The Shannon Trust is the leading charity unlocking the power of reading for people in prison across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Our vision is to see everyone reap the benefits of learning to read and our work across the prison estate has evolved in response to the COVID19 pandemic.  Some 50% of prisoners have difficulty with reading and our Turning Pages phonics programme is a proven method of addressing this, adapting recently as prison regimes have necessarily changed. 

Building on recent developments, we now have plans to further transform what we do.  We are piloting work in the community, taking careful steps to harness digital technology in service of our work and are exploring how we can scale our impact.  We are also keen to develop further a culture of high performance and innovation, as we work with others to enhance the basic skills and employability of those caught up the criminal justice system.

We are now looking for three new trustees and would like to hear from candidates who share our passion and vision, and who can bring both energy and expertise to our Board. As a Shannon Trust trustee, you will be taking on an important role at the charity, helping to set our strategic vision; overseeing governance and operations; and acting as an ambassador for our work.

A recent audit of existing trustee skills – in the light of our emerging strategy for 2022-2025 – has demonstrated that there are specific skill sets that would enhance the effectiveness of the board.  Consequently, we are looking to recruit trustees who can demonstrate expertise in the areas of;

• Adult education and basic skills
• Digital development
• Leadership and scaling of small to medium sized enterprises

Shannon Trust welcomes applicants from all communities, backgrounds and locations in order that we may reflect the diverse nature of the people benefitting from our work. We particularly encourage women and people from black and minority ethnic communities to apply for these roles, as these groups are underrepresented at board level.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years, followed by up to two further terms of up to three years. Roles are unremunerated, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!

Globally and nationally wild animals and plants are in steep decline. We appear to be reaching critical tipping points around this loss of “biodiversity” as well as around climate change. Both are interlinked. Human society cannot prosper without wildlife and healthy natural systems.

Kent’s wildlife needs to be restored to much higher levels. We can no longer allow common things to become rare. We can only do this by restoring large-scale habitat from degraded land. Doing this will contribute to solving global problems. But, we won’t be able to do this unless we publicly aspire to a higher level of impact and show that we can deliver this. This will get more people to support us, and work with us, which will create a virtuous circle.

Evan Bowen-Jones (CEO) and his team of over 1000 dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers have ambitious plans over the next five years to grow the income raised by the charity, and its subsidiaries, to help support our strategy outlined above. By becoming a trustee you will join a board of welcoming and committed volunteers with a passion for wildlife conservation.

At the moment we are particularly looking for up to 4 trustees with the following skills:

· Financial management - the person will have operated at a senior level providing strategic financial oversight and planning to the executive management

· Commercial experience - the person will have practical business experience, ideally in retail or with start-up/growing businesses

· Technical skills - the person will have senior level experience in nature conservation, estates management/land acquisition, or carbon finance.

Responsibilities and Commitment

· To periodically agree the business vision, mission and strategic direction of Kent Wildlife Trust and to ensure its operations focus on achieving these.

· Attend the quarterly Council meetings and any ad-hoc meetings as are necessary from time to time.

· Contribute actively to the Council, ensuring that the Council discharges its legal duties within its objectives and, through good governance, provides clear direction for the Trust and ensure that it delivers its charitable objects.

· Actively consider playing a part in the governance of the Trust’s commercial subsidiaries, and/ or any Council sub-committees and/ or Task & Finish groups that might be running at any given time.

· To safeguard the Trust’s reputation and other intangible assets, ensuring that there is mission consistency across the KWT group.

Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife charity for Kent and Medway, supported by its 32,000 members and staffed by committed professionals.  We are all working to protect wildlife and to find better ways to run an efficient and effective organisation.

Promoting the voice of the child, supporting families and encouraging inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.

The Limes is an innovative and inclusive charity based in Waltham Forest. Playing a vital role within the local community, we work to empower all children, young people, young adults and their families. We encourage disabled childre

Do you:

Believe that all children, disabled or non-disabled, have the right to play? 

Envision a community that is safe, encouraging and inclusive for those with disabilities? 

believe in innovation, with an interest in promoting change within a community setting? 

