Youth Ambassador Volunteer Roles

About BelEve UK

BelEve engages with girls and young women to support them in gaining skills, confidence, and self-belief to fulfil their potential, despite barriers in their lives that might suggest otherwise.

Through carefully crafted programmes, mentoring, events, and campaigns, bringing individuals and groups together helps to motivate them, reduce isolation, combat differences, and build strength across communities from the girls who are at the centre of these. Through the programmes, beneficiaries improve their social mobility, as well as their life and career prospects.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Chair who can lead our Board and support our Chief Executive to drive our charity’s long-term success, sustainability, and impactful growth.

Our new Chair will be an ambitious and visionary leader with a strong track record of governing complex organisations through change.

We are open to your professional background if you bring effective governance experience, strategic thinking and a good understanding of issues affecting the lives of girls and young women.

We are looking for a Chair with experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Experience of being a Chair
• Track record of relationship building, with stakeholders, partners, decision-makers, team, and Board
• Governance and organisational leadership experience
• Experience in creating strong partnerships with stakeholders and successfully influencing decision-makers
• Understanding of risk management and mitigation
• Ability to encourage positive change and innovation where appropriate.
• An understanding of the key challenges the organisation aims to tackle from issues impacting various communities of young women and girls
• Extrovert, Fun, Dynamic, and Engaging
• Values Led

For more information, please access the attached recruitment pack, our contact information can be located there.

How to Apply

If this role is of interest, please submit your CV and supporting statement via the link below.

Your statement should be up to 2 pages long (no more than 900 words), addressing the following statements:

• Please outline your demonstrable commitment to BelEve UK's mission and purpose and your motivation for applying.​
• Detail your previous experience and capabilities which you believe make you suitable for this Chair role.

Closing Date: Thursday 9th May 2024 at 23.59hrs

Our Commitment

BelEve is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from people from all sections of the community. We would like to encourage applicants from black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities.

Diverse City is looking for a Chair to the Trustees who will be responsible for leading an effective board, managing the Executive and representing the organisation as an ambassador and advocate.

Diversity is central to our name, our art, and our values. We believe that theatre with its roots in diversity helps us imagine a fairer world, so that we can make one.

The company collaborates on the development and touring of nationally significant work to create equal representation in the performing arts. Our flagship collaboration is with Cirque Bijou. Together we lead Extraordinary Bodies a company that creates bold, provocative new circus performance.

Our mission is to fight for equality in every artistic arena. The boardroom, the audience, backstage and centre stage should all be truly representative, and we’re here to make that happen. We know that career pathways into the arts are only open to the few. This means, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, D/deaf and disabled people, and people from the global majority are all underrepresented in arts organisations, including ours. We want to change that. So, we particularly encourage applications from people from underrepresented groups.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), supported by Arts Council England.

We are entering an exciting period, and the Chair will be key in turning the page to the next chapter for the Company. The Board has recently been revitalised, and the Chair will be critical in driving the governance and Company forward. So, if you have experience and commitment to collaborative working, nurturing the voices and perspectives of all, social justice and the value of the arts, we could well be looking for you.

The key areas the Chair is responsible for are:

• Leading the Board, stakeholder management and organisational governance. Including:
• Setting the Board agenda, ensuring legal and financial governance duties are met effectively.
• Effective operation of the Board in all its areas and responsibilities.
• Build and maintain positive relationships including existing and potential funders.
• Represent the organisation at outside events
• Develop the Charity's vision and strategy
• Line manage the Executive
• Support the Executive in fundraising and encourage Trustees to do so.

We are looking for candidate with the following skills and experience

• Record of engagement in arts & culture
• Commitment & understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion.
• Experience of governance, or other organisational leadership, particularly in arts & culture, a non-profit, charity or public sector setting.
• Familiarity with reviewing or managing budgets.
• Effective, confident & enabling approach to convening & facilitating meetings Experience of chairing or facilitation in both in-person & remote settings.
• Skilled at building & balancing relationships with stakeholders including Arts Council England.
• Enthusiasm & empathy for vision, mission, values & work of the charity.
• Commitment to trustee duties & openness with the charity's team & Trustees.
• Ability to work in a team, accept decisions & be tolerant of other views.
• Commitment to being informed about - and act as a champion for - the charity.
• Ability to treat sensitive information confidentially.

