Trustees Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to help us improve the lives of parents and young children in Wokingham?
You could be a trustee for Home-Start Wokingham District, a local charity that gives every child the best possible start in life.
Set up in 1996, we offer “a lifeline”, a free family support service to families with at least one child under the age of five; we cover the whole of Wokingham district, which is a population growth area. Associated with Home-Start UK (which nationally has some 13,500 home-visiting volunteers supporting over 27,000 families and 56,000 children to transform their lives), we are a local and independent charity governed by our trustees.
We support about 100 families in Wokingham district each year but like many charities, the cost-of-living crisis has affected our organisation as much as it has impacted upon those families. Our income in 2022/23 was grown back to £140k and our trustees are developing a strategic plan for the next five years.
The role and what we are looking for in a new trustee
Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education and business. We’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries; we’d also appreciate any experience, skills and ideas in fund-raising, finance, law or digital that might bring to us.
You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as support from local charity-support organisations is always available. Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training.
If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
We ask for about six hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc., many of which are held online. Obviously, you’ll need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.
How to apply
This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an online interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.
I need to know more
Contact Mike Allen via Quick Apply below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone)
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Joshua Tree is looking for new Trustees!
To help The Joshua Tree continue to support families going through the most unimaginable times we need new people to join the Trustee board. We are looking to further strengthen our existing Trustee team with people who have the passion and vision to contribute in a holistic way but with a particular emphasis and skill set in Counselling (including safeguarding)
This is an exciting time to join our charity as we further develop our services and proposition. As a Trustee your contribution to the board and charity will help us succeed in our growth, whilst continuing to ensure our beneficiary families remain at the heart of everything we do.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to all those who we support.
For more information, see our website
For an informal discussion about the role please contact our CEO, Richard Driffield
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Overall Purpose of Role
- To ensure on behalf of the Board that Plateful Cafe’s assets are properly managed, only used for approved purposes, and applied as effectively as possible
- Jointly oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice
Main Responsibilities
- Share the responsibility of jointly reporting the financial position (balance sheet, cash flow, fundraising performance etc).
- Jointly oversee the production of necessary financial reports/returns, accounts and audits and the production of an annual budget and propose its adoption at the last meeting of the previous financial year.
- To ensure jointly that proper accounts and records are kept and that Plateful Cafe meets its legal obligations in respect of its financial affairs and financial reporting
- To ensure jointly that Plateful Cafe’s financial resources are spent in line with good governance and legal and regulatory requirements
- To be jointly instrumental in the development and implementation of Plateful Cafe's financial policies
- To jointly supervise and assist Finance assistants
Main Tasks
- Liaising with the appropriate member(s) of volunteers responsible for Plateful Cafe’s
financial activities and financial record-keeping
- Make members aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting
financial data to them.
- Monitoring that financial systems and controls are in place and adhered to
- Assist the fundraising team and team with Funding applications with the finance
questions
- Assist with preparing budgets and other financial information for funding bids
- Assist volunteers with the preparation of financial reports for funders
- Acting as a financial spokesperson for Plateful Cafe as appropriate
- Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls
are in place, ie:
- Cheque signatories
- Purchasing limits
- Purchasing systems
- Petty cash/ float
- Others as appropriate
- Appraising the financial viability of plans, proposals and feasibility studies.
- Lead on appointing and liaising with auditors/an independent examiner.
- Undertake bookkeeping duties and/or oversee the finance volunteer ensuring posting
and bookkeeping is kept up-to-date.
- Maintain the petty cash system and regularly process petty cash claims.
- Regularly carry out reconciliations/ oversee regular reconciliations by the finance
volunteer.
- Arrange payments to creditors as appropriate and arrange appropriate signatures on
payments.
- Make the necessary arrangements to collect payments from debtors and bank
payments promptly.
Qualities
Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising finance practice relevant to
voluntary and community organisations.
Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management (as necessary).
Good financial analysis skills.
Ability to communicate clearly
Previous usage of Free Agent system preferable
Attention to details
Preferable previous experience on payroll
Experience on preparing budget
We are looking to recruit a new Trustee to help support the growth of The Children's Hospital Charity, ensuring we deliver significant income for Sheffield Children’s, to improve children and young people’s lives.
