Voluntary Recruitment Consultant Volunteer Roles
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Langham Arts Trust is an extraordinary charity, combining a passion for creative excellence with a gospel mission: to make Jesus’ name known and glorified through music and the arts.
The work of the charity today encompasses a range of exciting musical ventures, from witnessing to non-believers through music and worship, to serving the wider church with the gifts and resources of the All Souls Orchestra. The charity is looking to expand its work with young people, and grow the capacity of the orchestra in order to engage in more opportunities to point people to Christ through music.
The Trust is seeking to appoint a new Chair and Treasurer. These two appointments will be instrumental in managing change and supporting growth for the Trust. In particular, the Chair will lead a refreshment of the Board and be a skilled relationship builder.
This is an exciting moment to join the board of an organisation with a vital, yet under-represented, mission in the UK church music landscape, and an organisation that is changing and growing rapidly.
Carnelian Search have been appointed to lead this search on behalf of Langham Arts Trust.
Volunteer with Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent
What will you do?
- complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role.
- talk to clients over the phone to explore what problems they’ve come for help with. If you are able to speak or hear over the phone you can train to give advice by email or webchat.
- find information about the clients’ problems and help them to understand their options.
- support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls, or referring the client to another organisation.
- write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken.
- look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor.
Some examples of what you could do:
- explore what benefits a client is entitled to and help them to complete a benefit application form.
- help a client who has problems with their landlord to understand their housing rights.
What’s in it for you?
- make a real difference to people’s lives.
- learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment, and housing.
- build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and increase your employability.
- work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.
- have a positive impact in your community.
And we’ll reimburse expenses too.
No prior experience is necessary in these areas as you’ll receive full training.
For individuals who are doing advice giving roles, and who are also training to be a solicitor, if you started training to be a solicitor before 1st September 2021, you may be able to get up to six months reduction in your training contract.
If you started training to be a solicitor after 1st September 2021, you may be able to include time spent volunteering (or working) in advice giving roles as part of (or all of) your qualifying work experience. See Solicitors Regulation Authority for more information.
What do you need to have?
You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:
- be friendly and approachable.
- be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
- have good listening skills.
- have good verbal and written communication skills.
- have good maths and IT skills.
- be able to understand information and explain it to others.
- be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
- be willing to undertake training in your role.
How much time do you need to give?
We ask for a minimum of 3 hours per week, for at least 12 months.
Many of our volunteers give one full day or two half days per week.
Valuing inclusion
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.
If you are interested in becoming an adviser and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.
Contact details
Contact Margaret Collin for more information or to request an application pack.
Location
You can volunteer at any of our offices in North Staffordshire: Hanley, Newcastle under Lyme, Biddulph, or Leek.
You can complete e-learning at the office of your choice, but you will need to be available to attend two training days at the Hanley office.
Head Office
Advice House
13-15 Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1HL
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.
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
Galop - Chair
Galop is seeking a new Chair to lead the Board and form a strong team of passionate Trustees to support the organisation in a period of change to develop and deliver Galop's life-changing work.
About Galop:
Galop is the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, working with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. Run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, the needs of the community are at the centre of everything they do.
The key responsibilities of the Chair of the Trustees include:
* To provide strategic leadership to the Board, including developing the Board as a team
* To lead on the recruitment of a permanent CEO and support with the development of a strategy for the period
* To be an advocate and champion for Galop
* To support and, where appropriate, to challenge the CEO and other Trustees and to ensure that the Board as a whole works in partnership with the staff team
* To lead on ensuring that all decisions are informed by Galop's values
* To line manage the CEO on behalf of the Board as a critical friend, supporting the CEO including agreeing objectives, and undertaking an annual appraisal
* To lead on the recruitment of a permanent CEO and support with the development of a strategy for the period
How to Apply:
This post is only available to applicants from the LGBTQ+ community as permitted under the Equality Act 2010 as a Genuine Occupational Requirement.
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Galop on this appointment. If you believe your values align with those of Galop and you are keen to be pivotal in driving the organisation's strategic vision for finance and property matters, then we would love to hear from you.
To receive the full recruitment pack, which has the details about this role and how to apply, please send your CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People
Timeline:
Closing date for applications: 9th May
First round interview: w/c 20th May
Final interview w/c 27th May
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.
Galop - Treasurer
Galop is seeking a new Treasurer to oversee the charity's finances and risk management by working closely with the previous Treasurer (who will remain on the Board) along with the Financial Controller.
About Galop:
Galop is the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, working with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. Run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, the needs of the community are at the centre of everything they do.
The key responsibilities for the Treasurer will include:
* Financial & Risk management oversight
o Maintain an overview of the charity's financial affairs.
o Offer guidance to the Board of Trustees and the CEO on all financial matters.
o Ensure the charity's statutory financial viability.
