Trustee Volunteer Roles
We are hiring! Trustee vacancy
- Time Commitment: typically, 4 hours per month, for a term of 3 years (initial 12-month period)
- Location: Board meetings are held 4 times per year, and we work to find times that are accessible for Board members, which could include evenings and weekends. We meet twice a year in person in Oxford, and twice a year via Teams
- Renumeration: this is a voluntary role and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
About Us
An independent charity, The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) has been leading efforts to incorporate the values of environmental sustainability into the health sector since its establishment in 2008. Our work is underpinned by CSH’s Principles of Sustainable Clinical Practice: prevention; patient empowerment; lean care systems; low carbon alternatives.
CSH has a particular focus on:
- engaging those on the front line of patient care and promoting the concept of ‘sustainable clinical practice’
- enabling the use of the natural environment at NHS settings to be used as ‘nature-based solutions’ in healthcare.
As a trustee of our charity, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in shaping our organisation's future direction. The Board culture is friendly and lively, with an openness to creative ideas and input. There is a focus on core mission and values to inform decision making processes. The meetings will be focused, effective and inspiring, and led in line with CSH’s overarching aim to transform healthcare for a sustainable future. The Board values diversity and welcomes applicants from a range of backgrounds.
About You
We particularly welcome new trustees who could bring skills and experience in financial management or legal and IP transfer. Though please do not be put off from applying if you do not have any of these skills or if you have never been a Trustee before.
How To Apply
For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact us.
To apply, please send an up-to-date CV (or Linkedin profile) and simple covering letter answering two questions:
- why you’re interested in supporting CSH
- what you hope to bring to the Board
Or if you prefer to record your cover letter, verbally or with video, that’s also welcomed. Please contact us if you have any other accessibility needs or if you would like help with applying.
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!
Kidderminster Foodbank 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. 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 Management & Volunteer Team.
Key tasks:
- To manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk and not over-commit the charity.
- To ensure the board regularly reviews its structures, roles, relationship to staff and implementing changes if and when necessary.
- To develop a long-term strategy for the food bank with clear objectives which can be monitored and adapted.
- To work alongside the Treasurer and the board to ensure the organisation’s financial dealings are systematically accounted for and on time, independently examined (on income over £25k) and made publicly available when necessary.
- To ensure the charity is accountable, actively complying with statutory accounting and reporting requirements and the law.
- To ensure appropriate financial plans are in place for future budget allocations as well as looking after contractual agreements with external partners that award money for core costs and additional projects.
- To help promote the organisation to a wide audience of potential funders and beneficiaries and community stakeholders.
- To ensure the food bank has appropriate procedures to: comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding & GDPR compliance/data protection etc.
- To act with reasonable care and skill, giving your time, thought and energy to your role.
- To prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and subcommittee meetings and any trustee away days.
- To provide ad hoc support to the staff team and volunteers from time to time.
- To act at all times in accordance with the foodbank’s trustee code of conduct.
The Trustees may also undertake additional work for the charity between meetings subject to their availability and skill set.
About you:
We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst supporting the food bank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate a:
- Knowledge of and commitment to the work of Kidderminster 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.
Kidderminster Foodbank 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. The food bank would particularly welcome applications from those with experience in one (or more) of the following areas:
- Campaigning
- Marketing
- Fundraising
- Digital/IT
- Legal
- Commercial property
- Health & Safety
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
- ROLE TITLE: Trustee of the Board of Directors
- SPECIALISM: Finance / Treasurer
- LOCATION: Grimsby
- HOURS OF WORK:4 - 6 hours per month.
- MEETINGS: 6 Board Meetings and 6 Sub-Committee Meetings per year.
All Trustees are expected to make an active and dynamic contribution to the Board, the organisation and to supporting our work. Trustees have wide-ranging skills, knowledge, and experience appropriate to governance and strategy.
The overall role of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, our strategic planning and to provide guidance to help ensure financial viability and support the requirements underpinning proper financial governance and procedures.
This key role will provide assurance to the Board that the financial resources of YMCA Humber meet its present and future needs, working with the CEO to ensure the Charity complies with relevant legislations, through efficient administration and best practice in good governance.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Strategic vision, and a solid understanding and acceptance of the legal responsibilities of Trusteeship.
- Financial or accountancy experience.
- Good independent judgment, and a high level of credibility within the community.
- Strong leadership skills and a commitment to the work of the Charity.
- Open and transparent approach.
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
- Knowledge of Charity finance or housing association finance.
- Skills to analyse proposals and examine the financial consequences.
It should be noted that the focus of this Trustee role is strategic, and the Treasurer will not be managing the organisation’s finances on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Finance is expected.
