Trustees Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you be willing to volunteer your time and expertise to join the Hospice as a trustee member of our Board of Trustees? Garden House Hospice Care’s Trustee Recruitment Initiative aims to identify and encourage people who want to help make a difference to those in our community affected by life-limiting illnesses.
We are looking for new trustees to join our Board who are energetic, talented, and committed people, with good leadership, interpersonal skills, used to being in a people-focused environment, and who can formulate and implement strategy. These opportunities reflect our succession policy which encourages a healthy turnover at Board level. We believe that this brings new ideas and experiences to the charity and ensures that, in future, we continue to improve in order to provide as much care and support as possible to those who would benefit from our services. We strive to be an inclusive and diverse Board and welcome applications from members of underrepresented groups.
We are looking for people able to take up the role at any time over the coming six months but if you would prefer a later start date, perhaps due to existing commitments, please still apply now. We are particularly keen to attract interest from people with relevant senior experience from the following sectors:
Finance & Accounting: You will have Financial Management/Accounting experience, helping us to maintain an overview of the organisation’s affairs ensuring its financial viability and that proper financial management/records and procedures are maintained. You will have the skills and expertise to analyse proposals or plans pertaining to the development, growth, or diversification of the organisation and to examine the financial consequences of those proposals/plans.
Clinical: If you have experience as a doctor, nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or any other clinical role we would love to hear from you.
If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, then please see the Role Profile and Information Pack attached. To register your interest and discuss the role further please complete the expression of interest form by hitting Apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We are seeking a new chair to lead our board of trustees, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering and community projects in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most diverse boroughs.
Established in 1969, we are the oldest Volunteer Centre in the country and are deeply rooted in the local community, empowering individuals to contribute positively through volunteering. Our programmes support diverse groups, including those living with disabilities and mental health challenges, ex-offenders, as well as marginalised residents seeking employment opportunities.
As chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering the Volunteer Centre towards its mission of fostering positive change in Kensington & Chelsea. Responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership in partnership with the chief executive.
- Facilitating constructive decision-making within the board.
- Maintaining relationships with stakeholders and representing VCKC at various events.
- Supporting the development and cohesion of the board team.
By becoming chair of our board of trustees, you will have the opportunity to drive positive change and contribute to a vibrant community. If you are ready to make a difference, apply now and be part of something meaningful.
As three West Midlands-based building preservation trusts experiencing unprecedented growth, we are seeking a strategic leader with a passion for historic buildings and their conservation. West Midlands Heritage Trust, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation, is being established to strengthen our organisational resilience and delivery capacity, with the volunteer Chair helping to shape the direction of this exciting, new Trust.
We welcome all contact for further information or to arrange an informal discussion about this opportunity with our Project Director.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to play your part making Norfolk a better place to live today and tomorrow? Would you like to learn and understand the issues facing our communities? Can you help us change and develop as we continue to be more innovative as a Community Foundation?
The continued growth and development of the Norfolk Community Foundation has resulted in the need to identify trustees with specific skills and experience in the areas: health / health research, agricultural partnerships, and strategic communications. As a Trustee, you’ll play an important role in helping us to achieve our ambitions of making local communities thrive and improving the lives of people who live there. Previous Board/Trustee experience is not necessary.
This is a perfect opportunity for someone who:
- Has a personal drive and ambition to want to make a difference.
- Has a desire for continuous improvement.
- Works constructively within a team.
- Is enthusiastic with an ability to inspire others.
- Is innovative, with an interest in piloting change.
- Is interested to learn and understand the issues facing our communities.
We feel passionate that our Board should be representative of Norfolk communities and so are especially keen to broaden the diversity of the Board and add more voices with lived experience.
Who are the Norfolk Community Foundation?
We are a local charity with a clear vision of strengthening communities from the bottom up to make Norfolk a vibrant and fairer place to live. Working in partnership with local charities and community groups by providing them with funding, leadership and guidance, we help to inspire local people and those with an interest in Norfolk to give funds, time and resources to support their communities.
