Governance Volunteer Roles
Queen Alexandra College (QAC) seek to appoint a new Chair of Governors to lead its board towards a future vision which will see them deliver a new strategy of growth and development in a place which is far more than a typical college.
Applications close at: 9 a.m. Tuesday 4th June 2024
Location: Harborne, Birmingham
Time commitment: 3 – 4 days per month
About Queen Alexandra College (QAC)
Queen Alexandra College has taken on many forms over the years. It has been based at its Court Oak Road site in Harborne, Birmingham, for the last 121 years.
We were initially established to provide education to young people who were blind or partially sighted. While we still do this, our 380+ students now also include those who are on the autistic spectrum, who have moderate to severe learning difficulties and who have physical disabilities. Each day, our students are supported by a dedicated team of 437 expert staff.
Our College is just one part of the wider Queen Alexandra Charity which also incorporates community services provision, residential accommodation and our wholly-owned subsidiary, QAC Enterprises, which offers a variety of specialist commercial services.
Our organisational structure is quite different to that of many other colleges. As well as being an organisation that provides education and training, we are also a charitable company – the Queen Alexandra Charity is made up of four elements: the College; community services; residential; and enterprises.
The College is the significant service area of the charity, attracting students predominantly from the West Midlands, but with one in eight coming from further afield. This means that we are currently working with over 35 local authorities nationally.
Operating on three west Birmingham sites, our provision has deep roots within the local area. Most teaching takes place at our Harborne Campus on Court Oak Road. Here, we have our fitness centre, sports hall and a range of specialist facilities which is also the location of our residential accommodation, supporting up to 24 students.
Our Umberslade Campus offers horticulture and outdoor learning and at the Pinewood Campus, the focus is on dedicated progression to work. Based in a business hub, it a feel that is distinctly ‘not college’.
We aim to maximise life chances, as well as develop independence and work skills. This is delivered through a range of provision including preparation for life, vocational and supported internship programmes and our LEAP curriculum which includes courses in animal care, design and production, hospitality and catering, multi-trades, retail and business and sport and leisure. Through our vocational curriculum, we provide courses up to Level 3 in a number of areas and our students can also take GCSEs in English and mathematics. We provide work experience, careers support, PSHE and tutorials — all are interwoven across each study programme.
We encourage our students not just to learn but to self-improve with the ultimate aim to ‘Empower Abilities and Inspire Lives’.
It is a testament to what parents and carers know about us, and to how students value us, that we have continued to grow; the demand for our places remains constant. Due to this, governors are in the position of needing to consider a growth strategy beyond our current strategic plan.
However, at a time when strategic growth is at the forefront of our thinking, there are also challenges ahead. On-site, we have a constant need to improve the quality of our provision and our student experience, ensuring we continue to evidence the positive impacts we make. Nationally, there are challenges regarding funding which may have an impact on our ambitions.
Given our aspiration coupled with the challenge, we now seek to appoint a new Chair to lead our Board — someone who can play a crucial role in helping us to navigate such issues.
About the role
Our governors are company directors and charity trustees, and they are responsible for strategic oversight of the charity’s activities.
The governing body has enjoyed stability for many years, drawing on a range of skills and backgrounds. This year, however, will see the retirement of three of our most experienced members including the Chair and the Vice-Chair.
At present, governance is conducted through the Board of Governors and through committees dealing with finance, curriculum, governance, remuneration and audit.
Our new Chair will not only play a vital role in leading our Board, they will also have a role to play on one or more of these other committees where their time and expertise allows.
In addition, our Chair of Governors, the Chief Executive & Principal, Beverley Jessop, and the Director of Governance, Paul Walker, meet regularly as ‘the triumvirate’ to consider business.
We believe this opportunity to lead our board represents a truly unique opportunity which will allow the postholder the chance to have an impact on our short, medium, and long-term strategy, whilst helping us provide first-class opportunities to our students.
Who we are looking for
The key ingredient to everything we do here at QAC is a passion for improving the life chances and opportunities of our students, and this is something that we believe all candidates will need to possess, along with a recognition of the impact that education and skills development have on our students.
We recognise that we are a relatively unique entity as both a charity and an education provider coupled with the other facets of our wider business. As such, we will welcome applications from people with experience gained from a range of appropriate professional backgrounds.
Primarily, our new Chair should be someone who has a passion for improving life chances of young people, perhaps with an understanding and knowledge of SEND, further education and/or social care.
Our new Chair will undoubtedly need to have previous governance and board experience. This could have been gained as a Chair, a Committee Chair or as a governor elsewhere.
Our College is a hive of activity with an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere. Our students feel safe, cared for and supported and our staff demonstrate their commitment on a daily basis. We hope that our new Chair will be a person who wants to and can contribute to this wider organisational experience; someone who will become a visible, familiar part of our College community.
Peridot Partners and Queen Alexandra College are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 4th June 2024.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Cornwall Air Ambulance operates 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering over 1100 critical care missions annually across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. As the first helicopter emergency medical service in the UK, Cornwall Air Ambulance holds a special place in people’s hearts, whether resident or visitor to the county. Thanks to their generosity, our Charity can not only continue to grow, but also embrace innovation and encourage aspiration.
