play a vital role by ensuring that we are meeting the demand for our services, providing help and support to people in crisis in the local community, as well as providing strategic direction for the charity.
Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the organisation and for all decisions made by the Board. They set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values, and are responsible for setting organisational policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan, evaluating performance, and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained between the Trustees and the Senior Leadership Group.
About you:
Knottingley Foodbank are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst support the food bank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. We are seeking to recruit Trustees with an interest in helping others, who are willing to uphold the food bank’s values, and who can bring life experience to the board of trustees.Our ideal candidates would demonstrate a:
- Knowledge of and commitment to the work of Knottingley Foodbank.
- Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the foodbank’s beneficiaries, staff, and the trustee board.
- Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
- Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
- Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.
The food bank would particularly welcome applications from those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas:
- Administration/Secretarial skills
- Finance
- Governance
- Human Resources
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a finance professional or someone with experience of financial management to join our Board and Chair our Finance Committee. You do not need to be a qualified accountant or have specific knowledge of charity finance although this would be an advantage.
Groundwork delivers practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive. We work with local communities and businesses to build capacity to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives by:
- Connecting people with each other, with opportunity and with nature;
- Building knowledge and confidence to that people feel more in control of their future;
- Delivering social, economic and environmental outcomes in an integrated way.
We are recruiting for a new Finance Committee Chair to join our Trustee Board. As a Trustee of Groundwork Yorkshire, you will play a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the charity and ensuring good governance. As Chair of the Finance Committee, you will maintain an overview of the charity’s financial affairs and ensure the wider Board is well briefed on financial matters.
We want to expand the diversity of our board. We welcome applications from women, people of colour, people with disabilities and those aged 45 and under, and applications from other underrepresented or marginalised groups.
We are a friendly and welcoming board in need of some new perspectives and diverse voices around the table to help us continue to Change Lives and Change Places with those who need it most.
To find out more about the role and our organisation, take a look at our candidate pack.
Want to apply?
Please visit our website.
Closing Date: 5pm on Friday 7 June 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about supporting people who have experienced homlessness? Do you believe in giving people a second chance?If so, then this opportuity could be for you!
Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland, support people who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness, find a place where they can enjoy companionship and support.
We are about to embark on an exciting project to redevelop our Stockwell Head site based in Hinckely. If you enjoy a challagne and would like to be part of the new look Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland - please get in touch.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about making a positive impact to the lives of individuals with severe and complex disabilities? Do you believe in the power of storytelling to unlock imaginations and challenge limitations?
Since 1993, Bag Books has been on a mission to bring joy and connection to individuals with severe and complex learning disabilities through the magic of multi-sensory books and multi-sensory storytelling. Our work is multifaceted: we hand-craft unique multi-sensory "books in our London-based workshop," host captivating storytelling sessions led by our dedicated team of storytellers across the UK, and empower others by teaching the art of multi-sensory storytelling technique (MSST) to parents, carers, librarians, and teachers.
Bag Books are currently in search of individuals to join our board as trustees. Trustees, serving as voluntary board members, play a crucial role in charting the course of our charity, ensuring its alignment with its founding mission. You would be joining Bag Books at an exciting time when our impact has never been higher, and the board is working to grow and strengthen the charity.
As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our strategic direction and ensure effective governance for the continued growth and success of Bag Books. Your diverse background and expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of our organisation.
We want to appoint up to four new trustees. Our new trustees will have the following skills, knowledge or experience (we don’t expect to find all these skills in one person):
• Special Needs Education especially working with people with severe and complex learning disabilities (SLD and PMLD)
• Business Development /Change Management
• Small Scale Manufacturing/Production
• Craft Work
• Health and Social Care
You do not need to have been a trustee before as support and training is provided.
Bag Books is an equal opportunities employer and organisation welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Following an audit of our board, we are particularly keen to hear from younger applicants, people of colour, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.
Time commitment: Trustee meetings are held four times a year and are a mix of in-person (based at our workshop in London SW8) and online meetings.
How to apply: Please submit a cover letter (of no more than two sides of A4) and a CV (which can detail volunteering and/or employment experience) through CharityJobs or by email to Lucy Barrett - lucy[at]bagbooks[dot]org
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role title: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least once a quarter)
Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)
Time commitment: 1.5-2 days per month
Contract: The Chair is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years.