To build stronger communities in Norfolk from the ground up.
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!
Are you interested in supporting children and young people’s education, mental and physical health through the performing arts, theatre and dance?
You could be a trustee for Artemis Studios, a Bracknell-based charity that’s now growing our Board, ready for the next stages of development.
Artemis Studios Performing Arts Schools Limited is a Charity only Registered in March 2022, while our not-for-personal-profit organisation has been providing similar services in Bracknell since at least August 2014 and our roots go back locally to 2007. This, of course, means our charity Board of trustees is still growing, and needs new skills and abilities to achieve that growth.
If you have specific interests or skills in funding, fund-raising, strategic planning or the legal duties of trustees, we’d really like to talk with you; in any case, if you’re interested in helping our organisation’s growth as part of our collective Board, please read on and apply.
We’re interested in you if you’re interested in us!
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 performing and creative arts, and we’d expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries.
Interest in young people, mental health support, education would be beneficial, but potential applicants do not need in-depth understanding of, or involvement in, our operational cause.
If you have specific experience, skills or abilities in:
- Funding and fund-raising
- Strategic planning for our charity
- Legal responsibilities in a Charitable Company
we’d really welcome your application.
If you have interests other than those, don’t be put off: ask us!
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 what our trustees primarily need; you’ll also need to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, under the leadership of our CEO, who works closely with the Board to develop and implement our strategic and operational plans.
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, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.
We ask for about six hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc. You will 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.
You will need to be eligible to be a Charity Trustee and Company Director, which we will explain. 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 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)
The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) advocates for a fair and effective justice system. Our insight come from our members: over 200 non-profit organisations and academics with expertise across the UK justice system. We investigate key issues in criminal justice, co-produce evidence-led briefings and reports with our members to influence policy change. We connect practitioners, academics, the media, people with lived experience and policy makers from across the justice system to hold the government and other institutions to account and to promote power sharing.
We are looking for a Chair to lead the Board of trustees, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation. The Chair's role is also to work in partnership with the Director, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation and to optimise the relationship between the Board and staff.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Doctors of the World UK (DOTW UK) is part of the global Médecins du Monde (MDM) network, which delivers over 400 projects in more than 70 countries through 6,000 volunteers.
Our vision is of a world in which vulnerable people affected by war, natural disasters, disease, hunger, poverty, or exclusion get the healthcare they need.
Through our health programmes and advocacy, we work to ensure excluded people overcome barriers to realising their right to healthcare. Since opening in the UK in 1998, we’ve raised £10m for overseas programmes, helped 20,000 service users here and fought for healthcare as a human right for all.
We believe that every person living in the UK has the right to healthcare, and we work to influence public policy and local implementation to reduce health inequalities and ensure access to healthcare for all.
DOTWUK is proud to have a diverse board of trustees with a broad range of skills, including expertise in law, communications, accountancy, migrant lived experience, and more. We are currently seeking a Clinical Trustee to enhance our team's capabilities.
For this dynamic position, we are in search of a candidate with expertise in clinical governance to aid our quarterly clinical governance, quality, and safety board sub-committee meetings. Clinical Trustees contribute a plethora of skills, experience, and expertise to the Board of Trustees, assisting in the Charity's development to fulfil its mission and uphold its principles. The selected individual will utilise their understanding and proficiency in practice delivery and clinical governance to improve the board's oversight function in this area.
For more information on the role, including a person specification, please refer to the role profile.
Closing date:
Sunday 9th June 2024
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV & Covering Letter on the link provided. Your CV and cover letter should be clearly tailored to the position and should reference points from the person specification section of the role profile. Interview dates TBC.
We work tirelessly to empower excluded people to access healthcare.
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!
