We are looking for someone with great interviewing skills. Great opportunity for prospective recruitment manager.

- Must speak fluent English (preferable with no strong accent), for better comprehension.

- Must have experience in the Charity Sector (at least two years).

-  All Charity Expenses incurred will be full refunded on presentation of receipts.

Nurture The Children International provides projects that help young children in the United Kingdom to overcome mental health challenges at the initial stage, we believe that ' a stitch in time saves nine'. The number of mental health cases among children under age 10, is on the increase. We are proactive about the problem and have designed a fun and educative program that gives children a better out look on life and brings children together to interact, globally. Our plan is to deliver this projects in Primary and Secondary Schools across the UK. Through a cross-pollenation of their experiences, with our unique package they will help each other grow up to be more productive and responsible adults and better representatives of their various communities.

As our slogan goes," Nurture the Children, Secure the Future".

We also provide an opportunity to invest in Africa’s young people, for our global good. Supporting our education, feeding, water, and health programs provides individual sponsors a simple way to support the world’s most vulnerable children and put an end to child hunger, poverty, exploitation and ultimately reduce immigration numbers; by contributing to Africa’s economic growth.

We need a Volunteer Recruitment Manager capable of building this great team that will make things happen! This gives you a GREAT opportunity not only to impact lives in the UK, but also in communities in Africa, which you might get an oppotunity to visit.

You will join our  NTC Team in Romford, Essex, on a part time basis and  will be reviewed after a year for a permanent role. The working days will be determined on a rolling rota basis but you will work on average 4 days a week. Working hours are 10:00 - 17:00 with one hour for lunch. 
 

Skills/Abilities

• Up to date skills and experience of using a range of different media to communicate with volunteers as well as being an effective communicator
• Ability to write accurate and engaging communications for a volunteer audience
• The post holder needs to have an understanding of the nature of the volunteer relationship and how communications can play a key role in developing and enhancing the relationship.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities, keeping to budget/timelines
• Collaborative working, with staff and volunteers
• Good attention to detail
• Outstanding written communication skills, including spelling,phonetics and grammar
• Ability to develop and write engaging volunteer propositions and marketing

Knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of how to effectively employ a range of different communications media and software packages to support communications e.g. 

 MY GENERATION PROJECT

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are Looking For Volunteers for an Exciting New Project in Barnet!

Mind in Barnet (MiB) in collaboration with Age UK, is working on an innovative project called My Generation.  The aim is to provide older people with a range of tools and techniques, such as improving access to wellbeing activities, teaching psychological coping strategies and participating in effective local peer networks, which will proactively build resilience and help them stay well.

Our project focuses on enabling older people at risk of developing mental health problems to proactively support and manage their mental health, so they can cope more effectively with the challenges and problems they encounter, including managing long term physical health conditions.  My Generation aims to reach those who do not have a mental health problem but are at risk. We will set up a steering group of older people from diverse backgrounds and involve them in the projects throughout the year.

Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to assist and help with various workshops to delivery psycho-educational resilience focused support group. These workshops will use tools and techniques to:

•  Improving access to wellbeing activities;
•  Teach psychological coping strategies;
• Create effective local peer networks;

This volunteer work will offer volunteers invaluable work experiences on working on a new pioneer scheme based in London. We will give on the job training and supervision. Also give references provided after completion of one-year volunteering and travel expenses reimbursed (within London)

If you are interested in volunteer working with us, please contact us!

The Fundraising Officer role is a pivotal role at the Mlambe Project which we hope to make a paid position in the next 24 months, and at the moment is a key voluntary role within the team. Working alongside the CEO, the Fundraising Officer helps support and develop the income strategy for The Mlambe Project together with the CEO. 

