Domestic Abuse Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you be interested in supporting vulnerable adults to improve their English skills? We are looking for a volunteer who can support with English learning online. English is a wonderful language, but it is also notoriously difficult to learn.
What you will be doing
Agree a mutually convenient time and frequency for weekly online tutoring sessions for the client.
Determine learning priorities alongside the client.
Prepare simple online lessons to help improve the client’s English (speaking, listening, reading and writing).
Possibly provide “homework” activities to be complete between lessons (if desired by the client
Provide an encouraging and supportive learning environment.
To keep records of conversations and update the client’s support worker on progress of sessions.
Keep an eye out for any safeguarding concerns and report an concerns to volunteer supervisor.
The skills you need
Interest in supporting someone in developing their English skills. Excellent communication skills
Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere
Desirable: hold a TEFL qualification, or equivalent qualification. Flexibility to work around when client may need to cancel short notice. Compassionate and patient
What's in it for you
Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to
support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your Volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have an art therapy background and would like to support individuals experiencing crisis and find alternative ways to express themselves through art?
You will be working with small groups of people who may struggle with communicating their feelings, thoughts, may require support looking at a problem, situation in a new way, explore a difficult or painful experience.
What you will be doing
- Develop and coordinate art therapy sessions weekly, through one to one or group sessions
- Inspire and motivate individuals to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
- Create a safe space and session plans for individuals to express themselves
- In group workshops, encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of art
- Work alongside our staff team to set therapeutic objectives, goals and provide feedback on progress
- Encourage individuals to continue independent activities beyond the session
The skills you need
- A qualified art therapist with relevant qualifications
- A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role art can play in recovery
- Calm and patient approach
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer your time at Hestia to make our gardens a beautiful place for adults and children to enjoy all year through! Are you green fingered and have a passion for gardens and outdoor spaces?
At Hestia we have gardens and outdoor spaces which require your support to bring these back to life by keeping them maintained. We are recruiting for volunteers to motivate and inspire staff and people living in our services to get involved in gardening.
What you will be doing
- Inspire and motivate staff and people in the services to get involved in maintaining and growing the garden
- To provide tips on how to maintain and grow the garden - sowing seeds, planting bulbs, taking cuttings
- Provide basic maintenance such as cutting the grass, emptying bins, managing weed control and leaf raking
- Lead in planting and nurturing new trees, flowers, and various plants
- Provide best practice on how to use the correct gardening tools
- Inspire people in our services and staff to maintain a clean garden
- Advise staff on the costs of plants and garden necessities
The skills you need
- A basic knowledge/ experience of plant care and use of gardening tools7
- Calm and patient approach
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hestia is looking for a Volunteer who is passionate and committed to help deliver support to people who struggle with their mental health. Do you want to be a part of helping to rebuild lives? We are recruiting for a befriender Volunteer for when people to provide social or practical help. It can take a number of forms such as mentoring, listening, education, informal group discussions or participating in a shared activity.
What you will be doing
- To maintain regular contact with our Service User, carrying out regular support and meetings with them.
- To encourage the Service User to develop their own support networks.
- To develop positive relationships, maintain boundaries and confidentiality
- To keep a time log and other monitoring information as requested by the Service.
The skills you need
- Good communication skills
- Friendly and calm nature
- Mental health experience who feels strong enough to help others
- Willingness to listen to people with a genuine enthusiasm to support others
- Confident, sympathetic and can inspire trust and able to maintain boundaries in a non-judgemental way
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a music therapy background and would like to support individuals experiencing crisis and find alternative ways to express themselves through music?
You will be working with people who may struggle with communicating their feelings, thoughts, may require support looking at a problem, situation in a new way, explore a difficult or painful experience.