We are now seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead our Trustee Board. With previous experience of high-level board operations, you will be comfortable in a senior, public facing role. You will also have a sound understanding of what good governance looks and feels like. Demonstrating sound judgement and leadership, your ability to control and manage meetings is critical, encouraging scrutiny and respectful challenge, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and that the Board remains focussed and strategic.
For further information about Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, the role and how to apply, please download our information pack. We look forward to hearing from you.
Location: Surrey and Sussex
Who we are
YMCA DownsLink Group operates across Surrey and Sussex helping children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. Each year we support thousands of children and young people up to the age of 25, providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional and mental health and well-being.
With a turnover of approximately £17million, 370 people and 80 volunteers we offer supported housing and sustaining accommodation, specialist information, advice and support and emotional health and well-being services.
Children and young people are at the heart of our thinking, and we are acutely aware of the challenges they face in our post-pandemic and economically uncertain world. Our services are needed now more than ever before, and our current three-year strategy will see us focus on ensuring we are strong, agile and responsive to meet their increasingly complex needs.
As we continue to focus on supporting positive change for children and young people, we seek two new Trustees to join us and actively contribute to this stage of our journey.
About the roles
Bringing your expertise and values that align to our own you’ll be energised by our strategic priorities of delivering psychologically informed services, amplifying youth voice and leadership and continuing to ensure we are a great place to work.
We are looking for two trustees; one who brings experience in a regulated housing environment and the other who is a strategic finance professional and financially qualified.
Alongside your professional expertise, you will be committed to ensuring children and young people’s voices and experiences help us in decision-making at all levels, are committed to learning, will ensure we continue to be an effective and financially sustainable organisation and are equitable, diverse and inclusive.
We welcome people of all faiths and those of none, although applicants must be prepared to respect and promote the founding Christian principles of the organisation.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 3rd June 2024.
Trustees - The Royal Society of Asian Affairs (RSSA)
Approaching its 125th anniversary, The RSSA want to strengthen its Board with individuals with strong backgrounds in marketing and communications, ideally in the education sector. Up to two positions are available.
The RSSA was founded in 1901 as the Central Asian Society. Its journal, Asian Affairs has been published continuously since 1914.
The RSAA’s objective is to advance knowledge of Asia through its worldwide networks, its public events, its publications and its support to research. It is an open, active and internatiuonal network for informed debate about Asia, engaging experts, policy makers and the wider public with experience, analysis and scholarship.
Progress towards equality for autistic children and young people has been made and we’re proud of our role in this as a movement for change. But there is still more progress to be made. This is an opportunity to lead the board of a charity that is ensuring we live in a world where autistic children and young people can be themselves and realise their ambitions.
Location: London across several sites.
Applications close on Friday 31st May.
Who we are.
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. We were established in 1997 by a group of families of autistic children who were concerned about the lack of appropriate provision for their children. Following a major capital fundraising campaign and a series of temporary locations and premises, Treehouse School and our charity moved into purpose-built accommodation in 2008, together creating the Pears National Centre for Autism Education. Since then, we have grown our education services opening Ambitious College, The Rise School and Spring School, and merging with St John’s College in September 2023, alongside extending our national influencing and enabling activities.
We run specialist education services and an award-winning employment programme, wherein children and young people are at the heart of our charity’s decision-making, policy work and campaigning. We also use our expertise to deliver training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations to improve awareness and understanding of autism. We want to help even more autistic children and young people to improve their quality of life and secure a fulfilling and rewarding future.
Even during the pandemic, we lived up to our name as we achieved so many goals and plans. We developed our Right from the Start toolkit, launched our Employ Autism campaign, and have grown and evolved.
We are experiencing an exciting period of growth. We were chosen to open a new school – Spring School which supports up to 90 pupils at capacity from ages 4-19 and we announced our merger with St John’s College. Although this is exciting, we have a battle on our hands as we call on the government to follow their solutions in the SEND Green Paper. We’re concerned that some of the proposals will make it even harder for autistic children to access education support and so we are asking for a public commitment from the government to fund support for children with SEND. There are more than twice as many children with SEND in schools and colleges now than there were in 2010, but the government has not set out what funding will be available to pay for the additional support they need.
We know there is an increasing need for mental health support across all schools. Everyone should be able to feel OK at school. But we know this isn’t the case for many autistic pupils. That’s why we created the Autistic and OK programme to empower autistic pupils to take control of their mental health and wellbeing, understand themselves and feel OK at school. Our guide is free for every single secondary school. But there is more for us to do, to continue to build and empower our communities to ensure autistic young people feel understood and accepted.
We recognise that there is still more to be done to grow and develop our important work, first outlined in our Time for Ambition 2021-2024 strategy and so we are extending this strategy for a further two years. Our aims continue to include ensuring autistic children and young people have an excellent and inclusive education, alongside striving for every autistic young person to have good careers education at school and in further and higher education, including experience of work. Autistic people need services that support good mental health by reducing isolation and so we want to ensure early intervention through signposting to specialist support. We aim to ensure peer networks are available alongside uplifting but realistic information tailored to autistic young people and their families. We also want to further develop our Ambitious Youth Network and continue to expand nationally to empower young people to connect with one another and to influence societal change.