The Limes is seeking several new board members. In 2021 some of our long-standing trustees are due to step down from their roles and we are looking for four new trustees who have the skills to support our current and future work.  We are dedicated to ensuring access for everyone and are willing to develop trustees through training. What we do need is commitment, a willingness to learn and to support the dedicated staff team to make a difference in so many lives.

You will join an experienced, talented and ambitious board, helping to develop the strategic vision of our exciting and creative organisation.   

We are currently looking for board members who can demonstrate skills in one or more of the following areas:

1.Safeguarding - child & young adult protection

2.OFSTED

3.Disability (learning disability, ASD and other)

4.The importance of play in a child’s development

5.The importance of good mental health and well-being

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms UK is looking for several new trustees to help us reach a larger number of people in 2021, which also happens to be our 50th anniversary year. 

We welcome interest from anyone who believes WWOOFing (volunteering on organic and sustainable farms and smallholdings to learn about growing and low mpact lifestyles) can help make a better, greener and fairer world. You don't have to be a member of WWOOF UK or have WWOOFed, but you do need to have energy and commitment to help WWOOF UK change and develop so that we can give even more people the opportunity to experience the life-changing opportunities WWOOFing can provide.

Are you passionate about providing communities with facilities which support wellbeing and inclusion and bring enjoyment to local people? Do you want to be part of an organisation working to protect and promote biodiversity? 

The Veolia Environmental Trust (VET) is delighted to be recruiting for three new Trustees to work with it on its mission to support community and environmental projects.

Since it was founded in 1997, by the leading environmental management services company Veolia as part of the Landfill Communities Fund, VET has contributed over £90 million to support almost 2,521 projects. 

With projects ranging from the transformation of natural environments to the provision of play facilities and the refurbishment of much needed community spaces, the money that VET distributes is having a positive impact across the country. 

Alongside their standard Trustee responsibilities:

• VET Trustees meet four times annually to evaluate which projects to support going forward

• Preparation time is required prior to each of these four board meetings 

• Board meetings are held virtually and face to face at different locations across the UK 

• Trustee positions are voluntary and non-remunerated

• Reasonable expenses may be claimed in line with the Trusts Expense Policy 

• All new Trustees receive an induction to help them fully understand the nature of VET 

• There is opportunity for Trustees to take on other roles as required by VET

We are keen to hear from those with any of the following skill sets:

• Financial management

• Understanding of Environmental issues

• Volunteering

• Community project management

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

VET recognises the importance of board diversity, we are an open and inclusive board which will make everyone feel welcome regardless of age, race, gender or needs. If you need adjustments to be made to support you with the interview or the role of Trustee, VET will do everything it can to support you. Your skills are important to us. 

VET is a Registered Charity (1064144) and a registered limited company (3419138) and is registered with ENTRUST as an environmental body under the Landfill Tax Regulations (043013).

Graeae is a force for change in world class theatre, led by Jenny Sealey MBE since 1997. 

A human rights organisation at its heart, Graeae proudly cultivates and champions Deaf and disabled artists at all stages of their careers through touring productions (integrating the trademark ‘aesthetics of access’), a wide variety of training and learning programmes and by working with the wider sector to campaign for equality on UK and international stages. 

Graeae are seeking new trustees to help steer and support the charity strategically into its 40th year and beyond.

Specifically, as a board member, we will invite you to use your skills, experience and attitude, to:

• Make a real difference to the future of theatre practice
• Help develop meaningful opportunities for disabled performers and creative practitioners
• Support the production of theatre which challenges perceptions and pushes boundaries
• Actively engage with the strategic decisions and planning necessary to ensure Graeae thrives
• Deepen understanding of the lives of people from a range of social backgrounds and cultures

We are recruiting trustees to join our passionate and committed board, to support the charity’s governance and overall strategic direction.

We are keen to hear from applicants from within West Kent and who have the time and skills to commit to this important role. In particular, we are keen to hear from applicants with background, skills and experience in any of the following areas: IT systems / Marketing, digital media and PR / Charity finance / Fundraising / Experience of engaging diverse communities.

Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary.

At Spark! we believe it is possible for every young person to be ready and equipped to enter the world of work. We work in partnership with schools and colleges, and alongside a large and diverse range of employers and funders, enhancing young people’s employability skills, knowledge, and experience, so that they are better prepared for and able to effectively transition into the workplace, finding and keeping a job.

Spark! is looking for up to three Trustees to join its Board. We are seeking applications from individuals who represent a range of backgrounds, and especially those with an interest in the state education sector, employability, and careers provisions.

Having recently undergone a Trustee skills audit we are particularly interested to receive applications from those who have experience in income generation, policy work, marketing and communications, or digital engagement, but do not let these specialisms put you off applying!

We are also keen for our Board to reflect the communities we serve, and very much welcome applications from those with relevant lived experience, and candidates from black and minority ethnic communities. We are also keen to appoint a second Young Trustee, and welcome applications from under 25s.

We are looking for a dynamic, driven person with proven experience to support our fundraising events, playing a key role in helping the charity to meet its financial objectives of core running costs and growth.

Smart Works Reading, operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Smart Works service across the Thames Valley from a base in Reading. Each Trustee has specific responsibilities and area of expertise to manage and own.

Principal responsibilities: 

• Being passionate and proactive in spreading the Smart Works message 
• Creating and managing fundraising events schedule annually to raise up to £25- 35k
• Project Managing (with our Funding & Development Manager as support) 3 key fundraising events throughout the year
• Build a network of wealthy individuals to support event 
• Working with FDM directly to ensure smooth running of all key Fundraising events

​About Smart Works

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing volunteer-led UK charity that styles and coaches unemployed women for success at job interview. Voted Social Action Charity of the Year, the Smart Works service is delivered in London and through licensees in Greater Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle and Thames Valley. The licensees are independent charities and companies run by their own Boards with the ‘head quarters’ Smart Works Charity as the sole member.  At each centre, more than one in two of the women seen go on to succeed at their interview. We are passionate about taking this service across the UK to help as many women as we can, and committed to delivering a service that is transformational, high-impact and inspirational.

Are you aged 18-35? Would you like to play your part in developing an exciting future for a remarkable museum?

The North Craven Building Preservation Trust (NCBPT) cares for the Zion Chapel and The Folly, an extraordinary 17th century building in Settle, home to the Museum of North Craven Life. 

We are looking for young people to join the NCBPT Board of Trustees. We are committed to making The Folly engaging and exciting to everyone and want to ensure that our younger audience members are represented at Board level. 

We want to appoint younger Trustees who are willing to work as part of a team to shape the future of the Folly and the Zion Chapel. If you can offer creative thinking and a fresh perspective, and want to put your knowledge and skills to use to benefit others, please apply.

Being a Trustee provides exciting opportunities for professional and personal development, an opportunity to build networks, gain career building experience, and contribute to the team striving to make a difference at The Folly. This is a learning opportunity and we do not expect you to have previous Board experience. 

Most importantly, as a Trustee, we would like you to…

• Be enthusiastic!

• Be able to see the bigger picture and think creatively and strategically

• Be committed to enabling equality and diversity

• Be willing to learn and open to new ideas

• Challenge and support us

• Work well as part of a team and be a good communicator. 

Please download the recruitment pack available on our website for further details about being a Youth Trustee.

We are committed to diversity and equality and welcome applications from everyone. Meetings are held via zoom so you do not have to be local to the North Craven area. 

Who are we?

Christians Together Calderdale is a Christian charity based in the centre of Halifax, particularly supporting some of the most vulnerable people.  We are a friendly team working very hard to run a number of projects including the well-known Food and Support Drop In Food Bank; a pay as you are able café; a homeless shelter; one-to-one support work; and also our church - Saturday Gathering.

The role:

During the present crisis we have grown significantly, and wish to continue to provide appropriate excellent oversight to this vital service.