Initially we’d like to set-up an informal conversation prior to completing any application.
After this, if you feel that a trusteeship with YMCA Humber would be a good fit for you, we’ll invite you to submit a personal statement and submit your CV, that will be reviewed by the current board of trustees.
Our mission is to develop an extended YMCA family, which allows people to have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Bring your financial expertise to our engaged and committed board of trustees
Unlock has achieved a great deal for the people we support and that is testament to the talents of our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and trustees. Through listening and engaging with people who face difficulties because of their criminal records we have an impressive track record of identifying issues, finding solutions, and putting them into practice. We also influence policy and create systemic change.
We have an opportunity to join our engaged and committed board of trustees as our treasurer.
About the role
Trustees play an important role in the leadership, strategic direction and governance of Unlock.
Alongside this, the treasurer’s role is to maintain an overview of Unlock’s finances, ensure our financial viability and to ensure proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
About you
Can you bring the following attitudes and skills to our board?
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Financial qualifications and experience.
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Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
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The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences.
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Willingness to be available to staff for advice on an ad hoc basis, with “hands on” involvement where necessary.
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Commitment to the vision, values and mission of Unlock.
While experience in charity finance is desirable, we are happy to train and support a successful candidate without this previous experience. So if you’re looking to step into the charity sector, don’t let that hold you back from applying.
We’re committed to increasing diversity across the organisation, including our board of trustees. We’re especially keen to appoint people who have themselves met with and overcome the disadvantages of having a criminal record.
If you’re excited by this opportunity to support, and drive, the work of a small criminal justice charity with an impressive national impact, we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
How to apply
Read the full Treasurer application pack.
Download and complete the application form.
To help people overcome the long-term disadvantages caused by their criminal records, and work with government, employers and others to enable people
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!
Overall responsibility:
- Leading on the financial affairs of the Foodbank; ensuring that they are conducted within the required legal, accounting and good practice conventions;
- To work in partnership with the Chair and Trustees to ensure the financial viability and development of the Foodbank..
Key tasks are to ensure that the Trustees:
- Fulfil their financial responsibilities
- Have proper systems for budgeting, financial control, insurances, and reporting;
- Are informed by written report, at least on a quarterly basis; ensuring they have a clear picture of the financial health of the food bank;
- Develop a long-term strategy for the Foodbank with clear objectives, monitored and flexible
- Have reports in proper format, comprehensible and discussed properly at Trustee meetings including the AGM;
- Provide Annual Reports as required by the Charity Commission after proper independent examination
Other responsibilities - include working with Trustees to support appropriate:
- Financial plans for future budget allocations; looking after contractual agreements with external partners awarding money for core costs;
- Procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice; including employment, health and safety, equal opportunities, safeguarding, GDPR compliance/data protection;
- Promotion of the Foodbank to a wider audience of potential funders and beneficiaries; promote the Foodbank within the wider community;
- To act with reasonable care and skill, giving time, thought and energy to your role.
Welcome Personal Skills and Attributes:
- To have a knowledge and understanding of the work of the Foodbank;
- To be respectful of the values the Foodbank was founded upon;
- To be enthusiastic about and involved with the operation;
- Previous experience and/or demonstrated ability in financial accounting and reporting procedures; communicating financial information to those who may have little financial background; and keeping all financial records up to date.
By leading on the financial matters for the Foodbank, you are part of providing an important support responsibility in your local community; ensuring a dignified experience to our clients and all who come into contact with Rochdale Foodbank.
In volunteering you will be using your existing skills to make a difference; you will meet people who share your passion to eradicate poverty in the local community and you will make a real difference to the running of the Foodbank.
A full Trustee induction is in place to support a prospective candidate within their role, as well as access to local voluntary Trustee training through Action Together or the Trussell Trust.
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!
Join Our Team! Treasurer and Secretary
The Baked Bean Charity is at an exciting transitional time! The Board of Trustees are recruiting a new Treasurer and Secretary with the skills and expertise to help escalate the charity to the forefront of social care and learning disability arts.
We are seeking experienced trustees who can put use their knowledge and expertise into supporting the charity through an interesting period of transition.
We are seeking passionate individuals with specific knowledge and expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- Charity finance
- Charity and/or business development
- Legal knowledge
- Experience of social care and/or learning disabilities.
- Fundraising
- Marketing
Please apply if you have experience being a charity trustee or have a clear understanding of what the role involves.
Successful candidates will:
· Have experience of being a charity trustee or be able to demonstrate knowledge of the requirements.
· Be a passionate person with a drive for equality.