At The Mlambe Project, our work traditionally focuses on Malawi because it has been under invested in by aid and development agencies, despite its extreme deprivation and poverty. Malawi has had HIV epidemics, which has created over a million child orphans. Much of the nation live off of subsistence farming, and dependent on weather conditions sometimes the country can be deeply affected by malnutrition due to harvest conditions. Malaria and other diseases severely affect the lifespan and health of people growing up in Malawi. In Malawi, educational investment tends to focus on urban areas, despite vast numbers of children living in rural areas, which means that children are faced with either insurmountable walks to school or trying to be educated in hugely overcrowded educational conditions, often in buildings unfit for educating such large numbers. Children that don’t go to school end up subsistence farming with their families and their overall life chances are somewhat limited. Malawi is one of the most impoverished countries on earth. Nearly 53% of Milawi’s inhabitants live below the poverty line. Access to water, electricity and basic infrastructure and sanitation continues to be extremely challenging across much of rural Malawi.

We at The Mlambe Project believe that the best means of aiding the Malawian people in their struggle against poverty is through the provision of sustainable livelihoods and a proper education.

We aim to achieve this via our three primary objectives, these are:

Education— we are set up to build schools across rural Milawi and to innovate digital education and innovation to support children and adults out of poverty and into sustainable livelihoods. This includes supporting young people through Higher Education through digital learning.
Construction and promotion of the ‘Earthbag building’ technique as a route to improving sustainable employment and construction, we train local people as labourers and construction workers to build with the technique which is affordable, eco-friendly, and reduces the use of firewood, significantly reducing deforestation.
Develop and implement new innovations for development in a responsible and sustainable manner, for example, our clay stove project which supports communities to build their own stoves, or infant feeding project, which feeds children in one of the nurseries.

The role of Fundraising Officer is voluntary, but for the successful volunteer, we will provide executive fast track training to become an executive fundraiser within 12 months, which is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to make expedient progress in their career in the charity sector, or a rewarding role for someone already in the voluntary sector to maximise their impact on a tremendously important cause.

We are ideally looking for someone to commit for 12 months or more, as we will be investing £1500 in training the volunteer in fundraising, and you will have the passionate support of an extensive, vibrant, ambitious and friendly team, which feels like one big family. This is a role that will give you a meaningful way of giving back, whilst making a huge difference to the lives and people we serve in Malawi. The role is very flexible, and can largely be worked from home as well as meeting and working with our CEO regularly, who lives in South Northants, but these meetings can take place virtually or in London.

Being a volunteer with us is a life changing experience- when volunteers start with us, they rarely ever leave! This is testimony to the great work we have built up and the reward people get out of volunteering with us.

For an informal conversation about the role, please feel free to call our Chief Executive, Anna, or send us an email to set up a conversation.

We are an equal opportunities charity, and actively encourage volunteers from all backgrounds and we are positive about disabilities. Volunteer recruitment processes are subject to Enhanced DBS checks particularly if volunteers elect to go to visit our community we serve in Malawi. This role may or may not involve visits to Malawi, dependent on the volunteers' preference. Expenses for the volunteer role are paid, but not travel costs to Malawi.

About the Treasurer role

The Mlambe Project is seeking a Treasurer who has a strong empathy with our mission to alleviate poverty and create sustainable development. 

Funding

At present the Charity’s income is developed from private trusts, individuals, corporates, and individual supporters. The charity employs a Chief Executive in the UK 3 days per week and a building team in Malawi.

Main Activities:

• Ensure compliance with financial reporting and the solvency of the charity, particularly preparing an annual budget and three year forecast.

• Work with the Chief Executive and finance volunteers to manage bookkeeping and record keeping, taking on a primary role for management of finance.

• Monitoring cashflow forecasting, financial projections, income streams and overarching strategic management of The Mlambe Project’s finances.

• Acting as a counter signatory and payment processing (currently not many transactions each month)

• Acting as a counter signatory on funding applications and responding to financial due diligence questions from funders.

• Ensuring that our finances are used at all times to best serve our beneficiaries in the most cost efficient manner, agreeing all extraordinary expenditure against budget.

• To work with the CEO and finance volunteers to ensure quarterly reports, moving to monthly reports as the charity grows to the Trustees and management on income and expenditure are shared, and progress compared to Budget.