Overview of the role:
Knottingley Foodbank are seeking someone with experience of working in a financial role to join the Board as a Trustee, who will be able to advise on financial matters, ensure we meet our financial obligations and help us build a sound financial strategy as we move forward. As a Trustee you will share collective responsibility for the governance of Knottingley Foodbank and all decisions made by the board, ensuring the organisation is well run, fulfils its mission, ensuring compliance with charity law and that the charity is open and accountable.
Responsibilities
All trustees are responsible for setting the strategic direction for Knottingley Foodbank, ensuring alignment to our values, defining goals, setting organisational policies, agreeing financial plans, evaluating the charity’s performance and ensuring good relationships amongst the trustees and with the senior staff.
Key tasks
All Trustees:
- Embrace the organisation’s vision, mission and values.
- Ensure the charity complies with its governing document and charity law.
- Ensure focus on strategy, performance, risk and assurance rather than operational matters.
- Act with integrity, making objective decisions without undue influence by special or personal interests.
- Ensure openness and accountability, build public trust and confidence in the foodbank’s work and legitimacy in representing beneficiaries and stakeholders.
- Uphold collective responsibility of the board.
- Commit sufficient time and energy to the role of trustee and make reasonable use of own skills and experience to support the work of the board and foodbank.
- Ensure the principles of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in Knottingley Foodbank and help deliver public benefit.
Specific to the Treasurer Trustee:
- Oversee the financial affairs of the foodbank, ensuring that they are conducted with probity and transparency.
- Ensure the board receives sufficient information to carry out its financial responsibilities.
- Ensure that the charity has robust and effective financial controls.
- Ensure appropriate financial policies are in place.
- Ensure an annual budget is provided for board approval.
- Be responsible for the foodbank’s payroll.
- Review management and statutory accounts are produced on time.
- Ensure that organisation risks are reviewed by the board annually.
Trustees may also undertake additional work for the charity between meetings subject to their availability and skill set.
Please apply through CharityJobs in the first instance, providing a CV and cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an informal interview with members of the Board of Trustees at Knottingley Foodbank.
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!
Outside Edge Theatre Company are seeking new Trustees who share our passion about changing lives through the power of theatre.
We are looking to broaden our Board’s diversity of thought with creative and strategic thinkers, including the appointment of two new roles: Treasurer and Deputy Chair of the Board.
We’re particularly interested in the following experience: Fundraising, Charity Finance, Drug & Alcohol services, Participatory arts, Theatre making, EDI and CSR. The most important factor, however, is that you bring energy and commitment to the role and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
Outside Edge is the UK’s only theatre company and participatory arts charity working with those affected by and at risk of any form of addiction.
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!
Unfold does governance differently. An award winning charity, we are led by the people we serve, with inclusive, participatory governance structures which have twice been short-listed for excellence in the Charity Governance Awards.
Unfold (previously known as Westminster Befriend a Family) is an established local charity that gets people where they want to be. Powered by volunteers, we support children, young people and families with one to one mentoring and peer support groups across Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. We're open to everyone, but we target those who face the most challenges: 93% of our service users are people of colour, 75% are single parent families headed by a woman and in 50% of the families we support there is a child with disabilities or special education needs.
We support the local community and we have also developed specialised programmes for people with specific needs, including refugees, children excluded from mainstream school and children with experience of the care system.
Unfold Trustees
We have a dynamic, committed, open and friendly board, and we're seeking two new trustees to join us, bringing skills and experiences from the not-for-profit or public sectors.
To reflect the experiences of our service users, we're aiming to maintain the diversity of our board - we're particularly keen to hear from people from the global majority, women, and people who identify with other under-represented groups, including those with disabilities or who identify at LGBTQI+.
We have grown considerably in the last five years, and we now support ten times as many people a year, with five times the budget. Along the way we've re-branded, undergone a digital transformation, become user-led and significantly expanded our team. This rapid change reflects both the extent of the community needs, and our ambition to meet those. We're looking for trustees who can help us go to the next level as we set our strategy for the next five years.