Given we run schools, following a governance review in December 2019, we created our own Multi-Academy Trust – Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust (AaAST) which currently has two schools. We implemented several new changes to our governance including Joint Trustees and a joint committee structure wherein there are five trustees each of the Charity and Trust Boards and three Trustees who are Trustees of both Boards who serve as the joint Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer of the Charity and Trust. All Trustees of the Charity and Trust are members of a Joint Group Board Committee to ensure oversight of the Charity and Trust. How this works in practice is everyone meets together with a short meeting afterwards to discuss Ambitious about Autism Schools Trust.
Our new Chair.
Our current Chair, Neil Goulden, is approaching the end of his term in December 2024, and we are in search of our next Chair to lead our Board. We need a Chair who has extensive experience in modern board leadership, ensuring robust governance, and promoting collective strategic decision-making. We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, as we strive to drive our organisation’s continued growth, ambition, and development. We value a Chair who embodies credibility and adeptness in navigating complexity. The ability to work with others and build trusting relationships with a variety of stakeholders are key.
Our new Chair must be committed to making a meaningful impact and leading an organisation that empowers young autistic people during a pivotal period of change in our communities. We need a Chair who is an inclusive leader, fostering engagement, strategic thinking, and openness who will lead the board as an
exemplar of inclusivity. They must be supportive and challenging, creating opportunities for growth and positive impact.
It is vital that our new Chair works with the board to ensure that all voices are heard and will have an affinity for our mission to stand with autistic children and young people, champion their rights, and create opportunities.
The new Chair will work with an established board and ambitious executive team that is ensuring our organisation is sustainable, evolving, innovative and impactful, and leads change whilst providing outstanding education to young autistic people.
The Board meets once a term and has an annual strategy away day. We expect the time commitment for the Chair to vary, and we would expect the equivalent on average of circa two days a month 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.
Our board is diverse in many ways, including autistic people, who are part of our board, alongside a balance of gender, ethnicity, and age. We want to continue ensuring our Board represents our society and the people we work with every day.
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 Friday 31st May.
Chair of Trustees - Eggcup
Chair of trustees wanted to drive transformation from emergency food support to a sustainable model with a wider customer base. We seek someone with creative energy, analytical and communication skills to offer strategic leadership. Online/remote or Lancaster
Eggcup has supported about 1000 households weekly through its outlets and food coop. The charity has worked with the city council to deliver hardship schemes, including the Household Support Fund. Over the next financial year, it expects to refocus away from low-cost commercial food management and onto acquisition of surplus food throughout the region. Its aim is to continue its food club outlets as it grows the affordable meal-production operation and opens a city centre cafe.
The ideal candidate would have knowledge of commercial food systems, as well as an interest in food sustainability, and would also hold values around fairness in society and the reduction of inequality and poverty. They must confidently represent Eggcup to external organisations, can offer light-touch supervision to the charity manager, analyse data effectively, and communicate clearly in meetings and in writing. The role is likely to require 2-4 hours per week as well as monthly meetings which take place via Zoom. It would be helpful to be able to visit the operation but the role can be undertaken remotely. The chair role does require commitment but the organisation has all the pieces in place for an enthusiastic person to come in and help to grow and shape the next stage of its food adventure. Energy and creative problem-solving are at least as important as experience, and Eggcup encourages anyone who is interested to get in touch for an informal chat with thecurrent Chair of Trustees.
Help us reduce loneliness and increase happiness in older people in Northwest Leeds.
Location: Northwest Leeds
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th May
Who we are.
Set up in 1994 by local people, BEA/OWLS is a community-based charity with a community interest company called UpBEAt, which runs Bramley Community Shop. In 2011, we set up Older Wiser Local Seniors (OWLS) to provide the Neighbourhood Network Service in Headingley, Burley, Hyde Park and parts of Kirkstall. We currently have around 1,500 members.
With a small staff team and 200 volunteers, we work with a range of partner organisations, both voluntary and statutory, to improve health, increase happiness, and reduce social isolation and loneliness in older people.
At a strategic level, we seek to influence local and city-wide policy development as active members of the community and Leeds’ third sector. We share good practices whilst at the same time learning from others.
Our strategic aims are to:
- Increase membership of the charity and the happiness of our members.
- Be more effective and efficient.
- Further engage our members, volunteers and staff, and ensure that we remain sustainable as an organisation.
About the roles.
The Chair of the Board will manage Board meetings, support the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board of Trustees is well-inducted, managed and developed to be effective and efficient in its governance responsibilities.
Committee Chairs will bring their HR and Finance experience to strengthen the technical capability of our committees. As well as Chairing the Committee Meetings, Committee Chairs will lead the strategic development of key finance and people issues.
Other people who want to be Trustees, regardless of background, will help to maintain oversight of the financial health and sustainability of the organisation and ensure that our resources are managed in a way that achieves the charity’s objectives.
Who we are looking for.
First and foremost, we are looking for local people committed to helping older people live happy lives in our community. A willingness to invest the time and effort in delivering for local older people is important to us.