• Manage payroll of one employee,  accounts, taxation and any other reasonable finance related tasks including HMRC and RTI returns.

• Develop and oversee and monitor robust controls, policies and procedures for financial management and oversight.

• Develop a reserves policy and work with the CEO to ensure reserves levels are met at all times.

• Advise on the development and implementation of financial, and investment policies. Advise on the financial implications of those plans.

• Producing year end accounts, and as the charity develops, overseeing work and appointment of independent examiners and latterly auditors.

• Ensuring that a high standard of management accounting is maintained to safeguard assets.

• Ensure that any difficulties with finances are reported in a timely way to the board to ensure their swift address, as well as explaining financial matters to all trustees in a way they can understand, and providing basic financial training to trustees as and when necessary to help them better understand their financial responsibilities.

Specific Treasurer skills required

 

Other Abilities:

Essential:

• Qualified Accountant or Financial experience with demonstrated commercial awareness and knowledge

• Knowledge of SORP or willingness to learn and willing to keep abreast with legislative changes to SORP.

• Competent use of IT Skills - particularly Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets

• Proven ability to work communicating finances to non- financial directors or individuals.

• Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.

• Understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

• Good Communication and leadership skills.

Desirable:

• Demonstrated knowledge of charity finance and fundraising practices.

• Dedication to an organisations cause and objectives and willing to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies.

• Skill in one or more areas of non-executive governance, e.g. strategic planning, business management, financial accountancy, experience of HR issues, trusts, or grant giving bodies.

In addition to the above, we ask that all trustees becoming a trustee of our organisation have:

·       A commitment to The Mlambe Project and its Vision and Mission.

·       A commitment to promoting The Mlambe Project professionally.

·       A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.

·       Integrity.

·       Strategic vision.

·       A willingness to speak their mind.

·       An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.

·       Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Ability to comply with Nolan’s seven principles of public life:

1.Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2.Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3.Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4.Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5.Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6.Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7.Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Trustee meetings and time commitment.

To participate fully in as many Trustee meetings as possible (currently meets quarterly).

Note: missing 4 trustee meetings in one year is normally treated as resignation.

Each Trustee has his or her own remit and we are looking for a commitment from each Trustee appointed of at least 2 days per month. 

Trustees

Along with normal trustee duties, your primary responsibility will be to oversee the finances, including income and expenses of the charity, in order to grow and increase its contribution to the development of Malawi.

The Board of Trustees are jointly and severally responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities and developing The Mlambe Project’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. All trustees should also be aware of and understand their individual and collective responsibilities, and should not be overly reliant on one or more individual trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity. The Trustees meet once a quarter generally in London but this is regularly reviewed for the convenience of all trustees. 

Our charity is a registered charity number 1160518.

 

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance (SJA) teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

As a youth leader you will deliver development opportunities on behalf of SJA through one of our programmes for young people (Badgers, Cadets, Peer Education, Youth First Aid or RISE). This will involve supporting young people alongside other youth leaders, youth support leaders and others. You will also take on responsibility for leading your youth section of Cadets under a Unit Manager's direction. This opportunity is to develop a cadet unit in the Newcastle Area. 

Closing date is Friday 11th October 2019 and interviews will take place on Friday 18th October 2019.

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

We are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to organise first aid event. The role holder will liaise with external event organisers and co-ordinate the resourcing and deployment of volunteers.  In addition, the successful candidate will co-ordinate unit participation for emergency response. 

Good communication and computer skills are essential for this role and the candidate should be trained as an event first aider or have previous experience.

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

We are looking for someone to be responsible for the training needs of our volunteers. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for the work of St John Ambulance and an interest in coordinating internal training programmes for our volunteers and community training events for the public.

he closing date for this post is Friday 11th October 2019 and interviews will take place on Friday 18th October 2019.

Lancashire Mind are seeking a new trustee to join their board

We are Lancashire Mind; our vision is Mental Wellbeing for All. Our mission is to revolutionise attitudes, challenge perceptions and alter provision

About us

Lancashire Mind is in a strong position, having restructured its management team and having increased unrestricted income significantly. Our vision is Mental Wellbeing for All, which is supported by a coherent mission statement: revolutionise attitudes, challenge perceptions, alter provision.