Trustee - The Children's Hospital Charity
Role title: Trustee
Responsible to: Chair of the Trustee Board
Remuneration: Like most Trustee roles, this role is unremunerated.
Hours: Approximately 10 hours per quarter
At The Children’s Hospital Charity we come together as one team making a difference to a cause we care passionately about. We're a Charity proud to connect families, patients, businesses, organisations and communities together with exciting projects at Sheffield Children's.
After ten years of outstanding service, John Warner will soon complete his term as a Trustee. We are now seeking to appoint a new Trustee with similar experience to John in finance and business management.
The successful applicant will become a member of our Finance and Investment Committee, and following a handover period, chair this important committee. In your wider responsibilities as a Trustee, you will also help oversee the Charity's long-term strategy, as well as contributing to, and supporting, the overall management of the Charity.
Further information
Click on 'Apply via website' to be taken to our website where you can download the recruitment pack, which contains further information on this role, and information on how to apply.
Deadline: Friday 12th April 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
TRUSTEES REQUIRED!
At TOP UK we know how distressing and overwhelming OCD and phobias can be. Nearly 40 years of experience tells us that both conditions have a hugely negative impact on people’s lives. Fear and anxiety are incredibly unpleasant emotions and to frequently experience these emotions on a large scale is traumatic and debilitating. No one deserves that.
At TOP UK we also know that OCD and phobias are poorly understood, under-funded and stigmatised despite affecting millions of people. OCD and phobia sufferers often tell us how misunderstanding of their conditions leaves them feeling isolated, alone and afraid to seek help. At TOP UK, we believe no one should feel alone in facing their fears
It is an exciting but testing time at TOP UK and we have just launched an ambitious three-year strategy. While we are eager to embark on this new stage of development for our organisation it comes with an acknowledgment that we are working in particularly uncertain and stressful times and there is a greater need to grow our service than ever before. Demand for our service is at an all-time high and continues to grow, currently dramatically outstripping our capacity. Mental health services are at breaking point leaving those with OCD and Phobias often finding it impossible to find help and dealing with debilitating conditions alone.
Meeting this demand will be a challenge, but it is a challenge we are ready and willing to push for but in order to grow and build our organisation we are keen to evolve, enhance and diversify our Board of Trustees
The role is open to those from the public, private and voluntary sectors. You should be someone with a genuine interest in mental health and we are ideally looking for individuals with any of the following experience: Charity Governance; IT & Digital;Marketing, Communications and Brand; Fundraising: Diversity and Inclusion.
TOP UK also particularly welcomes applications from black and minority ethnic candidates and candidates from the LGBTQ+ community as they are currently under represented in our organisation.
All board meetings are virtual and take place every other month.
For further details please click on the attached Trustee Application pack below. Application is by letter and CV, please click on the apply button to submit these.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Could you help to create a future where all children enjoy, explore and shape the world through STEM?
Cambridge Science Centre (CSC), an independent Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education charity, is devoted to inspiring young people with hands-on learning and helping foster a lifelong love of STEM.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about STEM education and in helping us reach underprivileged communities. Someone who is willing and excited to learn what it means to be a Trustee, and to work within our team.
Our current Board is especially keen to hear the voices and opinions of younger people. Therefore, we are recruiting for a Young Trustee (age 18-30) to join our Board.
You do not have to have prior experience as a Trustee – we will provide training and ongoing mentoring until you are confident in the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are partnering with the Social Interest Group (‘SIG’) to appoint new Trustees to join their board. SIG brings charities together to work under one umbrella focusing on delivering good quality social and health care services. They support people who are in the criminal justice system, stepping down from hospital recovering from mental ill health and those moving away from periods of homelessness, recovering from substance and alcohol issues.
Their Mission is to create powerful partnerships and solutions that bridge the gaps in local health and social care so people can live happy, healthy, productive and fulfilled lives.
SIG (the parent company), their subsidiaries SIG Penrose, SIG Housing Trust, SIG Equinox, SIG Pathways to Independence and SIG Safe Ground, work to tackle social and health care inequalities and fill gaps in service provision in order to ensure that people in our society have every opportunity to live fulfilled, healthy and constructive lives.