What you will be doing
- Develop and coordinate music therapy sessions weekly, through one to one or small group sessions
- Inspire and motivate individuals to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
- Create a safe space and session plans for individuals to express themselves
- In group workshops, encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of music
- Work alongside our staff team to set therapeutic objectives, goals and provide feedback on progress
- Encourage individuals to continue independent activities beyond the session
The skills you need
- A qualified music therapist/ relevant qualifications
- A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role art can play in recovery
- Calm and patient approach
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Music has long been held as an effective and soothing way to help relieve stress and improve mental health. Do you have a passion for playing the keyboard and would like to teach others?
Learning the keyboard in a group allows for time to focus on the here and now, providing total mindfulness. This enables us to forget about the past or our future worries for a while, providing time without any distractions!
What you will be doing
- To facilitate keyboard lessons for beginners on a 1:1 basis for approximately 30 minutes or in a small group
- Plan each session, in collaboration with those you are supporting
- Lead on logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
- Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
The skills you need
- Experience teaching playing the keyboard and the ability to teach at beginner level
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
- Calm and patient approach
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Board Trustee
Job title: Trustee
Responsible to: Chair and Board Members.
Salary: Unpaid: Reasonable expenses incurred while travelling to meetings can be claimed from the organisation.
About the role:
The role of the trustee board is to receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purposes of Salcare. The trustee board must always act in the best interests of Salcare, exercising the same standard of duty of care that a prudent person would apply if looking after the affairs of someone for whom they have responsibility. The trustee board must act as a group not as individuals.
Duties of a trustee:
The duties of a trustee are to:
· Ensure that Salcare complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensure that Salcare pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
· Ensure Salcare applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects. The charity cannot spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be
· Ensure Salcare develops long-term strategy, defines its goals, and evaluates performance against targets.
· Ensuring the financial stability and sustainability of Salcare
· Safeguard the good name and values of Salcare.
· To ensure the effective and efficient administration of Salcare including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
· To protect and manage the property of Salcare and to ensure proper investment of the organisation’s funds
· To appoint the most senior staff member and appraise their performance
As well as the statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the trustee has particular expertise.
In addition trustees are expected to:
· Be committed to the vision and values of Salcare
· Abide by Salcare’s policies and procedures
· Meet the minimum time commitment including attending the majority of board meetings
· Declare conflicts of interest
· Keep informed of the organisation’s work
· Contribute actively to the Board of Trustees
· Participate in relevant training
· Be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
· Agree to, and comply with, the Trustee Code of Conduct
Minimum time commitment:
On average the minimum time commitment is between six and ten days per year depending on level of involvement.
Board meetings:
Trustees are required to attend bi-monthly Board meetings for which they are expected to read papers and prepare. Board meetings usually take place at the Salcare main office, Heanor, for up to two hours during working hours: occasionally board meetings may be held remotely using Zoom or Microsoft Office. The timings of Board meetings is regularly reviewed in the light of the practical needs of the trustees.
Planning sessions and team building
Most years trustees will be expected to engage in two half day sessions; these will generally be during the day.
Committees/Working Groups
According to their individual skills and experience, most trustees will be invited to serve on a sub-committee. Some sub-committees are standing committees and meet quarterly, others are fixed term ‘task and finish’ groups.
Other Support
Generally trustees are expected to support in practical ways such as participating in interviewing for senior staff, representing Salcare at events, or engaging in fundraising activity; some of these activities take place during the day.
Term of service
Our practice is for Trustees to serve on the Board for a three-year period at the end of which they may be re-elected for up to two further terms.
Person specification:
Each trustee must have:
· A commitment to the vision, mission and values of Salcare.
· A willingness to meet the minimum time commitment including, on occasions, being available to staff for advice and support.
· Integrity including understanding of, and ability to maintain, confidentiality.
· An ability to analyse and evaluate information and think strategically.
· Good, independent judgement, political impartiality and the ability to think creatively in the context of the organisational and external environments.
· Willingness to express opinion in a reasoned way, balancing tact and diplomacy with a willingness to challenge and constructively criticise.