· Have a proactive approach to being a trustee and supporting the development of the charity.
· Being able to commit time and skills to support the growth and the development of the charity.
· Be committed to supporting the Baked Bean Charity to continue providing outstanding quality services.
· Be dedicated to considering the needs of the service users during all decision making.
Time commitment:
The Board meets approximately six times a year. The meeting will last approximately to 2.5 hours.
· Most board meetings will happen in person from our Wandsworth head office.
· The role is unremunerated. Reasonable expenses are payable.
The Baked Bean Charity is a film supporter of equality and diversity, and we encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds.
About us
The Baked Bean Charity is a vibrant, thriving, and exciting service for people with learning disabilities. The charity’s unique offering includes performance-based services such as Dance, Drama, Choir and DJing, sporting services such as Zumba and boxing, and social activities such as club nights and holidays.
The Baked Bean charity promotes the social inclusion of all people with learning disabilities. Our Theatre in Education group works closely with our community partners to provide them with training and learning opportunities, ultimately improving inclusion, and understanding in society.
The Baked Bean Charity prioritises person centred working to ensure that service users are achieving their goals and living happy and fulfilled lives. The service adapts to the needs and wants of the clients.
Primarily based in Wandsworth, the Baked Bean Charity attracts service users from all surrounding boroughs, supporting over 170 people every week!
Available positions:
Treasurer
Secretary
To apply for any of the available positions, please send your CV and a letter of interest
Available positions:
Treasurer
Secretary
Could you be one of our next Trustees? Could you be the next Vice Chair of our Board?
PACT, with a rich history dating back to 1911, is a leading adoption charity and trauma recovery provider across southern and central England. By joining us, you'll play a crucial part in placing children in secure and loving families, empowering women to take control of their lives and aiding the recovery of those affected by domestic abuse.
We’re looking for individuals to join our Board of Trustees who share our passion for making a real difference to the lives of hundreds of children, women and families. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with skills and experience in marketing, digital development, lived experience of our services, including from adopters, children’s or adult social care and commercial business.
We know the value of having board members who champion inclusive values and bring a wide variety of perspectives to our organisation and welcome applications for people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and levels of experience.
If you’re interested in joining as a Trustee and have no prior board experience this isn’t a problem. For the Vice Chair role some prior Trustee experience or transferable skills would be ideal.
We provide comprehensive training and support and offer flexibility and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Plus, you'll gain immense satisfaction from knowing your efforts directly impact vulnerable individuals and families.
If you’re excited by our work, have time to give and want to be part of something truly meaningful and live changing, this fantastic opportunity could be for you.
Learn more about our amazing work please visit our website.
For an informal discussion with our CEO, please visit our website for contact details. If you are interested in the Vice-Chair opportunity we can arrange for an informal discussion with our current Vice-Chair.
Interested? For more information and details of how to apply, please take a look at the volunteer page of our website where you will also find our Trustee recruitment pack.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 31 May 2024
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 12 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 making a difference in your local community? Do you possess the skills, knowledge, and commitment to help shape the future of community initiatives? If so, Broxbourne Big Local (BBL) is seeking enthusiastic individuals like you to join our team of Trustees.
About Broxbourne Big Local: Broxbourne Big Local is dedicated to proactively meeting the needs of the people in the borough. Our primary objective is to provide valuable opportunities and services centred around the Wormley Community Centre, to expand our reach across the borough in the future. Our current Trustees, who are local residents deeply invested in community welfare, have successfully prevented the demolition of the Wormley Community Centre and secured a 999-year lease, marking a significant milestone in our journey.
The Role: As a Trustee of Broxbourne Big Local, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of our organisation. Working alongside like-minded individuals, you will contribute to the ongoing development and sustainability of the Wormley Community Centre and our broader community initiatives. Your responsibilities will include strategic planning, financial oversight, and ensuring that our activities align with our charitable objectives.
How to Apply: If you are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of Broxbourne Big Local, you can find more information in the Trustee recruitment pack.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Join Us: Be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to building a cohesive and sustainable community in the Borough of Broxbourne. Your knowledge, skills, and talent can make a meaningful difference. Join Broxbourne Big Local today and help shape a brighter future for all.
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!
InFocus Charity is looking for trustees to shape its vital work in transforming the lives of young people with vision impairment & complex needs.
We are looking for new trustees who care deeply about transforming the lives of young people with vision impairment and other complex needs. Ideally, you will have a background in SEND, adult care services or experience in charity management or governance.
The role
As a member of the board of trustees you will oversee the strategic direction of the charity and ensure its effective management. You will also ensure that InFocus Charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, you will support and challenge the executive team to enable InFocus Charity to grow and thrive, and through this, to transform the lives of young people with vision impairment and complex needs.