Trustees play a key role in ensuring that Unfold achieves its core purpose and overseeing the overall management and administration of the charity. They also help to ensure that Unfold has a clear strategic vision and that we are working in line with our charitable aims. Trustees support and challenge Unfold’s CEO to enable Unfold to thrive.
We are looking for two Trustees to support our vision and take on the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Engage with and be accountable to our service-user accountability structures, our Youth Advisory Council and our Women’s Advisory Council, who support us in setting strategic direction and to whom we are accountable.
- Support and advise on Unfold’s vision, goals and activities
- Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation
- Oversee the charity’s budgets and financial plans and monitor and evaluate progress
- Ensure that risks are being identified, monitored and managed effectively
- Ensure the effective administration of the charity
- Provide support and challenge to Unfold’s CEO
- Keep up to date with changes within the environment that Unfold operates
- Contribute to reviews of the charity’s governance
- Attend board meetings and be adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion. These meetings are held in person in our fully accessible London office.
- Support the promotion of Unfold's aims and reputation
- Contribute to the charity’s sub-committees and attend sub-committee meetings adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion
Skill and Experience
- Knowledge and experience of the charity sector
- An understanding of and commitment to participatory and inclusive governance.
- An understanding of and the ability to support Unfold’s fundraising strategy
- An understanding of statutory services which might be supporting families, children, young people, mental health and wellbeing, which might be through knowledge and experience in local authorities or the public sector
- Strong communication skills and able to contribute to board discussions
- Knowledge or lived experience in the borough of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea or neighbouring boroughs
- Understanding of safeguarding the welfare of children or vulnerable adults
Personal Attributes
- Personable and positive
- Willingness to learn and contribute.
- People orientated with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Passionate about supporting families to improve outcomes for children, young people and parents.
Values
Trustworthy, non-judgemental, transparent, caring and compassionate, empowering, proactive, self-motivated and accountable
We particularly encourage applications from:
- Candidates from under-represented groups including women and those from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds
- People from marginalised groups, such as people who consider themselves LGBTQ+, disabled or otherwise facing challenges.
- Individuals with knowledge or lived experience of Westminster and the surrounding boroughs.
- People with less experience but a keen enthusiasm and commitment to our aims based on lived experience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Seeking Passionate Trustees to Drive Financial Equity
Are you ready to make a tangible impact in your community? Talking Money invites passionate individuals to join as Trustees, driving forward their mission to empower those facing financial hardship. As a Trustee, you’ll wield independent control and legal responsibility, shaping the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring alignment with their core purpose.
About Talking Money:
Talking Money is a Bristol-based charity dedicated to empowering individuals facing financial hardship. With a focus on inclusivity and equity, they provide essential support and guidance to those in need, regardless of background or circumstance. Their mission is to alleviate financial stress and promote long-term stability by offering tailored advice, practical assistance, and advocacy services.
Driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to financial education and support, Talking Money delivers a range of programmes and initiatives designed to address diverse needs within the community.
The role:
We are looking for people who care about supporting local people in financial hardship and reducing inequality, who are willing to bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking and perspective on the board. Whether you bring expertise in housing, disability, mental health, or fundraising, your unique perspective would be invaluable to the Talking Money board.
We particularly welcome applications from people with direct or indirect (for example though a family member or friend) lived experience of the kinds of issues our clients face (e.g., poverty, financial hardship, over-indebtedness, homelessness).
Personal skills and qualities:
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Creative thinking and strategic acumen to drive organisational growth.
- Effective communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
- A strong alignment with our vision and mission.
Responsibilities:
As a trustee, you’ll play a pivotal role in:
- Overseeing organisational strategy and financial plans.
- Providing support and challenge to our executive team.
- Ensuring compliance with governing documents and legal obligations.
- Promoting and protecting the interests of Talking Money.
Time commitment and expenses:
- This is a voluntary position with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
- Minimum commitment of 17 hours per year, including board meetings and team events.