We are currently looking for motivated and skilled individuals to expand our board. The key characteristics are people who are passionate about our aims and objectives as a charity, and who care deeply for the main client groups. General trustee experience is helpful, but we are particularly interested in people with financial management skills and strategic planning.

Trustees currently meet monthly, but some are also available for staff and volunteer support between meetings.

This is an important role in a developing charity at an exciting time!

Please note that Christians Together Calderdale is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons in line with the 2010 Equality Act. However, it is an essential requirement that all trustees support the charitable objectives of the organisation, which includes its commitment to Christian evangelism.

All applicants will be required to provide suitable names for a reference check and will be subject to an acceptable DBS check.

The Grange at Bookham is an inspirational charity set in an 8 acre site near Leatherhead.  We provide housing, support, training and life opportunities for adults with learning disabi​lities. We are currently looking for additional Trustees to help shape the future of our charity and are keen to hear from professionals in the local community who are motivated by the chance to use their business expertise and personal experience for the good of a really worthwhile cause.  We will offer you training, some new experiences, the chance to develop your own skill set and some really enjoyable times getting to know the people who live, work and volunteer at The Grange.

Chair to the Board of Trustees

Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF) is an independent charity that has been working to improve lives by addressing social and economic disadvantage and exclusion in Oxfordshire since 1995. We do this by  bringing together people with the passion, resources and expertise to tackle the most pressing social problems facing our county.

We are a leading member of the 46-strong UK Community Foundations (UKCF) movement, and are recognised for our management quality and innovation.

Our Vision: Effective philanthropy, thriving communities
Our Purpose: Addressing disadvantage and exclusion
Our Mission:
A. Provide grants and other support to communities
B. Increase effective philanthropic giving to help tackle local needs
C.Have a deep knowledge of local needs and what works coupled with unrivalled networks with the organisations that deliver impact
D. Help to build and sustain cross-sectoral partnerships that have a long-term impact on priority local issues

In our first 25 years we have achieved a great deal, including:

• Stewarding over £14.5million in philanthropic gifts from a committed group of generous 
  individuals families, businesses and trusts
• Granting over £8.5 million in vital funding to some 1,400 charities and community groups that are improving peoples’ lives in Oxfordshire and beyond
• Developing our philanthropic services to support a growing number of Donor-Advised Funds
• Investing nearly £6 million in our endowment fund which helps to underpin long-term stability to support our charitable activities.

Through these activities we have built an unrivalled network of partnerships across the public, business and charity sectors that has now started to work more collaboratively to address complex social problems. We are recognised as being a thought leader in the UKCF movement, having achieved an “exemplar” rating in an official Quality Accreditation for our processes, innovation, marketing, analysis and business planning. Most recently, thanks to our network of donors and supporters, we were able to respond quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic, setting up the Community Resilience Fund, which has so far distributed over £1m in grant funding to support Oxfordshire’s charities and bring relief to those most in need.

Our strategy as we look forward to the next 25 years is to truly unlock the power of our community. As statutory spending continues to decrease, we believe that the whole community – charities, philanthropists, businesses and the general public as well as the public sector – must step up and take responsibility for improving the lives of our communities, especially those who are most vulnerable. We plan to significantly raise our profile, increasing our fundraising activities so that we can broaden the scope of our grant funding and other programmes to make a real impact on the issues most affecting Oxfordshire – homelessness, educational disadvantage, loneliness and isolation, digital exclusion and ethnic minority communities. 

OCF is seeking a Chair with the enthusiasm and experience to enable the foundation to succeed in reaching
the next stage of its development. 