Purpose of the role:
Are you seeking a board opportunity with a high-impact charity that aligns with your values and vision for society? Passionate about refugee welfare, integration, and unlocking talent for the UK? This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join a growing, impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life.
The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.
The Chair of Breaking Barriers provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, ensuring that the organisation effectively achieves its mission while adhering to its core values. This pivotal role involves governance oversight, board leadership, executive support, and serving as an ambassador for the organisation.
What’s in it for you?
Holding the high-profile role at the Chair of Trustees have a number of benefits, including the following:
- Contributing to an important cause: Having appropriate support for refugees in the UK to access meaningful employment does not only benefit the refugee community. It also supports businesses to have access to a wider talent pool and helps foster integration in the society.
- Opportunity to make a difference: As the new Chair for Breaking Barriers, you will have the opportunity to drive the growth of a highly impactful Charity with current funding of circa £4 million per year. Breaking Barriers have ambitious plans to extend its impact and you will play a part in spearheading this.
- Expanding your network: Breaking Barriers partners with some of the most high-profile corporates such as Macquarie, Bank of America, LinkedIn, Ikea, and the Big Yellow Group. Being the Chair of Trustee means that you will have exposure to these organisations. You will also have access to other senior stakeholders within Breaking Barriers’ wider network, amongst the trustees, executive, and founding teams.
To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.
Other considerations:
- As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
- Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
How to apply:
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. Please apply via Charity Jobs by submitting a cover letter (up to approximately 2 A4 pages), referencing how you believe you best meet the person specification. You are also welcome to include any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process. Please view the attached recruitment pack for further essential information for candidates.
Closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Sunday 2nd June. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
Help us reduce loneliness and increase happiness in older people in Northwest Leeds.
Location: Northwest Leeds
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th May
Who we are.
Set up in 1994 by local people, BEA/OWLS is a community-based charity with a community interest company called UpBEAt, which runs Bramley Community Shop. In 2011, we set up Older Wiser Local Seniors (OWLS) to provide the Neighbourhood Network Service in Headingley, Burley, Hyde Park and parts of Kirkstall. We currently have around 1,500 members.
With a small staff team and 200 volunteers, we work with a range of partner organisations, both voluntary and statutory, to improve health, increase happiness, and reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people.
At a strategic level, we seek to influence local and city-wide policy development as active members of the community and Leeds’ third sector. We share good practices whilst at the same time learning from others.
Our strategic aims are to:
- Increase membership of the charity and the happiness of our members.
- Be more effective and efficient.
- Further engage our members, volunteers and staff, and ensure that we remain sustainable as an organisation.
About the roles.
The Chair of the Board will manage Board meetings, support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board of Trustees is well-inducted, managed and developed to be effective and efficient in its governance responsibilities.
Committee Chairs will bring their HR and Finance experience to strengthen the technical capability of our committees. As well as Chairing the Committee Meetings, Committee Chairs will lead the strategic development of key finance and people issues.
Other people who want to be Trustees, regardless of background, will help to maintain oversight of the financial health and sustainability of the organisation and ensure that our resources are managed in a way that achieves the charity’s objectives.
Who we are looking for.
First and foremost, we are looking for local people committed to helping older people live happy lives in our community. A willingness to invest the time and effort in delivering for local older people is important to us.
Specifically, we are looking for a Chair of the Board who is ambitious for the organisation, is comfortable building a good local profile and can develop influential relationships with partners and other stakeholders. The Chair will run the Board meetings, support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive and continue to drive Board Member engagement and effectiveness.
We are looking for Committee Chairs with specialist backgrounds in finance and HR to lead the Money Committee and People Committee.
We are open to the other backgrounds of people who wish to put themselves forward as Trustees.
All Trustees need to think strategically, challenge constructively and listen to others to ensure that we are inclusive and all voices are heard.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th May
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation, which took place on 1st April 2023, will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency,
capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss. We have a clear ambition – to save sight and to change lives.
We are now seeking up to four new trustees as we establish ourselves in our new form and under our new name (soon to be announced). This is an exciting inflection point for us, and our new trustees will be central in enabling us to achieve our ambition.
