Rural partnerships development manager volunteer roles

Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents.  They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).

The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:

· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.

· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.

· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.

· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.

· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.

· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.

· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.

· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.

· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.

· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.

· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.

· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.

· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Working hours/commitment

All trustees are required to:

· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.

· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.

Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings.  This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise. 

Trustee Opportunity at Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire is seeking new trustees to help shape the future of our high-performing advice charity.

With offices in Grantham, Spalding and Stamford, plus outreach centres across the region, we support a population of 225,000 people. Last year, we helped 14,000 clients with 60,000 issues and secured over £7 million of additional income for them. We are here for everyone to help people move on with their lives.

As a trustee, you’d join a well-known, respected charity, influence strategy, strengthen governance and contribute to meaningful change. This is an opportunity to share your expertise with other professional, dedicated trustees, gain valuable experience, build on your leadership and strategy skills, and increase your employability. Prior Board experience is not required.

We welcome expertise in digital media, finance, fundraising, HR, IT, law, marketing, PR, risk management, senior management, local government, or strategy.

What do you need to become a trustee?

Trustees don’t need specific qualifications, but we expect all trustees to have six core skills:

● Insight into the organisation: considering CASL’s objects and its public benefit strategically

● Challenging constructively: clarifying facts; stimulating thought

● Analysing issues: being objective; evaluating risks; using evidence; planning ahead

● Weighing up opinions: using evidence; balancing long- and shortterm; prioritising value

● Interpersonal skills: communicating clearly; listening actively; supporting a healthy culture

● Confidence and self-awareness: collaborating with others; treating everyone with respect.

The Board also values specialist skills as assets among its members:

● experience or qualifications in:

 ‣ business or charity leadership

 ‣ equity, diversity and inclusion

 ‣ facilitation

 ‣ finance and accountancy

 ‣ human resources

 ‣ IT, AI or digital media

‣ law or governance

‣ local government

‣ marketing, PR or communications

‣ risk management, or

‣ strategy development

● past experience as a client or service user of this (or a similar) organisation

● a track record of charitable fundraising, or

● being an effective chair. 

Finally, competent trustees should have these six personal qualities to some extent, and demonstrate them in their behaviours:

● Committed - motivated, dedicated, persevering; plays an active role.

● Responsible - accountable, independent, reliable; accepts collective responsibility.

● Trustworthy - ethical, principled; is a critical friend and focuses on continuous improvement.

● Collaborative - team-oriented, approachable; builds relationships and seeks consensus.

● Confident - independent; contributes constructively and expresses opinions courageously.

● Thoughtful - curious, adaptable, open-minded; appropriately challenges the status quo

The Organisation

Changeworks is Scotland’s leading environmental organisation, driving the decarbonisation of homes and supporting a just transition to net zero. With over 35 years of experience, the organisation works with individuals, communities, businesses, and partners to deliver energy advice, retrofit solutions, and innovative decarbonisation services that reduce carbon emissions, lower energy bills, and tackle fuel poverty. In recent years, Changeworks has assisted tens of thousands of households in installing energy efficiency measures, provided thousands with expert energy support, and saved hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon, making low-carbon living a tangible reality across Scotland. 

The Role

This is an exceptional opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Changeworks. The Chair will lead the Board of Trustees in providing strategic direction and ensuring effective governance, guiding the organisation through an important period of growth while championing its environmental and social values.

The Chair will serve as a statutory trustee and non-executive director, offering strategic leadership, guidance, and robust governance oversight across Changeworks and its subsidiary organisations, driving meaningful impact in communities, households, and businesses throughout Scotland.

The Person

The role requires a strategic and analytical thinker capable of balancing social impact with commercial success and long-term sustainability. The Chair will communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice, while fostering inclusive governance by valuing diverse perspectives.

Required Experience and Capabilities

Senior Leadership and Governance Experience
The ideal candidate will have leadership experience demonstrating strategic thinking, an entrepreneurial mindset, and an understanding of governance complexities in charitable and commercial sectors. This may include:

• Senior management, executive, or non-executive roles in mission-driven organisations.

• Experience serving on boards or committees across sectors.

• A track record of leading teams through organisational transformation and growth.

• Experience engaging diverse stakeholder groups, including social housing, local government, or minority communities.

• Proven experience in trustee or non-executive roles, with strong governance and oversight capabilities.

The Chair is expected to have:

• A proven track record of chairing boards or high-level committees, ideally in a purpose-driven or hybrid commercial-social environment.

• Experience as a charity trustee or non-executive director.

• The ability to navigate complex political and economic landscapes to advocate for decarbonisation and a just transition.

• A commitment to decarbonising homes in Scotland and addressing fuel poverty.

• Experience overseeing organisational growth or transformation aligned with Changeworks’ scaling objectives.

• Exceptional diplomatic, mediation, and relationship-building skills to manage board dynamics and the CEO partnership.

Strategic Growth & Risk Management

• Experience driving or enabling organisational growth and development.

• Understanding of risk management in complex organisations.

• Knowledge of good governance practices in regulated sectors.

• Demonstrated success in purpose-driven organisations.

Specialist Knowledge Areas

• Experience in the social housing sector.

• Experience in rural communities.

• Background in entrepreneurship, innovation, or research & development commercialisation.

• Understanding of technical aspects of retrofit.

• Experience in public affairs, government engagement, or lobbying.

• Access to networks beneficial to Changeworks is desirable.

Additional Considerations

• Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged.

• Candidates should share a commitment to environmental action and bring diverse perspectives.

• New Board members are expected to serve on at least one sub-committee, including Strategy, Audit and Risk, or Nominations.