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.
Personal skills and qualities:
- A passion for our cause. Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation. Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member. Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Enthusiasm for our vision and mission. Willingness to lead according to our values InFocus Charity. Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Some knowledge of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and adult care would be useful but not essential.
How to apply
In the first instance, please contact us to arrange an informal conversation with Jane Bell, Chief Executive Officer. Details can be found on our website.
You may also click on the 'Apply Now' button and we'll be in touch soon.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is your opportunity to lead the board of an organisation striving to make space for stammering and create a world where stammering is just a difference, no one judges stammering or how people choose to deal with it. Join the board of STAMMA and work with a brilliant community.
- Location: Hybrid, virtual and in-person meetings in London and Manchester
Applications close on Monday 27th May.
Who we are.
STAMMA is a small, award-winning charity with big ambitions working with a brilliant community keen to create space and respect for people who stammer.
Many people who stammer face daily ignorance, discrimination and disrespect. This can affect job prospects and mental health and cause social isolation. It can make a GP appointment a nightmare, stop you from accessing a service altogether and leave you feeling disbelieved. STAMMA is here to change that.
We have embarked on a new three-year strategy – Space to Stammer, to achieve real and practical change for people who stammer and showcase the inadvertent barriers they face. We aim to create a culture where consideration for people who stammer is akin to checking for wheelchair access; it is something to be thought about when it comes to every day like oral exams, customer services, booking GP appointments, online banking, or even being a parliamentarian. Our campaigns are about changing perceptions and have been award-winning and life-changing, and include Make GP Bookings Accessible, It’s How We Talk, No Diversity without Disfluency and campaigning against the Apple suggestion of the Woozy face emoji when the word ‘stammering’ is typed.
We want to reach more people who stammer and grow our base but to do that, we need to expand our training and advocacy services and underpin our whole range of support services, hence, we need to build our income streams.
We believe we’re on the cusp of creating real and long-lasting change for people who stammer. With this, this is a great time to join and lead our board as Chair.
About the roles.
Our new Chair
As our previous Chair, Joanna Gaukroger, stepped down due to illness, we are looking for a new Chair to lead our Board. It is vital that our new Chair shares our passion for creating a world that makes space for stammering, where a stammer is embraced as just a difference, and no one judges a stammer or how someone deals with it. Our new Chair will bring governance experience, be commercial and drive our strategy with our Chief Executive to continue our organisation’s development, including ensuring sustainability. Our new Chair will be committed to making a meaningful impact, foster engagement and strategic thinking.
Our new Chair will work with our ambitious board and executive team to ensure our organisation continues to be innovative and sustainable and champions the rights of those we support. We envisage our Chair as an inclusive leader, ensuring all voices are heard. We must represent our diverse communities, and we support everyone; those who passionately believe there should be no need to hide or control their stammer as well as those who seek more fluent or smoother speech.
Our new Fundraising Trustee
In addition to our new Chair, we are looking for a new Trustee who will bring skills and experience in strategic fundraising. Our new Trustee will have senior leadership experience with fundraising experience, particularly around individual giving, corporate partnerships, and major donor fundraising. Our new Trustee will share our excitement and ambition for change. We are looking for someone who can support us build our fundraising strategies and provide sound advice and challenge.
Time Commitment
The Board meets 6 times a year including an annual general meeting and our national conference – STAMMAFest. Meetings are usually held on a Saturday for 2 – 3 hours online and 4 – 5 in person. 3 of these meetings typically take place online, and 3 can take place in person in different locations across England, including London and Manchester.
We also have several committees; Trustees usually join one sub-committee. Our committees include the Finance Committee, the Fundraising Committee, the Research Committee, and the Membership Committee. Our new Fundraising Trustee will join our Fundraising committee.
We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary. On average, we would expect the equivalent of c.2 days a month, spread across various activities such as preparation for board meetings, reading board papers, regular conversation with the Chief Executive, ad hoc discussions with board members and the executive team, and attending events throughout the year. The time commitment of our Fundraising Trustee would be the equivalent of a day a month.
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 on Monday 27th May.
Tannery Arts is entering an exciting stage of its journey having recently moved into new premises in the heart of Bermondsey, London; we are looking for new Trustees with the right skills, experience and enthusiasm to join our Board. Our Trustees play a vital role in ensuring Tannery Arts achieves its vision. If you believe that you have the passion, commitment and expertise to join us then we would like to hear from you.
As Trustee, you will be responsible for developing and guiding the strategic direction of the organisation as well as using your networks and influence to promote the work and impact of Tannery Arts.