· An understanding of the governance role and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
· Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of Salcare.
· Capacity for self-reflection and active learning, and a willingness to undertake training when required.
· A willingness to complete induction activities and reading over their first six months of service.
The board of trustees collectively need a wide range of skills and experience including:
· Financial Management.
· Strategic Planning and setting targets.
· HR including volunteering.
· Fundraising and income generation.
· Charity law and charity governance.
· Understanding of national and local policy environment.
· IT and Digital.
· PR, Marketing, Communications and campaigning.
· Monitoring, evaluation and impact.
· Partnership and collaboration.
· Service user perspectives, involvement and consultation.
· Key policy areas including Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities/diversity etc.
· Lived experience of the disadvantages and challenges faced by users of Salcare’s services.
· Specific knowledge and experience relating to our work including:
· Domestic violence and abuse legislation
· Therapy and counselling
· Working with children and young people
· Mental health
· Food and fuel poverty
· Welfare Rights
At this time we are specifically looking for up to four individuals with experience of at least one of the following areas:
· Charity Finance including budgeting and year end accounts (Treasurer Role).
· Working with young people and children including experience of Ofsted.
· Corporate Social Responsibility and who have a network with businesses within the region.
· Income generation including the development of Social Enterprise.
· Developing communications strategy including social media.
Applications from those without these specific skills are also welcome and individuals from minority communities will be especially welcome. Survivors of domestic violence and those with lived experience of poverty and associated challenges, who have not been users of Salcare’s own services over the last 12 months, are also particularly welcome.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chrysalis Supported Association is a registered provider of social housing, specialising in providing accommodation and support to vulnerable adults across the UK.
You will contribute actively to the Board by providing strategic direction, setting policy, defining goals, and evaluating performance against agreed targets, meeting the needs of our tenants. Two positions available.
What will you be doing?
You will also help ensure that Chrysalis Supported Association complies with its overall governance document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations and keep up to date with internal and external factors that could impact Chrysalis Supported Association’s activities. You will also help to ensure the effective and efficient administration and financial stability of the charity.
We operate across the country developing accommodation for tenants with specific needs including learning difficult, mental health issues, those escaping domestic violence or recovering form substances abuse. We support many clients with other services such as counselling and developing work skills.
We have two positions, one as Chair. This is an unpaid role but we offer a programme of board development to all trustees and paid expenses.
What are we looking for?
You should have a passion to assist others feel safe in their own home, supported appropriately and able to operate in a group structure liaising with other boards and prepared to develop areas of expertise within the sector as well as bringing your own skills a contributing to future growth.
We would be very interested in new trustees with specialist housing experience but also those with experience with our client groups or those with governance, legal or financial skills and a passion for helping those we support.
What difference will you make?
You will contribute to the strategic direction and growth of a specialist housing provider that sits in a group of organisations providing a range of supporting services including addiction recovery, counselling, DV support, helping to make a difference to our tenants and clients lives and enabling them to live as independent a life as they are able.
Time commitment
6 Board meetings, 6 Development sessions / subcommittee meetings of 2 /3 hours usually during the day, plus pre read materials and so 6-8 hours a month.
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!
Every 6 minutes someone learns that they are losing their sight. Every five hours, a baby is born with sight problems. In these moments, two profound questions emerge:
• Can this be stopped?
• How do I (or my child) live this life?
The merger of Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation, which took place on 1st April 2023, will enable us to address both questions. By combining our strengths and expertise we are now the only significant national funder with the efficiency,
capability, and capacity to increase investment in medical research and social improvement. Together we can mitigate both the prevalence and impact of sight loss. We have a clear ambition – to save sight and to change lives.
We are now seeking up to four new trustees as we establish ourselves in our new form and under our new name (soon to be announced). This is an exciting inflection point for us, and our new trustees will be central in enabling us to achieve our ambition.