- Opportunities for professional development and training sessions
Terms of appointment:
- Initial 5-year term, with the possibility of renewal. Potential for progression to Chair of the Board.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Chair of Trustees
We are looking for a Chair of Trustees who is passionate about the cause but also keen to get involved and help drive the charity’s strategic direction.
Working for a small Muscular Dystrophy family charity, you will work closely with trustees and the charity’s founder and CEO to drive the organisations strategic direction.
Position: Chair of Trustees
Location: Hybrid / South East
Closing Date: 20th May 2024
The Role
You will work closely with the charity’s founder and CEO but also you will lead the trustees in strategy, good governance, and policy development. As part of this engagement, the Chair will provide support to the CEO, including supporting his wellbeing and ongoing professional development.
Other duties will include:
· When necessary, ensure the Chair and Trustees challenge the CEO constructively and only in the best interests of the charity as ‘critical friends’.
· Liaising with the Charity Secretary, and the CEO with drafting agendas and supporting papers for Trustee meetings, ensuring provision of timely information and sharing with all.
· Ensure charity business is covered efficiently and effectively in meetings.
· Undertake a leadership role to ensure that board members fulfil their governance responsibilities and that trustee decisions are acted upon.
· Maintain trustees’ commitment to board renewal, succession planning and trustee performance reviews, in line with the governing document.
· Ensure board and trustee performance is reviewed annually.
· Ensure the performance of the CEO is reviewed annually.
The Chair will also ensure that Trustees make an effective contribution and are engaged, fully involved and invested in the charity in discharging their responsibilities.
Time Commitments
· The time commitment required to fulfil the Chair role will be somewhere between 2-3 days per month
· MHF’s Trustee Board meets virtually once every 2 months, for 2 hours, within the financial year (1st Mar – 29th Feb)
· The Chair & trustees are encouraged to attend and engage with at least one Muscle Dream programme per year
· The Chair will conduct an annual review meeting with each trustee, outside of any other trustee meetings
· The Association of Chairs (AoC) are an independent association of Chairs of social purpose and not-for-profits – formed to help Chairs with their unique task to lead the board in delivering the organisation’s aims – the AoC offer some excellent resources including Chair Training (if required)
If you would like to progress your interest forwards, in the first instance, please upload your CV together with a covering letter outlining your skills, experience and motivations.
About You
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to bring their leadership and communication skills to the fore. Previous trustee experience and charity governance are essential.
You will not only have experience of being a charity trustee or someone who has held a senior management role, but also an individual who has a keen sense of strategic purpose, underpinned by an inclusive and compassionate style of leadership.
We are open to applications from those with relevant senior level charity experience and would love to hear from people with experience of income generation, small charity or small business leadership experience as well as experience of governance in a small charity.
The recruitment process is open and inclusive. Applicants will be communicated with in advance, so they know what to expect as the process unfolds.
About the Organisation
Small multi award-winning family-centred charity uniquely tackling the isolating and debilitating muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy (MD) for children and young people. Their vision is a world of hope, purpose, inspiration and empowerment for all children with MD. The organisation delivers highly personalised interventions (in-person & virtual) in the UK called Muscle Dreams that provide powerful physiological and psychological benefits from improving emotional and mental wellness to boosting confidence, uplifting self-esteem and increasing social connection.
One of the strengths as a board is its diversity. And as a charity, the community’s diversity. We are interested in hearing from applicants with diverse skills and experiences that reflect the diversity of the beneficiaries.
You may have experience in areas such as Chair, Chair of the Board, Chair of Trustees, Board, CEO, COO, CFO, Chief Executive, Charity, Senior Executive, Head of, Director.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
New Dawn New Day is a longstanding Leicester based women’s charity. A key focus of our work is supporting women who have come into contact with Criminal Justice Services or are at risk of offending, delivering a range of practical and emotional support designed to meet their multiple and complex needs.
If you have a commitment to, but not necessarily experience of working in the women’s sector, this role is a great opportunity to use your experience and leadership skills to help drive forward our work and build on our excellent reputation.