Through their values they are committed to:
- Delivering excellence and innovation
- Promoting equality and mutual respect
- A belief that positive change is possible
- Involving and consulting service users
- Active citizenship and community involvement
- Valuing staff, harnessing their full potential
They are keen to have an inclusive board, therefore backgrounds and experience is less important as the need for the passion, ambition and interest to help SIG fulfil its mission is the primary requirement.
As mentioned, your background is less important but if you are in IT, Public Relations & Marketing, Operations, (maybe you have or are a COO) engaged in the medical profession with an emphasis on mental health, a service user or carer is of interest to the current board.
The successful candidates will demonstrate:
- A clear commitment to the mission and values of the Group
- The capacity to participate actively and from an informed position.
- A willingness to use personal networks and resources of relevance to their charitable purpose.
- A passion for their work, and to promoting SIG and its subsidiaries as an organisation.
- A firm understanding and respect for the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Meetings are held in the evening at their head office in the Angel/Highbury & Islington area or virtually; there are 4 meetings plus one ‘away day’ each year. The total time commitment is in the region of four hours per month.
For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
Closing date for applications: 6 May 2024
Interviews: TBC
The Chester Bluecoat Charity, the longest standing charity in Chester, is currently searching for inspirational individuals to join our board as a volunteer trustee to help steer the charity as it strives to raise the bar on the positive impact it has in the city and surrounding areas.
Under new leadership, 2024 is set to be a particularly exciting year as we develop and implement a new strategy to support more people than ever before and help the charity reach its full potential. In order to achieve this, we are recruiting new trustees who can help drive this transformation by bringing additional expertise to our dedicated team, specifically in the charity, community, social housing and legal sectors.
About the Charity
The Chester Bluecoat Charity helps to tackle the causes of poverty, disadvantage, and inequality across the city. As the city’s longest standing charity, we are proud to have been helping the people of Chester and surrounding areas for more than 800 years.
Based in the historic Bluecoat Building, in the heart of the City of Chester, we work to change the lives of people in need in three distinct ways:
- Grant Giving – We award grants to organisations that use education and community development to improve peoples’ lives.
- Rentable office and meeting room space at our Bluecoat Building – We offer third sector office space to local charities and voluntary organisations, as well as meeting rooms for hire to businesses throughout the city.
- Almshouses – We provide Almshouse accommodation for people in need in the 16 Almshouses that we own and maintain which are situated at rear of the Bluecoat Building.
At its core, the charity owns several properties in Chester which enables us to generate a rental income, and subsequently provide Almshouse accommodation and office space to Third Sector organisations. These funds also allow the charity to provide grants and support to organisations such as Blacon Beacon, Koala, KidsBank and Platform for Life, to name but a few…
Why should you become a trustee?
Are you passionate about Chester? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of those in our community who need our help? Do you want to be part of a team trying to do some good by making lasting change?
By becoming a trustee of The Chester Bluecoat Charity, you can do just that! In this role, you can shape and steer the city’s oldest charity and help it reach its full potential. This is an opportunity for you to give back to the city of Chester in a meaningful, rewarding role, whilst making new connections during an exciting time of transformational change in the charity.
What skills should I have?
The Chester Bluecoat Charity are looking for trustees with the following skills in particular:
- Charity and community experience.
- Social housing/housing association experience (Almshouses)
- Legal
In addition, trustees should be able to offer:
- Great communication skills
- Be able to contribute to strategic planning
- Independent, sound judgement
- Willingness to provide opinion and reasons for the conclusions drawn
- Ability to think creatively and problem solve
- Capable of working effectively as a member of a team
As we are focused on Chester and its’ surrounds, we expect our trustees to either be resident in Chester or have strong links with the city.
How will I make a difference?
As part of our trustee board, you will shape the work of The Chester Bluecoat Charity and provide support to the team to achieve our charitable aims. You will be part a charity that tackles the causes of poverty, inequality, and disadvantage in and around Chester by using our resources effectively to provide grants to other organisations and charities, amongst other work.