We have worked through our merger and have a clear focus and vision, as well as a strong Board and senior leadership team, all of whom are ambitious for the potential impact we can make. Our re-brand will also enable us to amplify our position as a leader within the sight loss sector. Our merger was a critical step in accelerating research which will create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. We do not want this opportunity to pass us by and that’s what makes these such an important and exciting roles for the right people.
As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to steer the course of our charity and our sector, shaping our strategies, and advocating for meaningful change. You will be help us be a driving force behind world leading research into sight loss prevention, and transformative initiatives that enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.
We are particularly seeking individuals who have a medical or scientific research background, ideally in ophthalmology, and those who have experience in retail and fundraising. If you want to be part of something that will really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
“I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who share our commitment to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals affected by sight loss. Our journey towards a future where eye diseases are prevented and the challenges faced by the visually impaired are overcome requires the collective effort of dedicated individuals. We are seeking trustees who are not only passionate advocates for our cause but also possess the vision, expertise, and dedication to guide and govern our organisation. Your unique perspectives and skills will play a pivotal role in shaping and defining our impact for years to come.”
Dr Heather Giles, Chair
“Our two organisations came together to form a new dynamic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organisation to save sight and change lives. We are searching for trustees that can join us, and be at the forefront of creating the culture, the outlook and the methods of working and the operations to truly make a difference in society.”
Keith Valentine, CEO
ABOUT US
We are a new organisation forged from two ambitious charities: Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation. Our single, unifying mission is to save sight and change lives.
It is a mission that reflects two urgent questions everyone faces when they receive a diagnosis of sight loss: ‘How do I stop this?’ and ‘How do I live my life?’
Answering these questions guides our strategy as we progress a five-year plan with solid and lofty aspirations.
THE MERGER
Fight for Sight funds breakthrough research and life-changing services to build a more equitable future for blind and partially sighted people by accelerating breakthroughs in multiple sight loss conditions.
Vision Foundation works to inform, include and empower the visually impaired community. Empowerment is at the heart of what we do; our work focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.
The merger will help us to realise a joint ambition to tackle sight loss from both a clinical and social perspective. Our combined organisation is now grounded in data and insight into the science, as well as the lived experience of, sight loss. With this wealth of evidence we’re determined to:
- generate further investment into the sector,
- accelerate clinical progress,
- improve quality of life for people facing or living with sight loss
Crucially, coming together is about growing our influence and impact, not reducing or diluting what we do. So, as we evolve as a merged organisation, we are combining our teams, announcing our new name and fine-tuning our unified
mission and strategy – as well as continuing with the important work we’re already committed to – you can expect big things from us and it is an exciting time to join us as a trustee.
OUR FUTURE
Our principal role is as a grant-maker. We award grants to the scientific community that could lead to scientific breakthroughs and treatments to stop eye diseases from progressing. In the future, we believe research can prevent people from losing sight and reverse sight loss. We invest to advance treatments that will cure eye disease and protect and grow the community of world-class scientists, technologists, and data scientists who can deliver tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Historically, Vision Foundation has funded innovations that directly impact people who are blind or partially sighted, from music classes for children to projects that take eye tests into at-risk communities. We invest in programmes, organisations and activities that deliver equity for and with blind and visually impaired people.
As a grant-maker, we are change-makers, accelerators and drivers of impact. We are bold, energetic, challenging, disruptive, tenacious, and determined.
We aren’t afraid to tackle the challenges facing the sight loss community, either. Recent campaigns include The Unseen, which unearthed the shocking scale and nature of domestic abuse among blind and partially sighted people, and See My Skills, which addressed high unemployment rates. The charity excels at working in partnership with others towards creating a more equitable society for the sight loss community.
As we progress, we’ll scale the impact of projects like these, look beyond the nation’s capital, and drive systemic change. We’ll need to secure the funds to invest in our trusted partners to achieve our ambitions. We’ll continue to fundraise by engaging with supporters and companies through legacies, events such as the London Marathon, and our network of charity shops.
The evidence we commission influences policy and decision-making to demand equality for all.
We’ll shortly have a new name that reflects our united ambitions, so it’s an exciting time for us and the people we serve.