We are looking for a Chair to lead the Board, oversee our strategic direction ensure effective governance & inspire us.
Key Responsibilities
Ensuring effective governance
- Providing support and leadership to ensure trustees fulfil their duties and contribute to strategic decision-making
- Maintain a supportive team culture among trustees, leveraging their varied experiences and networks for the charity's benefit
- Supporting new trustees to develop their participation and contribution
- Oversee the plan for trustee recruitment to ensure succession, diversity & relevant skills
Development of the charity’s long-term strategy
- Working in collaboration with trustees, the CEO, and the Senior Executive Team to oversee the development of the long-term strategic plan
- Review delivery of the annual plan to achieve funding & project objectives
- Research broader networks, potential partnerships & stakeholders to support the charity's strategic goals and funding requirements
Working with the CEO
- Develop a productive working relationship
- Agree their annual objectives and provide support and oversight to deliver them
Acting as a representative of the charity
- Be an ambassador, developing our network with decision makers and other stakeholders as appropriate
For more details on the role & candidate requirements please find attached our Candidate pack for more details
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 seeking a Trustee Treasurer to help to manage our finances and investments, as well as being involved in strategic decision-making and grant giving.
Trustee Treasurer
The Lipman Miliband Trust funds socialist research and education as well as “educational activities that raise public awareness and understanding of struggles and movements for peace, human rights and a more equal, diverse co-operative and democratic society.”
The Trust was established by socialist businessman Michael Lipman in 1974 and academic Ralph Miliband until his death in 1994. Information about the Trust’s history can be found here, and examples of projects and organisations we have supported in recent years can be found here and here. We are celebrating fifty years of the Trust’s existence this year – and looking forward to the next 50!
Having benefited from a significant increase in resources in recent years we have started on an exciting new phase of our development that has meant increasing staff support and expanding our outreach, fund-raising and grant-giving activities. We are currently a Board of ten trustees and we are now seeking a Trustee Treasurer who shares our values and our belief in the vital importance of socialist education.
About the role
You will work with our Trust Coordinator as well as external advisors and accountants in helping to manage our finances and investments, and be a member of our Governance and Finance Working Group. Our finances and investments are critical to the success of our work so we are looking for someone with experience of financial management and/or accounting, as well as some level of experience in understanding and/or managing investments. This is a voluntary, unpaid post, but we are happy to pay for appropriate additional training and there will be a lot of support from the Trust Coordinator and other trustees.
Being a Trustee is a significant commitment and responsibility, but it is also hugely rewarding. The role will require you to attend each of our four Trustee meetings a year, and to participate in regular online meetings of the Finance & Governance Working Group. You will be part of strategic decision-making about the Trust, contribute towards the Trust’s governance and take part in decisions about grant awards.
We are based in different locations around the country and most of our work is conducted online, however we aim to meet in-person as a Board at least twice a year.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are currently seeking a Chair to join our dynamic charity board as our current chair is coming towards the end of their term.
We are a highly engaged board who is passionate about ensuring our charity makes a big difference to Lewisham residents, especially to the most vulnerable people. We work in a collegiate way, respecting the diverse viewpoints board members bring to the table and hold ourselves to high professional standards.
The Chair will work closely with the CEO, staff, volunteers and other Trustees to support Citizens Advice Lewisham in making a difference in the lives of people who live and work in the Borough.
General Trustee duties and responsibilities
Each individual member of the Trustee Board has a responsibility to contribute to the discharging of the board’s duties. They do this by:
● Governing the charity in the best interest of the clients and in line with the governing documents.
● Actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance and ensuring effective oversight of the charity’s activities. This includes visiting Citizens Advice Lewisham to get to know the team and being aware of the service in action.
● Taking responsibility for their own learning and development.
● Monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met.
● Supporting the development of Citizens Advice Lewisham through agreed projects and managing risk.
● Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received.
Chair specific responsibilities
Plan the board meetings including the dates and the agenda, supported by the CEO.