Our work enables people in Lancashire to value and take care of their mental health. Our dedicated team challenge misconceptions about mental health, develop resilience in people from an early age and work with communities to build a happier Lancashire.

Externally, Lancashire Mind is well positioned and well respected in the health, public and third sectors. We are viewed as thought leaders in the areas of mental wellbeing and mental health prevention and we have been instrumental in shifting the county-wide understanding of mental health.

What we are looking for?

With a number of key trustees reaching the end of their terms of office over the next 12 months, we now seek up to several new board members who share our organisational values and have a passionate belief that prevention and resilience are the key to achieving mental wellbeing. This includes one trustee who will be able to step up into the chair role when our current chair leaves office.

If you’ d like to play your part in achieving mental wellbeing for all, have skills and talents beneficial to Lancashire Mind and can commit on average two days per month, we’re really interested in hearing from you.

We want Trustees who possess the following core skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of the role and responsibilities of a charity trustee
• A strong commitment to achieving Mental Wellbeing for All
• Commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, recognising the differing challenges faced by diverse groups
• Ability to think strategically and creatively and to challenge established views in an emotionally intelligent manner
• Excellent communication skills
• An understanding of (or a willingness to understand) the strategic, policy and political environments that affect and influence Lancashire Mind’s work

We’re particularly interested in hearing from people with one or more of the following skills: 

• Communications and marketing
• Finance
• Public health - ideally mental health

Lancashire Mind particularly welcomes applicants who can bring a diversity of thinking to our work and organisation, based on their personal characteristics and experience, be it of disability, ethnicity, faith or sexuality. We particularly welcome applications from individuals that have a lived experience of mental health conditions.

Time commitment

We are seeking people who can commit to an approximate commitment of around 2 days per month from all Trustees and 4 days per month from the Chair.

Appointed Trustees will serve a three-year term in office, with an opportunity at the end of that first term to stand for re-election for a second three-year term.

How to apply

We welcome applications from high performing and well-connected individuals who feel that they offer other pertinent skills and/or connections that are not listed above. For more information about the role and how to apply (or if you would like to book a short phone call with our CEO) please contact us initially via the Reach Volunteering site. The deadline for applications is at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 16th October.

About the role:

You will be providing support for people impacted by hoarding behaviour who may be facing a variety of situations including legal, financial, psychological and discriminatory abuse and neglect. You will be working with trained colleagues to alleviate housing, benefits, mental health and other problems experienced by HUK’s participants.

  The role consists of:

· Volunteering at HUK a minimum of a half-day (4 hours) each week.

· Providing accurate and timely support  to those using the service.

· Maintain a caseload of up to four clients at each advice session

· Taking responsibility for ongoing casework as required.

· Complying with HUK’s case-management procedures, training programme and other relevant policies and procedures.

Training on hoarding, advocacy and other relevant areas of advice will be provided.

 We are looking for:

· Experience working with vulnerable adults

· Experience of providing support in one or more of following areas: mental health; housing; social care; legal.

· The ability to work sensitively and professionally with people facing difficult circumstances

· A commitment to volunteering with us for one year.

· A commitment to values and ethos of HUK.

HoardingUK is an Equal Opportunities Employer.​  Applicants will not be negatively assessed if they request support for the application process. HUK promotes equality of opportunity for all, through diversity, giving each individual the chance to achieve their potential, free from prejudice and discrimination.

If you are interested, please email Ron Aitken, Advocacy Services Manager, for an application form/for further information.  For those who do not want to use the apply online feature, we have provided a copy of our expression of interest form.  This can be emailed or posted back.

If applicants need support they will not be negatively assessed, instead helped through the process.  Please get in touch.

Trustee with Fundraising Experience to Join our Board of Merry Clowns

We are looking for a passionate individual to join us at an exciting time for our charity. Going through a period of rapid growth we are looking for a trustee with fundraising experience to help set and support our Fundraising Strategy.