OUR FINANCES
The charity is in a strong position financially, with a high level of reserves that we intend to draw down over the coming years as we focus on investing in sustainable growth and increasing our impact. Compared to many charities, we
have well diversified income streams, predictable costs, and are in the fortunate position to hold a sizable portfolio of investments. Our plans for the short and medium term are to invest in our income generation infrastructure, and to significantly increase the amounts of funding we can put to our charitable purpose.
OUR BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM
Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation is the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team that has over half of its members with lived experience of sight loss.
The Board currently numbers ten trustees, including our newly appointed Chair.
The Board meets four times a year, or more often as required.
Follow this link to find out more about our Board.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
As the most senior leaders in our charity, trustees play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction, amplifying our impact, and ensuring the fulfilment of our mission to save sight and change lives. You will serve on the main board and will be invited also to get involved in one of our sub-committees. These are currently:
- Social Impact & Scientific Research Committee (SISR)
- Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources Committee (FARR)
- People Committee
- Retail Committee
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the charity, aligning efforts with the mission and values of the organisation.
- Collaborate with the board, executive team, and stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies that advance the charity’s impact and sustainability.
Governance
- Ensure effective governance, decision-making, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Work closely with board members, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration and open communication, harnessing different views and opinions.
Engagement
- Represent the charity at public events and networking opportunities to promote our mission and raise awareness about our cause.
- Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, corporations, government agencies, and the visually impaired community.
Evaluation and Accountability
- Collaborate with the board to evaluate performance, ensuring alignment with the charity’s goals and objectives.
- Ensure the charity is accountable to donors and beneficiaries, that is financially robust and sustainable, and that is effective risk management in place.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to serve as trustees of our ambitious merged organisation. The ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to our cause, along with the following:
Specialist experience
At this time, we are particularly interested in candidates who have leadership experience in:
- Scientific and/or medical research
- Ophthalmic research and/or clinical practice
- Strategic oversight of substantial fundraising and/or retail operations
Despite these areas of interest, we welcome a diversity of skills and experience at our charity and on our Board, and want to find the right candidates regardless of their specific areas of expertise or experience. So if you are interested in this role and think you can contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
General attributes
Knowledge & experience
- An understanding of governance, and experience on a committee or board.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, corporations and government agencies.
Skills & abilities
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision to deliver impact.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Entrepreneurial instincts and a healthy understanding of risk balanced with ambition using sound judgement.
Styles & behaviours
- High ethical standards and commitment to upholding the charity’s values, as well as a passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, sight loss.
- Collaborative, highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing difference perspectives.
- Solution-focused, with an ability to see the big picture and be pragmatic.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Remuneration
This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.
Time commitment
While the exact time commitment may vary based on the charity’s needs and priorities, we anticipate the following general expectations:
- A minimum of four Board meetings per year
- Up to four subcommittee meetings per year (the specific committee depending on skills and experience)
- Preparation for meetings, review of materials, and other trustee engagement as appropriate.
- Annual Strategy Day with full Board and executive team.
- Meetings with members of the executive leadership team as appropriate.
- Representing the charity at high profile events, functions and public engagements to enhance its reputation and partnerships.
Location
At present Board meetings are held in central London. Subcommittee meetings are held remotely.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about taking action on climate change, biodiversity loss and social equity?
Do you believe that it's possible to meet today's needs without compromising those of future generations?
If you combine these beliefs with leadership skills and governance experience, we want to hear from you. Our Board of Trustees needs you to help us put Sustainability First in the UK.
Who we are
We’re a small, highly regarded think-tank and charity that promotes practical, sustainable solutions to improve environmental, economic and social wellbeing.
What we do
Sustainability First works towards real environmental and social change. Primarily
focussed on the energy and water sectors, we:
• undertake research
• initiate policy discussions
• make complex issues accessible to the public
• promote under-represented voices
• develop solutions to influence Players in the sector
The opportunity
You will be joining Sustainability First at a critical time, when we are stepping up our ambition to drive change in the energy and water sectors in a way that benefits people and responds to the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable future. You will work collaboratively with our Executive Director in meeting our ambitions to scale our work, drive change across the sector and embed the representation of people into decision-making.
This will include six primary responsibilities:
1 Ensure that Sustainability First has a clear strategic direction aimed at fulfilling its charity objectives and that the Strategy is regularly reviewed.