We have worked through our merger and have a clear focus and vision, as well as a strong Board and senior leadership team, all of whom are ambitious for the potential impact we can make. Our re-brand will also enable us to amplify our position as a leader within the sight loss sector. Our merger was a critical step in accelerating research which will create a positive impact on the lives of millions of people. We do not want this opportunity to pass us by and that’s what makes these such an important and exciting roles for the right people.
As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to steer the course of our charity and our sector, shaping our strategies, and advocating for meaningful change. You will be help us be a driving force behind world leading research into sight loss prevention, and transformative initiatives that enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.
We are particularly seeking individuals who have a medical or scientific research background, ideally in ophthalmology, and those who have experience in retail and fundraising. If you want to be part of something that will really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
“I extend a heartfelt invitation to those who share our commitment to making a profound difference in the lives of individuals affected by sight loss. Our journey towards a future where eye diseases are prevented and the challenges faced by the visually impaired are overcome requires the collective effort of dedicated individuals. We are seeking trustees who are not only passionate advocates for our cause but also possess the vision, expertise, and dedication to guide and govern our organisation. Your unique perspectives and skills will play a pivotal role in shaping and defining our impact for years to come.”
Dr Heather Giles, Chair
“Our two organisations came together to form a new dynamic, ambitious, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organisation to save sight and change lives. We are searching for trustees that can join us, and be at the forefront of creating the culture, the outlook and the methods of working and the operations to truly make a difference in society.”
Keith Valentine, CEO
ABOUT US
We are a new organisation forged from two ambitious charities: Fight for Sight and Vision Foundation. Our single, unifying mission is to save sight and change lives.
It is a mission that reflects two urgent questions everyone faces when they receive a diagnosis of sight loss: ‘How do I stop this?’ and ‘How do I live my life?’
Answering these questions guides our strategy as we progress a five-year plan with solid and lofty aspirations.
THE MERGER
Fight for Sight funds breakthrough research and life-changing services to build a more equitable future for blind and partially sighted people by accelerating breakthroughs in multiple sight loss conditions.
Vision Foundation works to inform, include and empower the visually impaired community. Empowerment is at the heart of what we do; our work focuses on what people can do, rather than what they can’t.
The merger will help us to realise a joint ambition to tackle sight loss from both a clinical and social perspective. Our combined organisation is now grounded in data and insight into the science, as well as the lived experience of, sight loss. With this wealth of evidence we’re determined to:
- generate further investment into the sector,
- accelerate clinical progress,
- improve quality of life for people facing or living with sight loss
Crucially, coming together is about growing our influence and impact, not reducing or diluting what we do. So, as we evolve as a merged organisation, we are combining our teams, announcing our new name and fine-tuning our unified
mission and strategy – as well as continuing with the important work we’re already committed to – you can expect big things from us and it is an exciting time to join us as a trustee.
OUR FUTURE
Our principal role is as a grant-maker. We award grants to the scientific community that could lead to scientific breakthroughs and treatments to stop eye diseases from progressing. In the future, we believe research can prevent people from losing sight and reverse sight loss. We invest to advance treatments that will cure eye disease and protect and grow the community of world-class scientists, technologists, and data scientists who can deliver tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Historically, Vision Foundation has funded innovations that directly impact people who are blind or partially sighted, from music classes for children to projects that take eye tests into at-risk communities. We invest in programmes, organisations and activities that deliver equity for and with blind and visually impaired people.
As a grant-maker, we are change-makers, accelerators and drivers of impact. We are bold, energetic, challenging, disruptive, tenacious, and determined.
We aren’t afraid to tackle the challenges facing the sight loss community, either. Recent campaigns include The Unseen, which unearthed the shocking scale and nature of domestic abuse among blind and partially sighted people, and See My Skills, which addressed high unemployment rates. The charity excels at working in partnership with others towards creating a more equitable society for the sight loss community.
