Trustees Volunteer Roles

Harrow Food Bank is part of the Trussell Trust - a network of over 1300 food bank centres in the UK. Between April 2022 and March 2023, food banks provided almost 3 million food supplies to people in crisis. 

Harrow Food Bank requires two Trustees to support the Chair and current members who can support the existing Trustees:

Administrator / Secretary: to lead on all the administrative duties of the food bank and Trustee Board, ensure all meetings are conducted within the legal requirements and a record of all meetings maintained. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Arrange and communicate dates for all Trustee Meetings, circulating papers in advance

2. Follow up on the agreed actions from meetings and keep an accurate ‘action log’

3. Ensure all stakeholders are informed of the AGM and that the AGM report is submitted to all relevant bodies

Treasurer: to lead on the financial affairs of the foodbank and to ensure that they are conducted within the required legal accounting and good practice conventions. Key roles & responsibilities:

1. Ensure that the Food Bank has proper systems for budgeting, financial controls, insurance and reporting

2. Produce and present regular finance reports for the Trustees Board Meetings

3. Maintain accurate financial records as report in a timely manner to all relevant bodies

Sutton Mental Health Foundation was established as a charity in 1998 and the aim of the Foundation is to support people with mental health needs in the London Borough of Sutton, helping to keep them well and active and helping them to have a voice in mental health care in the Borough.  Our vision is to provide a community in Sutton which values mental wellbeing and understands how to respond positively to anxiety and distress.  The Foundation works together to promote mental wellbeing resilience and recovery from mental distress.We provide nonclinical support, and we are part of the Voluntary Sector. 

The Foundation is seeking to add to the expertise of our experienced, professional Board of Trustees, who are all volunteers.  All our Trustees need excellent communication skills, the ability to work effectively as part of a team, strategic vision and good, independent judgement.  Although not limited to, we would particularly value the experience and skills in the following areas : 

• Company Secretary/Legal Experience 
• Fundraising in the following areas – Grant, Corporate and Public 
• Marketing 

Lived or shared experience of mental health – desirable. 

Inclusion is one of our values and we are looking for diversity in the makeup of our Board and that we particularly welcome applications from underrepresented communities.

The Board of Trustees meets every six weeks, in the evening at 7 p.m. for approximately 1 ½ hours in Sutton.  Sometimes our Board meetings are on-line.

Chair of Trustees - Sansara

SANSARA is a vocal collective making choral music that matters, giving voice to powerful human stories.

It is recruiting for a new Chair of Trustees to chair its board that has strong governance, public health, finance, and creative arts experience, from the 1st of August 2024 or earlier, as the current Chair resigns on the 31st July 2024.

Choirs are living, breathing instruments with unmatched expressive potential. SANSARA channels this creative force to present compelling choral experiences at the highest level, from intimate a cappella performances to immersive electronic soundscapes and critically acclaimed recordings. Its core projects fuse artistic excellence with social engagement.

• The Board of Trustees work with the Chief Executive at a strategic level to ensure the organisation is effective within its aims and objectives.
• The Board, made up of 6 Trustees, meet with the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, approximately every two months, to discuss the wider obligations and challenges of the specific sector in which we work
• The Board have a joint responsibility with the Chief Executive to ensure the charity complies with good practice and legal obligations.
• The Board through the Chairman and Treasurer work with the Chief Executive and their Deputy to ensure finance and resources are adequate for the needs of the organisation
• The Board support the Chief Executive through the Chairman, in order for her to carry out the management of the Charity
• Trustees should act with integrity and in the interests of the organisation and its clients and staff
• The Board takes and gives advice and guidance to and from the Chief Executive as required.

We are especially interested in applications from people with some experience working or have worked in the following sectors:

• Medicine
• Social Work
• Local Government
• Religion

Please contact Jo Rising in the first instance for further information.

Community Action Malvern & District is a registered charity that has been serving the Malvern area since 1972 and we aim to combat social isolation by connecting people through transport and other community projects delivered by volunteers. We currently have 10 staff, over 100 volunteers,  a Men’s Shed, a volunteer recruitment project, and a small fleet of accessible minibuses and wheelchair vehicles.

“Serving as a trustee can be immensely rewarding…I guess I help because I can” CH, current trustee

We are looking for at least two new Trustees to play an essential role in ensuring that the charity fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries,  delivers on our core purpose, supports our strategic development and identifies service innovations.

“Being a charity trustee allows you to use some of the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired to bring fresh ideas and perspective to the charity” MA, current trustee

We welcome people from diverse backgrounds and careers; our only requirement is that you have basic skills in financial management, business planning and IT, and want to work as part of a team. Anyone with greater financial or legal skills, or an interest in becoming our Treasurer would be particularly welcome.

“For anyone still working, or perhaps considering a slower pace of life following retirement, trusteeship is intellectually stimulating, providing exposure to the fascinating legal, ethical, and financial aspects of running a charity." RH, current trustee

Chief of the Board of Trustees - We Belong

We Belong is a UK charity established and led by young migrants. It is the first charity of its kind, and its mission is to campaign for equal treatment of young migrants and to put an end to the hostile immigration environment through a shorter and fairer path to settlement. It empowers young people by providing a safe platform for them to collaborate, raise their voice, and receive advice, training, and opportunities in areas like education, leadership, employability and immigration support.