2 Oversee the governance of the Charity with:
a. an effective, diverse and relevant Board of Trustees.
b. appropriate policies, processes & financial management such that the Charity operates within the law, in pursuit of its Strategy and demonstrating good practice.
c. regular and effective liaison, reporting and oversight of the Executive Director, Company Secretary and, as necessary, staff and panel of experts in order to ensure effective and proportionate planning, use of resources, monitoring and reporting by the Board of Trustees.
3 Set the agenda for and chair Board meetings to ensure engagement of, and discussion amongst Trustees based on the best possible information, input from the Executive Director and team, leading to clear and accountable decision-making.
4 Appoint, support and manage the Executive Director on behalf of the Board.
5 Ensure that the charity has an income generation strategy which is monitored and actively supported by trustees and Chair, in order to achieve the Board’s stated objective to build resilience and capacity for Sustainability First to successfully fulfil its charitable objects.
6 Represent the charity externally as required.
Skills
After many years of service to our charity, our current Chair is retiring. At a time of opportunity and challenge for our organisation, we’re looking for someone with a proven track record of leadership at board level, ideally in the UK charity sector. Your experience of running and growing a small but impactful organisation in a professional or voluntary capacity will be crucial to the work of our Board, dedicated staff and expert associates.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, you will draw on your experience of collegiate collaboration, positive decision-making and effective problem-solving to help ensure funding, organisational excellence, and ultimately environmental and social change.
PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR CHAIR
The ideal candidate will have proven knowledge/ skills/ experience in the following areas:
- Governance and board experience (essential) and in a chairing or leadership role (desirable)
- *Demonstrable leadership skills consistent with Sustainability First’s values and charitable purpose (essential)
- *Ability to both manage and support the Board and Executive Director to help achieve the best outcomes (essential)
- Support the vision and mission of the charity (essential) with experience, networks and profile in one or more of our areas of operation (desirable)
- *Sufficient time and energy to fulfil the role (essential)
- A growth mindset* (essential) and income generation experience (desirable)
- *Experience of small organisations and their particular challenges in a professional or voluntary capacity (essential)
- Experience of working within the UK Charity Sector (desirable)
In addition to preparing for and chairing the Board, the Chair will be an ex officio member of all Board Panels, will line manage the Executive Director and will represent the charity externally as requested.
The commitment is likely to average around two days per month. The appointment is for an initial three-year term with the option to renew.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 13th May. You can read our recruitment pack in full on our website. Please send a cover letter explaining your reasons for applying, the skills and experience you would bring to this role, and a copy of your CV plus a completed EDI Monitoring Form to our Company Secretary and Head of Finance, Claire Williams.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chair of Trustees
Voluntary
Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Office)
Can be located within a commutable distance
Approximately equating to 4 days per month on average for a four-year term + Council Meetings and AGM
Closing Date: 7 June 2024
1st Interviews: 18 June 2024
Second interviews: 26 or 27 June 2024
Our client are at an exciting time in the Trust’s development. In 2022 they adopted a new theory of change and impact measurement framework setting out how we will implement The Trusts’ strategy for 2030 in Shropshire. They build on the Trust’s strong reputation and detailed experience to develop ambitious new programmes to deliver the strategic goals in Shropshire, and in partnership with other Trusts in the Severn basin and the Wilder Marches.
Our client are looking for a forward thinking and inclusive Chair, who can combine personal humility with an urgency to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals and the drive to support ongoing organisational development. This is a demanding, yet rewarding, role suited to someone who can navigate through complex relationships and communicate well at all levels.
Experience of conservation is not essential. More important is an understanding of governance and of the charity sector, an ability to see the strategic picture, lead change, and harness the skills of talented board members.
What you will be doing:
Our cleint are looking for those who can lead the trustee board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation by ensuring that the organisation acts in accordance with its constitution, the Charity Commission Code of Practice and by managing its activities. You'll work in partnership with the Chief Executive helping them to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals, and with the trustee board ensure appropriate line management of the CEO.
Further to this they’re looking for those who can optimise the relationship between the board and staff/volunteers; and between our client and the other Trusts and attend all board meetings plus events such as open days, conferences and leaders days where appropriate.