● Facilitate the trustee board meetings by leading the meeting, ensuring that agenda items are discussed, enabling all members to contribute their views and take part and seeking clarification where necessary.
● Ensure that decisions and actions taken at board meetings are carried out.
● Ensure that the board decisions are made within the remit of the Citizens Advice membership agreement, governing documents and policies.
● Monitor attendance and commitment of all trustees.
● Provide or arrange for training or support for trustees if needed.
● With other trustees and the CEO, recruit a trustee board with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge with an aim to promote trusteeship to underrepresented groups that represent the local community.
● Ensure that all trustees receive an induction and the training needed for them to fulfil their role.
● Be proactive in recruiting successors to key positions such as Chair, Treasurer etc.
● Arrange or provide support and supervision for the CEO including an annual appraisal.
● Together with the Treasurer, ensure proper management and control of local Citizens Advice finances.
● Together with the CEO, represent the local Citizens Advice in relationships with funders or potential funders, local events and in the community.
● Work together with all trustees and ensure that the board is able to:
● Set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice.
● Monitor the financial position of the local Citizens Advice ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, ensuring that there are clear lines of accountability for day to day financial management.
● Monitor whether the Citizens Advice service complies with its governing document and meets the required standards.
● Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.
● Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.
● Review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement.
● Work on specific projects to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.
General Trustee skills and qualities
● Ability to meet time commitment.
● Commitment to clients and ensuring the impact of Citizens Advice Lewisham in the local community.
● Ability to fulfil governance role, specifically to manage risks, ensure oversight and strategic development of the charity.
● Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
● Willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources.
● Commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Lewisham CAB service, including those relating to equal opportunities, independence, and research and campaigns.
● Ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and employers.
● Willingness and ability to learn and to develop.
● Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement.
● Ability to build productive respectful relationships with other Trustees, staff and volunteers.
● Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the charity’s beneficiaries, staff and the Trustee board.
● Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
● Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
● Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.
Chair specific skills and qualities
● Preferable experience in trustee board governance.
● Excellent interpersonal skills.
● Good leadership skills.
● Ability to facilitate and lead meetings.
● An understanding of the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees.
● Ability to be non-judgmental and respecting views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
● Good numeracy skills to understand financial accounts with the support of the treasurer.
● An understanding of the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice.
Time Commitment and availability to attend required meetings
a) As Chair
● Quarterly governance committee meetings (each 11⁄2 hours plus prep).
● On average half a day per week working with the organisation on chair matters.
b) As Trustee
● Quarterly evening Trustee Board meetings (each 21⁄2 hours plus prep).
● One annual Trustee Board awayday (weekend – 5 hours plus prep).
● Liaison with CEO and colleague Trustees by phone, e-mail or Skype (occasional).
● Day-time visits to our offices to understand our work and engage with staff/volunteers (occasional).
● Two annual stakeholder events (one evening event, one mid-week all-day event).
● Liaising with other trustees and CEO via email and phone in between meetings.
● Where required, leading independently on key projects.
● Any further day time visits and meetings that may arise during the year.
What’s in it for you?
● You will contribute to making a positive impact for people in Lewisham.
● You will meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers.
● You will build on your governance, leadership and strategy skills.
Remuneration
This is an unpaid voluntary role and reasonable expenses will be covered by advance agreement.
Diversity
We seek candidate Trustees from all backgrounds so that our board represents the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
As services are delivered in a small geographic area applicants should ideally live, work or study in, or near, Lewisham or have some local knowledge of the area.
How to apply
Application: Please send us a CV highlighting relevant skills and experience you will bring to the role along with a completed Application Form
Closing date: 31 May 2024
Interviews: 17 June 2024
Contact: If you would like to have a conversation with someone about this role, please get in touch with the Head of Business & Development who can set up a chat with the Chair or CEO.
Disclosure: Applicants must complete the Disclosure and EDI Form as part of their application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.