Our trustees dedicate around 5-10 hours a month to The Chester Bluecoat Charity by attending internal meetings and assisting the team in delivering our strategy.
When would I participate in trustee meetings?
The main board meet 6 times a year. Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of two further terms.
Trustee meetings are usually held at The Bluecoat on Upper Northgate Street, Chester, however these may also be joined virtually.
Non-Member Trustee / Lay Trustee
We are looking for a non-member trustee to serve as a vital representative of the broader public within the UKKA governance structure. This role contributes diverse perspectives, ensures transparency, and fosters accountability in decision-making processes.
The person:
• Civic-minded
• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Communication skills
• Ethical integrity
While the non-member trustee may not possess specific knowledge or expertise in kidney care, their unique perspective and community-orientated approach will enrich the diversity of thought within the board of trustees and contribute to the association's overall success.
Time commitment: The non-member trustee will be expected to dedicate a certain amount of time each month to attend the Trustee Board Meetings (circa 3 online and 1 face to face meetings per year, plus monthly online meetings), attend or chair/co-chair other (sub) committee meetings, review materials, participate in discussions, and engage in association-related activities as necessary.
Term of office: Three years, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
As we embark on a period of growth and programme development, Power of Polo is looking to appoint two new trustees to our board. We are seeking highly motivated and passionate people to join a team dedicated to shaping the future of Power of Polo and being instrumental in guiding the charity at this time of critical development.
Being a trustee for Power of Polo is not merely a title; it is an opportunity to be at the forefront of making decisions that will directly impact the lives of people facing social, economic or health challenges. Our strapline if ‘change your line’, a polo term we have embraced to refer to how being part of our programmes has supported people to change the direct of their lives.
We have social mobility and equality of opportunities at the core of our mission, values and programmes. The Board of Trustees play an essential role in guiding strategic direction, ensuring financial sustainability and governance, and upholding our mission and championing us both within the polo world, and also within the sport for change sector.
Trustees are encouraged to utilise and develop their own unique skills and experience. As the charity progresses, there will be opportunity for you as a trustee to develop areas you feel would support towards Power of Polo’s mission to use polo as a sport for change.
Your commitment
As a minimum, Trustees are required to prepare for and attend three Board meetings a year. These are two-three hours long and are a variety of in-person, hybrid, and remote discussions.
We are in search of individuals who bring a diverse range of experiences, perspectives, and skills. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who have experience or skills in the areas of equine activities, sport for change and social mobility.
We would be keen to hear from applicants with one or more of the following skills and experience:
·Working knowledge of the charity sector or commercial sector.
·Experience within the equine sector, either personally or professionally.
·Ability to develop good relationships with colleagues on the Board, the wider staff team, and with current and future partnerships.
·Ability to develop and utilise networks and contacts to support the development of the charity.
·A strategic thinker.
·Ability to motivate and inspire others.
·An understanding of grassroots sport participation or the environment in which Power of Polo operates would be advantageous.
Remuneration
Trustees give their services on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration. We do however offer reimbursement of reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. We hope that you would also join us annually at our event at Guards Polo Club.
If you believe in our vision and are willing to dedicate your expertise and time to further our cause, we warmly invite you to consider this opportunity.
We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and promotes an inclusive culture in all aspects of our work. We welcome applications from all who have the skills and experience to support the work of Power of Polo.
Please visit our website or Yout Tube page @powerofpolo to learn more about is and our work so far.
If you are interested in the role of trustee, please send an up-to-date CV and a short statement (500 words maximum) of your motivation to join the Board of Trustees and the value you would bring to this position.
Please send these to: Lucy Wilson
Closing date: Sunday 15th April 2024
Our CEO/Founder Dr Katy Hayward would be happy to have an informal conversation with anyone interested in the position. To arrange this, please contact us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Man&Boy - Trustees and Treasurer
Man & Boy are seeking at least 3 new Trustees, including a Treasurer, who are passionate about family values and committed to its mission.
Man & Boy work to enhance family relationships, between boys who may be struggling with life and a significant male in their lives. This could be the biological father, but could be a stepfather, grandfather, uncle or even an older sibling. Its programming uses diverse activities where the man can be a role model to the boy, based on fun, encouragement, trust and open communication. It generally focuses on boys between the ages of 8 and 11 years of age, prior to them entering the challenges of adolescence and secondary school.