Our candidate pack outlines the responsibilities of the role as well as the skills and experience needed. The candidate pack is available as Audio and BSL versions. Other versions available on request.

The Chair holds a pivotal role in guiding the board and the governance of Home-Start Blackmore Vale

Location: Our office base is currently in Sturminster Newton, Dorset with some remote work. 

Renumeration:The role of Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Time commitment:  Approximately 1 – 2 days a month
Attending Board Meetings every 2 months with short 1 hour subject focused meeting in the interim month. Meeting with the / supervising the Scheme Manager, other ad hoc meetings

Principle Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership  - Provide leadership to the charity and its Board, ensuring the Charity has maximum impact for its beneficiaries  and ensuring that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Charity

Compliance -  comply with the Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance system and ensuring the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks. Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability

Governance - Ensure that the governance arrangements are working in the most effective way for the Charity. Develop the knowledge and capability of the Board of Trustees and encourage positive change and where appropriate address and resolve any conflicts within the Board
External Relations -  Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity. Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders and with key influencers.

Efficiency and effectiveness - Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process. Ensure that Trustees are fully engaged and that decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership. 

further information on the role can be found on our website 

Trustee

We’re looking for trustees​

I’m Nick, Chair of the Board of Trustees for We The Curious. We are looking for individuals to join us on the board who are passionate about creating a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future through science and creative experiences.​

Since the temporary closure of our venue due to fire and water damage, we have been working hard to continue our mission with our 'out and about' activity as well as focussing on reimagining our strategic plan (Plan 2030) and governance.

We are now on the cusp of reopening our iconic Bristol venue, and as we do, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to our strategy and help us create a place where everyone is included, curious and inspired by science.

We have newfound opportunities and challenges ahead and we need people with fresh perspectives and skills . As a trustee, you’ll share our values, be motivated, and have a positively questioning mind to help us realise our vision.  You can find more about our history and who we are here.

If you feel energised by our charity and this opportunity, then we’d love to hear from you!

Nick Jones, Chair of Board of Trustees, We The Curious​

What is a trustee?​

Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. They may be known by other titles, such as:

Directors, board members, governors, committee members

Whatever they are called, trustees are the people who work with our experienced leadership team to provide support, encouragement, challenge when needed and help to decide how the charity is run. Being a trustee means making decisions that will impact on people’s lives. Depending on what the charity does, you will be making a difference to your local community or to society as a whole.

Trustees use their skills and experience to support their charities, helping them achieve their aims. Trustees also often learn new skills during their time on the board.

About We The Curious​

We The Curious is an educational charity and one of the UK’s leading science centres. 

We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas around science, technology, natural history and the environment.

We work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.

We are progressive, inquisitive, collaborative, playful and creative.

Vision

​What if everyone is included, curious, inspired by science to build a better world together?

Mission​

Our aim is to connect and empower people through sharing creative experiences which celebrate unknowns in science.

Our work as a charity is driven by five key pledges:

_Cultivate Curiosity

_Include Everyone

_Open Up Science

_Sustainable Futures

_Build Resilience

You can find out more about these in our Manifesto.

What will you do in this role?​

As a trustee you will provide advice, knowledge and support to the leadership team at We The Curious.

With the steer of the Chair, the board of trustees ensures we pursue our purpose responsibly, are compliant with our governing documents, charity law and other relevant legislation. The board will review and advise on best practice and appropriate policies and procedures and uphold excellent governance.

