Policy/Research Volunteer Roles

EqualEdge Seeks Passionate Non-Executive Directors to Join its Board

EqualEdge is a for-profit company with a social mission to enable Manchester-based Disabled Peoples Organisation, Breakthrough UK to provide services to disabled people, to increase their opportunities to be employed and to reduce any social isolation. We're passionate about inclusion and diversity in the workplace, and we're expanding our horizons to revolutionise Workplace Personal Assistants, funded by Access to Work and in the future Personal care services in the UK.

The idea of a Workplace Personal Assistant (WPA) agency was conceived by Breakthrough UK, a disabled people’s organisation majority led by disabled people. Breakthrough UK discovered through lived experience that it was extremely difficult to hire and retain WPA’s in the United Kingdom and so the idea of solving the problem through EqualEdge was born.

EqualEdge believes in a world where disabled people have equal access to meaningful employment, thriving in inclusive work environments, and reaching their professional aspirations. Our mission is to bridge the gap between disabled people and their career goals by offering tailored workplace personal assistance services, fostering inclusion, and enhancing professional opportunities.

To achieve this ambitious vision, we're searching for experienced and enthusiastic non-executive directors with expertise across various sectors to join our board and help us shape the future of our company.

About the Role

As a non-executive director, you will play a vital role in providing strategic guidance and oversight to our executive team. You will also be a champion for our mission of fostering a more equitable landscape and launching innovative personal care services within the UK.

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong experience in:

• Recruitment (HR): You have a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams. You understand the intricacies of talent acquisition, particularly within the recruitment and personal care sector or a similar service industry.
• Marketing: You have a deep understanding of brand development and implementation of successful marketing strategies. You're passionate about reaching new audiences and driving growth in a competitive market.
• Personal Care: You have extensive knowledge of the UK care sector, its regulations, and best practices. You're a visionary leader with a passion for improving the quality of life for those who require personal care services.
• Finance: You have strong financial acumen and experience in overseeing financial performance. You can provide strategic guidance on resource allocation to support both national expansion and the launch of our new service line.

We are also open to applications from experienced professionals in other sectors who share our values of inclusion and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a good black book of connections to allow us to build our client base and reach the people who need us most.
• Provide strategic guidance and advice to the executive team on a range of issues, including business development, marketing, and operations, with a specific focus on national expansion and the launch of our personal care services in the UK.
• Oversee the company's financial performance and ensure that we are on track to meet our financial goals, considering the resources needed for national growth and the launch of a new service line.
• Serve as an EqualEdge ambassador and help us build relationships with key stakeholders in new markets and within the UK care sector.
• Attend board meetings and actively participate in discussions, bringing a national perspective and insights relevant to your area of expertise.

You would be a great fit for this role if you have:

• A proven track record of success in a senior leadership role
• A deep understanding of the business landscape, with transferable skills applicable to our areas of focus
• A passion for inclusion and diversity, with a national mindset
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

EqualEdge is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We recruit, select, train and promote personnel based on their skills and abilities.

We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marital status or civil partnership, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, age or disability.

We expect to have board meetings every month for the first year, the meeting is expected to last 1 hour. This is a voluntary role however expenses are paid.

We plan to have interviews by the end of April.

Join us and be part of shaping a more inclusive future for workplaces and revolutionising personal care in the UK!

Due to the nature of the research involved, this opportunity is for sighted individuals only. As a Travel & Tech Research Assistant you will be helping to identify new technology opportunities or solutions that will enable more Blind & Partially Sighted people make independent and spontaneous journeys. You will test what technology would work well for blind and partially sighted travelers - using apps, identifying issues and what workarounds are employed when technology and / or transport fails. You will be feeding back on the physical journey and the emotional journey experiences. As part of your role, you may be required to travel on a range of public transport modes, completing some of the same journeys as our Blind and Partially Sighted Explorers with Tech. This could include downloading and testing new travel apps and logging data/information at various points on the journey. You might also be asked to wear various tracking and data capture tech in order to download data on your mobile phone - stress levels, heart rate and any moments of anxiety. As part of your research you may also be asked to record video, voice notes or take photos of venues, platforms, bus stops etc.

Additional location information

• Various public transport locations throughout London & South East area

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Smartphone owner/user • Access to both a major transport station or hub and rural location within 60 minutes on public transport • Confident using all forms of public transport • Confident in planning & carrying out familiar and unfamiliar journeys - on foot and public transport • Confident using technology, including apps to plan and navigate journeys

Could you be an Action for M.E. Trustee?

Are you impatient for change, passionate and have time to spare to make a positive impact?  Around 1.3 million children and adults in the UK with M.E. and M.E.-like symptoms following Covid-19 urgently need people like you.

Action for M.E. is the only UK charity support children and adults with M.E., through information, support, advocacy and healthcare services while working to secure change for the future. Over half of our Board of Trustees have direct experience of M.E.

We are a small organisation that regularly punches above its weight, working on a national and international scale and are delighted to be working with staff, volunteers and our Board of Trustees team who are passionate, dedicated and determined. We have high aspirations and ambitions and believe that Action for M.E. can, and will, make a major contribution to creating the change that is so desperately needed.

As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding Action for M.E. to deliver critical services to meet present needs, while working to secure change for the future.

You will work as part of a dynamic Board of Trustees, helping to shape the strategic direction of the charity, bring fresh ideas and perspectives, ensure effective governance and financial stewardship and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

We're looking for up to three individuals, from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We have a particular need for those who bring skills in either one or more of the following areas: research, science, local/national government, policy/advocacy and communications. These will complement the skills we currently have on the Board.

Are you committed to making a difference? Do you want to accelerate change? If you are ready to contribute your time and expertise to this worthwhile cause, we want to hear from you.

Join us in our mission to transform lives. Become our Charity Trustee today!

Please review the application pack attached for further instructions on how to apply to become our next Action for M.E. trustee.

We are a Disability Confident employer and welcome any reasonable adjustment requests required to take part in this recruitment process. 

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2024, with interviews happening on a rolling basis. 

Kiya Survivors is looking for a dedicated individual to join our small, friendly team to assist in leading the charity forward and improving the services we offer to our families in Peru.

Kiya Survivors is a small Anglo-Peruvian registered NGO supporting vulnerable families, children with learning difficulties and disabilities living in poverty and abused and abandoned children and young women in Peru.

We are looking for someone with a secretarial or administrative background who can help us with the following duties:

·To support, help direct and ensure that the charities mission statements are being followed by all Trustees and staff.

·To create, keep up to date and ensure all Trustees and the CEO have a copy of the annual meetings calendar.

·To create, keep up to date and ensure all Trustees and the CEO have a copy of the charities mission statements, code of conduct and strategic plan.

·To set the agenda and take/distribute minutes for all board meetings.

·To ensure that the charities legal paperwork is kept up to date with the Charity Commission and Companies House.

·To actively encourage other Trustees to sign up more child sponsors and set targets per quarter to generate more sponsors for children and projects.

·To research grant opportunities and assist in writing them, collecting relevant data to input etc.