Trustees

Type: Voluntary Position

Location: Board meetings are a mixture of online and in person (Edinburgh)

Closing Date: Wednesday 5th June

Upmo are an Edinburgh-based charity that provides support and opportunity for adults with learning disabilities and autism across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Upmo was founded in 2006 by Josh Barton and inspired by the belief that services for adults could truly be exciting, dynamic and meaningful.

In 2006, adults with learning disabilities lacked opportunities in higher education and there was a lack of understanding around individual needs. Those who understood the needs of service users operated with limited scope to encourage, inspire and motivate. As a result, many service users were isolated and desperately in need of opportunities to become more socially engaged, active and valued.

The response from Upmo was combining progressive learning within an educational curriculum and the development of support service provision – placing the needs of students at the heart of services. Distinguishing themselves by adopting an unconventional approach, Upmo provides custom-tailored support services alongside a well-regarded curriculum featuring creative workshops, educational activities, and vocational programs. The charity has also expanded its impact through a growing number of social enterprises aimed at creating job opportunities and preparing students for employment.

Upmo are looking for a number of committed and motivated individuals, from any background, to join their Board of Trustees and to help steer Upmo through a time of exciting opportunity and development.

As members of the Board, Trustees have the overall responsibility of running the charity. The current Trustees come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and through their wide-ranging and complimentary skills and life experience, contribute to the strategy and oversight of the charity’s operations. Being a trustee is a rewarding experience, which can also offer opportunities for personal development and growth outside of the workplace.

To be considered for this role, you should have strong communication, interpersonal and writing skills, coupled with a proactive attitude towards learning and a collaborative spirit. Additionally, strong analytical and problem-solving skills are key. Regardless of your background, if you embody qualities such as a genuine concern for others, honesty, integrity, and an alignment to Upmo’s mission, we encourage you to reach out for more information.

The Board of Trustees meet four times per year, with every second meeting being held in person in Edinburgh. It is important that trustees allocate sufficient time to read Board papers and prepare for Board meetings. However, this is not onerous, and the time commitment should be no more than 2-4 hours per month on average.

How to Apply:

Closing Date: Wednesday 5th June

This search is being conducted exclusively for Upmo by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.

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.

Trustee Vacancies

Showroom Work Station

(Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre)

Showroom Work Station is a registered charity and a cultural hub for South Yorkshire and the North of England. 

Located in a converted 1930’s art deco building, the venue is home to a four-screen cinema, creative industries business centre, event space, and café bar, in the heart of Sheffield city centre. 

We are looking to recruit new Trustees to join our board.  We are particularly keen to hear from anyone with knowledge and understanding of major capital projects, fundraising or the hospitality sector.  However, if you don’t have expertise in any of these areas, but still feel that you have something to offer, please still get in touch.  This is a unique opportunity to join a creative and passionate team and help shape the future of the organisation.

As a trustee you will oversee the operation of a major cultural cinema exhibiting a diverse film programme with first run and retrospectives of curated work, including archive, documentaries, and many unique one-off programmes with regular visiting filmmakers.  We are home to some very successful film festivals and host many unique events each month.

Through our trading subsidiary, we also manage the Work Station creative industries business centre, operate a successful bar/café, and conferencing facilities.

Our Trustees work closely with the Chair, Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to provide clear strategic direction to the organisation, helping to agree policy, define goals, set targets, and evaluate performance.

As with all our Trustees, we are looking for candidates who can demonstrate excellent communication skills and have a good understanding of local, regional, and cultural agendas.

Trustees are required to attend approximately 5 Board meetings per year (usually held on the last Monday of the month, 6 pm – 8 pm) and to offer relevant support and specialist knowledge to enable us to meet the objectives of our business. 

The post is not paid but all Trustees receive invitations to special events and have a weekly allocation of free cinema tickets (subject to availability).

Application process:

Please download our full application pack and equal opportunities form from the vacancies page of the Showroom Workstation, Sheffield website.

To apply please provide the following:

• A comprehensive CV or biography (a statement outlining your roles, responsibilities, and achievements in the organisations in which you currently and previously worked). Please include details of any service as a Board Trustee or any other voluntary/community work.
• Our completed equal opportunities monitoring form.  This information will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only.
• Daytime and evening contact telephone numbers that will be used with discretion.

Closing date: Please submit your application by midday on Wednesday 8th May 2024 to Julie Simpson

For an informal conversation about the role prior to submitting your application please contact Ian Wild, Chief Executive.

Showroom Work Station, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX

Sheffield Media and Exhibition Centre Limited is a registered charity, number 100 2020

Type: Voluntary Position

Location: Board meetings are a mixture of online or in person (Edinburgh)

Closing Date: Midday, Tuesday 21st May

withYOU are a social care charity giving over a thousand people in Edinburgh and the Lothians the support they need to live as independently as possible, providing care that makes a positive impact to the lives of vulnerable people.