Specifically, we are looking for a Chair of the Board who is ambitious for the organisation, is comfortable building a good local profile and can develop influential relationships with partners and other stakeholders. The Chair will run the Board meetings, support and constructively challenge the Chief Executive and continue to drive Board Member engagement and effectiveness.
We are looking for Committee Chairs with specialist backgrounds in finance and HR to lead the Money Committee and People Committee.
We are open to the other backgrounds of people who wish to put themselves forward as Trustees.
All Trustees need to think strategically, challenge constructively and listen to others to ensure that we are inclusive and all voices are heard.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th May
Being a governor at Nottingham College is a rewarding way to give back your time and expertise for the benefit of our students and the city.
Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 3rd June 2024.
About the role.
Nottingham College, one of the UK's largest with 34,000 students across 10 campuses, emphasizes employment opportunities through innovative teaching and digital infrastructure. The Corporation Board (governor) plays a pivotal role in steering the college's strategic direction, ensuring financial stability, quality education, and community engagement. This is an active, not passive, role demanding oversight and proactive planning to meet evolving educational and governmental needs. The expert Board, representing diverse industries and backgrounds, meets four times yearly and oversees committees focused on learning, finance, governance, and more. Members commit to at least one committee based on skill expertise. In return for their dedication, members receive support and development opportunities, recognizing the crucial role of further education in national economic development and individual growth. Nottingham College is committed to unlocking potential through learning.
Who we are looking for.
As the college for Nottingham and the surrounding areas, we feel it is important you understand our city through having lived or worked here. It is a complex city, with pockets of high deprivation and low aspiration. But there is also a huge amount of untapped potential in Nottingham, and we consider it our duty to unearth talent and aspiration to enrich the lives of our local population.
To support our continued ambition, we are looking to appoint new Board Members (Governors) to our Corporation Board – the governing body of our College. We are specifically looking for talented people who can add value to the discussions which take place at the Board and its committees by providing support and challenge to our leadership through the appraisal of reports, plans and strategies. Based on our plans for Nottingham College we welcome interest from those with substantial leadership experience in the following sectors:
- Education (FE Curriculum & Quality)
- Audit (Professionally qualified)
- Strategic HR (Employee relations, workforce planning & employment law)
Whilst having non-executive/board-level experience is desirable, what’s more important to us is your ability to work as part of our Board and provide the scrutiny required in an organisation of this size from a place of experience. As a Member of our Corporation Board, you will become an integral part of the governance and oversight at the College.
You should live or work locally to Nottingham as your attendance will be required at the meetings of the Corporation Board, which meets four times per year. All Members are expected to join a committee of the Board, plus attend a strategy day and an open day, which we can discuss this with you on your appointment.
Recognising the diversity of our city, we very much encourage the interest of candidates who will support us in our ambition to further diversify the leadership and governance of Nottingham College. We acknowledge there is work to do and working hard to ensure our decision-makers are reflective of the communities we serve. We were delighted to have recently been awarded an AoC Beacon Award for our work around well-being and inclusion, though know there is more to do.
Peridot Partners and Nottingham College are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 3rd June 2024.
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.
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.
Join our Board of Trustees
Application timings
Closing date: Friday 10 May 2024, 5pm
Interviews: Tuesday 21 May 2024
About the National Emergencies Trust
Founded in 2019, the National Emergencies Trust is an independent charity that supports those affected by UK disasters. When a national emergency arises, we act fast to raise funds for those impacted to help with their physical, psychological, and practical needs. Our first appeal, the Coronavirus Appeal raised £100 million for those affected by the pandemic.
Outside of emergencies, we work closely with those affected by past disasters to understand the historic challenges they have faced and take action to improve outcomes for future survivors and their loved ones. Through our listening approach, we have evolved our funding model, secured two changes to UK legislation to date and created unique insights that are informing the work of Government, our charity sector peers and wider response and resilience stakeholders. We are proud to be supported by our major corporate patrons, as well as our Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales.
Becoming a trustee
Our trustees play a vital role in making sure the National Emergencies Trust has a clear strategy, achieves our goals, and demonstrates excellence in all areas of governance.
Key duties
- Demonstrate an interest and commitment to the work, values, and vision of the National Emergencies Trust
- Understand and enforce legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship (training and mentorship is available)
- Devote the necessary time to the role
Key tasks
- Act at all times in the interests of beneficiaries, considering guidance from our Advisory Groups
- Participate in quarterly board meetings, reading papers in advance
- Work jointly with other trustees, attend the Trust’s Committees and/or Advisory Groups as applicable (usually online) and/or directly support the Chair, Chief Executive or team, in line with your background and skills to achieve their objectives
- Provide advice to the Chief Executive and other board members according to your expertise and in line with the Trust’s Constitution
- Sign off the Trust’s annual financial accounts, safeguarding the good name and values of the charity, and acting within the law
- Support the Chief Executive and team in the event of a national emergency.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales’ summary of key trustee responsibilities can be read here. Or alternatively you can find this information from the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) here.
Who we are looking for
We’re looking for someone who can:
- Demonstrate an interest and commitment to the work, values and vision of the National Emergencies Trust
- Understand and enforce legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship (training and mentorship is available).
- Devote the necessary time to the role.