* Financial reporting and analysis
o Oversee, approve, and present annual budgets, financial statements, and quarterly management accounts.
o Scrutinise related party transactions (e.g. CEO expenses, Credit card activity)
o Present annual accounts to the Board at the AGM
* Financial planning and compliance
o Oversee, approve, and present annual budgets, financial statements, and quarterly management accounts.
o Scrutinise related party transactions (e.g. CEO expenses, Credit card activity)
o Present annual accounts to the Board at the AGM
How to Apply:
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Galop on this appointment. If you believe your values align with those of Galop and you are keen to be pivotal in driving the organisation's strategic vision for finance and property matters, then we would love to hear from you.
To receive the full recruitment pack, which has the details about this role and how to apply, please send your CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People
Timeline:
Closing date for applications: 9th May
First round interview: w/c 20th May
Final interview w/c 27th May
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.
Chair of HR Sub-Committee
Galop is seeking a new Trustee to take on the role of Chair of the HR Sub-Committee. They will work to provide strategic HR leadership in ensuring alignment with the charity's long-term vision and goals as well as leading the HR Sub-Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.
About Galop:
Galop is the UK's LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, working with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence. Run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, the needs of the community are at the centre of everything they do.
The key areas of responsibilities for the Chair of HR Sub-Committee include:
* Strategic HR leadership
* Organisational Culture
* Change management and Organisation Design
* Policy Advocacy
* Values integration
* Performance Monitoring
* Risk Management
* Resource Allocation
* Coaching
How to Apply:
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to Galop on this appointment. If you believe your values align with those of Galop and you are keen to be pivotal in driving the organisation's strategic vision for finance and property matters, then we would love to hear from you.
To receive the full recruitment pack, which has the details about this role and how to apply, please send your CV to Senior Appointment at Charity People
Timeline:
Closing date for applications: 9th May
First round interview: w/c 20th May
Final interview: w/c 27th May
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.
Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities with which we work.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
African Development Choices (ADC) is a UK-based Social Enterprise on a mission to reduce poverty by empowering communities to make informed development choices in the management of public finances and resources.
ADC’s purpose is to enable communities to independently meet their needs for essential services, such as clean water and safe sanitation and improve lives in Africa.
At ADC we encourage a working culture of seeking and giving input, showing and taking initiative, and commitment to the organisation and its purpose.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer Head of Policy & Research (Remote) to join ADC.
Main Purpose of Job: Lead the development of policy positions through research to strengthen our evidence base and help ADC act as a thought leader in shaping debate and dialogue around key policy issues relevant to ADC’s work
Division: Operations
Department: Policy & Research
Position Reports to: Chief Impact Officer
Who Reports to this Position: TBC
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop policy positions and commission new research and policy outputs and harness the data and stories from across ADC’s work to strengthen our evidence base
- Develop a stakeholder outreach strategy aimed at building key relationships with local and international stakeholders in parliament, civil service, think tanks, peer organisations, universities/colleges and research community
- Analyse data and put together detailed research reports, executive summaries, briefings, factsheets, white papers and policy papers for internal and external audiences
- Put together emotive case studies and stories which demonstrate positive impact on communities and ensure project data is gathered for impact reporting and creating infographics for business development
- Set up externally funded research projects and apply for funding
- Recruit additional volunteers for the Policy & Research team when needed
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Essential
- At least 5 years of experience in senior policy and research management
- Experience of strengthening evidence and influencing policy agendas
- Significant senior policy and research development experience, ideally in international development
- Background in policy and stakeholder relations with a good general understanding of the workings of government, parliament and civil service
- Significant experience in developing and implementing policy and research strategies
- A creative and strategic thinker, with the ability to develop innovative policy solutions to complex challenges
- Ability to actively take initiative and help set things up in a start-up environment
- Ability to actively seek and give input in a collaborative team environment
- A committed team player with good communication skills
- Available to volunteer at least 7-10 hours a week
Desirable
- Experience of influencing the formation or revision of international development policy at an institutional, national, or inter-governmental level
- Experience working in an early stage start-up and gone through a scaling phase
- Passion for the start-up life and comfortable in a role with a little ambiguity
What ADC Offers You
This is a volunteer, remote and unpaid position with the following benefits:
- Professional learning and career development opportunities
- An opportunity to build on your work experience within your profession
- An opportunity to be part of a diverse team representing different parts of the world that is helping to deliver systemic social change in Africa
- An opportunity to help shape a start-up social enterprise
- We provide work reference
This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Here at African Development Choices, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our teams are made up of people from all over the world and we welcome all applications. If you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, and you require any reasonable adjustments for your application with us, please let us know by contacting recruitmentatafricandevelopmentchoicesdotorg
We are currently experiencing the most significant threats to refugee protection in the UK since the UN Convention was signed in 1951.
Against this backdrop, The Asylum Reform Initiative (ARI) is an alliance of leading groups working in collaboration to secure deep-rooted change in the refugee and asylum system. It includes the British Red Cross, Citizens UK, Freedom from Torture, NACCOM, One Strong Voice, Rainbow Migration, Refugee Action, Refugee Council and Scottish Refugee Council.