As we progress, we’ll scale the impact of projects like these, look beyond the nation’s capital, and drive systemic change. We’ll need to secure the funds to invest in our trusted partners to achieve our ambitions. We’ll continue to fundraise by engaging with supporters and companies through legacies, events such as the London Marathon, and our network of charity shops.
The evidence we commission influences policy and decision-making to demand equality for all.
We’ll shortly have a new name that reflects our united ambitions, so it’s an exciting time for us and the people we serve.
OUR FINANCES
The charity is in a strong position financially, with a high level of reserves that we intend to draw down over the coming years as we focus on investing in sustainable growth and increasing our impact. Compared to many charities, we
have well diversified income streams, predictable costs, and are in the fortunate position to hold a sizable portfolio of investments. Our plans for the short and medium term are to invest in our income generation infrastructure, and to significantly increase the amounts of funding we can put to our charitable purpose.
OUR BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TEAM
Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation is the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team that has over half of its members with lived experience of sight loss.
The Board currently numbers ten trustees, including our newly appointed Chair.
The Board meets four times a year, or more often as required.
Follow this link to find out more about our Board.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
As the most senior leaders in our charity, trustees play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction, amplifying our impact, and ensuring the fulfilment of our mission to save sight and change lives. You will serve on the main board and will be invited also to get involved in one of our sub-committees. These are currently:
- Social Impact & Scientific Research Committee (SISR)
- Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources Committee (FARR)
- People Committee
- Retail Committee
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the charity, aligning efforts with the mission and values of the organisation.
- Collaborate with the board, executive team, and stakeholders to develop and implement long-term strategies that advance the charity’s impact and sustainability.
Governance
- Ensure effective governance, decision-making, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
- Work closely with board members, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration and open communication, harnessing different views and opinions.
Engagement
- Represent the charity at public events and networking opportunities to promote our mission and raise awareness about our cause.
- Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, corporations, government agencies, and the visually impaired community.
Evaluation and Accountability
- Collaborate with the board to evaluate performance, ensuring alignment with the charity’s goals and objectives.
- Ensure the charity is accountable to donors and beneficiaries, that is financially robust and sustainable, and that is effective risk management in place.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
We are seeking dynamic and dedicated individuals to serve as trustees of our ambitious merged organisation. The ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to our cause, along with the following:
Specialist experience
At this time, we are particularly interested in candidates who have leadership experience in:
- Scientific and/or medical research
- Ophthalmic research and/or clinical practice
- Strategic oversight of substantial fundraising and/or retail operations
Despite these areas of interest, we welcome a diversity of skills and experience at our charity and on our Board, and want to find the right candidates regardless of their specific areas of expertise or experience. So if you are interested in this role and think you can contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you.
General attributes
Knowledge & experience
- An understanding of governance, and experience on a committee or board.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, including donors, corporations and government agencies.
Skills & abilities
- Strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision to deliver impact.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Entrepreneurial instincts and a healthy understanding of risk balanced with ambition using sound judgement.
Styles & behaviours
- High ethical standards and commitment to upholding the charity’s values, as well as a passion for advocating on behalf of individuals with, or at risk of, sight loss.
- Collaborative, highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing difference perspectives.
- Solution-focused, with an ability to see the big picture and be pragmatic.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Remuneration
This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses may be claimed.
Time commitment
While the exact time commitment may vary based on the charity’s needs and priorities, we anticipate the following general expectations:
- A minimum of four Board meetings per year
- Up to four subcommittee meetings per year (the specific committee depending on skills and experience)
- Preparation for meetings, review of materials, and other trustee engagement as appropriate.
- Annual Strategy Day with full Board and executive team.
- Meetings with members of the executive leadership team as appropriate.
- Representing the charity at high profile events, functions and public engagements to enhance its reputation and partnerships.
Location
At present Board meetings are held in central London. Subcommittee meetings are held remotely.
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!
Home-Start in Suffolk is seeking up to four individuals to join our Board of Trustees to offer strategic support and guidance to Home-Start in Suffolk. You will join a strong, committed Trustee Board and help strengthen further the breadth of experience.