We’re looking for someone with skills or experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Campaign creation and management
- Significant experience at board level
- Social media & emergent technology
- Financial and associated financial services
- Fundraising
- Public Affairs
How you will benefit
Being a trustee can be very rewarding. You will have the opportunity to:
- Shape the strategic direction of our charity
- Gain new skills
- Network with senior professionals
- Influence key projects
- Crucially, have the chance to improve the lives of disaster survivors
Terms of appointment
Terms
- Terms are three years. Trustees can serve a maximum of three terms
- This is an unpaid, voluntary role but all reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed
Time commitment
- You must be able to commit to quarterly Board Meetings. These will usually be held in person with a dial-in option available as an exception. Papers are circulated in advance for consideration.
- We ask trustees to support at least one of the Trust’s Committees or Advisory Groups, providing direct support to the Chair, Chief Executive or team, in line with their background and skills. You can find out more about these Committees and Groups here.
We’re committed to diversity and inclusion
Equity, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at the Trust because during disasters it is vital that we leave no-one behind. We feel that our Board of Trustees should be representative of the people and communities we serve so welcome applications from everyone. Whether you are an experienced trustee or wanting to take your first step at Board level, we would love to hear from you.
How to apply
Step 1 – Find out more
- Watch a short video about who we are (YouTube video)
- Visit our website to find out more about what we do.
- Find out more about some of our work with survivors of emergencies (read our website and watch this YouTube video)
- Download our latest Annual Report to understand our activities and impact in the last Financial Year.
For an informal chat with a member of the Nominations Committee please contact us at with your preferred date and time.
Step 2 – Apply by the closing date: Friday 10 May 2024, 5pm
If you would like to apply, please:
- Submit a short covering letter outlining why you are interested in being a trustee and how you think your skills or experience would benefit the Trust. This can be provided in document, video, or audio format. Or do get in touch if you require additional formats or support with your application.
- Submit your CV
- Complete an optional equal opportunities monitoring form which you can find here.
Please email your application with subject line ‘Trustee application’.
Step 3 – Interview date: Tuesday 21 May 2024
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by our Nominations Committee on Tuesday 21 May. Please let us know if you require any specific arrangements or adjustments when you are applying.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, and we exist to help civil society leaders to make the biggest possible difference. For nearly 40 years we’ve been there to inspire and support our members by fostering connections, refining skills and building influence. ACEVO's network of over 1,700 individuals includes the leaders of every shape and size of civil society organisation and at every stage of the leadership journey.
More than a membership organisation, we are a strong, supportive community, and are often our members’ first port of call for help and advice from their peers.
Civil society is under greater pressure than ever before, from a range of sources, and we are proud that our response has been characterised by imagination and ambition. Our outgoing chair, Rosie Ferguson, has played a crucial role in strengthening and consolidating our position over the past few years, and as her term of office concludes she leaves a very strong legacy for her successor. But we also know that there’s no room for complacency, and we are looking for a new chair to take up the challenge of leading us into the next phase with energy, commitment and rigour.
Candidates will share our passionate commitment to the power of civil society, and our vision for extending and deepening our reach within the sector. A skilled governance practitioner, able to work effectively with an engaged and expert board and a high-performing executive team, you’ll have a nuanced understanding of our business model and of how we can build on the progress of recent years. You must be eligible for membership of ACEVO, and experience of leading within our sector is essential.
With a significant amount of external change likely to take place in the early stages of the next chair’s tenure, we will look for a track record of working with agility and strategic creativity. You’ll need to balance your professional expertise with personal humility and curiosity, and current, practical knowledge of our sector across England and Wales would be a significant asset. An exceptional communicator, and passionate about the benefits of membership, you’ll ensure ACEVO remains the go-to organisation for leaders, aspiring leaders and stakeholders alike.
Starlight aims to ensure that children’s healthcare services fully reflect the importance of play to their health, wellbeing, resilience and recovery. Could you join their Board and help accelerate their impact on young lives through your philanthropic knowledge and networks?
Location: London
Time commitment: Up to 1 day per month
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 13th May
Who we are.
Starlight is the national charity for children’s play in healthcare. They support children to experience the power of play during treatment, care and recovery from illness in more than 600 healthcare settings across the UK.
Starlight believes that children’s healthcare services should fully reflect the importance of play to their health, wellbeing and resilience and that every child who is an inpatient should have daily play opportunities, appropriate to their condition, supported by dedicated play staff. They aim to enable all children in the UK to have their right to play protected and provided for when they are receiving healthcare – in or out of hospital.
Their recent report shows:
- 71% of Trusts and Health Boards do not have a designated budget for play resources.
- 85% of Trusts and Health Boards have no appropriate guidance or standards for health play.
- An average ratio of only one full-time HPS for 3,986 child admissions to hospital per year and there are 1.8 million hospital admissions for 0-17 year olds each year.
Starlight provides toys, technology, toolkits and training for play professionals to alleviate the immediate trauma that children are experiencing in hospitals across the UK. Using their uniquely curated research and evidence base, they also work towards systemic change in healthcare, galvanising a collaborative effort for the changes that are needed through policy and advocacy work.
About the role.