Landmark Theatres is looking for directors who will become trustees as we transition to charity status in 2024. We are seeking exceptional individuals from a broad range of backgrounds who will bring relevant insight, skill and experience to support us in delivering the highest quality theatre by, for and with the widest demographic in the least engaged places in England. Currently operating 4 theatres in Devon and Peterborough, and the largest new entrant to the Arts Council National Portfolio in 2023, Landmark Theatres has ambitious plans for growth nationally.
We are looking to recruit several new trustees who share our passion for theatre and are particularly interested in hearing from people with knowledge and insight in the following areas: finance, legal, education, environmental sustainability, IT and Digital, Fundraising, and other people who can bring a richer diversity of lived experience and age to the board.
If you think you could make a contribution, then we would love to hear from you. Please read our Trustee Information Pack for more information and submit your application by 9am on Monday 15th April. Interviews will be held online on Friday 26th and Monday 29th April.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role type: Voluntary role
Responsible to: Chair of Trustees
Base: the Board works remotely
Main Responsibilities and Duties
• Ensure that SEED and its representatives function within all legal and regulatory frameworks continually striving for best practice in governance.
· Comply with SEED’s Code of Conduct and policies, providing leadership on its value base and organisational behaviour, including safeguarding, human resources and financial management.
· Work alongside fellow Trustees and the Senior Management Team in developing SEED’s strategic direction, promoting and developing this through good governance and clear strategic planning. To evaluate progress made towards achieving the strategic objectives.
• Ensure that SEED operates within its Charitable Objectives and organisational strategy in order that its work remains focussed and makes the greatest impact to those it serves.
• Actively contribute to the development of SEED’s business plan, monitoring and evaluating performance against agreed objectives.
• Prepare for and participate fully in board meetings reviewing all reports coming to these meetings.
• To undertake training when required.
• Use any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach quick and sound decisions and participate in sub-committees.
· Support the recruitment of senior staff and offer on-going support and monitoring of their work.
· Assist in the recruitment, on-boarding and support of new Trustees when required.
· Act reasonably in decision making and leadership of the organisation and manage risks with a considered, proportionate and balanced approach.
· Maintain sound financial management of SEED’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisations’ objects and that assets are protected and managed to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.
· Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds.
· Ensure the effective and efficient administration of SEED including having appropriate policies and procedures in place. These policies and procedures are reviewed and signed off by the Trustee Board.
· Ensure that SEED has robust safeguarding policy and procedures in place and that safeguarding is embedded across the organisation
· Safeguard the good name and reputation of SEED, acting in the best interest of the charity, staff and beneficiaries at all times.
· Promote the work of SEED externally seeking opportunities that might further the work and visibility of the Charity.
· Support the Managing Director in leading the Charity, providing advice and practical help and participating in their annual evaluation.
· Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive or confidential information received through carrying out the duties of a Trustee.
· Remain open and accessible to SEED’s staff through occasional communication and site visits.
Accountability:
As a Trustee you are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity and are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders including: service users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House.
SEED Trustees should uphold the fiduciary duty required of all charity trustees to act in the best interests of both current and future beneficiaries of the charity, being held personally liable for any breach of that duty.
Support regarding this is given by fellow Trustees, the Managing Director and the Senior Management team.
Required skills & experience:
The successful applicant will:
• Demonstrate a passion for and sound knowledge of development and/or conservation issues facing least developed countries such as Madagascar.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in at least one of SEED’s core areas (community health; sustainable livelihoods; environmental conservation) or in a key functional area (management, finance, marketing).
• Have a reasonable level of understanding of legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity, ideally through experience as a trustee.
• Show commitment to SEED and have sufficient time and willingness to contribute effectively to board proceedings and sub committee work.
• Be able to make quick and sound decisions based on an analysis of information presented to them.
• Have the confidence to both advocate for or challenge ideas and can remain independent of any influence from other organisations or individuals.