We particularly welcome applicants who will improve our organisation by diversifying the lived experience of our Board, for example in terms of gender, ethnicity, age, disability and sexual orientation, and/or lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Deadline for applications 10am, 25 April
Tannery Arts Ltd is an independent non-profit organisation, comprising a studio provider, Tannery Studios, and a public gallery, Drawing Room.
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!
The Evelyn Glennie Foundation, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation, seeks new volunteers, ambassadors and Trustees to help us bring our unique mission to life - to teach the world to listen.
If you are fascinated by the skills required to develop impactful listening, inspired by the power of music to bring people together in harmony, or simply excited to help us explore and build our mission, please read on.
If you are interested in playing a vital role in our governance, scrutiny and strategy, you may wish to consider putting yourself forward as a Trustee.
Our Board seeks a number of individuals to join our founding group, including Dame Evelyn herself. Between us we already bring strong experience from the charity sector, education, academia and musical performance. In addition we seek imaginative individuals who can embody our mission and provide leadership at Board level in a number of areas, including:
· Financial planning (Treasurer)
· HR and workforce development
· IT and digital skills
· Business development
· Governance and leadership (Chair)
This is not an exhaustive list and we welcome applications from individuals seeking to bring wider experience or insight to our work.
If this challenge appeals to you then we strongly encourage you to contact us to arrange a visit to our offices in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire to gain an insight into The Evelyn Glennie Collection – the vast instrument collection and career archive at the heart of our work.
For those unable to travel to meet us in person, please express your interest by emailing us, sharing the basis of your interest in joining us and initial thoughts on what you anticipate being able to bring to the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join us as a Trustee and help us to make a difference for homeless people in Cambridge.
Jimmy’s provides help to people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. We work with local people, communities, organisations and partners to deliver 24/7 emergency help, support and accommodation 365 days a year for those who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
This is an exciting time to join Jimmy’s as we approach the significant milestone of 30 years of providing support. Looking ahead to 2025, we want to celebrate all that Jimmy's has achieved over the last three decades.
We are currently looking to appoint Trustees to the Board to enable us to fulfil our aims and objectives and achieve our vision whilst developing and enhancing the public image of Jimmy’s as a provider of services within the community.
We are a lively and committed Board with a range of skills and experience and we would love to hear from applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and, in particular, those with expertise in HR, finance and property management.
The role of the Trustee is a voluntary position, but you you will benefit from:
- Induction & training
- Opportunities to make strategic decisions to ensure the longer-term viability of the charity
- Contributing expertise and insight with the scope to shape the future of Jimmy’s
- Becoming an ambassador for Jimmy’s at public events
- Opportunity to volunteer at one of Jimmy’s accommodation sites
Whether you are an experienced Trustee or wanting to take your first step at Board level, please get in touch if you believe you can make a difference.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the sound governance of the organisation.
Specifically its role is:
● To agree overall direction and strategic plans, and to monitor, at a summary level, progress
against these
● To oversee the finances - to ensure they are being well managed and we are in sound financial
health
● Specifically to take particular interest in our fundraising strategy and performance
● To oversee our compliance with all legislation, e.g. on Child Safeguarding or Health and Safety as
well as with Charity Commission regulations
● To monitor strategic risks and ensure we have suitable mitigations in place
The trustees meet formally for a Trustee meeting about once a quarter, usually for 2.5 hours after the
normal working day. Each trustee is expected to play their part as a member of the Board, providing
challenge and support to the executive team as required.
Specific responsibilities include:
● Preparing for and attending trustee meetings
● From time to time and as appropriate, attending other Grounded Sounds events (e.g. end of
project showcase events, House Band performances, advisory board meetings) in order to gain a
greater understanding of the workings of the charity
● Communication with the Exec or other trustees in between meetings, as needed, in relation to
music industry connections, fundraising or other issues requiring input.
Requirements
Essential
● Alignment of values and enthusiasm for Grounded Sounds’ mission
● Ability to work well with other trustees and the executive team
● In Trustee meetings, ability to form a strategic perspective and actively contribute to discussion,
bringing fresh perspective, relevant experience and constructive challenge
● Outside of Trustee meetings, desire and bandwidth to get involved, both showing up at key
events and actively supporting the Grounded Sounds team in activities where they would benefit
from insight, guidance and contacts
● Strong network of contacts within the music industry and willingness to connect contacts to the
team in order to further support the work.
Desirable
● Connections with communities in South London
● Experience of working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds
● Knowledge of education
● Strong network of contacts beyond the music industry
● Previous trustee experience
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!
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.