The Chair’s priorities

• Act as an ambassador for the foundation, raising its profile in the wider community and developing new philanthropic opportunities
• Provide support to the OCF executive team in developing its annual income in order to deliver its ambitious strategic objectives
• Support the Chief Executive in developing and delivering the mission and vision
• Provide inclusive leadership to the Board, ensuring that all trustees are engaged and motivated
• Develop the knowledge and capabilities of the Board, ensuring an appropriate mix of professional skills and life experience, as well as a Board that is representative of the Oxfordshire community

Key responsibilities

• Work with the Board to oversee the continued development of OCF’s strategies and priorities
• Introduce potential donors and supporters to OCF
• Together with the CEO, develop and maintain good relationships and communication with donors and supporters
• Ensure the effective operation of the Board of Trustees
• Establish a strong, effective and constructive working relationship with the CEO
• Responsible for the Board operating within its charitable objectives and communicating its strategic direction
• Ensure the Board is fulfilling its duties, maintaining the sound financial health of the foundation, with appropriate monitoring systems in place
• Work within the guidelines and standards for membership of OCF’s umbrella body, UK  Community Foundations, attending UKCF Chair meetings and the two-yearly UKCF conference as necessary
• Represent OCF at external functions, meetings and events
• Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process
• Conduct an annual appraisal of the CEO in consultation with other trustees

Person description

• Personal commitment to making a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable
• Ability to inspire confidence and command respect among Oxfordshire’s diverse local communities and amongst key stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal skills and relationship-building ability
• Understanding of the process of philanthropy
• Strong networking ability and links to Oxfordshire
• Experience of operating at a strategic level and of chairing meetings and events in a participatory manner
• Strong leadership skills, ability to lead in situations of ambiguity
• A good listener who is able to motivate staff and volunteers

Claiming expenses
The role of a Chair is unpaid. However, expenses can be reimbursed in line with OCF’s Trustee Expenses Policy.

Please also get in touch with us at the same address if you would like to talk informally with one of our trustees about this role.

#PreparedForLife

Join the Ranger Cadets

Sign Up Today!!!
 

Ranger Cadets are looking to recruit a diverse group of passionate, committed, dedicated and motivated Trustees to shape a start-up uniformed youth development organisation based in England. Ranger Cadets has been set up to help prepare young people for life by giving young people aged 13 to 25 years old new opportunities and experiences to learn and discover themselves and the world around them, while boosting their confidence, skills for life and resilience, getting young people in uniform and in their communities to show the difference young people can make in society.

As a Trustee you will be involved in shaping the foundations of our new startup uniformed youth development organisation and will be able to help us make positive and long-lasting impact and change in young peoples lives and in the community around them.

The role of a Trustee is to uphold the Charity’s mission and vision, ensuring the effective governance of the charity. The Trustees will work together with the Chief Ranger to set the strategic direction and framework for the organisation and ensure that Ranger Cadets has the funding, resources and materials needed to provide its ambitious and challenging aims and goals.

Trustees will be expected to give a minimum of 6 hours per month, where Trustee Meetings will take place during the evening (between 7-9pm) and on occasional weekends (between 10am and 5pm). Trustees are able to volunteer remotely but if London based that is an added bonus.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a NON-Uniform Role.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to receiving your completed application as detailed above.

The Ranger Cadets

#PreparedForLife

Inclusive Boards are delighted to be supporting Ambition Institute in their search for a new Trustee.

Ambition Institute runs training programmes for teachers, school leaders and system leaders, serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds. They  help schools tackling educational disadvantage to keep getting better, and help their teachers and school leaders to become more expert over time.

Their vision is an education system where every child can thrive, no matter what their background and their mission is to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better.

They are looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join the Board of Trustees and their Education and Impact Committee. Part of the role would be to support and challenge the Executive team to make sure they are maximising their impact and supporting teachers and school leaders in the best possible way.

We are keen to hear from candidates with experience in the education sector alongside the following essential criteria:

• Commitment to Ambition Institute’s mission to end inequality, the role that professional development can play and Diversity and Inclusion.
• Experience of the education sector, leading change and growth and supporting professional development.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills and the ability to think creatively and work as a group.

 The following are desirable, but not essential for all new Board members:

• Strategic insight into the education system as a whole or at a national level – through a multi-academy trust, initial teacher training or a teaching school hub.
• Expertise in delivering learning at scale to c.30,000 plus users.
• Experience of using technology effectively for large scale experiences.
• Understanding of charity governance and requirements.
• Strategic leadership in your own or other organisations.