As a trustee you will:​

_Contribute individual skills and knowledge in support of the vision and strategic delivery

_Uphold the values of We The Curious

_Safeguard and advocate for the work and vision of We The Curious

_Act as ambassadors locally, nationally and internationally

_Assist with the evaluation and review of the policies, goals and targets of the organisation

_Encourage investment and growth

_Drive innovation and change

_Oversee the effective and efficient administration of the organisation and long-term financial stability

_Contribute to working groups for specific focus on projects

All Trustees should use their specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach informed decisions in the best interest of We The Curious.

This will involve scrutinising Board papers, leading discussion and providing guidance as requested by the Board on new initiatives or other issues relevant to the area of our work in which the trustee has expertise.

Time commitment

​_We hold quarterly board meetings, typically from 4pm to 7pm and one strategy away day per year. Trustees are expected to attend and contribute to all meetings either in person or by joining virtually.

_ Board Meetings are located at the We The Curious offices within the science centre in central Bristol, and once a year at another location around the City.

_ You will also be asked to take part in one of our subcommittee meetings which take place online, at least once per quarter. There are currently sub-committees for Finance & Risk Assurance and Purpose Strategy.

_ You may also be called upon for advice or assistance by the leadership team or to attend occasional events.

Remuneration

​This is a voluntary role. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered. Food is provided at the quarterly Board meetings and strategy away days.

You will have:​​​​​​​

_Free entry to our venue during opening hours

_12 tickets per calendar year to give away

_20% off in the We The Curious shop at our venue and online

_Free parking at Millennium Square car park for meetings

_Secure cycle storage

Terms of appointment​

_Trustees are appointed to an initial three-year term of service (including a 12-month probationary period).

_Trustees can serve a maximum of six years with a reappointment after the first term of three years unless the trustee holds an office, such as Chair or Deputy Chair, in which case they would be eligible for a further three-year term. The maximum term of office is nine years. 

Probationary period

​This post is subject to a 12-month probationary period.

What we're looking for from you​

We have created a bold new Plan 2030 strategy, and we are looking for people that embody our values and have some of these skills/knowledge to help achieve it.

You will:​

_Embody our values. Collaborative, Creative, Inquisitive, Playful and Progressive

_Be committed to our vision and key manifesto pledges of Cultivating Curiosity, Including Everyone, Open Up Science, Strive for Sustainable Futures and Build Resilience

_Have a positively questioning mind to help We The Curious fulfil its  vision

_Act with integrity and in the best interests of We The Curious at all times

_Work effectively as a member of a team and take decisions for the good of We The Curious

Skills/Knowledge

​We want to ensure that our board bring a variety of skills and knowledge to We The Curious. We are particularly looking for people to join us who have skills/knowledge in any of the following areas:

_Disability awareness

_Finance and accountancy

_IT (Information Technology)

_Legal Media/PR (Public Relations) 

_People management

_Property management

_Science communication Science industry research 

_Sustainability and climate action

_Surveying / Architecture 

_Venue operations

_Education and learning

Including everyone

​We want our people to reflect our city and build a place where everyone feels like they can belong. But we know that our organisation doesn’t yet represent the rich experiences and cultures of Bristol. We think when our board reflects our city it will lead to innovative , well informed and better decision making. We’ll be more resilient, inclusive, and better equipped to fulfil our vision and mission.

We especially want to hear from you if​

_You identify as and/or have lived experiences with either:  African and African Caribbean heritage, Carers, d/Deaf, Disabled, East Asian heritage, Global majority, LGBTQIA+ and/or non-binary, Neurodivergent, South Asian heritage, under 40, Visually impaired, Woman, Working Class

We are also working with Rising Arts to recruit two young people (18-25) to our board this year. 

I’ve never been a trustee before, should I apply? 

​Yes! If you feel you connect with these values or have some the skills/knowledge we are looking for, then we’d love to hear from you.

You just need to be at least 18 years old. You don’t need formal qualifications, or previous trustee experience or a science background or have reached any stage in your career. We’ll give you training on good governance and opportunities for mentorship. This opportunity would suit someone who is new to governance or hasn’t been a trustee before. 