• Be able to work effectively as a member of a team and independently.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s Code of Conduct and values and be a good ambassador for the organisation at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other Trustees or members of staff in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect the reputation of the NGO.
• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, working within SEED’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately.
• Have empathy with those living and working in a developing country with the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Have excellent listening and verbal communication skills and a flexible and patient attitude.
Time commitments
Minimum of 4 Board meetings per year with participation on one sub-committee with its own 3 monthly cycle of meetings. There may be discussions and papers to be prepared ahead of board meetings and time spent working with the Managing Director and other Trustees. These meetings may be in person, more often are virtual and typically take between 2 and 3 hours.
The Trustee Board are encouraged to have one trustee a year take a trip to Madagascar to familiarise themselves with the environment the SEED works in and to meet and get to know the staff in country (some expenses will be covered).
SEED Madagascar actively encourages equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and aims to create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Joining Respond as a Trustee - January 2024
Background Information
Founded in 1991, Respond is a national charity that seeks to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have experienced trauma. We are committed to bringing about positive change for our clients and their families, enabling them to lead richer and more resilient lives.
Respond's services for children, young people and adults are:
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Survivors' psychotherapy
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Family support services
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Advocacy, including ISVA and domestic abuse services.
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Training, consultancy and reflective practice
Respond supports charities that campaign for equality and inclusion with the aim to prevent abuse and equip individuals and their families to come to terms with their experiences and live more positive lives.
Our specialist training, supervision, reflective practice and consultancy equips agencies and health / social care providers to deliver trauma-informed services. This includes responding to and providing consultancy and training for significant events such as institutional abuse.
Our income base is diverse with trust funds and grants continuing to be a vital part of maintaining core services Respond offers, alongside donations from trusts and foundations. We also continue to have larger ongoing or spot contracts for our work for NHS commissioners and local authorities.
It is a good opportunity to join Respond's Board at this time, following our restructure and as we move towards the last year of our current strategy for 2022-25. Following a challenging period due to changing funding landscape and closure of some services, we will be focused on consolidation and improving impact measurement to secure long-term financial sustainability.
The role of the Board of Trustees
The Trustees (or 'Board members') are trustees of the charity and directors of the limited company. They are responsible for the governance, setting the strategic direction and monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The Board ensures that the charity acts in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
The Board has responsibility for:
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ensuring the charity acts in accordance with its charitable purpose and is providing public benefit and meets its legal obligations;
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making decisions in the best interests of the charity;
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developing the multi-year strategy;
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monitoring the management of the finances and resources of the organisation (operations, budget, property, workforce and tenders);
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monitoring performance, quality and impact;
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appointing and appraising the CEO.
Who we’re looking for
Following a recent skills audit within the current Board, the Board is seeking trustees with the following skills or experiences;
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Finance - This person will have a financial qualification and will enable the Board to ensure the sound financial health of the charity. The person will collaborate with the Finance Director to ensure that the organisation has systems that meet sector best practice and ensures financial accountability. This trustee will be the Treasurer and chair the Finance Committee.
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Human Resources (HR) - This person will have experience in working in HR roles, preferably in the voluntary sector. This person will help review and strengthen Respond’s HR policies, set up and lead the people committee and guide the Leadership team in dealing with complex HR issues including change management.
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Fundraising, Marketing and Comms – This person will work closely with our Head of Development and Commissioning on our income strategy and communications strategy.
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Psychotherapy /working in a trauma informed setting – As an organisation providing psychotherapy and arts therapies for autistic people and people with learning disabilities, we are looking for a trustee with experience of working as a therapist with a systems-psychodynamic approach.
The Board wants to ensure that the charity's 'beneficiaries' are represented in its governance. We encourage applications from people who have lived experience of autism, learning disabilities and/or trauma-informed work (either directly or through family members). How the Board carries out meetings will also be reviewed to accommodate adjustments requested by new trustees with learning disabilities or who are autistic. (Please refer to a separate document if you or someone you know with lived experience may be interested)
Person Specification
The following knowledge, experience and skills are essential for the role:
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a commitment to the mission of Respond;
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senior experience, ideally including one or more of the following areas – finance, human resources, fundraising/marketing, legal, compliance, hard-to-reach communities, caring/social care, psychotherapy, commissioning.