The ARI incubated, launched and supports the public-facing Together With Refugees coalition, which now has over 600 national and local member organisations taking collective action to project widespread support for a positive alternative approach into public and political debate.
The Asylum Reform Initiative is now seeking to appoint its first independent Chair.
This is a unique opportunity for an inclusive, collaborative leader to work with a highly talented and committed team to develop and drive the ARI forward with passion and humility. The Chair will play an integral role in providing inclusive governance leadership, enabling each member to fulfil their duties and responsibilities and to maximise impact.
We are seeking someone with significant experience of leadership and governance, who is deeply committed to reshaping the UK’s approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. A strategic thinker who is willing to engage with relevant policy issues around refugee and asylum.
Furthermore, the ARI’s Chair will be committed to anti-racism and equity, diversity and inclusion, and in particular lived experience inclusion. They will display the highest personal standards regarding integrity and transparency, and be a positive, collaborative, and inclusive leader.
Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications: 12th May 2024
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 20th May 2024
Interviews with the Asylum Reform Initiative: From 3rd June
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.
Role title: Volunteer Youth Support Assistant
Short description of role: Supporting our Connect! service for young people aged 9-18 with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. Activities range from a social board games & Lego group to kayaking, archery and bushcraft.
Long description of role: Involve’s Connect! service is funded by Kent County Council’s Short Breaks scheme. The purpose is for young people aged 9-18 with Autistic Spectrum Conditions to have a space to meet and build friendships with other young people in an autism friendly environment. The aims are for the young people to build their confidence, independence, and life skills in a safe space. As a volunteer, you would provide valuable support to the young people at activities which have previously included pizza making, arts and crafts, kayaking, archery and bushcraft as well as a regular group that meets and plays board games and Lego. It would not be necessary to join every activity but regularly enough for the young people to build relationships and trust with you at the group. Duties would involve supporting the Youth Programme Coordinator to get the young people settled at the beginning of the session and making drinks for parents and young people. You may also be encouraging young people who are feeling anxious to participate in activities by being a source of support to them and making them feel more comfortable. Most importantly, you will be supporting the group to stay safe and comfortable while trying new experiences.
Districts/areas the role is available in: Across Kent
Skills that the volunteer may need: Good listening and communication. Previous experience of working with young people is desirable but not essential.
What can the volunteer gain from this opportunity: Experience working with children and young people with additional needs. A sense of pride watching young people build their confidence and try new things. And of course, lots of fun!
Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.
Involve is fully committed to upholding the rights of all children, young people and adults to be protected from harm and abuse and to achieve the best outcomes.
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.
Trustees
Type: Voluntary Position
Location: Board meetings are a mixture of online and in person (Edinburgh)
Closing Date: Wednesday 5th June
Upmo are an Edinburgh-based charity that provides support and opportunity for adults with learning disabilities and autism across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Upmo was founded in 2006 by Josh Barton and inspired by the belief that services for adults could truly be exciting, dynamic and meaningful.
In 2006, adults with learning disabilities lacked opportunities in higher education and there was a lack of understanding around individual needs. Those who understood the needs of service users operated with limited scope to encourage, inspire and motivate. As a result, many service users were isolated and desperately in need of opportunities to become more socially engaged, active and valued.
The response from Upmo was combining progressive learning within an educational curriculum and the development of support service provision – placing the needs of students at the heart of services. Distinguishing themselves by adopting an unconventional approach, Upmo provides custom-tailored support services alongside a well-regarded curriculum featuring creative workshops, educational activities, and vocational programs. The charity has also expanded its impact through a growing number of social enterprises aimed at creating job opportunities and preparing students for employment.
Upmo are looking for a number of committed and motivated individuals, from any background, to join their Board of Trustees and to help steer Upmo through a time of exciting opportunity and development.
As members of the Board, Trustees have the overall responsibility of running the charity. The current Trustees come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and through their wide-ranging and complimentary skills and life experience, contribute to the strategy and oversight of the charity’s operations. Being a trustee is a rewarding experience, which can also offer opportunities for personal development and growth outside of the workplace.
To be considered for this role, you should have strong communication, interpersonal and writing skills, coupled with a proactive attitude towards learning and a collaborative spirit. Additionally, strong analytical and problem-solving skills are key. Regardless of your background, if you embody qualities such as a genuine concern for others, honesty, integrity, and an alignment to Upmo’s mission, we encourage you to reach out for more information.
The Board of Trustees meet four times per year, with every second meeting being held in person in Edinburgh. It is important that trustees allocate sufficient time to read Board papers and prepare for Board meetings. However, this is not onerous, and the time commitment should be no more than 2-4 hours per month on average.
How to Apply:
Closing Date: Wednesday 5th June
This search is being conducted exclusively for Upmo by BTA (Bruce Tait Associates). Our leadership team have all worked in the voluntary sector and we use this experience to match organisations and individuals to create great appointments.
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.