In addition to this, this person will:

• Assist in securing additional funding and the diversification of fundraising sources
• Using personal and professional networks to help with access to potential donors and supporters including corporates, trusts and foundations, NGOs, and individuals

As a human you'll be: 

• Passionate about the arts, culture and it’s ability to create positive impact 
• Passionate in Human Rights
• Embodying the values of CWB and endeavoring to maintain a spirit of joy, peace, compassion and lovingkindness in the way we work together on the Board
• Enthusiastic about our mission and able to support this through the sharing of ideas, professional expertise and networks

Trustees meet three times a year, normally in London. We also encourage trustees to give additional time to sit on sub-committees.  They are elected for a 2-year term but with the opportunity to be re-elected. The Trustee role is voluntary but out of pocket expenses are paid. 

Treasurer – Chair of the Finance Committee, Board of Trustees

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Trustees for Gingerbread in the key role of Treasurer. These notes are intended to assist you in completing your application.  The Board is keen to ensure that new Trustees strengthen the Board’s mix of skills, expertise and diversity, understand the expectations of the role and accept the Code of Conduct that all our Trustees are expected to adhere to.

Why join our Board
In this role you will be joining Gingerbread at an exciting time. We have recently celebrated our 100th year, launched our new three-year strategy and have committed to a strong focus on our fundraising and the way in which we engage with our beneficiaries and evidence the impact of that engagement.

Single parents make up about a quarter of all families with children. Despite the positive changes achieved over the past 100 years, inequality and disadvantage still stand in the way of single parents providing their families with the security they deserve and the opportunities to flourish.  Our mission is to champion and enable single parent families to live secure, fulfilling and happy lives.

We hope you will also find time to browse the website for further information.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Trustee for Gingerbread who can take up the role of Treasurer.  The Treasurer is the Chair of the Finance Committee and plays an essential role on the Board of Gingerbread. The specific tasks and responsibilities of the Treasurer are described in the role description (below).

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing Gingerbread’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the Articles of Association as well as legal and regulatory guidelines. As a Trustee you have the following responsibilities:

• Ensuring that Gingerbread complies with its governing document (its Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that Gingerbread pursues its objects as defined in its governing document
• Ensuring Gingerbread applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be
• Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees' role by giving firm strategic direction to Gingerbread by: setting overall policy; defining goals; setting targets; and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of Gingerbread and acting in its best interests
• Ensuring the financial stability of Gingerbread and managing its resources responsibly
• Protecting and managing the property of Gingerbread and ensuring the proper investment of Gingerbread’s funds
• Appointing and supporting the Chief Executive Officer and monitoring his/her performance.

Trustees generally meet for full Board which are held 4 times a year and also include 2 Board strategy half days. Trustees are expected to attend all meetings.

The Treasurer will chair the Finance Committee of the Board which meets 4 times a year and more frequently as required.  The Treasurer may also meet with the Finance team and the CEO as required.  Currently we are meeting with more frequency and any applicants should be able to accommodate this time commitment 

Trustees’ expenses (for travel to Board meetings and overnight accommodation where required) are paid, but the role itself is without remuneration.

How to Apply

Please read the full role description for the role below. The person specification sets out the skills and experience we are looking for. 

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee and would like to talk informally to someone first, please contact Victoria Benson, Chief Executive Officer who can answer queries or put you in touch with the Chair or a Trustee for a confidential conversation.

If you wish to apply please e-mail Victoria, providing a short statement outlining why you would like to be our Treasurer and what skills and experience you would bring to this role, as well as a short CV.

The Nominations Committee will interview candidates and will make recommendations to the Board. 

Equality and Diversity

We want to recruit people from a range of backgrounds. To help us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment, please complete a diversity monitoring questionnaire online. This data is completely anonymous, is stored confidentially by our HR team and will not be seen by the selection panel. 