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ability to identify creative solutions to problems within limited resources;
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good analytical skills;
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ability to think strategically;
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independence and flexibility in thinking;
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ability to communicate efficiently and connect with a wide range of people, internally and externally;
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a willingness to meet the minimum time requirement (see below);
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an understanding of the legal duties of trusteeship set out in the Charity Commission's 'The Essential Trustee'; and
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an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make decisions for the good of Respond.
Trustees will be expected to demonstrate the following personal attributes:
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good interpersonal skills including listening;
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commitment to excellence and high expectations of self and others;
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values people and the contribution of all stakeholders;
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sound judgment;
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team-oriented with a supportive approach.
Respond is dedicated to developing opportunities for Trustees to be appointed reflecting greater and varied diversity among our Board of Trustees, so we welcome applications by suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital or parental status, age, sexual orientation or gender identity. We particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented on the board.
What we offer
New trustees will:
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Receive induction and training;
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Develop new skills and competencies;
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Meet new people and develop professional networks;
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Contribute to ensuring that the charity offers high quality effective services to autistic people and people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma, who are in need;
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An annual appraisal
Time requirement - What is involved?
Trustees attend eight Board meetings per year approximately every six-eight weeks currently on a Tuesday evening 5:30pm to 8pm. Meetings are in London, and remote access is available for trustees who live/work outside London.
Each Trustee is expected to be an active member of the Respond community, committing 5 to 10 hours per month to the charity which may also involve being on a sub-committee such as; Finance Committee, Clinical Governance and Safeguarding Committee each of which meets four times per year, typically during normal office hours online or in London.
Trustees are expected to attend an induction session at Respond prior to their first Board meeting. Trustees are expected to attend all Board meetings. Other meetings are away-days over a weekend.
Trustees are invited to the annual general meeting, which takes place typically in November.
Trustees may claim expenses incurred in effectively carrying out their duties, in accordance with Respond’s Trustee Expenses Policy.
Papers are distributed one week in advance of meetings. In addition, Trustees are expected to review documents and communicate with other board members and senior staff between meetings. Every effort will be made to ensure that trustees with learning disabilities or who are neurodiverse have access to documents in formats that they can understand or have the support available for them to fully participate as trustees.
Occasionally, circumstances may require urgent meetings (either face-to-face or virtual) to examine strategic issues or items requiring Board approval
Duration of the role
Board terms are for a five-year term following which the person can be elected to serve another three years.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
As the Secretary for our Board of Trustees, you are part of a team providing a vital support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Irlam and Cadishead foodbank.
Key Tasks:
As a Trustee:
- Work with the other trustees to provide management support and direction.
- Ensure that the foodbank meets legal and best practice standards; in the care of clients and volunteers, as a registered charity, carrying out our purpose towards stopping hunger in our local area, complying with our governing document and the law, and managing our resources.
- Liaise with the Trussell Trust on a rotating basis with the other Trustees.
- Understand the working of the foodbank distribution centres, warehouse and donations and attend at least 2 sessions a year.
As Secretary of Trustees:
- Ensure that there is a record of all Trustee Board correspondence
- Ensure that arrangements for Trustee meetings are communicated to the rest of the board, including when and where, inviting trustees to send agenda items and providing to the board with previous meeting minutes in good time prior to the meeting.
- Ensure that Trustees use and implement the NCVO Governance Wheel to ensure we meet best practice for charity governance.
- Ensure decisions and policy creation/adaption are clearly recorded in formal minutes, with who will do what and when as agreed by the Trustee board.
- Ensure formal minutes are taken, produced and distributed to the rest of the trustees in good time, as well as ensuring previous meeting minutes are signed by the chair once approved by the trustee board.
- Check that actions have been taken following decisions at previous meetings.
- Ensure the trustee board meets its legal obligations, including reporting, meeting charity and company law, as well as insurance requirements.
- Ensure all relevant stakeholders are informed of the Annual Membership Meeting (AMM)
- To ensure that the annual report (to go alongside annual accounts) is produced and sent to the Charity Commission of England & Wales.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.