We are specifically interested in individuals with some of the following experiences:
- We want to ensure the voice of our clients is informing our governance and welcome applications from those with experience of our work this may be as a previously supported family or volunteer.
- We would like candidates with experience and strong expertise in marketing, networking, or expertise in volunteer management.
- We work across the county and are keen to have a geographic representation on our board. Currently, we have less representation from West Suffolk, Babergh and Waveney so would encourage applications from people living or working in these areas.
- We are also keen to bring further diversity and perspective to our Board. This might include experiences of life on a low income, your challenges in parenting or childhood or receiving support, migration or being in a minoritised racial community, being LGBT+ or in a family with this experience or living with a disability. Your diverse experience can help us as a Board better understand the wider range of families we aim to support.
If you are interested but don’t meet any of the above suggestions, please still get in touch as we will consider a variety of roles and experiences.
Previous experience of being a trustee is welcome but not necessary - we can provide a supportive environment for those wishing to gain their first trustee role.
If this sounds like your type of role, we would love to hear from you!
We hope you will consider making an application. If you have questions about the role and would find it helpful to have an informal conversation, please contact Home-Start in Suffolk and we will be happy to arrange a call. To make an application, please provide:
Your CV – which should include a summary of your relevant experiences.
Supporting Statement – Please prepare a statement (no more than 1 A4 page) that sets out why you are interested in this appointment and highlights the experiences and qualities you believe will help your success in this role.
Please also inform us of any dates when you are not available for interview.
Interview dates: Interview dates will be mutually agreed and held via Teams/Zoom
The application
A standardised scoring system is used to ensure fair shortlisting of candidates for interviews.
If written format is not your preferred method of communication, we can offer the opportunity to apply via voice note or video recording instead. Simply contact us to discuss this option.
Please let us know if we can help you in overcoming any barriers to support you in making an application.
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!
Main responsibilities
In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the chair include the following.
• Providing leadership to the organisation and the board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to provide greater public benefit
• Chairing and facilitating board meetings
• Giving direction to board policy-making
• Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented
• Representing the organisation at functions and meetings, and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate
• Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
• With the chief executive:
- Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting
- Setting agendas for board and other general meetings
- Developing the board of trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning
- Addressing conflict within the board and within the organisation, and liaising with the chief executive to achieve this
• Liaising with the chief executive to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate
• Leading the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the chief executive
• Sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels where required
• The vice-chair acts for the chair when the chair is not available and undertakes assignments at the request of the chair
Essential
In addition to the person specification for a Trustee, the Chair should have the following qualities.
• Commitment to Accommodation Concern’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities
• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life.
• Strategic leadership skills
• Experience of working with committees/Volunteers
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
• An understanding of the challenges facing UK small/medium sized charities in maximising income streams and donor cultivation
Desirable
To have knowledge and/or experience of the national and local landscape around poverty, homelessness and/or debt.
Experience of involvement/partnership working with the voluntary sector.
We are here to prevent and relieve poverty, hardship and distress.
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 looking forward to welcoming up to three new trustees to our board. The Trustees are jointly responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals. This is an opportunity to be part of a regenerating charity with a key role in the town focused on alleviating poverty locally.
We have identified that our organisation will particularly benefit from skills in fundraising, marketing, finance and an understanding of the challenges around the running of a small charity that is growing. We are also fully committed to increasing the diversity of our board.
The duties and responsibilities of our trustees are as follows:
· Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
· Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. the trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law, employment law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
· Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
· Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration and governance of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
· Understanding the responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee
· Undertaking induction and relevant training as identified for the role
· Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
· Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
· Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive
· In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, supporting working groups, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person Specification:
• A commitment to the organisation
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• A willingness to listen to others and share your views and opinions
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
We are here to prevent and relieve poverty, hardship and distress.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.