Starlight’s income needs to grow in pace with demand for its vital role as Champion and Protector of Play. The new Philanthropy Trustee role has been created to support this growth in a collaborative, relational and strategic way. This new Trustee will support the development of collaborative relationships and partnerships with individuals and organisations to grow income. They will bring a passion for Starlight’s work, ideas, introductions and opportunities as well as a contemporary and values-led mindset. They will work with the CEO and Director of Fundraising and Marketing to generate high-value philanthropic support in an enlightened and empowering way.
Who we are looking for.
An individual with a commitment to Starlight’s mission and vision and an understanding of how to create strategic income growth through relationships with individuals and organisations.
A person with a positive partnership approach to working.
Benefits.
The chance to make a transformative difference to children’s experience of healthcare across the UK through play.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th May.
Introduction
We appreciate your interest in joining Feedback’s Board of Trustees.
This application pack gives an overview of the organisation, the role and the application process.
Feedback was founded in 2009, and in 2013 was established as a charity. The Board of Trustees introduced then has overseen Feedback’s development as an organisation and a programme that has helped make food waste the massive issue it now is in society. Today we are known for tackling issues like food access, justice, and the environmental impact of food production and for piloting alternative models for a fair and sustainable food system for all.
Feedback is at an exciting time in its development. We are looking for someone who can bring passion, experience, knowledge and insight as we continue to help further our mission of a food system that regenerates the natural world while sustaining people on a fair basis.
We have taken positive steps to increase the diversity of trustees on the Feedback Board, but like a lot of environmental charities we don’t have the level of diverse backgrounds, particularly around race and disability, on our governing body we really should. We want to change that.
If you would like an informal discussion about any aspect of the role and / or the organisation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Shirley who will arrange a telephone call with our Executive Director, Carina Millstone or Chair of Trustees, Ruth Chambers.
Here are the profiles for current staff and Trustees at Feedback.
Aims and Activities
Anti-oppressive statement: Feedback is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.
Feedback is a UK and Netherlands-based campaign group working for food that is good for people and planet. We want a world where:
- All people have secure access to delicious, culturally appropriate food that is nutritious and does not cause environmental harm
- Global supply chains, farming and fishing contribute to food sovereignty, good livelihoods, mitigate climate change and enable nature to thrive
- Communities have agency to create food economies that are inclusive, equitable, resilient and celebratory
To meet these objectives, we carry out the following activities:
- We delegitimize corporations
- We ideate and advocate for policy change and regulation
- We nurture community agency
- We widen our circle of allies
- We change culture and public discourse
More information is set out in Feedback's Strategic Framework here
The Role of the Board
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. Specifically, the Board is responsible for:
- Ensuring that the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of charities and in line with the organisation’s governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance.
- Upholding the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.
- Determining the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning.
Trustee - Role Description
- Ensuring the charity complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance to organisational activities contained therein.
- Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
- Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society.
- Maintaining sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects, and investment activities meet accepted standards and policies.
- Interviewing, appointing, and monitoring the work and activities of the senior paid staff if necessary.
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources, acting as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds if necessary
- Maintaining absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of trustee’s responsibilities to the charity.
Accountable to
- Funders, beneficiaries, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.
Time commitment
- Attendance at quarterly meetings (held in central London on a weekday from 2–5pm)
- Ad hoc advice and support to senior staff and Board members, usually via email.
- Term for all Trustees is 3 years, with the option of re-election by mutual agreement for one further term.
Person Specification
- A commitment to the organisation and fixing our broken food system, including a commitment to Feedback's core values of collaboration, celebration, audacity, solidarity and impact
- Previous governance experience and an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a team
- A commitment to Feedback’s anti-oppression work
- Experience in either marketing, community work and safeguarding, or law
Remuneration
This is an unsalaried position. Appropriate expenses associated with travel will be reimbursed by the charity.
The Recruitment Process
Please write a statement of no more than 500 words detailing why you’d like to be considered and how you meet the criteria in the person specification. Please submit this with your CV.
Deadline to apply: Wednesday 15th May, 9am
Interviews: Week commencing 3rd June 2024
Board meeting dates (successful candidates will be invited to join):
Thursday 25th July 2024
Thursday 24th October 2024
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Orchestras Live seeks a new Chair to lead the Board of Trustees and help steer the organisation through its next phase of development.
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to and can enjoy the benefits of live orchestral music, regardless of their background. We work throughout England in places which have experienced historical underinvestment, including rural and coastal areas. Our projects can take place in schools, care homes, prisons, arts venues, museums, outdoors and online.
If you believe in and want to advocate for the power of culture to create social impact and positive change, this role could be of interest to you. It is not essential to have knowledge of orchestral music or the orchestral sector. However, it’s important that you recognise the unique role that orchestras can play in supporting a culturally vibrant and resilient society, and love music – orchestral or otherwise.
About us
Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. We are a national producer and create projects where music and creativity can thrive. We work to ensure communities across England have access to world-class orchestral experiences.
We are seeking a new Chair from November 2024 when Tony Stoller steps down after 6 years in the role.