What our client is looking for:
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Experience as a Chair
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A natural team player and good listener
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Leading, motivating, and empowering others
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Building trusting relationships – diplomatic, gutsy but caring
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Rational, clear thinker who forms judgements independently
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Developing strategy and effecting change
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Leading with a visionary and strategic perspective
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Some understanding of relevant legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities (although training will be given)
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Financial acumen
It would be advantageous to have experience in a not-for-profit/public sector organisation, however this is not essential.
The role requires a time commitment – approximately equating to four days per month on average for a four-year term, which can be renewed by mutual agreement. In addition, there are four council meetings and an AGM to chair annually (currently there is no vice-chair). This is a voluntary position; it is not remunerated although expenses are reimbursed.
Our client value passion, respect, trust, integrity, strength in diversity, and pragmatic activism. Whilst they are passionate in promoting their aims, they are not judgemental and are inclusive. They want their people to be as diverse as nature, so they particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within their sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. They are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.
The Trust is committed to building an equal, diverse and inclusive workforce they encourage applications from a diverse range of suitably qualified candidates.
No enquiries from agencies or for further advertising will be taken.
Who our client are
Our client has a vision of a thriving natural world, where Shropshire's wildlife and natural habitats play a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people are inspired and empowered to take action for nature. They combine projects across Shropshire (including Telford & Wrekin) with advocacy and campaigning to restore nature and to engage people. They manage over 40 nature reserves and have almost 50 staff, 300 volunteers, and over 9000 members. Our client are an autonomous charity, but they are increasingly working collectively, as part of The Trusts, to ensure that their local actions have a national impact and help to address global issues.
This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses for travel may be claimed.
Kintsugi Hope are committed to developing trustees and will invest in appropriate CPD, such as ‘How to be a good trustee’ training, charity governance and finance.
Who we are & What we do
Kintsugi Hope is a charity based in the UK striving to make a difference to peoples mental wellbeing.
"Kintsugi' (金継ぎ) is a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold. The word means 'golden joinery' in Japanese. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object more beautiful, and even more unique than it was prior to being broken. Instead of hiding the scars it makes a feature of them.
We want to see a world where mental and emotional health is understood and accepted, with safe and supportive communities for everyone to grow and flourish.
A Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Group is a safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting.
It consists of a structured yet flexible series of 12 weeks of content, which includes group and individual activities designed to help participants to accept themselves, to understand their value and worth, and grow towards a more resilient and hopeful future.
The role of the Group Leader is to facilitate the sessions using the material available, signposting people if necessary to further help and support. It can feel vulnerable and scary starting a group, but the benefit of a Kintsugi Hope Group is that Group Leaders are not on their own.
Issues covered include; disappointment, loss, anxiety, anger perfectionism, shame and resilience. Feedback so far has been amazing.
What we are looking for
We are looking for people with the specific skills described in the Person Specification (below). To ensure that our board is as diverse as possible we are particularly keen to receive applications from groups that are under-represented on the board. Particularly young people, people with disabilities, or who experience physical or mental concerns.
Person Specification
The application must have:
- Significant experience and expertise in either scaling an organisation, legal, adult safeguarding, mental health services at a community level or other skills that will enhance the board.
- Experience of a charity or corporate board, or be able to demonstrate strategic thinking in a non-operational capacity.
- The time and energy to be an effective trustee and support the strategic development of Kintsugi Hope – estimated to be around 4 hours a month on average.
- A willingness to attend relevant training to support their role and increase the knowledge of the board.
- Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Kintsugi Hope.
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship.
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team.
- Good independent judgement
- Integrity
It is desirable for the applicant to have:
- High level of commercial awareness
- Effective communication skills
- Good analytical skills.
Experience of being a Company Secretary
What’s involved in being a trustee
- The Board of Trustees meet four to five times a year. Once or twice a year on a Saturday for vision and impact days and three times a year online between 7pm and 9.30pm on different evenings.
- Trustees are asked to take on specific roles, for examples on committees or working parties, and asked to attend additional meetings if necessary.
- All trustees are expected to participate in discussions, provide opinions and make decisions as required.
- Trustees may be contacted by the operational team for support in their specific areas of expertise.
A summary of the primary duties of all charity trustees can be seen below by looking at Gov website, The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.