Yours sincerely

Victoria Benson

Chief Executive Officer

Role Description

Job Title: Treasurer – Chair of the Finance Committee

Reporting to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Key responsibilities:

• Monitor all financial aspects of the charity and financial reports, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, to ensure Gingerbread’s short and longer-term viability
• Assist the Chair and the Chief Executive in ensuring that the Board of Trustees fulfils its duties and responsibilities for the proper financial governance of the charity.
• Liaise with external auditors on financial issues and ensure the charity’s finances are responsibly managed and invested.

Duties and tasks to fulfil the key responsibilities

Governance

• Lead the Board’s duty to ensure that Gingerbread operates with proper accounting records and responsibly controls financial resources and investments in line with the financial governance, legal and other regulatory requirements
• Ensure that the charity has adequate financial and internal audit controls and that these are monitored and reviewed regularly
• Liaise with the CEO and Head of Finance to ensure that intangible assets such as organisational knowledge and expertise, intellectual property, the charity’s good name and reputation etc. are properly valued, utilised and safeguarded.
• Chair the Finance Committee in line with the terms of reference and recommend and report findings /developments to the Board of Trustees.
• Identify and bring to the attention of the Board, any financial risks facing the charity

Budget & Strategic Financial Planning

• Scrutinise the proposed annual budget, and advise and guide the Board on the financial implications and risks accordingly
• Ensure that strategic financial plans/budgets are aligned to short and longer term objectives each year.
• Recommend (or suggest) alternative scenarios when evaluating strategic plans as part of the risk management process.
• Ensure greater transparency and accountability in the management and allocation of resources in line with Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) guidelines.

Reserves Policy

• To advise on and develop the Board’s Reserves Policy, and to ensure that this policy is reviewed and monitored regularly
• To keep the Board informed of its free reserves and advise on actions to cope with changing circumstances

Management Reporting

• Liaise with the Head of Finance to scrutinise management accounts, performance against budget etc., ensuring a high standard of management accounting is maintained, and to advise the Board accordingly

Audit /Statutory Requirements

• Liaise with the External Auditors on the auditing process and related representations to the Board
• Guide and advise the Board of Trustees on the approval of the Annual Report and audited accounts.

Person Specification

• Qualified accountant with experience of financial control and budgeting at a senior level, preferably with experience in the voluntary sector
• Commitment to the organisation
• Willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort
• Good financial analysis skills
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team

About the role

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability. We deliver rehabilitation, education and community services through our national specialist centre and The Children’s Trust School, based in Tadworth.  We also offer support more widely through our Brain Injury Community Service for children and young people across the UK and via our online Brain Injury Hub.

Established 35 years ago, we have a team comprising 560 staff and 1,100 volunteers, who are dedicated to providing children with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live the best life possible.

This is an exciting time to join our Board. We are planning our next strategy with the ultimate aim of extending our reach and improving the lives of more children and young people.

We have ambitious plans for our education provision; we are expecting to commence the construction of a replacement school building over the strategic period. This all builds upon our secure and sustainable base, our commitment to continuous quality improvement and exemplary standards of care for children and young people with brain injury and neurodisability, as evidenced by our ‘Outstanding’ ratings from both the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted (Care).

Who we're looking for

To enable us to achieve our ambitions we are looking for a new Trustee who can Chair our Finance, Fundraising & General Purposes Committee. This committee is responsible for finance, fundraising, people, facilities, I.T. and Health & Safety. The new committee Chair will have an opportunity to support the future development of our strategy and provide support, advice and oversight of The Children’s Trust financial affairs and its longer-term financial viability, while acting as a critical friend to the Director of Finance.

You will have commercial and strategic senior management experience as a finance professional, and your financial skills will enable you to support the board in their understanding of the strategic financial landscape of The Children’s Trust.

You will have a recognised financial qualification with a strong track record of successfully dealing with strategic issues, interpreting complex information and experience of financial governance, compliance, investments and risk management. We expect the time commitment to be two days a month.