Through our innovative and developmental approach Orchestras Live has become a leader in the sector. We collaborate with local, regional and national organisations to energise and shape orchestral programmes, prioritising the needs and interests of audiences and participants. We are motivated by the knowledge that there is much still to be done to engage new audiences, break down social, economic and demographic barriers to access and support the development of an orchestral profession that reflects the diversity of today’s society.
Our new Chair will share our belief in and commitment to the power of culture to create social impact and positive change. It is not essential to have knowledge of orchestral music or the orchestral sector. However, we are looking for someone who recognises the unique role that orchestras can play in supporting a culturally vibrant and resilient society, informed by a love of music (orchestral or otherwise).
Our current trustees bring a wide range of expertise and diverse perspectives to Orchestras Live.
Vision, Mission and Values
VISION
Orchestras are for everyone.
MISSION
To engage people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly those in historically under-invested, non-metropolitan communities in England, in creating work that harnesses the transformative power of orchestral music to inspire, bring joy and support wellbeing.
VALUES
Our values set the standard by which we hold ourselves to account and ask partners to do the same.
We are
Creative
To ensure that the orchestral experiences we co-produce are ambitious, meaningful and relevant.
To devise innovative solutions that underpin efficient organisational systems.
Inclusive
To ensure equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure.
Collaborative
We respect and understand the needs and aspirations of communities with whom we work, our partners’ challenges and ambitions, and the expertise and potential within our staff and trustees.
Environmentally responsible
We raise ambition for ourselves and the sector to improve environmental responsibility, take focused action and collaborate to mitigate and minimise the environmental impacts of our operations and co-productions.
Forward-looking
To explore new developments and their potential – artistic, technological, environmental, societal or organisational – so that we offer innovative and dynamic leadership to the sector.
Who we are looking for, and why
We are looking for an exceptional individual with the experience, integrity and skills necessary to act as a powerful ambassador for Orchestras Live, and to lead the Board in the governance of the organisation. Leadership experience in any sector and an understanding of the role of not-for-profit Boards are essential. A willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort to the role of Chair is also required.
We are interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate their suitability in the following essential areas:
Experience and skills
- Leadership role in any sector, paid or voluntary
- Strategic leadership: working with others to agree objectives, devise, communicate and support the delivery of an organisational plan
- Assessing and managing risk
- Networking, advocating and building relationships, on behalf of an organisation, a sector or a cause
Knowledge
- Best practice corporate and/or charity governance principles
- Financial literacy
In addition, please let us know if you are able to bring experience, skills or knowledge in one or more of the following beneficial areas.
- Board membership in the not-for-profit sector
- Working in or with organisations and with individuals in the cultural sector
- Working in or with public bodies, e.g. local authorities
- Working with national policy makers
- Developing organisational strategies to achieve more equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion
- Identifying new sources of income, including income-generating models, for the not-for-profit cultural sector
- Using data to understand and articulate the value of cultural/creative activity and support decision making
- The operational and creative potential of digital technology
- The structure of publicly funded cultural provision in England and the role of Orchestras Live within it
- The role of central and local government in supporting artists and public access to the arts, and their current policy priorities relating to culture, education and social policy
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, age groups and cultures. The Board has made specific commitments to embed equity of access and opportunity across our delivery programme and organisational structure. To help us deliver these, we are keen to hear from Global Majority, D/deaf and disabled candidates to support better representation on our Board and in leadership positions in our sector.
Candidates who self-identify as belonging to one or more of these groups and can demonstrate experience in the essential areas listed above will be guaranteed an online interview at the first stage.
We offer access support for people who face barriers to inclusion, meeting in accessible venues, being flexible in scheduling meetings at different times of day and covering travel expenses as outlined in our Inclusion Statement, which can be found at the end of this document.
About you
You will believe in the power of culture to create social impact and positive change, supporting your commitment to Orchestras Live’s purpose and vision;
You will share our commitment to creating a more equitable orchestral sector and to cementing an inclusive approach across everything we do and how we do it;
You will demonstrate a strong affinity with our organisational values: Inclusive, Collaborative, Forward-looking, Creative and Environmentally Responsible;
You will demonstrate confidence and persuasiveness whilst adopting a collaborative leadership style;
Your leadership style will reflect Orchestras Live’s fair and transparent decision making culture;
You will be able to build resilient and supportive working relationships with trustees, the CEO and management team that facilitate positive discussion and challenge where appropriate;
You will share our enthusiasm for people who bring different work and life experiences, perspectives and ways of doing things to the organisation. We want to work with people who have open ears and an open mind to new approaches, prepared to challenge the status quo.
What you will be expected to do
Overall objectives of the role
- Provide leadership to the Board of Orchestras Live, ensuring it fulfils its responsibilities for governance of the organisation and supports realisation of its vision and mission.
- Work in partnership with the Chief Executive to develop and deliver the vision, mission and strategy of the organisation.
- Act as ambassador for Orchestras Live, helping to shape external relationships that will reinforce its national position and strengthen its ability to secure funding from a wide range of sources to fulfill its mission.
Trustees meet as a full Board at least four times a year and there are a small number of standing committees and working groups. Board meetings and an annual Away Day generally alternate between Leeds and London; as our trustees are based in different parts of the country, meetings are usually hybrid so that trustees may attend either in person, or online when distance and scheduling is an issue. Committees and working groups usually meet on Zoom. Papers are circulated by email in good time for trustees to read them thoroughly before the meeting.