The Charity are dedicated to delivering exceptional care through high quality, personalised services, that enable the people they support to live their best lives. withYOU work with people experiencing different levels of vulnerability, from those with lifelong support needs to those experiencing homelessness for the first time.

They do this across three core service areas – homelessness, prevention and housing support, learning disability and neurodiversity, and older age care.

With a strong senior leadership team and 250 multi-skilled staff, withYOU are an ambitious organisation undertaking a substantial transformation and improvement programme to expand their services and work towards a bigger and brighter future. We are looking for several trustees to join their board of trustees who can play an integral role in governing the charity.

The Role of Trustee

 

The withYOU Board plays a vital role in providing leadership and direction to the organisation. As a trustee, you will contribute to determining strategy, ensuring the availability of resources, and promoting high standards of governance to comply with legal and regulatory requirements. You will work collectively with other board members to monitor performance, assess risks, and oversee the implementation of innovative approaches to service provision and business development.

The role of Board Member is non-executive and unpaid; the Senior Leadership Team, led by the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for operational management within a framework of controls established by the Board. In practice, the Board and CEO work in partnership to develop innovative approaches to business development and delivery and to safeguard the organisation’s future.

We are particularly interested in those who come from a background in: health and social care, finance, HR/organisational development, business development and risk/assessment.

Additionally, if you come from a different background but are enthusiastic about withYOU's work and believe you can contribute energy and value to their mission, we encourage you to get in touch.

Previous Trustee experience or senior managerial experience is not essential, what we value are individuals who have a keen interest in supporting the growth of withYOU through their unique skill sets, a strong commitment to deliver high-quality care and alignment to their values.

Board meetings are a mixture of online and in person in Edinburgh, there are a minimum of 6 meetings per year with additional time required for various events e.g., recruitment to senior roles, site/service visits, training and development. The estimated time commitment per month is 2.5-5 hours. The term is four years, with an option to extend for another term.

How to Apply:

Please contact us to request an information pack, full job description and person specification.

Closing Date: Midday, Friday 24th May

This search is being conducted exclusively for withYOU by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.

Come join our Team!

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees for Emersons Green Village Hall; we need Trustees with a wide variety of skills and a diversity of background and experiences that they can apply to this role.

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of our charity. It is where final decisions are made. The Board’s key role is to make sure that the charity is successful in working towards its aims and objectives. The Board oversees the management of the hall and its staff and is responsible for the larger decisions, keeping an eye on the budgets and generally helping to ensure the halls continued success. This may include approving improvements to the hall, enacting policies, supporting the Hall Manager and the staff in dealing with hirers and staging community events and activities, and planning and monitoring progress.

We are looking for Trustees with a wide variety of skills and experiences. Experience in community facilities or running community projects would be helpful. We are also looking for Trustees with experience in business development and income generation. As a member of our Board of Trustees you will have the opportunity to provide leadership in helping to shape the future of the hall and strategic direction and ensure financial viability for the future.

As a team, the Trustee Board is supported by an established staff team including the Hall Manager, plus the Treasurer and Company Secretary.

We have 6 scheduled meetings a year and then usually a few ad hoc ones to look at budgets and staff meetings. These are usually in the evenings. The regular meetings tend to last about 2.5 hours.

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) - Trusees

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) is seeking new Trustees to join its Board who have business development, finance, charity or fundraising expertise or experience, who might be interested in this area, as well as others interested in social care, education or palliative or end of life care

The GSF is a registered charity and has been the UK’s leading training provider for generalist frontline staff in caring for people in the last years of life for over 25 years. GSF is a practical and evidence-based end of life care improvement programme.

Its aim is to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for everyone, with any condition, in any setting, given by any care provider, at any time in a person’s last years of life.

3x Trustees - Breakout Youth

Breakout Youth is a registered charity that provides services and facilities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) young people.  Breakout Youth supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ young people by providing safe spaces, education, and promoting awareness as a visible, current, inclusive, and trusted LGBTQ+ charity.

Specifically, it is seeking Trustees with either fundraising or human resources experience to drive activity in these crucial areas. Although, it is also seeking general Trustees to join its growing team.

We are specifically seeking trustees with experience in the following areas:

• Income Generation
• Governance
• Finance
• Marketing and PR

A LITTLE ABOUT PANS PANDAS UK

PANS and PANDAS are complex neuro-psychiatric conditions which are frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. PANS PANDAS UK are the only charity in the UK working to improve outcomes and ensure brighter futures for people affected by PANS and PANDAS.

We provide support and information to families and work tirelessly to inform medical practice by raising awareness at government levels, engaging with medical Royal Colleges and the NHS. In addition to this we work closely with health, social work and educational professionals as well as our European and International peer organisations.

We are a small group of trustees who are located around the UK. We work from home and have a warm, supportive, and positive culture. If you would like to join our friendly team, please download our Trustee Job Description.