In addition to this background and experience, we are seeking someone who supports with the ambitions and aims of The Children’s Trust and share their values of being can-do, collaborative, caring and supportive, fun, professional and child and family focused.

For more information and to apply, please visit the job page via the application method on this site.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 4th November

When: Wednesday and/or Thursday, 10-4pm

What: we run a Music group for adults with disabilities. If you have a musical background or an interest in music, and would like to support our students for a few hours a week, we’d love to hear from you.  We are looking for someone who can ideally commit to 4 months.

You should have an interest in supporting adults with learning disabilities and be able to follow instructions from the music tutor. You’ll need to be patient, supportive and interested in people and their wellbeing. An interest in music is essential, and if you can play an acoustic instrument this would be a great advantage, however it is not essential.

We can guarantee that the right person will have a wonderful experience working in our warm and friendly community. You’ll gain a great insight into humanity, and gain a greater understanding of the power of music in our lives.

Our ideal volunteer would be:

• Interested or have a background in music
• Patient
• Supportive
• Interested in people and their wellbeing
• Able to play a music instrument, an acoustic instrument would be a real advantage but this is not essential 

In return for you giving up your time for us, you can expect:

• A comprehensive induction and regular training, with on-going support from staff
• An opportunity to develop new skills and make new connections
• Reimbursement of travel expenses 
• Free lunch and refreshments if you volunteer for the whole day
• Invites to all our events, including Christmas parties and garden parties
• The opportunity to have your say by taking part in the annual volunteer survey
• A genuine opportunity to make a difference

Do you want to do something great for your community, whilst having an amazing time? We are looking for volunteers to support adults with learning disabilities and autism to Go Anywhere, and Do Anything during the evenings and at weekends!

The role

Having a learning disability or autism means that people find it harder to learn new things, communicate, manage money, read, or write. People with learning disabilities want to have the same life experience as everyone else, including being able to do things that makes life more enjoyable and meaningful.

You’ll accompany a member of Share (your buddy) on a day out of yours or their choice, either 1-1, or if others want to go, on a 2-2 basis. You’ll organise the trip by sorting out timings, planning the route, communicating with the venue and liaising with the member and parents/carers. Whilst on the trip you’ll support your buddy to do things like navigate the tube system,  buy a drink at the bar, find their way around but most of all have an amazing day or night out! You’ll need to make sure the your buddy stays safe on the trip and gets home safely at the end of it - people are normally either met by parents/carers or travel independently but on occasion, you may need to drop someone home.

You’ll be helping your buddy to reach the life goal they’ve set themselves, such as using money, doing something new, being more active, letting their hair down, staying out late, using their mobile phone, pursuing an interest or making a new friend. You'll probably meet lots of our members during your time volunteering with us, meaning your buddy won't always be the same person.

Who we are looking for

Our ideal volunteer will be reliable, sociable, energetic, and friendly, with a real sense of fun. You’ll need to be open minded and positive about diversity, whilst being pro-active and organised.  You’ll need to enjoy meeting new people, and be committed to building empowering relationships with people with  learning disabilities and autism. No previous experience necessary.

You will receive a comprehensive induction towards the beginning of November. You'll receive on-going support, an opportunity to develop your skills, and most of all a genuine opportunity to make a difference to people at risk of social isolation. The cost of your activities will be covered, and your travel will be reimbursed.

What do our current Social Buddies say?

"I absolutely love it - so much so, I will chat about the trips to anyone who will listen afterwards!"

"I’ve enjoyed getting to know new people, helping out in the community, exploring London, being involved with a team & feeling valued."

"I think it is run brilliantly. I’m always telling people how enthusiastic and attentive the GADA staff are!!"

"There is so much information and ways to give feedback. Superbly efficient and great trip ideas too."

"It was a real pleasure to spend the day with such nice people, in such a lovely place."

"This whole project can be so empowering and potentially life changing."

"I’ve found that I come home feeling really happy with a renewed appreciation for life."

"It's such a good day out with amazing people... Afterwards I'm left feeling on top of the world! Every trip I have been on has been buzzing with happiness and positivity."