The Chair can expect to commit to the equivalent of up to 30 days per year. This includes monthly meetings (in person or online) with the Chief Executive and regular communication with the Chief Executive and/or Company Secretary as required, as well as time spent in preparation and planning regarding governance and strategy. Full day commitments are rare; the expectation would be mostly for half days and 1-2 hour meetings (generally online).
In addition, all trustees are expected to attend at least two Orchestras Live activities a year and contribute feedback for our internal evaluation systems.
Whilst the role is voluntary and unpaid, travel and other appropriate expenses are reimbursed.
Term
We are looking for a Chair for an initial, minimum three-year term; ideally to be renewed for a second term to a total of six years.
Our Chair is appointed by the Orchestras Live Board of Trustees and is accountable to them.
The Role of Chair
The Chair of Trustees has the same legal responsibilities as other Trustees, but has additional responsibilities assigned by the Board.
Board leadership and meetings
- Chairing meetings of the Board and ensuring that, through the Board and its committees, the Board runs effectively, fulfils its duties and carries out resolutions. Calling special meetings if necessary. Drawing up agendas for meetings with the Chief Executive and Company Secretary.
- Chairing meetings effectively and sympathetically, creating an environment in which all Board members are encouraged to participate and challenge constructively and appropriately.
- Ensuring that high standards of corporate governance and ethical, professional behaviour are maintained and, as appropriate, introduced to meet changing circumstances and good practice.
- Fostering collaborative and effective relationships between the Board, the Chief Executive and the staff team.
Governance
- With the Board, ensuring that financial controls and systems of management and risk are in place and effectively operated, and that the Board is kept informed in a timely and relevant manner of key issues and opportunities and performance against the business plan.
- To support, challenge and appraise the Chief Executive in managing the organisation, maintaining a balance between artistic and business goals, and ensuring a clear separation between executive and non-executive roles following corporate governance principles.
- Conducting periodic Board effectiveness reviews, ensuring that new Board members are fully inducted and that existing Board members are contributing effectively.
- Keeping an eye open for conflicts of interest.
- Generally keeping in touch with Trustees to ensure that they feel valued and can make a full contribution to Orchestras Live.
Advocacy
- Representing the Board and organisation to external stakeholders including funders, national and local government politicians, policy makers and the media where appropriate.
- Being a champion for fundraising, helping to identify and develop relationships with potential and existing donors and supporters.
- Encouraging Trustees to play an active role as advocates in their networks, attend events and external meetings when the Chief Executive or senior staff would value this.
Your relationship with Orchestras Live
With a clear vision and goals, and efficient operations, Orchestras Live aims to create a supportive and open working environment, that enables individuals to perform at their highest level. We support new trustees with a full induction process.
We offer access support for people who face barriers to inclusion, meeting in accessible venues, being flexible in scheduling meetings at different times of day and covering travel expenses as outlined in our Inclusion Statement.
In return for your time and commitment, we offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in a highly respected, innovative and forward-thinking organisation, bringing the thrill of live orchestral music to people and places all over England and steering new thinking in the sector. You will have the opportunity to gain new insights into the cultural and charitable sectors, connecting with national and local government and expanding your knowledge and skills.
Exploratory conversation
If you would like to have a conversation with the Vice-Chair, Chief Executive or departing Chair regarding any aspect of the role, please contact us.
How to apply
Please email your CV together with a covering letter of up to 2 pages (or a 5-minute film or audio recording if you prefer).
We encourage you to explain why you are interested in joining the Board of Orchestras Live, and describe how you demonstrate your suitability in relation to the essential areas outlined in the section on ‘Who we are looking for’. In addition, please let us know if you are able to bring experience, skills or knowledge in one or more of the beneficial areas listed.
Please address your letter or recording to our Vice-Chair, Helen Harrison.
Applicants who wish to disclose protected characteristics are asked to make Orchestras Live aware of this in their cover email.
If you have any access needs or other practical questions you would like to discuss before applying, please email or phone us.
The closing date for applications is 9 am on Tuesday 7 May 2024. First round interviews will take place online in the week commencing 3 June 2024. Candidates who reach the second round will then be invited to an informal meeting in person in June/July 2024.
On receipt of their application, applicants will be sent a link to complete a survey requesting personally sensitive data, enabling Orchestras Live to track the demographics of those who apply. Completion of this survey is entirely voluntary and all data is anonymised. Provision of this information is not part of the recruitment process.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within Orchestras Live and the wider orchestral sector. This means reflecting critically on issues of diversity and inclusion within all that we do, identifying and taking appropriate action to reduce inequality and improve equity of opportunity.
For all roles, whether voluntary or paid, we welcome applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socio-economic background. We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:
- Paying for your travel costs for interviews if they are held in person
- Paying for childcare while you’re attending an interview
- Making and paying for any reasonable adjustments to meet your needs and ensure equity during the application and interview process
- Providing all relevant information online and in Word document format, readily available to download from our website
If there is anything you’re concerned about or think we could provide, please email or phone us and we will do our best to help.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.