If you are an aspiring trustee or want to know more about trustees, you may find these resources from Getting on Board useful.

Supporting you​

Training​

If you join the board, you will have an induction and onboarding experience to support you with your role and get you connected with the rest of the organisation.

If you are a first-time trustee or want a refresher, we will provide you with training on good governance and other topics related to your role. We will also provide you with mentorship from other members of the board.

Application process​

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 18 March

Interview date(s) and location:  Week commencing 15 April

Start date:  6 May 2024. Induction will take place over 2 weeks with first board meeting to attend on Thursday 23 May 2024.

To Apply:​

If you would like to apply, please click on 'Apply via Webiste' and follow instructions on the job description. It contains questions designed to assess your experience and suitability for the role. You have the option to answer these questions in a written format or by submitting your responses by video or audio. 

Please do not send in CVs or covering letters as we don’t review them.

If you are invited for an informal interview with members of the board of trustees and staff of We The Curious, we’ll send you the questions that you’ll be asked beforehand so that you have time to prepare.

We appreciate interviews can be stressful so we try to make them more of a conversation and a chance for you to tell us about how your qualifications, skills and experience make you the right person for the role.​

If you have any particular needs or requirements, please do let us know so we are able to make the required adjustments.

If you would like to talk about the role or application process, please email people(at)wethecurious(dot)org.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Do you want to join a Board with an ambitious strategy to grow the amount of care we provide to people with complex disabilities, within a well established care organisation? At Vision Homes, we are seeking to recruit passionate and committed new trustees to our Board to help shape future strategy and growth.

We are seeking Trustees to bring additional knowledge and input to our Board. It is an opportunity for those that who are keen to use their skills and experience, whether professional or personal, to make sure Vision Homes can continue to serve and to grow the excellent care that it provides to people with complex needs such as sensory impairment with acquired brain injury. Those in our care range in age, and have differing needs, and we aim to offer personalised care so that everyone can live the best life that they can. 

We’re particularly interested to hear from you if have direct experience of adult care services (care homes or home care) or experience in the supported housing sector. We also have a need to add to our skills and diversity, as a Board, in areas such as charity, governance, strategic management, or experience as a Chartered Surveyor. No prior experience of sitting on a board is necessary as we offer induction and training.

The UK Rep Pool is a collection of 18-25-year-olds from around the UK who are trained to represent the UK Scout Association at events in the UK and abroad. These events vary from the conferences, seminars and workshops mentioned on the website and may be from a single day to a whole week. The UK Rep Pool then ensure that any learning, knowledge and inspiration from these events is brought back to the relevant teams of volunteers at UK level as well as sections they may be involved in locally.

As a Rep Pool member, you will be expected to attend a training day once a year and bi-monthly calls. This will include updates from World Scouting, other events members have attended, and any lessons learnt from projects. Typically, members will also help support other UK national projects which their event experiences can relate to.

As we have a number of members retiring this year, we are currently looking for governors to join the Corporation Board. We are seeking experienced individuals, looking for an opportunity to use, and develop, their professional skills in a board-level environment. This is a really exciting time to join us at Preston College, as we implement our new Strategic Plan.

Being a governor is a hugely rewarding leadership role. Governors can make a real difference and give something back to the local community.

At the moment, we are looking for new governors with background and experience of one, or more, of the following areas:

- Business

-   Finance/ resources

-   Strategy

- Audit and Risk

- Estates Management.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who can contribute ideas and widen the perspective of our Board. We value the diversity of our learners and staff and are determined to reflect this amongst our Governing Body. We encourage people from a range of backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Most meetings are held in College. 

Please get in touch if you don’t feel you have the time to join the Board but would be interested in being co-opted to one of our committees. Co-option can provide an excellent introduction to voluntary governance roles. We are currently looking for co-opted members to join our Search and Governance Commitee, Resources Committee and Audit and Risk Committee. 

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.